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Home Archives for Colorado Politics

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Glitches Aside, CEA Caucus Guide Very Informative

(Before you begin, please remember to take this through the filter of a writer who has been described as "one of the most virulent anti-public education individuals" in Colorado.) Yesterday I wrote about the Colorado caucus (25 days to go). Today I found the most comprehensive guide of them all - created by the Colorado Education Association. Everything you need to know about the caucus is in there. And more. Including the following suggested resolutions for CEA members to make at their caucuses: … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, Education, General, Labor Tagged With: Bob Schaffer, Colorado Caucus, Colorado Education Association, Joan Fitz-Gerald, Mark Udall, No Child Left Behind, right-to-work, vouchers

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Merrifield Returns to Chair, Dems Still Reel in Union Cash

Over at the new Face the State is a story about the ascension of State Rep. Mike Merrifield back to the chair of the House Education Committee, after last year's controversy and resignation:Rep. Mike Merrifield, D-Manitou Springs, quietly resumed his post at the helm of the House Education Committee on Monday more than nine months after his resignation over a well-publicized email that condemned school choice supporters to a “special place in hell.” Of course, if you've been reading Denise at Colorado Charters or Mr. Bob at The Daily Blogster, you would already be aware of this un-parent-friendly political event in our fair state. More from Face the State:Political consultant Katy Atkinson, a consultant to moderate and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, Education, General Tagged With: "special place" email, charter schools, Face the State, Judy Solano, Mike Merrifield, teachers union

2/7/2026 By Ben 2 Comments

Rehashing the Bruce Brouhaha

Up to this point, I haven't taken time to comment on the Douglas Bruce brouhaha. So here it is: I'm glad to see good, intelligent, respected voices from my side able to distinguish between the free market, limited government views he espouses and the shameful behavior he has demonstrated. A few of them are highlighted below... … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics Tagged With: conservative bloggers, Douglas Bruce, Rocky Mountain News

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Look at (State) Senate Candidate’s Taxpayer-Funded Expenses

As my colleague noted on the Schaffer v Udall blog, a recent audit of taxpayer-funded expense accounts by the state board of education has shown just how frugal Republican U.S. Senate candidate Bob Schaffer is - as he claimed only $521. Reporters did ask board chair Pamela Jo Suckla about her $25,851, and got an answer:Suckla said her expenses were higher than other members' because she has to commute from her home in Slickrock on the Western Slope, rent cars and stay in hotels, while others live along the Front Range. She said the board held more meetings than usual last year because members were searching for a new education commissioner. Sure, that's worth extra scrutiny, but it at least gives a plausible explanation. But … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, Education, General Tagged With: Bob Schaffer, Evie Hudak, expense accounts, Pamela Jo Suckla, State board of education, Sue Windels

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

Republican Field to Replace Tancredo Begins to Line Up

With Rep. Tom Tancredo announcing he will not seek re-election in Colorado's 6th Congressional District, the scuttlebutt begins about which candidate will rise to the top to secure this safe Republican seat. According to the Rocky Mountain News, former Lt. Governor Jane Norton and former State Senate President John Andrews will stick to the sidelines, as well as radio talk show host Dan Caplis (who, ironically, like Tancredo, appears to be eyeing a 2010 run against U.S. Senator Ken Salazar). On the other hand, two state legislators - Sen. Ted Harvey (who like Tancredo once worked for my employer, the Independence Institute) and Sen. Tom Wiens (who may sidestep a chance at a career on the big screen) - look to be entering the fray, along … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General, National Politics

2/7/2026 By Ben 4 Comments

Ritter Calls for Climate Fearmongering in Every Classroom

Mere days after stepping into a major political mess, Gov. Ritter announced an ambitious plan to tackle the problem of global warming. Perhaps he aspires to win the Nobel Prize. More studied individuals than myself can break down the economic costs of his proposals, and I look forward to seeing those analyses. For now, though, I wanted to focus on one aspect of Ritter's 33-page "Climate Change Action Plan": Climate curricula. The state will work through the Governor’s P-20 Education Council and others to make sustainability curricula become standard fare in K-12 classrooms throughout the state. Today’s students will be living in a warmer climate resulting from the activities of previous generations. They need to understand the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Climate Hysteria, Colorado Politics, Education, General

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Blackfive: Polis Trip to Iraq “Showboating”

Two weeks ago I wrote about Congressional candidate Jared Polis' impending visit to Iraq: Look, Polis’ trip to Iraq may turn out to be all for show. But then again he may be genuine, in which case I hope he takes time to meet with some of our enlisted troops, our young officers, as well as local Iraqi leaders and tribal chiefs. Was the trip all for show? Blackfive has the answer: So, here's Mr. Richie Rich, scratching for Congress, looking for an 'in', and decides to fund a trip to Iraq; see the natives, bash the Bush, just to say 'been there, seen that'. Unfortunately, about all HE saw was the inside of a hotel and the view from a car window. So, he's ready to be ambassador, now? So why do I care about this? Because I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General, World Events Tagged With: Blackfive, Iraq, Jared Polis

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Schaffer v Udall Reminder

Remember, for lots of fresh commentary and all the latest on Colorado's U.S. Senate race between Republican Bob Schaffer and Boulder liberal Democrat Rep. Mark Udall, head on over to Schaffer v Udall. There are a lot of posts on Udall's recent gaffes with MoveOn.org and Rush Limbaugh. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General, National Politics

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

Schaffer v Udall Dead Heat: Unsurprising, Cause for GOP Hope

More than a year out, Colorado's U.S. Senate race is polling right at expectations: Republican Bob Schaffer is in a dead heat with Boulder liberal Rep. Mark Udall, with a hefty share of voters undecided or unsatisfied. Despite recent history and all the clamor about divisions within the state's GOP, including this: Ciruli said Schaffer is attracting a lower percentage of voters from Republicans, Democrats and the unaffiliated, but there are 130,000 more registered Republicans than Democrats, keeping Schaffer competitive. “It’s still very early in the campaign, but Schaffer’s challenge will be to unify his party and attract more unaffiliated voters as the public begins to make up its mind,” Ciruli said. Ciruli's observations … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General, National Politics

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Ritter Unionization Order to Cost Taxpayers

With input yesterday from Colorado Attorney General John Suthers comes the first evidence that Ritter's union executive order will cost taxpayers money after all - despite the protests of the governor's office: Suthers told the committee Wednesday that he expects leaders of other state agencies to seek out legal advice on how to handle labor-relation issues in light of the new bargaining power of state workers. That, in turn, will probably require his office to either contract with or hire lawyers with labor-law experience, he said. "There is no question in our mind that there is going to be an increase in demand for legal services in our office," Suthers said after the meeting. Suthers, a Republican, said he cannot yet put a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, Labor

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About Me

Ben DeGrow
Grateful and growing Christian, devoted husband and father of 3, public policy analyst, returned to Michigan by way of Colorado, conservative writer, lifelong learner, Detroit Tigers fan.

Recent Posts

  • AI-Enhanced Cyberbullying: The Dark Side of Teen Innovation
  • My Baker’s Dozen of Top 2023 Reads
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  • Tips to Teach Kids to Set and Achieve Goals
  • The Christmas Music Countdown You’ve Been Looking For: 2022 Edition

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