Rocky Mountain Voice

Rocky Mountain Voice

Prop. 127’s ‘unintended consequences’ could be devastating, leaders in Northwest Colorado say
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Prop. 127’s ‘unintended consequences’ could be devastating, leaders in Northwest Colorado say

By Lindy Browning | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice Members of the Associated Governments of Northwestern Colorado (AGNC) were joined recently in a discussion of Proposition 127 by Gaspar Perricone, of the Wildlife Conservation Project and formerly a political advisor, legislative director to the Colorado Department of Natural Resources and regional director for Sen. Mark Udall. If supported by voters, Prop. 127 on the Nov. 5 statewide ballot would ban hunting of mountain lions, bobcats and federally-protected lynx. The measure is the result of an animal rights activist group, Cats aren’t Trophies (CATs), a 501(c) (3) organization who gathered enough signatures to place the issue on the ballot. This is the same process that led to the reintroduction of wolves in Colorado, often ter...
Ganahl: Retail rescue outed by a rabies outbreak
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Ganahl: Retail rescue outed by a rabies outbreak

By Heidi Ganahl | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Colorado’s animal rescue system has long been regarded as a national leader, rescuing tens of thousands of pets from outside the state each year to meet the growing demand for furry companions. However, a disturbing trend is emerging in the rescue world, where non-profit organizations posing as shelters are flipping animals in a scheme that values profits over the welfare of pets. This "retail rescue" phenomenon, coupled with lax quarantine and vaccination enforcement, has come to light in the wake of the Moms and Mutts (MAMCO) rabies outbreak, which has cost public health agencies over $600,000 to clean up. In August, MAMCO, a Colorado rescue organization, found itself at the center of a rabies exposure crisis after importing ani...
Sloan: Do we all – Democrats and Republicans – like nuclear now?
Approved, Commentary, National, Rocky Mountain Voice

Sloan: Do we all – Democrats and Republicans – like nuclear now?

By Kelly Sloan | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice We have not been afforded any authoritative glimpses into the proposed energy policies of either Mr. Trump or Ms. Harris, leaving us with only the conventional jousting positions with which to make comparisons. For Democrats, that generally means concerns over climate change exceeding every other consideration – meaning the minimizing of the use of oil and gas; for Republicans, it generally means strengthening national energy posture – meaning maximizing production of domestic supplies of oil and gas.  Those battle lines seem relatively inelastic and are expected to hold; but an interesting evolution has been quietly taking place on the left side of the aisle, and I’m not talking about Harris’ new-found appreciation of frackin...
Devotional: Don’t be a rebel. Engage in the process and vote.
Approved, Commentary, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

Devotional: Don’t be a rebel. Engage in the process and vote.

By DRAKE HUNTER | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice As we look ahead to our country's future, it's important to recognize the significant role that the government plays in shaping it. While there may be differing perspectives on this role, it's undeniable that the government holds substantial influence over our collective destiny. We must envision the future and assess how our personal governance and contributions impact the well-being of our country. In Christianity, there is a profound belief in the ultimate authority resting in the hands or work of God. There's a strong emphasis on the responsibility of followers to uphold the 'Goodness' of God, often referred to as 'Governance.' Governance works in tandem with preserving goodness; when functioning optimally, it's seen as the Pr...
Experts to debate Prop 131 (Ranked Choice Voting) at Oct. 18 event in Grand Junction
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Experts to debate Prop 131 (Ranked Choice Voting) at Oct. 18 event in Grand Junction

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice With many Colorado voters already having ballots in hand, soon decisions will need to be made on a variety of ballot initiatives, not the least of which is Proposition 131. The measure is an attempt to adopt Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV) in Colorado. It would overhaul the existing election processes, with some having expressed concern over little evidence of making elections more efficient, trustworthy, voter-friendly or transparent. A panel discussion on Prop. 131 will take place Oct. 18 in the Robinson Theatre at Colorado Mesa University (CMU). The event is hosted by Restore the Balance (RTB), the CMU Civic Forum and the Young Forwardists. This panel discussion is free to the public. CMU Political Science Professor Tim Casey wi...
Raisch: When certifying election results, more transparency and better processes will reduce anxiety among voters
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Raisch: When certifying election results, more transparency and better processes will reduce anxiety among voters

By Michael L. Raisch, CPA, and Colorado Institute for Fair Elections | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice We have all seen an increase in tension between people of different political beliefs over the last few years.  We believe there are some common-sense solutions to help increase trust and tone down the rhetoric that comes out of the election process.  The good news is that these improvements do not require a change in the statute to do so.  The solutions being proposed here require added transparency and a willingness to follow current law. In Colorado, the elections conducted by each county are initially certified by entities called “canvass boards.” Those county-level certifications are then provided to the Secretary of State who relies on them to certify the elect...
‘This was a takeover’: CBZ Management no longer silent on violent TdA activity in Aurora
Approved, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

‘This was a takeover’: CBZ Management no longer silent on violent TdA activity in Aurora

Jurinsky: 'Police chief leadership and city management lied' By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice A property management company, which has been vilified in Aurora as a slumlord, has begun to speak out through a new social media account. They are providing, in the words of Paul Harvey, the rest of the story. In 2019, CBZ Management was hired to manage Aurora apartment properties by the new owners. The properties were in poor condition and CBZ Management was assigned renovation to increase the rent value, the company's first posting on Oct. 11 reads. "We understood this project would take years to yield results and would be both time-consuming and costly, involving comprehensive upgrades to every unit and the overall structure," the Twitter/X post from @CbzManagement reads. ...
Rosinski: Supporting Colorado’s coal communities with nuclear power
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Rosinski: Supporting Colorado’s coal communities with nuclear power

By Michelle Rosinski | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice As Colorado grapples with increasing energy demands and the urgent need to move away from coal to meet environmental and health goals, the question arises: how can we ensure that this transition provides economic opportunities and stability for coal-dependent communities?  For decades, the American working class has borne the brunt of energy transitions. From coal miners to oil rig workers, shifts in energy policy have often led to job losses and economic instability. As we move toward a cleaner future, it is imperative that we avoid repeating these mistakes.  Nuclear energy, particularly advanced small modular reactors (SMRs), presents a viable solution that can facilitate a just transition away from coal, ensuring...
8th District ‘Battlestation’ office of Republican Gabe Evans, other tenants burglarized
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

8th District ‘Battlestation’ office of Republican Gabe Evans, other tenants burglarized

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice An estimated $1,500 in property was stolen earlier this month from the 8th District "Battlestation" in Thornton to elect Gabe Evans to the U.S. House and support other down ballot candidates, an email Tuesday from the National Republican Congressional Committee reads. At about 11 a.m. Oct. 3, Thornton police responded to the 2200 block of E. 104th Ave., where Suite #209, leased to Gabe Evans for Congress, and other suites were burglarized. The police report indicates a speaker, camera and lens, tool set, and Chromebook were all taken in the burglary. Police indicate misdemeanor theft and felony burglary charges could be filed, but the case is presently inactive. “No one is safe in Yadira Caraveo’s Colorado thanks to her pro-crime policies,...
Science-based wildlife conservation supported by passage of CWEPA resolution
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Science-based wildlife conservation supported by passage of CWEPA resolution

By Rocky Mountain Voice A resolution has been passed by the Colorado Wildlife Employees Protective Association (CWEPA) supporting science-based wildlife conservation aligned with the mission of Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the principles of wildlife conservation in North America, a press release received by Rocky Mountain Voice reads. Founded in 1947, CWEPA includes a membership estimated at 200 wildlife officers, biologists, wildlife technicians, aquatics staff, administrative assistants and education and outreach personnel "deeply committed to the conservation and management of Colorado’s diverse wildlife resources," the press release reads. The resolution serves to reaffirm the mission to advance the ability of employees to safeguard wildlife resources of Colorado for the benef...