On October 30, 2025, Kim Monson navigates a packed broadcast covering election preparedness, taxpayer protections, Second Amendment advocacy, real estate trends, and a prehistoric adventure coming to Denver, with guests Karen Gordey, Rob Knuth, John Zaller, Karen Levine, Teddy Collins, and Lorne Levy.

Start listening at 9:03 – Hour 1

Karen Gordey, owner of Radiant Painting and Lighting and candidate for Lakewood City Council, discusses the importance of transparency in business and the urgency of voter turnout. With only 17 percent of Jefferson County ballots returned as of the previous afternoon, Gordey emphasizes the need for get-out-the-vote efforts in a city she describes as increasingly following Denver’s troubled path. She highlights her commitment to honest estimates, quality products, and treating customers fairly, principles she aims to bring to public service.

“If you look at one side versus the other, there’s probably right around 5,000 conservative votes out there that are ballots that have not been turned in.”

Karen Gordey, Lakewood City Council Candidate

Start listening at 19:44 – Hour 1

Rob Knuth, vice president of the Colorado Union of Taxpayers, warns of escalating threats to Colorado’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights. The organization reviewed 273 pieces of legislation during the last session, tracking attempts to undermine taxpayer protections. Knuth notes that Governor Polis cut only $252 million of a nearly $1 billion deficit, with legislators attempting to backfill the gap through additional taxation rather than spending restraint. He urges Coloradans to join CUT for just $25 annually to stay informed and hold elected officials accountable.

“We do have a one party rule system here and we don’t have enough people within that one party to stand up and align themselves with the values that we stand for at CUT.”

Rob Knuth, VP, Colorado Union of Taxpayers

Start listening at 32:52 – Hour 1

John Zaller, executive producer at Exhibition Hub, announces that Dinos Alive opens next week at 3900 Elati Street in Denver. The immersive experience features life-size animatronic dinosaurs, walking virtual reality where visitors can stroll alongside a Stegosaurus in prehistoric Colorado, and educational programming aligned with STEM curricula. Zaller emphasizes Colorado’s rich paleontological heritage, noting that the Stegosaurus, Diplodocus, and Allosaurus were all discovered in Pueblo. The exhibition offers families a stress-relieving escape with free parking and flexible timing options for 75 to 90 minute visits.

“Colorado is really ground zero for dino discovery in a lot of ways. It’s right in the heart of the Morrison Formation, which is one of the most fossil-rich formations in the world.”

John Zaller, Executive Producer, Exhibition Hub

Start listening at 64:12 – Hour 2

Karen Levine, REMAX Alliance realtor, reports that first-time homebuyers have more choices than they have had in over a decade. Despite appreciated prices, seller concessions can buy down interest rates to make payments more manageable. Levine notes that motivated sellers want homes sold by Christmas, creating negotiating room on price, inspections, and closing terms. She recently listed a three-bedroom townhome in Arvada at $465,000, representing the type of opportunities now available in the metro market.

“This is the first time in over a decade that first-time homebuyers have had choice. They have options out there.”

Karen Levine, REMAX Alliance Realtor

Start listening at 73:46 – Hour 2

Teddy Collins, owner of Spartan Defense and co-founder of the Second Syndicate, explains efforts to fund the FASTER program that trains and equips teachers to protect students. The program provides firearms, holsters, medical kits, and training at no cost to educators willing to take on this responsibility. Collins warns that some Douglas County school board candidates have pledged to remove armed guards from schools entirely. He describes the Second Amendment as the ultimate freedom, the great equalizer that allows a 110-pound woman to defend herself against a larger attacker. The Second Syndicate works to unite fractured Second Amendment organizations under a big tent focused on constitutional rights.

“Gun rights are women’s rights, human rights, and civil rights. The firearm is a great equalizer.”

Teddy Collins, Spartan Defense

Start listening at 101:59 – Hour 2

Lorne Levy, mortgage specialist with Polygon Financial Group, analyzes the Federal Reserve’s quarter-point rate cut. Despite the reduction, mortgage rates moved slightly higher because the 10-year Treasury rose from $399 to $410. Levy explains that Wall Street fears rate cuts into a healthy economy could stoke inflation, driving up the benchmark that determines mortgage rates. Each quarter-point cut saves the federal government $88 billion annually on national debt interest, but that benefit does not automatically translate to lower rates for homebuyers. Levy advises clients to act when rates work for their situation rather than waiting for further cuts that may not materialize.

“Just because the Fed cuts does not necessarily mean rates are going to go down. And this was another example of it yesterday.”

Lorne Levy, Mortgage Specialist