Rocky Mountain Voice

Rocky Mountain Voice

Bills Signed By Governor Polis This Week
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Bills Signed By Governor Polis This Week

By Rocky Mountain Voice Staff Colorado Governor Jared Polis has been active in signing multiple bills into law, including one aimed at implementing comprehensive guidelines for funeral facilities. The recent bill, Senate Bill 173, introduced by Sen. Dylan Roberts (D-Frisco) and Rep. Matt Soper (R-Delta), mandates that all mortuary science professionals, including funeral directors, obtain a state license by January 2026. This measure follows a string of disturbing incidents at funeral homes across Montrose, Denver, and Colorado Springs. Another significant law, House Bill 1335, also sponsored by Roberts and Soper, continues regulations under the Mortuary Science Code, ensuring regular inspections of funeral homes. In response to these legislative actions, Senator Roberts emphas...
Moriarty: Democrats’ Colorado Energy story has a bad ending
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Moriarty: Democrats’ Colorado Energy story has a bad ending

By Tom Moriarty | Guest Columnist Colorado Governor Jared Polis and the Colorado democrats tell us a story about fossil fuels. This story has three parts: fossil fuels are bad, the democrats have a plan to eliminate fossil fuels, and their plan is working. They pander to the “fossil fuels are bad” fear that has been exaggerated by relentless climate porn. This old fashioned fear mongering is an effective political strategy among their base and many in the middle. But “feat not,”they say, because the Colorado democrats have a plan to slay the fossil fuel monster. This plan was laid out in the Polis administration's 2019 document “Roadmap to 100% Renewable Energy by 2040 and Bold Climate Action.” The title is unequivocal: “100% Renewable Energy by 2040.” Now that is the kind of plan...
Some great ways to celebrate Memorial Day weekend across Colorado! 
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Some great ways to celebrate Memorial Day weekend across Colorado! 

By Rocky Mountain Voice Staff Memorial Day Weekend in Colorado is packed with activities and events that cater to a wide range of interests. Whether you're a fan of art, music, outdoor adventures, or delicious food, there's something for everyone. Here's a guide to some of the best ways to spend your Memorial Day Weekend across the state. Denver Arts Festival (May 25-26, 2024)One of the premier cultural events in Denver, the Denver Arts Festival, takes place over Memorial Day Weekend. This free outdoor festival, held at Central Park's Conservatory Green Plaza in Stapleton, showcases the work of over 150 artists from Colorado and beyond. Known as one of the top art shows in the country, the festival attracts around 50,000 attendees each year.What to Expect:- Art Displays: Explore a w...
Applegate: Possible solutions for El Paso County’s immigration problem
Approved, Commentary, El Paso County, Rocky Mountain Voice

Applegate: Possible solutions for El Paso County’s immigration problem

By Cory Applegate | Guest Columnist El Paso County recently saw two busloads of immigrants here illegally come down from Denver. Since Denver's sanctuary city policies create their own fiscal burden, they now claim they cannot afford to keep taking care of lawbreakers they attracted in the first place. The hospitals in the Denver area gave away $136 million in care last year, which will never be paid back by those with no income or insurance. While Denver's hospitals teeter on the edge of bankruptcy, President Joe Biden refuses to shut down the border. With more than 8,000 illegal crossings per day, none of which are going through a proper port of entry, El Paso County needs to prepare themselves for the inevitable. A distant problem at the southern border is now becoming a present p...
Cooper: Colorado May Have A Problem with 12,000+ Disappearing Undeliverable Ballots
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Cooper: Colorado May Have A Problem with 12,000+ Disappearing Undeliverable Ballots

By Bob Cooper | Guest Contributor The Colorado Open Record Act (CORA) allows citizens to examine public records of payments via invoices as well as a long list of election records for every election.  CORA enables state and county officials to provide transparency for citizens, so they have access to and confidence in our governance. It is a valuable resource especially considering the national concern over our election systems. The information for this article is based on CORA information from 11 Colorado counties. Undeliverable ballots are a vital election record in every election. States with mail in voting systems, like Colorado, mail out millions of ballots at the start of an election. The USPS delivers ballots to voters based on the mailing address in the voter registratio...
Meeting announced to consider interchange plans for I-70 and 29 Road in Mesa County
Approved, Mesa County, Rocky Mountain Voice

Meeting announced to consider interchange plans for I-70 and 29 Road in Mesa County

By Rocky Mountain Voice Staff Residents of Mesa County and the City of Grand Junction are invited to a public meeting to discuss an interchange at Interstate 70 and 29 Road, a press statement from Mesa County reads. The community meeting is designed to allow residents to review design options and offer input toward the interchange following presentations. The meeting is from 5-7 p.m. June 4 at Bookcliff Middle School Gym, 540 29 1/4 Road. “An I-70 interchange at 29 Road will improve connectivity, community access and economic opportunity," said Mesa County Commissioner Cody Davis. "We hope community members will join us on June 4 to discuss design options and provide valuable input for this project." In 1999, the need for an interchange in northeast Grand Junction was identifie...
Unleashed with Heidi Ganahl: Meeting Homelessness with Hope
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State, Unleashed with Heidi Ganahl

Unleashed with Heidi Ganahl: Meeting Homelessness with Hope

By Heidi Ganahl | Unleashed with Heidi Ganahl >> LISTEN TO FULL EPISODE HERE << Today we confront Denver's worsening homelessness crisis head-on. Despite a staggering $274 million investment from 2021 to 2024, the situation has only deteriorated, sparking outrage and demanding accountability. This funding has largely been channeled into emergency shelter beds and temporary transition services, strategies that have proven insufficient in addressing the complexities of homelessness. As a result, Denver has seen the largest increase in homeless populations compared to other metro areas since 2018, indicating that these efforts have fallen short of their goals. This episode will not shy away from the controversy. Joining us is Vanessa from Citizens for a Safe and Clean Denver to...
Who Raided Your Share of $2.8 Billion in TABOR Tax Refunds?
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Who Raided Your Share of $2.8 Billion in TABOR Tax Refunds?

By Rocky Mountain Voice Staff As a result of 101 bills passed by the Colorado legislature, over $2.8 billion in state TABOR refunds will not be distributed to Colorado taxpayers between 2024 and 2026, according to a recent report from the Common Sense Institute (CSI). This amount represents nearly half of the projected $6 billion in TABOR refunds expected over the next three years. Key Findings: The $2.8 billion loss in TABOR refunds is attributed to various tax cuts and the costs of bills impacting TABOR. The legislature's actions during the 2024 session have significantly redirected funds meant for taxpayer refunds. CSI's report indicates that TABOR refund cuts will increase over the next three years, with reductions of $523 million in 2024, $1.06 billion in 2025, and $1.25 ...
Only 3 state legislators get ‘A’ grade on ’24 Liberty Scorecard, 87% of legislators fail the test
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Only 3 state legislators get ‘A’ grade on ’24 Liberty Scorecard, 87% of legislators fail the test

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice Three percent of all state legislators graded an A and 87% of legislators had a failing grade in the Liberty Scorecard Colorado ratings released Friday following the close of the 74th General Assembly. The annual study found the three lawmakers most strongly adhering to the principles of the U.S. Constitution through their legislation and votes are the same from last session, with a different order. Rep. Ken DeGraff, an El Paso County Republican ranked second last session, earned an A-grade and topped the list with a score of 95 this session. Rep. Stephanie Luck, a Freemont County Republican who was rated first last year, was rated third this session with an A grade and 92-point score. Ranking second was Rep. Scott Bottoms, an El Paso County ...
Barnhart: Learning to live with the uncertainty of parenting
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Barnhart: Learning to live with the uncertainty of parenting

By Faye Barnhart | Contributing Columnist The primary educators and caregivers of children are their parents. It actually does not take a village to raise a child, it only takes parents. Parents can get some help with that responsibility by including other teachers in a school, childcare or Sunday school, but those institutions should only compliment what the parent is already teaching at home, as those institutions are employed or contracted by the parents and may be fired by the parents at any time. The state may want to socialize children to be dutiful robots to a government-run social order, but parents have the responsibility to their children to stand in the way of that. It is normal for parents to doubt their own abilities and think others may be better at it. The insecu...