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Mount Virtus?

Every day is seeking to rise to the challenge, 'neath the shadow of the mighty Rockies.

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Colorado Ballot Reviews

Sometimes the choices are daunting or confusing, sometimes they're as clear as a Mile High view.

Writer / Editor For Hire

If I had five more writers just like him, I think my job would be the easiest in journalism....

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Colorado Primary Election Predictions

Today is Colorado's primary election. There aren't too many contested races going on, but the ones that are have rightly been described as "extraordinary" for their competitiveness. Anyway, here are my predictions for the few farthings they're worth (note that they're not all necessarily whom I'm cheering for to win): Congressional District 5, GOP: Incumbent Doug Lamborn wins narrowly, as Jeff Crank and Bentley Rayburn split the protest vote Congressional District 6, GOP: Businessman and political newcomer Wil Armstrong pulls off a surprising late comeback victory over favorite Secretary of State Mike Coffman, who goes on to mend fences with the state party leadership and prepares to run for U.S. Senate in 2010 Congressional District … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General Tagged With: Bentley Rayburn, Colorado, Congressional candidates, Democratic Party, Doug Lamborn, Jared Polis, Jeff Crank, Joan Fitz-Gerald, Joshua Sharf, Mike Coffman, predictions, primary election, Republican Party, Rima Barakat Sinclair, state house, tight races, Wil Armstrong

2/7/2026 By Ben 2 Comments

Reasonable Solution Needed in Denver Post Lawsuit against Bill Ritter

So the Denver Post is suing Gov. Bill Ritter for access to his personal cell phone records? While I'm a strong proponent of transparency in government, it would seem this is slightly over the line. Over at The Colorado Index, a watcher writes "in defense of Bill Ritter." The typically conservative blogger is no big fan of either the Governor or the Post. A watcher especially has problems with the way the latter has responded to his quest for legal ethics reform. So what should be done? I agree with Rocky Mountain Right's assessment:Ritter should disclose any calls he made related to state business in accordance with the law even if they were on a private phone, but he should also not have to disclose every time he called his wife or … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, General Tagged With: Bill Ritter, cell phone records, Colorado, Denver Post, disclosure, lawsuit, legal ethics reform, privacy, Rocky Mountain Right, The Colorado Index, Transparency

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Despite Ambiguities, Plan to Clean Up No-Bid Contracts Merits Support

The Rocky Mountain News reports about another citizens' initiative that may be on its way for Colorado voters to decide this November:Backers of a proposal to bar no-bid government contractors from contributing to political candidates submitted more than 125,000 signatures to the state Wednesday.... Colorado state government granted more than $386 million in contracts without taking competitive bids over the past year, said Tom Lucero, campaign chairman of Clean Government Colorado. This practice drives up the price of services, and current law that lets these contractors pad the campaign accounts of officials who may award the contracts creates tremendous cynicism among voters, said Lucero, a University of Colorado regent. Like … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, Fiscal Policy, General, Labor Tagged With: Amendment 27, Amendment 41, Amendment 49, campaign finance law, citizens initiative, clean government, Clean Government Colorado, Collective Bargaining, competitive bids, corruption, Ethics in Government, government employee unions, no-bid government contracts, November 2008 ballot, Rocky Mountain News, taxpayers, Tom Lucero, well-financed opposition

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Turn That Thermostat Up: Remedial Education in Bill Ritter’s Climate Plan

From the Examiner:Saving energy may not be so easy after all. A television commercial featuring Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter was meant to show viewers how easy it is to save energy, but it showed Ritter using more, not less. The original, which aired for weeks, showed Ritter turning a thermostat down from 72 degrees to 68. But during the summer, that means the air conditioner would work harder - and use more energy. I would need to see this commercial to believe it. Apparently, some remedial education is needed as part of Gov. Ritter's "Climate Action Plan". Bill Ritter would have known he couldn't turn his thermostat down to 68 if Barack Obama had been on his shoulder: … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Climate Hysteria, Colorado Politics, Energy, General, National Politics Tagged With: Barack Obama, Bill Ritter, Climate Action Plan, remedial education, the Examiner, TV commercial

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Union Leaders Push Economy-Busting Initiatives to Make Election Interesting

Face The State reports that Big Labor interests are about ready to turn in their signatures on four ballot initiatives that would bust Colorado's economy. You know, it's union leaders' way of protesting Amendment 47, aka Right-to-Work, which would prevent the forced collection of union fees from non-members. Setting aside the Presidential race and even the U.S. Senate showdown between Bob Schaffer and Boulder liberal Mark Udall, this may be a very interesting election season in Colorado yet. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, Fiscal Policy, General, Labor Tagged With: Amendment 47, ballot initiatives, Big Labor, Bob Schaffer, coercive unionism, Colorado, economy, election, Face the State, Mark Udall, Presidential election, right-to-work, signatures, U.S. Senat campaign

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

Jeff Crank for Congress

Admittedly I haven't followed the Republican primary in Colorado's 5th Congressional District too closely. But I have paid enough attention to know that Jeff Crank is the candidate most worthy of support. A friend e-mailed me to say that, given the positive effect of my endorsement on Wil Armstrong's candidacy, I also ought to come forward and publicly endorse Jeff Crank, too. Some of the reasons are the same - the need for fresh, outside business experience and leadership in the halls of Congress. But Crank also has a clear and principled stand against earmarks and pork (of the costly government variety), and would stand up for taxpayers not only with his words and his votes, but also with his actions. I am proud to officially … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, Fiscal Policy, General, National Politics Tagged With: 5th Congressional District, business experience, earmarks, Jeff Crank, leadership, pork, Republican primary, Wil Armstrong

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

The Only Place Democrats Want to Drill Is Your Wallet

From the Tennessee Republican Party, this is a great idea: Could the Colorado GOP follow suit? … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Energy, Fiscal Policy, General, National Politics Tagged With: Colorado GOP, Democrats, Drill, Picture, Republican Party, taxes, Tennessee

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

‘Blockers R Us’

I came across a great site that features anti-democratic tactics of Leftist organizations: blocking efforts to collect signatures, frivolous lawsuits, and other threats to free speech. Occasionally highlighted is the efforts of a group called By Any Means Necessary to try to shut down Colorado's Civil Rights Initiative. The radical fraud group ACORN is also regularly featured there. Stay tuned to this site, especially as the election approaches. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, General Tagged With: ACORN, Amendment 46, Blockers R Us, By Any Means Necessary, Civil Rights Initiative, Colorado, fraud, Free Speech, frivolous lawsuits, Leftists

2/7/2026 By Ben 3 Comments

Amendment 47 Moves Past Frivolous Legal Attacks to Make Public Case

A common and repeated tactic of the Left this year has been to throw frivolous legal challenges at ballot initiatives they don't like in an effort to keep Coloradans from deciding the issues themselves. Well, last Thursday the Denver Business Journal reported that a judge has tossed out legal complaints against one certain initiative:A Denver District Court judge on Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit from opponents of Amendment 47, the so-called “right-to-work” ballot initiative that would bar labor unions from collecting mandatory dues in workplaces that engage in collective bargaining. Incidentally, the same publication endorsed Amendment 47 only days before (subscription required). Meanwhile, Fred Barnes at the Weekly Standard has an … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, General, Labor Tagged With: Amendment 47, ballot initiatives, Big Labor, Collective Bargaining, Colorado, Denver Business Journal, Denver District Court, economic growth, economy-busting initiatives, Election Day, endorsement, forced unionism, Fred Barnes, frivolous lawsuits, Jonathan Coors, judge, legal complaints, mandatory union fees, right-to-work, signatures, union leaders, Weekly Standard, workplace freedom

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

What an Amazing USA Comeback and a Slap Back at French Arrogance

Yes, after several days off, mostly busy and relatively sleepless though enjoyable, I'm back. Thank you for your patience and forbearance. Few things could rouse me from my blogging slumber so fitfully and so excitedly as that AMAZING Olympic swimming relay comeback victory by the United States. The image of American swimmers Michael Phelps and Garrett Weber-Gale in raw exultation as teammate Jason Lezak helped secure them and Cullen Jones a USA victory in the 4 x 100 freestyle relay has become indelible. Only slightly less rewarding was watching the stunned and sullen looks on the faces of the French swimmers, the favorites in the race, whose anchor leg teammate and 100-meter freestyle world record holder Alain Bernard couldn't close … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, My Life, Sports and Leisure Tagged With: 2008 Summer Olympics, Alain Bernard, arrogance, comeback victory, Cullen Jones, France, Garrett Weber-Gale, gold medal, heroics, Jason Lezak, Michael Phelps, relay, Swimming, United States

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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

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Completing the Blogroll

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Rocky Mountain Alliance 2.0

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To Contact Me:
bendegrow-at-gmail.com

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