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Colorado law limits what voters can verify—and critics say that needs to change
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Colorado law limits what voters can verify—and critics say that needs to change

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Mesa County’s Ballot Verifier tool has been praised for giving residents unprecedented access to redacted ballot images and cast vote records. But for some longtime election integrity advocates, it’s only part of the solution. “This is a great step forward,” said Ed Arnos, a Mesa County resident and former lottery systems designer. “But it doesn’t verify the most important part—how the ballots were actually read.” This article is Part 3 of a three-part series on the Ballot Verifier: Mesa’s launch, Ada County’s pilot and the debate over election transparency laws. A philosophical divide Mesa County residents Tom Keenan and Ed Arnos have supported election transparency efforts for years. But both say the current syste...
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Mesa County launches Ballot Verifier, giving voters unprecedented access to ballots
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Mesa County launches Ballot Verifier, giving voters unprecedented access to ballots

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Mesa County launched a first-of-its-kind ballot transparency tool last month, allowing residents to view redacted ballot images and corresponding cast vote records online—without filing a CORA request. Supporters say it could reshape public trust in elections. Others say it doesn’t go far enough. But one thing is certain: Mesa County is at the heart of a national battle over election integrity, and the Ballot Verifier came to fruition out of demand — and the innovation of an election stats company that wanted to answer to it. Mesa County Clerk and Recorder Bobbie Gross said the tool was made possible by an initial $30,000 investment to develop the system and redaction process. “I believe $20,000 every year to keep it goin...
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Rep. Crank’s BLOC Act gains Mesa County’s support: “Align federal funds with public safety”
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Rep. Crank’s BLOC Act gains Mesa County’s support: “Align federal funds with public safety”

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Mesa County commissioners want federal dollars tied to immigration enforcement—and they’re backing Rep. Jeff Crank’s bill to make it happen. During their April 15 administrative hearing, the Mesa County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a letter backing a federal immigration bill that would strip transportation funding from sanctuary jurisdictions that fail to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The letter, addressed to U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank, voiced support for H.R. 1984—the Blocking Lawless Open Border Cities (BLOC) Act. The bill halts funding of federal transportation dollars going to cities and counties that refuse to notify ICE at least 48 hours before they release an illegal immigrant. Rep. ...
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Mesa County Republican Women’s Lincoln Day Dinner to Feature Congresswoman Harriet Hageman
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Mesa County Republican Women’s Lincoln Day Dinner to Feature Congresswoman Harriet Hageman

By Rocky Mountain Voice Staff GRAND JUNCTION, CO – The Mesa County Republican Women (MCRW) are set to host their highly anticipated Lincoln Day Dinner on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Clifton Community Center. This year’s keynote speaker is none other than Congresswoman Harriet Hageman, Wyoming’s sole representative in the U.S. House and a staunch advocate for conservative values and policies. Congresswoman Hageman, known for her commitment to constitutional rights and government accountability, recently co-sponsored a bill aimed at permanently relocating the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) headquarters to Grand Junction—a move widely supported by Western conservatives who believe in local governance over federal overreach. Joining her at the ...
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Mesa County Commissioner advocates for fair share of transportation dollars
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Mesa County Commissioner advocates for fair share of transportation dollars

By Lindy Browning | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice With an ever shrinking budget, and an ever increasing demand for state money for road repairs and construction due to increasing population and use on the Western Slope, Mesa County Commissioner, Bobbie Daniels went to the state legislature to put a spotlight on the needs of western Colorado. Her testimony highlighted the growing disparity between urban and rural infrastructure funding and the critical need for investment in the roads that keep Colorado moving. Rural communities, which already face resource limitations, are disproportionately affected. Large-scale infrastructure projects in these areas rely heavily on state and federal funding. Yet, much of the transportation budget is allocated to specialized urban pro...
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Cody Davis, the new Mesa Co. Commission chair, prioritizes listening, engaging with community
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Cody Davis, the new Mesa Co. Commission chair, prioritizes listening, engaging with community

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice As Cody Davis received the gavel as the new chair of the Mesa County board of commissioners, he reflected on its playful history. Like when Bobbie Daniel became chair, Davis helped bedazzle it to add a glittery flair in honor of her leadership.  Now that the gavel has been passed to him, Davis joked about expecting “something like Thor’s Hammer” but admitted the simple wooden gavel feels fitting for his no-nonsense approach. “I’m not a very glittery, in-your-face personality," he said. "If I were to upgrade it, maybe I’d add a little plane or something aviation-related." In December, Davis accomplished a little-known feat — he earned his pilot's license. Flying has been a lifelong aspiration inspired by his father, who...
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Tina Peters is now a Larimer Co. inmate. Here’s detail on why Mesa Co. chose to transfer Peters
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Tina Peters is now a Larimer Co. inmate. Here’s detail on why Mesa Co. chose to transfer Peters

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Fears expressed by Tina Peters to Mesa County Sheriff's Office deputies during her stay in the county's jail led to the decision this week to relocate the former Mesa County clerk, the Rocky Mountain Voice has learned. In an overabundance of caution and to help ensure her feeling of safety, Peters has been transferred to the Larimer County jail. Sgt. Justin Montover, of the Mesa County Sheriff’s Professional Standards and Internal Affairs Unit, clarified key details regarding Peters’ incarceration and the measures taken to address her concerns.  “On several occasions, Tina was asked if she felt safe and to provide specifics about any issues," he said. "She expressed fears, but did not provide clear details about d...
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Tina Peters has been transferred from Mesa County to Larimer County jail
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Tina Peters has been transferred from Mesa County to Larimer County jail

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Former Mesa County Clerk and Recorder Tina Peters has been transferred from the Mesa County jail to the Larimer County jail.  According to Larimer County booking information, Peters was processed as an inmate into the Larimer County jail at 11:53 a.m.  Wednesday. No other booking information was provided. On Oct. 3, 2024, Judge Matthew Barrett sentenced Peters to a 9-year prison sentence after she was previously found guilty of three counts of attempting to influence a public servant, conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, official misconduct, violation of duty and failure to comply with an order by the secretary of state.  She was immediately taken into custody following sentencing. The sentence i...
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Daniel: A brighter future for Colorado will be lead through innovation, not big government
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Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Daniel: A brighter future for Colorado will be lead through innovation, not big government

By Bobbie Daniel | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Colorado faces a declining economic reality: high inflation, soaring gas prices, stagnant wages, rising unemployment and an increasingly unaffordable housing market. Yet, this does not have to define our future. Colorado stands at the brink of a transformative innovation revival, fueled by our abundant natural resources, innovative spirit and entrepreneurial drive. By embracing these strengths, we can lead the nation into a future that balances conservation stewardship with economic prosperity. To achieve this, we must move away from heavy-handed government control and toward systems that reward innovation, empower communities and unlock the full potential of our state’s resources. Progress has always been driven by innovation...
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Mesa County voters approve measures 4A and 4B for schools, promising upgrades, transparency
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Mesa County voters approve measures 4A and 4B for schools, promising upgrades, transparency

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice In a decisive voice, the Mesa County community voted for ballot measures 4A and 4B. This passage is a clear mandate: Buildings with accessibility and security issues get an overhaul. Five learning days remain on the school calendar. And teachers will receive more approved curriculum sources, so they won’t have to resort to websites like Teachers Pay Teachers.  Mesa County voters passed Ballot Issue 4A with 71% approval to fund school renovations. Ballot Issue 4B, with 65% approval, allows retaining funds for extra educational resources and maintenance. Dr. Brian Hill, the district's superintendent, praised the community's commitment: "This support," he said, "means we can create safer, more modern learning environments. [We can] ...
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