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Former City Councilman argues for greater transparency in Grand Junction’s election filing process
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Former City Councilman argues for greater transparency in Grand Junction’s election filing process

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Three days. That’s all the time a Grand Junction resident has to challenge a candidate’s petition. But there’s one problem: the public doesn’t even know when the clock starts ticking. The City of Grand Junction claims that residents can challenge election petitions, yet the necessary documents aren’t posted publicly and CORA requests take as long as the objection window itself.  Former Grand Junction City Councilman Kraig Andrews learned this firsthand after reading a Rocky Mountain Voice article that included redacted candidate filing petitions.  With his experience in local government and an eye for detail, Andrews noticed discrepancies that raised concerns about how the city reviews and certifies election ...
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GOP Chair Race: Brita Horn Responds, Others Remain Silent
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GOP Chair Race: Brita Horn Responds, Others Remain Silent

By Rocky Mountain Voice Staff With less than three weeks until the March 29th election for Colorado GOP Chair, Rocky Mountain Voice reached out to all declared candidates with key questions about their vision, fundraising strategy, approach to unaffiliated voters, and stance on Proposition 108. So far, Brita Horn is the only candidate to respond. Darcy Schoening, Lori Saine and Kevin McCarney have yet to reply, and we will be reaching out to Richard Holtorf and Jeremy Goodall this week for their positions. Brita Horn's Answers: Why are you running for Chair? My heart is on fire for Colorado, not to sow discord or pit different factions against each other— I’m here to bring us together with a clear, strategic, and winning plan. Our party has lost its purpose with division ...
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Devotional: Suit up for the battle of your mind with Justification
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Devotional: Suit up for the battle of your mind with Justification

By Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice After serving more than two decades in the U.S. military, I’ve learned that the fiercest battles aren’t fought with swords or shields, they’re fought in the mind. Every day, we wrestle with doubt, anxiety, guilt and the rackety voices of culture telling us who we are (or should be). The enemy, who isn’t flesh and blood, knows that if he can get us to question our standing before God, he can shake our confidence, weaken our faith and make us ineffective in every area: intellectually, physically, morally and spiritually. That’s why the Helmet of Salvation, a crucial part of our spiritual armor, isn’t just a theological concept, it’s the bedrock of thinking and living. The Bible’s familiar warrior, the Apostle Paul, says plainly: ...
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Richard Holtorf, retired Army colonel, former state House whip and cattle rancher, will seek Colorado GOP chair
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Richard Holtorf, retired Army colonel, former state House whip and cattle rancher, will seek Colorado GOP chair

By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice Richard Holtorf, a former state representative and the chairman of the Washington County Republican Party, announced Saturday in an exclusive interview with Rocky Mountain Voice his intention to seek the chairmanship of the Colorado Republican Party. "As a longtime Republican in the state of Colorado, knowing the dire straights the party is in due to a failed strategic plan by previous leadership and the enormous infighting because of that," Holtorf said, "and analyzing the field of candidates, I felt Colorado Republicans deserved the best candidate possible." After attending Akron High School in a small Eastern Colorado town where he still resides, some would argue Holtorf had three successful careers, and this could be his fourth. He ser...
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Liberty-loving Rep. Ken DeGraaf has a ‘calculated’ approach to lawmaking that prioritizes freedom
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Liberty-loving Rep. Ken DeGraaf has a ‘calculated’ approach to lawmaking that prioritizes freedom

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Ken DeGraaf laughed in response. Loud and unapologetic. The question? Whether he considered himself the "apex predator" of liberty in Colorado politics. "I’m not sure about ‘apex predator,’" DeGraaf said, still chuckling. "I’m just voting the way the Constitution tells me to. That’s really all there is to it. If that puts me at the top of the food chain, then I think that says more about the state of our legislature than it does about me." In a Democrat-controlled government, where individual liberty is often an afterthought, the El Paso County Republican's unwavering constitutional approach makes him stand out, even among his own party. The Liberty Scorecard is one source which attempts to measure legislators. In t...
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Delta, Mesa Co. deputies disrupt drug distribution activities in Western Colorado
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Delta, Mesa Co. deputies disrupt drug distribution activities in Western Colorado

By Lindy Browning | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Drug dealers in Western Colorado had some serious disruption in their “business model” last week, when Western Slope law enforcement agencies from both Delta and Mesa counties intercepted and seized large amounts of illegal drugs being transported through their counties. As a result of interaction with police, four suspects were arrested on charges related to possession and distribution of illegal narcotics. According to Delta County Sheriff Mark Taylor, deputies in his department seized 1,500 fentanyl pills, 12 grams of ecstasy pills, 454 grams of methamphetamine, 50 grams of powdered fentanyl, and 21 grams of carfentanyl (an extremely potent opioid that is more powerful than fentanyl, and used as an elephant sedative....
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Businessman Steve Sundberg seeking re-election in Aurora’s Ward 2
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Businessman Steve Sundberg seeking re-election in Aurora’s Ward 2

By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice Around Aurora, some just call him the "one with the beard." Steve Sundberg is a soft-spoken member of the Aurora City Council and serves as mayor pro-tem. He's known to shun the limelight, but more than the beard is a reason he's an easily recognized figure around town. “Having operated a restaurant in Aurora for 28 years and, as the owner the past few, you learnquickly about listening to people and investing in your customers,” Sundberg said. “That’s really what drove my business and my interest in serving these same individuals and families on City Council." Sundberg has announced his intention to seek another four-year term in City Council Ward 2. His priorities have been two-fold: unifying the diverse population of Aurora, and publi...
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‘I’m for choice,’ Rep. Crank says, on health services for America’s veterans
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‘I’m for choice,’ Rep. Crank says, on health services for America’s veterans

By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice When about 90% of the Colorado population wants to see a doctor for an ailment, they call for an appointment and generally within a week or less can be seen on a non-emergency. Other times, a family practice physician is known to "fit them in today" to an already booked schedule in an emergency. That's not so for the other 10%, one Army veteran told U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank, R-Colo. Springs, during a town hall this week. "I don't feel like dying for my country as a peaceful citizen," said the veteran, who had to wait one month to be seen with a stroke. "It is absolute hell getting treatment from the VA. Every time you call them, you spend an hour plus on hold." The veteran's name is being withheld from this story to protect his identity. ...
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RMV founder Heidi Ganahl announces opening of regional Town Center newsroom and community hub
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RMV founder Heidi Ganahl announces opening of regional Town Center newsroom and community hub

By Rocky Mountain Voice The grand opening of Rocky Mountain Voice's first regional Town Center newsroom and community hub will take place Wednesday, March 12, Founder Heidi Ganahl announced this week. "Rocky Mountain Voice was built to inspire a citizen-driven community and collaboration — online and on the ground," Ganahl said. "We're excited to open our first Town Center in Fort Morgan." The Northeast Colorado Town Center is located at 528 State St. in Fort Morgan, which locals will recall formerly as the historic State Armory, created by an act of Colorado's General Assembly in 1921, and presently as the "eLc" Community Complex. It is positioned to served Adams and Weld counties to the west and Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington and Yuma counties to the east. The ...
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Kassaw, a political refugee when he arrived 17 years ago, is seeking election to Aurora City Council
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Kassaw, a political refugee when he arrived 17 years ago, is seeking election to Aurora City Council

By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice Seventeen years ago, Ethiopian-born Amsalu Kassaw was a political refugee when he settled in Aurora. “Aurora is more than a city to me; it’s a symbol of opportunity, diversity, and unity,” Kassaw said. Seventeen years later, Kassaw is asking Aurora to support him once again. Kassaw has announced his candidacy for an at-large seat on City Council. “From my early days of building a new life in America to becoming a proud citizen, this community has shaped who I am today," he said. "Over the years, I have dedicated myself to promoting civic engagement, supporting small businesses and fostering collaboration among diverse communities.” Kassaw was selected last year to fill the unexpired term of Dustin Zvonek. Kassaw is the first Ethiopian i...
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