Rocky Mountain Voice

Rocky Mountain Voice

‘We should cease reintroduction now’: Republican legislators sound off on wolves killing more livestock
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

‘We should cease reintroduction now’: Republican legislators sound off on wolves killing more livestock

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice The results of reintroduction of gray wolves into western areas of Colorado is drawing the ire of many Republican members of the State Legislature, several of whom earn a living from livestock. Like other livestock raisers, they term the reintroduction ill-conceived and poorly implemented. This week, Colorado Parks & Wildlife officials announced four more head of cattle were killed in Grand County, where previous depredation has occurred. “These are the days that Western Slopers feared with wolf reintroduction,” said Rep. Matt Soper, R-Delta. “Wolves are serial killers and will devastate the West Slope ranching, hunting and outdoor recreation economies. We should cease reintroduction now before the damages are irreparable." Colo...
Rep. Jake LaTurner of Kansas joins Republican run for the exit in Congress
Approved, National, Rocky Mountain Voice

Rep. Jake LaTurner of Kansas joins Republican run for the exit in Congress

By Brian Porter | The Rocky Mountain Voice Eastern Kansas Rep. Jake LaTurner announced Thursday he won't seek re-election to his seat in the U.S. House after less than two terms. He's just one in a line of many Republicans to have made the same announcement, some putting the Republican majority in jeopardy. In Colorado, Rep. Ken Buck, R-Windsor, announced his departure in October and then abruptly decided not to finish out his term. Then Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo. Springs, announced his resignation. When Rep. Lauren Boebert announced her plan to leave the 3rd District seat, it meant all three Republicans in Colorado would be leaving their seats in Congress. They were far from the only ones to do so, as Republicans have nearly handed away their House majority. Unlike Buck, LaTur...
Colorado Libertarians call for end to Middle East violence, condemn all sides of conflict
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Colorado Libertarians call for end to Middle East violence, condemn all sides of conflict

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice War and violence are never the answer to resolving international disputes, a statement from the Colorado Libertarian Party reads. The party has issued a statement condemning escalating conflict in the Middle East and calling for a peaceful resolution between Israel, Hamas and Iran. "We stand firmly against any and all acts of aggression, regardless of the parties involved," the statement reads. "The recent events in the Middle East have only served to further destabilize an already volatile region, resulting in the loss of innocent lives and the displacement of countless families." While the statement refers to the conflict as "Israel's war on Gaza", conflict between Israel and Palestinians has been ongoing since 1948, marked by the de...
First Lady Jill Biden to visit Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora on Saturday
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First Lady Jill Biden to visit Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora on Saturday

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice First Lady Jill Biden will promote the White House's Initiative on Women’s Health Research during a stop Saturday in Aurora, according to reports from multiple news outlets. She is scheduled to arrive at Denver International Airport sometime Friday evening and by noon Saturday, arrive to speak at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, where she will also participate in a rountable discussion. While sometimes called Dr. Jill Biden, she does not hold a medical degree and is a community college English teacher. The Initiative on Women’s Health Research is led by Mrs. Biden and the White House Gender Policy Council. Mr. Biden has called for a $12 billion investment in the project. Before reaching Colorado, Mrs. Bi...
New polling finds Biden’s approval rate slumping, disapproval rate growing
Approved, National, Rocky Mountain Voice

New polling finds Biden’s approval rate slumping, disapproval rate growing

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice The State of the Union Address may not have had the result for President Joe Biden that he would have hoped. Emerson polling finds that his job approval rating has continued to slide since the address, and his job disapproval rating has continued to rise. Biden addressed the nation March 8. Polling was conducted April 2-3 of 1,438 registered voters with a margin of error of 2.5%. In January, voters surveyed by Emerson graded the President's approval at 42%, up from a low of 38% in November. That approval of 42% ticked down 1% in March and another 1% in April, Emerson finds. Disapproval of the President's job performance was at its lowest in January, coming in at 46% in Emerson polling. It has ticked up every month since, with 47% disap...
Andrews, Webb qualify for ballot in crowded 3rd District primary field for Boebert’s seat in Congress
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Andrews, Webb qualify for ballot in crowded 3rd District primary field for Boebert’s seat in Congress

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice The dance card is filling up in the 3rd District's primary election to select the Western Slope's Republican nominee to potentially become the next representative in Congress. Russ Andrews and Lew Webb were added to the list of hopefuls to receive the party's nomination to the general election on Wednesday, when the Secretary of State's office announced their qualifications to the ballot. The seat is presently held by Rep. Lauren Boebert, who relocated to Windsor in the 4th District and is vying for the Republican nomination in that primary. It is the only Republican field larger than the 3rd District. Boebert had an opportunity to run for the Republican nomination in the 4th District's special election to replace ex-Rep. Ken Buck, but sa...
Martin Luther King Jr. Writes “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” On April 16, 1963
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Martin Luther King Jr. Writes “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” On April 16, 1963

By Tori Ganahl | Rocky Mountain Voice In the midst of the civil rights movement's fervor, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. penned his profound "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" on April 16, 1963. Locked away in Birmingham, Ala., King responded to criticisms from white clergy, defending his urgent call for justice against segregation. His heartfelt words, initially etched on scraps of paper, resonated as a powerful testament to the struggle for civil rights. King passionately rejected the notion of being an outsider to Birmingham's plight, declaring, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." He urged immediate action against segregation, emphasizing that waiting for the "right time" was futile. King advocated for non-violent protest and challenged conformity, calling on individu...
Do only four frontrunners remain in 4th District race? It appeared that way in Kit Carson County.
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Do only four frontrunners remain in 4th District race? It appeared that way in Kit Carson County.

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice BURLINGTON -- A handful of candidates vying to become Eastern Colorado's next representative to Congress didn't make one of the state's bright, bright red counties a destination here Friday for the Kit Carson County Republican Party's Lincoln Dinner. The county situated on the Kansas border has delivered decisive, state-leading vote-count margins for Republican candidates for President, most recently giving Donald Trump 80% of the vote in both 2016 and 2020, supporting Mitt Romney with 75% support and John McCain with 66% respectively in 2012 and 2008, and George W. Bush with 72% support in his first run and 77% in his bid for re-election. In his final election, Rep. Ken Buck earned 85% of all votes from the county. In Burlington on Frida...
Douglas, El Paso counties name Gov. Polis as defendant in ‘sanctuary state’ suit
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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
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

‘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." ...