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Lockwood: The toxic VA must face reform and accountability
The Department of Veterans Affairs is an absolute disgrace and must be reformed so that we can live up to our promises to our veterans, who have sacrificed everything in the name of duty and honor. Politicians who pay lip service to our veterans but vote against their interests must be shamed and held accountable…
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Nordberg: Repeal oil export ban for security’s sake
Protection. It’s a powerful motivator. It’s why we fund defense and intelligence to keep us safe from those in the world who don’t share our values and wish us harm. It’s why we lock our doors at night to provide confidence and comfort for our loved ones. It’s the motivation behind keeping us from exporting…
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DeGette: A challenge: Build your own federal budget
Figuring out how to pay back student loans. Saving for retirement and hoping Social Security will be there for the future. The risks of a high national debt. Millennials have no shortage of reasons to be concerned about the fiscal health of our country. If you are a young person between the ages of 18…
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Salazar: Fighting wildfires protects Colorado’s water supplies
Long-term drought has dramatically affected Western states across the Colorado River basin, and exacerbated the risk of wildfire in those areas. In addition to the tragic loss of human life, wildfires also threaten our homes, wildlife habitat, the places we hunt, fish and hike, as well as our drinking water. As the U.S. Congress considers…
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Fields: Jeffco board reforms have put education on the right track
Jefferson County has become a flashpoint in the national debate over education reform. But when going door-to-door talking to parents across the county, one thing is crystal clear: People are seeing the effects of the Jefferson County School Board reforms in recent years — and they like what they see. As a former middle school…
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Mehringer: Reasons to hope for recovery from the Era of Super PACs
As the 2016 presidential campaign has made clear, American politics has entered the era of the Super PAC. Most of the candidates for president have not only set up their own candidate campaigns but will also benefit from single-candidate Super PACs supporting them. Candidates for Congress and state offices are sure to follow their lead.…
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Carno: Turn over every stone before asking for more taxes
Colorado Springs voters will have a decision to make this November. Will they approve yet one more tax increase, or will they ask the city leaders to sharpen their pencils and tighten their belts? Politicians — both Republicans and Democrats — like to grow government. And the only way they can grow government is to…
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Domenico: Iran deal’s defenders reveal weak view of U.S. leadership
The impending deal the Obama Administration has struck with Iran’s leadership says a lot about the direction our country’s leadership is pointing us, and none of it is good. Iran is one of the world’s largest oil producers and is unlikely to be spending billions on nuclear reactors and facilities as a purely peaceful, green-energy…
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Bennet: Put Colorado families’ interests ahead of Washington special interests
It’s become a tradition in Washington, D.C. While Coloradans are making plans to visit Rocky Mountain National Park for the Elk Rut and changing leaves or prepping for Broncos tailgates, Congress begins preparations for a potential government shutdown. No local or county government in Colorado – Democrat, Republican, Independent, or Tea Party – would shut…
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Montez: Colorado can’t afford a vacancy on our overworked federal court
The federal courts play a pivotal role, and often serve as a last resort, in protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Coloradans, which we saw this year when the freedom to marry was afforded to same-sex couples across the country. When courts are backlogged, it causes real harm to citizens — including LGBT citizens —…