Every year, we set aside Veteran's Day for America's heroes. But is this one day enough? 

One day per year doesn't amount to weeks spent in foxholes in the French countryside. One day per year doesn't suffice for months of day and night patrols through Fallujah. One day per year doesn't replace the years of sorrow felt over fellow soldiers fallen in Vietnamese jungles. 

We owe a debt to these men and women whose military service has ensured our way of life and our freedom. We owe a debt to them that we can never repay in full. 

To the Citizens of Kiowa County

I was reading an article a few weeks ago from KOAA News 5 regarding rural counties who are struggling with retention of Law Enforcement Officers. They had spoken with Bent County and Crowley County Law Enforcement, and the Fowler Police Department. 

As I was reading their statements, I could relate, and thought that maybe the citizens of Kiowa County don't realize some of what their local Sheriff's Office goes through. 

As a young cattle producer and a mother of six, I learned how to testify at the state capitol in Denver back in the early nineties.  I would go and testify about predators killing our livestock.  I had many pictures showing the damage and the dead calves from coyotes and mountain lions in Southeast Colorado.  In fact, my very first 4-H heifer at the age of nine had her first calf killed by a coyote.  Every time I'd testify I'd also remind people that I RAISE these predators.  Yes, I supply the habitat and land and water on my private propert

On the November Ballot registered voters of Kiowa County will be asked to vote on Kiowa County Referred Ballot Issue 1A to EXTEND THE EXISTING MILL LEVY for Prairie Pines Assisted Living.  I'm concerned that the voters of Kiowa County may think that this will result in a tax increase.  It is NOT A TAX INCREASE, but a continuation or extension of an existing tax that has been existence for the previous 10 years.   The purpose of the tax is to help with construction debt ret

Experience Matters:  Elect George Brauchler for Colorado Attorney General

As someone in law enforcement, it is critical our next AG understands the criminal issues impacting our county like the illegal pot industry that is bringing a huge increase in crime to rural Colorado.  

I urge my fellow Colorado millet producers to vote yes for a Colorado Millet Marketing Order in a referendum being conducted by the Commissioner of Agriculture August 13-31, 2018.  We can grow it - we must promote it!

We need to look out for our own industry since we can't rely on public funding for vital market development and research.  The millet market is highly volatile since the major use is bird feed and seed, so we must invest in key marketing, education and research programs to:  

Interventions can be the difference between life and death for a drug addict or an alcoholic. Not every person in need of rehabilitation readily accepts the opportunity to get clean and handle the issues that drove them to addiction. While some addicts or alcoholics have been so badly beaten and battered by their lifestyle that they grasp at the first opportunity to deal with their problems, others need an external influence and viewpoint in order to seek help.

What makes Great Places, and why do so many communities wish they had just one more chance? How can we harness a Boom? How do we create an enchanted downtown and other wonderful community amenities? There is only One Way!!

The Aspen's, Austin's, Boulder's and Sedona's don't just happen. What makes great places is their Vision! The Houston's, Farmington's and Gillette's fell victim to the oft-quoted Ed McMann's (ULI) saying "If your community doesn't control development, then development controls your community".

The second amendment of the United States Constitution states: "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed."

Obviously the need for a state militia has been replaced by the National Guard and Coast Guard whereby trained military personnel are entrusted with the defense of this country against domestic enemies. Their weapons are tightly controlled and safeguarded.

On October 3, 2017, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) published an article and infographic titled the "Importance of Rural Transportation" in its Tuesday Transportation release. The title grabbed our attention as advocates for rural transportation. Once it was pulled up on a computer, it was very disappointing that the infographic was created with a very narrow scope. While transit is certainly important to rural transportation, the narrow scope left major roles of rural transportation unaddressed.