Rocky Mountain Voice

Menu

Rocky Mountain Voice

Bill would give candidates a choice to assign their watcher of preference in recounts
No Comments
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Bill would give candidates a choice to assign their watcher of preference in recounts

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice When the smoke began to clear in El Paso County's House District 16 election in mid-November, Republican Rebecca Keltie had won election to the seat by seven votes. Or, so it might have appeared. The margin was not beyond the state's requirement for a mandatory recount, so Keltie was forced to sweat it out until Dec. 5 to be certified the winner, following a recount. House Bill 25-1155, by Republican Rep. Mary Bradfield and Democrat Rep. Cecelia Espenoza, would give candidates like Keltie an added opportunity, should they become a candidate in a runoff. "This is a simple bill," Bradfield said. "In a recount, the candidates have an option of having their own watcher present." The bill was supported on second reading in the Colorado House...
Read More
Garbo: The Party of spite (Democrats) betrayed their own promise on ‘No Tax on Tips’
No Comments
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Garbo: The Party of spite (Democrats) betrayed their own promise on ‘No Tax on Tips’

By C. J. Garbo | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice In a stunning display of hypocrisy, the Democratic Party once again proved that their loyalty lies not with the American people but with their own desperate grip on power. Kamala Harris campaigned on the promise of “No Tax on Tips,” a policy first proposed by President Donald Trump, yet when given the opportunity to support it, nearly every Democrat in Congress voted against it. Why? Because Republicans brought it forward. That’s it. No rational argument, no policy dispute — just petty, reflexive opposition rooted in pure political spite. This is not an isolated incident; it is a defining characteristic of today’s Democratic Party. They do not govern; they obstruct, steal, and lie. They will champion a cause when they b...
Read More
HB 1131 is free-market solution to increase access to veterinarians, bill sponsor says
No Comments
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

HB 1131 is free-market solution to increase access to veterinarians, bill sponsor says

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice House Bill 1131, described by a bill sponsor as a free-market solution to the state's growing veterinary shortage, appears to be fast-tracked to the Senate. On second reading Tuesday in the House, the bill by Democrat Rep. Andrew Boesenecker and Republican Rep. Dusty Johnson passed on an overwhelming voice vote. It was introduced Jan. 28. "We have seen a real need for veterinarians across the state, for both small [animals] and livestock," Johnson said. "[HB 1131] really does eliminate government overreach by removing caps for free-market students." The bill eliminates the cap on the number of students who may enroll in the Colorado State veterinary program and, as the bill's fiscal note points out, removes other financial limitations on t...
Read More
Motorists are paying the price — $11.4B annually, to be exact — for state’s crumbling roads
No Comments
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Motorists are paying the price — $11.4B annually, to be exact — for state’s crumbling roads

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Colorado’s deteriorating roads are hitting residents — and their vehicles — hard, in Grand Junction costing drivers an average of $1,704 annually in extra repairs, fuel costs, congestion delays and crash-related expenses.  Statewide, the cost is estimated to be $11.4 billion a year, according to a January 2025 report by TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit. Meanwhile, inflation and rising construction costs are chipping away at recent funding increases. Rocky Moretti, TRIP’s director of policy and research, highlighted the challenge: “Colorado, in 2021 — both through legislation in Colorado, but also through the federal bipartisan infrastructure legislation — was able to significantly increase investment in ...
Read More
General Assembly recognizes active-duty military, veterans in 10 resolutions
No Comments
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

General Assembly recognizes active-duty military, veterans in 10 resolutions

By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice Active duty military, veterans and those prisoners of war or missing in action who never made it home were all honored Friday with bipartisan measures in the Colorado House and Senate. House Joint Resolution 25-1010, by Republican Rep. Jarvis Caldwell and Sen. Janice Rich and with Democrat Rep. Sean Camacho and Dafna Michaelson Jenet, commemorated Military Appreciation Day. The resolution notes more than 47,000 Coloradans serve in a branch of the armed forces in active or reserved duty, and another 340,000 military veterans call the state home.That is roughly about 8% of the state's population. HJR 25-1011, by Republican Rep. Ryan Armagost and Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer and by Democrat Rep. Matthew Martinez and Sen. Matt Ball, recognized Gold ...
Read More
In a shifting of chairs, Republican parties have new leadership in many Colorado counties
No Comments
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

In a shifting of chairs, Republican parties have new leadership in many Colorado counties

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice The only constant in life is said to be change. That certainly is the way it may feel for those in a number of county Republican parties around Colorado. From El Paso to Weld to Washington counties and other places dotting the map, new party leadership has been put in place during biennial reorganization, and more could be. In Adams County, both U.S. Reps. Lauren Boebert and Gabe Evans spoke before Laura Garcia-Pascoe was elected as the new county Republican chairwoman. "Let’s win big together this cycle," wrote Boebert in a Facebook post and photo with Garcia-Pascoe, after her election. On Monday, during his weekly grassroots call, former Sen. Kevin Lundberg noted Sandra Aste had been named the Larimer County chair. "I am really exc...
Read More
HB 1131, lifting cap on CSU veterinary students, among three bills in each chamber getting second readings Tuesday
No Comments
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

HB 1131, lifting cap on CSU veterinary students, among three bills in each chamber getting second readings Tuesday

By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice A bipartisan bill aimed at lifting the artificial cap on students who may enroll in Colorado State's veterinary program will get a second reading and potentially a preliminary vote on Tuesday, Feb. 11, in the Colorado House. House Bill 25-1131, by Republican Rep. Dusty Johnson and Sen. Byron Pelton and joined by Democrat Rep. Andrew Boesenecker and Sen. Cathy Kipp, lifts the enrollment cap at a time when both small and large animal veterinarians are at a shortage throughout the state, especially in Eastern Colorado where two of the legislators represent. The bill passed the House Education Committee on Feb. 6 with a rare 13-0 vote. The House convenes at 9 a.m. The House will also hear second readings on two Democrat-led bills — HB 25-1010,...
Read More
Tina Peters’ filing argues her actions were protected by the Supremacy Clause
No Comments
Approved, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

Tina Peters’ filing argues her actions were protected by the Supremacy Clause

"She [Peters] is pale, has lost weight, and has difficulties with memory and word-finding," filing reads By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters has taken her fight to the U.S. District Court in Colorado, claiming her prosecution violated the U.S. Constitution. On Feb. 7, Peters filed a habeas corpus petition to challenge her incarceration, claiming she was simply doing her duty to preserve election data, as required by federal rules. The petition, filed under 28 U.S.C. § 2254, contests Peters’ denial of bond pending appeal and claims multiple constitutional violations in her trial.  It asserts that her prosecution is invalid because 52 U.S.C. § 20701 requires election officials to preserve election records for 22 months...
Read More
Williams: Weld County GOP’s young gun vaults to victory as new party chair
No Comments
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Williams: Weld County GOP’s young gun vaults to victory as new party chair

By Laci Williams | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice The Weld County Republicans have been a driving force in flipping multiple statewide seats andeven one national seat. But political victories don’t happen by chance—they require strongleadership, strategy, and a committed team. One of the key figures behind this success is YoungRepublican Hunter Rivera, a lifelong Weld County native whose deep roots in the communityand unwavering commitment to conservative principles have propelled him into leadership. Rivera was rewarded for his dedication on Saturday, Feb. 8, winning a sweeping and well-deserved victory in the Weld County GOP chair race, securing 111 out of 148 votes from the voting members. “We need leadership that is Weld First and America First, not leadership focused on pol...
Read More
Devotional: You, too, are equipped with a superpower – gratitude
No Comments
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Devotional: You, too, are equipped with a superpower – gratitude

By DRAKE HUNTER | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Today, superheroes are a huge part of our culture — found in movies, video games, comic books and costumes. Many people are eager to discover heroes to admire, captivated by their astonishing powers and inspiring courage. What sets superheroes apart is their unique abilities. For example, Iron Man utilizes his genius-level intellect and cutting-edge technology, while Black Panther draws enhanced senses and strength from the mystical Heart-Shaped Herb. Wonder Woman wields her Lasso of Truth and a magical sword, the Flash captivates with super speed, and Captain America embodies justice with his iconic shield. Collectively, they represent the superpower of courage, driven by deep appreciation and gratitude. Like the legendary charac...
Read More