Rocky Mountain Voice

Rocky Mountain Voice

Douglas, El Paso counties name Gov. Polis as defendant in ‘sanctuary state’ suit
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Douglas, El Paso counties name Gov. Polis as defendant in ‘sanctuary state’ suit

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice Elected commissioners and sheriffs in two central Colorado counties announced today they are suing Gov. Jared Polis and the State of Colorado related to Democrat-supported sanctuary state policies, which law enforcement has complained leaves it powerless to address illegal immigration. “There is an illegal immigration crisis in America,” Douglas County Commissioner George Teal said in a statement. “We have been proactive, taking steps to mitigate the crisis here in Douglas County. What has been missing is the ability of our local law enforcement agencies to work with immigration officials. This is what we seek to solve through this legal action.” In fact, Douglas County claims it is the seventh step taken "to protect health and safety ami...
‘We must win the special election,’ Lopez tells Kit Carson Republicans, while supporting primary slate
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‘We must win the special election,’ Lopez tells Kit Carson Republicans, while supporting primary slate

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice BURLINGTON -- Greg Lopez is embracing the role some have called a placeholder. "You have some great Republican candidates looking to be your Congressman," Lopez told Kit Carson Republicans gathered here Friday. "This special election is just about who will finish [ex-Rep.] Ken Buck's term." Lopez is hoping to be selected to do just that in Colorado's 4th District. He must first defeat Democrat Trisha Calvarese and Libertarian Hannah Goodman. In Colorado's most red-leaning district, it does not figure to be a tall order for a Republican to be awarded the seat, even if just for six months. "Apparently, my [Democratic] opponent is facing a challenge they don't qualify," Lopez said. "Now, this challenge is coming from their own party." ...
Sen. Bob Gardner fails to qualify for ballot, he announces in letter to supporters
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Sen. Bob Gardner fails to qualify for ballot, he announces in letter to supporters

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice State Sen. Bob Gardner has not qualified to appear on the Republican Party's 5th District primary ballot for Congress, ending his campaign. He announced in an email Saturday morning that signatures needed for a successful petition onto the ballot were not in excess of the 1,500 threshold needed, after the Secretary of State's review. "Just as we were preparing for an upcoming debate this week, we received the letter from the Secretary of State notifying us that we would not be on the ballot," Gardner wrote to supporters. "As disappointed as I am, I am not discouraged. From the day we announced, we have been gratified and encouraged by the support and contributions of so many good people who believe in our platform and our message of stan...
Sen. Rod Pelton warns Kit Carson Republicans of extreme gun bills, appointments
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Sen. Rod Pelton warns Kit Carson Republicans of extreme gun bills, appointments

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice BURLINGTON -- State Sen. Rod Pelton, R-Cheyenne, warned Kit Carson County Republicans gathered here Friday that they might stay on the lookout for a rash of bills coming through the upper chamber before the state's legislative session is complete. "When we started on Monday, we still had 407 bills to go through in the Senate," he said. Specifically, he made mention of House Bill 24-1292, which some have called the state's "assault weapons ban." Taylor Rhodes, executive director of Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, has pointed out the bill would ban the commonly-owned Glock pistol he carries concealed and has threatened litigation against the state "as soon as the ink is dry on the law." The bill by Democrat Reps. Elisabeth Epps and Tim Hernan...
Sonnenberg qualifies for Republican Party’s primary ballot in 4th District race
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Sonnenberg qualifies for Republican Party’s primary ballot in 4th District race

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice Jerry Sonnenberg, who served 16 years in the Colorado legislature and most recently as a county commissioner, has qualified for the Republican Party primary ballot in the crowded 4th District field for Congress. The Secretary of State’s office on Friday verified the Logan County Republican had enough verified signatures to qualify for the ballot. Sonnenberg submitted 3,155 signatures on his petition, with 1,719 being accepted. The Secretary of State’s office rejected 1,436 of the signatures submitted, or 45.5%. Sonnenberg was required to meet a threshhold of 1,500 accepted signatures. A record of all accepted and rejected signatures, including reasons for each rejection, is on file with the Secretary of State. Sonnenberg, who often ...
House Republicans welcome homeschooled students to the Capitol
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House Republicans welcome homeschooled students to the Capitol

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice An estimated one in 20 children is homeschooled in America, and in Colorado about 16,000 students claim to be homeschooled. Some of those students and their parents visited the Capitol Thursday in celebration of Colorado Homeschool Day. “Empowering families to choose the best education for their children is fundamental to our values,” said Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs. “By supporting homeschooling, we affirm the right of families to be the primary educators of their children. Families should have the choice to tailor their child's education according to their individual needs and beliefs." Homeschool families found an ally in Rep. Gabe Evans, R-Brighton. “As a product of homeschooling myself and now a homeschool...
Mike Lynch qualifies for Republican primary ballot in 4th District race for Congress
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Mike Lynch qualifies for Republican primary ballot in 4th District race for Congress

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice Mike Lynch, once the top Republican in the Colorado House, has qualified for the Republican primary ballot in the crowded 4th District field for Congress. The Secretary of State’s office on Thursday verified the Wellington Republican had enough verified signatures to qualify for the ballot. Lynch is making his first bid at the Republican nomination, presently serving in Colorado House District 65. He submitted 3,977 signatures on his petition, with 1,596 being accepted. The Secretary of State's office rejected 2,381 of the 3,977 signatures submitted, or 59.9%. Lynch was required to meet a threshhold of 1,500 accepted signatures. A record of all accepted and rejected signatures, including reasons for each rejection, is on file with the ...
Sloan: Speaker Mike Johnson has chance to lead on Ukraine
Approved, Commentary, National, Rocky Mountain Voice

Sloan: Speaker Mike Johnson has chance to lead on Ukraine

Kelly Sloan | Special Contributor, The Rocky Mountain Voice House Speaker Mike Johnson is experiencing a defining moment in his career. As Congress resumes, he seems to have successfully – one hopes – hammered out a workable deal to finally get arms flowing to the Ukrainians as their defense starts to falter. Effective support for Ukraine’s defence is the central foreign policy question facing Western leaders today. There are, of course, no shortage of serious foreign policy dilemmas – one could toss a dart at a world map and chances are pretty good that wherever it lands there is some kind of trouble brewing – but it is difficult to understate the importance of Ukraine. The Israelis are tough and will likely prevail with or without American support (though how much better for our ow...
Hurd qualifies for primary ballot in Colorado’s 3rd District U.S. House race
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Hurd qualifies for primary ballot in Colorado’s 3rd District U.S. House race

Brian Porter | The Rocky Mountain Voice Jeff Hurd, a Grand Junction attorney, has qualified for a place on the ballot in Colorado's 3rd District in Congress, the Secretary of State's office announced Wednesday. Hurd has been endorsed by former Secretary of State Scott Gessler and former State Treasurer Walker Stapleton, who also was the Republican nominee for governor in 2018. On his campaign website, Hurd is in the race, it says, to "provide a sincere and hardworking representative focused more on doing something than being someone." Border security, improving the economy through job creation and empowering families are among the issues on his website. Hurd submitted 4,388 signatures on his petition, with more rejected signatures than accepted. The 2,162 signatures accepted me...
Holtorf, a Republican, and McCorkle, a Democrat, qualify for 4th District ballot
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Holtorf, a Republican, and McCorkle, a Democrat, qualify for 4th District ballot

Brian Porter | The Rocky Mountain Voice A three-time candidate for the office and the sitting Colorado House minority whip have both qualified for a place on the ballot in Colorado's 4th District in Congress. The Secretary of State's office has verified that Democrat Ike McCorkle and Republican Richard Holtorf both have enough verified signatures to qualify for the ballot in thier respective primaries. McCorkle is making his third bid for the Democratic nomination, having twice before opposed ex-U.S. Rep. Ken Buck for the seat. McCorkle submitted 2,179 signatures on his petition, with 1,783 being accepted. Holtorf is making his first bid at the Republican nomination, presently serving as minority whip in the Colorado House. He submitted 2,612 signatures on his petition, with 1,...