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From critics to champions: How a ballot transparency tool won over Idaho voters—and inspired Mesa County
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Approved, Local, National, Rocky Mountain Voice, Top Stories

From critics to champions: How a ballot transparency tool won over Idaho voters—and inspired Mesa County

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice When Ada County launched a ballot audit tool built by a small independent company, no one knew what to expect. But what followed surprised even the clerk who helped shape it.  Election skeptics became supporters, recount demands dropped and voters started tracking their own ballots—sometimes using nothing more than a $2 bill. What began as a simple idea sketched on napkins between an Idaho election official and a civic-minded data entrepreneur would grow into a public-facing ballot verification platform now used by counties in multiple states, including Mesa County, Colorado. This article is Part 2 of a three-part series on the Ballot Verifier: Mesa’s launch, Ada County’s pilot and the debate over election transpa...
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Mesa County launches Ballot Verifier, giving voters unprecedented access to ballots
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Approved, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice, Top Stories

Mesa County launches Ballot Verifier, giving voters unprecedented access to ballots

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Mesa County launched a first-of-its-kind ballot transparency tool last month, allowing residents to view redacted ballot images and corresponding cast vote records online—without filing a CORA request. Supporters say it could reshape public trust in elections. Others say it doesn’t go far enough. But one thing is certain: Mesa County is at the heart of a national battle over election integrity, and the Ballot Verifier came to fruition out of demand — and the innovation of an election stats company that wanted to answer to it. Mesa County Clerk and Recorder Bobbie Gross said the tool was made possible by an initial $30,000 investment to develop the system and redaction process. “I believe $20,000 every year to keep it goin...
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Denver council weighs $70M pitch for soccer stadium expected to bring $2.2B
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Approved, denvergazette.com, Local

Denver council weighs $70M pitch for soccer stadium expected to bring $2.2B

By Deborah Grigsby | Denver Gazette As Denver's elected officials weigh a push for $70 million in spending along Interstate 25 and Broadway Avenue, economists and business leaders hope the buzz around the city’s new National Women’s Soccer League team rubs off on councilmembers who have pushed back on the project’s price tag. Supporters argued that the proposed stadium would serve as a major economic "jolt" to South Broadway, while councilmembers are worried about shrinking revenues and redirecting interest money originally slated for a slew of projects funded by a bond voters approved a few years ago.    City economists published a 19-page economic impact study last week, projecting that a 14,500-seat stadium and entertainment district could generate $2.2 billion in eco...
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Hall: A $250K farewell tour for Grand Junction city council’s ‘feckless foursome’
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Approved, Local, The Business Times

Hall: A $250K farewell tour for Grand Junction city council’s ‘feckless foursome’

By Craig Hall, Publisher/Owner | Commentary, The Business Times Oops, they did it again. That’s right, after being rejected outright in the latest, ill-timed, usually-low-voter-turnout-to-benefit-progressives, springtime elections, our city council once again generously served up another slice of cake while completely ignoring the voice of the people who screamed loudly on April 8, “We don’t want your ideas, follies or leadership anymore!” I’d say they have deaf ears, but that would imply they are at least attempting to listen to the people. Instead, in their alternative Grand Junction universe our Feckless Foursome of “Abe the Sausage King of Grand Junction (and if you don’t get the joke, this column won’t hit your reality either) Herman,” “Anna the Stout, confident progressiv...
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With calls up and staffing down, Jeffco sheriff’s office tries new tactics to recruit deputies
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Approved, kdvr.com, Local

With calls up and staffing down, Jeffco sheriff’s office tries new tactics to recruit deputies

By Alliyah Sims | Fox31 JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) —The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office hopes an extra $5,000 will help with recruitment efforts. It’s a part of a new initiative to address staffing shortages. “All law enforcement agencies, police departments, sheriff’s offices — it doesn’t matter. There’s a challenge right now with staffing. It’s been going on really since 2020. A lot of people left the industry and getting more people to apply has been hard for all of us,” Mark Techmeyer, director of Public Affairs with JCSO. He says the sheriff’s office has just around 800 deputies when the agency is fully staffed. “Right now, we’re about 94% staffing for the department overall. We have about 35 openings in our sworn positions. That’s deputies that work in our detent...
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Six Highlands Ranch schools to consolidate by 2026 under unanimous DCSD board vote
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Approved, DENVER7, Local

Six Highlands Ranch schools to consolidate by 2026 under unanimous DCSD board vote

By Sydney Isenberg | Denver7 DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. — The Douglas County School District Board of Education unanimously voted on Tuesday to consolidate six Highlands Ranch elementary schools. Under the plan, Saddle Ranch Elementary will consolidate into Eldorado Elementary, Heritage Elementary will consolidate into Summit View Elementary, and Acres Green Elementary will consolidate into Fox Creek Elementary. The consolidation will begin with the 2026-27 school year. Prior to the vote, several board members said it was one of the most difficult decisions they've faced during their tenure. "From the superintendent down… I’ve literally spoken to custodians, and they’ve all had opinions, and they’ve all mattered, and they’ve all been considered," said DCSD Board of Education memb...
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Cole: Denver’s dangerous dance with low cash bail and ICE detainer policies puts public safety at risk
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Approved, Commentary, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice, Top Stories

Cole: Denver’s dangerous dance with low cash bail and ICE detainer policies puts public safety at risk

By Shaina Cole | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Denver prides itself on progressive values and compassion for its diverse communities. But recent events have exposed a troubling reality: the city’s criminal justice policies—specifically low cash bail for serious felony offenses and short notification windows for ICE detainers—are creating a revolving door for dangerous criminals, putting our neighborhoods at risk.  The case of Bayron Turcios-Murillo, a confirmed Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang member, is a stark example of how these policies fail to protect the public while allowing violent offenders to slip through the cracks. On April 17, 2025, Bayron Turcios-Murillo was arrested in Denver for felony drug charges, allegedly possessing nearly 1,000 fentanyl pills and powde...
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Concealed carry permits spike in Denver as new rules loom
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Approved, Axios Denver, Local

Concealed carry permits spike in Denver as new rules loom

By Esteban L. Hernandez | Axios Denver Obtaining a concealed carry permit in Denver, already home to some of the state's strictest gun laws, will soon require additional steps. The big picture: A state law taking effect July 1 will add new requirements for obtaining concealed carry licenses, including mandating eight hours of in-person instruction and passing a live-fire test, where a person must shoot a minimum of 50 rounds. Why it matters: The new law will add barriers for responsible gun owners, including costlier training for a permit type that's grown in popularity over the past five years, as Colorado's gun laws grow increasingly restrictive. Yes, but: The city's chief compliance officer, Mary Dulacki, tells us she doesn't presume the new req...
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El Paso Commissioner Applegate: America’s space advantage depends on keeping command in Colorado
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Approved, Commentary, Local, National, Rocky Mountain Voice, State, Top Stories

El Paso Commissioner Applegate: America’s space advantage depends on keeping command in Colorado

By El Paso Commissioner Cory Applegate | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice As El Paso County’s Commissioner for District 4, I am committed to advancing our community’s interests, security, and prosperity. Among our top priorities is ensuring that U.S. Space Command remains headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs. This is not just a local issue—it’s a matter of national security and global leadership in space. Peterson Space Force Base, located right here in our district, has long been at the forefront of military space operations. Its proximity to critical defense assets like Schriever Space Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station, and the Air Force Academy creates an unparalleled synergy. The integrated infrastructure and expertise in th...
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Graphic email threat triggers closure of three Pueblo schools on Monday, sheriff investigating
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Approved, KOAA News, Local

Graphic email threat triggers closure of three Pueblo schools on Monday, sheriff investigating

By Ashleigh Quintana | KOAA News5 PUEBLO WEST — Parents, families, and staff in Pueblo School District 70 received an email from the school district that three separate schools will be closed due to threats. The following schools will be closed while the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office investigates the threats: Liberty Point International School District 70 Online Learning Academy, Pueblo West Campus Swallows Charter Academy On Monday, the sheriff's office "will be providing additional resources and will conduct checks at all District 70 campuses to help ensure student and staff safety," according to a representative from D70. According to the school district, there have been "reports of potential threats via multiple channels," but we have learned that the threats we...
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