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Why Western Colorado stands opposed to the Dolores River National Monument
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Why Western Colorado stands opposed to the Dolores River National Monument

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice On Saturday in Nucla, Colo., hunters emerged from the wilderness. They paused from their morning hunt and headed to the town park in camouflage, joining with neighbors and locals to meet candidates for election. At the heart of this gathering was a shared concern: the proposal to designate the nearby Dolores River as a national monument. Environmentalists praise its potential for conservation. But, it has sparked a fierce debate in Nucla.  Sean Pond, a Navy veteran and former nuclear engineer, leads the opposition through Halt the Dolores. Pond has criticized news media for ignoring those who would be most impacted by the Dolores Monument designation. He expressed gratitude to Rocky Mountain Voice for responding to the chall...
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In rural school districts, creative solutions to house teachers being created
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In rural school districts, creative solutions to house teachers being created

By Lindy Browning | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice From Deer Creek School District on the far Eastern Plains to Rangely on the western border of Utah, from Telluride and Aspen to Vail and Steamboat Springs, school districts all over rural Colorado are struggling with a need for affordable and available housing for teachers. In an effort to begin finding solutions for what school districts foresee as a long-term problem, Colorado Rural Schools Alliance (CRSA) hosted their first Rural Housing Forum in Beaver Creek on Thursday, Oct. 24. CRSA represents 146 of 178 school districts in Colorado. The remaining 32 are located in urban areas.  Chris Holbert, formerly a Colorado senator and Minority Leader, and current consultant for CRSA, doesn’t think that one-size solutions fit all sc...
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Senate District 16 Showdown: Robyn Carnes vs. Chris Kolker
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Senate District 16 Showdown: Robyn Carnes vs. Chris Kolker

By Heidi Ganahl | Rocky Mountain Voice In the race for Colorado’s Senate District 16, which represents Denver’s western suburbs, residents have a choice between incumbent Democratic Sen. Chris Kolker or Republican challenger Robyn Carnes. Each candidate brings a unique perspective, but they differ sharply in approach and priorities. Carnes, a Centennial City Council member and business leader, aims to tackle affordability, housing and public safety with a fresh and service-oriented mindset. Kolker, elected in 2021, seeks to continue his legislative work, but may face scrutiny over his effectiveness on core issues like cost of living, housing and his approach to public safety. Carnes brings a wealth of community-oriented experience, serving as a Centennial City Council member and a...
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Here’s how to use BallotTrax to safeguard your vote in Colorado
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Here’s how to use BallotTrax to safeguard your vote in Colorado

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice In Colorado, voters can ensure transparency and increase self-awareness with BallotTrax, an online ballot tracking tool which provides real-time updates on the status of your ballot. Are you signed up for it yet? If not, following is some detail. Mesa County Clerk Bobbie Gross emphasizes the system’s importance, especially in light of recent fraudulent ballot-casting concerns. BallotTrax empowered voters to reach out to Gross when discrepancies arose. “The voters were notified, they contacted our office, which is absolutely what they should be doing,” she said.  Because these voters had registered with Ballotrax and were monitoring notifications, they were able to take swift action, helping Mesa County officials to inv...
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Panel at Colorado Mesa debates merits, concerns with Prop. 131, the ranked-choice voting measure
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Panel at Colorado Mesa debates merits, concerns with Prop. 131, the ranked-choice voting measure

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice Imagine if your vote could genuinely reflect your voice. Some argue Proposition 131, the ranked-choice voting measure, can do just that. During a Grand Junction event hosted by Restore the Balance and Colorado Mesa University, both proponents and opponents of the measure debated the proposition. Panelists tackled tough questions about ranked-choice voting's potential to enhance democracy, versus the risk of confusion at the polls. Following is some of the key discussion between the panel, from Phil Izon, a prominent figure in Alaska’s efforts to repeal ranked-choice voting, to Kent Thiry, who heads up the support side of the Colorado proposition. From left, Josh Daniels, Sheila Reiner, Dr. Tim Casey, Kent Thiry, and Maeve Suns...
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Coloradans can ride the RTD for free to vote early today and on Election Day
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Coloradans can ride the RTD for free to vote early today and on Election Day

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice Some voters along the Front Range can take advantage of fare-free rides with the Regional Transportation District to vote in-person or at a ballot drop-off location. Debra A. Johnson, the general manager and CEO of the RTD, and RTD Board Member Peggy Catlin, along with election officials, announced on Friday two no-fare travel days on RTD. There will be no fare for users on Tuesday, Oct. 29, and also on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Election Day is Nov. 5, and Oct. 29 marks National Vote Early Day. Colorado voters may find their nearest ballot drop box or voting center by visiting GoVoteColorado.gov, and can use RTD’s trip planner to find the best route to get there.
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Leaders in NW Colorado discuss challenges, solutions for energy, seniors, workforce, housing
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Leaders in NW Colorado discuss challenges, solutions for energy, seniors, workforce, housing

By Lindy Browning | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice When the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado (AGNC) held their meeting in Rifle, on Wednesday, Oct. 23, much of the discussion concerned how the region would plan for energy needs, housing shortages, and  workforce development and retention.  The loss of severance tax dollars was also front and center throughout the conversation. AGNC is comprised of elected officials from Garfield, Mesa, Moffat and Rio Blanco Counties, as well as elected officials from municipalities from Craig, Colbran, Battlement Mesa, Debeque, Dinosaur, Rangely, Fruita, Hayden, Meeker, New Castle, Palisade, Rifle, Silt, Parachute and Yampa.  Future of energy in Western Colorado With the imminent closing of Craig Power Station, bec...
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Mesa County to Secretary Griswold: ‘This is our community and our investigation’
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Mesa County to Secretary Griswold: ‘This is our community and our investigation’

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice The Mesa County elections office is investigating a potential case of election fraud, Mesa County Clerk Bobbie Gross announced Thursday, just moments after a press release vividly detailing the case was sent to the media from Secretary of State Jena Griswold's office. "While we understand the secretary of state’s desire to make public statements, this is our community and our investigation," Gross said. Thirteen minutes earlier, Griswold had released specific information pertaining to the investigation and a statement to the media. "It is critical that we follow proper procedures to ensure a thorough and effective investigation without tipping off those involved," Gross said. "The people of Mesa County deserve transparency and accountabili...
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Overbeck: Don’t align with teachers’ unions against Amendment 80 for school choice
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Overbeck: Don’t align with teachers’ unions against Amendment 80 for school choice

By Joy Overbeck | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice From the Strange Bedfellows Department: the Christian Homeschool Educators of Colorado (CHEC) have joined with the sworn enemies of school choice, including teachers unions, the National Education Association (NEA) the Colorado Educators Association (CEA), and the Colorado Democratic Party to work against School Choice (Amendment 80) on the ballot.  For nearly 35 years, CHEC has championed parents’ school choice, helping families find Christian homeschool resources and comply with the state of Colorado’s homeschool laws. For far longer, the NEA, the CEA, and other groups working tirelessly against Amendment 80, like the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and even the Parent-Teach...
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Barry & O’Reilly: Vote ‘NO’ on Prop. 131 and say you don’t want ranked-choice voting
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Barry & O’Reilly: Vote ‘NO’ on Prop. 131 and say you don’t want ranked-choice voting

By James Barry and Chuck O'Reilly | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice With the passage of Proposition 131, the ranked-choice voting measure you may have heard about, petitions are the only way candidates will able to qualify for the ballot. Only candidates with big money supporting them will be able to pay canvassers enough money to stand in front of stores to get a sufficient number of voters to sign each candidate’s petition.  That’s right! Only candidates with enough money supporting them will be able to pay canvassers. All candidates will need large amount of money to pay their way onto the ballot.  As a result, those candidates are beholding to those donors. Why? Gone are the days when we gathered with our neighbors to discuss candidates at our caucuses and...
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