I DECIDED TO EXPAND THE VOTER GUIDE THIS YEAR So that you can read opinions from several different outlets that all share the same right-leaning viewpoint. If you are a left leaner, I sure hope you will read these if for no other reason that to understand the legit reasons why someone would vote against things that may seem, on the surface anyway, to be good ideas. I'm going to add to this blog as good stuff comes up, so don't be afraid to come back and check to see if anything new has popped up. I'm going to start by directing you to really, really good voting guides I like.
The Independence Institute's coverage of ballot stuff this year is OUTSTANDING. This is their Colorado ballot initiative guide here.
The Ind Inst's guide for Denver Ballot initiatives is here and I don't disagree with a single point they make.
The Denver Gazette has issued endorsements in the Aurora City Council races here. I will NOT be commenting on these races but this current City Council is a nightmare and needs to be upended. Vote for these people and give Aurora hope that grownups will be in charge again.
This is a great overview of the school board slates across the metro. Remember, Anyone But The Union Candidates!!
The Colorado Springs Gazette covers all the Springs issues here. Some of the articles are paywalled but many of them are not.
Ross Kaminsky did a SUPER detailed voter guide you can access here.
Here is a link to a voter guide for Longmont that I have not verified but seems legit.
AND NOW MY BALLOT CHOICES
Let's start with the statewide ballot initiatives.
YES: AMENDMENT 78: LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY FOR SPENDING STATE MONEY I bet you didn't even know this was a thing, because I had not realized it before, but when we get a huge chunk of money from the federal government or a legal settlement which are examples of custodial funds, there is no mechanism in place on how that money gets spent. This Amendment puts the power back into the hands of the Legislature rather than with individual agencies to spend the money as they see fit.
VOTE YOUR CONSCIOUS ON THIS ONE: PROPOSITION 119: LEARNING ENRICHMENT AND ACADEMIC PROGRESS (LEAP) PROGRAM I was initially a No on this one, but many, many conservative voices I respect have told me that I was wrong in my earlier assessment that lead me to a no vote. This initiative would ostensibly allow students without means to tap into private educational assistance money from higher pot taxes. I am still concerned about anything that would increase the black market for pot, and I'm also concerned about the actual EXECUTION of this rather than the promises made, but it does seem to be a way to give access to supplemental learning to kids whose parents can't afford it themselves. I'm not sure why this can't be part of the education budget if it's so important if Republicans ever take back the government here. I have literally spent HOURS mulling this over and have come to the conclusion that I am voting no, but I won't be mad if you vote yes.
YES: PROPOSITION 120: PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT RATE REDUCTION This bill would have been AMAZING if the sneaky Legislature hadn't done its best to keep more of our money. This bill would have lowered the property tax rate on single family homes and businesses, but the Legislature changed some language specifically to stymie this prop. Now the reduction will ONLY go for multi-family properties and lodging, but if it passes I fully expect legal action to change the language the Legislature passed to take it back to its former inclusive status.
NOW TO SCHOOL BOARD RACES And I've said over and over again how important these races are. Some of these race recommendations I am taking on faith from people I trust with similar views as I can't find a lot on some of these races. If you are struggling to find information just look at the candidates in your areas websites for language like "supports FREE PUBLIC education" or "believes in public schools" to know who to vote against, look at endorsements (although they won't mention the unions because it's unpopular) or just check the Tracer website here to find out who donated to the candidates in your area. Or you can just look for hateful mailers against candidates with super inflammatory language and vote for the people they tell you NOT to vote for as I think only union backed organizations have gone dirty in this election cycle. Here is who I endorse now:
Denver Public Schools:
Vernon Jones Jr.
Karolina Villagrana
Gene Fashaw
DougCo Public Schools:
Mike Peterson
Christy Williams
Becky Myers
Kaylee Winegar
JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS:
Theresa Shelton
Kathy Miks
Jeffrey Wilhite
District 11:
Sandra Bankes
Lauren Nelson
Albert Loma
District 20:
Tom LaValley
Aaron Salt
Nicole Konz
District 49:
Jamilynn D’Avola
Lori Thompson
Ivy Liu
Littleton Public Schools: There are four candidates in this race and no union money that I can see at all. The only candidate who has come out forcefully against CRT and equity training is Dale Eliot, the rest of them embraced the concept because they want to seem to support "equity" without recognizing what that means. Andrew Graham has been endorsed by someone close to me whom I respect. I found another candidate forum here that you can consult but I'm sorry I'm not more help on this.
AURORA CITY COUNCIL IS SUPER IMPORTANT! And you can make a significant change and also make sure to not elect any more socialist idiots who want to continue to destroy Aurora and make it a crime ridden crap hole. Please vote for:
Bill Gondrez
Steve Sundberg
Jono Scott
Danielle Jurinsky
Dustin Zvonek
LITTLETON CITY COUNCIL The only candidate I am familiar with is Krista Kafer and I give her my enthusiastic support, she would be amazing. Others in Littleton I trust endorse Pat Driscoll for District 1 and John Buck for Mayor.
UPDATE ON BOULDER COUNTY RACES INCLUDING LONGMONT These came from a Republican organization which was kid enough to share them so I could share them with you.
Longmont Mayor - Gregory Harris
Longmont City Council (vote for 2)
Diane Crist
Jeremy Johnson
City of Longmont Judge Frick - YES, Retain
Lafayette City Council (vote for 1)
Brian Wong
BVSD School Board (only vote for districts listed)
District E: Kara Awaitha Frost
SVVSD School Board (only vote for districts listed) District F:
Natalie Abshier
Thompson School Board (only vote for districts listed)
District B: Deborah (Dee Dee) Vicino
District C: Nancy Rumfelt
Check out Colorado’s MAD website for all their school board endorsements by clicking here
Boulder City Council (only vote for 4)
Michael Christy
Steve Rosenblum
Tara Winer
Mark Wallach
If something is not covered by my comments, click through to the myriad of voter guides at the top of the post, they have really comprehensive local information for many races from sources I trust! Happy voting!
BOULDER BALLOT INITIATIVE GUIDE From the Republican party can be found in the PDF below.