Author: Jimmy Sengenberger
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Jeffco Schools’ shell game shuts out charters | Jimmy Sengenberger
In early 2024, Jeffco Schools carved out a special “municipal interest” process enabling Lakewood and other municipalities to bypass traditional bidding to acquire shuttered schools. Eight months earlier, an appraisal had made it clear to the school district that competitive bidding was in fact viable for the closed Emory Elementary, meaning the district could sell…
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Colorado has no need for nationalized elections | Jimmy Sengenberger
When President Donald Trump embraces an approach long pushed by Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, it’s a sign that something is deeply wrong. On Tuesday, the president declared he wanted a federal takeover of elections, suggesting doing so “in at least 15 places.” “The Republicans ought to nationalize voting,” Trump said plainly. He doubled…
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Polis’ ‘libertarian’ streak is a false narrative | Jimmy Sengenberger
Just because you say something doesn’t make it true — even if the national media eat up the narrative. I’m talking about the idea that Gov. Jared Polis is just a middle-of-the-road, “libertarian” Democrat. It’s a false narrative, but one Fox News and The Wall Street Journal often parrot — probably because he’s the token…
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A partisan potshot at the CU regents | Jimmy Sengenberger
At the University of Colorado, “bipartisanship” just became a four-letter word. Six months after being appointed to CU’s Board of Regents in Dec. 2021 by Gov. Jared Polis — who touted his “business experience and passion for CU” — Ken Montera was voted vice chair. His colleagues have unanimously reelected him three times since. Montera…
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Boebert takes on Trump over Colorado water | Jimmy Sengenberger
Congress failed Thursday to override President Donald Trump’s veto of a Colorado water project that has been in the works for over 60 years. It’s one of two back-to-back vetoes, the first of his second term. But Colorado Republican 4th Congressional District U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert — known for her fierce MAGA loyalties — still…
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Polis is a mixed bag on public ed | Jimmy Sengenberger
Gov. Jared Polis deserves real credit for being the first Democrat to opt his state into the Trump administration’s federal school choice program. Even as activists in his own party howled in protest, Polis ignored the noise and chose what’s best for Colorado kids. Beginning in 2027, the program — part of last year’s “One…
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Hanukkah’s call to rededication — against antisemitism | Jimmy Sengenberger
A weekend of violence swept the globe, capped by another brutal attack on Jews — this time on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. A father-and-son team of gunmen killed at least 15 people, including a 10-year-old girl and a Holocaust survivor, as families gathered to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah. A celebration to spread…
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Get ready for Colorado utility bills to surge | Jimmy Sengenberger
Gasoline may finally be hovering above $2 a gallon, but for many Coloradans, times are tough and money is tight. The holidays are a reminder of how steep groceries and basic goods are, just as winter reminds us how expensive it is to heat our homes. In this environment, you’d like to think state officials…
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Judge halts Lakewood’s shell game | Jimmy Sengenberger
A Jefferson County judge hit the brakes on Lakewood this week — halting votes by its City Council scheduled for Monday and shining light on a real estate scheme involving Jeffco Schools, City Hall and a homeless-services nonprofit. Last April, Lakewood’s City Council authorized City Manager Kathy Hodgson to negotiate a $4 million, below-market purchase…
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Army vet builds Nashville alternative for Mountain West country artists
Colorado singer-songwriter and guitar slinger Michael Swett may live in Colorado Springs, but his roots run deep in the South. Born and raised in North Carolina, he soaked in the country-infused southern rock sounds of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blackfoot and Marshall Tucker. After years playing hard rock and metal, Swett returned to his musical roots when…