Rocky Mountain Voice

Tag: Commentary

Rosinski: Supporting Colorado’s coal communities with nuclear power
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Rosinski: Supporting Colorado’s coal communities with nuclear power

By Michelle Rosinski | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice As Colorado grapples with increasing energy demands and the urgent need to move away from coal to meet environmental and health goals, the question arises: how can we ensure that this transition provides economic opportunities and stability for coal-dependent communities?  For decades, the American working class has borne the brunt of energy transitions. From coal miners to oil rig workers, shifts in energy policy have often led to job losses and economic instability. As we move toward a cleaner future, it is imperative that we avoid repeating these mistakes.  Nuclear energy, particularly advanced small modular reactors (SMRs), presents a viable solution that can facilitate a just transition away from coal, ensuring...
Daniel: Leave wildlife management to CPW, vote no on Prop. 127
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Daniel: Leave wildlife management to CPW, vote no on Prop. 127

By Bobbie Daniel | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Proposition 127, currently under debate in Colorado, aims to impose a blanket ban on hunting mountain lions, bobcats and lynx. However, it is important to clarify some of the misleading claims surrounding this measure. First, lynx are federally-protected and are not at risk of being hunted in Colorado. Additionally, “trophy” hunting is already illegal in the state. Although the proposition may appear to promote wildlife preservation, it disregards the critical role that Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) plays in maintaining balanced ecosystems and safeguarding rural communities. This isn’t just a hunting ban—it restricts CPW’s ability to manage these species effectively under the guise of wildlife protection. If passed, the ...
Devotional: Finding God’s design in the wonderment of Buc-ee’s
Approved, Commentary, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

Devotional: Finding God’s design in the wonderment of Buc-ee’s

By DRAKE HUNTER | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice In the early 1990s, I was introduced to a fresh and exciting concept within the military: Total Quality Management (TQM). This wasn't just a new way to lead, but a completely different approach to organizing and managing life in the service. The principles of TQM, such as quality, care and vision, were not just applicable in the corporate world, but also had a profound spiritual significance. They helped me understand Ephesians 2:10, "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Fast forward to my retirement in 2005. Living in a small town brought simpler pleasures, but I hadn’t encountered that same buzz of excellence in a long time — until last week when I vis...
Caldara: Taxpayers subsidize Progressive war on affordable energy
Approved, Commentary, completecolorado.com, State

Caldara: Taxpayers subsidize Progressive war on affordable energy

By Jon Caldara | Complete Colorado “350 Colorado” is an anti-fossil fuels organization which lobbies to end the state’s oil and gas industry. They organize anti-energy zealots to march, protest and pressure lawmakers. Proud of their role in civil disobedience during Colorado Oil and Gas Commission hearings, they take credit for helping pass the “strictest anti-fracking regulations in the state.” Blah, blah, blah. One tiny little thing here: you are coerced through your taxes to fund their lobbying to make your energy bills skyrocket. In gambling there is a term, “playing with the house’s money.” In politics it’s “playing with your opponents’ money.” Your tax money is used to influence policy that hurts your own interests. READ THE FULL COMMENTARY AT COMPLETE COLORADO Edi...
Ganahl: Remembering our friend, inspiration and Rocky Mountain Voice champion Buz Koelbel
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Ganahl: Remembering our friend, inspiration and Rocky Mountain Voice champion Buz Koelbel

By Heidi Ganahl | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Buz Koelbel was a force of nature — a builder of legacies, a man of unwavering principles and a guiding light for all who had the privilege of knowing him. As one of the founders of Rocky Mountain Voice, Buz's vision extended beyond brick-and-mortar buildings. He understood that the heart of any community is not just in its physical structures, but in the stories it tells, the voices it elevates and the principles it upholds. To many of us at Rocky Mountain Voice, Buz wasn’t just one of our founders — he was a mentor, a cheerleader and a friend. Buz, along with his amazing wife Sherri, and I met when I joined the University of Colorado-Boulder business school board more than a decade ago. He LOVED his Buffs!  His involve...
Sloan: What are the next steps for Iran?
Approved, Commentary, National, Rocky Mountain Voice

Sloan: What are the next steps for Iran?

By Kelly Sloan | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice The headline in last Friday’s Wall Street Journal was more poignant than probably the editors realized at deadline: “U.S. Sway Slips As Israel Looks To Strike Iran.” That rather understated assessment serves as a metaphor, not only for the Biden administration’s policy in the region, but it’s foreign policy in general.  The hulking monster in the background of all the strife in the Middle East is Iran, upon which any discussions of pressing strategic concern land. They land most squarely on the topic of Iran having nuclear weapons. Were Iran to get the bomb, the whole landscape of strategic relationships changes, and not only in the Middle East. Obviously, a nuclear-armed Iran is an existential threat to Israel, and it would also...
Hillman: Poor roadway conditions make for undriveable Colorado
Approved, Commentary, gazette.com, State

Hillman: Poor roadway conditions make for undriveable Colorado

By Mark Hillman | The Gazette Colorado highways are among the worst in the nation. That’s hardly news to anyone who travels across our state. Only two states report a larger share of interstate highways in poorer condition than Colorado. Less-traveled highways in our state are even worse. In 2021, the Democrat-controlled Legislature passed a $5.4 billion package of new “fees” — including a yearly increase in fuel taxes and that irritating 29-cent charge Coloradans pay on every Amazon order — supposedly to boost the transportation budget. READ THE FULL STORY 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 const...
Support Amendment 80: Constitutional right to school choice
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Support Amendment 80: Constitutional right to school choice

By Editorial Board | Editorial, Rocky Mountain Voice Ballot language: Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado Constitution establishing the right to school choice for children in kindergarten through 12th grade, and, in connection therewith, declaring that school choice includes neighborhood, charter, and private schools; home schooling; open enrollment options; and future innovations in education? How it reached the ballot: Citizen signature petition, designated agents Michael Fields and Suzanne Taheri. Background: This measure would enshrine school choice as a "right" in the Colorado Constitution. The measure would add the following language to Section 18: "The people of the state of Colorado hereby find and declare that all children have the right to equal opportunity to ac...
Oppose Amendment K: Modify constitutional election deadlines
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Oppose Amendment K: Modify constitutional election deadlines

By Editorial Board | Editorial, Rocky Mountain Voice Ballot language: Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado Constitution concerning the modification of certain deadlines in connection with specified elections? How it reached the ballot: Senate Continuing Resolution 24-002, supported by a 61-1 vote of the House and 34-0 vote of the Democrat-controlled Senate. Background: This bipartisan measure simply seeks to provide an extra week of time for the secretary of state to meet election deadlines. The bill summary cites the deadline for military and overseas ballots as reasoning for the additional time. The measure would shorten an initiative petitioner's time by a week, and shorten a referendum petitioner's time to file following a session by a week. It amends the timeline for t...
Support Amendment I: Constitutional bail exception [of] first-degree murder
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Support Amendment I: Constitutional bail exception [of] first-degree murder

By Editorial Board | Editorial, Rocky Mountain Voice Ballot language: Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado Constitution concerning creating an exception to the right to bail for cases of murder in the first-degree when proof is evident or presumption is great? How it reached the ballot: House Continuing Resolution 24-1002, supported by a 59-5 vote of the House and 35-0 vote of the Senate. Not only did the bipartisan measure carry unanimous support in the Senate, but it also was sponsored by almost every member. The measure was opposed in the House by the most extreme, far-left Democrats. Background: The authors of the measure seek to prevent those charged with first-degree murder from being eligible for bail "if proof is evident or presumption is great." When bail is grante...