Author: Jon Caldara

Jon Caldara Proposition HH will fail at the ballot box. After it does, Gov. Jared Polis will call a special session before the end of the year to address the property tax crisis he created. He will have little choice. There are few things more enjoyable than watching Jared Polis not answer simple questions. At…

Jon Caldara This is the story of how deviously written the ballot language for the tax increase Proposition HH is, and how normally good public technocrats are too terrified to shine a light on it. Colorado has a citizen’s initiative process, meaning people like you and I can bring forward ballot questions to get around…

Jon Caldara I’m not the smartest guy around. Just check my Twitter feed (now called X) and you’ll see many, many of the most well-mannered people agreeing with me. But I think I’m safe in saying if the teacher’s union is pouring gobs of money to pass a ballot question, it most definitely is not…

Jon Caldara Have you ever had an imaginary argument with your dog, and then the dog gets some really good shots in? It happened between me and my dog the other day after eight U.S. representatives helped oust the Speaker of the House, a first in U.S. history. Colorado’s own U.S. Rep. Ken Buck joined…

Jon Caldara Absolutely, it was a stunt. Maybe even a childish one. But I guarantee you it was born of anger, quite genuinely. Last Monday, I again scooped the human excrement I often clean up from around my downtown office building, left along with the other trash from Denver’s finest homeless. But this time, in…

Jon Caldara I fly to Dallas a little too often. When I go for personal reasons, like to visit my daughter, I’ll take Frontier Airlines. I’m willing to be treated like luggage in exchange for a $30 one-way ticket. Yep, I gamble I might spend my night camped out at an airline gate waiting for…

091723-cp-web-oped-caldara-1 I’ve been searching for the right word to describe Mike Johnston’s very earnest approach to Denver’s homeless problem. The word I found is, “adorable.” Michael is one of the most likable affable, cuddly mayors Denver has ever had. He is the kid for whom you drive out of your way to buy a cup…

Jon Caldara I would love it if Donald Trump was not the Republican nominee for president in 2024. The main reason is simple. I don’t want Joe Biden to be elected again. And just about any of the other Republicans running would easily beat him. There’s a chance, well under 50% currently, Trump will be…

Jon Caldara There’s a lot to unfold with one Gadsden flag. The most surprising and disappointing point about this kerfuffle is that, even at a reputable charter school with a classical curriculum, with an emphasis on teaching historic accuracy, staff needs to be schooled by parents that one of America’s founding flags has nothing to…

Jon Caldara I hate poetry. It’s peculiar because I love lyrics to songs. But if someone starts reciting poetry, I look for the nearest exit. Don’t get me wrong, I always have time for a dirty limerick. But other than that, I’ll save poetry for the English Lit majors who will be spending their adult…