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Marc Catlin drawing on youth football, rafting and Bigfoot for inspiration as he ‘graduates’ to Senate
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Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Marc Catlin drawing on youth football, rafting and Bigfoot for inspiration as he ‘graduates’ to Senate

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice In preparation of his move to Colorado's upper chamber for the 75th legislative session, Marc Catlin has reflected upon a time in which he coached youth football. “There was a little boy who came up to me and said, 'Coach, I think something is wrong with me'," Catlin recalls. "When I asked him what he meant, he said, ‘It feels funny inside.’ I told him, ‘Well, that’s just butterflies. If you don’t have those, you’re not gonna play well.’ And that little critter played like a tiger that day.” The newly-elected state senator views his new role through a lens of humor, humility and determination. “If you don’t have some anxiety about it, you’re probably not thinking about it," he said. He served as a state representati...
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AG Weiser first in the Democratic field for governor: ‘I’m committed to fighting for the people of Colorado’
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Rocky Mountain Voice, State

AG Weiser first in the Democratic field for governor: ‘I’m committed to fighting for the people of Colorado’

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice Attorney General Phil Weiser didn't waste any time in 2025 making his future intentions known. He was the first to declare a run in the Democratic field for governor. He announced the decision Thursday, Jan. 2, in a Twitter/X post on his personal account. https://twitter.com/pweiser/status/1874827618727657522 Gov. Jared Polis' second term in office expires at the end of 2026. The governor's office has a two-term limit. "Today, I’m announcing my candidacy for governor of Colorado," Weiser's post began on X. "There are many reasons why I’m running to lead this state I love, but the biggest reason is simple: I’m committed to fighting for the people of Colorado." Weiser was elected as attorney general in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. Th...
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In tight vote for Speaker, Johnson could potentially sweep four GOP votes from Colorado
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Rocky Mountain Voice, State

In tight vote for Speaker, Johnson could potentially sweep four GOP votes from Colorado

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice A slight Republican margin in the U.S. House will make Speaker Mike Johnson's re-election bid later this week potentially a must-see. Republicans hold a 220-215 seat advantage in the U.S. House, but one Republican has resigned, and two other Republicans have indicated their opposition to Johnson. It takes 218 votes to win the Speaker vote. If Johnson is unable to swing either of the defectors, he doesn't win the Speaker vote — assuming Democratic members don't lend their support. U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, is at least one who has withheld his support for Johnson thus far and told Fox News there were others. He has suggested alternative Speaker options of Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., or Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, both of whom have previously m...
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Top Stories of 2024: Elections, password leaks, Tren de Aragua, Trump visit and more
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Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Top Stories of 2024: Elections, password leaks, Tren de Aragua, Trump visit and more

By Rocky Mountain Voice Staff There's one thing to say for 2024 in reflection — it wasn't boring on the political front. Along the way there were a dozen candidates for one highly coveted seat in the U.S. House, a once in three-decades special selection committee, a Secretary of State failing to keep passwords secure, the trial of Tina Peters, members of the GOP's central committee unable to agree on leadership, a visit to the state from Donald J. Trump, gang violence in Aurora, Republican gains and much more. Here's a glance at some of the Colorado newsmakers and newsbreakers you may recall from 2024: Judicial retention — Among the tasks left for voters on a long ballot was the daunting role they had to decide judicial retention of judges from the Colorado Supreme Court and Co...
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Boebert’s Fish Recovery Act saves endangered fish, secures water for future generations
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Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Boebert’s Fish Recovery Act saves endangered fish, secures water for future generations

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Last week, Rep. Lauren Boebert's Fish Recovery Act passed, protecting four endangered fish species and empowering water use and development. Part of the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the bipartisan legislation extends two vital conservation programs while enabling thousands of water and power users to continue operations uninterrupted. “These projects, including 1,200 in Colorado alone, encompass major water reservoirs, agricultural water users, ski areas and power generation facilities that collectively use more than 3.7 million acre-feet of water per year,” Boebert said. She underscored the role these programs play in balancing environmental protection with ongoing water and power operations. In ...
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Garbo: Sheriffs must always be elected to defend liberty and preserve the Constitution
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Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Garbo: Sheriffs must always be elected to defend liberty and preserve the Constitution

By C. J. Garbo | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Few offices in American governance embody the spirit of freedom and self-governance as profoundly as that of the county sheriff. Rooted in centuries of tradition and safeguarded by constitutional principles, the elected sheriff stands as one of the most powerful and accountable defenders of liberty in the United States. In Colorado, this role carries even greater significance, as the state’s history and values are deeply tied to independence, local control and resistance to government overreach. The idea of appointing sheriffs — rather than electing them — is not only an affront to these principles, it is a direct threat to the constitutional freedoms that this office was designed to protect. To fully appreciate why sheriffs ...
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Gonzalez: In the 75th legislative session, lawmakers should focus on affordability
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Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Gonzalez: In the 75th legislative session, lawmakers should focus on affordability

By Ryan Gonzalez | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice As prices for Coloradans continue to increase, the state legislature must step in to provide relief for the ones they serve. In recent years, what the legislature has done is add more unnecessary costs to everyday expenses from energy to groceries to housing. An example are the “fees” added continuously. Fees, such as the “tire fee” the “delivery fee” the “telephone fee” and car registration fees. The list goes on and on. Repealing many of these fees will provide some relief to everyday Coloradans. Regulations have also added unnecessary hardships to our residents and taxpayers. Regulations — in such areas as environmental and labor — that only pass costs to consumers. In housing, new developments and renovations must compl...
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Elected Republicans, from Denver to Washington, offered greetings on Christmas
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Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Elected Republicans, from Denver to Washington, offered greetings on Christmas

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice From the halls of Congress in Washington, D.C., to the Golden Dome in Denver, Republicans serving Colorado paused Wednesday not just to take time with family, but to turn to Twitter/X to communicate with constituents on the occasion of Christmas and the beginning of Hanukkah. "Jesus' coming is good news for all people," U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert said in a video she posted. "Believers and unbelievers, saints and sinners, Republicans and Democrats. Jesus came to this world to save imperfect people like you and me." https://twitter.com/RepBoebert/status/1871927851710365923 Boebert is currently serving in the 3rd District on the Western Slope, but in January will begin serving the 4th District in Northern Colorado and on the Eastern Plains. ...
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After six-year struggle, Boebert’s CONVEY Act now just needs Biden’s signature to transfer land to Mesa Co.
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Rocky Mountain Voice, State

After six-year struggle, Boebert’s CONVEY Act now just needs Biden’s signature to transfer land to Mesa Co.

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Almost half of the land in the American West — 46.4% to be exact — is owned by the federal government. To put this into perspective, in most other parts of the nation that number sits only at 4.2%.  This often creates hurdles for local communities planning for growth. The six-year struggle to acquire a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) parcel in Mesa County demonstrates this. Even though the land was designated as surplus, federal red tape delayed its transfer.  On April 28, 2023, Congresswoman Lauren Boebert introduced the CONVEY Act to challenge this bureaucratic bottleneck. Passing the U.S. Senate with bipartisan support last week, it now awaits final approval from the President.  Once signed into law, it wi...
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Browning: With hiring of environmental justice liaisons, state taking another stab at DEI implementation at taxpayer expense
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Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Browning: With hiring of environmental justice liaisons, state taking another stab at DEI implementation at taxpayer expense

By Lindy Browning | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice During a time when state legislators are trying to figure out where to cut the budget because of the state operating at what previously was thought to be a $1 billion shortage, the Energy and Carbon Management Commission, previously known as the Colorado Oil and Gas Commission, has announced that they are hiring two new environmental justice liaisons. According to the announcement on the ECMC website: “We are hiring two EJ Community Liaisons. One position is dedicated to the West Slope and one position is dedicated to the Front Range. You’ll work remotely from home and receive a state-issued electric vehicle to make travel possible as you interact extensively with communities in your region. You’ll work independently but be part of...
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