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Author: Tori Ganahl

“Parents Last”: Senate Democrats Advance HB25-1312 Despite Mass Opposition, Custody Concerns
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“Parents Last”: Senate Democrats Advance HB25-1312 Despite Mass Opposition, Custody Concerns

By Tori Ganahl | Rocky Mountain Voice Colorado’s controversial “Kelly Loving Act” is one step away from becoming law, after the state Senate advanced HB25-1312 in a party-line vote Monday night. The bill passed 23-12 following hours of floor debate—nearing an end to a legislative saga that’s drawn over 700 would-be testifiers, more than 17,000 emails from concerned constituents, and ongoing warnings from legal experts, parents, and educators. The bill started as an expansion of the Colorado Anti-discrimination Act (CADA), aiming to add gender identity and expression as protected categories in schools, courts, and beyond. Even after key changes, Republicans say it still threatens parental rights and opens the door to new legal trouble for those who disagree with progressive gender pol...
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Doctors, parents, pastors say HB25-1312 “crosses line” as Senate advances bill after midnight
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Doctors, parents, pastors say HB25-1312 “crosses line” as Senate advances bill after midnight

By Tori Ganahl | Rocky Mountain Voice HB25-1312, also known as the “Kelly Loving Act,” proposes major changes to how Colorado law handles gender identity. After more than eight hours of emotional testimony that went past 1:00 a.m., the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the bill on a 5–2 party-line vote. The bill would expand the state’s anti-discrimination laws to include gender identity and expression in areas like public spaces, schools, and legal proceedings. Bill sponsor Faith Winters described it as a “crash couch for the state,” a metaphor meant to convey safety and refuge for at-risk individuals. https://twitter.com/scottpshamblin/status/1917691858547007671?s=42 Despite several amendments adopted during the hearing, critics argue the bill still threatens parental...
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HB25-1169 would strip local control, override zoning to force housing on church and school property
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HB25-1169 would strip local control, override zoning to force housing on church and school property

By Tori Ganahl | Rocky Mountain Voice A bill making its way through the Colorado legislature—HB 25-1169, the “Faith and Education Land Use” bill—is under growing scrutiny from local officials, school communities, and everyday Coloradans who see it as a sweeping override of local zoning authority. The legislation, supported by Democratic lawmakers and Governor Jared Polis’s administration, mandates that cities and counties allow residential development on land owned by churches, K-12 school districts, and public colleges–regardless of existing zoning restrictions or community input. Framed as a solution to the state’s housing crisis, critics argue the bill does nothing to guarantee affordability, and instead hands over local land-use control to the state under the guise of housing ...
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95,000 petitions delivered to the Capitol, urging Polis to veto SB25-003
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95,000 petitions delivered to the Capitol, urging Polis to veto SB25-003

By Tori Ganahl | Rocky Mountain Voice A group of conservative leaders took a bold stand for gun rights today at the Colorado State Capitol. Between Rocky Mountain Gun Owners (RMGO) and the Colorado State Shooting Association, nearly 95,000 petitions were delivered on Thursday calling on Governor Jared Polis to veto SB25-003, the controversial “safety training” bill that critics say imposes unconstitutional restrictions on the Second Amendment. The Capitol demonstration came just one day after Colorado’s Republican congressional delegation issued a formal letter to Governor Polis demanding a veto of SB25-003.  The letter—organized by U.S. Representative Jeff Crank and signed by Lauren Boebert, Jeff Hurd, and Gabe Evans—called the bill “one of the most restrictive gun ownership...
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AGNC: Democrats’ TABOR lawsuit a “legislative betrayal” against Colorado taxpayers
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AGNC: Democrats’ TABOR lawsuit a “legislative betrayal” against Colorado taxpayers

By Tori Ganahl | Rocky Mountain Voice Democrats in the Colorado legislature are pushing forward with a plan that would fundamentally alter the state's tax system—starting with a lawsuit aimed at dismantling the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR). At the heart of this effort is House Joint Resolution 25-1023, which directs the General Assembly’s Committee on Legal Services to file a lawsuit in state court challenging the constitutionality of TABOR.  Their argument? That allowing voters to decide on tax increases and imposing limits on government spending violates the “republican form of government” guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution​. Simply put: Colorado Democrats are claiming that the very act of asking taxpayers for permission to raise taxes is unconstitutional. This ...
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Holistic health practitioners fight back against HB25-1220’s threat to medical freedom
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Holistic health practitioners fight back against HB25-1220’s threat to medical freedom

By Tori Ganahl, Rocky Mountain Voice A new bill moving through the Colorado General Assembly, HB25-1220, is drawing sharp criticism from holistic health practitioners and nutritionists, who argue it amounts to government overreach that could criminalize alternative health practices and limit consumer choice. Proponents say the bill is necessary to protect public health by ensuring only qualified professionals provide medical nutrition therapy (MNT). The legislation would create the State Board of Dietetics and Nutrition, with the authority to license, regulate, and discipline professionals practicing medical nutrition therapy. Under the bill, individuals offering nutrition services must obtain a state license by September 1, 2026, or face penalties, including a class two misdemean...
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Congressman Gabe Evans introduces BELOS Act to support military families
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Congressman Gabe Evans introduces BELOS Act to support military families

By Tori Ganahl | Rocky Mountain Voice In a move to honor America’s fallen service members and their families, Colorado Congressman Gabe Evans has introduced the Benefits that Endure for Lifetimes of Service (BELOS) Act, a bipartisan bill that would provide free lifetime National Park passes to families of veterans who passed away due to service-related illness or injury​. The bill is named in honor of First Sergeant Marc Belo, a decorated U.S. Army soldier who dedicated 30 years of his life to serving his country.  Belo was a first responder at the Pentagon on 9/11 and deployed three times—to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo. He passed away in 2024 due to cancer linked to his military service​. Rep. Evans, a fellow veteran who served alongside Belo, emphasized the signif...
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The Rocky Mountain Rumble Rallies Colorado Conservatives
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The Rocky Mountain Rumble Rallies Colorado Conservatives

By Tori Ganahl, Rocky Mountain Voice Staff This past weekend in Sedalia, Colorado, hundreds of conservatives gathered as Wide Open Saloon hosted the very first Rocky Mountain Rumble, showcasing the strength and unity of the Colorado conservative community. As former President Donald Trump faced his second assassination attempt in two months just hours before the rally, it transformed into a powerful declaration of resolve in troubling times and a stark reminder of the divisions we face as a nation. A Call to Action Amidst National Turmoil The rally featured prominent Colorado conservatives who addressed a range of pressing issues—from crime to economic concerns—highlighting the immediate need for active conservative participation in the upcoming elections. Heidi Ganahl,...
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Martin Luther King Jr. Writes “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” On April 16, 1963
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Martin Luther King Jr. Writes “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” On April 16, 1963

By Tori Ganahl | Rocky Mountain Voice In the midst of the civil rights movement's fervor, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. penned his profound "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" on April 16, 1963. Locked away in Birmingham, Ala., King responded to criticisms from white clergy, defending his urgent call for justice against segregation. His heartfelt words, initially etched on scraps of paper, resonated as a powerful testament to the struggle for civil rights. King passionately rejected the notion of being an outsider to Birmingham's plight, declaring, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." He urged immediate action against segregation, emphasizing that waiting for the "right time" was futile. King advocated for non-violent protest and challenged conformity, calling on individu...
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Everything you need to know about CD4’s special election to replace Ken Buck
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Everything you need to know about CD4’s special election to replace Ken Buck

By Tori Ganahl | Rocky Mountain Voice Colorado's Congressional District 4 is poised for a political showdown as the race to replace outgoing Representative Ken Buck heats up, especially since March 22nd was his last day. Here's what you need to know about this critical special election to replace Buck until the actual election happens in November: With 11 Republican candidates and five Democrats vying for the primary ballot, and one Libertarian candidate for the general election, the field is crowded and competitive. Buck's unexpected resignation, accelerated from his previously announced departure at the end of his term in January 2025, has triggered a special election ordered by Governor Jared Polis. This election, scheduled for June 25, coincides with Colorado's prima...
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