Rocky Mountain Voice

Tag: Denver

Colorado Socialist Nominee Calls for More Immigrants to Hold Public Office
New York Post, Approved, National

Colorado Socialist Nominee Calls for More Immigrants to Hold Public Office

By: Chris Bradford | New York Post The anti-Israel Gen-Z socialist who ousted 15-term Colorado rep Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) has called for more immigrants to be elected into office so America’s “exploitative” role on the world stage can be combated. Ethiopian-born Ph.D student Melat Kiros – who wildly claimed the elimination of Israel isn’t antisemitic – told Denver’s Wa-Ela Tigray diaspora gathering earlier this month there needs to be “more people who have heritage in the global south.” Kiros, a member of the radical Democratic Socialists of America, spoke about the challenges of being an insurgent candidate before warning those already in power they have a responsibility to make it easier for their successors when it comes to running for office. ...
Denver’s Deep Blue Reputation Could Complicate DNC Convention Bid
Axios Denver, Approved, State

Denver’s Deep Blue Reputation Could Complicate DNC Convention Bid

By: Alayna Alvarez | Axios Denver Denver is making an aggressive bid to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention, but Colorado's deep-blue status — and recent progressive primary wins — may complicate its pitch. Why it matters: Hosting the four-day event could pump up to $500 million into Denver's economy while putting the city at the center of the national political conversation just months before the 2028 general election. The big picture: Denver is one of five finalist cities, including Atlanta — a Sun Belt stronghold Democrats increasingly view as the party's electoral future. State of play: Denver's bid banks on more than hotel rooms and convention center space. Democrats' nostalgia for the 200...
New History Exhibit Explores the Triumphs Trials and Transformation of Colorado
The Denver Gazette, Approved, State

New History Exhibit Explores the Triumphs Trials and Transformation of Colorado

By Nicole C. Brambila | The Denver Gazette After three and a half years in Colorado, I knew the state had mountains and sunshine. What I didn’t know was how often Colorado has reinvented itself. Or why Colorado is the way it is. After a 90-minute tour with Katherine Mercier — a historian who developed the “38th Star” exhibition at the History Colorado Center — I began to understand the why. Colorado celebrates its 150th anniversary as a state on Aug. 1. I’ve always thought of Colorado as a blue state. But that wasn’t the case in the years before statehood. Politicians viewed Colorado through a very different lens — as a place more likely to send Republicans to Congress and the White House. This political reality shaped Colorado’s long ...
Denver Mayor Rolls Out $100 Million Strategy to Boost Business and Revive Downtown
CBS Colorado, Approved, Local

Denver Mayor Rolls Out $100 Million Strategy to Boost Business and Revive Downtown

By Chierstin Roth | CBS Colorado Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has unveiled a $100 million, four-part plan to address everything from workforce development to low interest loans, and incentives for companies to move to the city. Thursday's press conference was held outside the original Snooze, a popular breakfast and brunch restaurant serving pancakes and mimosas. Snooze, which launched at its Ballpark Neighborhood location 20 years ago, is now a nationwide success. Its co-founder says it's opportunities like these that got his business off the ground. "We've got 70 restaurants now, 10 states, we have over 3,000 Snoozers working for us," said co-founder Adam Schlegal. They grew despite the odds. "Running a restaurant in Denver is actually harder than most...
Second Amendment Lawsuit Targets Denver Gun Ban and State Magazine Limits
The Denver Gazette, Approved, State

Second Amendment Lawsuit Targets Denver Gun Ban and State Magazine Limits

By Deborah Grigsby | The Denver Gazette A lawsuit filed in federal court by three Denver residents and two gun rights groups aims to strike down the city’s “assault weapon” restrictions, along with bans on ammunition magazines holding 15 rounds or more. The complaint, filed on June 30 by Ray Elliott, Trevor Alley and Michael Vitco, along with the Firearms Policy Coalition and the Colorado State Shooting Association, an arm of the National Rifle Association, alleges Denver’s semiautomatic firearm ban is unconstitutional, as is its ban on 15-round or larger magazines. Naming the city government, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, Attorney General Phil Weiser, Colorado Bureau of Investigation Director Armando Saldate III, Colorado State Patrol Chief Col. Matthew Packard and Denve...
Independent Candidate Launches Last Minute Bid for Colorado’s First Congressional District
The Denver Gazette, Approved, State

Independent Candidate Launches Last Minute Bid for Colorado’s First Congressional District

By Mark Samuelson | The Denver Gazette Democratic Socialist Melat Kiros’ surprising defeat of 15-term Congresswoman Diana DeGette may be creating a void within Denver’s voter base — and at least one latecomer is jumping into that gap, petitioning to get himself on the November ballot as an independent candidate. Dr. Shimon Blau told The Denver Gazette he spent the weekend stewing about the direction of the state’s politics following last week’s primary election and Kiros’ victory. On Monday, he carried out a frenzied exchange of phone calls with the Colorado Secretary of State’s office to obtain the right application. Late that afternoon, Blau said, he filed the paperwork to petition for valid signatures in Colorado’s 1st Congressional District. If he can come up with ...
Lawsuit Alleges DPS Violated Constitution With Race Based School Board Map
The Denver Gazette, Approved, Local

Lawsuit Alleges DPS Violated Constitution With Race Based School Board Map

By: Nicole C. Brambila | The Denver Gazette A civil rights law firm based out of Virginia has filed a lawsuit against Denver Public Schools, alleging Colorado’s largest school district redrew its five district seats with an “illegal racial intent” that violates the Fifteenth Amendment. Filed in U.S. District Court by the Public Interest Legal Foundation, the lawsuit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief for alleged violations of the Fifteenth Amendment under the Voting Rights Act. “By DPS’ own admission — during the public hearing process — the school district lines were deliberately drawn to engineer racial outcomes in Districts 2 and 4,” the complaint alleges. “DPS intentionally and brazenly drew district boundaries to ensure Black and Latino racia...
Democratic Socialist Melat Kiros Puts DeGette’s Three Decades in Congress at Risk
The Colorado Sun, Approved, State

Democratic Socialist Melat Kiros Puts DeGette’s Three Decades in Congress at Risk

By: Colleen Slevin and Jesse Paul | The Colorado Sun Kiros has tapped into the national discontent for incumbents among Democratic voters and parlayed her social media savviness into a campaign that has DeGette’s supporters incredibly nervous. 29-year-old democratic socialist is giving U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette her biggest challenge in the 30 years since she was first elected to represent Denver, appearing on the verge of pushing Colorado’s longest serving member of Congress out of Washington. Melat Kiros, who was endorsed by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders last week, has tapped into the national discontent among Democratic voters toward incumbents and parlayed her social media savviness into a campaign that at the very least has DeGette’s supporters incre...
Eleven Indicted In Colorado Auto Theft Ring Linked To Mexican Cartels
The Denver Gazette, Approved, State

Eleven Indicted In Colorado Auto Theft Ring Linked To Mexican Cartels

By Matt Kyle | The Denver Gazette Eleven people who authorities said were part of a large metro Denver area car theft ring that shipped stolen cars to Mexico to be used by cartels have been indicted. The indictments — announced Monday by Attorney General Phil Weiser and Denver District Attorney John Walsh — were filed May 22. The alleged members worked together to steal vehicles from municipal airport parking lots, hotels and businesses across the Front Range, authorities said in a news release. The thefts are alleged to have taken place between July 2024 and January 2025. The thefts were mainly of full-sized pickup trucks, trailers and recreational vehicles. The thefts took place in Adams, Boulder, Douglas, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld counties, as well as in De...