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Ganahl: Retail rescue outed by a rabies outbreak
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Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Ganahl: Retail rescue outed by a rabies outbreak

By Heidi Ganahl | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Colorado’s animal rescue system has long been regarded as a national leader, rescuing tens of thousands of pets from outside the state each year to meet the growing demand for furry companions. However, a disturbing trend is emerging in the rescue world, where non-profit organizations posing as shelters are flipping animals in a scheme that values profits over the welfare of pets. This "retail rescue" phenomenon, coupled with lax quarantine and vaccination enforcement, has come to light in the wake of the Moms and Mutts (MAMCO) rabies outbreak, which has cost public health agencies over $600,000 to clean up. In August, MAMCO, a Colorado rescue organization, found itself at the center of a rabies exposure crisis after importing ani...
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Amendment 18 to credit for federal candidates appearing on ballot with a term-limits disclaimer
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Approved, State, The Colorado Sun

Amendment 18 to credit for federal candidates appearing on ballot with a term-limits disclaimer

By Jesse Paul | The Colorado Sun Coloradans receiving their 2024 ballots may notice that the names of some congressional candidates have a disclaimer below them that others do not. For instance, beneath the name of Frank Atwood, an Approval Voting Party candidate running to represent the 4th Congressional District, is a notice that he has signed a declaration to limit his service to no more than three terms should he be elected. James Wiley, a Libertarian candidate running in the 3rd Congressional District, has the same notice below his name. Ditto for Unity Party candidate Critter Milton on the ballot in the 1st Congressional District. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE COLORADO SUN
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Sloan: Do we all – Democrats and Republicans – like nuclear now?
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Approved, Commentary, National, Rocky Mountain Voice

Sloan: Do we all – Democrats and Republicans – like nuclear now?

By Kelly Sloan | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice We have not been afforded any authoritative glimpses into the proposed energy policies of either Mr. Trump or Ms. Harris, leaving us with only the conventional jousting positions with which to make comparisons. For Democrats, that generally means concerns over climate change exceeding every other consideration – meaning the minimizing of the use of oil and gas; for Republicans, it generally means strengthening national energy posture – meaning maximizing production of domestic supplies of oil and gas.  Those battle lines seem relatively inelastic and are expected to hold; but an interesting evolution has been quietly taking place on the left side of the aisle, and I’m not talking about Harris’ new-found appreciation of frackin...
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Devotional: Don’t be a rebel. Engage in the process and vote.
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Approved, Commentary, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

Devotional: Don’t be a rebel. Engage in the process and vote.

By DRAKE HUNTER | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice As we look ahead to our country's future, it's important to recognize the significant role that the government plays in shaping it. While there may be differing perspectives on this role, it's undeniable that the government holds substantial influence over our collective destiny. We must envision the future and assess how our personal governance and contributions impact the well-being of our country. In Christianity, there is a profound belief in the ultimate authority resting in the hands or work of God. There's a strong emphasis on the responsibility of followers to uphold the 'Goodness' of God, often referred to as 'Governance.' Governance works in tandem with preserving goodness; when functioning optimally, it's seen as the Pr...
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Gaines: Left-leaning Colorado Trust influencing Colorado journalism
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Approved, Commentary, completecolorado.com, State

Gaines: Left-leaning Colorado Trust influencing Colorado journalism

By Cory Gaines | Complete Colorado In Stanley Kubrik’s The Shining, Jack Nicholson’s character says to the Overlook’s ghost bartender, “I’m the kind of man who likes to know who’s buying their drinks, Lloyd.” A sound policy, and not just in the bar of a haunted hotel.  I’m the kind of guy who likes to know who’s buying his news, and this seems to get more and more convoluted every year.  A recent (I hesitate to call it an article) story generated by the Colorado Trust, but appearing in the Colorado Sun, is emblematic of the problem. READ THE FULL COMMENTARY AT COMPLETE COLORADO Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice,...
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Who are King Soopers’ real competitors? Merger trial picks apart Colorado grocers
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Approved, denvergazette.com, State

Who are King Soopers’ real competitors? Merger trial picks apart Colorado grocers

By Bernadette Berdychowski | Denver Gazette The parent companies of King Soopers and Safeway, Kroger and Albertsons, have stressed throughout the merger process they need to join forces to compete against behemoths like Walmart, Costco and Amazon. On Monday, Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen testified in Denver District Court about the multi-format stores taking customers from the traditional grocer. The number one threat? Walmart, he said. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
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Arvada residents pushing back on homeless option for shuttered school purchased for $6.3M
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Approved, gazette.com, Local

Arvada residents pushing back on homeless option for shuttered school purchased for $6.3M

By Deborah Grigsby | The Gazette The City of Arvada spent $6.3 million to purchase a former charter school after it closed earlier this year due to declining enrollment. Now residents are pushing back against one of the potential options for the former Early College Arvada campus — a navigation center for homeless people. Arvada, like other cities along Colorado's Front Range, is dealing with a homeless population, though nowhere as big as the problem in Denver, where the crisis keeps growing despite officials spending millions of dollars in the last several years. READ THE FUL STORY AT THE GAZETTE
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In expected windfall, Colorado owes taxpayers $1.7 billion in TABOR refunds
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Approved, coloradopolitics.com, State

In expected windfall, Colorado owes taxpayers $1.7 billion in TABOR refunds

By Luige Del Puerto | Colorado Politics, via The Gazette The Colorado state government owes taxpayers a total of $1.7 billion in refunds mandated under the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights.  The state collected roughly $1.4 billion more in revenue during the 2024 Fiscal Year than allowed under TABOR, according to a state audit. The state already has roughly $290 million in outstanding TABOR refund liability at the beginning of the fiscal year, bringing the total refund amount to about $1.66 billion. Passed by voters in 1992, TABOR limits the annual growth in revenue to the inflation rate, plus population change. Any amount raised above the limit must be returned to taxpayers. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
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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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Raisch: When certifying election results, more transparency and better processes will reduce anxiety among voters
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Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Raisch: When certifying election results, more transparency and better processes will reduce anxiety among voters

By Michael L. Raisch, CPA, and Colorado Institute for Fair Elections | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice We have all seen an increase in tension between people of different political beliefs over the last few years.  We believe there are some common-sense solutions to help increase trust and tone down the rhetoric that comes out of the election process.  The good news is that these improvements do not require a change in the statute to do so.  The solutions being proposed here require added transparency and a willingness to follow current law. In Colorado, the elections conducted by each county are initially certified by entities called “canvass boards.” Those county-level certifications are then provided to the Secretary of State who relies on them to certify the elect...
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