Rocky Mountain Voice

Rocky Mountain Voice

Lundberg: The jungle primary and ranked-choice voting that Prop. 131 would create is a very bad idea for Colorado
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Lundberg: The jungle primary and ranked-choice voting that Prop. 131 would create is a very bad idea for Colorado

By Kevin Lundberg | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice This year’s election is the most polarized political season we have ever seen. The Colorado ballot questions demonstrate this stark divide, with the political parties taking very different positions on the big decisions the voting citizens of Colorado are facing. Abortion, targeted taxes on firearms and ammo and the definition of marriage in our state constitution are all on our ballot, with both major parties taking opposite views on these critical questions. But there is one major issue that both parties agree on, Proposition 131 is a very bad idea. This proposition will create a jungle primary and establish a ranked-choice voting system for most general election choices. The jungle primary puts all candidates in one big, c...
Gabe Evans’ ad attacks the laws Yadira Caraveo supported to ‘Defund the Police’
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Gabe Evans’ ad attacks the laws Yadira Caraveo supported to ‘Defund the Police’

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice Inside the final two weeks before Election Day, Republican nominee Gabe Evans is launching an ad in the critical 8th District race for the U.S. House seat attacking his opponent's "Defund the Police" stance. “Far-left crime and drug policies spawned Colorado’s crime wave, and [Democrat] Yadira Caraveo voted for them all,” Evans said in a press statement. “From cashless bail, to sanctuary state policies, to decriminalizing fentanyl, Yadira Caraveo has been at the forefront of the ‘defund the police’ movement. When she co-sponsored and voted for Senate Bill 20-217, the defunding effect was so potent I personally witnessed drug interdiction units being downsized and plainclothes agents reassigned back to patrol, allowing cartels and international d...
Walcher: A new national sacrifice zone in effort to move beyond oil & gas?
Approved, Commentary, National, Rocky Mountain Voice

Walcher: A new national sacrifice zone in effort to move beyond oil & gas?

By Greg Walcher | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice A couple years ago a little-noticed report called, “Beyond Carbon-Free: A Framework for Purpose-Led Renewable Energy Procurement and Development” was published by an energy company in Seattle, together with the Nature Conservancy and the National Audubon Society. It suggested that the goal of net-zero carbon emissions would require “massive areas of land for development,” perhaps “a footprint of 228,000 square miles – a land area greater than that of Wyoming and Colorado, combined.” With a gift for understatement, the authors wrote that “This tremendous need for land poses significant land-use challenges, and the potential for unintended consequences on both local communities and natural habitats.” Oh well, the report said, “In to...
Young Republicans to host forum on crime and law reform
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Young Republicans to host forum on crime and law reform

By Rocky Mountain Voice Staff | Rocky Mountain Voice The Colorado Federation of Young Republicans is hosting a critical public safety forum on October 23rd at the American Legion in Denver at 1:30pm, bringing together key speakers to discuss the urgent need for crime deterrence and legislative reform in Colorado. The event will feature influential voices from law enforcement and politics, providing valuable insight into how the state can better address rising crime and improve public safety for its citizens. Jack Gilmartin, Chairman of the Colorado Federation of Young Republicans, will focus on the necessity of prioritizing legislation that effectively deters crime. In his remarks, Gilmartin will emphasize that the next generation of hard-working citizens, those striving to achieve t...
Grand Junction ‘Rumble’ rallies support for conservative movement in Colorado
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Grand Junction ‘Rumble’ rallies support for conservative movement in Colorado

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice The Rocky Mountain Rumble held Sunday in Clifton gathered Western Slope conservatives under a shared mission: fighting for rural Colorado's future and energizing the community ahead of crucial elections. Hosted by Rocky Mountain Voice's founder Heidi Ganahl, the event underscored the importance of unity, local leadership and economic opportunity as the region grapples with state and federal overreach. Mesa County resident and attendee Vicky Murphy says she's been a political junkie for years, often speaking her mind and she's noticed a change in locals around her lately. "People that I’ve known for years who never opened their mouth about politics are suddenly very chatty," she said. "They have passion [and] concern, and they ...
SB 24-008 has expedited the process of placing about 4,500 Colorado children in foster care
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

SB 24-008 has expedited the process of placing about 4,500 Colorado children in foster care

By Lindy Browning | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice Sue Hanson, a Montrose County commissioner, knows something most people don’t know. She knows how many children in Colorado are in foster care, and that these children have not been the priority they should be. She has been working behind the scenes - and not so behind the scenes - looking for ways to support these children and the families that step up to care for them when they are no longer safe in their homes. To that end, she and her fellow commissioners, Keith Caddy and Roger Nash, have approved $1.5 million dollars to assist organizations that support these children and their caregivers. The money is being distributed equally to Kin-Connect, Hope and Home, and Brad's House. “Foster care is a priority to Sue, and she h...
Opponents to Prop. 127 rally at state capitol, asking voters to deny proposed ban
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Opponents to Prop. 127 rally at state capitol, asking voters to deny proposed ban

By Amanda Hardin | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice This past Friday, a sizable crowd gathered at the Colorado State Capitol to voice their opposition to Proposition 127, which would ban the "trophy hunting" of mountain lions, bobcats and lynx. The event, which attracted several prominent political figures, included passionate speeches addressing concerns about how the proposition could negatively impact rural Colorado and the state’s approach to wildlife management. While the rally had a large presence of those against the proposition, it was grounded in factual concerns about the potential implications of putting complex wildlife management issues into the hands of voters. Prop. 127 would introduce a ballot measure that places the decision-making power for wildlife managemen...
Sloan: Reflections on Brett Baier’s Fox News interview with VP Kamala Harris
Approved, Commentary, National, Rocky Mountain Voice

Sloan: Reflections on Brett Baier’s Fox News interview with VP Kamala Harris

By Kelly Sloan | Contributing Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice The inestimable Peggy Noonan, in her regular Sunday Wall Street Journal column, was exacting, as usual, in her analysis of Kamala Harris: “This week she couldn’t answer a single question straight, and people should see it. She is an artless dodger.” A bit little later on in the piece, referring to a typical word-salad response, Harris proffered to a question: “That isn’t the answer of a candidate trying to be forthcoming and using her limited time in an attempt to be better understood. It is the sound of someone running out the clock.” And further on yet: “What are her thoughts, right now, about illegal immigration and the border?... Was the influx a good thing? Why? Does it constitute a national emergency? Why? What atti...
Williams: Bandimere Speedway leaves behind many fond memories over a 65-year run
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Williams: Bandimere Speedway leaves behind many fond memories over a 65-year run

By Laci Williams, Commentary | Rocky Mountain Voice  For 65 years, Bandimere Speedway provided a safe haven for adrenaline junkies chasing speed over a quarter mile.  Yesterday, we said goodbye. The multi-generational Bandimere family welcomed multi-generational racers and the public to a “Surrender the Mountain” final event, including a final burnout from John Bandimere Jr., a speech from John “Sporty” Bandimere, the removal of the lighting system, and a final public walk down the raceway.  John Bandimere Jr. explained during his farewell that with houses being built around the racetrack and the growing popularity of the sport, it had outgrown the space. He noted that it was time for a new chapter. It is indeed the end of an era of racing for Colorado, as the track is set to c...
Decision ’24: Judicial retention on Colorado Court of Appeals
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Decision ’24: Judicial retention on Colorado Court of Appeals

By Rocky Mountain Voice | Commentary In addition to 14 amendments and statutory propositions appearing on ballots statewide and local ballot measures, voters are being asked to consider the retention of a number of state judges. The issue, readers have shared with the Rocky Mountain Voice, is finding complete information in order to make an educated decision on these positions. Below, is the second installment of our judicial retention review, the Colorado Court of Appeals. The five judges to review are, as they appear on your ballot: Hon. Stephanie Dunn, Hon. Jerry N. Jones, Hon. W. Eric Kuhn, Hon. Gilbert M. Román and Hon. Timothy J. Schutz. Information on other courts and judges will be presented in future installments of this series. Hon. Stephanie Dunn Background: Judg...