The Mountain Minute: 5/2/2025

🎧 Mountain Minute – May 2, 2025
Parental rights dominate the Capitol, fentanyl floods the Western Slope, and Trump reshuffles his national security team. Here’s your rapid-fire rundown of Colorado and national headlines.

Colorado News:
🔹 HB25-1312 Advances After Midnight
One of Colorado’s most controversial bill this session—HB25-1312—advanced out of the Senate Judiciary Committee after an 8-hour hearing that stretched past 1:00 a.m.
Over 680 Coloradans signed up to testify, but only a fraction were heard before public comment was cut off.
Parents, pastors, school board members, and medical professionals warned the bill could:
– Criminalize parenting decisions
– Override local school policies
– Punish professionals for not affirming gender identity
Despite six amendments, the bill passed on a party-line 5–2 vote. Full testimony recap at rockymountainvoice.com.
Read more: https://rockymountainvoice.com/2025/05/doctors-parents-pastors-say-hb25-1312-crosses-line-as-senate-advances-bill-after-midnight/

🔹 Former Rep. Yadira Caraveo Accused of Toxic Workplace
Former aides say the Congresswoman mistreated and traumatized them during her time in office. One staffer filed a complaint with the Congressional Office of Workplace Rights.
Read more: https://rockymountainvoice.com/2025/05/yadira-caraveos-former-aides-say-they-were-mistreated-traumatized-by-colorado-congresswoman/

🔹 Colorado Among Worst States for Drug Problems
According to a new WalletHub report, Colorado ranks near the bottom nationally for drug issues.
Read more: http://rockymountainvoice.com/2025/05/colorado-has-the-8th-biggest-drug-problem-in-us/

The crisis is reflected on the Western Slope, where law enforcement seized nearly 10 pounds of fentanyl powder, 4 pounds of meth, and pills near a middle school in a major drug trafficking bust.
Read more: https://rockymountainvoice.com/2025/05/nearly-10-pounds-of-fentanyl-powder-seized-in-drug-trafficking-operation-on-colorados-western-slope/

🔹 Reformulated Gas Sparks New Backlash
Adams County leaders oppose a plan to expand EPA-mandated fuel pipelines, citing pollution and cost. Drivers report paying up to 40 cents more per gallon, while state officials argue it’s the price of cleaner air.
Read more: https://rockymountainvoice.com/2025/05/federal-mandates-real-costs-epas-gas-policy-hits-coloradans-at-the-pump/

National News:
🔹 U.S. Secures Rare Earth Deal with Ukraine
Ukraine signs a minerals agreement giving the U.S. priority access to critical materials used in defense and tech. The deal is part of a broader post-war rebuilding and energy independence strategy.
Read more: https://rockymountainvoice.com/2025/05/ukraine-signs-rare-earth-minerals-agreement-with-u-s/

🔹 Trump Promotes Mike Waltz Amid Firing Rumors
After media outlets reported Waltz was ousted as National Security Adviser, Trump instead appointed him U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Florida Senator Marco Rubio has temporarily stepped into the NSA role.
Read more: https://rockymountainvoice.com/2025/05/amid-rumors-that-mike-waltz-was-fired-trump-gives-him-another-top-admin-post/

📰 Subscribe now at rockymountainvoice.com for full reporting, breaking updates, and testimony recaps from HB1312.