From Stage 2 fire bans across Summit, Grand, and Pitkin counties to Cañon City’s scramble to redirect million in pool taxes, this week’s High Country Advocate covers budget battles, housing shortfalls, and community flashpoints across Colorado’s mountain corridor. Full coverage inside
Buena Vista School Board, State Mandates, and Data Center Money:
Did the Buena Vista School Board skip its own rules to push through a Pride Month proclamation? Who is really behind the AI data centers targeting Colorado communities? And who pays when Denver mandates without funding? This week’s readers and contributors have answers — and they’re asking the right questions.
Voter Advice, Warnings, Wonders, and Grows Garlic
Pull a Democratic ballot Tuesday. France is falling neighborhood by neighborhood — and Macron knew. American and Soviet soldiers met at the Elbe in 1945 — part one of three. And the Old Man makes the case for garlic, cedar oil, and opossums over pharmaceutical dependency. The Fort Porch is live.
Colorado Elections Series Puts State’s Voting System Under the Microscope
Dominion scanners that alter ballot images. Risk-Limiting Audits that leave most races unexamined. Officials who answer tough questions with personal attacks. Vince Phillips’ Colorado Elections series — now at #28 — compares Colorado’s mail-centric system to Switzerland and France. One banned postal voting entirely. The other never auto-mails ballots. Colorado does both differently.
Dark Money, Sham Hearings, and Socialists at the Gate: Colorado Votes Tuesday
The same donors are funding both party primaries. Griswold’s own deputy ruled on a complaint against Griswold. The RNC says Colorado is registering voters who never lived here. New York’s socialists just swept three congressional seats. Colorado votes Tuesday. HCA has everything you need before the polls open.
Courts, Casualties, and Congress: A Hard Week for Easy Answers
Firefighters dead in Mesa County. Veterans left waiting on Capitol Hill. Suppressors protected in Texas, not in California. Gold sliding as the Fed signals rate hikes. DOJ at 0-for-11 in court.
Ceasefire in Name Only: Iran Fires Again as the World Watches Venezuela, Ukraine, and Cuba
The Iran ceasefire is eleven days old and already broken. Venezuela’s earthquake death toll passes 1,450. Ukraine hits Russia’s missile factory. Trump called Starmer’s resignation before Starmer did. Cuba faces new sanctions as it approves 175 economic reforms. And the World Cup just broke every attendance record. It’s all in this week’s HCA.
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