On August 27, 2024, Tom McCracken, Kenneth Rapoza, and Jay Valentine joined the show. Former educator and real estate professional running for Chaffey County Commissioner discusses how state-mandated land use codes have tripled regulations, driving builders from mountain communities facing workforce housing shortages Industry analyst explains how Chinese solar companies benefit from double subsidies through both Chinese government support and American Inflation Reduction Act.

Start listening at 72:22 – Hour 2

Jay Valentine exposes the mechanics of mail-in ballot fraud, revealing that hundreds of thousands of ballots in swing states go to addresses where no one can legally reside. Valentine explains that his team has identified 143,000 Colorado addresses where the zip code does not match the city, meaning the postal service cannot guarantee ballot delivery. His organization uses what he calls “reconciliation,” comparing voter rolls against postal service data, property tax records, and DMV files to identify phantom voters registered at Walmarts, gas stations, and homeless shelters.

Valentine argues that poll watchers are insufficient because the fraud occurs before election day through mail-in ballots sent to ineligible addresses. His technology can flag these ballots in real-time as they enter the cast ballot roll, allowing challenges before counting. He emphasizes that Colorado pioneered universal mail-in voting, making it the “petri dish” for techniques now spreading to swing states.

“Well, you’re the petri dish, but you’re the petri dish because you’re the first state that mandated everybody gets a mail-in ballot.”

Jay Valentine, Omega for America

Start listening at 32:24 – Hour 1

Kenneth Rapoza warns that Chinese solar companies receive a “double subsidy,” benefiting from both Chinese government support and American Inflation Reduction Act incentives. Eight of the top ten solar multinationals are Chinese, and at least five are building manufacturing facilities in the United States to capture IRA tax benefits. Rapoza compares America’s position to entering a bodybuilding contest against a competitor on steroids.

The Coalition for a Prosperous America analyst explains that energy costs directly impact American manufacturing competitiveness. When electricity costs ten cents per kilowatt-hour in one location versus twenty-five cents elsewhere, businesses relocate. Blue states mandating renewable energy portfolios are driving up electricity bills, with some California residents paying over $1,000 monthly for small homes. Rapoza notes that while Americans demolish coal plants, China builds nuclear reactors and continues burning coal to power their manufacturing advantage.

“And it’s like entering a bodybuilding contest, and we’re 180-pound natural bodybuilders versus a 250-pound guy who’s juiced up on steroids.”

Kenneth Rapoza, Coalition for a Prosperous America

Start listening at 18:21 – Hour 1

Tom McCracken, candidate for Chaffey County Commissioner, describes how new state-mandated land use codes have tripled regulations from 8,000 to 26,000 words, driving builders out of mountain communities. The former educator and real estate professional explains that requiring 400-amp electrical panels for EV charging adds costs that make construction economically unviable in areas already facing workforce housing shortages.

McCracken traces his civic awakening to teaching high school students about the Patriot Act after September 11, recognizing that surveillance powers would eventually target ordinary Americans exercising their beliefs. He now sees similar overreach in parents being labeled threats for attending school board meetings. His platform centers on reopening Chaffey County for business by reducing regulatory barriers.

“Our current land use code, which sort of mandates or dictates what a property is going to look like and how you develop that property, had 8,000 words in it. But the new one that came down from the state has 26,000 words in it, which is three times as many regulations, which is three times as many boxes for a builder to check, which is three times as many pages.”

Tom McCracken, Chaffey County Commissioner Candidate

On August 26, 2024, Mark Baisley, Virginia Macha, and Natalie Menten joined the show. Introduced a three-page bill to decouple property taxes from property valuations, establishing 2021 district budgets as baselines with increases tied only to inflation and population growth Exposed FAST 41 as a federal mechanism bypassing state regulators to fast-track massive transmission corridors through eminent domain, threatening hundreds of miles of farmland.

Start listening at 16:31 – Hour 1

Mark Baisley, Colorado State Senator representing Douglas and Jefferson counties, breaks down the property tax crisis that began when voters repealed the Gallagher Amendment four years ago. Without Gallagher’s governing mechanism, property values skyrocketed 47% and taxes followed suit. Baisley sits on the 17-member property tax commission created after voters rejected Proposition HH, but expresses frustration that the commission showed little appetite for creative solutions.

The Senator introduces his alternative bill, a mere three pages compared to the 40-page bipartisan compromise. His approach decouples property valuations from property taxes entirely, establishing 2021 budgets as baselines for special districts with increases tied only to inflation and population growth. Representatives Brandi Bradley and Stephanie Luck co-sponsor the measure, along with Senator Van Winkle. Baisley anticipates Democrats will kill the bill but plans to bring it directly to voters as a ballot measure.

“What my bill that gets introduced this morning as a competitor bill, what this would do would be to dissociate, to decouple those two, property valuations and property taxes. Instead, it would establish the baseline of all our special districts, our water district, our fire district, our library districts.”

Mark Baisley, Colorado State Senator

Start listening at 34:10 – Hour 1

Virginia Macha with Stand for the Land Kansas reveals a federal power grab hiding in plain sight. FAST 41, buried within the Biden administration’s infrastructure bill, fast-tracks massive transmission corridors under the guise of national security. The Grain Belt Express, a 480-mile DC transmission line carrying 700 megawatts, will bisect Kansas with no off-ramps for local energy needs, all through eminent domain.

State regulators and the public have been locked out of the process entirely. Macha discovered that Joe Biden designated the Grain Belt Express as critical infrastructure the day after she organized a meeting in Dodge City to educate landowners. Ten giant National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors threaten the Midwest, with Colorado facing its own Mountain Plains Southwest corridor spanning 540 miles and up to 100 miles wide near Pueblo.

The good news emerges from local action. Organized landowners changed 21 incumbent county commissioners in the Kansas primary, with more challenges coming in the general election. Stand for the Land Kansas connects citizens through targeted zip code information and public hearings.

“We will literally turn western Kansas into a desert of glass and wind for energy not meant for Kansas, that will be transferred to the east and west coast, where they have terrible power policies.”

Virginia Macha, Stand for the Land Kansas

Start listening at 70:04 – Hour 2

Natalie Menten, Jefferson County Commissioner candidate and longtime taxpayer advocate, has saved Colorado taxpayers millions over three decades of watchdog work. She runs against an incumbent who spent ten years in court trying to overturn TABOR entirely. The incumbent recently stated publicly that he does not care if taxpayer money subsidizes undocumented immigrants through government housing programs.

Menten sounds the alarm on Senate Bill 24B-0004, sponsored by Representative Weissman and Senator Hansen. The bill would require any statewide property tax initiative to receive secondary approval from local voters, but provides no mechanism for how such votes would occur. Citizens cannot petition at the county, school district, or special district level, meaning statewide initiatives remain the only avenue for property tax reform.

Metropolitan districts exemplify the problem. Developers sitting at conference tables create taxing entities, waive TABOR rights before residents move in, and saddle homeowners with hefty mill levies. Citizens cannot petition to cap these taxes after the fact. Menten argues the legislature should refer a constitutional amendment granting citizens local petition rights rather than restricting statewide initiatives.

“But these are county commissioners who determine your property tax rates, whether you’re being overcharged and whether that county commissioner will just cut your tax bill at the beginning, so you don’t even have to put it out of pocket and wait for a TABR refund.”

Natalie Menten, Jefferson County Commissioner Candidate

On August 23, 2024, Allen Thomas, Paula Sarlls, Lorne Levy, Karen Levine, and Jim May joined the show. Exposed how the Kamala Harris campaign copies Trump-Vance policy proposals while receiving favorable media coverage for identical ideas Invited listeners to the memorial’s 47th anniversary celebration featuring Medal of Honor recipient Drew Dix and Iwo Jima veterans Explained current mortgage rate conditions with conforming loans in the low-to-mid sixes and.

Start listening at 1:30 – Hour 1

Allen Thomas exposes the duplicity in the Kamala Harris campaign’s messaging strategy, demonstrating how the Democratic nominee copies Republican policy positions only to receive favorable media coverage for the same ideas that drew criticism when proposed by J.D. Vance or Donald Trump. Thomas points to the child tax credit proposal as a prime example: when Vance suggested a $5,000 child tax credit on August 12th, media outlets dismissed the idea as unrealistic. Two days later, Harris proposed $6,000, and the same outlets celebrated it as bipartisan common sense.

The pattern extends to the “no tax on tips” proposal that Trump championed throughout the campaign. Thomas notes that the Harris campaign, which previously supported hiring thousands of new IRS agents to audit working Americans, now claims to support eliminating taxes on tips. The media shift in narrative from skepticism to enthusiasm reveals the coordination between the campaign and sympathetic press outlets.

“They have to run a campaign based on hate, because that’s the only way they’re going to win is to make sure you hate Trump more than you like voting for them.”

Allen Thomas, Author at The Kim Monson Show

Start listening at 20:03 – Hour 1

Paula Sarlls, President of the USMC Memorial Foundation, invites listeners to the 47th anniversary celebration happening the following day. The event features Medal of Honor recipient Drew Dix, Iwo Jima veterans Al Jennings and Jim Blaine, and Honor Flight leader Colonel Lowe. Sarlls emphasizes that children attend free and the family-friendly event celebrates those who served.

“These men and women that the memorial honors are worth you coming out and supporting us.”

Paula Sarlls, President, USMC Memorial Foundation

Start listening at 72:03 – Hour 2

Lorne Levy of Polygon Financial Group breaks down current mortgage rate conditions, noting that conforming loans now sit in the lower to mid-sixes, significantly better than a year ago. FHA and VA borrowers can find rates in the fives. The revised jobs report, which cut 818,000 previously claimed jobs, actually helped rates by signaling a slowing economy that reduces inflation pressure.

For homeowners who bought with temporary rate buydowns that are expiring, Levy recommends exploring refinancing options. He offers to pay for appraisals for show listeners considering a rate-and-term refinance.

“This was a big adjustment this past time, like 800,000 adjusted.”

Lorne Levy, Polygon Financial Group

Start listening at 77:28 – Hour 2

Karen Levine of RE/MAX Alliance reports the highest inventory levels in a decade, creating more choice for buyers. Well-priced, well-located homes in good condition still command market value, but properties with deferred maintenance or less desirable locations face significant price reductions. Levine notes a concerning trend: many sellers are leaving Colorado entirely, though new residents continue arriving from other states.

The conversation turned to onerous landlord regulations passed by the Colorado legislature, which have driven small investors out of the rental market. Levine shared how restrictions on asking about income sources and extended eviction timelines place unfair burdens on property owners who must continue making mortgage payments while tenants choose not to pay rent.

“We have the highest amount of inventory that we’ve seen in a decade, which means there’s more choice for buyers.”

Karen Levine, RE/MAX Alliance Realtor

Start listening at 63:06 – Hour 2

Jim May of La Vaca Meat Company entertained listeners with Bill Hershey’s cowboy poem about a rancher’s misadventure shopping for ladies’ undergarments. Beyond the humor, May shared his perspective on the American dream of land ownership, noting that his family’s ranches in Nevada and eastern Colorado represent generational investments built from nothing. He challenged listeners to recognize the correlation between energy policy and economic prosperity.

“Buy dirt and get some water on it too, because you need water for life.”

Jim May, La Vaca Meat Company

On August 22, 2024, Steve Yurash, Lawrence Reed, and Toby Damisch joined the show. Discusses his candidacy for House District 52 as a centrist alternative, advocating for TABOR, limited government, and rational energy policy while drawing on his Silicon Valley background Examines Calvin Coolidge’s centennial as a model of fiscal restraint, then critiques Kamala Harris’s price control proposals using 40 centuries of economic history.

Start listening at 21:21 – Hour 1

Steve Yurash, a 38-year semiconductor industry veteran running for House District 52, argues that Colorado needs moderate voices to counter one-party dominance at the state capitol. The former Intel executive, who left the Republican Party in 2019 to found the Colorado Center Party, brings a Silicon Valley perspective to Front Range politics.

Yurash draws on his experience watching California’s political transformation to warn Colorado voters about the dangers of unchecked progressive governance. He supports TABOR protections and property tax relief while advocating for rational energy policy that balances renewable expansion with reliable baseload power, including nuclear energy.

“The Democrat legislature would skyrocket all of our taxes if we didn’t have Tabor.”

Steve Yurash, Colorado Center Party Candidate for HD-52

Start listening at 31:57 – Hour 1

Lawrence Reed marks the centennial of Calvin Coolidge’s 1924 presidential election by examining lessons from the only president to leave the federal government smaller than he found it. Reed, who has spent decades advocating for free market principles, traces how Coolidge and Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon reduced income tax rates from the 70s to the 20s while cutting the national debt by a third.

The conversation pivots from 1920s fiscal policy to present-day concerns about Kamala Harris’s endorsement of price controls. Reed argues that 40 centuries of economic history demonstrate the failure of government price-fixing, from ancient Babylon to Nixon’s wage and price controls. He connects these historical lessons to Harris’s proposals for federal grocery price interventions, warning that such policies inevitably produce shortages and black markets.

Reed expresses cautious optimism for America’s long-term trajectory while acknowledging concerning trends. He emphasizes the essential connection between personal character and political liberty, noting that citizens who abandon virtues like humility, honesty, and gratitude cannot long sustain free institutions.

“But people like Kamala Harris seem to think that they can make something that has never worked suddenly work for them.”

Lawrence Reed, Foundation for Economic Education President Emeritus

Start listening at 59:00 – Hour 2

Toby Damisch breaks down the chaos surrounding Colorado’s property tax crisis as Governor Polis calls legislators back for another special session starting Monday. The Douglas County Assessor explains how the combination of Gallagher Amendment repeal and the 2023 reappraisal cycle created a perfect storm that sent property tax bills soaring 30 to 60 percent in a single year.

Damisch details the complex negotiations between Advanced Colorado’s ballot measures, Initiatives 50 and 108, and the legislature’s counterproposals. He warns that legislative leadership is pushing for a constitutional amendment that would strip citizens of their ability to place future property tax measures on the ballot. The assessor expresses particular concern about “backfill” provisions that would require the state to reimburse local governments for any revenue lost to tax cuts, potentially costing billions while shielding special districts from fiscal accountability.

The hour-long discussion reveals how Colorado’s tax structure has grown increasingly opaque, with over 3,000 special districts in the state and 330 in Douglas County alone. Damisch notes that monthly mortgage payments have increased by $800 to $1,200 for many homeowners as escrow companies adjust for higher property taxes and insurance costs, putting unprecedented pressure on household budgets.

“Call your representative, call your senator and tell them how you feel about property taxes, because right now, what they’re hearing, are the special interests, who are largely the local governments in special districts.”

Toby Damisch, Douglas County Assessor

On August 21, 2024, Paula Sarlls, J.P. Dunn, Mary Janssen, and Trent Loos joined the show. Previews the August 24th anniversary celebration featuring Dave Bray USA, the Iwo Jima float, and tributes to the late Major General Bill Mullen Exposes a Denver ballot initiative that would shut down an employee-owned lamb processor, threatening 160 families and $861 million in economic impact Discusses Natalie Minton and Charlie.

Start listening at 19:08 – Hour 1

Paula Sarlls, president of the USMC Memorial Foundation, announces the 47th anniversary celebration at the memorial. The August 24th event will feature Dave Bray USA performing, the Iwo Jima float from the Marine Corps League, and stories about how the memorial has changed lives. Sarlls notes they will honor the late Major General Bill Mullen, who recently passed away and served on the foundation’s board. Young Marines and Civil Air Patrol cadets will assist with the event.

“We’re going to tell some history, and we’re going to tell some stories about how it’s changed. The memorial has changed a few lives, and we have countless anecdotal stories, but I chose a couple that were real recent to highlight, and I think it’ll be really interesting for people to hear.”

Paula Sarlls, President, USMC Memorial Foundation

Start listening at 31:49 – Hour 1

J.P. Dunn, executive director of Protect the Harvest, warns about a dangerous Denver ballot initiative pushed by animal rights activists that would force Superior Farms out of business. The lamb processing facility employs 160 families as employee-owners and has operated with an excellent track record. A Colorado State University study estimates the economic impact could reach $861 million and threaten 2,700 jobs across the supply chain.

Dunn emphasizes the critical distinction between animal welfare and animal rights. Superior Farms and its supplying farmers maintain high standards of animal care, but the activists behind this measure seek to impose their will on consumers and eliminate meat as a food choice entirely. The initiative affects multiple cultural communities in Denver who rely on lamb as a protein source. Dunn urges voters to visit StopTheBanProtectJobs.com to learn more and contribute to defeating this measure.

The conversation shifts to federal land management and grazing rights under attack across the West. Grazing on BLM lands plays a crucial role in fire prevention and converting grasslands into protein for families. Dunn notes that environmental activists lobbying the Bureau of Land Management to eliminate grazing drives up meat prices and creates serious fire control issues, undermining a management practice that has worked for over 100 years.

“It’s a dangerous precedent, of course, but it also would take away the jobs of 160 families that are actually owners of the business.”

J.P. Dunn, Executive Director, Protect the Harvest

Start listening at 63:03 – Hour 2

Mary Janssen, former Lakewood City Councilwoman and owner of Janssen Photography, highlights the importance of the Jefferson County Commissioner race. Natalie Minton, a longtime TABOR defender who has saved Colorado taxpayers millions of dollars, is running alongside Charlie Johnson. Janssen explains how rising property taxes have squeezed her photography business and reduced consumer spending, creating a vicious cycle where governments respond to lower sales tax revenue by raising property taxes even higher.

Janssen warns about Question 1A on the Jefferson County ballot, which would de-TABOR the county and remove protections requiring voter approval for tax increases. She emphasizes that TABOR is more than refunds; it ensures transparency and forces government to ask permission before taking more from taxpayers.

“What they just need to do is stop spending, you know, cut the spending, cut taxes, bring everything back to normal.”

Mary Janssen, Former Lakewood City Councilwoman

Start listening at 73:47 – Hour 2

Trent Loos, sixth-generation farmer and rancher, delivers a detailed analysis of how property taxes, particularly school funding, are crushing homeowners and farmers across the nation. In Nebraska, 70% of property taxes go to schools, compared to roughly 55-60% in other states. His research reveals that even when Nebraska increased state aid from $29,000 to $460,000 for his local school district, costs doubled rather than providing tax relief.

Loos discovers that school superintendents often do not even know about funding sources like the school land trust, which provides $160 per student in Nebraska. He identifies superintendents, influenced by state and national school board associations, as primary drivers of runaway spending. A caller from Wyoming cites the Poudre School District, where the superintendent received a $43,000 raise to earn $273,000 annually, while the previous superintendent received a $560,000 severance package.

The discussion connects property taxes to the broader agenda of the World Economic Forum’s prediction that by 2030, people will own nothing. Loos explains the Buffalo Commons concept from the 1980s, which proposed returning the Great Plains to buffalo and tribes, and how current land policies like Executive Order 14008’s 30 by 30 initiative align with that vision. He emphasizes that county commissioners, school boards, and sheriffs hold the key to resisting federal overreach.

“There is a bigger impact on what happens at your school board meeting to your ability to maintain your home and your business and your community than anything that could happen in Washington D.C., and people have lost sight of that.”

Trent Loos, Sixth-Generation Farmer and Rancher

On August 20, 2024, Robyn Carnes, Taralyn Romero, and Mark Tapscott joined the show. Explained the upcoming special session on property taxes, detailing how Initiatives 50 and 108 pushed the legislature to propose permanent cuts and caps protected by TABOR Updated the fight to save Polizzi Farm from developer-driven eminent domain, announcing new council ordinances that would give Brighton officials authority to pause permits.

Start listening at 17:58 – Hour 1

Robyn Carnes, Republican candidate for Colorado Senate District 16, breaks down the framework of the special session set to begin August 26th. Governor Polis called the session after Advance Colorado gathered sufficient signatures for Initiatives 50 and 108, which would permanently cut and cap property taxes. The legislative deal would reduce the effective residential property tax rate to 6.3-6.4 percent, down from the current trajectory of 6.7 percent, while cutting commercial rates from 29 percent to 25 percent.

Carnes emphasizes that the agreement would cap property tax growth at 5.25 percent for local governments and introduce inflation-based caps for school districts, protections that would be locked in through TABOR and require voter approval to override. The bipartisan framework emerged only after citizen initiative pressure forced legislators back to the table, demonstrating the power of grassroots accountability.

“When you look at a purple campaign, it means we’re going to push people and policy over party.”

Robyn Carnes, Republican Candidate for Colorado Senate District 16

Start listening at 34:28 – Hour 1

Taralyn Romero delivers encouraging news from the fight to save Polizzi Farm, a century-old family operation in Brighton threatened by a drainage pipe easement granted through eminent domain to a developer-controlled metropolitan district. A recent court ruling kept eminent domain approval in place but ordered Brighton council members to ensure the developer honors commitments that the drainage project would not harm the farm’s operations.

Council members Matt Johnston, Jim Schneider, and Tom Green are now pushing ordinances that would give the city authority to pause developer permits and impose fines when commitments are violated. The September vote on these accountability measures represents a critical opportunity for citizens to demand developer transparency. Romero, who built a following of hundreds of thousands fighting her own property battle against Jefferson County, urges supporters to attend the meeting and maintain public pressure.

“When I’m telling you that eminent domain is now the government’s favorite tool for using and abusing eminent domain and for taking land from the citizenry under the guise, quite often, of public need, it would terrify you just how outrageous and outlandish cases are all over the country.”

Taralyn Romero, Property Rights Activist

Start listening at 71:31 – Hour 2

Mark Tapscott, senior congressional correspondent for The Epoch Times, offers a veteran journalist’s perspective on the DNC’s opening night in Chicago. Having covered conventions for decades, Tapscott notes the haranguing, shouting style that dominated speeches from Biden, Hillary Clinton, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a contrast to the more conversational tone at the Republican National Convention.

The fundamental story of this convention, Tapscott argues, is the party’s attempt to celebrate a president they effectively removed from the ticket one month ago. Biden’s relegation to the first night, past primetime, rather than introducing his successor on Thursday, signals the internal tensions beneath the unity facade. Tapscott draws parallels to 1968, warning that protest activity may escalate as the week progresses, potentially overshadowing Kamala Harris’s acceptance speech as riots overshadowed Hubert Humphrey’s.

“It’s really hard to put a happy face on a coup, but that’s exactly what these folks have done.”

Mark Tapscott, Senior Congressional Correspondent, The Epoch Times

On August 19, 2024, Paula Sarlls, Dave Bray, and Brandon Wark joined the show. Shares her Vietnam-era service background and promotes the upcoming Marine Memorial anniversary event in Golden featuring Iwo Jima veterans and Medal of Honor recipient Drew Dix Explains how he founded Music on a Mission to continue his military service through patriotic performances honoring veterans and law enforcement Advocates for ending.

Start listening at 18:54 – Hour 1

Paula Sarlls, president of the USMC Memorial Foundation, shares her personal connection to the United States Marine Corps Memorial in Golden, Colorado. Having served during Vietnam alongside her husband Tony, Sarlls recalls the profound experience of first visiting the memorial in 2002. That Veterans Day ceremony marked the first time she and her husband felt welcomed home after years of keeping their service hidden due to the era’s anti-military sentiment.

The foundation is preparing for the 47th anniversary celebration on August 24th at 6th and Colfax in Golden. Special guests include Iwo Jima veterans Jim Blaine and Al Jennings, along with Medal of Honor recipient Drew Dix, co-founder of the Center for American Values in Pueblo. Funds raised support the memorial’s ongoing remodel.

“It was the first time that Tony and I felt welcomed home because we both served during Vietnam. And when we got out, we had to put our uniforms away and not talk about it because it just was so unpopular.”

Paula Sarlls, President, USMC Memorial Foundation

Start listening at 20:11 – Hour 1

Dave Bray USA, a former Navy hospital corpsman who served as an FMF corpsman for the Marine Corps, founded Music on a Mission in 2018 to continue serving his fellow veterans through patriotic music. His performances include stirring renditions of the National Anthem and a unique version of Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” with additional lyrics honoring the next generation.

Bray emphasizes that freedom and civility depend on both military service members and law enforcement. He views police officers as cousins to the military, fighting daily battles on the home front. His upcoming performance at the USMC Memorial anniversary will feature tributes to fallen service members and first responders.

“So, again, I’m a believer that our law enforcement are cousins to or akin to our military service men and women.”

Dave Bray USA, Founder, Music on a Mission

Start listening at 69:35 – Hour 2

Brandon Wark, founder of Free State Colorado, breaks down the opportunity for Greeley voters to eliminate their 3% food tax this November. The tax, which has existed for over 30 years, generated $10.9 million in 2023. Thanks to the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, city council must ask voters before permanently extending it.

Wark points to Loveland as proof that cities can survive without food taxes. In 2023, Loveland voters repealed their identical 3% food tax by a 65-35 margin through a citizen initiative. Similarly, Lakewood ended its food tax in 2009, led by Natalie Menton, now running for Jefferson County Commissioner. Greeley’s property tax revenue already increased 27% year-over-year, giving the city flexibility to absorb the change.

“Thank goodness for the Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights, which requires these politicians to ask the voters for this tax increase and this tax extension. This is a 3% tax on food that families need to live, seniors have to pay.”

Brandon Wark, Founder, Free State Colorado

Start listening at 85:12 – Hour 2

Wark details his interview with Aurora City Councilwoman Danielle Jurinsky regarding Venezuelan gang activity in the city. A Nome Street apartment building was shut down after maintenance crews refused to enter due to safety fears. Despite the city blaming code violations, the property owner revealed that gang intimidation made building upkeep impossible.

Police required a full SWAT team response to handle a double shooting at the complex in late July. Jurinsky reports that certain areas of Aurora have become no-go zones for law enforcement. The media and city officials, Wark argues, are downplaying the crisis because acknowledging it would require action during an election year.

“And she says, yes, there’s a serious gang issue of Venezuelan gangs tied to illegal immigration that basically took over an apartment building that the city had to shut down.”

Brandon Wark, Founder, Free State Colorado