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Not political theater: Montrose federal intervention request grounded in Constitutional oath
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Not political theater: Montrose federal intervention request grounded in Constitutional oath

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice What does it mean to defend the Constitution? Two commissioners say this is what it looks like. On April 16, the Montrose County Board of County Commissioners voted 2–1 to send a formal Request for Federal Intervention to President Donald Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Commissioner Sue Hansen abstained.  The letter, authored by Commissioner Sean Pond and finalized with Chair Scott Mijares’ signature, argues that recent legislation passed by the Colorado General Assembly—particularly SB25-003—violates constitutional rights. The message does not call for military action or oversight. Instead, it asks national leaders to review Colorado laws, advocate for liberty and support rural coun...
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Colorado Democrats ram through radical immigration bill with last-minute amendments
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Colorado Democrats ram through radical immigration bill with last-minute amendments

By Rocky Mountain Voice Staff In a move that’s drawing outrage from conservatives and constitutional advocates alike, Colorado Senate Democrats passed Senate Bill 25-276, a sweeping immigration “protection” bill, after rushing through five major amendments on third reading—sidestepping standard legislative norms and undermining federal immigration enforcement in the name of “civil rights.” Democrats hailed the bill as a firewall against what they call "mass deportation policies" under President Trump. But critics argue it's the most pro-illegal immigration legislation in Colorado history—and that it was pushed through without transparency, proper debate, or concern for the rule of law. “We are proceeding into debate around a very important bill,” said Sen. Paul Lundeen (R) during ...
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Cole: Bureaucracy is crushing the people SSDI was meant to help
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Cole: Bureaucracy is crushing the people SSDI was meant to help

By Shaina Cole | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice When my mom applied for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in the ‘90s, it was a grueling multi-year ordeal that left her feeling invisible. She was sick, unable to work, and the wait for help stretched across years, each one heavier than the last.  Now, a loved one who applied for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in August 2024 is still waiting for an initial decision, caught in the same slow grind. The SSDI system, meant to be a lifeline, feels like a treadmill you can’t step off—exhausting, endless, and indifferent to the people it’s supposed to lift up. The numbers paint a stark picture.  On average, it takes about 7.5 months—roughly 225 days—to get a decision on an initial SSDI application, accord...
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El Paso Commissioner Applegate: America’s space advantage depends on keeping command in Colorado
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El Paso Commissioner Applegate: America’s space advantage depends on keeping command in Colorado

By El Paso Commissioner Cory Applegate | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice As El Paso County’s Commissioner for District 4, I am committed to advancing our community’s interests, security, and prosperity. Among our top priorities is ensuring that U.S. Space Command remains headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs. This is not just a local issue—it’s a matter of national security and global leadership in space. Peterson Space Force Base, located right here in our district, has long been at the forefront of military space operations. Its proximity to critical defense assets like Schriever Space Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station, and the Air Force Academy creates an unparalleled synergy. The integrated infrastructure and expertise in th...
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Polis Vetoes Open Records Bill—But Conservatives Say It’s Too Little, Too Late
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Polis Vetoes Open Records Bill—But Conservatives Say It’s Too Little, Too Late

By Rocky Mountain Voice Editorial Board Governor Jared Polis vetoed a controversial bill last Thursday that would have made it more difficult—and more expensive—for Coloradans to access public records. But transparency advocates across the political spectrum say his sudden concern about responsive governance contradicts years of actions that have consistently chipped away at public accountability. Senate Bill 25-077, sponsored by Sen. Cathy Kipp (D–Fort Collins), would have: Extended response deadlines for open records requests from three to five days, and up to ten under “extenuating circumstances” Allowed government agencies to bundle multiple requests from the same person to increase feesEliminated the first free hour of research time for follow-up requests Created diffe...
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Treta: Denver’s broken permitting system is driving up housing costs—and it’s time to fix it
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Treta: Denver’s broken permitting system is driving up housing costs—and it’s time to fix it

By Robert Treta | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice I’ve been designing and building homes in Denver for 28 years. I pulled my first permit in 1997—for a small room addition on a house. It took one day. One. That kind of efficiency used to be the norm. Permitting was straightforward, business-friendly, and a basic example of how local government should work. But over the past two decades, I’ve watched the city’s permit approval process become increasingly bloated, inefficient, and damaging—not just to builders like me, but to every Denverite who rents or buys a home. This problem isn’t new. Denver’s permit delays became a real issue as far back as 2007, when the wait time for a standard permit grew to four months. Now, in 2024, the average wait time is 385 days. That’s more t...
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Pastor Drake: Resurrection is the call to become fully alive, fully human–and spiritually reborn
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Pastor Drake: Resurrection is the call to become fully alive, fully human–and spiritually reborn

By Pastor Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Easter isn’t just a day we remember—it’s the day that redefined reality. The cross? It wasn’t the end. It was the narrow gate. The resurrection? Not an escape plan—it’s an invitation to walk a different kind of road.  One paved not by religion, but by redemption. Not by performance, but by passion.  Through the suffering, death, and triumph of Jesus Christ, God revealed the true way to life: a restored, fully human life—and very few ever experience it, even among those who call themselves religious.  Jesus said it plainly: “Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” — Matthew 7:14   “I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!” — Matthe...
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Rep. Crank’s BLOC Act gains Mesa County’s support: “Align federal funds with public safety”
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Rep. Crank’s BLOC Act gains Mesa County’s support: “Align federal funds with public safety”

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Mesa County commissioners want federal dollars tied to immigration enforcement—and they’re backing Rep. Jeff Crank’s bill to make it happen. During their April 15 administrative hearing, the Mesa County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a letter backing a federal immigration bill that would strip transportation funding from sanctuary jurisdictions that fail to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The letter, addressed to U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank, voiced support for H.R. 1984—the Blocking Lawless Open Border Cities (BLOC) Act. The bill halts funding of federal transportation dollars going to cities and counties that refuse to notify ICE at least 48 hours before they release an illegal immigrant. Rep. ...
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