Rocky Mountain Voice

Rocky Mountain Voice

Hegseth, Trump’s Sec. of Defense pick, is ‘good man, committed to America’, U.S. Rep.-elect Crank says
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Hegseth, Trump’s Sec. of Defense pick, is ‘good man, committed to America’, U.S. Rep.-elect Crank says

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice While half of the eight Coloradans in the U.S. House are Republican, when it comes down to a vote on confirming President Donald J. Trump's nominees, it is unlikely anyone can depend on one from Colorado senators. "There are lots of Republicans who voted to confirm all or most of Joe Biden's cabinet, and that's the way it should work," said new U.S. Rep.-elect Jeff Crank, a Republican, of Colorado Springs' 5th District during an appearance on the Dan Caplis Show. https://twitter.com/jeffcrank/status/1864718732997841189 He is joined in the U.S. House by Republican U.S. Reps. Lauren Boebert (4th District), Gabe Evans (8th District) and Jeff Hurd (3rd District). The U.S. Senate holds the advise and consent approval power over nominees, mean...
‘There are still a lot of unanswered questions’: Clerks react to investigative report on BIOS password exposure
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

‘There are still a lot of unanswered questions’: Clerks react to investigative report on BIOS password exposure

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice  A report detailing the findings of an investigation into the activities of the Colorado secretary of state's office during the public exposure of BIOS passwords, in the days leading up to the 2024 election, was released Monday. It drew mixed reactions from clerks on both sides of the Continental Divide. "I’m glad that they did an independent investigation," said Mesa County Clerk Bobbie Gross. "The secretary of state should be accountable and responsible for her actions.” Similarly, El Paso County Clerk Steve Schleiker praised the action. "The investigation demonstrated a commitment to accountability by addressing the serious error and trying to ensure public trust in the election processes," he said. The compl...
Hindawi: Text messages from home and the fall of a dictator
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Hindawi: Text messages from home and the fall of a dictator

By Salam Hindawi | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice In late November, I had received a Telegram text from my brother, based in Germany, saying there were skirmishes between Syrian opposition forces and the Assad army - the official, regular Syrian armed forces - on the outskirts of our hometown of Aleppo, near our long-abandoned farmhouse. He sounded jubilant as he relayed the news, as if Assad would be toppled tomorrow. For me, I was far more skeptical to the extent of sarcasm. Years of dormancy in the Syrian Revolution - kicked off in 2011 - had made people pessimistic and dismissive of any idea of regime-changing victory, such as that which took place in Egypt or Libya.  “Bro…new frontlines seem to have been open. It looks different this time, maybe there’s more supp...
Heatherly & Lundberg: It is time to downsize the Administrative State in Colorado, too
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Heatherly & Lundberg: It is time to downsize the Administrative State in Colorado, too

By Former Sen. Kevin Lundberg and Charles Heatherly | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice It’s not news that America’s $6 trillion federal Administrative State is targeted for radical downsizing by President Donald J. Trump. What is also not news is that Colorado’s progressives will oppose most of the President’s policies and probably think that Colorado can escape the oncoming Trump deregulation bulldozer. The far more interesting question is, will the Colorado Republican Party get its act together in time to partner with the Trump Administration’s initiatives as they impact the federal Administrative State’s appendages in Colorado. It is already clear from the character and fast pace of President-elect Trump’s agency appointments that his rhetoric likely will be followed quic...
Davis & Hansen: Why we’re fighting for an NCA and against a National Monument
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Davis & Hansen: Why we’re fighting for an NCA and against a National Monument

By Cody Davis and Sue Hansen | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice The Dolores River is a hidden gem nestled against the Rocky Mountains, and has long been cherished by Coloradans — from ranchers and grazers to recreationists and sightseers — who have enjoyed its pristine beauty and breathtaking views. For decades, local residents have successfully stewarded and protected these lands, proving that conservation thrives under local care and control. However, as we’ve seen elsewhere in Colorado, National Monument designations often shift decision-making from West Slope communities to Washington, D.C., bureaucrats. We believe there’s a better way forward. In recent weeks, there’s been a lot of conversation about the future of the Dolores River and whether a National Conservation Ar...
Boll: How should history be taught? A critical look at AP African American Studies in Douglas County
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Boll: How should history be taught? A critical look at AP African American Studies in Douglas County

By Laureen Boll | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice I’m a long-term resident of Douglas County and for the last three years have been a volunteer with FAIR (www.fairforall.org), a non-profit, grassroots organization that aims to overcome identity politics by nurturing a culture rooted in fairness, understanding and our common humanity. I expect our public education system to embrace these values. History curriculum, in particular, can and should present a balanced and truthful account of past events, the good and the bad, by ensuring elements of fairness (e.g., multiple perspectives, avoiding bias), understanding (e.g., contextualization, cause-and-effect) and our common humanity (e.g., shared experiences, empathy building) are woven into the curriculum. Douglas County School...
Garbo: How Castle Rock is leading the charge on Denver’s migration crisis  
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Garbo: How Castle Rock is leading the charge on Denver’s migration crisis  

By C. J. Garbo | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice The Dec. 4 article from the Castle Rock News-Press covering Castle Rock's support for President Trump's deportation plans reports on how the town is addressing a critical issue that challenges us to confront the real-life consequences of moral relativism and virtue signaling in border policy. A clear, enforceable immigration system is not merely a political preference but a moral imperative with direct implications for human lives and national security. Morality is not subjective; it is grounded in universal principles such as justice, order, and the protection of life. Abandoning border enforcement under the guise of compassion is not virtuous - it invites chaos. Failing to uphold the rule of law emboldens human tra...
Grand Junction punts again on homeless center to the ire of taxpayers
Approved, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

Grand Junction punts again on homeless center to the ire of taxpayers

By Lindy Browning | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Downtown residents and businesses continue to be frustrated by the Grand Junction City Council's efforts to find a way to meet the needs of vulnerable homeless people while saying they want to protect the homeowners and businesses from the darker element that lives within the homeless population.  In a recent turn of events, the Council, in an effort to address the violence, crime and exploitation of the area's approximately 2,000 homeless people, created a buffer zone that extends from curb to curb at the property on 261 Ute Avenue. The buffer zone was an attempt to stop the criminal element from dealing drugs and prostitution at the address where the Homeless Resource Center is located. The idea was to give the center...
Russel: Trump won big, Republicans less so… Here’s the lessons for 2026
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Russel: Trump won big, Republicans less so… Here’s the lessons for 2026

By Robert Russel | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Donald Trump’s impressive electoral victory is indeed a mandate for the man and his agenda. For Republicans in Congress, it was an underwhelming fizzle. With 10 or more House races slipping through their fingers, atop four senate races yet again blown by Mitch McConnell’s epic incompetence, one almost wonders how Republicans even got a majority at all. The answer is Donald Trump.  It was Trump, not Mike Johnson, who rescued hapless Republicans from the odor of Project 2025 by linking Democrats to the Harris-Biden record, and by providing a 20-point electoral platform of positive action to solve real problems.  And but for Trump, and a grassroots army of both underpaid and volunteer ballot chasers who worked ...
Daniel: A brighter future for Colorado will be lead through innovation, not big government
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...