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Devotional: Refined through trials, the gift of suffering well
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Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Devotional: Refined through trials, the gift of suffering well

By Drake Hunter | Devotional, Rocky Mountain Voice Suffering and flourishing may seem like opposites, yet they often walk hand-in-hand. Some of our deepest growth springs up from our darkest trials. Just look at Christian history: Jesus’ suffering wasn’t a detour, but a central part of His journey— and many of His earliest followers faced the ultimate cost for their faith. Their sacrifices remind us that we, too, share in Christ's suffering. When Jesus spoke of drinking of the same cup and being baptized similarly (Mark 10:39), He invited us to follow Him even through suffering, knowing that it has the power to transform us and resurrect us to a new life. So, when suffering hits, we shouldn't be caught off guard. Life inevitably comes with challenges that test us to our core. Stan...
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Krannawitter: The lessons those most in need of them should learn from election
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Commentary, National, Thomas Krannawitter

Krannawitter: The lessons those most in need of them should learn from election

By Dr. Thomas Krannawitter | Commentary, Thomas Krannawitter The 2024 presidential elections offer many important lessons for political scientists, campaign consultants, partisan activists disguised as journalists, comedians, or professors, and ordinary citizens. It seems many of the people most in need of those lessons refuse to learn them. I, however, am not one to give up easily. I will try to reframe some of the lessons from our recent history-altering elections in ways that might grab the attention of those who are currently staging protests and denouncing those whose votes they desperately want to attract. READ THE FULL COMMENTARY AT THOMAS KRANNAWITTER Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the...
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Carr: Why risk-limiting audits are risky (software is auditing software)
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Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Carr: Why risk-limiting audits are risky (software is auditing software)

By Tasha Carr | Guest Commentary, Larimer League of Independent Voters As an election watcher, I have witnessed many risk-limiting audits (RLAs) in Larimer County. I was immediately struck by how inadequate they seemed because the most important audit step is hidden within the RLA tool and is not observable by the audit board or election watchers. After reading the so-called “gentle introduction” to RLAs, I quickly learned that my skepticism was justified. The problem is not with the RLAs per se, but that Colorado is not doing the RLAs correctly and as a result cannot guarantee that the election outcomes are correct. READ THE FULL COMMENTARY AT THE LARIMER LEAGUE OF INDEPENDENT VOTERS Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do n...
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Sturmon: In the next chapter, Trump’s return and the dream team driving change
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Commentary, National, The Conservateur

Sturmon: In the next chapter, Trump’s return and the dream team driving change

By Dawn Sturmon | Commentary, The Conservateur Is it just me, or has the air suddenly cleared, the sun started shining a little brighter, and everything around us feels less... frenzied? That’s how it feels knowing that Donald Trump will soon take the White House reins again. After years of chaos, broken promises, fake news, and empty rhetoric, there’s a refreshing return to clarity — plans that are firm and unapologetically ambitious. I imagine I’m not alone in this feeling. It’s a collective exhale — a sigh of relief as we prepare for a transformative new chapter in American politics. A New Team of Change-Makers Now, here’s the fun part. I’m not just excited about Trump’s return; it’s the team he’s bringing with him that’s lighting up the stage. This is a lineup of political ou...
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Carr: Risk-limiting audits in Colorado have little chance of finding and fixing incorrect election outcomes
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Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Carr: Risk-limiting audits in Colorado have little chance of finding and fixing incorrect election outcomes

By Tasha Carr | Guest Commentary, Larimer League of Independent Voters Voters have the right to ensure that our votes are counted correctly. The Risk-limiting Audit (RLA) is the only method available for Colorado voters to be assured that wrong election outcomes are detected and fixed. Yet, the RLAs in Colorado have little chance of fixing any incorrect outcomes because the Secretary of State is violating key assumptions of the RLAs and not complying with best practices. Fundamental to RLAs is the statistical concept of a risk limit. In plain English, the risk limit is the risk (chance) of not discovering and fixing wrong election outcomes. To ensure our elections are valid, we want the chance of missing a wrong outcome to be very low. But the risk limit only applie...
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Verhoeff: On Veterans Day, we honor service and sacrifice, yet many Colorado schools remain open 
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Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Verhoeff: On Veterans Day, we honor service and sacrifice, yet many Colorado schools remain open 

By Sean Verhoeff | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice As we approach Veterans Day, a day dedicated to honoring the men and women who have selflessly served our nation, we are reminded of the sacrifices these individuals and their families have made. This federal holiday offers the nation an opportunity to reflect on the courage, commitment and resilience of our veterans, and to express gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy as a result of their service.  However, in Colorado, many public schools do not observe Veterans Day as a holiday, meaning students attend classes as usual, and families often miss the chance to celebrate together. For families with a legacy of military service, this lack of observance can feel like a missed opportunity to pass down stories, traditions an...
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An open letter to voters from Mesa County Clerk Bobbie Gross
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Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

An open letter to voters from Mesa County Clerk Bobbie Gross

By Bobbie Gross | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice As your Mesa County clerk​ & recorder, I am deeply committed to the transparency, security, and integrity of our elections. I want to address a recent oversight by the secretary of state’s office, which inadvertently published BIOS passwords — one of the many layers that protect our voting equipment. I assure you that your vote remains secure and will be counted accurately. Our election system, here in Mesa County, is protected by multiple layers of security. Access to voting equipment is strictly limited to authorized personnel who pass background checks, and every entry and exit from secure areas is logged. These areas are monitored by 24/7 surveillance cameras, and we are immediately alerted to any unusual activity. O...
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Sloan: The BRICS election and the next U.S. President
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Commentary, National, Rocky Mountain Voice

Sloan: The BRICS election and the next U.S. President

By Kelly Sloan | Contributing Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Writing a political column is a notoriously difficult endeavor two days before a major election. By the time you read this, editorial vagaries being what they are, the election will be over and any electoral prognostication or attempt at influence will be rendered, well, moot. We may or may not know for certain how it all turned out, but even if there remain votes to count, or recounts to be conducted, the United States will have, via the electoral college, selected either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris as President. Sort of Schrodinger’s Cat as applied to democracy.  What we do know is that whoever the next president is will be inheriting an increasingly dangerous and unstable world beyond America’s borders, and t...
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Bzdek: Is Colorado paying enough attention to marijuana’s toll?
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Commentary, gazette.com, State

Bzdek: Is Colorado paying enough attention to marijuana’s toll?

By Vince Bzdek | Commentary, The Gazette Just before Javonte Hill got out of the Navy and settled in Denver, he was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and depression but had not sought treatment yet. His girlfriend, an occasional marijuana user, recommended he try pot as a way “to chill out.” “You know I’m not like a pot smoker. I just got out of the military,” he recently told a New York Times reporter. But he’d heard it was a much safer alternative to alcohol, and he wouldn’t wake up hung over, so why not? READ THE FULL COMMENTARY AT THE GAZETTE Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so we support the constitutional right of the author t...
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Devotional: The power of words to transform and lift us up
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Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Devotional: The power of words to transform and lift us up

By DRAKE HUNTER | Devotional, Rocky Mountain Voice In recent months, we've been surrounded by a clamor of voices from entertainment, religion and politics. While some messages uplift and inspire, many can lead us astray. It’s crucial to remember that words might seem innocent on their own, but when woven together into thoughts, they can dramatically shape our world —- for the better or worse. Words are more than mere symbols; they carry the weight of thoughts that can transform our lives. If we truly seek healthy change, we must embrace God’s thoughts, which are thoughts of love, peace and hope, and can guide us toward a brighter future for all. This is why it’s essential to let impactful words enter our minds and shape our thinking. True transformation happens when we consciously...
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