Rocky Mountain Voice

Tag: Accountability

Colorado’s crime problem is bigger than the laws on the books
Colorado Accountability Project, Approved, Commentary, State

Colorado’s crime problem is bigger than the laws on the books

By Cory Gaines | Commentary, Colorado Accountability Project Colorado’s crime problem isn’t just due to our laws As I've written before, our troubles with crime involve more than just the laws on the books.There are a few steps in the criminal justice process where someone has discretion. Discretion means the ability to be too hard, or too soft.District Attorneys decide on whether to charge and what charges to bring. Judges decide on bail, and the trial judge passes sentence.Each step a chance to be too harsh or too easy.The Complete Colorado article at bottom details a new effort by some lawmakers and talk radio host Jeff Hunt. Their website is linked below the story for convenience.I'll leave it to you to read either, but in brief, their effort is intended to bring publ...
External Audit Planned Following Superintendent Resignation in Cherry Creek
DENVER7, Approved, Local

External Audit Planned Following Superintendent Resignation in Cherry Creek

By: Natalie Chuck | Denver7 The superintendent resigned and the chief of human resources was placed on administrative leave within days of one another following a series of Denver7 Investigates stories. DENVER — "Immediate action was necessary." Those are the words of Cherry Creek School Board President Anne Egan amid the announcement of an external audit following a series of Denver7 Investigates reports which put district leadership under the microscope. In a statement released ahead of a public meeting on Monday night, the board of education announced additional reforms and changes are being made after drastic administrative changes. Just over one week has passed since Christopher Smith, the district's now former superintendent, resigned. ...
Accountability & Encouragement — Growing Strong Together in Prayer
Rocky Mountain Voice, Devotional, Top Stories

Accountability & Encouragement — Growing Strong Together in Prayer

By Pastor Drake Hunter | Commentary, Elevating Life Church Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds… encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  ~ Hebrews 10:24–25 ~ As I write these words, Sherrie and I are again in the hospital, where we've spent the past 22 days experiencing a whirlwind of emotions and events. Each day presents new challenges—tests, treatments, setbacks, and small wins. The breathtaking sunrises over the Rocky Mountains seen from the hospital window serve as a constant reminder of hope. Your prayers have been our foundation during this journey. Your thoughtful messages, encouraging calls, and steadfast support showcase the true spirit of Christian unity in action. Sp...
Over 480 DHS Staff Claim Minnesota Leaders Involved in $1 Billion Cover-Up of Fraud
The Gateway Pundit, Approved, National

Over 480 DHS Staff Claim Minnesota Leaders Involved in $1 Billion Cover-Up of Fraud

By: Jim Hoft | The Gateway Pundit Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is under fire after employees from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) issued a bombshell statement accusing the far-left governor of orchestrating a sweeping cover-up to shield a sprawling Somali immigrant fraud ring that stole more than $1 billion in taxpayer funds and punishing whistleblowers who tried to stop it. According to DHS insiders, Walz not only ignored early warnings but actively retaliated against agency employees who sounded the alarm. They now accuse his administration of using political intimidation, monitoring, threats, and agency manipulation to suppress evidence and silence witnesses. As The Gateway Pundit reported, 70 members of the Somali community in Minnesota were i...
Audit Finds Denver Council Still Lacking Clarity on Public Funds Spending
The Denver Gazette, Approved, Local

Audit Finds Denver Council Still Lacking Clarity on Public Funds Spending

By Deborah Grigsby | The Denver Gazette Denver’s councilmembers continue to give city funds to local organizations using a process lacking clarity and accountability, weakened by inconsistent terminology and legal opinions around donations, sponsorships and grants, according to city auditors. City Council officials countered that no definitions exist in the city charter or in ordinance for these terms and changing them at one level would have a ripple effect across government. In a new follow-up report, Denver Auditor Timothy O’Brien commended the City Council on its efforts to remedy recommendations from an earlier audit but suggested there’s more work to be done. “I commend the City Council for doing a great job implementing most of our recommendations from our initial 2...
Campaign-finance storm erupts as Weiser, Bennet and Griswold face 3,674 alleged violations
Colorado Based News, Approved, State, Substack

Campaign-finance storm erupts as Weiser, Bennet and Griswold face 3,674 alleged violations

Media Contact: Ethan Augreen | Colorado Based News New Campaign-Finance Complaints Target Michael Bennet, Phil Weiser After Similar Complaint Against Jena Griswold Upheld by Attorney General’s Office DENVER, CO — November 20, 2025 — Colorado’s 2026 election landscape was shaken today as two major new campaign-finance complaints were filed against gubernatorial candidates Philip Weiser and Michael Bennet, bringing the statewide total to 3,674 alleged violations by three of the Colorado Democratic Party’s most prominent candidates. “No Colorado citizen has ever filed an evidence-based campaign finance action this large, covering this many statewide candidates, with this volume of documented violations. This is unprecedented in scale,” said Ethan Au...
What unfolded during the uncertified transition
Rocky Mountain Voice, Local, Top Stories

What unfolded during the uncertified transition

By Jen Schumann | Rocky Mountain Voice Actions taken before the board was sworn in Florissant’s May 2, 2023 election put five new people on the fire district board, and the change was obvious right away. The newcomers had run together as a coordinated slate. Within weeks, their actions toward Fire Chief Erik Holt sparked a sequence of events that ended with his firing, a criminal investigation left on the floor—and a lawsuit now sitting before the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. This is what happened after the election—most of which voters never saw.  For details on the election-day conduct that triggered Holt’s report to prosecutors, see our companion investigation. A board acting before it was seated The election hadn’t been certified yet because a civil challe...
Caven’s report exposes how failed policies fueled Colorado crime and created a safety crisis
Rocky Mountain Voice, Commentary, State, Top Stories

Caven’s report exposes how failed policies fueled Colorado crime and created a safety crisis

By C. J. Garbo | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Elizabeth Caven's Crisis of Safety report merits serious attention. It is grounded in empirical data and addresses one of the most urgent public policy failures facing Colorado: the collapse of public‑safety outcomes amid rising crime, diminished law‑enforcement presence, and liberal reform policies that weaken accountability. According to Advance Colorado’s public‑safety section, the state is “in the midst of a crime tsunami,” with property theft and violent crime at 25‑year highs. 1. Data‑Driven Approach The report builds on strong factual foundations: credible crime‑rate increases (for both property and violent crime), sharp rises in auto theft, and clear indicators of diminished police per capita. For example, the Common ...
Do Better Denver breaks cover, says her mission is “calling out the failures of our elected officials”
CBS Colorado, Approved, Commentary, Local

Do Better Denver breaks cover, says her mission is “calling out the failures of our elected officials”

By Shaun Boyd | CBS Colorado Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has no shortage of critics, but perhaps his harshest is the mysterious person behind "Do Better Denver." The social media account -- on X and Instagram -- launched right after Johnston took office two years ago and has amassed a following of more than 150,000. The manager of the account is anonymous and has never granted an in-person interview until now. She spoke exclusively with CBS Colorado Your Political Reporter Shaun Boyd, but insisted she remain anonymous. Her critics say she hides her identity to avoid accountability for what she posts online. She says she's concerned for her safety, especially with the recent rise in political violence. She shared some of the threats she's received. She is a polarizing and powerfu...
Polis Silent on Claims of RTD Using Public Tax Money for Political Gain
Colorado Politics, Approved, Commentary, State

Polis Silent on Claims of RTD Using Public Tax Money for Political Gain

By Natalie Menten | Commentary, Colorado Politics A tax-hike campaign shouldn’t be funded with public tax dollars to hire political consultants — period. Yet Colorado law contains a loophole that allows public agencies to spend money campaigning under the guise of “education” or “engagement.” That’s exactly what the Front Range Passenger Rail District, an appointed board that includes 17 voting and seven non-voting members — many hand-picked by Gov. Jared Polis — intends to do. On Oct. 30, the district issued a public bid to hire a consultant team to create a “Friends of Front Range Rail” relational engagement platform. The bid spells out the goal: “build awareness, engagement, and grassroots momentum,” while giving supporters tools to “share campaign content,” “invite friends,” and ...