Rocky Mountain Voice

Menu

Blog

Denver Democrat didn’t attend a Colorado House floor debate in person until 45 days into legislative session
No Comments
Approved, State, The Colorado Sun

Denver Democrat didn’t attend a Colorado House floor debate in person until 45 days into legislative session

By Sandra Fish | Colorado Sun State Rep. Elisabeth Epps attended her first House floor session in person Feb. 23 — 45 days into Colorado’s 120-day legislative session — after asking Democratic leadership in the chamber in mid-January for permission to participate remotely “indefinitely, unfortunately” because she said she’s “experiencing an extended health condition.” That’s according to a Colorado Sun review of House journals, as well as an examination of emails and texts between the Denver Democrat and House leadership and staff obtained by The Sun through an open records request.  In requesting remote participation, Epps did not disclose her health condition. Her first day of in-person House floor attendance came a day after The Sun asked her about her ...
Read More
MEET THE CANDIDATES: Flora lays out ‘Roadmap to Restoring America’ during visit to Fort Morgan
No Comments
Approved, fortmorgantimes.com, State

MEET THE CANDIDATES: Flora lays out ‘Roadmap to Restoring America’ during visit to Fort Morgan

By BRIAN PORTER | The Fort Morgan Times The winding path of the campaign trail in Colorado’s Congressional District 4 – from suburban areas to the far reaches of the Eastern Plains and all places in between – can offer the chance to identify many problems. That’s only part of the job of the next member of Congress, Deborah Flora says. She created a “Roadmap to Restoring America”, which attempts to identify both problems and solutions. “We can talk about the problems all day long, but what are the solutions?” Flora asked during a campaign stop in Fort Morgan. “It is easy to identify the problems. I wanted to put out a roadmap for the solutions.” READ THE FULL STORY AT THE FORT MORGAN TIMES
Read More
Stop the Bleed program a means to protect our children
No Comments
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Stop the Bleed program a means to protect our children

By Jacob Clay | Guest Columnist As a parent and school administrator, I am deeply concerned about an issue that threatens the safety of our most precious gifts: Our children. While it is every community's hope that tragic events never impact our schools, we must do all we can to prepare and shield our kids. This is a matter of vital importance, one that crosses partisan lines and any stances on school security. There is one simple safety measure that could be the difference between life or death.  Recent horrific incidents across the country remind us that blood loss is the leading cause of death in mass casualty situations, accounting for many preventable fatalities. Through basic medical training and access to essential supplies, how many lives could have been saved? I a...
Read More
Enough fentanyl to ‘kill global population — nearly twice over’ seized last year in California
No Comments
Approved, National, THE HILL

Enough fentanyl to ‘kill global population — nearly twice over’ seized last year in California

By LAUREN IRWIN | The Hill California seized a record amount of fentanyl in 2023, enough to potentially kill the global population “nearly twice over,” Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced Tuesday. Last year, 62,224 pounds of fentanyl was seized in California and at the state’s ports of entry. Since 2021, seizures by the California National Guard increased by 1,066 percent. “Fentanyl is a poison, and it does not belong in our communities,” Newsom said. “California is cracking down – increasing seizures, expanding access to substance abuse treatment, and holding drug traffickers accountable to combat the immeasurable harm opioids have caused our communities.” READ THE FULL STORY AT THE HILL
Read More
Hartsook: Record-setting session dominated by ‘extreme Progressive’ wing of Democrat party
No Comments
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Hartsook: Record-setting session dominated by ‘extreme Progressive’ wing of Democrat party

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice The speed with which legislation is flowing in the Colorado Legislature is unprecedented, Rep. Anthony Hartsook told constituents Wednesday in a newsletter. Hartsook serves Douglas County residents in House District 44. “The legislature is well on its way to a record or near-record year for the volume of legislation,” he wrote. “I continue to fight for tax relief, parental rights, public safety, veterans and small business.” In an address Saturday to Weld County residents, Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer predicted bill count could reach 1,000. The bill total presently sits at 470. Hartsook sponsored House Bill 1156, which would allow issuance of a special event permit to a chamber of commerce and its members related to events where alcohol m...
Read More
‘I did not involve my father in my business,’ Hunter Biden says during impeachment testimony
No Comments
Approved, National, THE HILL

‘I did not involve my father in my business,’ Hunter Biden says during impeachment testimony

By MYCHAEL SCHNELL | The Hill Hunter Biden testified Wednesday that he “did not involve” his father, President Biden, in his business dealings, delivering the message at the beginning of his highly anticipated deposition as part of the GOP’s impeachment inquiry into the president. “I am here today to provide the committees with the one uncontestable fact that should end the false premise of this inquiry: I did not involve my father in my business. Not while I was a practicing lawyer, not in my investments or transactions domestic or international, not as a board member, and not as an artist. Never,” Biden said during his opening statement. “My testimony today should put an end to this baseless and destructive political charade,” he later added. “You have wasted valuable time and r...
Read More
Colorado lawmakers review bill on refusing DUI-related blood tests, motor vehicle offenses
No Comments
Approved, coloradopolitics.com, State

Colorado lawmakers review bill on refusing DUI-related blood tests, motor vehicle offenses

By Marianne Goodland | Colorado Politics A sweeping measure that would deal with a host of motor vehicle offenses, including refusal to submit to a blood test for drunk driving, is awaiting a vote from the House Judiciary Committee. The main provisions in House Bill 1135 actually deal with motor vehicle offenses committed by commercial drivers. But the bill's broad title, on offenses related to operating a motor vehicle, gave the sponsors latitude to include other issues. Reps. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs, and Matt Soper, R-Delta, attempted to address several roadway problems with the measure, which a committee reviewed — but took no action — on Tuesday. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
Read More
Mitch McConnell to step down as U.S. Senate Republican Leader in November
No Comments
Approved, National, THE HILL

Mitch McConnell to step down as U.S. Senate Republican Leader in November

By ALEXANDER BOLTON | The Hill Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) is stepping down from his leadership post in November, ending his history-setting tenure as longest-serving Senate party leader. McConnell, who turned 82 this month, announced the decision in a speech on the Senate floor. “One of life’s most underappreciated talents is to know when it’s time to move on to life’s next chapter. So I stand before you today … to say that this will be my last term as Republican leader of the Senate,” McConnell announced on the Senate floor shortly after noon Wednesday, catching many of his colleagues by surprise. McConnell said he plans to serve out the remainder of his term, which ends in January 2027, and will continue to work hard leading his conference throug...
Read More
Report: ‘People think this is the marijuana they used in college. It is not.’
No Comments
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Report: ‘People think this is the marijuana they used in college. It is not.’

One Chance to Grow Up details dangers of today’s marijuana on children By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice COLORADO SPRINGS – When marijuana was legalized in Colorado more than a decade ago, it became apparent action would be needed to protect youth and One Chance to Grow Up was formed, co-founder Doug Robinson told a group of business leaders here last week. “Colorado was the first state to legalize it,” he said. “We decided we had to do something about it. We had to focus on protecting kids.” The citizen-led and funded non-profit was formed and, in the 11 years since marijuana was legalized, has impacted 37 pieces of legislation aimed at improving outcomes for children. In the early years of the campaign, focus was toward child-resistant packaging, labeling and warn...
Read More
Mobile harm reduction van aims to help with safer substance use, overdose prevention in Arapahoe County
No Comments
Approved, Denver Metro, Local, The Colorado Sun

Mobile harm reduction van aims to help with safer substance use, overdose prevention in Arapahoe County

By Tatiana Flowers | Colorado Sun A new mobile harm reduction service is bringing overdose prevention to the streets of Arapahoe County to help people who use opioids and other drugs. The Arapahoe County Public Health department says it’s using an equity-focused approach on its new harm reduction van to help reduce the toll of the opioid epidemic on the community. The new mobile unit, Prevention Point, will offer safer substance use and sexual health services to people across the county including a syringe access and disposal program, Narcan and testing for HIV, hepatitis C and other infections transmitted by unsafe sex and drug use, officials said. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE COLORADO SUN
Read More