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CO Dems’ HB25-1312 gains national spotlight: “The inmates are running the asylum”
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CO Dems’ HB25-1312 gains national spotlight: “The inmates are running the asylum”

By Rocky Mountain Voice Staff A controversial bill pushed by Colorado Democrats—HB25-1312, which redefines gender-related parental disagreements as potential abuse—is quickly gaining national media attention and backlash from lawmakers, parental rights advocates, and constitutional experts across the country. The bill, passed by House Democrats earlier this week, would give Colorado courts broad power to sever custody rights from parents who do not affirm their child’s self-declared gender identity, including pronouns and social transition.  Critics argue that the measure targets conservative families and faith-based parenting, and could ultimately allow ideological disagreements to be framed as abuse. National concern exploded this week after several high-profile figures ...
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Polis signs SB25-003 into law after months of protest and 95,000 petitions
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Polis signs SB25-003 into law after months of protest and 95,000 petitions

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice In the end, Governor Jared Polis didn’t make a speech. He didn’t stand before cameras or take questions. He didn’t even put the signing on his public calendar. On April 9, behind closed doors and without public ceremony, Polis signed Senate Bill 25-003 into law—legislation that critics say is one of the most restrictive gun ownership laws in the country. The signing came after months of resistance from Colorado citizens, lawmakers and small business owners who warned the bill was not only unconstitutional, but economically and socially devastating. Here’s how it happened. January: early warnings SB25-003 was introduced on January 8, the first day of this legislative session. Lawmakers and residents immediately began...
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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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Books, ballgames and bold leadership: Cherry Creek Republican Women tackle hot topics
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Books, ballgames and bold leadership: Cherry Creek Republican Women tackle hot topics

RMV Staff | RMV NE CO Newsroom, Rocky Mountain Voice The Cherry Creek Republican Women (CCRW) held their general meeting and luncheon on April 8 in Centennial. Attendees heard from Elizabeth School District Superintendent Dan Snowberger and Centennial Mayor Stephanie Piko, who each addressed pressing issues facing schools and cities across Colorado. Superintendent Snowberger on book policy dispute Snowberger noted that the board' s decision to remove the books stemmed from concerns regarding explicit content and age appropriateness, all in alignment with community values. He reassured attendees that the district is committed to upholding its policies and addressing parental concerns, and the appeal to a federal judge' s order to return the books to the library shelves. On April...
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Garbo: With HB25-1312, the state can claim your kids and call it compassion
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Garbo: With HB25-1312, the state can claim your kids and call it compassion

By C. J. Garbo | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice On April 6, 2025 the Colorado House of Representatives crossed a line - a Rubicon, as it were - into territory so profane, so fundamentally corrosive to the bedrock of human society, that it demands not just opposition but a thunderous rebuke. House Bill 25-1312 titled Legal Protections for Transgender Individuals, passed with a vote of 36-20, is no mere legislative misstep; it is a deliberate, ideological sledgehammer aimed at shattering the sacred bond between parent and child. To its proponents, I say this with the full weight of reason and the fire of conviction: you have unleashed a dangerous precedent, one that betrays the very essence of family, liberty, and the proper limits of government. This is not a defense of civil ...
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“Celebrate the win”: Boebert’s gray wolf delisting bill clears key House committee
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“Celebrate the win”: Boebert’s gray wolf delisting bill clears key House committee

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice In rural Colorado, the fight over wolves isn’t just about wildlife—it’s about life and livelihoods. On Tuesday, a bill sponsored by Reps. Lauren Boebert and Tom Tiffany passed a key House committee, aiming to take gray wolves off the Endangered Species List and block federal courts from reversing the move. The Pet and Livestock Protection Act (PALPA) cleared a key vote, handing a win to farmers, ranchers and energy producers across the West. In Colorado, wolf attacks on livestock and fears that the predators could stall energy projects have kept the issue front and center. Boebert took to social media to celebrate the committee’s vote and reaffirm her stance on state-led wildlife management. https://twitter.com/RepBoe...
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New council, new direction: Grand Junction voters back reform candidates
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New council, new direction: Grand Junction voters back reform candidates

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Transparency, safety and responsiveness emerge as top issues in grassroots-driven victories All four City Council seats up for election in Grand Junction this April have been claimed by candidates promising a new direction for the city. While official results won’t be certified until later this month, the margins are clear—and the message from voters, even clearer. Cody Kennedy, Robert Ballard and Ben Van Dyke each secured a win in their contested council races. Laurel Cole, who ran unopposed in District A, rounds out the incoming group. The results point to strong voter support for candidates focused on transparency, public safety and responsiveness to residents. “Let’s take Grand Junction back,” Van Dyke told support...
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Daniel: This is your moment, Governor—veto SB25-003 and protect liberty
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Daniel: This is your moment, Governor—veto SB25-003 and protect liberty

By Bobbie Daniel | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Yesterday, the Mesa County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt a resolution opposing Colorado Senate Bill 3. We took this action out of a deep commitment to the foundational principles that have shaped not just Mesa County, not just Colorado, but the very idea of America itself. The Colorado legislature passed Senate Bill 3 with a troubling disregard for the constitutional framework that defines our Republic. It imposes sweeping restrictions on the lawful ownership, sale, and transfer of commonly owned firearms by burdening individual citizens with costly, bureaucratic hurdles and treating law-abiding people as if they are criminals. In our system of government, individual rights are not permissions granted by...
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The fine print of SB25-063: Speak up about inappropriate books in schools, get doxxed
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The fine print of SB25-063: Speak up about inappropriate books in schools, get doxxed

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice When Colorado lawmakers debated Senate Bill 25-063—titled the “Freedom to Read Act”—most eyes focused on the usual battle lines: controversial books, age appropriateness and the role of librarians. But tucked inside the bill is something less publicized—and more dangerous to parents who dare to speak up. Under Section 4(f), any parent who requests that a book be reconsidered for a school library will have their name made public. That request becomes a CORA-able document, meaning it falls under the Colorado Open Records Act. And in today’s politically charged environment, that’s all it takes to make someone a target. Rep. Ken DeGraaf, who opposed the bill during the April 3 House floor debate, warned that the measure gives...
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Hancock: Chris Wright is the voice of energy sanity America needs
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Hancock: Chris Wright is the voice of energy sanity America needs

By Michael A. Hancock | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Why Secretary Chris Wright Is Exactly What America’s Energy Policy Needs Now Confidence in experience is never misplaced, least of all in the arena of energy policy. Chris Wright, Secretary of Energy under President Trump, spoke frankly at a recent luncheon hosted by Colorado’s Ladies 4 Liberty. Secretary Wright exemplifies precisely why deep industry expertise is indispensable in government service.  An entrepreneur by background, Wright’s appointment is more than symbolic—it signals a tangible shift towards practicality and rational policy grounded in real-world energy economics. At its core, Wright’s philosophy centers on a straightforward, yet powerful assertion: energy availability is fundamental to human ...
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