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Home Archives for Colorado Politics

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Conservative Lesson from CoDA: Time to Latch on to Transparency Issue

We may never know just how authentic the "Educate the Idiots" document is (it's the word of a young, independent man with nothing to lose vs. a web of heavily-funded, Left-leaning organizations with their power and credibility at stake). But, as Jessica Fender's article in today's Denver Post demonstrates, the Colorado Democracy Alliance provides a teachable moment about the Left's sophisticated political organization, and how the conservative side has waited too long to wake up and get it. I am on the same page with Alan Philp on this one:A dearth of lasting conservative infrastructure and more limited resources mean Republicans won't see anything as sophisticated or coordinated for "some time to come," said Alan Philp, who led the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, General Tagged With: "Educate the Idiots", Alan Philp, Colorado Democracy Alliance, conservatives, coordination, Dan Haley, Democratic apparatus, Denver Post, editor, electioneering efforts, full disclosure, heavily-funded, insfrastructure, Jessica Fender, Lefties, limited resources, sophisticated political organization, Transparency

2/7/2026 By Ben 4 Comments

Backroom Deal Sheds Light on Colorado Labor Union Leader Priorities

Much ado has been made out of the 11th-hour deal that pulled four labor union-sponsored initiatives from the Colorado ballot. As opined by the editors of the Rocky Mountain News:On Thursday, labor peace was restored in Colorado. At least until the 2009 legislature convenes. The announcement that two labor-backed groups would remove Amendments 53, 55, 56 and 57 from the November ballot - and in return business groups would fund a joint business-labor campaign to defeat Amendments 47, 49 and 54 - is a positive development. The state's economic health was in the crosshairs of the labor measures, a couple of which probably had a good shot at passage. There's no doubt that the "economic health" and well-being of Colorado families and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, General, Labor Tagged With: "bread-and-butter" initiatives, 11th-hour, Amendment 47, Amendment 49, Amendment 53, Amendment 54, Amendment 55, Amendment 56, Amendment 57, business groups, business-labor deal, coercive, coffers, Colorado ballot, Colorado businesses, Colorado families, Colorado voters, cynical ploy, dues collection, economic health, editors, fees, fool, government payroll systems, labor peace, negotiating chips, non-negotiable, November ballot, political extortion, priorities, rhetoric, Rocky Mountain News, smoke-filled backroom, special interests, union leaders, union members, welfare, workers, working class

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Ben’s Guide to the Colorado Ballot 2008 Now Updated with Illustration

If you have yet to visit my page with information and recommendations on the long list of initiatives and referenda on Colorado's 2008 ballot, now is the time to stop by. After all, thanks to the clever and capable stylings of Colorado cartoonist Ben Hummel, the page is now illustrated! … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General Tagged With: 2008, ballot, Ben Hummel, cartoonist, Colorado, illustrated, information, initiatives, recommendations, referenda

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

“Real” Public School Teacher Speaks Out for Colorado Amendment 49

The Rocky Mountain News today takes a closer look at Protect Colorado's Future and its use of "real" people in advertisements to foist its deceptive messages on the public:Firefighter Joel Heinemann says he would rather run into a burning building than face a movie camera. Yet it's his face Coloradans are seeing in television ads and home flyers urging a "no" vote on Amendments 47, 49 and 54. Heinemann is a "messenger," one of about a dozen firefighters, police officers, nurses and teachers who volunteered to enter the political limelight to speak against three ballot initiatives they believe are anti-union. Of course, it's also important to note that Joel Heinemann is president of the Littleton firefighters union, and that Denver … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, General, Labor Tagged With: "real" people, advertisements, Amendment 47, Amendment 49, Amendment 54, anti-union, body armor, Boulder Daily Camera, burning building, Coloradans, deceptive messages, Denver, Denver Post, deputy sheriff, endorsements, episode, Ethical Standards, firefighter, firefighters union, Fraternal Order of Police, host, Independence Institute, Independent Thinking, Jeff Shaw, Jefferson County, Joel Heinemann, Jon Caldara, law enforcement, Littleton, lobbying, Michael Alcorn, movie camera, opposition, politically active groups, President, Protect Colorado's Future, public school teacher, public servants, Rocky Mountain News, safety equipment, safety issues, scare tactics, teacher, television ads, unethical business, union contract, YouTube

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Joshua Sharf Confronts Opponent about “Educate the Idiots” Campaign

Now that the whistleblower has come forward to verify the authenticity of the Left-wing Colorado Democracy Alliance documents, including its "Educate the Idiots" campaign, here's a video of Republican state house candidate (and longtime blogger) Joshua Sharf posing the issue to Democrat opponent Lois Court at a recent televised forum: And if you want to know more about what issues distinguish the two candidates, here's a glimpse at their closing statements: It's an uphill battle for Joshua to win this race in a majority-Democrat district, but he is making an impression as an aggressive and articulate candidate for rock-solid conservative Republican principles. Party leaders should take notice. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, General Tagged With: "Educate the Idiots", aggressive, articulate, authenticity, candidate, closing statements, Colorado Democracy Alliance, conservative principles, Democrat, distinct views, documents, Joshua Sharf, Left-wing, Lois Court, party leaders, Republican, spokesman, state house, televised forum, whistleblower, YouTube

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

Ultra-Rich Colorado Lefties Will Pay You Money to “Educate the Idiots”

Apparently the Lefties are willing to pay quite a bit for you to help them campaign here in Colorado. I got this email recently:Get Paid To Ensure A Progressive Majority In The Colorado Legislature Earn $500 For 4 Days Walk Precincts And Drop Literature For The Colorado Citizens’ Coalition Saturday, November 1st- Election Day Tuesday, November 4th The Colorado Citizens’ Coalition is the group dedicated to using grassroots organizing to educate voters about the progressive candidates for State House and State Senate. To get involved contact Final Four Director Cory [N] at [PHONE #] or [EMAIL] Join the Colorado Citizens’ Coalition for the Final Four Days to make a difference this election cycle. We are recruiting a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, General Tagged With: "Educate the Idiots", 527s, attorney, bookkeeper, campaign, Colorado, Colorado Citizens Coalition, Colorado Democracy Alliance, cozy relationship, Julie Wells, labor unions, Lefties, liberal funders, Mark Grueskin, paperwork, Pat Stryker, Progressive Majority, Rutt Bridges, Secretary of State, Tim Gill

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

All You Need to Know about Why You Should Vote NO on Amendment 59

I've just updated my 2008 guide to the Colorado ballot to include a link to a new website with all the main reasons why you need to Vote No on Amendment 59 (H/T The Daily Blogster). Quite simply, big-spending liberal politicians want to take away your TABOR refunds forever - and they're deceptively hiding behind schoolchildren to do it. So in case you needed the simple reminder, please Vote No on Amendment 59 and avoid getting ripped off. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, Fiscal Policy, General Tagged With: 2008, Amendment 59, Colorado ballot, liberal politicians, no, schoolchildren, TABOR refunds, The Daily Blogster, website

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Colorado Ballot 2008 Guide Updated

More links and information have been added to my guide to the 2008 Colorado ballot. If there are any initiatives or referenda on which you're undecided, I invite you to please check it out. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General Tagged With: 2008, Colorado ballot, initiatives, referenda

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Mark Udall’s “Sweatshop” Connection

With the recent story of Boulder liberal Mark Udall refusing to return contributions from admitted tax cheat (and fellow Democratic Congressman) Charlie Rangel, the list of dirty money flowing into the Udall campaign continues to grow. Wait, but there's more. Over at Schaffer v Udall, I unearthed Udall's "sweatshop" connection. Yes, it looks very much like retired "sweatshop" owner Susie Tompkins-Buell organized a $50,000 San Francisco fundraiser for Udall in 2007. Charlie Rangel. Norman Hsu. Jack Abramoff. Susie Tompkins-Buell. All giving money to and/or organizing fundraisers for the Mark Udall campaign. Nearly all of the money kept by Udall. Reporters need to ask some hard questions, like should he at least consider returning the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, General, National Politics Tagged With: "sweatshop" connection, Boulder liberal, Charlie Rangel, Democratic Congressman, dirty money, Jack Abramoff, Mark Udall, Norman Hsu, reporters, San Francisco fundraiser, Schaffer v Udall, Susie Tompkins-Buell, tax cheat, Udall campaign

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Yes, This is My Crazy Boss, But He’s Right about Colorado Amendment 49

(Compliments of Jon Caldara's blog) It's kind of nice seeing all those major newspaper endorsements of Amendment 49 at the end, too. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, General Tagged With: Amendment 49, endorsements, Ethical Standards, Jon Caldara, major newspapers, YouTube

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Inside

  • About Ben
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    • Colorado Ballot 2008
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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

  • Colorado Senate News
  • Complete Colorado
  • Independence Institute
  • Loveland Politics
  • The Colorado Observer

National News and Politics

  • Drudge Report
  • Hot Air
  • National Review
  • Politico
  • Real Clear Politics
  • Reason
  • The Washington Times
  • TownHall
  • Wall Street Journal
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Blogs Extraordinaire

  • American Thinker
  • David Harsanyi’s Blog
  • E!! The True Conservative Story
  • EIA Intercepts
  • Evangelical Outpost
  • Hugh Hewitt
  • Instapundit
  • LaShawn Barber
  • Lileks
  • Little Green Footballs
  • Michelle Malkin
  • NRO's The Corner
  • Power Line
  • Red State

Completing the Blogroll

  • Alarming News
  • Black Five
  • Blogs of War
  • Eduwonk
  • Flypaper
  • Fraters Libertas
  • Historical Conversations
  • IMAO
  • Jay P. Greene
  • Mike Anderson
  • Mullings
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  • Right Thinking
  • Right Wing News
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  • Shot in the Dark
  • Talking Points Memo
  • Virginia Postrel
  • Volokh Conspiracy

Christian Commentary et al.

  • Kevin Pierpont
  • Sharper Iron

Conservative and GOP Sites

  • Backbone America
  • Cal Thomas
  • Colorado Republican Party
  • Colorado Republican Study Committee
  • Dennis Prager
  • Denver Metro Young Republicans
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  • Mackinac Center for Public Policy
  • Mark Steyn
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  • Rush Limbaugh

Colorado Blogs

  • American Kestrel
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  • Rossputin
  • Stop the ACLU Blog
  • The Spot (Denver Post)
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Other Sites

  • Technorati
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Rocky Mountain Alliance 2.0

  • Reclaim the Blue
  • The Business Word
  • The Daily Blogster
  • View from a Height

To Contact Me:
bendegrow-at-gmail.com

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