Rocky Mountain Voice

Menu

Local

VSSA teacher apologizes—debate persists over classroom remarks about Charlie Kirk and Trump
No Comments
Rocky Mountain Voice, Local, Top Stories

VSSA teacher apologizes—debate persists over classroom remarks about Charlie Kirk and Trump

By Shaina Cole | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice A storm continues to brew at Vail Ski and Snowboard Academy (VSSA) after a longtime teacher’s controversial remarks in class. The comments came shortly after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated, setting off heated debate in the community about free speech, professional boundaries, and accountability in schools. The issue dominated last Wednesday night’s school board meeting, where the teacher publicly apologized but many parents and students left split over whether she should keep her job. Public apology follows superintendent’s rebuke At the September 24 meeting, Superintendent Philip Qualman called the remarks “unacceptable, inappropriate, and unprofessional.” He told the audience the district had followe...
Read More
Lakewood Officials Push Back on “Single-Family” Claims Amid Zoning Overhaul
No Comments
The Denver Gazette, Approved, Local

Lakewood Officials Push Back on “Single-Family” Claims Amid Zoning Overhaul

By Sage Kelley | The Denver Gazette Changes being made to Lakewood’s zoning code have raised questions and ire throughout the community, especially when it comes to the city’s single-family residential districts. Residents have said they want to retain their single-family home neighborhoods. The city never had single-family only residential zoning, according to Mayor Wendi Strom. “The city’s current zone districts often associated mostly with single-family homes already allow several of the following uses: duplexes, group homes, accessory dwelling uses, animal care businesses, bed-and-breakfasts, etc. Lakewood doesn’t currently have a zone district where only single-family home use is allowed,” Strom said in a statement following the 9-2 approval of the zoning changes at a City...
Read More
Colorado Judge Orders Losing Plaintiffs to Pay Terumo $5.2 Million
No Comments
The Colorado Sun, Approved, Local

Colorado Judge Orders Losing Plaintiffs to Pay Terumo $5.2 Million

By Michael Booth | The Colorado Sun The multinational medical manufacturer, based in Lakewood, uses toxic ethylene oxide as a sterilizer. Jefferson County residents attempted to sue for health damage. A Jefferson County District Court judge ordered cancer-stricken patients who unsuccessfully sued Lakewood medical manufacturer Terumo BCT for toxic pollution releases to pay just under $5.2 million in the multinational company’s legal fees. Terumo uses ethylene oxide, or EtO, to sterilize its blood processing equipment before shipping, and neighbors of EtO-using industries around the nation have filed lawsuits claiming the companies are liable for cancer and other major health problems. A Jeffco jury in March found Terumo not negligent, after four women sued the company for damages i...
Read More
Durango 9-R’s Monday update comes as parents dispute the “misinformation” label
No Comments
Rocky Mountain Voice, Local, Top Stories

Durango 9-R’s Monday update comes as parents dispute the “misinformation” label

By Jen Schumann | Rocky Mountain Voice Durango School District 9-R holds its State of the District tonight at the Impact Career Innovation Center. The district’s event page bills it as a community update with test-score dashboards and a Q&A. The Durango Herald said leaders plan to confront “misinformation.” Parent Jason Mietchen hears it differently: “We’ve had to counteract the misinformation for years. The school puts out a ton of it.” Why attention spiked this month The Herald also referenced Heidi Ganahl’s twelve-part ‘Durango’s 9-R Dirty Dozen,’ a wide-ranging critique of district policy, practice and the outcomes families are talking about. Topics span CMAS proficiency, gender-support steps, the ACA name-change policy, flag resolutions and the government-speech argument,...
Read More
Bomb Squad Called After Suspicious Device Forces School Closures in Brush
No Comments
DENVER7, Approved, Local

Bomb Squad Called After Suspicious Device Forces School Closures in Brush

By Allie Jennerjahn | Denver7 The Greeley Bomb Squad will be on campus early Monday morning to remove the device. BRUSH, Colo. — A "suspicious device" has closed down Brush School District, and an investigation is underway Monday morning. The Greeley Bomb Squad will be on campus early Monday morning to remove the device. Until that happened, no staff or students were allowed on campus. "This means there will be no classes for any grade level on Monday. All staff should not report to work, and all athletic practices and on-site events scheduled for Monday are cancelled. School facilities will be closed to the public," Superintendent Marsha Cody said in a statement on the district website. Later Monday, the Brush School District posted an update to Facebook that...
Read More
Adams County’s “unprecedented” pet surge: Five hoarding probes push shelter past 540 animals
No Comments
DENVER7, Approved, Local

Adams County’s “unprecedented” pet surge: Five hoarding probes push shelter past 540 animals

By Adria Iraheta | Denver7 The Riverdale Animal Shelter has received mass intakes from five investigations in the past two months. Denver7 spoke with shelter officials about how you can help. BRIGHTON, Colo. — The Riverdale Animal Shelter in Brighton is looking to the community for support after receiving hundreds of animals from multiple hoarding cases over the past two months. On Wednesday alone, the shelter took in more than 100 animals from a home in the 14600 block of Umpire Street in unincorporated Adams County as part of an animal cruelty investigation. No arrests have been made, according to Sergeant Shea Haney with the Adams County Sheriff's Office. “Upon execution of the search warrant, they seized about 101 animals from the property," Haney told Denver7. "Sugar glide...
Read More
Cherry Creek State Park crime surge prompts overnight closure for non-campers
No Comments
DENVER7, Approved, Local

Cherry Creek State Park crime surge prompts overnight closure for non-campers

By Robert Garrison | Denver7 Local residents say the park’s condition has worsened CHERRY CREEK STATE PARK, Colo. — Park officials said that an increase in crime and large parties has led to the decision to close Cherry Creek State Park overnight. A Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson stated that park rangers have observed an increase in after-dark, unpermitted parties in the park. CPW said these gatherings have led to an increase in vandalism, trash, and noise violations within the park. Due to these concerns, park rangers said the state park will be closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. The only visitors allowed in the park during this time are campers, who must present their camping reservations to gain entry. Local residents say the park’s condition has worsened, and ...
Read More
Join the RFK Jr. Rally in Boulder, CO TOMORROW—Show Your Support
No Comments
Rocky Mountain Voice, Commentary, Local, Top Stories

Join the RFK Jr. Rally in Boulder, CO TOMORROW—Show Your Support

By The MAHA Action Team | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Rallies supporting and thanking RFK Jr. are happening all across the country—from New York to California, from Arizona to North Dakota—and Colorado! This weekend, thousands of MAHA supporters will unite across America to show support and gratitude for RFK Jr. and his mission to Make America Healthy Again. Why is this important? Secretary Kennedy is making massive waves and momentous shifts at HHS. He is exposing the corruption that has plagued our country and decimated our health for far too long. Big Pharma, Big Ag and Big Food are on the offensive and their mainstream media allies are attacking Secretary Kennedy daily. Bobby needs our support now more than ever. Join us at this massive national event organize...
Read More
Lakewood rezones neighborhoods, single-family homes lose protection
No Comments
The Denver Gazette, Approved, Local

Lakewood rezones neighborhoods, single-family homes lose protection

By Sage Kelley | Denver Gazette The controversial section of Lakewood’s new proposed planning document that aims to add more affordable housing to the city was approved Monday evening. The Lakewood City Council approved an amended version of Article 3 of the city’s 2026 zoning code proposal — a 400-page planning document covering residential, commercial and mixed-use site design standards, parking and historic preservation. The ordinance passed 9-2, with councilmembers David Rein and Paula Nystrom being the two “no” votes. The article drew ire throughout the community, and it ultimately erased the use of the term single-family zoning, allowing for multi-family homes — like duplexes and condos — to be built in residential areas citywide. The change is aimed at boosting affordabl...
Read More
Evergreen students return to school surrounded by community support
No Comments
The Denver Gazette, Approved, Local

Evergreen students return to school surrounded by community support

By Sage Kelley | The Denver Gazette Evergreen High School students returned to campus on Thursday morning, two weeks after a shooting shocked the small town. Parents stood on the sideline, holding signs of support. More than 100 posters from Colorado cities, spanning from Telluride to Steamboat Springs, lined the school’s halls, sharing condolences and words of encouragement. “It was difficult, for sure,” Tyler Guyton, a senior and one of two student body presidents, said. “For the past week, people have been trying to ignore it, but it’s hard to ignore it when you’re back in the school and see the posters on the wall, the new tiles and all that stuff.” The staff had returned to the school Monday. Thursday and Friday are “gradual” days for the students, with classes onl...
Read More