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Elections Archives - KGNU Community Radio
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Today is primary election day in Colorado. Voters will choose candidates for US congressional races, the state House of Representatives, state Senate, and other city and county offices. This year, there’s quite a bit of dark money floating around the state primaries. At least, that’s what Boulder Weekly Editor-in-Chief, Shay Castle, says. In an article for the Weekly, Castle reports that more than one million dollars are being funneled to local candidates from groups with undisclosed donors.
Listen:
- play_arrowMorningMagazine_2024-06-25Philip Armour Transcript:
Jackie Sedley: Today is primary election day in Colorado. Voters will choose candidates for U.S. congressional races, the state House of Representatives, state Senate, and other city and county offices, And what’s a statewide election without some drama?
This year, there’s quite a bit of dark money floating around the state primaries. At least, that’s what Boulder Weekly editor in chief, Shay Castle, says. In an article for the Weekly, Castle reports that more than one million dollars are being funneled to local candidates from groups with undisclosed donors.
Shay’s with us in the studio this morning to shine a light on this funding. Good morning, Shay.
Shay Castle: Good morning.
Sedley: So, when you say dark money, explain what that means exactly.
Castle: Dark money is not a technical term, it’s a layman’s term, and it generally refers to spending by groups like PACs or SuperPACs. Um, on the federal level, that’s what they’re called.
Again, that’s a colloquial term. What they actually are is Independent Expenditure Committees. And these are groups that can raise an unlimited amount of money, and they can accept money from other groups. other groups, that is other political organizations, other corporations, things of that nature. And they do have to disclose the groups that give them money.
But unlike, say, a candidate committee, which is limited to a certain expenditure from individuals and can only accept money from individuals or small donor committees, and they also have to list out every individual that gives them money, independent expenditure committees or PACs, Only have to list the groups that give them money.
And the groups that give them money don’t have to list out their individual donors. So you have, in this race, for instance, um, a political group that’s tied to charter schools giving a lot of money. Um, and then you have, you know, um, political and local arms of national political parties giving money, things like that. And that’s where the term dark money comes from, is that you don’t, at the end of the day get to an individual name. This person gave this amount of money.
Sedley: Hmm. So you mentioned the charter schools. Talk a little more about that and other places that this corporate PAC money has notably shown up in these primaries.
Castle: Well, the spendiest race on Boulder County ballots is the race for the State Board of Education, the District 2 seat. That’s, um, Marisol Rodriguez and Kathy Gebhardt are going for that in the Democratic primary. And, um, The, the dark money that has gone into that race has largely been in support of Marisol Rodriguez. I do want to clarify these independent expenditure committees.
They do not work with the candidates. They’re legally barred from working with the candidates In fact, when I called Judy Amabile who’s running for Senate District 18 She also received some of these, some of this dark money. She wasn’t even aware that she had received it. Didn’t know who the group was, didn’t know anything about it.
So, you-they are technically not allowed to coordinate, uh, now on the local level, which has similar rules we have seen sometimes that they do, but that’s the law, they don’t coordinate, the candidates, it’s not like their money is going directly to Marisol, but they are spending, for instance, on like newspaper ads, Um, internet ads, direct mailers that you might have received, that, those groups are spending on behalf of Marisol to either oppose Kathy or to support Marisol.
Lots of the mailers have been touting the fact that she’s endorsed by Governor Jared Polis, for instance, or attacking her opponent, Kathy Gebhardt. Um, and the, the group that’s given the most money is tied to the Colorado League of Charter Schools. And, um, there’s been some wonderful reporting on this from the Colorado Sun of, of why they might be spending in this race is that the state board of education can overrule school districts when they either approve or deny a charter school to form.
And I, I, the speculation is that, um, even though Kathy and Marisol say they are quite even, uh, And have similar views on charter schools. It seems to be the belief that Marisol Blight might be more friendly to charter schools than Kathy. And so this would be a decisive seat, um, depending on who gets elected.
And, you know, as the Colorado Sun wrote, and others have speculated, kind of like, quote unquote, “the future of charter schools might depend on this, who wins this election.”
Sedley: Does it seem like, based on the reporting about this dark money and the potential public awareness of it, that that would impact the election outcomes? Or are the advertisements and advocacy that the dark money is promoting, does that have the potential to overrule those opinions.
Castle: I think there’s good potential either way. And I do want to say I’m slightly out of my depth. This is my first state election versus local. So there are certainly people who could speak to this better.
But I think there are voters whose values are I’m not going to vote for a candidate who has been the beneficiary of dark money, which by the way, Kathy has as well, just not nearly as much, um, as Marisol. Um, so that, if that’s a value of yours, 100%, I understand that, but there are other things that other voters might consider. Um, Kathy has an incredibly long career in education, as does Marisol. Marisol is pitching herself as, you know, she would be the only member on the Board of Education with kids in school, which seems. To her at least, and maybe to some others to be pretty important. Um, there are, you know, many factors that, that voters consider.
Uh, so I don’t really like to speak to the motivation of voters ’cause I can never know their minds. But I imagine that it will play a role both ways. People seeing these mailers, seeing like, oh, she’s endorsed by Governor Polis, he’s endorsed by the woman who had the district two C already. Um, she does have kids in school. That’s important. She’s very progressive and, um, very outspoken against, you know, the conservative kind of takeover of school boards and, and people also weigh in Kathy’s experience. And, um, so how people make up their minds, that’s a personal, personal decision.
Sedley: And speaking of people making up their minds, I saw that Boulder Weekly isn’t doing endorsements this year. And I wanted to ask you what led to that decision?
Castle: Well, this is the first time we’ve ever done primary coverage. And the reason we did that is because. in these heavily Democratic districts, um, where, you know, I went back on Boulder County ballots at least and no Republican has won any of these seats that have existed because we just did a, you know, redistricting for at least the last 15 years. So whoever wins the Democratic primary in a lot of these cases is going to be the winner of, of the seat. And so it’s where the action’s happening. But my staff and I, I’ve never cared to do endorsements. I hate telling people how to vote and my staff agreed that we would rather just give people the information they need to make a choice based on their own values.
Sedley: And with just a couple of minutes left here, what is that information that people can use to make their decisions, uh, getting a bit into some of the candidates and races on the ballot this year that stick out to you?
Castle: Absolutely. Well, we have a, um, CU Regent seat at-large that’s up. That board has been Democrat majority for a few years and, um, may remain so. It’s unclear, but I think that’s an interesting one just because of the, you know, cost of tuition and the cost of living. And one of, as one of the candidates said to me, you know, CU is is like the third largest employer in the state. I might be getting these numbers wrong, but basically it’s a huge employer. It’s a huge recipient of, of public funds. And most people don’t even know what a region is or what it does. Um, there’s the district 10 race for the Colorado house, which is Junie Joseph facing her first primary challenge. Um, there was, uh, we did Um, profiles of, like, questionnaires from candidates, every candidate who responded to us, who was on the ballot, which was most of them, and then we did sit down or phone interviews with all of the candidates in contested races, um, we traced the money, so that’s all available at boulderweekly.com. A couple things stuck out to me.
The first, um, is that there are more landlords running than there are renters. There’s exactly one renter on the Boulder County ballot, and that’s Junie Joseph, and I think that just continues to be a really underrepresented group, especially given that half of Boulder are renters. Um, so that was interesting, but, but mostly, I think, you know, you know, we just have a lot of very qualified and interesting candidates, and some slightly more progressive, some more moderate, some with lots of experience, some with less so, and um, yeah, I don’t think there are necessarily any bad choices.
Sedley: Boulder Weekly Editor in Chief Shay Castle talking about today’s primary elections in Colorado. Thanks for joining us, Shay. Appreciate you.
Castle: Thank you.
Sedley: And once again, all ballots must be returned by 7 p. m. tonight. You can drop off your mail in ballots at polling places all over the state. It’s too late to mail them in. Polls opened at 7 this morning and will remain open once again until 7 p. m. tonight.
The post What is “dark money,” and how is it impacting Boulder’s local elections? appeared first on KGNU Community Radio.
Important dates:* Monday, June 17: Deadline to register to vote and still receive a ballot in the mail. * Tuesday, June 25: Primary election day. Polling stations open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Ballots must be returned by 7 p.m.
Who gets a ballot?* Voters who are registered with a political party, and voters who are registered as unaffiliated. * Registered Democrats will receive a Democratic primary ballot. * Registered Republicans will receive a Republican primary ballot. * Unaffiliated voters will receive both Democratic and Republican primary ballots, however, they may only return one. If both ballots are returned, both ballots will be rejected. * Third party registered voters will receive a primary ballot IF their party didn’t select candidates at nominating conventions.
What is on the ballot?* Congressional, state, and local primary races.
How to vote?* Register to vote at GoVoteColorado.com. * Mail-in ballots are being sent to registered voters starting June 3. * If you want to vote by mail, you must register to vote by June 17. * In-person voting centers will be open across the state by June 17. Find your local voting center here. [insert link to your local clerk and recorder’s office] * All ballots must be returned by 7 p.m. on June 25.
What else do I need to know?* You can track your ballot at BallotTrax. * Everyone who votes in person at the polls must provide identification. If you are casting a ballot by mail for the first time, you may also need to provide a photocopy of your identification when you return your mail ballot. This is a list of acceptable forms of identification.
2nd Congressional District* Boulder, Weld, Clear Creek, Eagle, Gilpin, Grand, Jefferson, Larimer, Summit, Jackson, and Routt counties.
Boulder County Democratic Party ballot candidates* Representative to the 119th United States Congress – District 2: Joe Neguse * State Board of Education member – District 2: Kathy Gebhardt and Marisol Lynda Rodriguez * Regent of the University of Colorado- at large: Elliott Hood and Charles “CJ” Johnson * State Senator – District 17: Sonya Jaquez Lewis * State Senator – district 18: Judy Amabile and Jovita Schiffer * State Representative – District 10: Junie Joseph and Tina Mueh * State Representative – District 11: Karen McCormick * State Representative – District 12: Kyle Brown * State Representative – District 19: Jennifer Lea Parenti * State Representative– District 49: Lesley Smith and Max Woodfin * District Attorney – 20th Judicial District: Michael T. Dougherty * County Commissioner – District 1: Claire Levy * County Commissioner– District 2: Marta Loachamin * County Coroner: Jeff Martin
Boulder County Republican Party ballot candidates* Representative to the 119th United States Congress – District 2: Marshall Dawson * Regent of the University of Colorado – At Large: Eric Rinard * State Senator – District 17: Tom Van Lone * State Representative– District 10: William B. DeOreo * State Representative– District 11: Kathy Reeves and Terri Goon * State Representative– District 12: Robert Mahler and Mark Milliman * State Representative– District 19: Dan Woog * State Representative– District 49: Steve Ferrante * County Commissioner – District 2: Donald “Don” Lewis
2024 campaign finances:How much money each candidate’s committee has raised as of June 17:
- State Board of Education – District 2: $1,118,294*
- Kathy Gebhardt: $70,720
- Marisol Lynda Rodriguez: $32,930
*Figure includes $1,014,644 in spending by an independent expenditure committee. Learn more
- CU Regent – At Large: $260,253
- Elliott Hood: $149,186
- Charles “CJ” Johnson: $108,852
- Eric Rinard: $2,214.95
- SD17: $20,001
- Sonya Jaquez Lewis: $19,901
- Tom Van Lone: $100
- SD18: $515,896*
- Judy Amabile: $203,727.92
- Jovita Schiffer: $30,301.48
*Figure includes $281,867 in spending by an independent expenditure committee. Learn more
- HD10: $183,970*
- Junie Joseph: $102,725
- Tina Mueh: $63,593
- William B. DeOreo: $0
*Figure includes $17,652 in spending by an independent expenditure committee. Learn more
- HD11: $36,734.06
- Karen McCormick: $36,734.06
- Kathy Reeves: $0
- Terri Goon: $0
- HD12: $48,932.50
- Kyle Brown: $48,932.50
- Robert Mahler: $0
- Mark Milliman: $0
- HD19: $34,542.98
- Jennifer Lea Parenti: $15,047.18
- Dan Woog: $19,459.50
- HD49: $77,498.46
- Lesley Smith: $57,146.46
- Max Woodfin: $15,192
- Steve Ferrante: $5,160
- County Commissioner – District 2: $39,476
- Marta Loachamin: $39,476
- Donald “Don” Lewis: $0
- Sole-candidate races
- Michael Dougherty (DA): $53,564.80
- Claire Levy (County Commissioner – District 1): $9,544.91
- Jeff Martin (County Coroner): $0
Sources:
Rocky Mountain Community Radio
Boulder Weekly (link1) (link2) (link3)
The post Primary Election voter guide 2024 appeared first on KGNU Community Radio.
Harvard professor and philosopher Cornel West won the nomination to be Colorado’s Unity Party candidate this weekend. The nomination means he will likely appear on Colorado’s ballot. West, who is running as an independent, says he will address systemic issues of corruption and advocate for comprehensive reforms.
Listen to the interview here:
- play_arrow04_15_24_cornelwestAlexis Kenyon
AEXIS KENYON: So you just won the unity vote in Colorado. What does this mean for you?
DR. CORNEL WEST: Well, it’s just a beautiful thing. It really is. I think it’s a pivotal moment in the campaign. We’ve got the Aurora Party in Alaska. We’ve got the Progressive Party in Oregon. We’ve got the United Citizens Party in South Carolina.
Cornel West spoke to a packed crowd Friday night at Naropa University photo by Alexis Kenyon/KGNUWe’ve got signatures that pushed us across the line in Utah. But now, the Unity Party in Colorado. It exemplifies a momentum that is unstoppable.
ALEXIS KENYON: Do you think a third-party candidate could win?
DR. CORNEL WEST: Well, we’re in such an unprecedented moment in the history of American politics. Both parties, which are part of the corporate duopoly, are in deep crisis.
Trump’s takeover of the Republican Party was the collapse of the Republican Party establishment. The Democratic Party establishment is crumbling.
It has not become as manifest yet, but it’s clear that it also is in deep trouble.
And so, we haven’t had this opportunity for a long time. Almost going back to the 1850s, when Abe Lincoln ran as a third-party candidate, and won as a Republican. It’s very different days and a different Republican Party, but we are in an unpredictable, uncharted moment.
ALEXIS KENYON: So I know that you have worked for the Bernie campaign, and you also worked for Obama. You mentioned that you encountered corruption when it came to, you know, confronting inequality in both of those. Tell me about this.
Listen to Dr. West’s full speech at Naropa University below: play_arrowUntitledAlexis Kenyon DR. CORNEL WEST*: Well, one of my deep commitments is the abolition of poverty. Martin Luther King Jr., when he died, said the issues of poverty, the issues of militarism, the issues of racism, and the issues of materialism could lead toward the end of American democracy. And I’m very much part of the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
Photo by Alexis Kenyon/KGNUDR. CORNEL WEST: And so let’s say if I’m working with a Bill Bradley or a Bernie Sanders or Barack Obama, I’m raising issues of poverty in each context.
Bill Bradley was concerned about poverty. He and I had deep disagreements on foreign policy. He was concerned about poverty. I couldn’t get Barack Obama to even mention the word.
I couldn’t get Barack Obama to even mention the word (poverty).
He was always talking about the middle class, the middle class, and the middle class. Bernie Sanders is concerned about poverty.
His critique of Wall Street greed.
It was very important to me that I’m able to voice it on my own, I can go full-fledged. I talk about the abolition of poverty in every speech. Every interview and that includes the abolition of homelessness or unhousedness, and it has a whole host of other implications in terms of Medicare for all, you know, quality education available free, and also trying to deal with this housing crisis and fight back this gentrification, the greed of the real estate industry to make sure that citizens have access to quality housing.
And how do you do that? You have massive investment. Where do you get that money? In part from the government. Significant cuts in the military, 62 cents for every dollar for the discretionary budget going to the military You can’t have a healthy society if nearly two-thirds of every dollar is going to weaponry, military weaponry.
You can’t have a healthy society if nearly two-thirds of every dollar is going to weaponry, military weaponry.
You got the kids, you got a working class. 62%, living paycheck to paycheck, and all that money’s going to the military. Biden just authorized $200 billion for B-21 bombers, $200 billion. What could we do for poverty and housing safe communities and so on?
From left: Naropa professors Regina Smith, Ramon Parish, and Dr. Cornel West at Friday’s Naropa rally. photo by Alexis Kenyon/KGNUCornel West spoke to a packed crowd Friday night at Naropa University photo by Alexis Kenyon/KGNUAnd, of course, when it comes to the ecological crisis, I mean these fossil fuel companies; their obsession with greed is just pushing the whole planet off the cliff. But it’s short-term profit. That’s what they see over and over and over again.
And so that is my view, I put it this way, the conclusion I reached was both parties were beyond redemption. And that’s very much what this campaign is about.
ALEXIS KENYON: So you’ve talked about dealing with and confronting the culture of violence. When you talk about gun control, tell me about, you know, what your stance on gun control is and how you would approach it.
DR. CORNEL WEST: I support gun control laws but we have got to push it as far as we can. We’ve got to deal with the culture of violence. We live in a culture where too many of our fellow citizens believe you resolve conflict in an aggressive way. And we’ve got to, when we see it in schools. We see it on the streets, and we’re seeing it more and more even in public places. And, of course, these mass killings are happening week in and week out. That reflects a certain mentality and a certain sensibility that cuts very deep in American culture.
Even the dominant myth of America’s frontier. What was the frontier? It was a divide between the so-called civilized and the so-called barbarians. You were morally regenerated through violence against the savages.So that’s the history of the country from 13 states to 48 states.
How did that happen? It wasn’t by means of Socratic dialogue. It was violent expansion, vicious attacks on precious indigenous brothers and sisters, the taking of their land, and so forth. Now, our textbooks call it Manifest Destiny. But that’s simply a lie.
How did that happen? It wasn’t by means of Socratic dialogue. It was violent expansion, vicious attacks on precious indigenous brothers and sisters, the taking of their land, and so forth. Now, our textbooks call it Manifest Destiny. But that’s simply a lie.
No, it was human choices out of gaining assets to land, resources, subordinating peoples. And then, the country becoming, you know, what it is 50 states later.
So the question is when we talk about the worst of America, every country, every civilization, every empire has its crimes, just like America does. Russia does. The Ottoman Empire did. The British Empire did, Thge African Empires did. The Aztecs and the Maya did. It’s a human thing. But we’ve got to accent the best. What is the best of America?
What is the best of America? That’s Martin Luther King Jr. That’s Rabbi Heschel. That’s Dorothy Day. That’s Ella Baker. And if we were to move more directly into our own lives, it could be your mother and father who taught you about integrity, honesty, generosity, and treating others right. Or my mom, who stood up when people tried to hate and fought back when people tried to demean and degrade.
That’s the best of America because it’s the best of the human species, the best of the human spirit. What this campaign is about is how we reintroduce America to the best of itself. We’re losing access to that.
ALEXIS KENYON: Dr. West, I’m curious about what you think about the word terrorist. I know you identify as a Christian. Do you believe there are good people and evil people? Do you think there is a binary?
DR. CORNEL WEST: No, I, I think all of us are wretched. All of us have the capacity to engage in evil if we’re pushed to it, you see. And all of us can be wonderful if we make certain kind of choices.
So, I don’t believe in finger-pointing a name-calling of other people, you see. I think as human beings, we have the worst, and we have the best shot through us. Terrorism is just murder. You’re killing innocent people. Murder is murder. No matter who does it, no matter what color you are, no matter what orientation, sexual orientation, or gender you have, you see.
But when you have organized murder, that’s what armies are. Then you have combatants killing other combatants. That’s war. And you can have a just war. I would have fought against Hitler. I would fight against apartheid in South Africa because you try every nonviolent means of ending it and you’re crushed.
So then you end up going to war.
But when you kill innocent people, no matter who they are, that’s different than war. That’s murder and is murder.
And that’s what terrorism is. Terrorism is the killing of innocent people. And when you have armies that kill innocent people, what’s going on right now in Gaza with the genocide, you see, that is murder.
And that’s what terrorism is. Terrorism is the killing of innocent people. And when you have armies that kill innocent people, what’s going on right now in Gaza with the genocide, you see, that is murder.
You see, those are crimes against humanity. When you’re killing innocent Israelis, that’s murder too.
And I’m critical of any group, any persons who engage in murder. I also understand Hamas in a context in which you’ve had Israeli terrorism coming at them for 75 years.So you have a counter-terror.
But even in counter-terroristic moves, you don’t kill innocent people. You kill combatants. You’re at war with an army, not a group of civilians, no matter what context you’re talking about.
And that, for me, is part of what it means to be a human being, what it means to be a Christian, what it means to be a moral and spiritual person, concerned about the humanity of everybody. Even though I am a strong critic of imperialism, and a strong critic of settler colonialism, a strong critic of those structures and institutions of violence and that’s what Palestinians have been dealing with for 75 years: structures of violence every day for years.
Cornel West sign and book at Naropa rally. photo by Alexis Kenyon/KGNUALEXIS KENYON: I remember I saw this video of a woman crying about her daughter dying, and then I thought, you know, this feels like how we make terrorists, you know? You can’t say that’s not, that you can’t say that’s just her fault.
DR. CORNEL WEST: Right, right, right. This is in Gaza? Oh my God, I know, I know. Absolutely. But we’ve seen it before. We saw it happen to our precious Jewish brothers and sisters in Germany. We saw it happen with the Tutsis in Rwanda. We’ve seen it happen with Armenians in Turkey. We’ve seen it happen with the Congolese in Africa under the Belgium rule. Sadly, it is a very human thing to engage in systemic murder of innocent people.
That’s part of the wretchedness of who we are as human beings. And we have to call it out. We have to fight against it. And sometimes we have to go to jail. Sometimes we run for president.
ALEXIS KENYON: You have talked a lot about wealth inequality in the U.S. Tell me about how you would tackle it.
DR. CORNEL WEST: Well, first, let’s just start with certain ugly facts. One percent of the population owns 90 percent of the wealth. See, that’s worse than medieval Europe in terms of grotesque wealth inequality. Three individuals have wealth equivalent to 50 percent of the American citizens., 160 million to hree people. That’s worse than medieval Europe, too, in 2024.
So, how do you deal with that? Well, you have to have a plan. You need a fundamental system transformation that allows for that kind of grotesque inequality. So, we’re not just talking about little small reforms. Some people talk about, well, tax the rich, tax the rich. Well, of course, we’ve got to increase taxes on the rich and corporations, but they’ve got smart lawyers with loopholes. Y
ou can go to the Cayman Islands and see all the pockets of tax evasion and so forth. We need more than just tax the rich. You’ve got to have a society in which military priorities are transformed into priorities for empowering everyday people in America. That’s the challenge.
Harvard professor Dr. Cornell west. He is running for president of the United States under the independent party. KGNU’s Alexis Kenyon caught up with him this weekend at Justice High School in Lafayette.
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Yesterday was Election Day and results are coming in. Shay Castle, founder of Boulder Beat and new executive news director at Boulder Weekly talks with KGNU’s Jackie Sedley about what we know so far.
Listen:
- play_arrowMorningMagazine_2023-11-08Alexis Kenyon Download Audio
The post 2023 Election Results: Boulder supports affordable housing, Longmont rejects library, performing arts and rec center appeared first on KGNU Community Radio.
KGNU’s Sam Fuqua and political consultant Richard Valenty discuss results from this year’s Boulder and state elections. They take calls from listeners and answer election-related questions.
- play_arrowAPublicAffair_2023-11-08Alexis Kenyon The post Elections 2023: Takeaways from this year’s election and calls from listeners appeared first on KGNU Community Radio.
Election Day is tomorrow! If you haven’t cast your ballot yet, but plan on doing so before time is up, there are some important details and deadlines you should know. Luckily, we at KGNU have you covered. Mircalla Wozniak, the Communications Manager for the Boulder County Clerk and Recorder’s Office, joined KGNU’s Jackie Sedley in-studio this morning to talk last-minute tips and need-to-knows.
Listen:
- play_arrowUntitledJackie Sedley The post If you aren’t registered or didn’t get a ballot, you can probably still vote appeared first on KGNU Community Radio.
Election Day is around the corner. KGNU’s Ivonne Olivas took to the streets and walkways of CU Boulder’s campus to see how students, staff, and people wandering around feel about voting this year, what resources they use to make an educated vote, and whether they’ll even be making a trip to the voting booth this year.
Listen:
- play_arrowElections 2023: Thoughts from CU BoulderAlexis Kenyon Download Here
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On today’s Connections, host Kathy Partridge and guests discuss how fear of losing the vote to groups like the Colorado Conservative Patriot Alliance is motivating liberal voters.
Photo by Alexis Kenyon / KGNUGuests:
Wendy Howell is the State Director of the Colorado Working Families Party. She is a long-time labor & community organizer and LGBTQ rights advocate.Arianna Morales is the Organizing Director for New Era Colorado, the leading voice for young people in Colorado politics and one of the most effective youth civic engagement organizations in the country.Sara Loflin is the Executive director of ProgressNow Colorado and Mayor Pro Tem of Erie Colorado. play_arrow*Elections 2023: Why progressives are votingAlexis Kenyon Download Audio
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Back in 2020, Proposition EE was approved, which increased the taxes on tobacco and nicotine products. Especially prior to that, vaping products had not really been taxed. Much of that was going to be used for preschools. The idea, in part, was that the more you tax things like cigarettes or alcohol, the less people will want to use them if they are too costly. According to Colorado Sun Correspondent Sandra Fish, that is not what happened. The money from this tax that people approved three years ago actually generated more money – roughly $24 million more in the past year.
That’s where Proposition ii comes in. If approved, it would allow the state to keep those millions of extra tax dollars and allocate them to the state’s Universal Preschool program, which is the current primary recipient of Proposition EE funds.
This measure requires voter approval under the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR), since it was designed to raise state revenue by letting the state retain more than was initially projected for Proposition EE.
For more on Proposition ii, KGNU’s Sam Fuqua spoke with Sandra Fish.
- play_arrowUntitledJackie Sedley KGNU is not aware of any organized opposition to Proposition ii.
The post Elections 2023: Prop II: Should tobacco sales taxes fund Colorado preschoolers? appeared first on KGNU Community Radio.
The last three years have seen a dramatic rise in home values in Colorado, a 40% median increase. The gain in value comes with an increase in property taxes. Proposition HH would reduce the residential property tax assessment rate and exempt a portion of a home’s value from taxation. It would also reduce potential refunds from the Taxpayer Bill of Rights or TABOR, a state constitutional amendment that limits growth in state spending and loosens that growth limit.
The Democrat-controlled state legislature — with support from Democratic Governor Jared Polis — put HH on the ballot this November. For details and a discussion of the pros and cons, we have two state senate colleagues in the studio. Speaking in favor of HH is Steve Fenberg is a Democrat representing Senate District 18, based here in Boulder. He is also the current Senate President. Speaking in opposition to HH is Barb Kirkmeyer a Republican representing Senate District 23 which includes western Weld and Eastern Larimer counties, as well as part of northeast Boulder county. She is also the current Senate Minority Whip. KGNU’s Sam Fuqua facilitates the debate.
- play_arrowAPublicAffair_2023-11-01Jackie Sedley The post Elections 2023: Colorado Senators Steve Fenberg and Barb Kirkmeyer debate Prop HH appeared first on KGNU Community Radio.
Welcome to KGNU’s dedicated page for local election coverage, where we bring you comprehensive stories and conversations about ballot issues, debates, and much more. As your trusted source for community-driven news and information, we are committed to keeping you informed and engaged in the democratic process. Explore our page to stay up-to-date on all things related to local elections in our area.
Instant runoff voting primer and the state’s first Gen Z House representative discusses lawmaker pay
Why school board elections matter
A dive into where Boulder City Council and Mayoral Candidates stand on 2A, Boulder’s Arts Tax
Elections 2023: Boulder mayoral candidates debate arts funding, a day shelter, safe zones, the airport and more
Elections 2023: Longmont Mayoral Candidate Debate
Elections 2023: BVSD School Board Forum
Boulder’s Affordable Housing Ballot Measure
What Boulder Mayoral and City Council Candidates are spending on their campaigns
How safe is the “Safe Zones 4 Kids” Boulder ballot measure? Hear both sides
The post 2023 Election Coverage Guide appeared first on KGNU Community Radio.
On today’s Morning Magazine, a check-in over at CU Boulder ahead of election day. Then, a researcher on domestic violence shares her personal experiences as a survivor. After that, herbalist Brigitte Mars and her regular Wednesday feature, Naturally. And we’ll wrap up with Chris Mohr shares his weekly commentary, Make Them Hear You
Listen:
- play_arrowMorningMagazine_2023-11-01Jackie Sedley A content warning: This conversation contains adult themes and graphic descriptions of domestic violence.
If you – or someone you know – are in immediate danger due to domestic violence, please call 911. If you live in the United States, and you need anonymous, confidential help, 24/7, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY).
The post How CU students feel about the upcoming election; Domestic Violence Awareness Month is over, but advocacy efforts continue appeared first on KGNU Community Radio.
By now you’ve probably heard about the passage of Proposition 122 in Colorado. Also called the Natural Medicine Health Act, the initiative passed by 53% of the vote last November and decriminalized certain psychedelic plants and fungi. In addition to […]
Bi-weekly updates on what's happening in the world of cannabis with marijuana reporter Leland Rucker.
On today’s Morning Magazine, we’ll hear about Denver voters passing the “Waste No More” ballot measure to expand curbside recycling and composting. Then, CityCast Denver host Bree Davies will chat with Blackpacker founder, Patricia Cameron, to discuss why the camping […]
On today’s Morning Magazine, it’s Veterans Day, and we hear how Boulder County is helping veterans heal through art. After that, we talk with the creators of 3 Muses, an art exhibit in Boulder, this weekend. Then, it’s a live […]
On today’s Morning Magazine, we’ll hear more election news. Then, delays in asylum case processing are causing bottlenecks at the US/Mexico border, putting pressure on local shelter capacity. We’ll hear how Denver area groups have built a support network to […]
On today’s Morning Magazine, we’ll look at the results of yesterday’s elections. Boulder Beat’s Shay Castle will report how the residents of Boulder voted on various ballot measures. Then, herbalist Brigitte Mars will bring us her regular Wednesday feature, “Naturally.” […]
On today’s Morning Magazine, we’ll hear what’s on the minds of Boulder County voters as they drop off their ballots. We’ll also check in on the mood in Colorado’s 3rd congressional district, currently represented by conservative Lauren Boebert. Then, This […]
On today’s Morning Magazine, up first, we’ll hear about a number of education issues on this year’s state ballot. Then, CityCast Denver skeptically dives into the questions around the immersive art trend and why it seems to be taking off […]
On today’s Morning Magazine, up first, we have November’s Nature Almanac. After that, are you procrastinating on filling out your ballot? We’ll give you a few reasons to get it done sooner than later. Then, we’ll hear about what’s going […]
On today’s Morning Magazine, we’ll hear why immigrants rights organizers held a Day of the Dead vigil outside of the private immigration detention center in Aurora yesterday evening. Then, we’ll have a report examining what’s behind Prop 124; a liquor […]
Bi-weekly updates on what's happening in the world of cannabis with marijuana reporter Leland Rucker.
Bi-weekly updates on what's happening in the world of cannabis with marijuana reporter Leland Rucker.
On today’s Morning Magazine, we’ll hear about a graphic novel premiere at the Dairy Arts Center coming up this Saturday. Chris Mohr will have his weekly commentary, “Make Them Hear You.” Then herbalist Brigitte Mars will bring us her regular […]
On today’s Morning Magazine, we’ll hear about a spin on “trick or treating” that brought pollinator-friendly seed balls to doorsteps on Boulder’s University Hill. After that, a new Marshall Fire recovery center has opened its doors in Louisville. We’ll visit […]
During the October, 31, 2022 edition of A Public Affair this morning, host Rossana Longo Better speaks with Boulder County Commissioner Marta Loachamin and Boulder County Clerk and Recorder Molly Fitzpatrick about the integrity of our elections, our local ballot […]
On today’s Morning Magazine, we’ll hear about efforts underway this election cycle to reach underrepresented voters – both with multilingual ballots and with in-person outreach efforts to university students. Then, City Cast host Bree Davies sits down with Denver’s Clerk […]
On today’s Morning Magazine, we’ll hear about Proposition 122, on this year’s ballot, which aims to decriminalize psychedelic substances. Then we’re hearing about a new inclusive dance studio that recently opened in Boulder. After that, it’s sports talk. Listen: (Download Audio) The […]
You are listening to the Morning Magazine on KGNU. I’m your host, Jack Armstrong. Coloradans will vote on the decriminalization of the use, possession, and growth of natural medicines commonly known as magic mushrooms in the upcoming November ballot. KGNU’s […]
State Ballot Proposition 121 asks Colorado voters if they would like to decrease the state income tax rate. Supporters say the cut will put money into people’s pockets. Opponents say the tax decrease is actually a tax increase for most […]
On today’s Morning Magazine, we’ll get into the weeds about two tax related propositions on this year’s ballot. After that, we’ll look at efforts to reduce and reuse waste during Halloween. Then, Rocky Mountain Community Radio has some tips if […]
A few years ago, Boulder adopted changes intended to make it easier for citizens to petition questions onto the ballot. That system initially caused some confusion and some challenges. On Today’s A Public Affair, KGNU’s Sam Fuqua talks with Eric […]
On today’s Morning Magazine, we’ll hear about a local election rundown from Shay Castle of Boulder Beat News. Then, we’ll go to court – Community Court at the Boulder Bandshell. After that, Chris Mohr will have his weekly commentary, “Make […]
On November’s ballot, Boulder County voters will weigh in on who should serve as their region’s Regional Transportation District Board director. On today’s A Public Affair, KGNU News Director Shannon Young hosts a candidate forum with three candidates running for […]
One of the statewide measures on Colorado ballots is Proposition 123. It calls for the allocation of 0.1 percent of state tax revenue to fund the construction of affordable housing units. Proponents say this measure will provide overdue relief while […]
On today’s Morning Magazine, we’ll learn more about a state ballot measure that aims to allocate a portion of tax revenue to affordable housing. Open enrollment starts next week for health insurance through Connect For Health Colorado. We’ll have the details. […]
Every election season, political strategists talk about wooing swing voters, while one of the biggest voting blocks often goes overlooked, new voters. Julia Hunt is a senior at Fairview High School who knows a little something about mobilizing new voters. […]
A panel from the League of Women Voters of Boulder County took calls from KGNU listeners with questions about the 2022 election. Emma Piller (left) is the League’s Voter Service Director, supporting the League ballot issue, candidate forum, voter outreach […]
The Annexation of CU South [Download Audio] Watch debate here. CU South Boulder is a 308-acre parcel of land at the southernmost city limit of Boulder. The former gravel mine has been undeveloped for over 20 years now. The […]
On the ballot this election, Boulder voters will be asked to consider moving municipal elections to even years. The measure is known as Ballot Question 2E. KGNU’s Sam Fuqua moderated a panel discussion on the measure. Speaking in favor was […]
On today’s edition of A Public Affair, we will broadcast an online candidate forum that was held for the primary candidates running for Boulder County Sheriff. The candidates are Boulder County Sheriff Division Chief Curtis Johnson and Louisville Police Chief […]
From Pueblo to Durango to Grand Junction, there were rallies across Colorado over the weekend calling for the removal of President Donald Trump from office, and the resignation of Colorado’s newest 3rd District Congressional Representative, Lauren Boebert, as well as […]
OutSources host Karen Raforth with guests Glenda Russell, Ph.D. and Daniel Ramos take a first look at the initial impact of the 2020 elections on the queer community. Dr. Russell is a recently retired psychologist who is devoting her time […]
Spontaneous celebrations broke out across the country when the call was made for Joe Biden as the next U.S. President and Colorado was no exception. KGNU’s Roz Brown talked with excited folks on Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall as they flanked […]
Now that the 2020 election is behind us, what’s next? Liz Skewes is the journalism chair at CU’s College of Media, Communication and Information and has covered several presidential campaigns as a journalist. She’s also the author of the book, […]
KGNU brings you a list of voting results including — top Colorado races, CU elections, state constitutional amendments, statewide propositions, the Boulder County Commissioners race as well as Boulder & Denver ballot measures. – Results below were calculated the afternoon […]
We host a debate on measures 2C and 2D which are measures on the Boulder ballot this year and pertain to the future of Boulder’s municipalization process. Speaking in favor of the measures is Angelique Espinoza and speaking against the […]
One of the state wide ballot measures facing voters in the state is Proposition 113 which asks voters to affirm a decision Colorado lawmakers made in 2019 to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. Voting no would repeal the law that […]
We host a candidate forum with the two candidates running in the Boulder County Commissioner District 2 election. Marta Loachamin (D) and James Crowder (R). Listen here: https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/kgnu-news/2020/10/10-6-202_BoulderCountyComissioner-District2-CandidateForum_KGNU.mp3 (Download Audio)
President Trump and the Republican Party have already begun their attack on the 2020 election. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold is charged with ensuring the peaceful transition of power in spite of efforts to create chaos and intimidate voters. […]
We host a candidate forum with the two candidates running in the Boulder County Commissioner District 1 election. Cinda Kochen (R) and Claire Levy (D). Listen here: https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/kgnu-news/2020/10/10-1-20_Election2020_BoulderCountyCommissioner-District1_KGNUDebate.mp3 (Download Audio)
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, but registered voters in Colorado will receive mail-in ballots after Oct. 9. With national concern about the veracity of mail-in ballots, Colorado has become a focal point. Colorado began statewide vote by mail in […]
Proposition 118, one of the state-wide ballot measures on this year’s ballot, would allow for 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave funded through a payroll tax paid by employers and employees in a 50/50 split. An additional four […]
Proposition 116 would decrease the state income tax rate from 4.63% to 4.55%. Proponents say reducing income tax will allow business owners and their employees to keep and spend more of their own money instead of sending it to the […]
Amendment B is a state-wide ballot initiative that asks voters to repeal the Gallagher Amendment. The Gallagher Amendment, approved by voters in 1982, requires that residential property not account for any more than 45% of the revenue generated by property […]
Proposition 114 is one of the state-wide ballot measures facing voters this November. It asks voters to approve a state managed gray wolf reintroduction program for the western part of the state. We speak with Rob Edward of The Rocky […]
Black Talk is a new monthly show bringing us news and more from NAACP Boulder County and beyond. Hosted by Michele Simpson, it airs on KGNU on the third Monday of every month at 8.35am. Today’s show looks ahead to […]
Molly Fitzpatrick, Boulder County Clerk and Recorder speaks with Dennis Creese about the Election Process for the upcoming elections.
The Transition Integrity Project is a bipartisan group of over 100 current and former senior government and campaign leaders, academics, journalists, polling experts and former federal and state government officials. It formed in late 2019 out of concern about potential disruptions […]
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, but registered voters in Colorado will receive mail-in ballots after Oct. 9. With national concern about the veracity of mail-in ballots, Colorado has become a focal point. Colorado began statewide vote by mail in […]
A coalition of Colorado People of Color (POC) led organizations hosted the Colorado U.S. Senate Racial Justice Forum on Saturday, May 30 at 1 p.m. Democratic senate primary candidates John Hickenlooper and Andrew Romanoff participated. The coalition, known as […]
There are two candidates vying to be the Democratic candidate in the November election for the Boulder County Commissioner District 2 race. KGNU’s Liz Lane hosts a forum with Jonathan Singer and Marta Loachamin who are candidates in the June […]
On Tuesday, March 3, Colorado joins 14 other states and territories in a push to nominate presidential candidates for this year’s November election. This is the first time voters in the state get to participate in a presidential primary. Molly […]
Dr. Stephany Rose Spaulding has a Ph.D. in American Studies from Purdue University. She currently serves as the Senior Pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Colorado Springs, CO. She’s also the founder of For Our Children Children’s Enterprises. In 2018 […]
Voters turned out on Tuesday for city council candidates endorsed by The Coalition and Better Boulder, advocacy groups that are open to denser housing development. This marks a shift from the 2017 election — where Boulder City Council wins largely […]
Today is election day and while it is too late to mail in your ballot, voters have until 7pm to cast a vote in person or even register to vote says Boulder County Clerk and Recorder Molly Fitzpatrick. […]
Voters in Broomfield are deciding on the mayors race as well as all 5 open Ward seats in this year’s municipal elections. Like other Front Range communities, oil and gas is playing a huge role in the elections. Mackenzie Carignan […]
Tish Beauford speaks with Omar Montgomery, one of the candidates in the Aurora mayoral race. Montgomery, the head of the Aurora chapter of the NAACP, is one of six candidates in the race. Omar Montgomery has a Bachelor’s degree in […]
There are five open city council seats up for grabs this year in Lafayette and there are five candidates that have a shared platform and common principles. They are all running independently, but call themselves the Community Rights Advocates. Many […]
Proposition DD is one of two state-wide measures appearing on the 2019 ballot. It asks voters to legalize sports betting in Colorado to fund water projects. It would also put a 10 percent tax on casino’s house winnings which would […]
Boulder voters will consider a variety of measures on the Nov. 5, 2019, election, including 2H which asks voters to extend an existing sales tax to fund open space conservation and acquisition and to create a conservation easement for Long’s […]
There are 15 candidates seeking election to Boulder City Council in 2019. In this forum, moderated by Roz Brown, we hear from Mark Wallach, Aaron Brockett and Rachel Friend. Mark Wallach has served in politics as a speechwriter […]
Boulder voters will consider a variety of measures on the Nov. 5, 2019, election, including 2 I, a Middle Income Housing Program. Visit election information for a complete list of ballot measures and other information. We hear from two supporters of […]
There are 15 candidates seeking election to Boulder City Council in 2019. In this forum, moderated by Roz Brown, we hear from Andy Celani, Junie Joseph and Corina Julca. Andy Celani has been a Boulder resident since 1974. […]
There are 15 candidates seeking election to Boulder City Council in 2019. In this forum, moderated by Roz Brown, we hear from Gala Orba, Brian Dolan and Benita Duran. https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/kgnu-news/2019/09/9-25-19%20CC%20Forum%20Dolan-Duran-Orba.mp3 Gala Orba is a CU/Boulder graduate and owner […]
There are 15 candidates seeking election to Boulder City Council in 2019. In this forum, moderated by Roz Brown, we hear from Bob Yates, Nikki McCord and Paul Cure. Bob Yates was elected to Boulder City Council in […]
There are 15 candidates seeking election to Boulder City Council in 2019. In this forum, moderated by Roz Brown, we hear from Mark McIntyre, Susan Peterson and Adam Swetlik. Mark McIntyre graduated from the University of Colorado. He has […]
Last week Maplight, a non partisan group that looks at money in politics, released a report looking at spending in the Democratic primary in the US senate race in Colorado and particularly the role of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, […]