Rocky Mountain Voice

Rocky Mountain Voice

Russel: Trump won big, Republicans less so… Here’s the lessons for 2026
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Russel: Trump won big, Republicans less so… Here’s the lessons for 2026

By Robert Russel | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Donald Trump’s impressive electoral victory is indeed a mandate for the man and his agenda. For Republicans in Congress, it was an underwhelming fizzle. With 10 or more House races slipping through their fingers, atop four senate races yet again blown by Mitch McConnell’s epic incompetence, one almost wonders how Republicans even got a majority at all. The answer is Donald Trump.  It was Trump, not Mike Johnson, who rescued hapless Republicans from the odor of Project 2025 by linking Democrats to the Harris-Biden record, and by providing a 20-point electoral platform of positive action to solve real problems.  And but for Trump, and a grassroots army of both underpaid and volunteer ballot chasers who worked ...
Daniel: A brighter future for Colorado will be lead through innovation, not big government
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Daniel: A brighter future for Colorado will be lead through innovation, not big government

By Bobbie Daniel | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Colorado faces a declining economic reality: high inflation, soaring gas prices, stagnant wages, rising unemployment and an increasingly unaffordable housing market. Yet, this does not have to define our future. Colorado stands at the brink of a transformative innovation revival, fueled by our abundant natural resources, innovative spirit and entrepreneurial drive. By embracing these strengths, we can lead the nation into a future that balances conservation stewardship with economic prosperity. To achieve this, we must move away from heavy-handed government control and toward systems that reward innovation, empower communities and unlock the full potential of our state’s resources. Progress has always been driven by innovation...
Rep. Boebert asks Senate Republicans to ‘just simply follow’ and support Trump’s nominees
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Rep. Boebert asks Senate Republicans to ‘just simply follow’ and support Trump’s nominees

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice Republicans will hold the White House and majorities in both chambers of Congress for the next two years, and U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Windsor, is calling on them to act like it. "Right now it would be so wise for [Republicans] to lay aside their egos, not think of themselves as a leader, and just simply follow," she said Thursday on 'Real America' with Dan Ball. "Follow President Trump's lead, allow him to lead, and we will get the policy right." https://twitter.com/RepBoebert/status/1864697331007816014 She was critical of Republicans in the upper chamber who may be considering votes against any of Mr. Trump's nominations, such as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth or FBI Director Kash Patel. Similarly, Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville n...
Douglas Co. Commissioner Lora Thomas says she was ‘evicted from my office’ amid political conflict
Approved, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

Douglas Co. Commissioner Lora Thomas says she was ‘evicted from my office’ amid political conflict

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Lora Thomas has resigned from her position as Douglas County commissioner, a term which was to end in five weeks. According to a Denver 7 report, Thomas cites years of harassment by fellow commissioners George Teal and Abe Layden as the reason for her decision. In a press release and conference, Thomas reflected on her public service and the personal toll of the ongoing conflict. Thomas' resignation ends a career in public service which lasted decades. Before serving as a county commissioner, she broke barriers. She was the first woman captain and major in the Colorado State Patrol. She also served as Douglas County coroner, reducing office costs by 33% and rooting out internal corruption. Thomas noted her commitmen...
Could Polis really align with Trump on anything? He might on cutting from BLM wild horse management budget
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Could Polis really align with Trump on anything? He might on cutting from BLM wild horse management budget

By Lindy Browning | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice In a shocking and unexpected post on Twitter/X, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis posted that he wants the Trump administration to give at least half the funding that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) uses to manage Colorado wild horses to Colorado. The post came from his personal page, not his official governor's page. Polis wrote, “…the BLM spends $187.8 million dollars a year on the Wild Horse Program, including $8.5 million on the 'inhumane horse roundups', and over $100 million caring for the 60,000 horses in holding facilities. Giv[ing] half that amount to the states with wild horses (like CO) with guardrails for horse treatment, we will efficiently manage the population through birth control, eliminating the need for c...
Recount settles Republican wins in Colorado House Districts 16 and 19
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Recount settles Republican wins in Colorado House Districts 16 and 19

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice The Democratic Party's grip on the Colorado House has been loosened a bit following Republican victories in a pair of races which were so tight as to trigger mandatory recounts. Both Rebecca Keltie, in House District 16, and Dan Woog, in House District 19, won majorities following recounts performed in three counties and reported by the Colorado secretary of state's office. "A mandatory recount was required for the general election races for House Districts 16 and 19 due to the narrow vote margin between the top vote-getter and second-highest vote-getter," the secretary of state's advisory read. The trigger for a mandatory recount is a margin between the top two candidates of 0.5%. Republicans will hold 22 seats in the 75th General Asse...
Activists still trying to influence CPW over mountain lion hunting, despite ballot box loss
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Activists still trying to influence CPW over mountain lion hunting, despite ballot box loss

By Lindy Browning | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Even after voters rejected a ban on mountain lion hunting, people that supported the ban are continuing to try to influence Colorado wildlife officials into implementing many of the measures that voters rejected in Prop. 127 during the CPW rulemaking and hearings  process. CPW regularly evaluates and updates their data concerning the number of lions that are in specific areas of the state, in order to fulfill the mission of the agency to manage lions for sustainable populations and strike a balance in apex predator and prey numbers, insuring that the prey species are not decimated while maintaining robust lion populations. As a result of the newest studies, a new Eastern Colorado plan was needed, because the previous on...
U.S. Rep-elect Evans, SBOE Member-elect Navarro to be featured in town hall
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

U.S. Rep-elect Evans, SBOE Member-elect Navarro to be featured in town hall

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice A town hall meeting featuring Congressman-elect Gabe Evans and State Board of Education Member-elect Yazmin Navarro, both of the 8th Congressional District, will take place on Friday, Dec. 6, from 1-3 p.m. The town hall is being hosted and offered by Wayne Walvoord, the regional captain in Northern and Eastern Colorado for the Convention of States. Evans unseated Democrat U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo in a race decided by 2,449 votes among 333,609 total votes. He gathered 48.96% of the vote, edging out Caraveo by 0.74%. The race did not qualify for a mandatory recount, as it was 0.24% beyond the 0.50% margin to trigger a recount. Navarro was part of a right turn for the State Board of Education, as Republicans won three of the four races on the...
In Western Slope café, Coloradans react to pardon of Hunter Biden by his father, President Biden
Approved, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

In Western Slope café, Coloradans react to pardon of Hunter Biden by his father, President Biden

By Jen Schumann | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice The announcement of Hunter Biden’s pardon from his father, President Joe Biden, raised eyebrows nationwide. And, in Mesa County, it has launched endless questions about the integrity of the justice system. In a Grand Junction café, the coffee comes with political conversations that reflect the deep skepticism of federal leadership. Residents here are watching closely and their reactions highlight a range of concerns, from distrust in government promises to broader questions about fairness in the justice system. For Gerald Gustin, a U.S. Navy veteran, the pardon marked a clear departure from assurances made by the White House: “Karine Jean-Pierre said multiple times it wouldn’t happen. And yet, here we are,” he said, referencing...
‘We Are the Faces of Gun Ownership’: Amanda Hardin launches weekly RMV video series
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

‘We Are the Faces of Gun Ownership’: Amanda Hardin launches weekly RMV video series

By Rocky Mountain Voice Staff Rocky Mountain Voice is proud to introduce a groundbreaking new video series: We Are the Faces of Gun Ownership with Amanda Hardin. This weekly social media series highlights Colorado gun owners, challenging stereotypes and celebrating the diversity, responsibility, and empowerment within the Second Amendment (2A) community. Amanda, the founder of Lipstick Tactical, has long been a leading voice in 2A advocacy, and this project brings her vision to life in a powerful way. Each 90-second episode features authentic stories from gun owners across the state, showcasing their unique perspectives and how firearms play a role in their lives. The goal? To spark conversations, educate audiences, and foster a deeper understanding of what responsible gun ownership ...