Rocky Mountain Voice

Rocky Mountain Voice

In November, voters will decide on adding economic transparency to ballot measures
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

In November, voters will decide on adding economic transparency to ballot measures

Initiative 77 is second on the ballot, 11 other measures a step away By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice Registered voters will be asked this fall whether the state should provide more economic transparency in relation to ballot measures, following the signature verification this week of Proposed Initiative No. 77, qualifying it for the ballot. The measure specifically asks, "Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes requiring that a summary of any qualifying economic impact statements for an initiative be placed on the ballot preceding the initiative's ballot question?" Specifically, if voters approve the measure, the state would at the minimum have to provide the effect a measure would have on state employment, the state's gross domestic product, and on ...
Peter Yu final Republican to qualify for ballot in crowded 4th District GOP primary
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Peter Yu final Republican to qualify for ballot in crowded 4th District GOP primary

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice The names of six candidates seeking the Republican nomination will appear on the 4th District primary election ballot. Peter Yu was the final candidate to qualify Monday, when he narrowly cleared the 1,500-vote threshold needed. He submitted petitions with 2,464 signatures, with 62.9% (1,552) accepted by the Secretary of State's office. He joins a field of Lauren Boebert, Deborah Flora, Richard Holtorf, Mike Lynch and Jerry Sonnenberg on the ballot. Boebert earned 40% support of delegates at the Republican assembly earlier this month to qualify for the ballot, in addition to the first successful petition in the district. Flora and Lynch qualified through petition only. Holtorf and Sonnenberg qualified through the combination of assembly a...
Flora gathers support of Phelen, Trujillo as they exit 4th District primary race
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Flora gathers support of Phelen, Trujillo as they exit 4th District primary race

'I’m running FOR this office, not running FROM an office', Flora says By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice As they hit the exit in the 4th District U.S. House Republican Party primary race, two candidates this week threw their support to Deborah Flora. Chris Phelen on Friday and Floyd Trujillo on Saturday announced they had suspended their campaigns and asked supporters to support Flora in joint press releases. Phelen, the former chief of staff for retiring Rep. Doug Lamborn, who ran on a platform to end diviseness and dysfunction in Washington, cited Flora as the candidate who can now lead that effort. “I ran for Congress to help restore function and to fight for the rights of the people above the interests of the swamp,” he said. “Deborah Flora shares this passion to...
Bids end for Granado in 3rd District, Trujillo in 4th with failure to qualify for GOP primary ballot
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Bids end for Granado in 3rd District, Trujillo in 4th with failure to qualify for GOP primary ballot

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice The campaigns of two more Republican candidates vying for a place in Congress have ended. Both Joe Granado in the 3rd District and Floyd Trujillo in the 4th District failed to provide the necessary signatures to qualify for the ballot, the Secretary of State's office announced Friday. Granado submitted 1,927 signatures and 55.5% (1,069) were accepted. It fell short of the 1,500-vote threshold needed to qualify for the ballot. It sets the Republican Party's primary ballot field for the 3rd District. Stephen Varela and Ron Hanks each earned their way on the ballot at the 3rd District assembly in Pueblo. Curtis McCrackin was the first to earn a place on the ballot, with his petition certified March 5. Jeff Hurd earned his way onto the bal...
‘We should cease reintroduction now’: Republican legislators sound off on wolves killing more livestock
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

‘We should cease reintroduction now’: Republican legislators sound off on wolves killing more livestock

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice The results of reintroduction of gray wolves into western areas of Colorado is drawing the ire of many Republican members of the State Legislature, several of whom earn a living from livestock. Like other livestock raisers, they term the reintroduction ill-conceived and poorly implemented. This week, Colorado Parks & Wildlife officials announced four more head of cattle were killed in Grand County, where previous depredation has occurred. “These are the days that Western Slopers feared with wolf reintroduction,” said Rep. Matt Soper, R-Delta. “Wolves are serial killers and will devastate the West Slope ranching, hunting and outdoor recreation economies. We should cease reintroduction now before the damages are irreparable." Colo...
Rep. Jake LaTurner of Kansas joins Republican run for the exit in Congress
Approved, National, Rocky Mountain Voice

Rep. Jake LaTurner of Kansas joins Republican run for the exit in Congress

By Brian Porter | The Rocky Mountain Voice Eastern Kansas Rep. Jake LaTurner announced Thursday he won't seek re-election to his seat in the U.S. House after less than two terms. He's just one in a line of many Republicans to have made the same announcement, some putting the Republican majority in jeopardy. In Colorado, Rep. Ken Buck, R-Windsor, announced his departure in October and then abruptly decided not to finish out his term. Then Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo. Springs, announced his resignation. When Rep. Lauren Boebert announced her plan to leave the 3rd District seat, it meant all three Republicans in Colorado would be leaving their seats in Congress. They were far from the only ones to do so, as Republicans have nearly handed away their House majority. Unlike Buck, LaTur...
Colorado Libertarians call for end to Middle East violence, condemn all sides of conflict
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Colorado Libertarians call for end to Middle East violence, condemn all sides of conflict

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice War and violence are never the answer to resolving international disputes, a statement from the Colorado Libertarian Party reads. The party has issued a statement condemning escalating conflict in the Middle East and calling for a peaceful resolution between Israel, Hamas and Iran. "We stand firmly against any and all acts of aggression, regardless of the parties involved," the statement reads. "The recent events in the Middle East have only served to further destabilize an already volatile region, resulting in the loss of innocent lives and the displacement of countless families." While the statement refers to the conflict as "Israel's war on Gaza", conflict between Israel and Palestinians has been ongoing since 1948, marked by the de...
First Lady Jill Biden to visit Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora on Saturday
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

First Lady Jill Biden to visit Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora on Saturday

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice First Lady Jill Biden will promote the White House's Initiative on Women’s Health Research during a stop Saturday in Aurora, according to reports from multiple news outlets. She is scheduled to arrive at Denver International Airport sometime Friday evening and by noon Saturday, arrive to speak at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, where she will also participate in a rountable discussion. While sometimes called Dr. Jill Biden, she does not hold a medical degree and is a community college English teacher. The Initiative on Women’s Health Research is led by Mrs. Biden and the White House Gender Policy Council. Mr. Biden has called for a $12 billion investment in the project. Before reaching Colorado, Mrs. Bi...
New polling finds Biden’s approval rate slumping, disapproval rate growing
Approved, National, Rocky Mountain Voice

New polling finds Biden’s approval rate slumping, disapproval rate growing

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice The State of the Union Address may not have had the result for President Joe Biden that he would have hoped. Emerson polling finds that his job approval rating has continued to slide since the address, and his job disapproval rating has continued to rise. Biden addressed the nation March 8. Polling was conducted April 2-3 of 1,438 registered voters with a margin of error of 2.5%. In January, voters surveyed by Emerson graded the President's approval at 42%, up from a low of 38% in November. That approval of 42% ticked down 1% in March and another 1% in April, Emerson finds. Disapproval of the President's job performance was at its lowest in January, coming in at 46% in Emerson polling. It has ticked up every month since, with 47% disap...
Andrews, Webb qualify for ballot in crowded 3rd District primary field for Boebert’s seat in Congress
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Andrews, Webb qualify for ballot in crowded 3rd District primary field for Boebert’s seat in Congress

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice The dance card is filling up in the 3rd District's primary election to select the Western Slope's Republican nominee to potentially become the next representative in Congress. Russ Andrews and Lew Webb were added to the list of hopefuls to receive the party's nomination to the general election on Wednesday, when the Secretary of State's office announced their qualifications to the ballot. The seat is presently held by Rep. Lauren Boebert, who relocated to Windsor in the 4th District and is vying for the Republican nomination in that primary. It is the only Republican field larger than the 3rd District. Boebert had an opportunity to run for the Republican nomination in the 4th District's special election to replace ex-Rep. Ken Buck, but sa...