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JBC weighing the closure of correctional facilities in Western Colorado
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JBC weighing the closure of correctional facilities in Western Colorado

By Lindy Browning | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Local and state officials, both Republican and Democrat, on the Western Slope are rallying against proposed budget cuts that would close the Delta Correctional Facility and Rifle Correctional Facility, both minimum security prisons. The group of lawmakers includes Republicans Rep. Matt Soper and Sen. Marc Catlin and Democrats Rep. Elizabeth Velasco and Sen. Dylan Roberts. “The Joint Budget Committee (JBC) is considering closing the Delta Correctional Facility due to a $1.2 billion shortfall in the state budget. This decision is moving quickly and we need to take action now to protect local jobs and our community,” Soper posted to his constituents on social media. Providing his constituents with further information ab...
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In Department of Justice inquiry to Tina Peters’ case, the question is whether she is a political prisoner
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In Department of Justice inquiry to Tina Peters’ case, the question is whether she is a political prisoner

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice If an election official was sentenced to nine years in prison, you might assume they had been caught stuffing ballot boxes or rigging results. But, what if they were convicted for preserving election records? That’s the case of Tina Peters, the former Mesa County clerk, whose actions led to a landmark prosecution — one that has now drawn scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice.  Federal authorities are stepping in to review whether her sentence was excessive and whether her prosecution was influenced politically. The case also beckons scrutiny over the intersection of election integrity, the rule of law and the fair application of justice. The DOJ’s Statement of Interest, filed March 3 by Acting Assistant Att...
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Boll: Colorado’s battle to protect kids and conscience in Healthcare. First, do no harm
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Boll: Colorado’s battle to protect kids and conscience in Healthcare. First, do no harm

By Laureen Boll | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice If you’re at all interested in ensuring that the future of Colorado’s healthcare system is enshrined in the tenets of the Hippocratic Oath — including practicing with integrity and competence — and that parental authority is respected in the realm of health care for children, then you’ll want to pay attention to several bills that will be in front of the Colorado legislature this week.  Colorado has positioned itself as a leader in protecting access to gender-affirming care (President Trump’s Executive Order refers to this ‘care’ as chemical and surgical mutilation) and abortion: Gender-Affirming Care: Since 2023, Colorado requires private health insurance plans to cover gender-affirming services as essential health be...
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‘Who’s that who sat next to Gabe Evans at Trump’s speech?’ It was the mother of a Northern Colorado fentanyl victim
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‘Who’s that who sat next to Gabe Evans at Trump’s speech?’ It was the mother of a Northern Colorado fentanyl victim

By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice If you tuned in to President Donald J. Trump's Address to the Nation on Tuesday, March 4, during a joint session of Congress, you might have gotten a glimpse of a number of lawmakers. One could be U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans, the representative from Colorado's 8th District. And seated next to him, you ask? That was Liz Hardy, who in the early hours of Jan. 1, 2022, tragically lost her middle daughter, Brooke. She consumed half of a counterfeit pill laced with a lethal amount of fentanyl. Brooke attempted to call 911 but could not give an address or reason for her call, and soon died. “One time, half a pill, and life for our family changed forever," Liz Hardy said. "If it were not for our faith in Christ, knowing we will see Brooke again one day, ...
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Protect Kids Colorado working toward ballot initiative, ‘moving the needle’ on bills, co-founder Erin Lee says
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Protect Kids Colorado working toward ballot initiative, ‘moving the needle’ on bills, co-founder Erin Lee says

By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice Protect Kids Colorado is locked in for another run this summer at a ballot initiative protecting children, co-founder Erin Lee said Monday evening in an organizational call. "We're a broad coalition," Lee said. "We are proudly non-partisan. We come together for initiatives that protect kids and strengthen families." She has grown concerned with school districts and hospitals which have not complied with directives from the federal government related to gender-affirming medicine and diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Members of her organization have been watching bills of interest in the 75th Colorado Legislature and appearing to testify with a position. Examples of some positive bills she gave include House Bill 25-1251, by Republic...
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Reps. Boebert, Evans to faceoff with Denver Mayor Mike Johnston in hearing today
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Reps. Boebert, Evans to faceoff with Denver Mayor Mike Johnston in hearing today

By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice The national spotlight will shine brightly on Denver and Mayor Mike Johnston's sanctuary city policies during the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform today. He's among American mayors who will appear in front of the Committee. Across the dias will be Committee member U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert and Committee waiver U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans, two Coloradans who have had a front row seat to the rise in fentanyl deaths, crime, gang influence and more they likely will attribute to having been caused by sanctuary policies. "We are going to highlight how these sanctuary city and state policies fail public safety, make America less safe, and why we need to continue the path forward to build safe communities that we all deserve,” Evans...
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Rep. DeGraaf gets a laugh out of stove-labeling bill he calls a ‘feel-good’ measure for Democrats
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Rep. DeGraaf gets a laugh out of stove-labeling bill he calls a ‘feel-good’ measure for Democrats

By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice In a moment Tuesday which appeared to even make the Colorado House Speaker, a Democrat, chuckle, Republican Rep. Ken Degraaf criticized House Bill 25-1161 before it was passed out of the chamber on party lines. The measure, by Democrat Rep. Alex Valdez and Democrat Sen. Cathy Kipp, requires the labeling of gas stoves to indicate "this appliance should be ventilated to the exterior when in use." The bill does not explicitly cause an installer to vent a gas stove outdoors. "I know you'll vote for it, because it is a feel-good bill," said DeGraaf, suggesting the bill is simply virtue signaling by the political Left. "I'll make fun of you for it anyways." He explained how stoves generally work in homes throughout the state, including in areas ...
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Walcher: Paying for what ought to be free
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Walcher: Paying for what ought to be free

By Greg Walcher | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice If I offered you a thousand dollars not to steal my car, would you be any less likely to steal it? What if I offered you a million? If you’re like most people, you would answer that you weren’t planning to steal it anyway. You’re not a thief so the discussion is pointless. Although if I were serious, you might take the money anyway. That isn’t much different than some of the revelations of government grants we are learning about through recent DOGE discoveries, controversial though they are. I’m just looking at grants related to natural resources and the environment, but can’t help wondering why the government has been paying so much to so many organizations and companies – to do what they were doing anyway. For example, sho...
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In fix to vet shortage, HB 1131 will graduate more vets, CSU dean says as measure advances in Senate
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In fix to vet shortage, HB 1131 will graduate more vets, CSU dean says as measure advances in Senate

By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice Veterinarians are in extremely short supply in all four corners of Colorado. The solution? The authors of House Bill 25-1131 say, ironically, a veterinarian shortage can be fixed through the graduation of more veterinarians. "We are seeing a shortage of veterinarians all over rural Colorado, and the state, quite frankly," Republican Sen. Byron Pelton said. The bill was termed a free-market solution to the state’s growing veterinary shortage by Republican Rep. Dusty Johnson and Democrat Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, who ushered it through the Colorado House on a 65-0 vote of the lower chamber. The bill was similarly advanced Monday out of the Senate's Education Committee on a unanimous vote and is being fast-tracked through the upper chamber ...
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U.S. Rep. Boebert announces March mobile office hours in 4th District
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U.S. Rep. Boebert announces March mobile office hours in 4th District

By Rocky Mountain Voice Mobile office hours will be offered in March at eight locations throughout the 4th District for constituents to interact with the office staff of U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert. The mobile office hours are intended to offer services to constituents needing in-person guidance, in convenient locations in addition to the Eaton and Castle Rock office locations. “Our congressional mobile office hours provide an opportunity for constituents from across the 4th District to get the assistance they need from our staffers who can help them in a variety of ways,” Boebert said. “Meeting Coloradans where they are is a critical part of the work our office does, and I know our mobile office hours will be a huge help to constituents of all backgrounds and locations.” Among th...
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