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Polk: Summer TDS cases are rising across the U.S. — Is it time for a shot?
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Polk: Summer TDS cases are rising across the U.S. — Is it time for a shot?

By Mark Polk | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Mark Polk shared this satirical piece with his personal network, where it sparked laughter and strong reactions. He adapted it from a recent COVID vaccine shot article and noted it may be “too hot to handle” for some—but readers who enjoy biting political humor may find it hard to resist. As Trump Derangement Syndrome cases begin to rise this summer, many may be wondering: What are my risks, and is it time to get another vaccine? As of July 15, TDS cases were growing or likely growing in 27 states including Texas, Illinois, Colorado, North/South Carolina, NY, AZ, Missouri, Wisconsin, NJ, ND/SD, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Kalifornia, Kentucky, Virginia and Ohio, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It also...
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Daniel: Colorado’s Budget Crisis Wasn’t an Accident — It Was a Choice
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Daniel: Colorado’s Budget Crisis Wasn’t an Accident — It Was a Choice

By Bobbie Daniel | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Colorado’s budget isn’t just strained — it’s revealing the true priorities of our state’s leadership. While seniors and disabled veterans wait to see if Colorado will uphold a constitutionally guaranteed property tax exemption, Governor Polis was busy polling Coloradans about spending $28 million on a pedestrian bridge in downtown Denver. The result? Over 87,000 people participated in just five days — 93.9% voted “no” and only 3.8% said yes. That kind of public input is rare in state spending these days. If more of our budget decisions had that level of transparency, we might not be staring at another billion-dollar deficit. The crisis we’re in today wasn’t caused by bad luck or global economics. It was the result of del...
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What schools won’t say: The furry behavior Colorado families keep reporting
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What schools won’t say: The furry behavior Colorado families keep reporting

By Shaina Cole | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Rumors about students dressing as animals and disrupting classrooms have circulated throughout Colorado for years, sparking political fights, school board blowback and media denials. Some say the “furries in schools” narrative is a hoax pushed by conservative figures. But school records, parent testimony and disciplinary documents tell a more complicated story. First signs: When parents spoke up and were ignored The saga gained momentum in 2022 when more than two dozen parents in Jefferson County bombarded school officials with concerns. Darlene Edwards, a mother whose 14-year-old autistic son attended a local middle school, told CBS Colorado her son returned home upset, describing classmates in animal costumes scratching,...
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Daniel: The state’s mandates, your money—and why counties are saying “Enough”
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Daniel: The state’s mandates, your money—and why counties are saying “Enough”

By Bobbie Daniel | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Imagine walking into a restaurant, and before you even look at the menu, someone else orders for the whole table. They choose the most expensive items, add dessert, and go for top-shelf drinks—and when the check comes, they quietly slide it over to you.  That, in a nutshell, is what the State of Colorado is doing to counties.  Every year, new laws and regulations roll out of the Capitol with noble names and lofty goals. But when it comes time to pay for them, the state shrugs and walks away—leaving counties, and local taxpayers, to foot the bill. It’s called an unfunded mandate, and it’s become one of the biggest threats to responsible government in Colorado.  In Mesa County, we’ve always believed in balan...
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Minary: Humor is good—even and especially in politics and culture
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Minary: Humor is good—even and especially in politics and culture

By Russ Minary | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice “And now for something completely different.” (the opening scene of every episode of Monty Python’s Flying Circus on BBC) This article is a departure from the usual banter on politics, religion, morality and taxes.  We can all use a good laugh now and again.  Monty Python was a British comedy troupe that did out of the box, thought-provoking, bawdy, irreverent skits on a variety of topics including politics and religion. That show has aged very well.   Politics should still be a rich source of humor.  Here’s a simple way to tell if something is genuinely funny: it will make most people laugh, smile and feel better.   Mark Twain, one of my favorite humorists wrote two of my favorite quo...
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Tristan: How Trump’s second term is making history—promises made, promises kept
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Tristan: How Trump’s second term is making history—promises made, promises kept

By George Tristan | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice It’s often said that elections have consequences; I submit this assertion expresses an undeniable truth that nearly all would attest to, regardless of one’s political persuasion. That said, how should the first six months of President Trump’s administration be objectively characterized?  Many tout it has been an unprecedented success; while others decry it has been an abysmal failure. Wherever you may sit on this continuum of opinion, what cannot be argued is whether Trump’s accomplishments, since January 20, 2025, have lived up to his 2024 campaign promises. The American electorate returned Trump back to Washington D.C., largely due to how he led over the course of his first term as the 45th POTUS. Had Trump not live...
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Colorado’s Medicaid growth is colliding with fiscal reality
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Colorado’s Medicaid growth is colliding with fiscal reality

By Shaina Cole | Contributing Writer A new report from the Common Sense Institute (CSI) warns that Colorado’s Medicaid program is on an unsustainable path—driven by rapid expansion at the state level and compounded by shrinking federal support. The warning comes as lawmakers prepare for a possible special session to address the state’s growing budget deficit. State policy has driven major cost growth Since 2019, Colorado has enacted 182 healthcare-related laws, with 21 of them expanding Medicaid eligibility or benefits. According to CSI’s July 2025 report, these expansions alone add approximately $158 million in recurring annual state costs. In total, the new legislation contributes around $858 million per year in additional Medicaid-related spending. Only 36% of that new spend...
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Hunter: Fort Morgan ribbon cutting celebrates purpose and partnership at Leprino’s only string cheese facility
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Hunter: Fort Morgan ribbon cutting celebrates purpose and partnership at Leprino’s only string cheese facility

By Drake Hunter | Commentary, RMV NE CO Newsroom, Rocky Mountain Voice There’s something deeply satisfying about a slice of pizza. Maybe it’s the gooey mozzarella that stretches with every bite or the quiet delight of knowing where that cheese comes from, especially when it’s right in your backyard. Recently, I had the opportunity to join Leprino Foods in Fort Morgan, Colorado, for their Fort Morgan Area Chamber of Commerce Red Ribbon Ceremony. The event wasn’t just a formal ribbon-cutting—it was a bold step forward in deepening community connections, fueled by purpose, people, and plenty of cheese. The afternoon began with a warm welcome led by Conor Kokes, Continuous Improvement Specialist and the driving force behind Leprino’s Community Impact Team. Conor kicked things off with...
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Garbo: Treason in Plain Sight—Obama’s Coup and the Democratic Betrayal of America
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Garbo: Treason in Plain Sight—Obama’s Coup and the Democratic Betrayal of America

By C. J. Garbo | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice If Tulsi Gabbard’s revelations don’t make your blood boil, you haven’t been paying attention. The coordinated deception revealed by the Director of National Intelligence is not just a scandal – it is a full-blown betrayal of the American people, engineered at the highest levels of our government. This wasn’t carelessness. It was deliberate. And it wasn’t just dirty politics. It was treason. President Barack Obama knew the truth. His top officials - James Clapper, John Brennan, Susan Rice - knew the truth. The intelligence community found no legitimate evidence that Donald Trump colluded with Russia. But that didn’t stop them. Instead, they manufactured a lie, inflated a hoax, and fed it to a willing and corrupt media to unleash ...
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Eleven stabbed at Michigan Walmart before two Marine veterans end the violence
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Eleven stabbed at Michigan Walmart before two Marine veterans end the violence

By Shaina Cole | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice What started as a typical Saturday, July 26, at a northern Michigan Walmart in Traverse City ended in chaos, bloodshed, and unexpected heroism. Eleven shoppers were stabbed — several critically — before police could arrive. Deputies say two former Marines stepped in just in time, stopping the chaos before it turned deadly. The suspect—42-year-old Bradford Gille from Sheboygan County, Wisconsin—is behind bars. Formal charges are expected soon, including one that may fall under the state’s terrorism statute. What witnesses say happened during the stabbing It was just before 4:45 p.m. when Gille began attacking customers near the checkout lanes inside the Walmart off US-31. Witnesses say he moved fast and struck randoml...
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