Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Erik Maulbetsch @erikm.bsky.social · 7d

Tonight: Colorado Republicans gather in Aurora to hear Lara Logan, a former 60 Minutes journalist whose descent into QAnon led to her getting fired from Newsmax for saying that the world’s elites “want us eating ... cockroaches” while they “dine on the blood of children.”
#copolitics

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Erik Maulbetsch @erikm.bsky.social · 12d

After 5 hours of shouting, booing, and endless points of order, the CO GOP Central Committee vote to opt-out of the 2026 open primary failed, 226-196. It got a majority of those present, but it needed to get 75% of the total body, a threshold that is disputed, to say the least. #copolitics

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Erik Maulbetsch @erikm.bsky.social · 16d

One of the uglier stories I've dredged out of the social media swamp. Without a title, he'd just be an antisemitic troll, but he's in leadership at a political party that has a growing partnership with the CO GOP, so, not a great look. #coleg #copolitics
coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/09/co-l...

CO Libertarians Say New House GOP Leader Unconcerned by Their Exec Director's Belief in Antisemitic Conspiracy Theory About Kirk's Murder

The Libertarian Party of Colorado’s Executive Director Jim Wiley believes that the Israeli government is responsible for murdering Charlie Kirk. Wiley repeatedly made this claim as well as a series of...

coloradotimesrecorder.com

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Erik Maulbetsch @erikm.bsky.social · 19d

To learn more about Caldwell, who is an Air Force vet and and former podcaster, check out CTR reporter James O'Rourke's piece on how he helped manufacture outrage among conservative over an LGBT rights bill. #coleg #copolitics
coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/05/how-go

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Erik Maulbetsch @erikm.bsky.social · 19d

Caldwell says he plans to "hit the ground running" on Monday by "meeting with leadership and others." He doesn't specify who the "others" are.

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Erik Maulbetsch @erikm.bsky.social · 19d

With 12 votes, Rep. Jarvis Caldwell is the new Colorado GOP House Caucus Leader. He defeated colleagues Ken DeGraaf and Larry Don Suckla, who each received 4 votes.
#coleg #copolitics

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Erik Maulbetsch @erikm.bsky.social · 21d

Is it fair for Congressman Evans to characterize meetings with audiences selected by the oil & gas industry as "town halls," if he didn't invite the public?
coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/09/evan...
#copolitics #CO08

Evans Calls Private Meetings Hosted by the Oil & Gas Industry 'Town Halls.' Were They?

Earlier this month, Congressman Gabe Evans (R-CO) posted on X that he “recently held a town hall with Phillips 66 hardworking employees,” and shared photos of him speaking to a...

coloradotimesrecorder.com

Reposted by Erik Maulbetsch

Colorado Times Recorder @coloradotimesrecorder.com · 24d

Here's a sneak peek at Logan Davis' column on the Christian nationalist Truth & Liberty Conference that took place in Woodland Park over the weekend. It featured several Republican elected officials.

Logan M. Davis @loganmdavis.bsky.social · 24d

At a gubernatorial candidate forum over the weekend, state Sen. Mark Baisley commented, at length, that his LGBTQ colleagues in the legislature have a "sickness in their minds" and are "in rebellion against God."

This is, at the very least, cause for censure.
@cosendem.bsky.social

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Erik Maulbetsch @erikm.bsky.social · 26d

This was a bizarre story. Today Colorado GOP leaders will be headlining a "9-11 Heroes" fundraiser where the money goes to... a gun advocacy group?
#copolitics

Colorado Times Recorder @coloradotimesrecorder.com · 27d

Neither Chairwoman Horn nor Rep. Barron responded to requests for comment on whether they had any concerns about speaking at an event with a “tactical Hawaiian” theme, invoking the anti-government “Boogaloo” movement.
#coleg #copolitics
coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/09/co-g...

CO GOP Leaders Speaking at Gun Group Fundraiser With 'Boogaloo' Dress Code

A pair of Colorado GOP leaders are attending a fundraiser tomorrow for a pro-gun advocacy group that is billing the event as a "Honoring 9/11 Heroes Luau.” "Dress in your...

coloradotimesrecorder.com

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Erik Maulbetsch @erikm.bsky.social · Sep 4

Can't say I'd ever heard of the guy running for Boulder City Council, but the Weld County Commissioner who created an antisemitic image of @colorado.gov Jared Polis is @scottkjames.bsky.social, a longtime radio host who has been a fixture in Weld politics for decades. #copolitics

Colorado Times Recorder @coloradotimesrecorder.com · Sep 4

What does a right-wing Weld County commissioner have in common with a left-wing city council candidate in Boulder?
You guessed it.
coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/09/the-...

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Reposted by Erik Maulbetsch

Shane Burley (Blue Sky Edition) @shaneburley.bsky.social · Aug 31

This kind of discourse highlights an overly affluent, media-first perspective on what is and is not effective organizing. Whether or not the right “farms the left for content” is irrelevant when mass action disables their ability to reproduce their movement. It’s not a member war, it’s a street one.

Will James @willjames.bsky.social · Aug 31

In the lead-up to Sean Feucht's prayer rally in Seattle this weekend, @thestranger.com published this smart piece explaining how figures on the right intentionally provoke leftist counter-protest so they can farm the interactions for content.

Decoding Christian Supremacists' Playbook Before Sean Feucht Takes Over Gas Works Park

Christian Supremacist worship leader Sean Feucht is heading back to Seattle for Revive in 25, and anyone paying attention should recognize this isn't just another stop on his revival tour. It's a calc...

www.thestranger.com

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Erik Maulbetsch @erikm.bsky.social · Aug 22

Your #coleg special session update:
Rep. Brandi Bradley: "I'm here to be the adult in the room."
Also Rep. Bradley: "party in the potty" bathroom selfies in public restrooms.
#copolitics

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Erik Maulbetsch @erikm.bsky.social · Aug 21

That would be Brian Cotter, one of two Pueblo funeral home directors elected to office as Republicans in 2022, the other being Asst. House Minority Leader Ty Winter of HD47.
www.denverpost.com/2025/08/21/d...
#coleg #copolitics

Decomposing bodies found behind hidden door in funeral home run by Pueblo County coroner

Multiple decomposing bodies were discovered behind a hidden door in a Pueblo funeral home run by the county coroner during an annual inspection, state officials said.

www.denverpost.com

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Erik Maulbetsch @erikm.bsky.social · Aug 20

"Sen Janice Rich (R-GJ) praised groups like [Stand for the Constitution]...”

One thing- last year Rich, who served as Mesa Clerk long before Tina Peters, joined other R elex officials in calling out the state GOP for supporting Peters. Yet now she praises STFC, which still supports Peters. #coleg

Colorado Times Recorder @coloradotimesrecorder.com · Aug 19

“We see ourselves as partners and educators – not this big, bad government,” Mesa County Public Health's Alli Howe told the group ... which adamantly opposed mask and vaccine mandates during the height of COVID.
coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/08/cons...
#copolitics #coleg

Conservative Activist Group Hosts State Sen. Janice Rich, Mesa County Officials

Stand For The Constitution (SFTC), a Grand Junction group that supports President Donald Trump – despite his seemingly unconstitutional actions – invited three Mesa County leaders, and a state senator...

coloradotimesrecorder.com

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Reposted by Erik Maulbetsch

Colorado Times Recorder @coloradotimesrecorder.com · Aug 18

House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese wants to roll back Medicaid to pre-Obamacare levels, a move that would kick 367,000 Coloradans off their healthcare.
#coleg #copolitics
coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/08/top-...

Top Colo GOP Legislator: Roll Back State's Obamacare Medicaid Expansion

The top Republican in the Colorado House says she wants to roll back Medicaid to its pre-Obamacare levels, a move that would kick approximately 367,000 Coloradans off their healthcare. During...

coloradotimesrecorder.com

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Erik Maulbetsch @erikm.bsky.social · Aug 18

Trying to imagine showing someone this shot and saying "and then he caught it."

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Erik Maulbetsch @erikm.bsky.social · Aug 8

you gotta admit a bunch of these names are improvements

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Reposted by Erik Maulbetsch

Colorado Times Recorder @coloradotimesrecorder.com · Aug 7

Heidi reviews a number of recent political sex harassment scandals — Ron Weinberg, the attacks against Yara Zokaie, Weston Imer’s leaked photos, Mitch LaKind’s alleged comments, Steve Lebsock, Tay Anderson, etc. etc.
coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/08/feve...

Fever Swamp Review Podcast: Sex, Guys, and Screenshots

Heidi reviews a number of recent political sex harassment scandals — Ron Weinberg, the attacks against Yara Zokaie, Weston Imer's leaked photos, Mitch LaKind's alleged comments, Steve Lebsock, Tay And...

coloradotimesrecorder.com

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Reposted by Erik Maulbetsch

Colorado Times Recorder @coloradotimesrecorder.com · Aug 5

Asked which #coleg seats the group plans to target, Rep. DeGraaf replied, "just the anti-Liberty, fetal-harvesting, child-mutilating, TABOR-hating, tax-loving gun-grabbers."
#copolitics
coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/08/chri...

Christian Right Representatives Launch Group to 'Flip Colorado Legislative Seats'

Three of the most conservative Republican legislators in Colorado, along with a few activists, have founded a new political action committee called "We the Parents." State Reps. Brandi Bradley (R-Roxb...

coloradotimesrecorder.com

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Reposted by Erik Maulbetsch

Heidi Beedle @beedle.bsky.social · Aug 2

Good morning! I’m in downtown Colorado Springs for the Rage Against the Regime protest. Crowd isn’t as bog as some of the past protests. To give a sense of the rage against the regime, they started off with a lecture about deescalation and staying off the streets and now are singing the natl anthem

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Reposted by Erik Maulbetsch

Colorado Times Recorder @coloradotimesrecorder.com · Jul 31

Congressman Evans used a meeting with his local food bank to defend the budget's Medicaid cuts. The food bank: "[we told him] the need will get worse should the [SNAP & Medicaid] cuts go through."
#copolitics
coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/07/food-b

Food Bank Warned Gabe Evans: 'Need Will Get Worse' if Trump's Budget Bill Passed

A spokesman for the Weld Food Bank says they made it clear to Congressman Gabe Evans (R-CO) that the Medicaid and SNAP food aid cuts in the budget he supported...

coloradotimesrecorder.com

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Erik Maulbetsch @erikm.bsky.social · Jul 30

Among the Colorado GOP #coleg members who signed a letter calling Denver's climate change campaign "an insult" and lacking "respect," is Rep. Ron Weinberg, who faces multiple allegations of sexual harassment and bullying from Republican women. #copolitics
denverpost.com/2025/07/29/ron

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Reposted by Erik Maulbetsch

Colorado Times Recorder @coloradotimesrecorder.com · Jul 24

"Asked whether she planned to resign as Pueblo County GOP Chair, Gray says she will not, noting that former state party chair Dave Williams did not resign while running in a GOP primary for Congress."
#coleg #copolitics
coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/07/pueb...

Pueblo GOP Chair Announces Bid For Statehouse Seat Held by Republican Incumbent Who Hasn't Said Whether She'll Run Again

Ultra-conservative state legislator Stephanie Luck (R-Penrose) drew a surprising primary challenger this week: Pueblo County Republican Chair Michelle Gray. Primary challenges of Colorado GOP incumben...

coloradotimesrecorder.com

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Erik Maulbetsch @erikm.bsky.social · Jul 22

Tonight, Colorado Senate Republican donors are paying $1000 to watch the league's worst team from its owners' suite, where they'll hang with Rox owner Dick Monfort and former Gov. Bill Owens, both of whom are best known for their accomplishments circa 2007.
#coleg #copolitics

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Erik Maulbetsch @erikm.bsky.social · Jul 22

CO Hispanic Republicans Board Chair Raymond Garcia, insists w/o evidence that the vote was rigged. State Rep. Brandi Bradley says proper procedure wasn't followed and laments a lack of transparency. The party itself won't comment, but posted a celebration of Holtorf's win