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As commissioners are ‘ignoring their own constituents’ public organizing over Sandstone Ranch primitive camping proposal
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Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

As commissioners are ‘ignoring their own constituents’ public organizing over Sandstone Ranch primitive camping proposal

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice A battle is brewing over the future of Sandstone Ranch Open Space. Douglas County’s proposal to introduce primitive camping at the site has sparked overwhelming opposition from residents, firefighters and local organizations. With fire dangers looming, a lack of emergency response infrastructure and no prior public input, critics are calling the plan reckless and dangerous. Residents have mobilized, gathering more than 1,000 signatures on a petition to stop the plan, and two local government bodies have already passed resolutions formally opposing the initiative. A public awareness event is planned for Saturday, and concerned citizens are preparing to speak out at the next board of county commissioners meeting. “We’re ...
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Bill alleging landlord collusion in rigging of rental market pricing advances in House
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Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Bill alleging landlord collusion in rigging of rental market pricing advances in House

By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice The average residential property rental in Denver is $2,050, a decrease of $117 in a year from a peak in August 2024, according to Zillow.com. In Colorado Springs the rental market has seen almost no change in a year, while in other cities like Pueblo and Grand Junction rents have increased, Zillow.com says. The rise of rents, or potentially the decline, is all a product of supply of rentals and demand by renters, some industry experts say, but two Colorado Democrat representatives have written a bill to try and prevent landlord price fixing. They say multiple online companies offer algorithms that allow landlords to collude to set rental price points. House Bill 25-1004, by Denver County Reps. Steven Woodrow and Javier Mabrey, aims to cor...
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‘We have to fight with everything that we have’: House Minority Whip Ryan Armagost is leading GOP opposition
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Rocky Mountain Voice, State

‘We have to fight with everything that we have’: House Minority Whip Ryan Armagost is leading GOP opposition

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Ryan Armagost has a background of serving as a U.S. Marine, deputy sheriff and firefighter, making him no stranger to challenging situations. Yet, none of those roles, he says, compare to being a state legislator. Armagost is a Republican serving in Colorado House District 64, which lies in Larimer and Weld counties. "This is definitely the most challenging job I've had," Armagost said. "The constant level of negotiation, bargaining and compromising — and everything that we have to do is equivalent to a bad marriage." 'Whip'ing the GOP members With the departure of Rep. Richard Holtorf from the Golden Dome, Armagost became the minority party's whip in the 75th Colorado Legislature. He had previously been the unof...
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Lawmakers take aim at food waste, passing HB 1059 out of House and HB 1166 out of committee
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Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Lawmakers take aim at food waste, passing HB 1059 out of House and HB 1166 out of committee

By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice As Rep. Ron Weinberg's bill taking aim at food waste in school cafeterias from Julesburg to Cortez and all points in between was sailing through the Colorado House on final reading this week, his companion piece of legislation was getting similar treatment Thursday in a House committee. House Bill 25-1166, by the Larimer County Republican and Democrat Rep. Lisa Feret, would expand the Department of Public Health and Environment's role to include training and encourage donation of food through a waste reduction initiative. Specifically, the bill would allow retail food establishments to sell or donate food online and to sell chilled or frozen food at a discount to individuals eligible for food assistance, and also to have grocers replace "sell...
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Garfield joins eight counties to have opted out of state’s sensitive spaces concealed carry ban
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Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

Garfield joins eight counties to have opted out of state’s sensitive spaces concealed carry ban

By Lindy Browning | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice During a Monday meeting of Garfield County's commissioners, the board of Tom Jankovsky, Mike Sampson and Perry Will exercised an option to exempt Garfield County from the law, created by Senate Bill 24-131, which prohibits lawful concealed carry by permit holders from government buildings. The bill, by Democrat Sens. Sonya Jaquez Lewis — who recently resigned in disgrace — and Chris Kolker, took effect in July 2024. In Garfield County, those who possess a valid concealed carry permit can now take handguns into specific government buildings, in this case the county's administration buildings, in both Glenwood and Rifle, where the county commissioners have offices. The opt out provision does not include courthouses. It...
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Laramie Energy gives Mesa County a bleak outlook on future under present regulation
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Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

Laramie Energy gives Mesa County a bleak outlook on future under present regulation

By Lindy Browning | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice In an informational work session, Chris Clark of Laramie Energy gave Mesa County Commissioners Cody Davis and JJ Fletcher an update concerning how ever-increasing regulatory policy in Colorado is not only impacting smaller oil and gas companies, but also cutting into the county budget. Energy producing counties have relied on their share of the severance tax, a tax that is extracted from fossil fuel energy developing companies that is designed to cover infrastructure impacts like water development, roads and local entities. In the past, severance tax dollars paid for local libraries, hospital wings, firefighting facilities and equipment, municipal water line replacements, and funded upgrades to local schools, among many...
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How Jeffco Kids First exposed a school cover-up that made international headlines
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Rocky Mountain Voice, State

How Jeffco Kids First exposed a school cover-up that made international headlines

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice A Jefferson County teacher lost her license after an alleged grooming scandal involving a student at Columbine High School. The more disturbing revelation? School officials allegedly not only failed to stop it, but facilitated a fraudulent federal declaration to help the student move in with another teacher — all without notifying her parents. Leann Kearney, a social studies teacher at Columbine, allegedly engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old student, according to state investigators. The student’s mother discovered thousands of alleged calls and text messages between the two, including a letter detailing a kiss.  But rather than stepping in to protect the student, Jeffco school staff active...
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HB 1040, adding nuclear to state’s clean energy definitions, gains bipartisan support
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Rocky Mountain Voice, State

HB 1040, adding nuclear to state’s clean energy definitions, gains bipartisan support

'If Colorado wants to boost our economy, this is a serious conversation to have' — Rep. Ty Winter By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice A proposal to include nuclear energy in two statutory definitions of clean energy has passed the Colorado House on second reading. House Bill 25-1040 is a bipartisan measure by Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver, and Ty Winter, R-Las Animas, with the goal of adding nuclear to "clean energy" definitions, enabling financing. "This does not bring nuclear energy to Colorado," Valdez said, who founded one of Colorado's largest and now defunct solar energy companies in 2008. "This designates it as clean energy." The bill would include nuclear, in definition, alongside solar, wind and other clean energy. "If Colorado wants to boost our economy, this is...
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Garbo: How Lauren Boebert earned my vote and my respect
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Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Garbo: How Lauren Boebert earned my vote and my respect

By C. J. Garbo | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice When Lauren Boebert announced her decision to leave Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District and run for office in the 4th, I’ll admit, I was hesitant. Like many others, I questioned her motives. Was this about finding an easier path to victory? Was it a calculated move driven by self-interest, rather than a genuine desire to serve? These doubts lingered as the primary approached, and, while I ultimately cast my vote for her, it was with reluctance, not enthusiasm. But now, mere months after her election, I can confidently say: I was wrong. What I’ve witnessed since Lauren Boebert became CD4's congresswoman has not only erased my skepticism but replaced it with deep respect and admiration. From Day 1, she has shown an unwaver...
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In killing Rep. Woog’s delivery fee repeal bill, Democrats again voted against relief for Coloradans
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Rocky Mountain Voice, State

In killing Rep. Woog’s delivery fee repeal bill, Democrats again voted against relief for Coloradans

By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice Another Republican measure, which could have made everyday life more affordable for Coloradans trying to get by, has been killed by House Democrats. House Bill 25-1144, by Rep. Dan Woog, R-Frederick, which would have repealed retail delivery fees, was postponed indefinitely Tuesday — legislative lingo for killed — along party lines. The measure failed, 9-4. "By voting to keep this delivery fee in place, Democrats are adding to the financial strain that Colorado families and small businesses are already struggling with," Woog said. "This fee is just another example of the hidden costs that make it more difficult for hardworking Coloradans to succeed. Instead of relieving the pressure on our citizens, this vote will only continue to hurt the ve...
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