Engage The Rockies Podcast

Engage covers the top headlines from around Colorado for the week of April 29 - May 2, 2025.To receive the full articles covered in today's episode, sign up to our emailing list at www.EngageTheRockies.com and we'll provide them on alternate Mondays.

In this interview, Los Animas County Commissioner Felix Lopez shares his journey from the son of a Bracero worker to a leader in Colorado government, highlighting the importance of hard work, faith, and community service. He discusses the pressing issues facing rural Colorado—including the impact of unfunded mandates, the rural-urban divide, and the opioid crisis—emphasizing the need for local control, effective communication, and collaborative solutions to address both longstanding and emerging challenges.

Engage covers the top headlines from around Colorado for the 4th week of April 2025.To receive the full articles covered in today's episode, sign up to our emailing list at www.EngageTheRockies.com and we'll provide them on alternate Mondays.

State Representative Jarvis Caldwell detailed the controversy surrounding Colorado’s HB 1312, which would require courts to award custody to parents affirming a child’s gender identity and classify “deadnaming” as child abuse in custody disputes. The bill’s rapid progression, limited debate, and labeling of parental rights groups as “hate groups” have ignited national and international attention, with critics warning of severe threats to parental rights and constitutional freedoms. 

Engage covers the top headlines from around Colorado for the 3rd week of April 2025.To receive the full articles covered in today's episode, sign up to our emailing list at www.EngageTheRockies.com and we'll provide them on alternate Mondays.

Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer discusses her extensive political career, including her role on Colorado's Joint Budget Committee (JBC), where she helps craft and oversee the state’s balanced budget amidst structural deficits caused by overspending and reliance on one-time funds. She also shares insights into the complexities of home rule governance for counties, drawing from her experience as a Weld County commissioner.

Those are the top stories for the 2nd week of April 2025. Please tune in each Friday for your Week in Review from Engage the Rockies. Please continue to Like, Share, and Subscribe for more great content. If you’d like the full articles from the stories we talked about today, sign-up to our email list at EngagetheRockies.com and we’ll send you our show notes each week. Thank you.

Congressman Gabe Evans reflects on his transition from state legislature to Congress and outlines his legislative priorities, including addressing crime, improving education, and enhancing public safety. He highlights initiatives like the Uplift Act to combat organized crime and drug trafficking and discusses bipartisan efforts to reduce fraud and inefficiencies in Medicaid through measures like the Medicare and Medicaid Fraud Prevention Act. Evans emphasizes balancing fiscal responsibility with protecting essential services for lawful beneficiaries.

Engage covers the top headlines from around Colorado for the 1st week of April 2025.To receive the full articles covered in today's episode, sign up to our emailing list at www.EngageTheRockies.com and we'll provide them on alternate Mondays.

DJ Summers from the Common Sense Institute delves into Colorado's complex transportation challenges. These include low public transit ridership, deteriorating road conditions, and ambitious environmental targets. The RTD in Denver grapples with safety perceptions and declining ridership, while state highways rank poorly nationwide, contributing to safety concerns. Despite increasing vehicle usage, the Colorado legislature prioritizes electrification and alternative transportation over highway expansion. Considering Colorado's unique geography, residents' car-dependent lifestyles, and the need for vehicle access to outdoor recreation the focus on urban solutions doesn’t seem to make sense.