Rocky Mountain Voice

Tag: Gabe Evans

Colorado Primary Sends Shockwaves Through State and National Politics
Colorado Politics, Approved, State

Colorado Primary Sends Shockwaves Through State and National Politics

By: Ernest Luning | Colorado Politics Voters in Colorado’s Democratic primary on Tuesday night mostly let their elected officials know that they’re fed up with the party’s Washington politicians and ready to back the most aggressive fighters they can find. At the same time, the voters who cast ballots in the Republican primary mostly embraced the GOP’s establishment, throwing the beleaguered party a potential lifeline in a state that hasn’t rewarded the party’s candidates with statewide wins in the last decade. It was a mixed bag for the two camps, as early frontrunners fell or struggled to keep it close in one of the most wide-open primaries the state has seen in years, with some standout exceptions keeping the night from delivering a simple message. Democratic...
Energy Secretary Chris Wright Pushes Expanding Energy Supply To Lower Costs In Colorado
Colorado Politics, Approved, National

Energy Secretary Chris Wright Pushes Expanding Energy Supply To Lower Costs In Colorado

By: Mark Samuelson | Colorado Politics As a heatwave in the U.S. and Europe punctuated widespread calls for recommitments to solar and other “renewable” sources, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright doubled down on America’s current policy, telling a Thornton crowd on Monday that energy goals would be fixed on increasing the nation’s capacity — no matter what the source. “I went to college to work on fusion energy. I worked on solar energy in graduate school, and geothermal energy right after,” Wright told the Colorado audience. “I don’t care where the energy comes from,” Wright said. “The lights are kept on by gas, coal and nuclear. We have got to grow the capacity, and we are majorly focused on that.” Wright’s visit to Colorado coincides with new calls for le...
Colorado Democrats Clash Over Identity and Electability in High Stakes CD8 Primary
Washington Examiner, Approved, State

Colorado Democrats Clash Over Identity and Electability in High Stakes CD8 Primary

By: James A. Downs | Washington Examiner Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO) will find out his opponent on Tuesday from a contentious Colorado primary that has reopened some of the Democratic Party’s old political wounds.  State Rep. Manny Rutinel, a Hispanic progressive, takes on former state Rep. Shannon Bird, a white moderate, in a race that has been shaped by who is best fit to succeed in a battleground, Latino-plurality district.  Latino members of Congress in recent weeks chastised the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for its involvement in primaries after Randy Villegas prevailed in California’s 22nd District, a Central Valley battleground held by Rep. David Valadao (R-CA). The DCCC endorsed Jasmeet Bains, a moderate assemblywoman, but Vil...
Boulder Climate Lawsuit Emerges as Flashpoint in Colorado Democrat Primaries
Complete Colorado, Approved, State

Boulder Climate Lawsuit Emerges as Flashpoint in Colorado Democrat Primaries

By Kyle Kohli | Complete Colorado In the Colorado primary elections this year, oil and gas perspectives are showing up in a unique way: Boulder’s now 8-year old climate lawsuit against ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy. The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments in the Boulder case during its fall term, placing the issue on a national stage right in the middle of election season. Given Boulder’s targeting of energy companies and potential to increase prices, it threatens to undermine national Democrats’ focus on affordability. In Colorado, the case raises important questions for candidates seeking office: where do they stand on energy production, climate litigation, and the use of courts to drive policy outcomes? Boulder pops up in ...
Rep. Gabe Evans Presses DHS Chief on Sanctuary Policies and Colorado Public Safety
Complete Colorado, Approved, State

Rep. Gabe Evans Presses DHS Chief on Sanctuary Policies and Colorado Public Safety

By Sherrie Peif | Complete Colorado WASHINGTON D.C. – Colorado’s 8th Congressional District Rep. Gabe Evans on Wednesday took an opportunity during House Homeland Security Committee hearings to question Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin over how his department handles issues of sanctuary cities, public safety, backlogs and constitutional protections during Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. Evans’ questions came just days after he joined House Judiciary Committee Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio and GOP Rep. Tom McClintock in letters to Denver’s elected district attorney, chief of police, and sheriff demanding information on their offices’ compliance with local sanctuary policies that, according to Evans “prioritize criminal ...
Northern Colorado Leaders Warn Power Shortage Could Slow Growth
CBS Colorado, Approved, Local

Northern Colorado Leaders Warn Power Shortage Could Slow Growth

By: Dillon Thomas | CBS Colorado Rapid growth across parts of Northern Colorado is colliding with a growing challenge — being able to access enough electricity to support new homes and businesses. Local leaders in Greeley say demand for power has increased significantly in recent decades. This is as technology becomes more integrated into everyday life, and it creates pressure on an electric grid that is struggling to keep pace with population growth and development. "We are growing pretty rapidly," said Don Threewitt, interim community and economic developer for the city of Greeley. Threewitt said the state's electric demand has shifted dramatically in the last decade, as residents rely more heavily on technology. From smartphones and electric vehicles to incre...
Congress Demands Answers From Denver And Boulder Over Sanctuary Policies
Complete Colorado, Approved, State

Congress Demands Answers From Denver And Boulder Over Sanctuary Policies

By Mike Krause | Complete Colorado DENVER–Members of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, along with a member of the Colorado congressional delegation, are demanding information from local authorities in Denver and Boulder on sanctuary policies the lawmakers say help shield criminal illegal aliens from deportation. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH), Immigration Subcommittee Chairman Tom McClintock (R-CA), and Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO) on Tuesday directed letters to Denver District Attorney John Walsh, Denver Sheriff Elias Diggins, and Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas. Jordan and McClintock also sent separate letters to Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty, Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson, and Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn. Evans...
Dillon Vakoff died protecting a family. His mother and his fellow officer won’t let Colorado forget why.
Rocky Mountain Voice, Commentary, State, Top Stories

Dillon Vakoff died protecting a family. His mother and his fellow officer won’t let Colorado forget why.

By Gabe Evans and Lisa Vakoff | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice In 2025, 115 police officers in the United States paid the ultimate price. Officers who survive their careers carry lifelong scars and health complications. The average American experiences their first heart attack at the average age of 65. Police officers get their first heart attack at age 46. Stress, lack of sleep, and violent criminals are just a few of the hazards that cops face every day.  To honor their service, in 1962, Congress and President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week during which it occurs as Police Week. It is a time to honor the brave men and women in law enforcement who put on the badge and willingly step into danger to protect our c...
Manny Rutinel wants to represent Colorado’s oil country. His law is bearing down on its only refinery.
Rocky Mountain Voice, State, Top Stories

Manny Rutinel wants to represent Colorado’s oil country. His law is bearing down on its only refinery.

By Jen Schumann | Rocky Mountain Voice State Rep. Manny Rutinel is asking voters in the heart of Colorado’s oil country to send him to Congress. Seven weeks from now, a law Rutinel helped write could reshape how Colorado’s only petroleum refinery operates. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment published a refinery assessment on May 1 after HB24-1338—the 2024 bill Rutinel co-sponsored—required the state to conduct it. The state hired Eastern Research Group to do the work. ERG compared Suncor's Commerce City refinery—in Rutinel's own state House district—against standards in California, Texas and Indiana and found multiple areas where Colorado's current permits fall short. A public meeting on the assessment is May 13. If CDPHE acts on the findings, a new refine...
Outside Money Fuels Push To Redraw Colorado Congressional Districts For Democrats
The Colorado Sun, Approved, State

Outside Money Fuels Push To Redraw Colorado Congressional Districts For Democrats

By Jesse Paul | The Colorado Sun Coloradans For a Level Playing Field received $150,000 from a nonprofit tied to a federal super PAC controlled by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. A nonprofit tied to Democratic leadership in the U.S. House is financing a redistricting effort in Colorado that would make the party favored to win seven of the state’s eight congressional seats, up from the four it controls now. House Majority Forward gave $150,000 on Feb. 25 to Coloradans For a Level Playing Field, the issue committee working to put a measure on the November ballot redrawing the state’s congressional districts.  The nonprofit, which doesn’t disclose its donors, is aligned with the House Majority PAC, a federal super PAC controlled by House Minority Lead...