Rocky Mountain Voice

Rocky Mountain Voice

In run for state board of education, Yazmin Navarro calls for more voter interaction, education and assistance
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

In run for state board of education, Yazmin Navarro calls for more voter interaction, education and assistance

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice As the wife of a U.S. Marine and a mother, Yazmin Navarro experienced education models in America and abroad. Those varied experiences as a student and parent, working with at-risk youth and an upbringing with "education at forefront for success" are among the reasons Navarro chose to seek election in Colorado's 8th District to the state board of education. Navarro, the Republican nominee, is being opposed on the general election ballot by Democrat Rhonda Solis. The campaign trail has led Navarro to draw some conclusions which she shared Monday, Sept. 23, on a grassroots call headed by former Sen. Kevin Lundberg. "I'm seeing [Democrats] out there registering voters," Navarro said. "Why can't Republicans do more of that? I want to see us ou...
Water roundtable sought common ground to secure a future with water
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Water roundtable sought common ground to secure a future with water

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice Water is essential. Everyone needs it, from cities to farms, but how it is managed can be quite a puzzle. As water scarcity and climate challenges grow, Colorado leaders gathered at the recent Colorado Water Roundtable Event to discuss the future of water management.  With the 2007 Interim Guidelines expiring in 2026, stakeholders are seeking solutions to protect the state's water. These include agricultural, municipal, environmental and tribal groups. Merging current demands with future planning Andy Mueller, general manager of the Colorado River District, stressed the need for long-term planning. It is urgent. "Media in the lower basin states often claim they're alone in seeking solutions to water demands and drou...
Browning: Prop. 127 is ballot box biology gone wild and Mesa County wisely stood against it
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Browning: Prop. 127 is ballot box biology gone wild and Mesa County wisely stood against it

By Lindy Browning | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Prop 127, a ballot initiative brought through the efforts of an extreme animal rights activist group, Cats aren’t Trophies (CATs) is a slap in the face to wildlife experts at Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). It’s also exploitation through deception for voters who love wildlife. Western Colorado voters know that wildlife management is critical to healthy ecosystems and healthy and diverse wildlife populations. Once again, Western Colorado is leading the way.  On Tuesday, Sept. 24, Mesa County commissioners stood for all 900 species of wildlife in Colorado, stood for livestock growers and took a stand in supporting the experts and biologists at CPW. They passed a resolution opposing the ballot measure. Hitting the nail r...
Colorado Federation of Republican Women hear from Legere, Fidura at fall meeting
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Colorado Federation of Republican Women hear from Legere, Fidura at fall meeting

By Juliann McPadden | Special to the Rocky Mountain Voice The 86th annual Colorado Federation of Republican Women’s fall meeting recently concluded in Glenwood Springs. The Leadership Institute provided an informative "Get Out the Vote" and grassroots lobbying workshop. A new club, the Garfield County Republican Women, were also welcomed. Lorie Legere, the National Federation of Republican Women's regional director, provided an informative talk on activities at the national level on Saturday. Members also participated in the formal Inaugural Ball during the event on Saturday. On Sunday, Republican National Committeewoman Christy "Ruckus" Fidura addressed members and provided an update on her activities. The president of the Colorado Federation of Republican Women is Judith Jerg...
In 3rd District, Club 20 debate unveiled sharp contrast between candidates Hurd, Frisch
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

In 3rd District, Club 20 debate unveiled sharp contrast between candidates Hurd, Frisch

By Lindy J. Browning | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice While both candidates have successfully identified issues that are top of mind for voters in the U.S. House District 3 race -- primarily the economy, border, health care, public lands, agriculture and water issues -- a Club 20 debate last week on the Western Slope showcased a sharp contrast in both candidates' specific policy solutions and demeanor. In his opening statements, Adam Frisch, the Democratic nominee, told the audience: “I’m here tonight because rural Colorado has been left behind and ignored. Everyone feels forgotten, misunderstood and taken advantage of by Denver and D.C.” “We are tired of the 'Angertainment' that seeps into our lives. It’s destructive to our families and communities. I just don’t have any room ...
Navigating Colorado’s legislative landscape at the Club 20 debates
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Navigating Colorado’s legislative landscape at the Club 20 debates

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice As Colorado elections draw near, the Club 20 debates offer a glimpse of the possible representation from which to choose in the state legislature. With Democrats holding a supermajority in the House (46-19) and a near supermajority in the Senate (23-12), the Club 20 debates last week were crucial for voters who want their interests represented. Water rights, agriculture, the housing crisis and healthcare were key issues dominating the discussion, as rural and urban Colorado face differing challenges. Where common ground can be agreed upon is a task often left to state lawmakers to tackle. Water Rights Water management was a central theme across all debates, with candidates recognizing the importance of securing Colorado's w...
Prop. 130 will create $1 million death benefit for emergency responders
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Prop. 130 will create $1 million death benefit for emergency responders

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice When there's an emergency -- a home break-in, fire or heart attack -- Coloradans depend upon emergency responders from the far stretches of the Eastern Plains to the Western Slope and places in between to be there. Advance Colorado is asking voters this November to be there for emergency responders. Election Day is Nov. 5. "Let's take care of our first responders who take care of us, and make sure their families get a $1 million death benefit," said Advance Colorado Executive Vice President Kristi Burton Brown on Monday in a Twitter/X post. https://twitter.com/KBBColorado/status/1838217369883177267 Advance Colorado is the organization that placed Prop. 130 on the ballot, a measure that would direct $350 million from the state to assis...
Amendment H ensures accountability in Colorado’s judiciary, retired Chief Judge Maes says
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Amendment H ensures accountability in Colorado’s judiciary, retired Chief Judge Maes says

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice Even though retired Colorado 10th Judicial District Chief Judge Dennis Maes has plenty to do as a board member for Pueblo School District, he writes monthly articles on the need for judicial reform.  And behind the scenes, he acts when he observes actions that throw the question of judicial transparency and accountability into question. He’s also gone to multiple news media outlets to air his concerns. Maes believes that the work of investigative journalists around the state, including the Denver Gazette's David Migoya, led to Amendment H appearing on the ballot.  “Migoya was key in exposing judicial scandals, including the Mindy Masias case and other judicial misconduct issues," Maes shared. In November of 2022, Maes submi...
Devotional: What is the trunk of who you are?
Approved, Commentary, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

Devotional: What is the trunk of who you are?

By DRAKE HUNTER | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Living in the grandness of Colorado and traveling to the mountains often is like walking through a divine art gallery. Nature here doesn’t just sit still; it grabs you by the senses and shakes you awake. If you've ever bitten into a juicy Colorado Palisade peach, you know what I mean. That peach, sweet and perfect, didn’t just happen overnight. It started as a tiny seed, growing into a sturdy tree, nourished by the soil, rain and sun until it became something delightful — an actual work of art, and what a great picture of life itself. Think about it. That peach tree needed a solid trunk to support the weight of its branches and fruit. It couldn’t produce anything worth tasting, if its foundation were weak. The same goes for us. Li...
Sloan: Paging Hezbollah… the Israelis storied no-nonsense history with terrorists
Approved, Commentary, National, Rocky Mountain Voice

Sloan: Paging Hezbollah… the Israelis storied no-nonsense history with terrorists

By Kelly Sloan | Contributing Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Say what you will about the Israelis, no one can accuse them of lacking a degree of chutzpah when they put their minds to dealing with terrorism. Last week’s pager and walkie-talkie detonations in the hands and waistbands of thousands of Hezbollah operatives, and the subsequent massive airstrike against the organization (timed perfectly, by the way, to take place in the middle of Hezbollah’s press conference howling about the outrage of the operation – nice touch) read like something out of James Bond or a Tom Clancy novel. It was brilliant too: the psychological impact was almost as valuable as the crippling of their communications, and denying an enemy the ability to coordinate movements, relay information, and repor...