Rocky Mountain Voice

Rocky Mountain Voice

HB 1131, lifting cap on CSU veterinary students, among three bills in each chamber getting second readings Tuesday
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

HB 1131, lifting cap on CSU veterinary students, among three bills in each chamber getting second readings Tuesday

By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice A bipartisan bill aimed at lifting the artificial cap on students who may enroll in Colorado State's veterinary program will get a second reading and potentially a preliminary vote on Tuesday, Feb. 11, in the Colorado House. House Bill 25-1131, by Republican Rep. Dusty Johnson and Sen. Byron Pelton and joined by Democrat Rep. Andrew Boesenecker and Sen. Cathy Kipp, lifts the enrollment cap at a time when both small and large animal veterinarians are at a shortage throughout the state, especially in Eastern Colorado where two of the legislators represent. The bill passed the House Education Committee on Feb. 6 with a rare 13-0 vote. The House convenes at 9 a.m. The House will also hear second readings on two Democrat-led bills — HB 25-1010,...
Tina Peters’ filing argues her actions were protected by the Supremacy Clause
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Tina Peters’ filing argues her actions were protected by the Supremacy Clause

"She [Peters] is pale, has lost weight, and has difficulties with memory and word-finding," filing reads By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters has taken her fight to the U.S. District Court in Colorado, claiming her prosecution violated the U.S. Constitution. On Feb. 7, Peters filed a habeas corpus petition to challenge her incarceration, claiming she was simply doing her duty to preserve election data, as required by federal rules. The petition, filed under 28 U.S.C. § 2254, contests Peters’ denial of bond pending appeal and claims multiple constitutional violations in her trial.  It asserts that her prosecution is invalid because 52 U.S.C. § 20701 requires election officials to preserve election records for 22 months...
Williams: Weld County GOP’s young gun vaults to victory as new party chair
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Williams: Weld County GOP’s young gun vaults to victory as new party chair

By Laci Williams | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice The Weld County Republicans have been a driving force in flipping multiple statewide seats andeven one national seat. But political victories don’t happen by chance—they require strongleadership, strategy, and a committed team. One of the key figures behind this success is YoungRepublican Hunter Rivera, a lifelong Weld County native whose deep roots in the communityand unwavering commitment to conservative principles have propelled him into leadership. Rivera was rewarded for his dedication on Saturday, Feb. 8, winning a sweeping and well-deserved victory in the Weld County GOP chair race, securing 111 out of 148 votes from the voting members. “We need leadership that is Weld First and America First, not leadership focused on pol...
Devotional: You, too, are equipped with a superpower – gratitude
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Devotional: You, too, are equipped with a superpower – gratitude

By DRAKE HUNTER | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Today, superheroes are a huge part of our culture — found in movies, video games, comic books and costumes. Many people are eager to discover heroes to admire, captivated by their astonishing powers and inspiring courage. What sets superheroes apart is their unique abilities. For example, Iron Man utilizes his genius-level intellect and cutting-edge technology, while Black Panther draws enhanced senses and strength from the mystical Heart-Shaped Herb. Wonder Woman wields her Lasso of Truth and a magical sword, the Flash captivates with super speed, and Captain America embodies justice with his iconic shield. Collectively, they represent the superpower of courage, driven by deep appreciation and gratitude. Like the legendary charac...
Williams: Young Republicans Caucus launches to shape Colorado’s conservative future
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Williams: Young Republicans Caucus launches to shape Colorado’s conservative future

By Laci Williams | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice The next generation of conservative leadership is making its mark in the Colorado General Assembly, with the formation of the Young Republicans Caucus. Officially launched last Friday, this new caucus is dedicated to amplifying the voices of young conservatives and addressing issues that matter to the next generation of Republican leaders. Chaired by state Rep. Ryan Gonzalez, the caucus is led by a team of dynamic young legislators, including Rep. Carlos Barron, vice-chair; Secretary Rep. Jarvis Caldwell, secretary; and Rep. Matt Soper, treasurer. Rounding out the group is Rep. Ron Weinberg. The formation of the Young Republicans Caucus marks a significant milestone for the conservative movement in Colorado. As the political land...
Is Senate Bill 3 already on death’s door? Anti-gun bill had to be laid over again in Senate
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Is Senate Bill 3 already on death’s door? Anti-gun bill had to be laid over again in Senate

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice Senate Bill 25-003, the much-maligned bill that some have said would make Colorado the most anti-gun state in the country, can't seem to get the support it needs to clear the Democrat-controlled state Senate. Support for the bill appeared to have collapsed again Friday before a second reading and preliminary vote, as it was laid over until Feb. 13. The bill was introduced Jan. 8, cleared by a Democrat-led committee Jan. 28 and Friday was laid over for the second time. If passed, SB 3, led by Democrat Sens. Tom Sullivan and Julie Gonzales and sponsored by Democrat Reps. Andrew Boesenecker and Meg Froelich, explicitly prohibits the manufacture, distribution, transfer, sale and purchase of common-use, gas-operated semi-auto rifles or shotguns an...
Partisan Colorado Senate resolution to be introduced Monday condemning Trump, J6 pardons
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Partisan Colorado Senate resolution to be introduced Monday condemning Trump, J6 pardons

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice A partisan, Democrat-led resolution condemning pardons issued for all involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, protests in Washington, D.C., is expected to be introduced Monday in the Colorado Senate. Senate Joint Resolution 25-006, led by Democrat Sens. Nick Hinrichsen and Matt Ball and prime-sponsored by Democrat Reps. Sean Camacho and Michael Carter, is a measure overtly blaming President Donald J. Trump for the protests. "Following President Trump's speech at The Ellipse, rally attendees marched to the U.S. Capitol and many began rioting, with official FBI estimates concluding that between 2,000 and 2,500 people forcibly and illegally breached the Capitol," the measure reads, noting "many scholars" described the event as an "attempted self-coup" and...
HB 1005, a $34M tax break for Sunset Film Festival, advances despite Rep. DeGraaf’s concern it is ‘disincentive’ to existing taxpayers
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HB 1005, a $34M tax break for Sunset Film Festival, advances despite Rep. DeGraaf’s concern it is ‘disincentive’ to existing taxpayers

'This is not my hometown. I'm seeing my constituents' money going to a tax incentive that benefits your hometown, while Boulder is taxing itself out of viability.' — Rep. Ken DeGraaf By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice The appropriateness of a tax-credit incentive offered by the state, benefiting a single community and in recruitment of an external entity while ignoring struggling tax-paying entities in that community and other areas of the state, was the discussion of a Colorado House committee Thursday. House Bill 25-1005, by Democrat Reps. Brianna Titone and Julie McCluskie and sponsored by Democrat Sen. Judy Amabile and Republican Sen. Mark Baisley, incentivizing the Sundance Film Festival to relocate to Boulder, was advanced on a 7-6 largely party-line vote, with all commi...
Candidates for Grand Junction City Council tackle key issues at Mesa Co. Republican Women’s forum
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Candidates for Grand Junction City Council tackle key issues at Mesa Co. Republican Women’s forum

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Candidates for Grand Junction City Council recently gathered at a forum hosted by Mesa County Republican Women, addressing the city's pressing issues ahead of the April 8th municipal election.  Homelessness, housing affordability, impact fees and the 4th/5th Street project were central themes as candidates laid out their priorities. Government vs. nonprofits: Who should take charge on homelessness? Views diverged on whether the city or nonprofits should lead homelessness efforts.  Alexis Hitzeroth (District A), a veteran, called for more advocacy and outreach. “I know that the city can do better when it comes to our unhoused population. I think we need to get more advocates out there within the city and speak t...
Freshman U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd chairs his first subcommittee meeting on Indian affairs
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Freshman U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd chairs his first subcommittee meeting on Indian affairs

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice If it takes years of tenure in Washington, D.C., to even earn subcommittee chairmanships, no one told U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd, R-Grand Junction. The freshman congressman from Colorado's 3rd District on the Western Slope chaired his first subcommittee meeting Wednesday, the U.S. House Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs under the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources. "I'm honored to serve as the new chairman of the subcommittee, and look forward to working with our American Indian, Alaska Native and Insular partners," Hurd began the subcommittee hearing. The subcommittee was previously chaired by Rep. Harriet Hageman of Wyoming. https://twitter.com/RepJeffHurd/status/1887182581998788904 The subcommittee oversees matters conf...