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Verhoeff: On Veterans Day, we honor service and sacrifice, yet many Colorado schools remain open 
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Verhoeff: On Veterans Day, we honor service and sacrifice, yet many Colorado schools remain open 

By Sean Verhoeff | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice As we approach Veterans Day, a day dedicated to honoring the men and women who have selflessly served our nation, we are reminded of the sacrifices these individuals and their families have made. This federal holiday offers the nation an opportunity to reflect on the courage, commitment and resilience of our veterans, and to express gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy as a result of their service.  However, in Colorado, many public schools do not observe Veterans Day as a holiday, meaning students attend classes as usual, and families often miss the chance to celebrate together. For families with a legacy of military service, this lack of observance can feel like a missed opportunity to pass down stories, traditions an...
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An open letter to voters from Mesa County Clerk Bobbie Gross
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An open letter to voters from Mesa County Clerk Bobbie Gross

By Bobbie Gross | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice As your Mesa County clerk​ & recorder, I am deeply committed to the transparency, security, and integrity of our elections. I want to address a recent oversight by the secretary of state’s office, which inadvertently published BIOS passwords — one of the many layers that protect our voting equipment. I assure you that your vote remains secure and will be counted accurately. Our election system, here in Mesa County, is protected by multiple layers of security. Access to voting equipment is strictly limited to authorized personnel who pass background checks, and every entry and exit from secure areas is logged. These areas are monitored by 24/7 surveillance cameras, and we are immediately alerted to any unusual activity. O...
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Sloan: The BRICS election and the next U.S. President
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Sloan: The BRICS election and the next U.S. President

By Kelly Sloan | Contributing Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Writing a political column is a notoriously difficult endeavor two days before a major election. By the time you read this, editorial vagaries being what they are, the election will be over and any electoral prognostication or attempt at influence will be rendered, well, moot. We may or may not know for certain how it all turned out, but even if there remain votes to count, or recounts to be conducted, the United States will have, via the electoral college, selected either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris as President. Sort of Schrodinger’s Cat as applied to democracy.  What we do know is that whoever the next president is will be inheriting an increasingly dangerous and unstable world beyond America’s borders, and t...
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Bzdek: Is Colorado paying enough attention to marijuana’s toll?
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Bzdek: Is Colorado paying enough attention to marijuana’s toll?

By Vince Bzdek | Commentary, The Gazette Just before Javonte Hill got out of the Navy and settled in Denver, he was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and depression but had not sought treatment yet. His girlfriend, an occasional marijuana user, recommended he try pot as a way “to chill out.” “You know I’m not like a pot smoker. I just got out of the military,” he recently told a New York Times reporter. But he’d heard it was a much safer alternative to alcohol, and he wouldn’t wake up hung over, so why not? READ THE FULL COMMENTARY AT THE GAZETTE Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so we support the constitutional right of the author t...
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Devotional: The power of words to transform and lift us up
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Devotional: The power of words to transform and lift us up

By DRAKE HUNTER | Devotional, Rocky Mountain Voice In recent months, we've been surrounded by a clamor of voices from entertainment, religion and politics. While some messages uplift and inspire, many can lead us astray. It’s crucial to remember that words might seem innocent on their own, but when woven together into thoughts, they can dramatically shape our world —- for the better or worse. Words are more than mere symbols; they carry the weight of thoughts that can transform our lives. If we truly seek healthy change, we must embrace God’s thoughts, which are thoughts of love, peace and hope, and can guide us toward a brighter future for all. This is why it’s essential to let impactful words enter our minds and shape our thinking. True transformation happens when we consciously...
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Dierenbach: Colorado Congressman Crow and the Afghanistan withdrawal 
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Dierenbach: Colorado Congressman Crow and the Afghanistan withdrawal 

To protect the Democratic party, Crow lies, obfuscates and abandons principles  By Karl Dierenbach | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Dutifully following the orders of superiors is a fundamental aspect of being a good soldier.  Dutifully following the orders of party bosses is not an admirable trait in a U.S. representative.  We need our representatives to stand up for their constituents and for what is right.  When their party is wrong, our representatives should call them out, not silently stand by or, worse, actively support the injustice. This brings us to Colorado Congressman Jason Crow.  As a soldier in Afghanistan, Crow served his country, following orders and carrying out assigned missions. He should be thanked for his service.  But b...
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Graham: A vote for Trump is a vote to restore freedom and opportunity in America
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Graham: A vote for Trump is a vote to restore freedom and opportunity in America

By Ellen M. Graham | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice I’m a single suburban soccer mom and I’m voting for Donald J. Trump. Well, my children play baseball and golf, but you get it. Raised staunchly conservative in Northern Colorado, I was liberal for more years than I’d like to admit, but it’s 2024 and I have a full-time job, two teenagers, including one in private school thanks to more failed public schools.  I own a middle-class home in a safe neighborhood.  Launching my sons into opportunity is my American Dream. We can no longer run away from what our country has become.  Just look at the streets of downtown Denver with the needles, feces and encampments.  Oh well, big city problems, they say.  Go to Aurora, long a bastion for legal immigrants an...
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Allen & Melanie Fuller: Preserve Colorado charter schools with ‘yes’ vote on Amendment 80
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Allen & Melanie Fuller: Preserve Colorado charter schools with ‘yes’ vote on Amendment 80

By Allen Fuller and Melanie Fuller | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice As a husband and wife who both serve on the boards of different charter schools, and as parents of three students currently in K-12 schools in Colorado, we fully support not only Amendment 80, but also the incredible opportunity and personalization school choice creates. Colorado charter schools, which have been a multi-decade success story for children and families, are under constant attack. Amendment 80, on this year’s ballot, is the best long term insurance policy for protecting Colorado’s rich history of innovation in education. Amendment 80 is an essential addition to our state constitution. We strongly support it because we have seen firsthand how children thrive when families can choose public scho...
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Caldara: Colorado’s political future under Proposition 131
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Caldara: Colorado’s political future under Proposition 131

By Jon Caldara | Commentary, Complete Colorado Out of the 14 statewide ballot questions, which by the way ties the record, it’s Proposition 131 that would bring the most political change and disruption with its jungle primaries and ranked-choice voting general elections. Assuming voter fatigue doesn’t keep voters from reaching this down-ballot issue, it’s the last of the statewide questions, it should pass. This is a prediction not an endorsement. It will pass because of its more than $15 million in funding, and because there is no effective or funded campaign against it, and generally voters are frustrated with both major parties. READ THE FULL STORY AT COMPLETE COLORADO Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not neces...
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Browning: Why voting the down-ballot is critical in 2024
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Browning: Why voting the down-ballot is critical in 2024

By Lindy Browning | Contributing Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice It’s election season 2024. No one in America is unaware of that fact.  Election news is wall to wall on every TV station, every newspaper, podcast and social media platform. The tribalism is exhausting and it’s very real. People have pretty much made up their minds about the top of the ticket, Team Red for Donald Trump, and Team Blue for Kamala Harris. Yet, all the discussions, energy and money are focused on that top-of-the-ticket race, even though most people have already made up their mind. If only people, including the media, put as much passion and energy into the down-ballot races, people might see a federal, state and local government that is more representative of their values. The American people...
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