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After two Republicans flip their support, Mike Johnson elected as U.S. House Speaker
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After two Republicans flip their support, Mike Johnson elected as U.S. House Speaker

Rep. Thomas Massey of Kentucky only Republican to oppose Johnson as Speaker of 119th Congress By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice After a short period of consternation, Republican Mike Johnson has been elected as Speaker of the U.S. House for the 119th Congress. Johnson ultimately received the necessary 218 votes from a Republican conference of 219 members in the first round of voting, although it briefly appeared he may need at least a second round to get the necessary support. Reps. Ralph Norman of South Carolina and Keith Self of Texas flipped their support from other Republican members to Johnson, handing him the gavel for consecutive sessions. Norman had initially supported Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, and Self had initially supported Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida. Both ...
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David Weiss, the terminated Jeffco chief of schools, found dead in Maryland
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David Weiss, the terminated Jeffco chief of schools, found dead in Maryland

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice Two weeks after ex-Jefferson County Chief of Schools David Weiss was terminated, he is believed to have committed suicide, Fox 31 News is reporting. He was found dead following allegations he had been in possession of child sexual assault material. Weiss was terminated Dec. 19 during an investigation. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is investigating Weiss, Fox 31 News reported. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office was contacted by the Washington, Md., Sheriff's Office on New Year's Day that a death investigation into Weiss was taking place, Fox 31 reported. He was visiting family there. Weiss spent 10 years with Jefferson County.  Previously, he was an elementary principal for five years and an assistant high school principa...
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Marc Catlin drawing on youth football, rafting and Bigfoot for inspiration as he ‘graduates’ to Senate
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Marc Catlin drawing on youth football, rafting and Bigfoot for inspiration as he ‘graduates’ to Senate

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice In preparation of his move to Colorado's upper chamber for the 75th legislative session, Marc Catlin has reflected upon a time in which he coached youth football. “There was a little boy who came up to me and said, 'Coach, I think something is wrong with me'," Catlin recalls. "When I asked him what he meant, he said, ‘It feels funny inside.’ I told him, ‘Well, that’s just butterflies. If you don’t have those, you’re not gonna play well.’ And that little critter played like a tiger that day.” The newly-elected state senator views his new role through a lens of humor, humility and determination. “If you don’t have some anxiety about it, you’re probably not thinking about it," he said. He served as a state representati...
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AG Weiser first in the Democratic field for governor: ‘I’m committed to fighting for the people of Colorado’
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AG Weiser first in the Democratic field for governor: ‘I’m committed to fighting for the people of Colorado’

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice Attorney General Phil Weiser didn't waste any time in 2025 making his future intentions known. He was the first to declare a run in the Democratic field for governor. He announced the decision Thursday, Jan. 2, in a Twitter/X post on his personal account. https://twitter.com/pweiser/status/1874827618727657522 Gov. Jared Polis' second term in office expires at the end of 2026. The governor's office has a two-term limit. "Today, I’m announcing my candidacy for governor of Colorado," Weiser's post began on X. "There are many reasons why I’m running to lead this state I love, but the biggest reason is simple: I’m committed to fighting for the people of Colorado." Weiser was elected as attorney general in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. Th...
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In tight vote for Speaker, Johnson could potentially sweep four GOP votes from Colorado
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In tight vote for Speaker, Johnson could potentially sweep four GOP votes from Colorado

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice A slight Republican margin in the U.S. House will make Speaker Mike Johnson's re-election bid later this week potentially a must-see. Republicans hold a 220-215 seat advantage in the U.S. House, but one Republican has resigned, and two other Republicans have indicated their opposition to Johnson. It takes 218 votes to win the Speaker vote. If Johnson is unable to swing either of the defectors, he doesn't win the Speaker vote — assuming Democratic members don't lend their support. U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, is at least one who has withheld his support for Johnson thus far and told Fox News there were others. He has suggested alternative Speaker options of Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., or Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, both of whom have previously m...
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Top Stories of 2024: Elections, password leaks, Tren de Aragua, Trump visit and more
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Top Stories of 2024: Elections, password leaks, Tren de Aragua, Trump visit and more

By Rocky Mountain Voice Staff There's one thing to say for 2024 in reflection — it wasn't boring on the political front. Along the way there were a dozen candidates for one highly coveted seat in the U.S. House, a once in three-decades special selection committee, a Secretary of State failing to keep passwords secure, the trial of Tina Peters, members of the GOP's central committee unable to agree on leadership, a visit to the state from Donald J. Trump, gang violence in Aurora, Republican gains and much more. Here's a glance at some of the Colorado newsmakers and newsbreakers you may recall from 2024: Judicial retention — Among the tasks left for voters on a long ballot was the daunting role they had to decide judicial retention of judges from the Colorado Supreme Court and Co...
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Boebert’s Fish Recovery Act saves endangered fish, secures water for future generations
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Boebert’s Fish Recovery Act saves endangered fish, secures water for future generations

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Last week, Rep. Lauren Boebert's Fish Recovery Act passed, protecting four endangered fish species and empowering water use and development. Part of the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the bipartisan legislation extends two vital conservation programs while enabling thousands of water and power users to continue operations uninterrupted. “These projects, including 1,200 in Colorado alone, encompass major water reservoirs, agricultural water users, ski areas and power generation facilities that collectively use more than 3.7 million acre-feet of water per year,” Boebert said. She underscored the role these programs play in balancing environmental protection with ongoing water and power operations. In ...
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Garbo: Sheriffs must always be elected to defend liberty and preserve the Constitution
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Garbo: Sheriffs must always be elected to defend liberty and preserve the Constitution

By C. J. Garbo | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Few offices in American governance embody the spirit of freedom and self-governance as profoundly as that of the county sheriff. Rooted in centuries of tradition and safeguarded by constitutional principles, the elected sheriff stands as one of the most powerful and accountable defenders of liberty in the United States. In Colorado, this role carries even greater significance, as the state’s history and values are deeply tied to independence, local control and resistance to government overreach. The idea of appointing sheriffs — rather than electing them — is not only an affront to these principles, it is a direct threat to the constitutional freedoms that this office was designed to protect. To fully appreciate why sheriffs ...
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Gonzalez: In the 75th legislative session, lawmakers should focus on affordability
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Gonzalez: In the 75th legislative session, lawmakers should focus on affordability

By Ryan Gonzalez | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice As prices for Coloradans continue to increase, the state legislature must step in to provide relief for the ones they serve. In recent years, what the legislature has done is add more unnecessary costs to everyday expenses from energy to groceries to housing. An example are the “fees” added continuously. Fees, such as the “tire fee” the “delivery fee” the “telephone fee” and car registration fees. The list goes on and on. Repealing many of these fees will provide some relief to everyday Coloradans. Regulations have also added unnecessary hardships to our residents and taxpayers. Regulations — in such areas as environmental and labor — that only pass costs to consumers. In housing, new developments and renovations must compl...
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Elected Republicans, from Denver to Washington, offered greetings on Christmas
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Elected Republicans, from Denver to Washington, offered greetings on Christmas

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice From the halls of Congress in Washington, D.C., to the Golden Dome in Denver, Republicans serving Colorado paused Wednesday not just to take time with family, but to turn to Twitter/X to communicate with constituents on the occasion of Christmas and the beginning of Hanukkah. "Jesus' coming is good news for all people," U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert said in a video she posted. "Believers and unbelievers, saints and sinners, Republicans and Democrats. Jesus came to this world to save imperfect people like you and me." https://twitter.com/RepBoebert/status/1871927851710365923 Boebert is currently serving in the 3rd District on the Western Slope, but in January will begin serving the 4th District in Northern Colorado and on the Eastern Plains. ...
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