This piece is part of Yellow Scene Magazine’s Opinion section. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent a reported news position. At Yellow Scene, opinion pieces speak freely, challenge assumptions, and say the quiet parts out loud.

Guest Contributor: Bernard Douthit

I wanted to thank Mike Broemmel for posting a thoughtful commentary about Governor Jared Polis and the broader question of political leadership in Colorado. I took some time to underscore Mike’s argument with some important details.

Like John Hickenlooper before him, Jared Polis has remained personally popular for much of his time in office. But popularity and branding are not the same as transformational leadership.

On some of Colorado’s most pressing challenges — healthcare costs, tax policy, housing affordability, and environmental justice — Polis often governed like a cautious purple-state technocrat rather than the leader of a state that has repeatedly shown a willingness to embrace ambitious public policy.

Colorado is not Mississippi or Alabama. This is a state that:

• Put single-payer healthcare on the ballot — 150,000+ signatures
• Repeatedly approved large transit expansions
• Legalized marijuana early
• Rejected hosting the Olympics
• Regularly supports local tax increases for schools, parks, and infrastructure

Yet Polis governed as though bold structural reform was politically impossible.

Healthcare is perhaps the clearest example.

Colorado Democrats repeatedly described healthcare affordability as an emergency, yet avoided the kind of political confrontation that real cost containment would require.

Instead of aggressively confronting hospital monopolies and market concentration, the state often relied on commissions, task forces, transparency measures, and heavily branded “public option” reforms that produced incremental change while leaving the underlying system largely intact.

According to multiple studies, including research from the RAND Corporation, Colorado still has some of the highest hospital prices and some of the most profitable hospital systems in the country. Polis governed more like a manager of the healthcare marketplace than a reformer willing to challenge entrenched economic power.

And contrary to the claim that Colorado is too moderate for ambitious healthcare reform, more than 150,000 Coloradans signed petitions to place single-payer healthcare on the ballot through Amendment 69. The measure ultimately failed, but it was also outspent by the healthcare industry by roughly 8-to-1. That history matters.

Tax policy presents a similar story.

Polis consistently opposed more progressive approaches to taxation and largely embraced Colorado’s libertarian tax culture rather than challenging it. Yet during the same period, homeowners across Colorado experienced dramatic increases in property taxes following the repeal of the Gallagher Amendment and the rapid rise in home values.

While Polis and legislators eventually passed relief measures, many homeowners still saw property tax increases far beyond what those policies offset. The response often felt technocratic and incremental rather than structural. And many Coloradans are still asking a simple question: with property values and tax collections rising so dramatically over the last decade, where exactly did all of that additional revenue go?

The same pattern appears with Suncor.

Colorado markets itself as environmentally conscious and climate-forward, yet one of the metro area’s largest and most controversial industrial polluters continues operating near densely populated communities. For decades, residents of north Denver and Commerce City have raised concerns about emissions, odors, and public health impacts, while Suncor has repeatedly faced fines and violations.

Why was there never a truly ambitious long-term plan to relocate, phase down, or fundamentally transform one of the region’s most problematic industrial facilities?

Important things are worth fighting for. Clean air for millions of residents should have been one of them.

The contrast between Polis and other Democratic governors is striking.

Tim Walz pushed universal school meals and labor protections in Minnesota. Gavin Newsom moved California toward state-supported insulin manufacturing and aggressive climate initiatives. Gretchen Whitmer repealed right-to-work laws and advanced major infrastructure investments in Michigan. Jay Inslee built one of the country’s most ambitious state climate agendas in Washington.

Compared with many Democratic peers in similar political conditions, Polis often appeared more focused on political positioning, branding, and technocratic moderation than on pursuing defining structural reforms.

I voted for Jared Polis twice. Like many Coloradans, I hoped he would govern with more courage and ambition than he ultimately did.

Competence matters. But at a time when healthcare affordability, housing costs, environmental risks, and economic inequality are worsening, competence alone is not enough. Colorado needed leadership willing to confront entrenched interests and pursue solutions equal to the scale of the problems we face.

Jared Polis Once Sold Colorado (and the Nation) a Shimmering Emerald City

Original article by Mike Broemmel

He was the libertarian-minded tech governor. The “different kind” of Democrat. The wealthy entrepreneur who promised efficiency over ideology, innovation over inertia, and a fresh political vocabulary that supposedly transcended the stale battles of the past. For a time, many bought the performance. The curtain stayed firmly closed.

But eventually, in politics as in The Wizard of Oz, the machinery begins to sputter. The smoke thins. The booming voice loses resonance. And somewhere in the back of the chamber, Toto pulls at the curtain.

What remains is not the great and powerful wizard. What remains is merely a man frantically working levers.

The Leader Who Never Was

History is crowded with political figures who mistook branding for leadership.

There was Ron DeSantis, once marketed as the inevitable heir to Trumpism before collapsing beneath the weight of his own synthetic persona. There was Michael Dukakis, whose technocratic competence could never ignite genuine public trust. There was British Prime Minister Liz Truss, whose ideological theater imploded in real time before the world’s financial markets.

And now there is Jared Polis.

The tragedy — or perhaps the farce — of Polis is not simply that his governorship appears to be collapsing. It is that the collapse reveals something darker: there may never have been much substance there to begin with.

Polis governed like a man permanently auditioning for a future role. A presidential run. A national media identity. A carefully focus-grouped brand called “reasonable futurism.” He floated above conflict, avoided moral clarity whenever possible, and cultivated the image of being smarter than the room without ever proving capable of leading it.

Colorado increasingly became a state managed through vibes, branding campaigns, and social media aesthetics rather than coherent civic vision. And eventually, voters notice.

The Emerald City Illusion

For years, Polis benefited from Colorado’s broader economic and demographic momentum. The state grew. Wealth poured in. Tech money expanded. Denver transformed into a glossy urban postcard marketed to affluent transplants.

But underneath the emerald glow sat worsening affordability, deepening housing crises, visible urban deterioration, and growing public frustration about safety, infrastructure, and basic governmental competence. The contradiction became impossible to ignore.

Polis often seemed less interested in governing Colorado than in narrating Colorado — endlessly promoting an image of innovation while ordinary residents confronted a state increasingly unaffordable to live in.

The Wizard projected grandeur on the giant screen. Behind the curtain? Panic. Improvisation. Hollow performance. The problem with governing as branding is that eventually reality insists on participating.

The Politics of Evasion

Great leaders absorb political risk when principle demands it. Polis perfected the opposite instinct.

Again and again, he positioned himself slightly outside the emotional center of consequential debates, forever triangulating, forever calculating. During moments requiring moral force, he often defaulted to managerial language and carefully sterilized ambiguity.

That instinct has now reached its grotesque culmination in the Tina Peters clemency debacle.

The decision to commute the sentence of the former Mesa County clerk convicted in an election security breach tied to 2020 election conspiracy theories detonated across Colorado’s political landscape. Even members of Polis’s own party reacted with fury and disbelief. Critics argued the move rewarded election denialism while signaling weakness in the face of pressure from Donald Trump and his allies.

Polis defended the clemency as a response to sentencing disparity concerns after an appeals court questioned aspects of Peters’s sentencing. But politically — symbolically — the damage may already be irreversible.

Because the issue is no longer merely Tina Peters. The issue is collapse.

The Final Flame in the Inferno

Every failed governing regime has its final defining image:

For Richard Nixon, it was the helicopter departure from the White House lawn.
For Rudy Giuliani, it was Four Seasons Total Landscaping.

For Jared Polis, it may well be the moment he chose clemency for Tina Peters.

Not because the legal arguments are entirely frivolous. Reasonable debate exists over sentencing severity. But leadership is not merely legal interpretation. Leadership is moral comprehension. It is understanding the symbolic weight of decisions within historical context.

And this decision landed like gasoline on an already raging fire.

At precisely the moment democratic institutions remain under sustained assault by election conspiracists, Polis handed one of the movement’s most celebrated figures a political victory. Trumpworld rejoiced. Election deniers claimed vindication. Colorado Democrats openly revolted. The wizard’s machinery exploded in plain view.

Pay No Attention to the Man Behind the Curtain

That line from The Wizard of Oz endures because it captures an eternal political truth: power often depends upon performance more than substance.

Jared Polis mastered performance politics. But performances cannot govern forever.

Eventually citizens ask harder questions. What did this administration actually build? What moral vision did it defend? What crises did it truly solve? What courage did it display when courage became expensive?

And increasingly, the answers feel uncomfortably thin.

The great irony is that Polis spent years cultivating the image of the pragmatic adult in the room — the sophisticated governor above partisan hysteria. Yet his governorship may ultimately be remembered for collapsing into exactly the kind of muddled opportunism he once implied he transcended.

The Emerald City flickers. The smoke machine dies. And standing behind the curtain is not a visionary statesman. Just another politician desperately pulling levers while the audience finally sees the truth.

—————————
From: Politix INK
https://mikebroemmel.com/politix-ink

The post Guest Opinion: Why Jared Polis has disappointed us appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Editors note: YS serves the Boulder County and North Metro market, thus these are the representatives who won in 2024, in our market. We included Aurora’s Iman Jodeh, because of the active work she does to protect the rights of minorities across the spectrum.

Since tensions began building ahead of the 2024 presidential election, Colorado’s political landscape has grown increasingly polarized. As Donald Trump settles into his second term, the state’s representatives have fallen into three distinct camps: revolutionaries fighting for the people, peacekeepers prioritizing compromise, and those who’ve gone radio silent when Coloradans need their voices most.

At Yellow Scene Magazine, we’ve analyzed the post-inauguration records of Colorado’s key politicians using a clear and consistent lens: voting records, public statements, and legislative action. We looked not only at what these officials say but what they actually do. In particular, we’ve paid close attention to legislation: who prime sponsors bold bills versus who merely co-sponsors them. While co-sponsoring signals support, sponsoring a bill reflects initiative, leadership, and willingness to take the political heat. Our approach lets us cut through rhetoric and ask the real question: Are our politicians actions matching their message?

Who’s leading the resistance, who’s playing it safe, and who’s nowhere to be found? Here’s where Colorado’s leaders stand.

Ring Kissers, Peacekeepers and Revolutionaries

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THE REVOLUTIONARIES: Leading the Resistance

Iman Jodeh (D – Aurora)

Represents: Colorado State Senate, District 29

Status: Leading the Charge

Overview:

Since assuming office amid Trump’s inauguration chaos, Jodeh has emerged as Colorado’s most outspoken defender of civil rights. Her legislative record since January reads like a resistance playbook.

Key Areas of Focus:

Federal Resistance & Civil Rights

Sponsored SR25-005: Condemns Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to target non-citizens

Sponsored SB25-276: Aims to protect rights of Coloradan Immigrants

Co-founded the MENASA & Muslim Caucus to combat Islamophobia and defend immigrant rights

Healthcare

SB25-129: Protecting abortion privacy by prohibiting the collection of termination data

SB25-195: Maintaining rural addiction treatment programs threatened by federal cuts

Phil Weiser (D)

Office: Attorney General of Colorado

Status: Taking Trump to Court

Overview:

Weiser isn’t as loud as some of the others in this category, but his legal track record speaks volumes. He is quietly leading some of the state’s most aggressive challenges to Trump’s attacks on the rights of Coloradans.

Key Legal Actions:

Co-leading a multi-state lawsuit with the Governor to challenge Trump’s tariffs

Joined 15+ lawsuits and additional legal challenges against the federal administration

His lawsuits have aimed to protect key rights and services including medical funding, gender-affirming care, worker protections, public education, and birthright citizenship

Junie Joseph (D – Boulder)

Represents: Colorado House, District 10

Status: Fighting for Coloradans

Overview:

Rep. Joseph made history as one of Colorado’s first Haitian-American lawmakers and that background fuels her work. Her recent efforts focus on protecting marginalized communities from renewed federal threats.

Key Areas of Focus:

Social Justice

Sponsored HB25-1204: Increases protection for Native American Children in Colorado

Sponsored HB25-1309: Protects access to gender-affirming care

Led a press conference opposing Trump’s anti-immigration policies

Constituent Feedback: “She does a great job with creating laws that help the whole state, not just the narrow interests of the most privileged.” said one resident on social media.

Jena Griswold (D)

Office: Colorado Secretary of State

Status: Expanding Voting Rights Access

Overview:

Griswold has been a vocal and active defender of voting rights and leveraged her office to oppose federal threats to election integrity.

Key Areas of Focus:

Protecting Constitutional Democracy

Oversaw implementation of a groundbreaking Colorado law requiring in-person voting access for eligible individuals in jails and detention centers

Regularly uses her platform to push back against federal interference in election administration

Publicly denounced Trump’s “Integrity of Elections” executive order and vowed Colorado would not comply

Lorena Garcia (D – Westminster)

Represents: Colorado House, District 35

Status: Bold Online, Rising Offline

Overview:

Garcia is a bold advocate and a consistent presence at community events. While she’s outspoken online and active on the ground, we’re still waiting for a legislative record that matches the energy of her rhetoric.

Key Areas of Focus:

Advocacy

Regularly calls out the administration and posts calls to action

Posts regularly in support of trans and disability rights

Frequents community events, and town halls

Legislative Action

So far, has sponsored only two major bills: one on detainee rights and another supporting trans rights.

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THE PEACEKEEPERS: Fence Sitters

These Democrats typically toe the party line, but their leadership often feels lackluster when it matters more. They prioritize maintaining good standing within the party and avoid ruffling feathers. But when the moment calls for bold action, they fall short. At other times, their words and actions don’t align, as they try to cater to both sides and end up pleasing no one.

Judy Amabile (D – Boulder)

Represents: Colorado State Senate, District 18

Status: Focusing on Policy and Finance

Overview:

Judy Amabile brings a steady hand to the legislature, using her legal background to advance thoughtful, finance-focused protections. While she avoids overt political confrontation, her legislative record shows a consistent, if quiet, commitment to vulnerable communities.

Moments of Resistance:

Sponsored SB25-308 which pushes back on Medicaid cuts, defending access to care through budget policy

Co-sponsored targeted protections for immigrants and LGBTQIA2+ residents

Moments of Surrender:

Steers clear of naming federal threats or challenging Trump-era policies directly

No major public leadership on controversial national issues

Focuses on consensus-friendly topics like Mental Health Month Awareness

Jared Polis (D)

Office: Governor of Colorado

Status: Doing Nothing Special

Overview:

Governor Polis talks a good game and acts when it’s convenient but too often, he sides with corporations over Coloradans. He’s willing to act but will rarely risk much.

Moments of Resistance:

Led a multi-state lawsuit with AG Weiser to block Trump’s tariffs, citing harm to businesses and Americans. This comes off the back of his vow “to prevent tariffs that are bad for businesses and all Americans”

Issued an executive order to cut Colorado’s greenhouse emissions by up to 50%, countering federal climate inaction

Moments of Surrender:

Governor Polis is on track to break his veto record often rejecting legislation that would expand rights or protections.

Vetoed HB24-1008: Would have combatted wage theft in construction.

Vetoed HB24-1010: Would have curbed “white bagging” to give patients more pharmacy access.

Vetoed SB25-005: Would have made Union organization easier

Veto criticized as anti-worker.

Vetoed HB25-1291: Would have required new safety features for ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft.

Constituent Feedback: “There’s a lot going on nationally and I think people want to know that their governor is going to protect the things that are currently being threatened” Colorado Elementary School Paraprofessional, Rose Quinlan

Elliott Hood (D)

Office: CU Regent At-Large

Status: Keeping his head down

Overview:

Elliott Hood has positioned himself as a quiet bureaucrat. While he has supported legal challenges and faculty autonomy, his record is marked by a reluctance to confront controversy. Critics say he’s more concerned with preserving institutional calm than amplifying student voices or taking a principled stand in turbulent times.

Moments of Resistance:

Joined 21 universities in suing the federal government over research restrictions

Urged faculty to remain independent and resist external pressure

Issued statement supporting international student rights, but stopped short of committing to concrete action

Moments of Surrender:

Undermining free speech and academic protest at BU

Been asleep at the wheel as racial tensions escalated over a controversy involving Regent Wanda James and a CU anti-marijuana campaign, failing to address concerns from either side or defend a colleague facing what many call a racist smear campaign

Generally silent on the many big issues effect both the nation and higher education

Joe Neguse (D – North Central Region)

Represents: Colorado House, District 29

Status: Talks Progressive, Votes Moderate, Stays Silent When It Counts

Overview:

Neguse is a prolific legislator, ranked the second most effective Democrat in the 118th House but he’s remained silent on many of the issues his constituents care about most. From Palestine to affordable housing, his record shows caution where courage is needed.

Moments of Resistance:

Supported bills to protect air quality, firefighters, and public lands

Co-sponsored the American Teacher Act to raise teacher pay

Supported moderate reforms like the Keep Americans Safe Act

Moments of Surrender:

Co-sponsored a pro-Israel bill and ignored repeated calls from constituents to speak out against the genocide in Gaza and only issuing a vague statement calling for peace.

Has taken a backseat on Reproductive Rights. He co-sponsored basic access bills, but avoided leading on abortion rights or broader protections.

No major bills centered on Housing or Economic Justice

Co-sponsored rural tax perks, but ignored affordability and inequality.

Constituent Feedback: “He ignores people on issues that are difficult. He takes easy wins, like condemning Trump, but avoids the issues that matter most to the people who put him in office.” – Darren O’Connor

Lesley Smith (D – West Boulder)

Represents: Colorado House, District 49

Status: Concerned with E-Bikes, Not Emergencies

Overview:

Smith plays it safe. While she’s taken a few progressive votes, her legislative focus is overwhelmingly local and non-controversial. Her record reflects a reluctance to challenge national right-wing rollbacks or show bold leadership on broader justice issues.

Moments of Resistance:

Voted for bill to expand funding for immigrant services

Co-sponsored protections for transgender individuals

Moments of surrender:

 

Lesley’s priorities don’t align with meaningful resistance to the current administration.

Her 2025 bills have focused on issues like e-bike sales, landscaping, leak detection, and muffler regulations

Lesley has a hyperlocal agenda that sidesteps urgent national fights

Kyle Brown (D – East Boulder County)

Represents: Colorado House, District 12

Status: Bold on Trans Rights, Quiet Elsewhere

Overview:

Brown has been a leader in legislation to protect trans rights, but beyond that, his record leans bureaucratic not revolutionary. He has avoided direct confrontations with the federal administration and remained silent when it mattered most.

Moments of Resistance:

Prime sponsor for bills protecting access to gender-affirming care and ensuring death certificates reflect preferred pronouns.

Legislative focus on bureaucratic improvements like insurance regulation and health cost transparency.

Moments of Surrender:

Most other bills focus on non-controversial Health & Human Services issues.

No strong public stance against federal overreach

No press releases, no mention of the administration on Instagram since January and little to no Facebook presence.

Jenny Willford (D – Thornton)

Represents: Colorado House, District 34

Status: Staying the Course While the Stakes Rise

Overview:

Willford is quietly shaping strong, forward-looking legislation on public safety, environmental reform, and workers’ rights. But while her policy record is solid, she’s yet to channel that leadership into bold resistance to federal threats or visible advocacy on national crises.

Moments of Resistance:

Sponsored HB25-1291, targeting sexual assault prevention in ride-sharing apps

Sponsored HB25-1300, expanding access to medical care for injured workers

Co-sponsored bills expanding access to gender-affirming care and improving public education

Moments of Surrender:

None of her six prime-sponsored bills directly confront federal overreach

Silent on Trump-era authoritarianism and federal policy threats

No public leadership on resistance efforts or racial justice legislation

Brittany Pettersen (D – Jefferson County)

Represents: Colorado House, District 7

 

Status: Talking Big, Delivering Small

Moments of Resistance:

Publicly condemned Trump and Elon Musk’s USAID power grab as “unprecedented” and “unhinged.”

Pledged to “do everything I can” to fight back but has only introduced low-impact bills stuck in committee.

Moments of Surrender:

Focused on symbolic resolutions over substantive policy

Has continued to accept donations from AIPAC and resisted discussion of the genocide in Gaza

No major legislative accomplishments to date

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THE PEACEKEEPERS: Radio Silent

Missing Action, and staying out of the fray: A different flavor of peacekeeper that tends to be either engaged with smaller easier issues, or not engaged at all.

Sonya Jaquez Lewis (D- Lafayette–Longmont–Erie)

Represents: Colorado House, District 17

Status: Waving the White Flag

Overview:

Resigned Feb. 17, 2025

 

Lewis’s sudden departure left Longmont-Lafayette without representation during a critical legislative stretch. Her resignation followed an investigation into her treatment of aides, and it dealt a blow to the communities she represented as a member of both the LGBTQ and formerly the Democratic Latino caucuses.

Jason Crow (D – Central Colorado)

Represents: Colorado House, District 6

Status: Playing It Safe with Patriotic Posturing

Overview:

Crow leans on his credibility with veterans and anti-corruption rhetoric but shies away from louder, riskier fights. He talks tough in town halls, yet his public record shows a preference for consensus and silence on divisive issues.

Moments of Resistance:

Strongly condemned Trump’s move to dismantle USAID, asserting it exceeded presidential authority.

At a 2025 town hall, promised to defend the community against any political threat “with every ounce of my being.”

Introduced a bipartisan bill to strengthen VA health benefits for veteran firefighters.

Moments of Surrender:

Prioritizes bipartisan, non-controversial issues.

No press releases addressing Trump since his return to office.

Condemned Hamas, but silent on Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Shannon Bird (D – Broomfield)

Represents: Colorado House, District 29

Status: Steady and Strategic

Overview:

Bird is a Democrat who balances the party line, doing consistent and meaningful legislative work without stepping into controversy. She’s a respected advocate for education, criminal justice reform, and equity but stays out of the national spotlight and avoids direct confrontation with federal overreach.

Moments of Resistance:

Sponsored HB25-1278, which shortens and expands access to state tests, updates accountability rules, and improves education equity.

Sponsored HB25-1146, which ensures sufficient juvenile detention capacity in line with annual projections.

Prime sponsor on a variety of bills advancing social justice and equity

Moments of Surrender:

Minimal direct pushback on federal policies beyond HB25-1321, which opposes federal funding cuts.

No public statements or social media criticism of Trump or federal overreach.

No public opposition to Trump policies or direct call-outs on social

Lindsey Daugherty (D – Westminster)

Represents: Colorado Senate, District 19

 

Status: Picking her Battles

Overview:

Daugherty has taken a safe and calculated approach—passing broadly supported bills while steering clear of controversy. Despite representing a district with one of the highest Hispanic populations in the state, she has mostly avoided immigration issues, focusing instead on symbolic reforms and tech-friendly legislation.

Moments of Resistance:

Supported tech focused initiatives.

Sponsored SB25-298: removes “homosexuality” from the Colorado Criminal Code, a symbolic but meaningful step.

Moments of Surrender:

Sponsored or co-sponsored 30 bills, but only cosponsored a single bill related to immigration despite representing a district that’s 25% Hispanic.

Moderate, quiet stance on economic justice and structural inequality

Manny Rutinel (D – Adams)

Represents: Colorado House, District 32

Status: All Optics, No Opposition

Overview:

Rutinel stays visible in the district but avoids hard stances. Despite representing a heavily immigrant community, he’s chosen silence over confrontation and symbolism over substance.

Moments of Resistance:

Prioritizes being active in the community through regular office hours and local engagement

Voted yes on a modest pro-trans bill, his lone step into contentious territory

Moments of Surrender:

No pushback on Trump via social media, press releases, or legislation

Sponsored just four bills mostly low-risk and uncontroversial topics

Silent on immigration, despite high-need demographics

William Lindstedt (D – Broomfield/Brighton)

Represents: Colorado House, District 33

Status: Missing in Action

Overview:

Lindstedt has stayed quiet while federal threats mount, offering little in the way of legislation or advocacy.

Moments of Surrender:

No bill sponsorships directly challenging federal overreach or Trump-era priorities.

Rarely engages publicly minimal social media presence or statements.

Legislative focus centers on low-conflict consumer protection and tax incentives, including marijuana licensing reforms and business tax credits

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KISSING THE RING: Political Prowess Over The People

Jacque Phillips (D – Thorton)

Represents: Colorado State Senate, District 31

Status: Cracking down on Protestors

Overview:

Jacque Phillips isn’t just absent; she’s actively alienating her base. While she avoids public accountability and stays silent on national threats, her legislative energy has gone toward sponsoring a bill that would increase criminal penalties for refusing to leave property when ordered by police, a move constituents say would chill peaceful protest and protect state power over civil rights

Moments of Surrender:

Sponsored HB25-1142 which would have raised penalties for protest-related trespassing, widely interpreted as a direct threat to First Amendment rights

Has not publicly addressed criticisms. deflects questions to private emails or ignores them in public forums

Constituent Feedback:

“Every time I have seen someone question her about this in a public forum, she tells them to email her privately about it. She’s in a Facebook group called Thornton for Progress and her response there was a nightmare.” – one local wrote on Reddit

“These people know they can’t just straight up outlaw protesting, so they make laws around it to essentially make it illegal.” – another resident commented

John Hickenlooper (D)

Represents: United States House

Status: Compromising with Extremism

Overview:

From backing Trump-era cabinet picks to aligning with GOP foreign policy, Hickenlooper has chosen comfort over confrontation even as Colorado voters push for progressive leadership.

Moments of Resistance:

Called Trump’s tariff policies “reckless,” citing their damage to Colorado’s small businesses.

Co-sponsored bipartisan bills protecting medicated abortion access (e.g., Mifepristone).

Supported legislation to combat climate change and address Western wildfire

Moments of Surrender:

 

Voted against a resolution condemning U.S. aid to Israel during its assault on Gaza.

Confirmed 8 of Trump’s 21 cabinet picks, second highest among Democrats.

Voted with the Trump agenda on ~25% of roll calls, the highest rate in the Democratic caucus.

This despite the fact he is representing a state that chose Harris by 11% in the 2024 election

Michael Bennet (D)

Represents: United States Senate

Status: Giving Performative Pushback

Overview:

Bennet talks like a bold advocate for change but votes like a centrist in crisis. While he occasionally criticizes the party’s failures, he’s been more useful to Trump than Coloradans might expect, from backing fossil fuel allies to voting in lockstep with cabinet confirmations.

Moments of Resistance:

Publicly expressed being “furious” over Democratic inaction against Trump.

Doesn’t often go beyond party line progressive

Moments of Surrender:

Voted “Nay” on a resolution to halt U.S. aid to Israel during its assault on Gaza.

Confirmed 10 of Trump’s 21 cabinet picks —the highest rate of any Democrat.

Co-endorsed alongside Hickenlooper fracking executive Chris Wright for Energy Secretary, defying environmental priorities of Colorado voters.

Champions bipartisanship, even when it waters down resistance.

Constituent Feedback:

“I don’t feel represented, and it’s frustrating to see them not standing up for their constituents and their communities. I would like to see them take more of a stand against the administration and not bow down.” Northern Colorado Resident, Zara Noonan

Barbara Kirkmeyer (R – Larimer and Weld County)

Represents: Colorado State Senate, District 23

Status: Falling in Line

Overview:

Barbara Kirkmeyer talks bipartisanship but consistently defers to federal GOP priorities. She has actively discouraged resistance to Trump-era overreach, embracing a political strategy of appeasement masked as cooperation.

Moments of Surrender:

Backed Trump’s immigration crackdowns and supported federal budget cuts

Dismissed local resistance, telling Colorado not to “poke the bear”

Opposed welfare expansion and criticized COVID-19 prevention efforts

Frequent bipartisan co-sponsor, but votes in line with federal GOP goals

Dan Woog (R – Boulder and Weld County)

Represents: Colorado House, District 19

Status: Quietly Crusading Against Progress

Overview:

Dan Woog is a reliable voice for GOP orthodoxy, pushing a tough-on-crime, anti-climate agenda while avoiding public scrutiny. He actively blocks progressive policy and leans into right-wing priorities, without ever challenging Trump’s platform or legacy.

Moments of Surrender:

Helped kill a greenhouse gas disclosure bill by voting to “indefinitely postpone” it

Backed legislation defending natural gas usage and resisting decarbonization efforts

No public criticism of Trump, aligning instead with standard GOP talking points

Loud on law enforcement, silent on climate, consistently backing pro-GOP staples like economic growth through deregulation and carceral expansion

Gabe Evans (R – Adams & Weld County)

Represents: Colorado State Senate, District 8

Status: Bootlicking

Overview:

Gabe Evans has made a name for himself as a loyal enforcer of the Trump agenda, backing policies that expand federal control and erode local protections. He avoids constituent engagement while pushing legislation that aligns Colorado more closely with anti-immigrant and authoritarian federal tactics.

Moments of Surrender:

Sponsored the UPLIFT Act, gutting Colorado’s sanctuary policies and forcing local compliance with federal immigration enforcement

Refuses to hold in-person town halls, shutting out constituent voices

Mobilizes federal resources to expand local policing power

Praised Trump’s Justice Department lawsuit against CO in a press release

Publicly endorsed Trump’s tariffs, calling them “fair trade”

Silent on Trump-era rollbacks of climate protections and civil rights

Cast the deciding vote to defund Medicaid in the House budget reconciliation bill

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Analysis – The Stakes for Colorado

As Trump’s administration escalates attacks on environmental protections, voting rights, and immigrant communities, Colorado’s political response has been uneven—and at times, underwhelming. While leaders like Sen. Jodeh and Rep. Joseph have set a new standard for bold, unapologetic resistance, others remain stuck in a loop of performative gestures and political caution.

“If you’re a representative under Trump, you need to be bold,” says organizer O’Connor.  “Representatives like Neguse are careful and calculating and that does not serve constituents.”

A geographic fault line is clear: Denver-area lawmakers lead the fight, while many suburban and rural Democrats sidestep confrontation. In Boulder, some leverage policy expertise to push back quietly while others fall disturbingly silent, especially on international crises impacting local communities.

Three Distinct Camps Emerge

The Revolutionaries: Driving proactive legislation, showing up in communities, and calling out injustice directly.

The Peacekeepers: Cautious moderates who resist selectively, avoid controversy, and stay inoffensive.

The Ring-Kissers: Deferring to power, hiding behind bipartisanship, and putting career over constituents.

What This Means for Colorado

With the 2026 midterms on the horizon, voters in Colorado face a critical choice: reward bold resistance or settle for political safety. As one Westminster resident put it bluntly at a recent town hall:

“Democracy is under threat. Can we afford representatives who won’t fight for us?”

The answer could define not only Colorado’s political future but the resilience of resistance across the country.

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The post Ring Kissers, Peacekeepers and Revolutionaries: Which Colorado Representatives Stand for the People? appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

By Jason Gonzales, Chalkbeat Colorado (AP Storyshare)

Colorado would guarantee the right of Native American students to wear items such as eagle feathers and other traditional clothing at graduation ceremonies through a bill under consideration this year.

Federal law protects Native American religious and cultural rights. But students sometimes run into issues or find flat-out prohibition at schools when it comes to wearing regalia at ceremonies, advocates say. They say families must then fight to make districts aware of the importance of traditional clothing. Or students running into a lack of understanding might choose to skip graduation ceremonies altogether.

Senate Bill 202 would ensure K-12 schools, colleges, and universities create policies to protect Native American students so they don’t run into issues.

Sen. Jessie Danielson, a Wheat Ridge Democrat and co-sponsor of the bill, said she’s heard of school officials telling students they have to hide, remove, or even throw away regalia because of policies that maintain uniformity at graduations. She said some students have even reported school officials touched or confiscated students’ eagle feathers, a cultural and religious symbol.

“This bill clarifies for the school that you do not interfere with this,” Danielson said. “You cannot harass these students and prevent them from wearing their traditional regalia.”

Schools asking Native American students to remove or throw away items is like a school asking a student to get rid of a Jewish or Christian symbol, said Melvin Baker, Southern Ute Tribal Council chairman, during a Monday hearing.

He added that the United States has a history of trying to erase Native American culture, and the bill would ensure students get to honor their identity and their achievement.

“Tribal regalia plays a unique role for graduating native Native students,” Baker said. “These items are often gifted to students by parents or tribal elders in recognition of this achievement.”

The Native American Rights Fund receives many calls every spring from families across the country looking for support on how to ensure they can wear regalia at graduation ceremonies, said Matthew Campbell, the organization’s deputy director. It’s been a few years since he fielded a call from Colorado families, but he said families do sometimes run into trouble with schools.

“Usually, when we reach out to the schools and explain the importance of these items — once they understand — they usually will allow them to be worn,” Campbell said.

In recent years, some states have added teachings about Native American religion and culture. Other changes that try to create more respect toward Native American culture have happened, including a law Colorado passed last year that bans Native American mascots.

Colorado would join eight other states in ensuring Native American students can wear traditional regalia.

Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis, a Longmont Democrat co-sponsoring the legislation, said the goal is to make sure that every Colorado district understands.

The bill defines qualifying students as members of a tribe, eligible tribal members, or those of Native American descent. The bill says that immediate family members would also be allowed to wear traditional Native American dress during their students’ graduation ceremony.

Speakers at a Senate Education Committee hearing said traditional dress might include clothing, bracelets, necklaces, or eagle feathers. The bill needs a final vote in the Senate before heading to the House.

The bill doesn’t say how schools will ensure students have the right to wear traditional items, Jaquez Lewis said.

“We leave the details up to the school districts and the schools but what we do in this bill is we set guardrails,” she said.

Some districts have started to create policies.

Cherry Creek School District has created a ceremony for Native American students and is working on graduation ceremony policies, said Aspen Rendon, a partner with the district’s department of equity, culture, and community engagement. The district also has an indigenous action committee working toward creating a more inclusive district, Rendon said.

Jeffrey Chavez, the district’s indigenous and native student community liaison, said it’s important to recognize native traditions, especially in urban districts like Cherry Creek. Ensuring students get to wear their regalia at ceremonies helps carry on traditions.

“That’s how we honor ourselves and our community and family with those traditions,” he said.

Indigenous action committee member Donna Chrisjohn said a principal didn’t allow her son in 2020 to wear Native American regalia at his graduation ceremony. Her son ended up not participating in the ceremony.

She is glad the district is changing and happy to have helped make lawmakers aware of the issue.

“This is so impactful for all families to know that someone will not push back when their child decides that they want to show up as who they really are,” Chrisjohn said. “That’s a huge step in the right direction.”

Jason Gonzales is a reporter covering higher education and the Colorado legislature. Chalkbeat Colorado partners with Open Campus on higher education coverage. Contact Jason at jgonzales@chalkbeat.org.

The post Native American students’ right to wear regalia at graduation protected by Colorado bill appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

We asked all our candidates 6 questions on the same topics: Police Reform, Healthcare, Economy, Housing, Environment, and Special Areas of Concern.

US HOUSE REP. D2

Representative Joe Neguse:

Incumbent. Lives in Lafayette with wife Andrea and daughter Natalie. “As the son of immigrants to this country who were given a shot at the American dream, I decided to run for office because that dream is under assault now as never before.”

Thomas Atkinson:

Charlie Winn:

I’m a physician and a retired Navy captain, allowed me to see the impact America had on spreading democracy. The problem now is that we can’t work together as one people.

Police Reform: The police violence is not rampant. We see very few cases of those instances, and our perceptions of police officers are biased.

Healthcare: Patient-centered system by ensuring everyone has access to insurance coverage, personal physicians, health-savings accounts, generic medications, and affordable treatment options.

Economy: Young people have low hospitalization rates, so freeing the young people while isolating the vulnerable would help us boost the economy and reach herd immunity.

Housing: Complete forgiveness would help one side by harming the other. Need deferred loans that renters can pay back, with payroll protection plans that provide relief for landlords.

Environment: Man impacts the environment and we should protect the planet. Solar panels can’t be the exclusive source of our energy; implementing nuclear power provides increased energy, clean air, high-quality water, and more food sources.

Other: We need civility. We’ve lost it, and so we need our leaders and the people to start listening with more attentiveness and to start acting with more civility.

U.S. HOUSE REP D4

Bruce Griffith:

U.S. SENATE

Claire Levy:

Colorado House Representative for District 13 from 2006 to 2013, served as Minority Whip, and has since been the director for the Colorado Center on Law and Policy.

Police Reform: We need reform, we need accountability… standards for who gets to be a police officer… training so that they don’t overreact.

Health: We have inequity in our healthcare system.

Economy: We need to get this pandemic under control to help the economy.

Housing: We can’t expect landlords to forego rent perpetually. Just calling for a moratorium isn’t the solution… It goes back to getting federal assistance.

Environment: At the local level [we can] have policies that incentivize switching to renewable energy … and switching the transportation sector over to renewable energy.

Other: We need to be thinking about things that might appear to be smaller issues such as the cost of child care.

Marta Loachamin:

Experience in banking, finance, real estate, consulting, and teaching. Did community work on social justice, economic justice, housing, DACA, and predatory lending. Working on the disparate access to resources after the flood encouraged me to run.”

Police Reform: Form policies to alleviate systemic racism, work with the Sheriff’s Office to create substantial change, and improve the pipeline of care for our communities.”

Healthcare: Efficient COVID testing protocols for the county and accessible health care options for residents. Many aren’t aware of the health care educational programs the county offers.

Economy: The county can help small businesses get state contracts;, the county can help small businesses get in line, complete the application, and receive the contracts.

Housing: We have funding available for rent assistance that has not been used yet. Rental assistance was allocated to support struggling families; inform people about that resource and make the program accessible.

Environment: Continue climate action progress. Implement high-scale resolutions like electric vehicles or solar panels; Collaborate with residents to optimize natural resources, reduce carbon emissions, and utilize renewable energy.

Other: Get more people involved in local politics and more women, Latinos, and other minorities in leadership positions. We all have a role.

James Crowder:

I’ve lived in Boulder County since the mid 70’s. I’ve jumped into this race, at the prompting of others, to address some serious issues we’re facing. Looking at affordable housing and development costs, as well as unchecked lack of representation.

Police Reform: As a commissioner I can make sure we’re ensuring the rights of everyone, that justice is fair. I hope we can all cool down a little bit. I don’t consider the police my adversary.

Healthcare: I’m not a scientist. I read a lot of studies. What I’m seeing is we’re probably losing more lives because of the lock down than because of COVID. I don’t wanna take away a year of people’s livelihoods or education.

Economy: Let’s reopen the economy and let those with a zero percent chance of getting COVID go back to work. We can change these overwhelming regulatory policies. County can do a better job on roads.

Housing: Our system of Tort laws goes all the way back to the Magna Carta. The very idea that a commissioner can force someone to forgive the debt of another…it’s not within the law. I would not pursue a debt jubilee.

Environment: I don’t think the science is settled. The only thing I know for sure that I can do to prevent advanced CO2 buildup in the atmosphere is to stop breathing, and I’m not willing to do that.

Other: I’m worried about representation. I want to hold town halls in the evening and on weekends. I’ll be a servant to the people.

DA Michael Dougherty:

Incumbent. Continuing on our mission to enhance community safety while improving the justice system.

Police Reform: Priority of ours. Expanding restorative justice & diversion programs. Pre-charging mental health diversion program. Fresh start warrant clearing program. Marijuana clearing program. Selected to do a deep dive data analysis to identify racial inequities. Worked on, testified for, SB 217. Holding police accountable. They’re not above the law.

Building Trust: Premium on community outreach. Follow them on FB for info. Immigrant protection program. Partnership with NAACP, LGBT community members.

Areas of improvement: I would not declare any of these areas Mission Accomplished. Lots of work to do. Drug diversion. More opps for mental & behavioral health treatment. Prevent recidivism. Need to reimagine the justice system.

Other: Community safety: increased our efforts around domestic violence, sex assaults, and violent felony cases. Doing everything we can to prevent, but also responding right. Have to make changes with community support. Helped pass a wage theft bill, to support immigrants and others. Selected for a fellowship for the public rights project. Appointed by the governor to serve as co-chair of the sentencing reform task force to ensure fair sentencing. Homeless liaison in office to help support unhoused entering or exiting the criminal justice system.

WELD COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY

DA Michael Rourke: Incumbent.

Incumbent, continuing on I went to Chatfield HS, CU Boulder, and DU Law. In 2005, I began working in the Weld County DA’s Office. In 2007 I was promoted to Assistant DA. Appointed by then-Gov Hickenlooper to DA. Won election in 2016.

Police Reform: The body camera program increased accountability for defendants, officers, and evidence collection. We must identify bad apples and hold them accountable. We formed the Critical Incident Response Team to conduct unbiased and independent investigations into officer-involved shootings or use-of-force situations.

Building Trust: I require all of our prosecutors to engage in the community, whether it’s formal positions, volunteer efforts, or coaching youth sports. I also try to foster a cohesive relationship with residents by participating in community forums and being available.

Areas of Improvement: We have an excessive amount of crimes against children in Weld and Colorado, so we must hold those criminals accountable. We also see an uptick in violence, it’s hit concerning levels.

Other: Our diversion program is among the best in the nation. For adults and juveniles, we identify people who would benefit from the program, who shouldn’t be entrenched in the court system, and the program has been wildly successful with a 97 percent success rate over the last 15 years.

Michael Welch:

Attended University of Texas. Studied chemical engineering, worked in oil fields in N.M., and moved to Colorado to work in Weld. I fell in love with the people here, but they deserve a better government; another perspective would be beneficial.”

Police Reform: Increased funding allows us to hire better qualified officers, implement effective training programs, improve conflict resolution skills, and pay higher wages. Also increase dept. diversity and improve jail conditions.

Healthcare: Financial support to obtain advanced medical resources and equipment. I support the COVID advice of experts regarding mask wearing, social distancing, and testing protocols.

Economy: Maintain a safe environment to encourage shopping, increase business profitability. Investing in infrastructure to help attract businesses to generate jobs, revenue for communities.

Housing: I’d lobby the state to enact mortgage forgiveness. The challenges are going to continue into the foreseeable future. We need to assist them through the crisis.

Environment: The state EPA needs to be trusted, they’re experts in their field, and so we should strictly enforce their guidelines for environmental protection and resource sustainability.”

Other: I will listen to my district, have their best interests, and maximize use of tax money by allocating in ways that address their economic, health, and environmental needs.

CU REGENT

Callie Rennison:

20+ years as a criminologist working to solve problems and support those around her.

Police Reform: I’m for reimagining the police to where they’re more focused on protecting and serving.

Healthcare: I would love to see a Medicare-for-all type universal health care. I’d like to see it pulled out of work places.

Economy: I understand how hard it is for businesses. But we’ve got to get this [pandemic] behind us.

Housing: Tuition is very expensive and then housing on top of it, I’d love to ultimately see tuition be free.

Environment: We have amazing climate scientists or environmental scientists working on [climate change]. I think getting more funding to the people to do their work is critical.

Other: The Denver campus is slated to become an Hispanic serving institution in January, which is great news, but I think that we can even still do better there.

Kyle Brown:

Running unopposed.

SUPERIOR TRUSTEE

3 open seats. 2 endorsements.

Kevin Ryan:

A long time resident of Superior, Ryan is an active community member and has been on the Board since 2016.

Police Reform: At the national level, I do support some elements of police reform. I would love to see some of those dollars reallocated within a police department more for training and resources.

Healthcare: I support a regional approach.

Economy: We need to remind our neighbors to shop local. I’m grateful for the CARES Act.

Housing: Unfortunately, communities like Superior are no longer attainable. We have to have an affordable housing approach.

Environment: Global warming is real. I’m supportive of additional air quality monitoring.

Other: Bringing in the commercial core into Downtown Superior. To make sure that Main Street is delivered with the commercial property that was promised.

Tim Howard:

Running to protect the health and safety of family and residents of Superior.

Police Funding: It’s about allocating funding and resources. And we limit what police are required.

Health: I fully support the idea of universal healthcare. I do believe that the implementation of a public option with the Medicare/Medicaid programs would facilitate an eventual transition to a single payer system.

Economy: They enacted a grant program very quickly, which was excellent. We need to… expand it.

Housing: The eviction and mortgage foreclosure moratorium should be extended and the current solution, which is just to accumulate those amounts after the election is no solution at all.

Environment: There’s no reason that Superior shouldn’t be driving to 100% renewable energy by 2025.

Other: A requirement on any new development to have 15 to 20% of the units set aside for attainable homes.

Paige Hetchen:

Lived in Superior since 2016. 2 kids. Business background. Wants to invest in the community and make it a great place to live.

Police Reform: It’s clear we need to do something. Supported SB217. Support programs like [STAR] for appropriate response. Spoke out against officer Smyly being rehired by BOCO Sheriffs.

Healthcare: Take the role seriously. Make sure everyone is aware of services. Use position as a platform to advocate at state.

Economy: Support ongoing efforts in town (trustees did a good job, responded quickly). Expand programs. Hire full time Econ. Dev. person, whose duties include support to current businesses.

Housing: Disappointed in Polis not offering an eviction moratorium – compounds public health crisis. More local investors and developers. Subdividing parcels for attainability.

Environment: Climate, air quality, and water. Banning O&G. Restricting or banning natural gas in new building construction. Moving to elec. vehicles.

Other: Affordable/attainable housing -> diversity & inclusion. No current plan. Many ideas. A vision to have homes for everyone that works here.

Mark Lacis:

He currently serves as Mayor Pro Tem and was elected to the Town Board in 2016. Previously, he served on the Town’s Planning Commission.

Police Reform: We need to have trust. We need to reform policing as a whole, and actually serve and protect the community. (No policies offered.)

Healthcare: Everybody should be entitled to healthcare, as a right. I support the ACA. We listen to the scientists and data gathered by CDPH and BCPH.

Economy: We have done two rounds of grants, over $300K. Strong proponent of doing everything we can. Some businesses have failed. Keep property taxes low.

Housing: In favor of [town’s] first ever affordable housing ordinance, redeveloping Superior marketplace to include a substantial residential housing component – a great infill project.

Environment: Existential crisis of our generation. Passed tough O&G regulations, strict setbacks. Testified at the Capitol in favor of SB181. Banned Glyphosate as a known carcinogen. Piloted program to bring goats to mow open space. Wants town to be powered by 100% renewables by 2022. Recruit environmentally friendly contractors to build Superior.

Other: Development of downtown. Diversify sales tax base. Improve quality of life. Address local airport noise.

Gladys Forshee: 

Did not return requests for interview.

Sonya Jaquez Lewis:

Pharmacist, Educator and first Latina/LGBTQ legislator from Boulder County. Sonya has passed laws for Environment, HealthCare access, Childcare and Business Relief.

Police: I’m very proud to have been a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 217 which is the leading national legislation passed to date on police accountability and reform here in Colorado.

Healthcare: I happen to be the sponsor of the prescription drug importation bill.

Economy: We cannot fix our economy until we do something about the pandemic.

Housing: The governor and the Legislature took quick action and we passed some eviction protections. This is going to be a matter of funding.

Environment: We have to increase the use of solar and electric.

Other: We have to save our education funding by defeating [proposition 116 and 117].

Matt Menza:

The state needs real leadership.

Police Reform: Programs for mental health response to keep people having a temporary mental health issue from being shot or killed.

Healthcare: Big advocate on mental health access…to every corner of the state.

Economy: Take restrictions off and allow them to have more autonomy. The Gallagher Amendment repeal will … open up pandora’s box for taxation. We need to be business friendly.

Housing: We all have an obligation to pay our bills. There are some grants and some loans that people can get.

Environment: You can’t demonize O&G. Renewables don’t provide enough energy to meet our energy needs. We need to focus on the energy grid…we lose a third of energy from power plant to homes. Need to look at superconductivity, fusion…

Other: Unintelligible.

CO STATE SENATE D18

Steve Fenberg:

Believes politics is about improving people’s lives and the world we live in. It’s why he’s dedicated his life to fighting for public interest.

Police Reform: I definitely support police reform.” “Including the use of tear gas and pepper spray, but also enforcing the use of body cams.

Healthcare: If you get a surgery and it doesn’t work, then maybe you shouldn’t have to pay for it.

Economy: Rethink on how we invest in public infrastructure and public systems.

Housing: We need to do more to protect renters and make sure that everyone has a roof over their heads.

Environment: I support a path towards 100% renewables as fast possible. I think that means shutting down coal plants earlier.

Other: Make sure we are vigilant … and continue to improve our election system.

Peg Cage:

Did not return request for interview.

Edie Hooten:

Since being elected in 2016 to the same position, focused on reproductive rights, access to quality education, and voter participation.

Police Reform: I follow the lead of the black and brown caucus members on police reform.

Healthcare: Health care is a human right and it should not be portioned out based on an ability to pay.

Economy: Citizens who are willing to cooperate, wear their masks, and lower the transmission rate, support local business.

Housing: We can afford to support landlords in keeping them whole on their mortgage obligations and assisting them in keeping renters housed.

Environment: Get ourselves off of fossil fuels, we have to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And it has to be dramatic.

Other: Keeping people housed is absolutely critical, finding housing for those unhoused… has to be on the forefront of our policy decisions.

Mark Milliman:

Worked in energy and telecommunications for 20 years. Global travelling experience broadened my mind. Colorado is not handling the virus correctly and we need non-political discussions to beat the pandemic and avoid mental health issues.

Police Reform: Abusive force from officers is wrong. Fix it with better training and no-knock warrant reforms. Unfortunate to label all law enforcement professionals as bad. I’m fully supportive of law enforcement.

Healthcare: Our healthcare system is a mess. We must make the process more efficient for doctors and more affordable for patients.

Economy: We need to just allow schools and businesses to reopen, enable restaurants to reopen at full capacity, and remove the regulations that increase costs and limit profits.

Housing: We can’t give rent or mortgage forgiveness because the owners of the properties  have to pay their bills too. But if people lost their jobs they should not be evicted.

Environment: The jury is still out on man-made climate change. We should find cleaner energy sources, solar and wind cannot accommodate our needs; nuclear energy is more effective.

Other: We need to give parents options that can keep their children safe and expand broadband services throughout both urban or rural areas.

Karen McCormick:

I grew up in a military family because my Dad was in the Navy, and so the concept of service to the country was always in my DNA. I want to bring my scientific values, problem-solving skills, and compassionate attitude to the Statehouse.”

Police Reform: “We should direct resources to areas where we would be helping the police. Partnering with mental health professionals would help.

Healthcare: Protocols that accommodate scientific data to help manage the pandemic and maintain public safety. Improve the healthcare system by making insurance more accessible, treatment more affordable, and by offering preventive checkups.

Economy: Federal stimulus packages would help small companies. In Colorado, robust test and trace programs would provide safe environments for consumers, progressive tax structures would allocate more resources for communities.

Housing: Bridge programs to assist the renters and landlords. Support affordable housing thresholds, such as the 12 percent goal in Boulder.

Environment: Responsibility to protect the planet, technology to do so. Community solar gardens, electrification projects, utilize geothermal and battery storage, implement carbon sequestration.

Other: I’ll be accessible and available to all my constituents. I’m also passionate about being able to represent the Latinx. 20 percent of my district is Latinx.

Tracey Bernett:

Change happens at the grassroots level. Personal reasons: wants to address the climate/air, work on healthcare costs.

Police Reform: Supports BLM, supports programs to send non-police responders. Not defunding the police, spending it wisely.

Healthcare: Supports the public option. Shift to more preventative care. Increase telemedicine. Health & safety come first. Rapid/at home testing.

Economy: Entrepreneur, understands issues. More stimulus money, CARES act, get rid of TABOR, supports Fair Tax Colorado.

Housing: Value: evicting people isn’t right, will add to the crisis, treat people with compassion.

Environment: We need to do a lot more: address energy efficiency, 100% renewables, modernize grid, electrify public/private transportation and buildings, carbon sequestration, community solar. Bring everyone along, not just people who can afford Teslas, including O&G workers

Other: Education and Equity. More funding for education (kill TABOR).

Eric Davila:

Proud Chicano Coloradan transplant from East L.A. Moved to Boulder in 2002 and living in Louisville for the last thirteen years. Fiscally conservative, socially liberal.

Police Reform: I believe every station has room for reform and for improvement. I do not support the violence against the police. I do not support the organization called Black Lives Matter.

Healthcare: Upfront pricing for medical procedures. As far as forced reform of government funded single payer health care. I’m not for that.

Economics: We are smart enough to make our own decisions for ourselves. It’s the government’s role to advise us.

Housing: We need to maintain the housing for those people have been displaced…on a temporary basis so long as that there’s a venue or avenue for them to find employment.

Environment: The lack of forest management and adequate forest management because of unintended consequences from well meaning legislation.

Other: I would like to stop the Californication of Colorado.

Judith Amabile:

Boulder resident since 1975. Founded and ran a water bottle company for 25 years. Formed Good Business CO to advocate for economic policies that are good for workers.

Police Reform: More money for mental health support. Less for police and CJ system. Racial justice is an economic issue.

Healthcare: Paid family leave. Decouple employment from health insurance. Expand service delivery to rural areas.

Economy: No economic recovery w/o health, so curb the spread. Support businesses however we can. Make sure people don’t lose housing.

Housing: Protect people. Subsidize rents. Extend mortgages. Relax occupancy limits (Polis).

Environment: Need a path to renewable energy. We have to get off fossil fuels…in a just transition. Convert buildings and vehicles to electricity. Defend ourselves, build resiliency. Address fires and drought. Stop taking water.

Other: Getting through COVID. Access to mental healthcare. Homelessness.

Kevin Sipple:

I will continue to work to improve Colorado. I support the environment, police, education, fiscal responsibility, life, freedom, and the American Way.

Police reform: I am a strong supporter of the police. The city of Boulder Police are pretty good, and I know there’s some controversies that pop up now and then.

Health: I do support the efforts of the various health departments. We basically just told them [China] how to beat America. It’s time for us to open the economy back up and open schools.

Economy: Grass roots efforts to support businesses.

Housing: If someone’s stopping paying rent, and you totally exclude a landlord from getting rid of that person. The landlord isn’t going to be able to pay his mortgage.

Environment: California has made some major mistakes. Roughly 20 years ago, they stopped maintaining the forests and stopped prescribed burns and logging.

OTHER: This gross reservoir expansion is supposed to take all this water out of the Frazer river…and there isn’t enough water. The Colorado River is over-subscribed.

Geneiveve Schneider:

Past Dacono City Council member, and part of the planning commision and Police Advisory Board, Schneider supports reproductive rights, workers rights and protections, and education.

Police Reform: Let’s make the police deal with crime and criminals and then have social programs for the things that they shouldn’t be involved in.

Health: We need to make these accessible. We need to make them either low cost or free.”

Economy: We can’t expect small businesses to stay open if individuals have no finances to support them.

Housing: Chase Manhattan losing money on a mortgage is not gonna bring down the economy.

Environment: We need to move away from fossil fuels.

Other: I want to protect reproductive rights and women’s rights. I want to end the school to prison pipeline.

Joe Johnson:

Did not return request for interview.

JUDICIAL RETENTION

CO SUPREME COURT:

Justice Melissa Hart:

Recommend for retention

Justice Carlos A. Samour jr:

Neutral on retention

CO COURT OF APPEALS:

Judge Craig R. Welling:

Neutral on retention

Judge Ted C. Tow III:

Recommend for retention

20TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT

Judge Judith L. LaBuda:

Neutral on retention

Judge Patrick Butler:

Do not recommend retention, with prejudice

Judge Ingrid Seftar Bakke:

Recommend for retention

Judge Andrew Ross Macdonald:

Recommend for retention

Judge Nancy Woodruff Salomone:

Recommend for retention

CHIEF DISTRICT  COURT JUDGE: 20th

Chief Judge Bakke:

Recommend retention

BOULDER COUNTY COURT

Judge Jonathon P. Martin:

Neutral on retention

PROPOSITIONS, BALLOT MEASURES, AND QUESTIONS

Amendment B:

Gallagher Amendment Repeal and Property Tax Assessment Rates Measure

A “yes” vote supports repealing the Gallagher Amendment, which set residential and non-residential property tax assessment rates in the state constitution. We find tax policy should respond to the era, not be stuck in a constitution. It allows the legislature to freeze property tax assessment rates at the current rates (7.15% for residential property and 29% for non-residential property) and more, while continuing to require voter approval for rate increases due to TABOR. We want to toss out TABOR as well. For now, this will do.

YES on B

Amendment C:

Charitable Bingo and Raffles Amendment

Currently, charitable organizations must exist for five (5) years before obtaining a charitable gaming license. Amendment C would lower the charitable organization’s need to exist before obtaining a gambling license to three (3) years. It would also allow these organizations to hire managers and operators so long as they are not paid more than minimum wage rather than having unpaid volunteers. Has largely bipartisan support and sponsored by two republicans and two democrats. We’re not opposed to gambling, but we do appreciate robust regulation. We are neutral on this proposition.

NEUTRAL on Amendment C

Amendment 76:

Non-citizens voting

Non-citizens are not allowed to vote in any election, anywhere in the United States. The point of this amendment is unclear, except to codify a racist, nativist, nationalist attitude into Colorado law. A “no” vote opposes amending the Colorado Constitution, instead maintaining the current language that says “every citizen” of the U.S. who is 18 years of age or older can vote in Colorado. For these reasons, and to avoid providing a foothold for xenophobic policy to build on, we emphatically suggest a No vote on Amendment 76.

NO on 76

Amendment 77:

Gambling – Central City, Black Hawk , Expanded Gaming Types and Bet Limits

This would allow the voters of Central City, Black Hawk, and Cripple Creek, for their individual cities, to approve other games and increase a maximum single bet to any amount. Voters of the individual cities would also be able to allow gaming tax revenue to be used to support services to improve student retention and credential completion by students enrolled in community colleges.

YES on 77

Proposition EE:

Nicotine tax

With the goal of raising tax money for schools, housing development, and to maintain as reserve, and to discourage the consumption of a dangerous, deadly carcinogen product, we find no reason to be against this proposition. A “yes” vote supports creating a tax on nicotine products such as e-cigarettes, increasing cigarette and tobacco taxes, and dedicating revenues to various health and education programs. While we would prefer more clarity around the “initially” language, with an understanding of future tax use, we do still recommend a YES vote.

YES on Proposition EE

Proposition 113:

Colorado National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Referendum

The Colorado National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Referendum would affirm the Colorado General Assembly’s passage of Senate Bill 19-042, which entered Colorado into the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact to ensure Colorado’s Electoral College votes are awarded to the winner of the nationwide popular vote in presidential elections. The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact would not take effect until an Electoral College majority of states joins. As of August 2020, 14 states and the District of Columbia have passed legislation that would trigger the compact in the event 270 Electoral College votes are achieved. We firmly believe the national popular vote winner should be president; one person, one vote.

YES on 113

Proposition 114:

Restoration of Gray Wolves

The Colorado Gray Wolf Reintroduction Initiative directs the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to reintroduce and manage the population of gray wolves in specific areas of the state by the end of 2023. There is no reason to deny an ancient species access to its homelands and we are fully committed to biodiversity. A “yes” vote is a howl for wolves.

YES on 114

Proposition 115:

22-week Abortion Ban Initiative

Prop 115 would make it a Class 1 Misdemeanor to perform or attempt to perform an abortion on a fetus deemed older than 22 weeks. Because we support abortion and women’s bodily autonomy, and we understand that these procedures are rare, and doctors should not be penalized for doing their jobs, and legislation on which to build further restrictions on women’s bodies are a no go. A “no” vote defeats this anti-women legislation.

NO on 115

Proposition 116:

Decrease Income Tax Rate from 4.63% to 4.55% Initiative

In a Colorado with complicated strangleholds of tax policy choking off needed revenue for the state and local municipalities, a proposition to reduce the state income tax rate from 4.63% to 4.55% makes little sense, while costing big bucks. We are against this for all the reasons that people who like to live in a well educated, well funded, safe, healthy state would be against it. A “no” vote tells the state we want to live in a great state, that’s well funded.

NO on 116

Proposition 117:

Enterprise Fees

We cannot in good conscience, or with a basic understanding of the serious necessity of states to be able to raise taxes to support state needs, support the expansion or broadening of TABOR, the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, which is less a bill of rights than well coordinated anti-state propaganda. This proposition seeks to impose more limits on the state’s functioning where it sees an opportunity to do so. A “no” vote opposes requiring statewide voter approval of new state enterprises.

NO on Proposition 117

Proposition 118:

Healthcare Paid Medical and Family Leave

Paid family and medical leave has always been a critical staple of modern societies (excluding the US), and is even more so in the pandemic world. It would require job protection for and prohibit retaliation against an employee who takes leave. Because we believe that Colorado can and should be better, and do more to protect the health and life of fellow Coloradans, a “yes” vote is a vote for paid family and medical leave.

YES on Proposition 118

BOULDER BALLOT MEASURES

2B: No Evictions without Representation | YES on 2B

2C: Public Service Company Franchise: Xcel monopoly of heat provision for 20 years |   NO on 2C

2D: Utility Occupation Tax extension  | YES on 2D

2E: Direct Election of the Mayor via Ranked Choice Voting |  YES on 2E

2F: Charter Amendment Related to the Boulder Arts Commission, changes board to seven members, staggers terms   |  YES on 2F

LONGMONT SPECIAL ELECTION BALLOT QUESTION

Question 3C: Water system improvement tax  |  YES on 3C

Question 3D: Extend city leases from 20 to 30 years  |  YES on 3D

LOUISVILLE BALLOT QUESTIONS

Question 2A: Disposable Bags tax  |  NEUTRAL on Louisville 2A

St. Vrain and Left Hand Water Conservancy District

Ballot Issue 7A: Mill Levy Increase  |  YES on 7A

Sunshine Fire Protection District

Ballot Issue 6A: Fire District Funding if Gallagher repeal passes  | YES on 6A

Baseline Water District Ballot

Issue 6B: Removes Term Limits for Board Members  |  Yes on Issue 6B

EDITOR’S NOTE: Local Votes, Local Change

Many have said that this is the biggest election of our lifetime. I used the same refrain last year, and in the years before, as the inner machinations of the democratic party revealed themselves and the Republican party was swallowed up by Trumpian fascism. The truth is, every election matters and, by default, especially in a failing democracy like ours, that means they don’t matter as much as we want them to; especially not at the highest levels. We currently have a choice between two presidents (though you can definitely vote Third Party), neither of whom is a favorite of the majority of the American people.

Please vote for a president. We do believe Trump needs to go, even if we don’t think Biden is a stellar replacement. Instead, here in this guide, we focus on where we can have real impact, where we can make change, where we can see the best and brightest of our neighbors and community members elected to office. At the local level we see people who know the streets, understand the waterways, work on the campuses, show up at the protests, and speak up at the community meetings. We know their histories of involvement. With that knowledge, with those aims, we thought long and hard, investigated, interrogated, and internally debated the merits of the argument and qualifications of the candidates.

These are our determinations. Use them as you will. As for us, in the Big Red House in Erie Village working hard to put out your monthly Yellow Scene and this annual Election Guide, we’re voting to create the Boulder County and the state of Colorado that we hope to see, that we want to live in. Vote like your life depends on it because, in an America that doesn’t actually want a lot of us to vote, you’re voting for more than just yourself.

Yours in the Struggle,

De La Vaca

Managing Editor, Yellow Scene

The post Yellow Scene Election Guide 2020: GO VOTE! appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.