Rocky Mountain Voice

Rocky Mountain Voice

Mesa County focused on stopping the spread of zebra mussels threatening water supply
Approved, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

Mesa County focused on stopping the spread of zebra mussels threatening water supply

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice A small intruder endangers Mesa County's water infrastructure, agriculture, local economy and aquatic habitats, and Mesa County isn't alone facing the threat. Zebra mussels invade ecosystems unchecked. Their staggering reproductive rate fuels the crisis. A single female can unleash one million eggs. What's worse is that they reach maturity in about four months. These small mussels clog pipes and drip water tubing as they multiply.  They can invade canals and rivers, and cripple irrigation systems.  This July, zebra mussel DNA was detected in the Government Highline Canal and the Colorado River. Mesa County Commissioner Bobbie Daniel and Tina Bergonzini, general manager of the Grand Valley Water Users Association, have ...
Securing Colorado’s elections: United Sovereign Americans to champion integrity in ’24
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Securing Colorado’s elections: United Sovereign Americans to champion integrity in ’24

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice By law, if there are more than 21 errors in an election, the results aren’t reliable enough to certify. The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) sets this threshold: one error per 125,000 ballots. Yet, grassroots volunteers with United Sovereign Americans (USA) claim to have discovered 100,693 improperly counted votes and 1,467,380 facially ineligible or uncertain registrations from Colorado’s 2022 election.  USA members discovered this by investigating the Colorado Secretary of State's official voter registration data and voting history records, they say. The analysis was conducted using SQL database queries that revealed thousands of apparent voter registration and voting errors. This data was presented in their Colorado 2022 Gene...
Sloan: The long arm of Beijing into American politics
Approved, Commentary, National, Rocky Mountain Voice

Sloan: The long arm of Beijing into American politics

By Kelly Sloan | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice When Alger Hiss, a well-placed official in the U.S. State Department, was revealed to be a Soviet spy in the late 1940s, it shook Congress (and the American public) hard enough for them to take the matter of Soviet penetration of U.S. governmental entities seriously. One can hope that the arrest of Linda Sun, a top aide of New York Governor Kathy Hochul, on charges of working as an unregistered agent of the People’s Republic of China while in the governor’s office will have a similar impact on all levels of American government today.  The details unveiled in the unsealed indictment are quite extraordinary. Among many other things, Sun (allegedly – because that’s how we do things in free countries) clandestinely allowed a PRC d...
A race with no candidate: 7th Judicial District attorney Seth Ryan withdraws
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

A race with no candidate: 7th Judicial District attorney Seth Ryan withdraws

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice Citing a nationwide shortage of attorneys and an inability to hire and retain them, along with for political and personal reasons, 7th Judicial District Attorney Seth Ryan, a Republican, is resigning. He gave a little more than a one-month notice and will not be in place on Election Day. Jessica Waggoner serves as the assistant district attorney, although it was not made clear whether she would lead the office following Ryan's departure. The 7th Judicial District includes the counties of Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray and San Miguel. There are 77,286 registered, active voters in those counties. "There is a nationwide and statewide shortage of attorneys that has been exacerbated by an economy that has shown historically low unem...
‘Not the gold standard, a bit of fool’s gold’: Ganahl finds areas of election concern which must be addressed before Nov. 5
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

‘Not the gold standard, a bit of fool’s gold’: Ganahl finds areas of election concern which must be addressed before Nov. 5

https://youtu.be/RgG-ysUlvq4 Ganahl talks about her concerns with Colorado's elections during a press conference outside the Capitol on Thursday afternoon. Lengthy analysis and research into one county’s 2022 election results has brought up some significant concerns, Heidi Ganahl, the Republican candidate for governor in 2022, announced Thursday in a press conference. “I’m concerned that Colorado’s elections are not the gold standard as proclaimed," Ganahl said, “but a bit of fool’s gold.” She is the founder and president of Rocky Mountain Voice, and a noted advocate for free and fair elections. “Verifying the integrity of election systems is not the exclusive role of law enforcement, but the right and duty of the citizens, and the delegated responsibility of...
In run for state board of education, Yazmin Navarro calls for more voter interaction, education and assistance
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

In run for state board of education, Yazmin Navarro calls for more voter interaction, education and assistance

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice As the wife of a U.S. Marine and a mother, Yazmin Navarro experienced education models in America and abroad. Those varied experiences as a student and parent, working with at-risk youth and an upbringing with "education at forefront for success" are among the reasons Navarro chose to seek election in Colorado's 8th District to the state board of education. Navarro, the Republican nominee, is being opposed on the general election ballot by Democrat Rhonda Solis. The campaign trail has led Navarro to draw some conclusions which she shared Monday, Sept. 23, on a grassroots call headed by former Sen. Kevin Lundberg. "I'm seeing [Democrats] out there registering voters," Navarro said. "Why can't Republicans do more of that? I want to see us ou...
Water roundtable sought common ground to secure a future with water
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Water roundtable sought common ground to secure a future with water

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice Water is essential. Everyone needs it, from cities to farms, but how it is managed can be quite a puzzle. As water scarcity and climate challenges grow, Colorado leaders gathered at the recent Colorado Water Roundtable Event to discuss the future of water management.  With the 2007 Interim Guidelines expiring in 2026, stakeholders are seeking solutions to protect the state's water. These include agricultural, municipal, environmental and tribal groups. Merging current demands with future planning Andy Mueller, general manager of the Colorado River District, stressed the need for long-term planning. It is urgent. "Media in the lower basin states often claim they're alone in seeking solutions to water demands and drou...
Browning: Prop. 127 is ballot box biology gone wild and Mesa County wisely stood against it
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Browning: Prop. 127 is ballot box biology gone wild and Mesa County wisely stood against it

By Lindy Browning | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Prop 127, a ballot initiative brought through the efforts of an extreme animal rights activist group, Cats aren’t Trophies (CATs) is a slap in the face to wildlife experts at Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). It’s also exploitation through deception for voters who love wildlife. Western Colorado voters know that wildlife management is critical to healthy ecosystems and healthy and diverse wildlife populations. Once again, Western Colorado is leading the way.  On Tuesday, Sept. 24, Mesa County commissioners stood for all 900 species of wildlife in Colorado, stood for livestock growers and took a stand in supporting the experts and biologists at CPW. They passed a resolution opposing the ballot measure. Hitting the nail r...
Colorado Federation of Republican Women hear from Legere, Fidura at fall meeting
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Colorado Federation of Republican Women hear from Legere, Fidura at fall meeting

By Juliann McPadden | Special to the Rocky Mountain Voice The 86th annual Colorado Federation of Republican Women’s fall meeting recently concluded in Glenwood Springs. The Leadership Institute provided an informative "Get Out the Vote" and grassroots lobbying workshop. A new club, the Garfield County Republican Women, were also welcomed. Lorie Legere, the National Federation of Republican Women's regional director, provided an informative talk on activities at the national level on Saturday. Members also participated in the formal Inaugural Ball during the event on Saturday. On Sunday, Republican National Committeewoman Christy "Ruckus" Fidura addressed members and provided an update on her activities. The president of the Colorado Federation of Republican Women is Judith Jerg...
In 3rd District, Club 20 debate unveiled sharp contrast between candidates Hurd, Frisch
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

In 3rd District, Club 20 debate unveiled sharp contrast between candidates Hurd, Frisch

By Lindy J. Browning | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice While both candidates have successfully identified issues that are top of mind for voters in the U.S. House District 3 race -- primarily the economy, border, health care, public lands, agriculture and water issues -- a Club 20 debate last week on the Western Slope showcased a sharp contrast in both candidates' specific policy solutions and demeanor. In his opening statements, Adam Frisch, the Democratic nominee, told the audience: “I’m here tonight because rural Colorado has been left behind and ignored. Everyone feels forgotten, misunderstood and taken advantage of by Denver and D.C.” “We are tired of the 'Angertainment' that seeps into our lives. It’s destructive to our families and communities. I just don’t have any room ...