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Home Archives for Colorado Politics

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Colorado State Government’s “Non-Union Rep” Launches Site

Dave Ohmart, the unofficial "non-union rep" for Colorado state government, finally has his Colorado Loses website up and running. Look for newsletters, events, and relevant legal information pertaining to employee rights in state government. Colorado Loses is the clever foil to the Colorado WINS union organizing coalition:Colorado WINS, the big state employee union, recently held a convention. Union loyalists were shown a video depicting flood and famine – images from the Gulf Coast of slums, Hurricane-ravaged homes and the like. The moral of the story: state employees are the only line of defense Colorado has against, uh, Hurricanes. No, floods. Wait, I’m confused. Hurricane Katrina was a tragedy, but it has nothing to do with … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, General, Labor Tagged With: Amendment 49, Amendment 54, Colorado Loses, Colorado WINS, convention, Dave Ohmart, employee rights, events, exploitation, Face the State, foil, good government, Hurricane Katrina, initiatives, legal information, newsletters, non-union rep, politicking, state government, tragedy, union organizing coalition, website

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Former Sen. Hank Brown Touts Colorado Amendment 49 Endorsements

Update: Audio embedded The campaign for Amendment 49, the Ethical Standards initiative, has released a new 30-second radio ad featuring former U.S. Senator Hank Brown: Here's the text of the ad:Both the Rocky Mountain News and the Denver Post urge you to vote Yes on Amendment 49. 49 stops government from being the bagman for special interests and lobbyists. This is Hank Brown, and I'm thrilled that nearly every newspaper across Colorado agrees: Yes on 49. The Pueblo Chieftain, the Grand Junction Sentinel, the Colorado Springs Gazette, and yes, the Boulder Camera, just to name a few. Join me and Bill Owens in voting Yes on 49. 49 keeps lobbyists in line. Paid for by EthicalStandardsNow.com. I'm not sure if there is any other … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, General Tagged With: Amendment 49, bagman, Bill Owens, Boulder Daily Camera, Colorado, Colorado Springs Gazette, Denver Post, endorsements, Ethical Standards, Grand Junction Sentinel, Hank Brown, Independence Institute, lobbyists, major newspapers, Pueblo Chieftain, radio ad, Rocky Mountain News, special interests

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Lobbyists Against Amendment 49? Former Sen. Hank Brown Explains Why

I ran across this satire site someone created, called Lobbyists against Amendment 49. But seriously, why would many of Colorado's political lobbying groups be against Amendment 49, the Ethical Standards initiative? Likely because they have grown quite accustomed to the special privilege of the government serving as their banker, collection agent, and bookkeeper for free. That's a gig I wouldn't want to end either. Unfortunately, I think the people of Colorado may be of a different opinion. While appearing recently on 850 KOA's Mike Rosen Show, former U.S. Senator Hank Brown explained the problem pretty concisely: Here's the transcript:Taxpayers have to pay for the cost of transferring the money, collecting the money, accounting … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, General Tagged With: 850 KOA, Amendment 49, audio clip, banker, bookkeeper, broad coalition, collection agent, Colorado, Ethical Standards, gig, good government, government, Hank Brown, Lobbyists against 49, Mike Rosen Show, satire site, special privilege, taxpayers

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Jeffco Teachers Union Called Out for Deception, Misuse of School Resources

The official campaign against Colorado Amendment 49 - also known as Protect Colorado's Culture of Corruption Future - has set a pattern of blatant deception. But this week one group that has funded the anti-49 political campaign with teacher dues money found a way to step over the line a couple of ways at once, reports the Rocky Mountain News. First, by using official school district resources for electioneering purposes:A teachers union improperly used the Jefferson County School District's e-mail system to urge a "no" vote on three ballot measures, including one that would impact union dues. The Jefferson County Education Association (JCEA) also stepped over the line by using false, ridiculous scare tactics in its anti-Amendment 49 … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, Education, General, Labor Tagged With: Amendment 47, Amendment 49, Amendment 54, ballot measures, blatant deception, Blue Book, campaign, Colorado, deception, dues money, email system, ethical reform, Ethical Standards, good idea, heavily-funded, Independent Thinking, JeffCo, Jefferson County Education Association, Jefferson County School District, Jon Caldara, Kerrie Dallman, onslaught, pensions, Protect Colorado's Future, scare tactics, school communication systems, teachers, Unions, whistleblower

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Isaac Smith, Whistleblower on “Educate the Idiots”, Tells His Story

A week ago, I noted that Colorado's high-powered Lefties were fighting back to "Educate the Idiots" about the authenticity of documents that shine an unflattering light on their Colorado Democracy Alliance (CoDA). Of course, since then we've seen the "whistleblower" Isaac Smith come forward to vouch for the documents he provided. Listen to Isaac tell his story to Jon Caldara, guest host for Mike Rosen, on 850 KOA earlier this week. The Left is assailing Isaac's character as a "thief" and a "forger". Judge for yourself, but it sure sounds to me that this guy has a lot less vested interest than the members of the CoDA who look bad. The "Educate the Idiots" memo - the only document that CoDA denies the authenticity of - just happens to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, General Tagged With: "Educate the Idiots", 527s, 850 KOA, authenticity, blogs, Colorado, Colorado Democracy Alliance, documents, forger, guest host, Isaac Smith, Jon Caldara, Lefties, mainstream media, Mike Rosen, non-profits, political candidates, thief, unflattering light, Unions, vested interest, web of activities, whistleblower

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Reminders: VP Debate LiveBlog Tonight, GOP Volunteer Opportunities

A couple quick reminders for readers: Tonight Mount Virtus and several other Right-leaning Colorado sites will host a group live blog of the vice presidential debate, starting at 7 PM local Mountain time. One more participant has joined us: NightTwister. Just log on to the main page of this site at 7:00 or thereafter, and you'll see the live blog going. One more reminder: If you have the slightest interest in volunteering to help the Republican presidential ticket and your state and local candidates, this weekend is the best time to get involved. Details of where to go and who to contact are here. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blogging, Colorado Politics, General, National Politics Tagged With: Colorado blogs, group live blog, local candidates, Mount Virtus, NightTwister, presidential tickets, Republicans, state candidates, vice-presidential debate, volunteer

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

Ted Trimpa: Extortion Negotiator, Gill Adviser, “Educate the Idiots” Insider

Denver attorney Ted Trimpa is being touted as the great mediator, the great savior, in negotiating a compromise between business and labor to remove four anti-business initiatives from the ballot. Who's doing the touting? Why, the liberal Dead Governors blog, of course:For those of you who don't know about Hogan and Hartson's Ted Trimpa, well, you should. He's the one who brought this pact, the most unlikely partnership since Referendum C, together, helping reinforce his growing waterwalker mystique. It's also true that labor wasn't really looking forward to taking the blame for the potentially serious unintended consequences of a couple of these proposals. The infusion of cash to fight the anti-labor initiatives will help, as will the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, General, Labor Tagged With: "Educate the Idiots", 527 Coordinating Operatives, Amendment 47, Amendment 49, Amendment 53, Amendment 54, Amendment 55, Amendment 56, Amendment 57, Andrew Romanoff, anti-business initiatives, attorney, business, Cole Finegan, Colorado Democracy Alliance, ColoradoPols, compromise, Dead Governors, Denver, Denver Post, disinterested party, economy-busting, glib, Hogan & Hartson, Hogan and Hartson, inner workings, Labor, labor leader, liberal billionaire, lies, mediator, partnership, political advisor, praises, progressive, Referendum C, Rutt Bridges, strategy group, Ted Trimpa, Tim Gill, union power, waterwalker

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Ben’s Colorado Ballot Updated

With four measures pulled off the ballot and a new guide to link to, I have updated my Colorado Ballot 2008 page this morning. Please be sure to check it out for the latest. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

I’m On KBDI Channel 12 Tonight to Discuss Colorado Amendment 49

Update: A trusted reader says you can also watch on Channel 23 in Colorado Springs. Update: I added a link to Michael's blog. Please tune in tonight at 7:30 PM to KBDI 12 (in the Denver metro area) for an important episode of Independent Thinking with host Jon Caldara. Guests Jefferson County teacher Michael Alcorn and I will discuss what Amendment 49, the Ethical Standards initiative, does, and the effects it has (and doesn't have) on teachers and other public employees. For those of you heading out to theaters to catch the premiere of An American Carol, please don't forget to set your TiVo or VCR to record. But in case you forget, the episode is scheduled to re-air next Tuesday, October 7, at 5:00 PM on KBDI. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, General, My Life Tagged With: Amendment 49, An American Carol, Ethical Standards initiative, Independent Thinking, Jefferson County, Jon Caldara, KBDI Channel 12, Michael Alcorn, premiere, public employees, record, teacher, teachers, TiVo, VCR

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Time to “Educate the Idiots” about the Authenticity of CoDA Documents?

A controversy is brewing over the authenticity of the Colorado Democracy Alliance (CoDA) documents, specifically the memo discussing their plan to "Educate the Idiots". Ironically, the satire blog by the same name has all the scoop on the controversy - here and here. Can't wait for Sunday's story in the Denver Post. It looks to me like the Lefties in CoDA are scrambling hard to cover up. We'll see. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General Tagged With: "Educate the Idiots", Colorado Democracy Alliance, controversy, Denver Post, documents, Lefties, satire blog, scoop, Sunday story

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Inside

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    The Rise & Fall of Al Gansee
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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
  • Common Learning Disabilities in Children
  • Tips to Teach Kids to Set and Achieve Goals
  • The Christmas Music Countdown You’ve Been Looking For: 2022 Edition

Colorado News

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National News and Politics

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Blogs Extraordinaire

  • American Thinker
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  • Hugh Hewitt
  • Instapundit
  • LaShawn Barber
  • Lileks
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  • NRO's The Corner
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Completing the Blogroll

  • Alarming News
  • Black Five
  • Blogs of War
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  • Flypaper
  • Fraters Libertas
  • Historical Conversations
  • IMAO
  • Jay P. Greene
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Christian Commentary et al.

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Conservative and GOP Sites

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Colorado Blogs

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Other Sites

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Rocky Mountain Alliance 2.0

  • Reclaim the Blue
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To Contact Me:
bendegrow-at-gmail.com

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