Rocky Mountain Voice

Rocky Mountain Voice

‘Unprecedented’ mistake by Secretary Griswold calls for unprecedented ruling, Libertarian Party argues in District Court
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

‘Unprecedented’ mistake by Secretary Griswold calls for unprecedented ruling, Libertarian Party argues in District Court

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice DENVER -- Some daylight may have been breathed Monday afternoon into what some have called the largest coverup in the history of Colorado's mail-in balloting era, and perhaps ever in its secretary of state's office. A day before Election Day, the top ranking officials in the Colorado Libertarian Party were in a Denver courtroom down the street from where Secretary of State Jena Griswold hours earlier made what sounded like a mea culpa over a password maintenance blunder that may affect half the counties in Colorado. At issue is hundreds of passwords which were posted in a public place on the secretary of state's website and discovered by an expert of voting system components, only after they may have been public for four months. "I am regr...
Williams: In effort to Make America Healthy Again, let’s remove government regulations on raw milk 
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Williams: In effort to Make America Healthy Again, let’s remove government regulations on raw milk 

By Laci Williams | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Do you remember when the stereotype of a “crunchy granola liberal” was an insult so partisan that no conservative dared even to step into a health food store? Well, it doesn’t seem that long ago, but with the rise of the Make America Healthy Again movement — or MAHA, as it has been coined — this insult has not only dropped its partisan label, but the label itself has shifted into something positive, a cause that both the left and the right can support. The more I research the "crunchy" movement, the more Google searches and X stalking sessions I do, the more I see that a key issue for the MAHA crowd is consuming raw milk. What Is raw milk?  So, what is raw milk? It is unpasteurized milk that has not gone through the pr...
Schumann: Griswold’s apology for election security breach draws comparisons to Tina Peters’ case
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Schumann: Griswold’s apology for election security breach draws comparisons to Tina Peters’ case

By Jen Schumann | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice In a recent turn of events, Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold is now expressing regret over the actions coming from her office. In a November 4th press release, Griswold stated, "I am regretful for this error. I am dedicated to making sure we address this matter fully and that mistakes of this nature never happen again." Griswold's sentiment is in response to her office’s exposure of BIOS passwords for election equipment in 63 counties. The passwords, vital for securing voting system components, were posted on a subpage of the Department's website and had been accessible online since June. This apology, however, has drawn attention due to Griswold’s previously strict stance on election security breaches, especially in t...
University of Colorado regent race in 3rd District: A contest of visions, with Ray Scott taking center stage
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

University of Colorado regent race in 3rd District: A contest of visions, with Ray Scott taking center stage

By Heidi Ganahl | Rocky Mountain Voice As Colorado’s 3rd District prepares for a crucial vote for a new University of Colorado regent, the race between former State Sen. Ray Scott and minister/educator Robert Logan highlights competing visions for the future of the University of Colorado system. The election, which comes at a time when higher education faces both budgetary challenges and calls for innovation, presents voters with a choice between two experienced leaders. However, Scott’s campaign is gaining momentum because of his unique blend of legislative expertise and commitment to financial oversight. Logan, who moved back to Durango after completing his seminary training, began an eight-year stint as a local minister before getting his teaching degree from Fort Lewis College...
Devotional: The power of words to transform and lift us up
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Devotional: The power of words to transform and lift us up

By DRAKE HUNTER | Devotional, Rocky Mountain Voice In recent months, we've been surrounded by a clamor of voices from entertainment, religion and politics. While some messages uplift and inspire, many can lead us astray. It’s crucial to remember that words might seem innocent on their own, but when woven together into thoughts, they can dramatically shape our world —- for the better or worse. Words are more than mere symbols; they carry the weight of thoughts that can transform our lives. If we truly seek healthy change, we must embrace God’s thoughts, which are thoughts of love, peace and hope, and can guide us toward a brighter future for all. This is why it’s essential to let impactful words enter our minds and shape our thinking. True transformation happens when we consciously...
Absence of U.S. Rep. Jason Crow from 6th District during campaign has been noticed
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Absence of U.S. Rep. Jason Crow from 6th District during campaign has been noticed

By Lindy Browning | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice Laurie Arnold, who lives in Colorado’s 6th U.S. House District, wonders why her current representative, Jason Crow, is spending his time, money and energy campaigning for Democrats in Georgia, North Carolina, Delaware and Pennsylvania, rather than the people in Colorado's 6th District. “Our district is falling apart, it’s crumbling. Jason Crow is so arrogant and he takes the voters for granted. He just assumes that he is going to win, even though he has spent no time in the district listening to the concerns that we have,” Arnold said. John Fabbricatore, the Republican candidate in the 6th District, who is running against Crow, hears Arnold’s concerns loud and clear. “I’ve been talking to people all over the district, Republ...
Dierenbach: Colorado Congressman Crow and the Afghanistan withdrawal 
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Dierenbach: Colorado Congressman Crow and the Afghanistan withdrawal 

To protect the Democratic party, Crow lies, obfuscates and abandons principles  By Karl Dierenbach | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Dutifully following the orders of superiors is a fundamental aspect of being a good soldier.  Dutifully following the orders of party bosses is not an admirable trait in a U.S. representative.  We need our representatives to stand up for their constituents and for what is right.  When their party is wrong, our representatives should call them out, not silently stand by or, worse, actively support the injustice. This brings us to Colorado Congressman Jason Crow.  As a soldier in Afghanistan, Crow served his country, following orders and carrying out assigned missions. He should be thanked for his service.  But b...
Durango band teacher indicted on charges of sexual predator acts
Approved, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

Durango band teacher indicted on charges of sexual predator acts

By Jen Schumann, Rocky Mountain Voice On July 23, 2024, a Durango teenager told police that an adult male approached them online. He offered to engage in sexual acts with the 16-year-old.  The Durango Police Department quickly identified the suspect as 28-year-old local Benjamin Smith using information from the minor. After a swift investigation, detectives obtained and executed a search warrant at Smith's home this morning, resulting in his arrest and booking for Sexual Exploitation of a Child on July 25. The Durango Police Department recently posted a press release on the indictment of Escalante Middle School band teacher Benjamin Smith. They also requested public assistance on the ongoing sexual predator investigation. Smith, once a teacher in a position of trust to D...
How BIOS password exposure could threaten election integrity
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

How BIOS password exposure could threaten election integrity

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice Election security is key to a constitutional republic by, for, and of the people. Each part of the voting system should be designed to prevent interference. BIOS passwords are vital to this security. They are the first defense against unauthorized access to a voting machine's core settings. Recent concerns have arisen around how the exposure of BIOS passwords might allow bad actors to manipulate voting systems. Cyber security professionals argue this could create risks even without physical access to the machines. It’s important to consider how such exposure could disrupt elections.  The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) controls a machine's basic operations. It includes hardware settings and connectivity options. In vo...
Graham: A vote for Trump is a vote to restore freedom and opportunity in America
Approved, Commentary, National, Rocky Mountain Voice

Graham: A vote for Trump is a vote to restore freedom and opportunity in America

By Ellen M. Graham | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice I’m a single suburban soccer mom and I’m voting for Donald J. Trump. Well, my children play baseball and golf, but you get it. Raised staunchly conservative in Northern Colorado, I was liberal for more years than I’d like to admit, but it’s 2024 and I have a full-time job, two teenagers, including one in private school thanks to more failed public schools.  I own a middle-class home in a safe neighborhood.  Launching my sons into opportunity is my American Dream. We can no longer run away from what our country has become.  Just look at the streets of downtown Denver with the needles, feces and encampments.  Oh well, big city problems, they say.  Go to Aurora, long a bastion for legal immigrants an...