The Mountain Minute: 8/29/2025

🎧 Mountain Minute – August 29
We’re back in the studio, and today’s stories cut across courtrooms, kitchens, and capitols — exposing how everyday Coloradans are caught in political crossfire.

Colorado News:
🔹 Bakery showdown – A family-run French bakery on Lookout Mountain says zoning officials could force them to shut down simply because the owners live in small trailers behind the shop. Supporters call it heavy-handed government hurting small business.
Read more: https://rockymountainvoice.com/2025/08/28/colorado-officials-target-christian-bakery-with-heavy-handed-zoning-rules/

🔹 Polis & sanctuary state – Polis insists Colorado isn’t a sanctuary state, but critics point to laws that limit cooperation with federal agents, saying the reality tells a different story.
Read more: https://rockymountainvoice.com/2025/08/26/polis-says-colorado-isnt-a-sanctuary-state-but-the-laws-say-otherwise/

🔹 Illegal immigration costs – New data shows Colorado absorbed roughly 43,000 illegal immigrants in two years, with Denver bearing tens of thousands and costs in the nine figures.
Read more: https://rockymountainvoice.com/2025/08/28/colorado-absorbed-43000-illegal-immigrants-in-2-years-as-taxpayers-foot-the-bill/

🔹 Budget cuts – Lawmakers handed Polis authority for $300 million in cuts, plus reserve taps. Democrats call it a fix, Republicans say provider rates and services could suffer.
Read more: https://rockymountainvoice.com/2025/08/28/colorado-lawmakers-hand-polis-authority-for-300-million-in-spending-cuts/

🔹 Wolves & costs – Ranchers and wildlife managers are overwhelmed as wolf conflicts drive $3M+ in annual costs. Compensation funds are strained, lethal removals are underway, and CPW even floated feeding roadkill to wolves.
Read more: https://rockymountainvoice.com/2025/08/28/colorados-wolf-experiment-proves-costly-mistake-for-rural-communities/

🔹 Student voices – At CSU, young conservatives say a TPUSA event gives them space to speak freely in a climate where many self-censor.
Read more: https://rockymountainvoice.com/2025/08/28/from-silence-to-the-mic-why-young-conservatives-say-csus-tpusa-event-matters/

🔹 Gun rights in court – A new analysis finds DVPO rulings on firearms vary widely depending on the judge, raising fairness concerns.
Read more: https://rockymountainvoice.com/2025/08/28/when-gun-rights-depend-on-the-judge-new-study-reveals-disparities-in-dvpo-cases/

🔹 Women’s sports – The NYT is under fire for smearing Riley Gaines and XX-XY Athletics while dodging the fairness issue at the core of women’s competition.
Read more: https://rockymountainvoice.com/2025/08/28/nyt-smears-riley-gaines-and-xx-xy-athletics-while-ignoring-fairness-in-womens-sports/

🔹 Colorado’s shift – Rapid population growth and progressive policies are fueling resentment in neighboring states, critics say, erasing Colorado’s independent character.
Read more: https://rockymountainvoice.com/2025/08/28/colorados-shift-left-sparks-growing-resentment-in-neighboring-states/

National News:
🔹 Minneapolis tragedy – A transgender shooter attacked a Catholic school and church, killing two children and injuring 17. Writings showed regrets over transitioning and threats of violence.
Read more: https://rockymountainvoice.com/2025/08/28/transgender-shooter-expressed-regret-over-transition-before-attacking-school/

🔹 Flags at half-staff – Trump and Polis ordered U.S. and Colorado flags lowered to honor the victims. Trump condemned it as “senseless,” Polis called it “awful,” stressing no parent should fear for their child’s safety.
Read more: https://rockymountainvoice.com/2025/08/28/trump-and-polis-order-flags-to-half-staff-until-sunday-following-minneapolis-catholic-church-shooting/

📲 Full stories at RockyMountainVoice.com
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