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Author: Jen Schumann

Boebert sounds alarm on massive Biden-Harris Admin land grab in Western Colorado
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Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Boebert sounds alarm on massive Biden-Harris Admin land grab in Western Colorado

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert is sounding the alarm over a land grab by the Biden-Harris Administration's Bureau of Land Management. The BLM's new resource management plans target 183 million acres of public lands in the West. They prioritize conservation, including habitat protection for the Gunnison Sage-Grouse. Joining Boebert in opposition to the plans are Bruce Westerman, the chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, and Chelsie Miera, the executive director of the Western Slope Oil & Gas Association. They worry about the economic fallout from such land management decisions in Colorado and Utah. The BLM recently made amendments to 11 Resource Management Plans (RMPs) in Colorado and Utah, which impacts vast areas o...
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Grand Junction ‘Rumble’ rallies support for conservative movement in Colorado
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Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Grand Junction ‘Rumble’ rallies support for conservative movement in Colorado

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice The Rocky Mountain Rumble held Sunday in Clifton gathered Western Slope conservatives under a shared mission: fighting for rural Colorado's future and energizing the community ahead of crucial elections. Hosted by Rocky Mountain Voice's founder Heidi Ganahl, the event underscored the importance of unity, local leadership and economic opportunity as the region grapples with state and federal overreach. Mesa County resident and attendee Vicky Murphy says she's been a political junkie for years, often speaking her mind and she's noticed a change in locals around her lately. "People that I’ve known for years who never opened their mouth about politics are suddenly very chatty," she said. "They have passion [and] concern, and they ...
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Gordon Bertoglio, 74, recounts assault, makes plea for lowering political temperature
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Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Gordon Bertoglio, 74, recounts assault, makes plea for lowering political temperature

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice Against the backdrop of the Rockies, where the day fades in Colorado’s House District 17, the election of 2024 has emerged as a battleground where democracy's integrity is as much at stake as a campaign victory. Picture this: You're Gordon Bertoglio, a 74-year-old Republican volunteer, near a campaign sign that you’ve just gotten to stand straight. The air is crisp, the stakes high. Suddenly, a confrontation turns violent. Bertoglio, a longtime precinct leader and dedicated volunteer, found himself not just defending signs, but his very safety. He was waiting in his car, keeping an eye on political signs in support of Republican House District 17 candidate Elizabeth Riggs. The campaign had noted previous thefts of signs in the...
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Election volunteer, age 74, hospitalized following assault, others report sign theft, vandalism
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Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Election volunteer, age 74, hospitalized following assault, others report sign theft, vandalism

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice The political battleground in Colorado isn't simply limited to choices on the ballot. Volunteers are finding the streets to be more than just a figurative battleground, as despite their efforts to promote a better tomorrow they are literally under attack today. As Colorado’s election season heats up, a disturbing trend is emerging — campaign materials being stolen or vandalized and, worse, violence targeting campaign volunteers. In a region spanning Colorado Senate District 12, House Districts 16 and 17 and other areas, the tension surrounding local Republican campaigns is manifesting in dangerous ways. One of the most alarming events took place in House District 17, where Gordon Bertoglio, a 74-year-old precinct leader, wa...
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Durango School Board pauses decision to ban LGBTQ+, Black Lives Matter flags in classrooms
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Approved, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

Durango School Board pauses decision to ban LGBTQ+, Black Lives Matter flags in classrooms

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice In a room charged with emotion, the Durango School Board's decision to revisit their flag policy left the community holding its breath. The Durango School Board met Oct. 15 to discuss the district's recent choice to take down LGBTQ+ Pride and Black Lives Matter flags from classrooms. The controversy began when a parent lodged a complaint on Sept. 11, arguing that Black Lives Matter and the Pride flags are political symbols. The parent claimed these flags promoted political agendas in a school setting. In response, Durango School District 9-R implemented a policy on Oct. 1, requiring the removal of these specific flags, while allowing standard Pride flags to remain. This decision ignited community and teacher concerns, leadi...
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Experts to debate Prop 131 (Ranked Choice Voting) at Oct. 18 event in Grand Junction
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Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Experts to debate Prop 131 (Ranked Choice Voting) at Oct. 18 event in Grand Junction

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice With many Colorado voters already having ballots in hand, soon decisions will need to be made on a variety of ballot initiatives, not the least of which is Proposition 131. The measure is an attempt to adopt Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV) in Colorado. It would overhaul the existing election processes, with some having expressed concern over little evidence of making elections more efficient, trustworthy, voter-friendly or transparent. A panel discussion on Prop. 131 will take place Oct. 18 in the Robinson Theatre at Colorado Mesa University (CMU). The event is hosted by Restore the Balance (RTB), the CMU Civic Forum and the Young Forwardists. This panel discussion is free to the public. CMU Political Science Professor Tim Casey wi...
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A view from both sides of the 29 Road Interchange ballot measure in Mesa County
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Approved, Mesa County, Rocky Mountain Voice

A view from both sides of the 29 Road Interchange ballot measure in Mesa County

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice For decades, Mesa County folks have been dreaming of a common sense road fix to link 29 Road straight to Interstate 70. That connection is almost a reality. The Mesa County Board of County Commissioners gave the green light to a ballot measure, inching the area closer to smoother drives and less gridlock. As traffic congestion worsens, proponents argue for the interchange. They say it is vital for regional connectivity and to manage future traffic. The population is set to grow by 20-25% in 20 years, and acting now will prevent traffic jams. Grand Junction City Councilman Cody Kennedy and Mesa County Commissioner Cody Davis have been leaders in pushing for the project. At a recent Mesa County Republican Women's luncheon, both ...
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U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert listens to Western Slope leaders on energy, water and land use 
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Approved, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert listens to Western Slope leaders on energy, water and land use 

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice Meet Bryce and Lisa Casto, sixth-generation ranchers on the Western Slope, who are worried that the Dolores Monument designation will close their roads and leave them unable to care for their livestock.  Bryce understands the importance of local communities managing the land around them. “When it's locally controlled, we control it better because we will harvest whatever can be harvested," he said. "It's close to home, so we want to make sure we're taken care of.”  Their livelihood depends on the very issues discussed at Colorado Mesa University on Oct. 5 with U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, during a listening session in which participants were encouraged to bring their concerns — and those of many like them — to the foref...
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‘We wanted to stand up for all taxpayers’: State Supreme Court affirms taxpayer victory against water district
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Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

‘We wanted to stand up for all taxpayers’: State Supreme Court affirms taxpayer victory against water district

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice Even though it’s unlawful to increase taxes in Colorado without a vote of the people, vigilance keeps it enforced. When Northeast Coloradan residents noticed their property taxes double from 2019 to 2020, a few of them filed suit against the Lower South Platte Water Conservancy District.  Unanimously, the Colorado Appellate Court ruled in March this was a violation of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR).  The Colorado Supreme Court affirmed this ruling and denied the defendant’s appeal on Sept. 30. With help from the National Taxpayers Union Foundation’s (NTUF) Taxpayer Defense Center and Advance Colorado, James Aranci and other property owners cinched this victory reaffirming TABOR: any tax increase needs voter consent, and b...
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New property tax law could result in fewer tax breaks
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Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

New property tax law could result in fewer tax breaks

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice House Bill 24B-1001 was the solution in a whirlwind, not-quite four-day special session of the Colorado Legislature, aimed at addressing escalating property taxes. Now local governments are discovering how it may take away one of their tools in providing relief: tax credits. This could mean property owners and businesses will end up paying more in taxes. What the new law does Following the special session he called in late August, Gov. Polis signed this bill into law on Sept. 4. It will limit annual property tax increases. The goal is halting the surge in property taxes caused by factors including increased home prices, inflation, the Gallagher Amendment repeal, TABOR and politically-driven initiatives. When it takes ef...
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