Podcasts about coloradans

One in five Coloradans is older than 60. In Mesa County, that number is one in four. And it's putting a lot of pressure on senior services like Meals on Wheels. Then, can something that wasn't made by a person still be considered art? That question about artificial intelligence has sparked a contentious debate. And we celebrate a Colorado Centennial Farm.

Today –  Colorado Sun political reporters Sandra Fish and Jesse Paul discuss the failure Tuesday of Proposition HH and what that means for Coloradans' property taxes and state taxpayer refunds. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A complicated measure designed, at least in part, to tamp down property taxes, failed at the ballot box. Now that voters rejected Prop HH, what comes next? Then, John Arcediano survived the attack on Club Q, but his life has forever been changed. And later, a chance to see a relic from the U.S.S. Arizona in memory of the Coloradans killed at Pearl Harbor.

Douglas Van Dorn is a Christian, husband, father, son, brother, in-law, pastor, friend, fifth generation native Coloradan, published author, blogger, podcaster, radio host, CEO, mountain climber, biker, scholar, theologian, thinker, teacher, Fellow at the Institute for Biblical Anthropology, entrepreneur, amateur archeologist, conservative, lover of all things strange and supernatural, conspiracy theorist. His book, “Giants, Sons of the Gods,” although controversial, looks at passages in the Bible that seem to discuss the existence of giants and their originsAccording to the book synopsis on Amazon, “This book delves deep into the dark and ancient recesses of our past to bring you rich treasures long buried. It is a carefully researched, heavily footnoted, and selectively illustrated story of the giants of the Bible. There is more here than meets the eye, much more. Here you will learn the invisible, supernatural storyline of the Bible that is always just beneath the surface, lurking like the spawn of the ancient leviathan. It is a storyline no person can afford to ignore any longer.” Website douglasvandorn.com Book Giants, Sons of the Gods

Early in-person voting for the 2023 election is already underway across Colorado. More than 324,000 Coloradans had voted as of Monday. Most polling places and ballot drop-boxes will be active between now and November 7. Locally, voters in the Four Corners are being asked to weigh in on several school board races and statewide ballot initiatives. Adriana Stimax is a resident of Mancos and a candidate running for one of three open seats on the Mancos RE-6 school board. Stimax, the education director for San Juan Mountains Association and a former teacher, says rural school districts like Mancos RE-6 often don't have the same access to funding as other districts in the state, and that that can have a number of different consequences.

There are many counties asking for more taxes on the ballot.  George welcomes Complete Colorado investigative journalist, Sherrie Peif to talk about so many places wanting more of your money.  Longmont has 3 tax measures, Fort Collins has two, Golden has one that is also De-Brucing too.  George and Sherrie also talk about the enormous misinformation surrounding Prop HH.  You would be surprised how many average voters don't understand that Prop HH will take away their tax refund that in 2022 was touted by Governor Polis as a good thing for Coloradans.  How did the TABOR refund go from being something great for families in 2022 but now it has to go away to lower your property taxes for a single year?   https://pagetwo.completecolorado.com/author/sherrie/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is going on inside Israel?  George welcomes former Coloradan, now Iseral resident Neil Dobro to the show to give us an update.  What is the feeling of the average Israeli citizen?  Do they feel threatened by the military action?  What are the feelings towards both Hamas and thee Palestinian people?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today – Colorado Sun political reporter Jesse Paul talks about Proposition HH, the 10-year property tax relief plan, with political correspondent Sandra Fish. Jesse and fellow political reporter Brian Eason are hosting a free, virtual event Thursday where Coloradans can ask questions about the highly complex ballot measure.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patty Salazar is the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). DORA is the state's umbrella regulatory agency, charged with managing licensing and registration for multiple professions and businesses, implementing balanced regulation for Colorado industries, and protecting consumers. As DORA's Executive Director, she leads a Department of roughly 600 employees with a $120 million budget, and provides support to DORA's 10 distinct divisions, as well as the Colorado Office of Policy, Research and Regulatory Reform (COPRRR), the Broadband Deployment Board, and the communications, legislative and operational services located within the Executive Director's Office.  On this episode of A Seat at the Table with Debbie Brown, Patty shares additional insights into the agency, her own personal journey, why the agency is important to all Coloradans, and more. She sits at a unique intersection of business, regulation, and consumer protection that is sometimes overlooked by the public. Her insights are tremendous, and the conversation varied and engaging. Hosted by Colorado Business Roundtable President Debbie Brown. Rate, review and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. For more of our events, podcasts, and news, please visit the Colorado Business Roundtable website.

Colorado state Senator Barb Kirkmeyer (R-23; Larimer, Weld) joins Dan to inform listeners and voters on the perils of Proposition HH on the 2023 ballot, and why a deceptive property tax relief plan detailed in it is merely an end-around to help eliminate the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Also, Dan reports the latest on a potential land invasion of Gaza by Israeli forces and what to expect from President Biden's address to the nation tonight.

Hour 3 -  Happy Thursday! Here's what Nick Reed covers this hour: Nick interviews our ABC Books author of the week, Vincent Everett Ellison.  A Coloradans' average monthly electric bill will more than quadruple by 2050 if the state requires 80% of all car sales to be electric vehicles in the next decade. We have just a few rooms left on the 2024 KSGF Great Escape. If you want to go, make sure to sign up ASAP! Biden is scheduled to speak at 7 PM this evening.

In this prequel episode, Houndsman XP welcomes Dan Gates to the show. Last week we ran an episode laying out the urgent issue of Colorado Initiative 91 that, if passed, will make it illegal to effectively and scientifically manage wildlife by hunting lions and bobcats. In this episode, we introduce you to Dan and the work he has spent 30 years doing. The Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management (CRWM) is a premier organization that has built sustainable relationships with professional wildlife managers and Colorado Legislators. Through this laborious endeavor, Dan has placed himself and the CRWM in a key position to have a credible voice with policy makers and battle the onslaught of irresponsible wildlife management policies of the animal rights groups and their allies in state government. www.houndsmanxp.com www.savethehuntcolorado.com Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content! SPONSORS: Joy Dog Food  onX Cajun Lights Go Wild 1TDC WorksoWell dogsRtreed Freedom Hunters Rough Cut Company Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this prequel episode, Houndsman XP welcomes Dan Gates to the show. Last week we ran an episode laying out the urgent issue of Colorado Initiative 91 that, if passed, will make it illegal to effectively and scientifically manage wildlife by hunting lions and bobcats. In this episode, we introduce you to Dan and the work he has spent 30 years doing.The Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management (CRWM) is a premier organization that has built sustainable relationships with professional wildlife managers and Colorado Legislators. Through this laborious endeavor, Dan has placed himself and the CRWM in a key position to have a credible voice with policy makers and battle the onslaught of irresponsible wildlife management policies of the animal rights groups and their allies in state government.www.houndsmanxp.comwww.savethehuntcolorado.comCheck out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content!SPONSORS:Joy Dog Food onXCajun LightsGo Wild1TDC WorksoWelldogsRtreedFreedom HuntersRough Cut Company

Today's Guests: Will Marquardt, Owner of Davis Tent, Dan Gates, Colorado Trappers and Predator Hunter Association and Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management, and Luke Wiedel – Vice Chair Corporate Relations for RMEF. Todays Detailed Discussion Topic: Ballot Initiative 2023-2024 #91 Prohibit Trophy Hunting. Please listen to this discussion that gives true information, true facts about... READ MORE

In this prequel episode, Houndsman XP welcomes Dan Gates to the show. Last week we ran an episode laying out the urgent issue of Colorado Initiative 91 that, if passed, will make it illegal to effectively and scientifically manage wildlife by hunting lions and bobcats. In this episode, we introduce you to Dan and the work he has spent 30 years doing.The Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management (CRWM) is a premier organization that has built sustainable relationships with professional wildlife managers and Colorado Legislators. Through this laborious endeavor, Dan has placed himself and the CRWM in a key position to have a credible voice with policy makers and battle the onslaught of irresponsible wildlife management policies of the animal rights groups and their allies in state government.www.houndsmanxp.comwww.savethehuntcolorado.comCheck out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content!SPONSORS:Joy Dog Food onXCajun LightsGo Wild1TDC WorksoWelldogsRtreedFreedom HuntersRough Cut Company

One trial ends with split verdicts for two Aurora police officers and the next trial is beginning in the death of Elijah McClain. We'll take a closer look at police accountability and changes to Colorado law. Then, we speak with a Colorado doctor who is in Gaza, unable to leave. And the U.S. Forest Service is rethinking housing on Forest Service land.

There will be no more important fight in 2024 in your world as a houndsman than this one. This is the battleground. The lines have been drawn and all of hunting will be affected. In particular, the anti hunting groups will use this victory to create a road map to eliminate hunting with hounds in your state. This will be a multi million dollar blood bath and Houndsman XP wants to know are you in the fight or not?Dan Gates with Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management (CRWM) joins Chris in this first of many podcasts to bring you up to speed on what is going on with an introduced ballot initiative to eliminate mountain lion and bobcat hunting in the state of Colorado. We are in the beginning stages of what will be an epic battle. Dan gives the listener as much info as he can at this point. It is simple; you are either with us or against us.www.houndsmanxp.comwww.savethehuntcolorado.comCheck out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content!SPONSORS:Joy Dog Food onXCajun LightsGo Wild1TDC WorksoWelldogsRtreedFreedom HuntersRough Cut Company

There will be no more important fight in 2024 in your world as a houndsman than this one. This is the battleground. The lines have been drawn and all of hunting will be affected. In particular, the anti hunting groups will use this victory to create a road map to eliminate hunting with hounds in your state. This will be a multi million dollar blood bath and Houndsman XP wants to know are you in the fight or not? Dan Gates with Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management (CRWM) joins Chris in this first of many podcasts to bring you up to speed on what is going on with an introduced ballot initiative to eliminate mountain lion and bobcat hunting in the state of Colorado. We are in the beginning stages of what will be an epic battle. Dan gives the listener as much info as he can at this point.  It is simple; you are either with us or against us. www.houndsmanxp.com www.savethehuntcolorado.com Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content! SPONSORS: Joy Dog Food  onX Cajun Lights Go Wild 1TDC WorksoWell dogsRtreed Freedom Hunters Rough Cut Company Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There will be no more important fight in 2024 in your world as a houndsman than this one. This is the battleground. The lines have been drawn and all of hunting will be affected. In particular, the anti hunting groups will use this victory to create a road map to eliminate hunting with hounds in your state. This will be a multi million dollar blood bath and Houndsman XP wants to know are you in the fight or not?Dan Gates with Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management (CRWM) joins Chris in this first of many podcasts to bring you up to speed on what is going on with an introduced ballot initiative to eliminate mountain lion and bobcat hunting in the state of Colorado. We are in the beginning stages of what will be an epic battle. Dan gives the listener as much info as he can at this point. It is simple; you are either with us or against us.www.houndsmanxp.comwww.savethehuntcolorado.comCheck out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content!SPONSORS:Joy Dog Food onXCajun LightsGo Wild1TDC WorksoWelldogsRtreedFreedom HuntersRough Cut Company

World Triathlon Championship Series Finals in Spain plus Coloradan and world record holder Sarah Thomas to swim Lake Meade. What does the future of endurance training look like? Hold that though because it's on the show today.   Show Sponsor: UCAN Generation UCAN has a full line of nutrition products powered by LIVESTEADY to fuel your sport.   LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to stay focused and calm while providing the fuel you need to meet your daily challenges.   Use UCAN in your training and racing to fuel the healthy way, finish stronger and recover more quickly!  Use the code 303UCAN for 20% off at ucan.co/discount/303UCAN/ or ucan.co   In Today's Show Endurance News - WTCS Grand Final Winners, 26.2 to Life Documentary, Future of Endurance Training What's new in the 303 - Sarah Thomas to swim across Lake Mead, Splashland triathlon in Alamosa Training Question of the Week - Couch to 70.3?   Endurance News:   2023 WTCS Finals Pontevedra Women's Results: Beth Potter wins world title with incredible run     2023 WTCS Finals Pontevedra Men's Results: Coninx takes the win and the world title   ‘26.2 to Life' Review: Running in Circles   https://www.sanquentinmarathon.com/   What We Know About the Future of Endurance Training   Lake Mead's Water Levels Give Swimmer Rare Chance to Make History    

Dave Wiens is a Coloradan. He's an outdoorsman. He's a mountain biker and skier. He's a father, husband, and hall of famer. He carries the torch of the International Mountain Bicycling Association as their executive director and has a vision for cycling, hiking, and just being outside that makes people want to be part of this vision.  This is a very fun one and I know you'll enjoy it. Don't forget to visit www.drinkAG1.com/tedking to make all your hopes and dreams come true!

As the death toll nears 3,000 after the earthquake in Morocco, Wendy Rubin, a Colorado educator now living in Casablanca, has watched her students organize a major relief effort. Then, esteemed dancer, choreographer and community advocate Cleo Parker Robinson, and noted DEI scholar, author and educator Dr. Brenda J. Allen, discuss the evolution of Colorado's arts scene and culture wars.

On November 7, 2023 Colorado voters will approve or reject Proposition HH, Property Tax Changes and Revenue Change Measures. Proposition HH was referred to the ballot by the State Legislature following the passage of SB23-303. As the title suggests, Proposition HH is a complex proposal. It modifies or reduces taxation rates and exemptions for multiple types of property while at the same time increases taxes by allowing the state to retain more tax revenue. It would distribute excess revenue to school districts and other government entities without new stipulations. Proposition HH gives Coloradans a choice; trade some property tax relief, for a long-term increase in state taxes. Though any revenue forecast is uncertain, under normal economic conditions taxpayers would bear the full tax increases under Proposition HH even if the economy faced a sizeable downturn. While all Coloradoans benefit from TABOR refunds, only property owners would see direct benefits of the property tax decrease. Our full report can be found here. Host and Chairman Earl Wright welcomes former Governor of Colorado Bill Owens, and CSI Vice President of Policy Research Chris Brown to the podcast to discuss Proposition HH, its origins, its espoused goals, what the implications are for the future of property taxes, TABOR, and school funding, and much more. Every Coloradan will be impacted by the passage or defeat of Proposition HH, which makes this episode a must-listen.  Thank you for listening to Common Sense Digest. Please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. All of our podcasts can be found here. Bill Owens served as the 40th Governor of Colorado from 1999-2007 and is a member of GreenbergTraurig's Government Law & Policy Practice Group. Prior to his service as Governor, Bill was Colorado State Treasurer where he managed a $5 billion investment portfolio. He also served in the State Senate and State House. He focuses his practice in the areas of public policy, energy, infrastructure and water. Chris Brown is the Vice President of Policy and Research for the Common Sense Institute.

Dan and Ryan discuss the differences between Florida and Colorado law on defending your property with deadly force, after Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) warns potential criminals about 'You Loot, We Shoot' signs on the front lawns of many Florida residents in the wake of Hurricane Idalia. This prompts an impromptu call from Eric Jones, instructor for the Rocky Mountain Gun Owners Association, who clariifies what rights Coloradans have to protect their property from intruders and thieves.

For the second time over the course of a couple of months, 81-year-old Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) freezes up at the podium when asked a question at a press conference. Dan and Ryan discuss why older politiicans refuse to let go of power and let the next generation assume the reigns. Also, Taylor Rhodes, Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Gun Owners Association, joins Dan to discuss his organization's latest legal win, as the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals stunningly upholds a lower court ruling to temporarily block the latest effort by the Colorado General Assembly to infringe on the Second Amendment rights of Coloradans.

A relic from the the USS Arizona will arrive in the state Tuesday to honor the 32 Coloradans still entombed in the battleship that sank at Pearl Harbor. Then, a father and son reflect on addiction as a family disease in “Back from Broken.”

About Kristin Davenport, Career CoachDynamic Recruiter and HR Professionalkdavenport@coloradobuildstrongacademy.org - - -Experienced HR Professional and Contract Recruiter with a demonstrated history of working in the construction, senior living, healthcare and telecommunications industries. Skilled in Interviewing, Recruiting, Training, Human Resources, and multiple Applicant Tracking Systems/HRIS Systems. Experienced Career Coach working in the Construction field.Kristin Davenport is a native Coloradan and graduated from the Art Institute of Colorado with a Culinary Arts degree. Kristin has spent much of her career working in Corporate America as a recruiter for several Fortune 100 Companies (IBM, Comcast, UnitedHealthcare). Kristin previously worked for the City and County of Denver on the WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) Grant where she worked with employers all over the Denver Metro area to find the youth of Denver sustainable employment. Kristin has been a recruiter in the construction field for the last several years and looks forward to assisting BuildStrong Academy students/graduates with networking, resume building, interviewing skills and making introductions to employers in the BuildStrong Academy network. In her spare time, Kristin enjoys going camping, fishing and attending rock concerts with her husband, she is also known to throw dinner parties from time to time.Powered by HBI

In this episode, we continue exploring what it means to bring humanity into the workplace. Our guest, Sharna Fey, co-founder of Pono Coaching and Consulting, shares her expertise as an executive coach, trainer, and consultant. With over two decades of experience, Sharna helps individuals and corporations identify their core values, reach their goals, and lead authentically. She works with Fortune 500 companies and has a highly collaborative and interactive approach to producing meaningful outcomes. Tune in to learn how to infuse humanity into your professional life.In this episode:The Power of Inner Work: Sharna emphasized the importance of doing the inner work to make a real difference in the world. She reminded us that personal growth is an ongoing journey, and we should never stop striving to become the best version of ourselves. It's not about arriving at a destination but embracing our humanity's continuous growth and evolution.Bringing Your Full Self: Sharna challenged the notion of compartmentalizing our lives, urging us to bring our whole selves to every aspect of our lives, including the workplace. She highlighted the incredible possibilities that arise when organizations create an environment where individuals feel empowered to be authentic and true to themselves. Not only does this foster efficiency and effectiveness, but it also leads to increased profitability. Talk about a win-win!Embracing Vulnerability and Connection: Sharna and Christie discussed the value of creating spaces where people can be vulnerable and share what's important to them and how they like to receive feedback and coaching. By fostering open and non-hierarchical conversations, organizations can build deeper connections and tap into the true potential of their teams. About Sharna:Sharna is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) and Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with more than two decades of experience working with individuals, corporations, and non-profits as an executive coach, trainer, educator, speaker, and consultant.​As co-founder of Pono Coaching & Consulting, Sharna helps executive clients identify and lead toward their core values, define and reach their goals, and discover and pursue their most authentic and best lives. She works with corporations looking to invest in emerging or established leaders, improve overall communications, increase team effectiveness, and bring the key elements of coaching to their organizations.​Sharna is sought out for her experience, her highly collaborative approach, and the affable and interactive learning style she uses to produce deeply meaningful outcomes. Her corporate clients include Fortune 500 companies like Google, Autodesk, Cisco Systems, IBM, Genentech, Marriott International, and Lululemon.​For the past decade, Sharna has been on faculty at the Co-Active Training Institute, where she received her own training. She has trained thousands of adults across the United States and internationally in the co-active coaching model she employs and relishes the opportunity to mentor new coaches.A proud alumnus of Washington State University, Sharna is a member of the International Coach Federation. A native Coloradan, Sharna made her home in San Francisco for more than 25 years and now chases summer by home-basing on Maui and traveling to other warm spots globally. https://www.ponocoach.comwww.uplevelproductions.comhttps://www.instagram.com/uplevelproductions/https://www.linkedin.com/company/uplevelproductionscompanyhttps://www.facebook.com/uplevelproductionscompany

Until recently, only police officers or close relations could ask a judge to take someone's guns away if they're a threat to themselves or others. A change to that state law expands who's allowed to do that, but is it making a difference? Then, the "Blind History Lady" elevates achievements of visually-impaired Coloradans. Plus the culture of bicycling and ways to stay safe while riding.

On today’s Morning Magazine, we'll hear about OmniSalud, a program connecting undocumented Coloradans with health insurance. This time on the “Cannabis Report,” Leland Rucker brings us an update on the status of cannabis lounges on the Front Range as well […]

Ginny is a wife, Mom of two beautiful kids, co-host on the podcast SOL RISING, and the founder and owner of THE FLIPPIN' PHOENIX FURNITURE REHAB company. Her passion for soul searching, healing, and heart connection with other human souls is what sets her spirit on fire in this beautiful chapter of life. With life adventures spanning from chasing dreams in Hollywood in her 20's, to struggling with addiction, to 18 years of a sales career in a corporate world and choosing to leave it, she believes that no matter the differences we may have with one another, we have FAR more in common… and she is determined to find that common ground with everyone that she can. A native New Yorker turned Coloradan, Amanda McKoy Flanagan blends street smarts with tree hugging for a pragmatic, yet soulful, approach to loving and losing; she is no stranger to either. Co-founder of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Castle Rock Clubhouse, a recovery clubhouse that serves as meeting space for various twelve-step programs, Amanda is passionate about sobriety, meditation, and spirituality. Through her commitment to climate action, she holds the spirit of loving-kindness, faithful perseverance, and compassionate service in high regard. A lover of horses, drumming, running, vegan eating, and dancing, she also enjoys singing with abandon to loud rock music. Amanda holds a bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at Albany in English and journalism and a master's degree in social work from Stony Brook University, New York. Nevertheless, life has been her greatest teacher by far. She lives in Castle Rock, Colorado, with her family and pup, Dolly.Support the showMore From Melissa and Pursuing Uncomfortable:ResourcesfiLLLed Life NewsletterYouTubeLeave a reviewPursuing Uncomfortable Book

When it comes to climate change, Governor Jared Polis and the Democrats in control of the statehouse are betting big on electric vehicles, or EVs. Earlier this month, they increased the state incentive for residents purchasing an EV from $2,000 to $5,000, but that's just the tip of this melting iceberg. CPR climate reporter Sam Brasch says there is “no better state in the country to buy an electric car than Colorado.” Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi sit down with Sam to break down all the money available to EV-curious Coloradans, his personal experience owning a Chevy Bolt, and the complicated politics of EVs. Learn more about our state's EV incentive programs. Bree mentioned Naloxone at AEG venues and KeepThePartySafe.org.  For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Levitt Pavilion Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello Rapids fans! This week, Red solo pods for Holding The High Line. He discusses Leagues Cup with the Colorado Rapids losing to Nashville SC followed by Toluca winning in Nashville. He discusses both games, expectations for Monday, and the possible tie-breaker scenarios. Apologies in advance for the migraines. There's some discussion about Rafael Navarro's travel and transfers. Oh and the Coloradans are crushing it at the Women's World Cup. Holding The High Line is an independent soccer podcast focused on the Colorado Rapids of MLS. If you like the show, please consider subscribing to us on your preferred podcatcher, giving us a review, and tell other Rapids fans about us. It helps a ton. We have a newsletter. Visit our Substack page to read our content, sign up for our newsletter via email, and joining our Highliner club for $5/month or $42/year. That's the best way to support us. Find us wherever you get your podcasts. You can find a full list of pod catchers we're on with links on this Twitter thread. Our artwork was produced by CR54 Designs. Juanners does our music. Follow us on Twitter @rapids96podcast. You can also email the show at rapids96podcast@gmail.com. Follow our hosts individually on Twitter @LWOSMattPollardand @soccer_rabbi. Send us questions using the hashtag #AskHTHL.

In Becoming Colorado: The Centennial State in 100 Objects (UP of Colorado, 2021), historian William Wei paints a vivid portrait of Colorado history using 100 of the most compelling artifacts from Colorado's history. These objects reveal how Colorado has evolved over time, allowing readers to draw multiple connections among periods, places, and people. Collectively, the essays offer a treasure trove of historical insight and unforgettable detail. Beginning with Indigenous people and ending in the early years of the twenty-first century, Wei traces Colorado's story by taking a close look at unique artifacts that bring to life the cultures and experiences of its people. For each object, a short essay accompanies a full-color photograph. These accessible accounts tell the human stories behind the artifacts, illuminating each object's importance to the people who used it and its role in forming Colorado's culture. Together, they show how Colorado was shaped and how Coloradans became the people they are. Theirs is a story of survival, perseverance, enterprise, and luck. Providing a fresh lens through which to view Colorado's past, Becoming Colorado tells an inclusive story of the Indigenous and the immigrant, the famous and the unknown, the vocal and the voiceless—for they are all Coloradans. William Wei is professor of history at the University of Colorado Boulder. His major works include Counterrevolution in China: The Nationalists in Jiangxi during the Soviet Period, The Asian American Movement, and Asians in Colorado. Wei has held a Rockefeller Fellowship, Mellon Fellowship, and Fulbright-Hays Fellowship and was the 2019–2020 Colorado State Historian. Daniel Moran earned his B.A. and M.A. in English from Rutgers University and his Ph.D. in History from Drew University. The author of Creating Flannery O'Connor: Her Critics, Her Publishers, Her Readers, he teaches research and writing at Rutgers and co-hosts the podcast Fifteen Minute Film Fanatics, here on the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

In Becoming Colorado: The Centennial State in 100 Objects (UP of Colorado, 2021), historian William Wei paints a vivid portrait of Colorado history using 100 of the most compelling artifacts from Colorado's history. These objects reveal how Colorado has evolved over time, allowing readers to draw multiple connections among periods, places, and people. Collectively, the essays offer a treasure trove of historical insight and unforgettable detail. Beginning with Indigenous people and ending in the early years of the twenty-first century, Wei traces Colorado's story by taking a close look at unique artifacts that bring to life the cultures and experiences of its people. For each object, a short essay accompanies a full-color photograph. These accessible accounts tell the human stories behind the artifacts, illuminating each object's importance to the people who used it and its role in forming Colorado's culture. Together, they show how Colorado was shaped and how Coloradans became the people they are. Theirs is a story of survival, perseverance, enterprise, and luck. Providing a fresh lens through which to view Colorado's past, Becoming Colorado tells an inclusive story of the Indigenous and the immigrant, the famous and the unknown, the vocal and the voiceless—for they are all Coloradans. William Wei is professor of history at the University of Colorado Boulder. His major works include Counterrevolution in China: The Nationalists in Jiangxi during the Soviet Period, The Asian American Movement, and Asians in Colorado. Wei has held a Rockefeller Fellowship, Mellon Fellowship, and Fulbright-Hays Fellowship and was the 2019–2020 Colorado State Historian. Daniel Moran earned his B.A. and M.A. in English from Rutgers University and his Ph.D. in History from Drew University. The author of Creating Flannery O'Connor: Her Critics, Her Publishers, Her Readers, he teaches research and writing at Rutgers and co-hosts the podcast Fifteen Minute Film Fanatics, here on the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/american-studies

In Becoming Colorado: The Centennial State in 100 Objects (UP of Colorado, 2021), historian William Wei paints a vivid portrait of Colorado history using 100 of the most compelling artifacts from Colorado's history. These objects reveal how Colorado has evolved over time, allowing readers to draw multiple connections among periods, places, and people. Collectively, the essays offer a treasure trove of historical insight and unforgettable detail. Beginning with Indigenous people and ending in the early years of the twenty-first century, Wei traces Colorado's story by taking a close look at unique artifacts that bring to life the cultures and experiences of its people. For each object, a short essay accompanies a full-color photograph. These accessible accounts tell the human stories behind the artifacts, illuminating each object's importance to the people who used it and its role in forming Colorado's culture. Together, they show how Colorado was shaped and how Coloradans became the people they are. Theirs is a story of survival, perseverance, enterprise, and luck. Providing a fresh lens through which to view Colorado's past, Becoming Colorado tells an inclusive story of the Indigenous and the immigrant, the famous and the unknown, the vocal and the voiceless—for they are all Coloradans. William Wei is professor of history at the University of Colorado Boulder. His major works include Counterrevolution in China: The Nationalists in Jiangxi during the Soviet Period, The Asian American Movement, and Asians in Colorado. Wei has held a Rockefeller Fellowship, Mellon Fellowship, and Fulbright-Hays Fellowship and was the 2019–2020 Colorado State Historian. Daniel Moran earned his B.A. and M.A. in English from Rutgers University and his Ph.D. in History from Drew University. The author of Creating Flannery O'Connor: Her Critics, Her Publishers, Her Readers, he teaches research and writing at Rutgers and co-hosts the podcast Fifteen Minute Film Fanatics, here on the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

In Becoming Colorado: The Centennial State in 100 Objects (UP of Colorado, 2021), historian William Wei paints a vivid portrait of Colorado history using 100 of the most compelling artifacts from Colorado's history. These objects reveal how Colorado has evolved over time, allowing readers to draw multiple connections among periods, places, and people. Collectively, the essays offer a treasure trove of historical insight and unforgettable detail. Beginning with Indigenous people and ending in the early years of the twenty-first century, Wei traces Colorado's story by taking a close look at unique artifacts that bring to life the cultures and experiences of its people. For each object, a short essay accompanies a full-color photograph. These accessible accounts tell the human stories behind the artifacts, illuminating each object's importance to the people who used it and its role in forming Colorado's culture. Together, they show how Colorado was shaped and how Coloradans became the people they are. Theirs is a story of survival, perseverance, enterprise, and luck. Providing a fresh lens through which to view Colorado's past, Becoming Colorado tells an inclusive story of the Indigenous and the immigrant, the famous and the unknown, the vocal and the voiceless—for they are all Coloradans. William Wei is professor of history at the University of Colorado Boulder. His major works include Counterrevolution in China: The Nationalists in Jiangxi during the Soviet Period, The Asian American Movement, and Asians in Colorado. Wei has held a Rockefeller Fellowship, Mellon Fellowship, and Fulbright-Hays Fellowship and was the 2019–2020 Colorado State Historian. Daniel Moran earned his B.A. and M.A. in English from Rutgers University and his Ph.D. in History from Drew University. The author of Creating Flannery O'Connor: Her Critics, Her Publishers, Her Readers, he teaches research and writing at Rutgers and co-hosts the podcast Fifteen Minute Film Fanatics, here on the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/american-west

An upcoming ballot measure in Colorado would allow massive expansion in government spending and weaken the Colorado Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR), the nation's strongest taxpayer protection. At the tail end of Colorado's legislative session, Governor Jared Polis signed a property tax bill that now requires voter approval. If approved, TABOR would be gutted in exchange for a small short term cut to property taxes. Known as Proposition HH, this proposal tempts voters with the promise of property tax cuts, while its real purpose is to water-down TABOR's revenue and spending limits. Ben Murrey, Director of Fiscal Policy at the Independence Institute described the package as a “boondoggle of a property tax plan.” According to The Center Square, it would decrease TABOR refunds by 23%. TABOR is the gold standard for tax and expenditure limits (TELs). Since its adoption by voters as a state constitutional amendment in 1992, it has helped to restrain the growth of government and returned billions of dollars to Colorado taxpayers. The attacks on TABOR aren't new. The property tax “cut” is only the latest gimmicky attempt to unleash the leviathan of big government on hard-working Coloradans. Special Guest: Nick Stark.

This week we are excited to have return guest and friend of the show Tim Hola. Tim has been on the show to share his experience at Norseman last year and previously to share tips on training and racing. The real special guest is his dad, Ken Hola who just won his age group at Boulder 70.3 a few weeks ago. Plus lots big news happening around the world and right here in Colorado.   Show Sponsor: UCAN Generation UCAN has a full line of nutrition products powered by LIVESTEADY to fuel your sport.   LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to stay focused and calm while providing the fuel you need to meet your daily challenges.   Use UCAN in your training and racing to fuel the healthy way, finish stronger and recover more quickly!  Use the code 303UCAN for 20% off at ucan.co/discount/303UCAN/ or ucan.co   In Today's Show Feature Interview - Ken Hola Endurance News - 70.3 Mont Tremblant cancelled due to air quality, 2023 Tour de France Starts Saturday July 1st What's new in the 303 - Lake to Lake, Strong Kids Tri, Community Access to Electric Bicycles Rebate Program Video of the Week - Strong Kids Tri   Endurance News: Wildfires force rescheduling of IRONMAN 70.3 Mont-Tremblant to August By Kate -June 27, 2023 IRONMAN and Tremblant Resort announce that the IRONMAN 70.3 Mont-Tremblant triathlon has been rescheduled for Sunday, August 20, 2023. The event, which was originally scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 25 was cancelled due to the devastating wildfires that are continuing to burn across the Province of Quebec, causing a high concentration of fine particles along with poor Air Quality Index (AQI) to move into the region and make conditions unsafe to host the event.   The 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 Mont-Tremblant triathlon will now take place in conjunction with the 2023 IRONMAN Mont-Tremblant triathlon, part of the VinFast IRONMAN North America Series.   ‘'The decision to cancel an event is always heartbreaking, but the safety of our participants, spectators, volunteers, staff and everyone else involved in the event always remains our highest priority,” said Dave Christen, Regional Director for The IRONMAN Group.   “From the moment we had to cancel the event, we went to work with our partners at Événements Sportifs Mont-Tremblant to quickly identify a solution and provide all of our athletes with a variety of race options. That's why we're extremely pleased to be able to offer a new date to our registered athletes and to combine two great events, celebrating the best of sportsmanship. Along with our trusted regional partners, we spared no efforts to ensure that the infrastructures could accommodate this unique triathlon rendez-vous on August 20, 2023.''   2023 Tour de France https://www.letour.fr/en/ Starts Saturday July 1st 2022 Rankings 2023 Stages 1-7 Fantasy Tour   What's New in the 303: Lake to Lake Triathlon Weather was perfect Course well managed Competition tough Who was there - Tim and Nicole Hola; Tom Beal, Dave Sheanin   12th Annual Strong Kids Triathlon Shout out to friend of the show Dave Sheanin who was racing at Lake to Lake with PJ. Dave is running the YMCA Strong Kids Tri since 2010. This year it's on August 5 in Lafayette.  https://www.ymcanoco.org/sports/boulder-county-sports/strong-kids-triathlon   For Ages 2-12 The Strong Kids Triathlon is back! Get ready for glory and giggles, fortitude and photo finishes, triumph and training wheels.   Grab your camera. Bring the floaties. Harness your inner cheerleader. This is about to get adorable.   During the Strong Kids Triathlon, young athletes ages 2 to 12 take on our kid-friendly course — swimming, pedaling and running through the finish line, where medals and victory dances await. While our triathletes will be challenged, the goal is fun. Racers will be organized by age, and distances will be age appropriate. Olympic and collegiate athletes will be on hand for high fives and support. Crowds will cheer, hugs will be given and snacks will be served. No experience is necessary, but smiles are required.   Proceeds from the event will help families in need pay for Y programs.   August 5, 2023, 9:00am*, Lafayette   *Race times will be determined by age group. Times for your age group announced closer to the event.   Day of registrations will be accepted starting at 7:30am and ending at 8:15am sharp.   Members: $25 Non-members: $35 $10 late fee as of July 21.   Community Access to Electric Bicycles Rebate Program Thanks to the passage of SB22-193, Colorado will implement statewide e-bike rebates available to low- and moderate-income Coloradans. CEO anticipates that rebates will be available to individuals in August 2023.   The e-bike rebate will not be retroactive to previously purchased e-bikes. Interested individuals will need to apply for the program prior to purchasing an e-bike. To ensure all eligible Coloradans have an opportunity to apply for an e-bike rebate, CEO will open applications for a period of one week each month, then randomly select individuals to receive the rebate after each application round closes. Selected applicants will receive a rebate voucher that they can redeem at a participating retailer for a discount at the time of e-bike purchase.   Video of the Week: 11th Annual Strong Kids Triathlon - Register Now     Closing: Thanks again for listening in this week.  Please be sure to follow us @303endurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment.  We'd really appreciate it! Stay tuned, train informed, and enjoy the endurance journey!

So you want to get into bicycling, but you're a little intimidated. We take you to a nonprofit shop that's changing how people are welcomed into the bike community. Then, "My Story So Far" shares the journeys of the LGBTQ-plus community on the western slope. Plus, the ink is flowing again at the Pueblo-based Chicano newspaper, La Cucaracha. And, meet a Coloradan who makes her living through the world of fantasy gaming.

J. J. Ament is the President & CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, one of Colorado's most robust organizations in business advocacy, policy, public engagement, and in putting more Coloradans to work. In their own words, "Nothing helps our families, neighbors, community and economy more than the opportunity for more of us to go to work in great jobs."On this episode of Vic Lombardi's Denver, Vic sits down with J. J. and discusses his upbringing on a ranch in Northeast Colorado and how he ultimately came to lead this organization. They also cover topics ranging from the importance of water to the economic impact professional sports success has on this city to how small businesses are the lifeblood of any economy. It's a wide-ranging and friendly chat about a litany of issues with one of Denver's pre-eminent leaders that any Denverite will find interesting. This show is a part of Mile High Life. Head to MileHighLife.com to check all of the shows on our network.This is the season finale of Vic Lombardi's Denver. We will back with new episodes soon. Thanks for listening, and we'll see you around town.

Magic Mushrooms are legal in Colorado! Here's what you need to know | $1.7MM Biden Administration grant will support expansion of in-home behavioral therapy across Colorado | Auon'tai Anderson and 4 other Democrats are running for Rep. Leslie Herod's CO House seat in District 8 | Rebirth Brass Band is playing 5 Colorado shows in the next 5 daysSong playsIntro by hostWelcome to High Country - politics in the American West. My name is Sean Diller; regular listeners might know me from Heartland Pod's Talking Politics, every Monday.Support this show and all the work in the Heartland POD universe by going to heartlandpod.com and clicking the link for Patreon, or go to Patreon.com/HeartlandPod to sign up. Membership starts at $1/month, with even more extra shows and special access at the higher levels. No matter the level you choose, your membership helps us create these independent shows as we work together to change the conversation.Alright! Let's get into it: COLORADO SUN:Colorado decriminalized psilocybin. Here's your guided trip through what happens next.What's the timeline? Is natural medicine right for you? Should you microdose? We answer these questions and more.Chryss Cada4:28 AM MDT on Jun 18, 2023Four moms gather around a Saturday morning breakfast table exchanging the obsessive anxieties that come from raising teenagers in today's society.  They share the usual concerns: Does their daughter have enough friends? Is their son being bullied at school? Are their child's frequent dark moods typical teenage emotions, or does their angst cross over into depression? As they talk, it becomes clear that the constant stress of worry for their teens is spiraling them down into anxiety and depressive disorders of their own. Right down to steaming mugs of coffee and plates of avocado toast, the scene is quintessential suburban life in the early 2020s. But this meeting of the moms will likely produce more answers, more insight and more empathy than most. Because the night before these moms consumed some natural medicine known for helping to see things in a new light, bringing clarity to stubborn, problematic patterns. These women, along with thousands of others across Colorado, have found psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) useful in bringing relief from the anxiety and depression so prevalent in today's society. Now, after Colorado voters approved Proposition 122 in November, they no longer have to risk state criminal penalties for their use of this indigenous medicine.The dramatic efficiency of mushrooms to ease mental health disorders that haven't been helped by traditional medicines and therapies isn't just anecdotal. Recent studies from respected institutions like Johns Hopkins School of Medicine have shown psilocybin is helpful in treating everything from alcohol dependence to major depressive disorder. However, those experienced with this medicine suggest that it be approached with intention, reverence and most importantly understanding.Under Proposition 122, The Natural Medicine Health Act, Coloradans 21 and older are allowed to possess and use psilocybin, the psychedelic fungi commonly known as “magic mushrooms.” In addition it proposes the eventual decriminalization of the substances dimethyltryptamine, or DMT, ibogaine and mescaline (excluding peyote). The law allows the state to immediately begin the process of the “medicalization” of psilocybin mushrooms by creating a framework for state-regulated “healing centers,” where people can receive medically guided psilocybin treatments. Although decriminalized in Colorado, psilocybin and the other medicines named in the Health Act remain illegal under federal law. “The measure is therapeutically oriented, so recreational and retail sales are not allowed,” explained Kevin Matthews, one of the authors of Proposition 122. “You can share these medicines with family and friends or in religious uses, but we didn't want this to become a for-profit industry.”A veteran, Matthews found relief from depression during a single psilocybin journey in 2011 and has since worked for increased access to psychedelics for the treatment of trauma. While at a legalization rally he saw a T-shirt slogan that summed up the idea behind The Natural Medicine Health Act in three words: “Healers, Not Dealers.”“We were very careful in the writing of the proposition to put forth a healing model,” he said. “We know that people will still use these medicines recreationally, as they were before this passed. It's not always a clear distinction: for some people taking mushrooms with friends and going to see a show at Red Rocks is therapeutic.”The proposition laid out the problem it was hoping to alleviate, reading in part:COLORADANS ARE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMATIC MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SUICIDALITY, ADDICTION, DEPRESSION, AND ANXIETY. COLORADO'S CURRENT APPROACH TO MENTAL HEALTH HAS FAILED TO FULFILL ITS PROMISE. COLORADANS DESERVE MORE TOOLS TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, INCLUDING APPROACHES SUCH AS NATURAL MEDICINES THAT ARE GROUNDED IN TREATMENT, RECOVERY, HEALTH, AND WELLNESS RATHER THAN CRIMINALIZATION, STIGMA, SUFFERING, AND PUNISHMENT.  In November, 53% of Colorado voters agreed with that wording.  Denver attorney Sean McCallister's phone started ringing as soon as the votes were counted and hasn't really stopped since. Primarily working with those in the cannabis industry since the sale and recreational use of weed was legalized in 2012 in Colorado, McAllister is now a pioneer in the emerging field of psychedelics law. One of the most frequent questions he is asked by those outside the psychedelic community is, “When will mushrooms become legal?” His answer: They already have. “No, you don't have to wait for decriminalization provisions,” he said. “People can cultivate, possess and give away mushrooms, as well as share them and be paid for bonafide harm-reduction therapy and support services.” In an interesting twist, those without licensure will be the first to be able to legally offer natural medicine to clients. “Right now those who don't have a therapy license are able to work with these medicines because they are not bound by the rules of a regulatory agency,” McCallister said. “We are about two years away from the regulations being in place for doctors and therapists to be able to offer this medicine to their patients.” In the meantime, a movement of mushroom guides who have worked underground for years or even decades is starting to push into the daylight.In the first three months following passage of Proposition 122, McCallister wrote up more than a hundred disclaimers for guides to use with their clients. Alexandra Jenkins believes so deeply in the medicine's powers to process and release trauma that she was willing to put herself at risk of prosecution to guide medicine ceremonies underground for the past eight years. Now before the ceremonies she holds with one or two other facilitators she passes out a waiver that spells out what can happen when “sitting with the medicine.” The waiver explains that the effects of psilocybin mushrooms include altered perception of time and space and intense changes in mood and feeling. Other possible effects of psilocybin include everything from euphoria and peacefulness to confusion and frightening hallucinations. The effects of psilocybin vary from person to person, based on the user's mental state, personality and immediate environment. Those who have spent time with the medicine will tell you it's all these emotions and so many more, a roller coaster of a voyage through time and space that can fit what feels like a lifetime into four to six hours.“When this (Prop 122) passed I felt a release of stress I wasn't even aware I had been holding,” Jenkins said. “It feels like an open door to give more people access to this medicine.” She has seen the medicine ground previously malfunctioning nervous systems, help people connect to their higher selves, and in doing so feel more compassion toward themselves and others and tap into creativity and the interconnectedness of life. “There is this plant that grows in the ground, is free and helps us see ourselves and others differently,” Jenkins said. “It's cool to be able to believe in miracles.”The timelineIn addition to decriminalizing the four natural medicines, for mushrooms the new law is retroactive. McCallister had several pending cases that were dismissed as soon as Proposition 122 passed. Among them was the case of Ben Gorelick, a Denver rabbi who was facing prosecution after integrating psychedelic use as part of spiritual practice.When this (Prop 122) passed I felt a release of stress I wasn't even aware I had been holding.— Alexandra Jenkins, a guide“The dismissal of that case was especially meaningful because it highlighted the ways this medicine is used,” McCallister said. A representative of traditional and indigenous use and religious use of natural medicine was one of 15 appointees to the Natural Medicine Advisory Board announced earlier this year. The board, which will advise the Department of Regulatory Agencies on the implementation of the regulated natural medicine access program, also includes representatives from law enforcement, veterans, criminal justice reform, mycology, emergency medical services, health care policy, natural medicine and mental health providers.Colorado Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, is drafting a bill that would clarify who would be implementing Proposition 122. He is considering adding Department of Revenue or Department of Public Health and Environment involvement in the rollout of the program.   Proposition 122 says the state must issue rules for things like drug testing standards, license requirements, and health and safety warnings by Jan. 1, 2024, and the state must begin accepting applications for licensed facilities to administer psilocybin by Sept. 30, 2024.The law stipulates that decisions be made on all licensing applications within 60 days of receiving them.After June 1, 2026, the TNMHA board can decide on the medicalization of the additional substances, DMT, ibogaine and mescaline. This may include “healing centers,” like the ones being established for psilocybin, or some similar system with medical oversight for the use of these three substances.Is natural medicine right for you?For years, psychiatrist Craig Heacock has had patients come through his office he knew could benefit from psilocybin, but he was unable to recommend it because it was illegal.Heacock has been able to provide therapy utilizing ketamine, which works in the brain in ways similar to psilocybin. That said, different psychedelics seem to work better for different conditions. “Ketamine is best for endogenous conditions, such as bi-polar depression that has been present throughout the family history,” he said. These are conditions that are caused by factors inside the person's system.“I'm most excited about the use of psilocybin in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder,” he said. “There's been cases of people having remission from OCD for weeks or even months following a single dose of psilocybin.”OCD is one of many anxiety disorders that can develop in response to trauma. It is a coping mechanism your mind develops to try to control the possibility of something traumatic happening to you again. The amount of research on psilocybin has been limited by its legal status, leaving practitioners like Heacock eager to explore its possibilities.   “Psilocybin has a rich and broad palette,” he said. “It connects us with self in a way that can alleviate anxiety, depression and a lack of love.”His podcast, “Back from the Abyss: Psychiatry in Stories,” has been a pioneering voice in the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy. He and his guests often share their hopes that the healing power of psilocybin can help with society's big issues, such as the communal depression lingering from the COVID-19 pandemic. “With the pandemic we have a whole group of people who are left demoralized and spiritually wounded,” he said. “Psilocybin can help with the big things, like alleviating existential despair.”Although there isn't a strict definition, those in the natural medicine community consider a transformative dose  — one in which emotional breakthroughs are likely to occur — of mushrooms to be 3 grams or more.By disconnecting parts of the brain that form what we call our ego, psilocybin allows you to step back and look at your patterns from a different perspective. It puts you in the audience to watch your life play out on the stage and then whispers in your ear that you could do things a different way.  It allows you to not only rethink who you are, but also who you want to be. Jenkins has seen people shed deep-seated trauma through use of the medicine. “People might have something they've been holding for so long they may not even know it's there,” she said. “The medicine shows them that pain and then helps them process it so they can begin to let it go. There is a lot of strength, strength to change, that comes with the love and self-acceptance of this medicine.”Where do I start?Hearing of possible relief from anxiety, depression and even existential despair has Coloradans (and people from around the world) wondering how to get their hands on some mushrooms — and they don't want to wait.“We were prepared for an increase in interest in psilocybin if the proposition passed,” said Daniel McQueen of Boulder's Center for Medicinal Mindfulness. “But the sheer size of the wave of interest actually took me by surprise.”Although he doesn't want to be specific, given the amount of competition cropping up, McQueen said calls to the center from people interested in trying psilocybin-therapy have “at least doubled” since passage of the law. The center, one of the first legal psychedelic therapy clinics in North America, has led thousands of people through cannabis-assisted and ketamine-assisted psychedelic therapy sessions since its founding in 2014, as well as providing training for psychedelic “sitters,” (guides and psychedelic therapists). The training is done by a team of 15, including a medical doctor, nurse and nurse practitioner, four licensed psychotherapists, four pre-licensed psychotherapists, two ministers and two traditional psychedelic guides. People lay down on mats in a circle. A woman sits crossed legged at the top of the group with candles and a laptop with music.The Center for Medicinal Mindfulness & Psychedelic Sitters School. (Britt Nemeth, Contributed)“Because people are in a very vulnerable state while on a psychedelic journey it is very important that they work with a guide who is well-trained,” McQueen said. “A guide should have professional boundaries, the ability to handle a mental health or medical crisis and work in an environment with oversight and accountability.”Accountability is one of the reasons Heacock is looking forward to having mushroom guiding moving out of the dark and into the light.“On the black market it has been ‘buyer beware,'” he said. “There were no checks and balances, it's not like if someone had a bad experience with a guide they could post a bad review on Yelp.”In Heacock's view another advantage of legalization will be testing of the potency of the medicine. “Even if you take the same amount as you had previously, the strength of the medicine could be substantially different,” he said. “With legalization you will know what you are getting every time.”Jenkins, who classifies her work with psilocybin as “harm-reduction services,” stresses the importance of finding a guide who is experienced with the medicine.“I've always had the energy to be a holder of liminal space,” she said. “Being able to create a safe container for someone to have a psychedelic journey is crucial.”Jenkins has spent extensive time in that psychedelic space, including journeys with ayahuasca, referred to as the “grandmother” of all psychedelics. “You have to know what they will be experiencing by having experienced it yourself, it's not something you can learn from a book,” she said.Jenkins is also trained in a spectrum of holistic healing from yoga to breathwork to somatic experiencing. “All the things I trained in up to the point in my life led naturally to holding medicine space,” she said.Despite helping outline the suggested credentials for mushroom guides, Matthews, the Proposition 122 co-author, still puts the most weight in personal recommendations. “Ask people you know, love and respect if they know someone who would be a good match to guide you,” he said. “It's also important to get a facilitator who can relate to your personal experiences.“If you struggle with depression, find a facilitator who has also experienced depression and can have compassion for what you are going through.” An altar with the sculpture of a woman and child, crystals and a variety of other objects.A primary part of guidance at the Center for Medicinal Mindfulness is helping individuals explore their spirituality, said Daniel McQueen, founder of the Center. (Olivia Sun, The Colorado Sun via Report for America)Plunging in The “come up” of a psilocybin trip takes about 15 minutes, slowly clicking you up that first big hill of a roller coaster. When the cable lets you go, the plunge down is a little different for everybody. Some people hold on for dear life, regretting their choice to get on the ride in the first place. Others put their hands up in the air and enjoy the ride. Some people alternate between the two.  Either way, there is usually a lot of noise when the medicine “kicks in.” In order to “hold the container,” and keep individuals in their own experience, guides will often request quiet in a group setting.Sometimes people find it impossible to not let out a squeal, a moan, a cry, a retching, a giggle or a choice expletive.  “This is an intense experience, sometimes someone gets too loud and there's the risk that they will compromise everyone in the group's experience,” Jenkins said. “An experienced guide can maintain the container through this by going to that person and helping them through.”  While one facilitator tends to the individual who is struggling by taking him or her to another room, the other facilitator sings to the remainder of the group, her voice soaring above the chaos. Trippers have a choice to go on the wings of the medicine to a peaceful supportive place and have their own experience. “Rather than saying it was a bad trip, I would say there are moments in every journey that are challenging,” said Matthews, who has found psychedelics helpful in processing trauma from earlier in his life. “Unresolved trauma comes to the surface, and you can witness with clarity how something that has been buried deeply is influencing the way you are in the world.”Psychiatrist Heacock agrees.“We don't learn when things are going well,” Heacock said of difficult ketamine sessions. “It's the hard sessions, when you feel like you can't stand another second, that can be the real game changers.”Single doseLicensed clinical social worker Michelle Landon, like many in healing professions, has faced her own struggles with mental health. She often tries healing modalities out herself before prescribing them to her clients.“A couple years ago I began hearing a lot about the science of psychedelics and how they can help people heal,” she said. “I wanted to help others with their trauma and disordered thinking patterns, but first I knew I needed to help myself.”People might have something they've been holding for so long they may not even know it's there. The medicine shows them that pain and then helps them process it so they can begin to let it go.— Alexandra Jenkins, a guideLandon, who has been a therapist in northern Colorado since 2004, found psychedelics helpful in coming to terms with the death of her father in 2021.“The last two weeks of my dad's life he started telling my sister he was going on a trip and wanted to say goodbye to everyone,” she said. “I was with him, watching him go in and out of this world.”Psychedelics lightened the impact and pain of the moment. “I mean sure it sucked, but it wasn't traumatic,” she said of her father's final days and the grief that followed his death. “There were moments of beauty and connection. I saw him through the lens of the medicine and he didn't look like he was suffering. He was ready to go.” Through ketamine-assisted therapy, Landon has brought similar relief to clients dealing with a range of mental health challenges from persistent depression to acute post-traumatic stress disorder.“Some people processing trauma find it so hard to shift things and let go with traditional therapy and prescriptions,” she said. “With psychedelics some people have direct access to knowing they are loved and are able to finally let go of their past trauma.”MicrodoseWhile a single-dose psilocybin journey can have profound, lasting effects, many people are beginning to take mushrooms as a daily medication — and a lot of those people, at least anecdotally, are moms. “People are discovering microdosing to be a good alternative to the pharmaceutical approach that is so prevalent in our culture,” Jenkins said. “It gives your serotonin a bit of a boost and puts you more in tune with yourself.  It can really help people with anxiety without a lot of side effects.” Microdosing mushrooms involves taking such small amounts of the medicine (roughly 0.05 to 0.25 grams) that a person doesn't feel the effects outright. People can take a microdose every day or work in days off to integrate the insights gained on days they do take the medicine.“When I've had a microdose I feel so much more confident in the choices I'm making for my family,” said one mom over post-trip avocado toast. “It's like the mushrooms are a little cheerleader in my head telling me I'm doing a great job.” Another mom had been on prescription antidepressants for a little more than a decade before recently switching to microdosing psilocybin to rein in the ruminating, spiraling, obsessive thoughts she has contended without throughout her life.  She wanted to find a more natural way to access what her brain needs.“It was rough going off them (antidepressants),” she recalls. “I was dizzy, nauseous, felt trapped and was really, really, really depressed. Then I started microdosing and it was like my whole brain lit up again.” Those who work with psychedelics caution that they aren't an instant cure, but rather one resource that has been helpful to many in their healing. “It (psilocybin) is a reminder that we hold the answers inside of ourselves,” Landon said.  “It gets the BS out of the way so you can see your true self and your true potential for happiness.”COLORADO NEWSLINE:A new family therapy program in Colorado will meet you wherever you are — even if that's Costco An in-home mental health program for kids that began in January has served 200 people in 20 Colorado counties and has plans to expandJennifer Brown4:00 AM MDT on Jun 15, 2023A 15-year-old boy is sitting cross-legged on his couch in red flannel pajama pants, his hair looking like he just rolled out of bed. Because he did just get out of bed, about three minutes ago. Now, he's sitting across from his therapist, who had to knock on the door for several minutes before the teenager's mom answered via Ring doorbell from the grocery store. “It's open,” she told Bobby Tyman, a family therapist and clinical program coordinator with Paragon Behavioral Health Connections. It's not the first time Tyman has had to rouse the boy from sleep for his 10 a.m. therapy appointment.This is what in-home mental health treatment for adolescents looks like. The teenager, who recently stole and crashed his mother's car and has been using drugs to cope with depression, is groggy and shy, but tells Tyman that he applied for three summer jobs and is choosing a new high school for the fall. The new in-home therapy program, which has served 200 kids and their parents since it began in January, is an extension of the Colorado Boys Ranch. The ranch opened in 1959 as an orphanage in La Junta, then closed its residential program about a decade ago. But its foundation — Colorado Boys Ranch Youth Connect — has continued, pouring its resources into behavioral health care for kids in their homes. The evolution of the program is a reflection of what's changed in the child welfare system in the past decade — Colorado is sending fewer kids to institutions in favor of homes, and has increased efforts to provide in-home mental health care to cut down on the number of children removed from their homes and placed in foster care in the first place. Several youth treatment centers, including Tennyson Center for Children in Denver, have shifted in recent years from residential care to day treatment and in-home therapy.Some of the children are referred by the juvenile justice system as part of pretrial rehabilitation programs, and by the Medicaid program. Parents can also call for help directly, without a referral from a government program. A staff of 40 works in 20 counties, including the entire Denver metro area and throughout the entire state. Camille Harding, Paragon's CEO says “The point is to help kids and teens get better on their terms, as well as to provide a step-down program for adolescents who have visited a hospital emergency room in crisis or been admitted on a mental health hold. The program aims to schedule the first appointment within 24 hours of receiving a call for help.”Kids who are “trying to have their own personality and a say in who they are” can accomplish that better at home, not in an unfamiliar office with a therapist staring at them.“Having it on their own terms is so much more empowering. You get to decide what we do. We can go for a walk. We can go to the park down the street. Developmentally, it just makes more sense.” Some kids in the program have such intense needs that someone from Paragon is in their home 10 hours a week. A therapist helps work on their mental health. A care manager can help enroll in school, sign up for a GED program, or help the family find housing or food assistance. A specialist can teach interventions specifically for kids who have intellectual disabilities along with behavioral health issues. The team approach means kids get better help and staff are less likely to burn out. The program's technology is unique, too. Paragon is installing geo locations on its staff, many of whom are social workers or case managers with bachelor's degrees, and can send reinforcements quickly. That means that if a teenager is threatening suicide or having a violent outburst, a more experienced counselor can assist in person or virtually.A $1.7 million grant, part of Colorado's federal pandemic relief aid, is helping the program build the technology and hire a psychiatrist. Therapy beside someone's bed or in a Costco aisleTyman prefers standing on a client's doorstep to sitting in an office waiting for a client who doesn't show up. He's done therapy on the floor next to someone's bed because the person was too depressed to get up. And one mom is so overwhelmed by her life that the only time she finds for therapy with Tyman is when she's at the park with her kids or walking through Costco. Tyman tells her she can say he's a neighbor or a friend if they run into someone she knows. “It's OK if we start 15 minutes late because you had to get up and make coffee and put on clothes, or whatever it is you had to do to deal,” he said. “If your mental capacity isn't super high, and you're not functioning well, and you're not getting out of bed on time, and you're not able to manage your appointments, you're never going to make it to therapy.COLORADO NEWSLINE:Auon'tai Anderson, vice president of the Denver Public Schools board of education, announced he will end his run for reelection to instead go for a seat in the Colorado Legislature. Anderson, a Democrat who has been vocal against police in schools, announced his campaign to replace Democratic Rep. Leslie Herod in House District 8. As of Monday, five candidates have filed with the secretary of state's office looking to take the District 8 seat, including Anderson, Victor Bencomo, Christi Devoe, Lindsay Gilchrist and Sharron Pettiford. All candidates so far are Democrats. Gilchrist filed her candidacy the same day as Anderson. Anderson told Colorado Newsline his decision was influenced by the recent shootings at East High School in Denver, when a student asked Anderson what he was going to do about gun reform.“We need Democrats that are going to be Democrats 24/7, not Democrats when it's convenient,” Anderson said. “I feel like we've had some very convenient Democrats in the Legislature when it comes to these heavy issues like rent control, or our assault weapons ban that was killed by Dems. So, for me, this was an opportunity to stand up and say ‘I'm going to run.'” As he wraps up his time on the Denver school board, Anderson touted newly enacted board policies that make dyslexia screenings accessible for DPS students, as well as a 90% reduction in tickets and citations for students in the district, during his time on the board.Anderson said “We can't regress into an era where we're going back to criminalizing Black and brown children” If elected to the Colorado House, Anderson said he would prioritize four areas in his first legislative session: banning assault weapons, enshrining access to reproductive health care in the state Constitution, expanding protections for LGBTQ students, and increasing the state minimum wage. And your unsolicited concert pick of the week, Rebirth Brass Band! A New Orleans Institution since 1983 - Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers says “UNBELIEVABLE. HARD AS HELL, FREE AS A RAY OF LIGHT, THERE IS NOT A BAND ON EARTH THAT IS BETTER. STUNNING."Stunning and hardworking too, with Colorado shows tonight and the following 4 nights- Cleland Park in Delta, Ophelia's Electric Soapbox in Denver, Stoke in Salida, Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins, and finally the Durant Street VIP Tent in Aspen. Welp, that's it for me! From Denver I'm Sean Diller. Original reporting for the stories in today's show comes from Colorado Sun and Colorado Newsline.Thank you for listening! See you next time.

Magic Mushrooms are legal in Colorado! Here's what you need to know | $1.7MM Biden Administration grant will support expansion of in-home behavioral therapy across Colorado | Auon'tai Anderson and 4 other Democrats are running for Rep. Leslie Herod's CO House seat in District 8 | Rebirth Brass Band is playing 5 Colorado shows in the next 5 daysSong playsIntro by hostWelcome to High Country - politics in the American West. My name is Sean Diller; regular listeners might know me from Heartland Pod's Talking Politics, every Monday.Support this show and all the work in the Heartland POD universe by going to heartlandpod.com and clicking the link for Patreon, or go to Patreon.com/HeartlandPod to sign up. Membership starts at $1/month, with even more extra shows and special access at the higher levels. No matter the level you choose, your membership helps us create these independent shows as we work together to change the conversation.Alright! Let's get into it: COLORADO SUN:Colorado decriminalized psilocybin. Here's your guided trip through what happens next.What's the timeline? Is natural medicine right for you? Should you microdose? We answer these questions and more.Chryss Cada4:28 AM MDT on Jun 18, 2023Four moms gather around a Saturday morning breakfast table exchanging the obsessive anxieties that come from raising teenagers in today's society.  They share the usual concerns: Does their daughter have enough friends? Is their son being bullied at school? Are their child's frequent dark moods typical teenage emotions, or does their angst cross over into depression? As they talk, it becomes clear that the constant stress of worry for their teens is spiraling them down into anxiety and depressive disorders of their own. Right down to steaming mugs of coffee and plates of avocado toast, the scene is quintessential suburban life in the early 2020s. But this meeting of the moms will likely produce more answers, more insight and more empathy than most. Because the night before these moms consumed some natural medicine known for helping to see things in a new light, bringing clarity to stubborn, problematic patterns. These women, along with thousands of others across Colorado, have found psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) useful in bringing relief from the anxiety and depression so prevalent in today's society. Now, after Colorado voters approved Proposition 122 in November, they no longer have to risk state criminal penalties for their use of this indigenous medicine.The dramatic efficiency of mushrooms to ease mental health disorders that haven't been helped by traditional medicines and therapies isn't just anecdotal. Recent studies from respected institutions like Johns Hopkins School of Medicine have shown psilocybin is helpful in treating everything from alcohol dependence to major depressive disorder. However, those experienced with this medicine suggest that it be approached with intention, reverence and most importantly understanding.Under Proposition 122, The Natural Medicine Health Act, Coloradans 21 and older are allowed to possess and use psilocybin, the psychedelic fungi commonly known as “magic mushrooms.” In addition it proposes the eventual decriminalization of the substances dimethyltryptamine, or DMT, ibogaine and mescaline (excluding peyote). The law allows the state to immediately begin the process of the “medicalization” of psilocybin mushrooms by creating a framework for state-regulated “healing centers,” where people can receive medically guided psilocybin treatments. Although decriminalized in Colorado, psilocybin and the other medicines named in the Health Act remain illegal under federal law. “The measure is therapeutically oriented, so recreational and retail sales are not allowed,” explained Kevin Matthews, one of the authors of Proposition 122. “You can share these medicines with family and friends or in religious uses, but we didn't want this to become a for-profit industry.”A veteran, Matthews found relief from depression during a single psilocybin journey in 2011 and has since worked for increased access to psychedelics for the treatment of trauma. While at a legalization rally he saw a T-shirt slogan that summed up the idea behind The Natural Medicine Health Act in three words: “Healers, Not Dealers.”“We were very careful in the writing of the proposition to put forth a healing model,” he said. “We know that people will still use these medicines recreationally, as they were before this passed. It's not always a clear distinction: for some people taking mushrooms with friends and going to see a show at Red Rocks is therapeutic.”The proposition laid out the problem it was hoping to alleviate, reading in part:COLORADANS ARE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMATIC MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SUICIDALITY, ADDICTION, DEPRESSION, AND ANXIETY. COLORADO'S CURRENT APPROACH TO MENTAL HEALTH HAS FAILED TO FULFILL ITS PROMISE. COLORADANS DESERVE MORE TOOLS TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, INCLUDING APPROACHES SUCH AS NATURAL MEDICINES THAT ARE GROUNDED IN TREATMENT, RECOVERY, HEALTH, AND WELLNESS RATHER THAN CRIMINALIZATION, STIGMA, SUFFERING, AND PUNISHMENT.  In November, 53% of Colorado voters agreed with that wording.  Denver attorney Sean McCallister's phone started ringing as soon as the votes were counted and hasn't really stopped since. Primarily working with those in the cannabis industry since the sale and recreational use of weed was legalized in 2012 in Colorado, McAllister is now a pioneer in the emerging field of psychedelics law. One of the most frequent questions he is asked by those outside the psychedelic community is, “When will mushrooms become legal?” His answer: They already have. “No, you don't have to wait for decriminalization provisions,” he said. “People can cultivate, possess and give away mushrooms, as well as share them and be paid for bonafide harm-reduction therapy and support services.” In an interesting twist, those without licensure will be the first to be able to legally offer natural medicine to clients. “Right now those who don't have a therapy license are able to work with these medicines because they are not bound by the rules of a regulatory agency,” McCallister said. “We are about two years away from the regulations being in place for doctors and therapists to be able to offer this medicine to their patients.” In the meantime, a movement of mushroom guides who have worked underground for years or even decades is starting to push into the daylight.In the first three months following passage of Proposition 122, McCallister wrote up more than a hundred disclaimers for guides to use with their clients. Alexandra Jenkins believes so deeply in the medicine's powers to process and release trauma that she was willing to put herself at risk of prosecution to guide medicine ceremonies underground for the past eight years. Now before the ceremonies she holds with one or two other facilitators she passes out a waiver that spells out what can happen when “sitting with the medicine.” The waiver explains that the effects of psilocybin mushrooms include altered perception of time and space and intense changes in mood and feeling. Other possible effects of psilocybin include everything from euphoria and peacefulness to confusion and frightening hallucinations. The effects of psilocybin vary from person to person, based on the user's mental state, personality and immediate environment. Those who have spent time with the medicine will tell you it's all these emotions and so many more, a roller coaster of a voyage through time and space that can fit what feels like a lifetime into four to six hours.“When this (Prop 122) passed I felt a release of stress I wasn't even aware I had been holding,” Jenkins said. “It feels like an open door to give more people access to this medicine.” She has seen the medicine ground previously malfunctioning nervous systems, help people connect to their higher selves, and in doing so feel more compassion toward themselves and others and tap into creativity and the interconnectedness of life. “There is this plant that grows in the ground, is free and helps us see ourselves and others differently,” Jenkins said. “It's cool to be able to believe in miracles.”The timelineIn addition to decriminalizing the four natural medicines, for mushrooms the new law is retroactive. McCallister had several pending cases that were dismissed as soon as Proposition 122 passed. Among them was the case of Ben Gorelick, a Denver rabbi who was facing prosecution after integrating psychedelic use as part of spiritual practice.When this (Prop 122) passed I felt a release of stress I wasn't even aware I had been holding.— Alexandra Jenkins, a guide“The dismissal of that case was especially meaningful because it highlighted the ways this medicine is used,” McCallister said. A representative of traditional and indigenous use and religious use of natural medicine was one of 15 appointees to the Natural Medicine Advisory Board announced earlier this year. The board, which will advise the Department of Regulatory Agencies on the implementation of the regulated natural medicine access program, also includes representatives from law enforcement, veterans, criminal justice reform, mycology, emergency medical services, health care policy, natural medicine and mental health providers.Colorado Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, is drafting a bill that would clarify who would be implementing Proposition 122. He is considering adding Department of Revenue or Department of Public Health and Environment involvement in the rollout of the program.   Proposition 122 says the state must issue rules for things like drug testing standards, license requirements, and health and safety warnings by Jan. 1, 2024, and the state must begin accepting applications for licensed facilities to administer psilocybin by Sept. 30, 2024.The law stipulates that decisions be made on all licensing applications within 60 days of receiving them.After June 1, 2026, the TNMHA board can decide on the medicalization of the additional substances, DMT, ibogaine and mescaline. This may include “healing centers,” like the ones being established for psilocybin, or some similar system with medical oversight for the use of these three substances.Is natural medicine right for you?For years, psychiatrist Craig Heacock has had patients come through his office he knew could benefit from psilocybin, but he was unable to recommend it because it was illegal.Heacock has been able to provide therapy utilizing ketamine, which works in the brain in ways similar to psilocybin. That said, different psychedelics seem to work better for different conditions. “Ketamine is best for endogenous conditions, such as bi-polar depression that has been present throughout the family history,” he said. These are conditions that are caused by factors inside the person's system.“I'm most excited about the use of psilocybin in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder,” he said. “There's been cases of people having remission from OCD for weeks or even months following a single dose of psilocybin.”OCD is one of many anxiety disorders that can develop in response to trauma. It is a coping mechanism your mind develops to try to control the possibility of something traumatic happening to you again. The amount of research on psilocybin has been limited by its legal status, leaving practitioners like Heacock eager to explore its possibilities.   “Psilocybin has a rich and broad palette,” he said. “It connects us with self in a way that can alleviate anxiety, depression and a lack of love.”His podcast, “Back from the Abyss: Psychiatry in Stories,” has been a pioneering voice in the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy. He and his guests often share their hopes that the healing power of psilocybin can help with society's big issues, such as the communal depression lingering from the COVID-19 pandemic. “With the pandemic we have a whole group of people who are left demoralized and spiritually wounded,” he said. “Psilocybin can help with the big things, like alleviating existential despair.”Although there isn't a strict definition, those in the natural medicine community consider a transformative dose  — one in which emotional breakthroughs are likely to occur — of mushrooms to be 3 grams or more.By disconnecting parts of the brain that form what we call our ego, psilocybin allows you to step back and look at your patterns from a different perspective. It puts you in the audience to watch your life play out on the stage and then whispers in your ear that you could do things a different way.  It allows you to not only rethink who you are, but also who you want to be. Jenkins has seen people shed deep-seated trauma through use of the medicine. “People might have something they've been holding for so long they may not even know it's there,” she said. “The medicine shows them that pain and then helps them process it so they can begin to let it go. There is a lot of strength, strength to change, that comes with the love and self-acceptance of this medicine.”Where do I start?Hearing of possible relief from anxiety, depression and even existential despair has Coloradans (and people from around the world) wondering how to get their hands on some mushrooms — and they don't want to wait.“We were prepared for an increase in interest in psilocybin if the proposition passed,” said Daniel McQueen of Boulder's Center for Medicinal Mindfulness. “But the sheer size of the wave of interest actually took me by surprise.”Although he doesn't want to be specific, given the amount of competition cropping up, McQueen said calls to the center from people interested in trying psilocybin-therapy have “at least doubled” since passage of the law. The center, one of the first legal psychedelic therapy clinics in North America, has led thousands of people through cannabis-assisted and ketamine-assisted psychedelic therapy sessions since its founding in 2014, as well as providing training for psychedelic “sitters,” (guides and psychedelic therapists). The training is done by a team of 15, including a medical doctor, nurse and nurse practitioner, four licensed psychotherapists, four pre-licensed psychotherapists, two ministers and two traditional psychedelic guides. People lay down on mats in a circle. A woman sits crossed legged at the top of the group with candles and a laptop with music.The Center for Medicinal Mindfulness & Psychedelic Sitters School. (Britt Nemeth, Contributed)“Because people are in a very vulnerable state while on a psychedelic journey it is very important that they work with a guide who is well-trained,” McQueen said. “A guide should have professional boundaries, the ability to handle a mental health or medical crisis and work in an environment with oversight and accountability.”Accountability is one of the reasons Heacock is looking forward to having mushroom guiding moving out of the dark and into the light.“On the black market it has been ‘buyer beware,'” he said. “There were no checks and balances, it's not like if someone had a bad experience with a guide they could post a bad review on Yelp.”In Heacock's view another advantage of legalization will be testing of the potency of the medicine. “Even if you take the same amount as you had previously, the strength of the medicine could be substantially different,” he said. “With legalization you will know what you are getting every time.”Jenkins, who classifies her work with psilocybin as “harm-reduction services,” stresses the importance of finding a guide who is experienced with the medicine.“I've always had the energy to be a holder of liminal space,” she said. “Being able to create a safe container for someone to have a psychedelic journey is crucial.”Jenkins has spent extensive time in that psychedelic space, including journeys with ayahuasca, referred to as the “grandmother” of all psychedelics. “You have to know what they will be experiencing by having experienced it yourself, it's not something you can learn from a book,” she said.Jenkins is also trained in a spectrum of holistic healing from yoga to breathwork to somatic experiencing. “All the things I trained in up to the point in my life led naturally to holding medicine space,” she said.Despite helping outline the suggested credentials for mushroom guides, Matthews, the Proposition 122 co-author, still puts the most weight in personal recommendations. “Ask people you know, love and respect if they know someone who would be a good match to guide you,” he said. “It's also important to get a facilitator who can relate to your personal experiences.“If you struggle with depression, find a facilitator who has also experienced depression and can have compassion for what you are going through.” An altar with the sculpture of a woman and child, crystals and a variety of other objects.A primary part of guidance at the Center for Medicinal Mindfulness is helping individuals explore their spirituality, said Daniel McQueen, founder of the Center. (Olivia Sun, The Colorado Sun via Report for America)Plunging in The “come up” of a psilocybin trip takes about 15 minutes, slowly clicking you up that first big hill of a roller coaster. When the cable lets you go, the plunge down is a little different for everybody. Some people hold on for dear life, regretting their choice to get on the ride in the first place. Others put their hands up in the air and enjoy the ride. Some people alternate between the two.  Either way, there is usually a lot of noise when the medicine “kicks in.” In order to “hold the container,” and keep individuals in their own experience, guides will often request quiet in a group setting.Sometimes people find it impossible to not let out a squeal, a moan, a cry, a retching, a giggle or a choice expletive.  “This is an intense experience, sometimes someone gets too loud and there's the risk that they will compromise everyone in the group's experience,” Jenkins said. “An experienced guide can maintain the container through this by going to that person and helping them through.”  While one facilitator tends to the individual who is struggling by taking him or her to another room, the other facilitator sings to the remainder of the group, her voice soaring above the chaos. Trippers have a choice to go on the wings of the medicine to a peaceful supportive place and have their own experience. “Rather than saying it was a bad trip, I would say there are moments in every journey that are challenging,” said Matthews, who has found psychedelics helpful in processing trauma from earlier in his life. “Unresolved trauma comes to the surface, and you can witness with clarity how something that has been buried deeply is influencing the way you are in the world.”Psychiatrist Heacock agrees.“We don't learn when things are going well,” Heacock said of difficult ketamine sessions. “It's the hard sessions, when you feel like you can't stand another second, that can be the real game changers.”Single doseLicensed clinical social worker Michelle Landon, like many in healing professions, has faced her own struggles with mental health. She often tries healing modalities out herself before prescribing them to her clients.“A couple years ago I began hearing a lot about the science of psychedelics and how they can help people heal,” she said. “I wanted to help others with their trauma and disordered thinking patterns, but first I knew I needed to help myself.”People might have something they've been holding for so long they may not even know it's there. The medicine shows them that pain and then helps them process it so they can begin to let it go.— Alexandra Jenkins, a guideLandon, who has been a therapist in northern Colorado since 2004, found psychedelics helpful in coming to terms with the death of her father in 2021.“The last two weeks of my dad's life he started telling my sister he was going on a trip and wanted to say goodbye to everyone,” she said. “I was with him, watching him go in and out of this world.”Psychedelics lightened the impact and pain of the moment. “I mean sure it sucked, but it wasn't traumatic,” she said of her father's final days and the grief that followed his death. “There were moments of beauty and connection. I saw him through the lens of the medicine and he didn't look like he was suffering. He was ready to go.” Through ketamine-assisted therapy, Landon has brought similar relief to clients dealing with a range of mental health challenges from persistent depression to acute post-traumatic stress disorder.“Some people processing trauma find it so hard to shift things and let go with traditional therapy and prescriptions,” she said. “With psychedelics some people have direct access to knowing they are loved and are able to finally let go of their past trauma.”MicrodoseWhile a single-dose psilocybin journey can have profound, lasting effects, many people are beginning to take mushrooms as a daily medication — and a lot of those people, at least anecdotally, are moms. “People are discovering microdosing to be a good alternative to the pharmaceutical approach that is so prevalent in our culture,” Jenkins said. “It gives your serotonin a bit of a boost and puts you more in tune with yourself.  It can really help people with anxiety without a lot of side effects.” Microdosing mushrooms involves taking such small amounts of the medicine (roughly 0.05 to 0.25 grams) that a person doesn't feel the effects outright. People can take a microdose every day or work in days off to integrate the insights gained on days they do take the medicine.“When I've had a microdose I feel so much more confident in the choices I'm making for my family,” said one mom over post-trip avocado toast. “It's like the mushrooms are a little cheerleader in my head telling me I'm doing a great job.” Another mom had been on prescription antidepressants for a little more than a decade before recently switching to microdosing psilocybin to rein in the ruminating, spiraling, obsessive thoughts she has contended without throughout her life.  She wanted to find a more natural way to access what her brain needs.“It was rough going off them (antidepressants),” she recalls. “I was dizzy, nauseous, felt trapped and was really, really, really depressed. Then I started microdosing and it was like my whole brain lit up again.” Those who work with psychedelics caution that they aren't an instant cure, but rather one resource that has been helpful to many in their healing. “It (psilocybin) is a reminder that we hold the answers inside of ourselves,” Landon said.  “It gets the BS out of the way so you can see your true self and your true potential for happiness.”COLORADO NEWSLINE:A new family therapy program in Colorado will meet you wherever you are — even if that's Costco An in-home mental health program for kids that began in January has served 200 people in 20 Colorado counties and has plans to expandJennifer Brown4:00 AM MDT on Jun 15, 2023A 15-year-old boy is sitting cross-legged on his couch in red flannel pajama pants, his hair looking like he just rolled out of bed. Because he did just get out of bed, about three minutes ago. Now, he's sitting across from his therapist, who had to knock on the door for several minutes before the teenager's mom answered via Ring doorbell from the grocery store. “It's open,” she told Bobby Tyman, a family therapist and clinical program coordinator with Paragon Behavioral Health Connections. It's not the first time Tyman has had to rouse the boy from sleep for his 10 a.m. therapy appointment.This is what in-home mental health treatment for adolescents looks like. The teenager, who recently stole and crashed his mother's car and has been using drugs to cope with depression, is groggy and shy, but tells Tyman that he applied for three summer jobs and is choosing a new high school for the fall. The new in-home therapy program, which has served 200 kids and their parents since it began in January, is an extension of the Colorado Boys Ranch. The ranch opened in 1959 as an orphanage in La Junta, then closed its residential program about a decade ago. But its foundation — Colorado Boys Ranch Youth Connect — has continued, pouring its resources into behavioral health care for kids in their homes. The evolution of the program is a reflection of what's changed in the child welfare system in the past decade — Colorado is sending fewer kids to institutions in favor of homes, and has increased efforts to provide in-home mental health care to cut down on the number of children removed from their homes and placed in foster care in the first place. Several youth treatment centers, including Tennyson Center for Children in Denver, have shifted in recent years from residential care to day treatment and in-home therapy.Some of the children are referred by the juvenile justice system as part of pretrial rehabilitation programs, and by the Medicaid program. Parents can also call for help directly, without a referral from a government program. A staff of 40 works in 20 counties, including the entire Denver metro area and throughout the entire state. Camille Harding, Paragon's CEO says “The point is to help kids and teens get better on their terms, as well as to provide a step-down program for adolescents who have visited a hospital emergency room in crisis or been admitted on a mental health hold. The program aims to schedule the first appointment within 24 hours of receiving a call for help.”Kids who are “trying to have their own personality and a say in who they are” can accomplish that better at home, not in an unfamiliar office with a therapist staring at them.“Having it on their own terms is so much more empowering. You get to decide what we do. We can go for a walk. We can go to the park down the street. Developmentally, it just makes more sense.” Some kids in the program have such intense needs that someone from Paragon is in their home 10 hours a week. A therapist helps work on their mental health. A care manager can help enroll in school, sign up for a GED program, or help the family find housing or food assistance. A specialist can teach interventions specifically for kids who have intellectual disabilities along with behavioral health issues. The team approach means kids get better help and staff are less likely to burn out. The program's technology is unique, too. Paragon is installing geo locations on its staff, many of whom are social workers or case managers with bachelor's degrees, and can send reinforcements quickly. That means that if a teenager is threatening suicide or having a violent outburst, a more experienced counselor can assist in person or virtually.A $1.7 million grant, part of Colorado's federal pandemic relief aid, is helping the program build the technology and hire a psychiatrist. Therapy beside someone's bed or in a Costco aisleTyman prefers standing on a client's doorstep to sitting in an office waiting for a client who doesn't show up. He's done therapy on the floor next to someone's bed because the person was too depressed to get up. And one mom is so overwhelmed by her life that the only time she finds for therapy with Tyman is when she's at the park with her kids or walking through Costco. Tyman tells her she can say he's a neighbor or a friend if they run into someone she knows. “It's OK if we start 15 minutes late because you had to get up and make coffee and put on clothes, or whatever it is you had to do to deal,” he said. “If your mental capacity isn't super high, and you're not functioning well, and you're not getting out of bed on time, and you're not able to manage your appointments, you're never going to make it to therapy.COLORADO NEWSLINE:Auon'tai Anderson, vice president of the Denver Public Schools board of education, announced he will end his run for reelection to instead go for a seat in the Colorado Legislature. Anderson, a Democrat who has been vocal against police in schools, announced his campaign to replace Democratic Rep. Leslie Herod in House District 8. As of Monday, five candidates have filed with the secretary of state's office looking to take the District 8 seat, including Anderson, Victor Bencomo, Christi Devoe, Lindsay Gilchrist and Sharron Pettiford. All candidates so far are Democrats. Gilchrist filed her candidacy the same day as Anderson. Anderson told Colorado Newsline his decision was influenced by the recent shootings at East High School in Denver, when a student asked Anderson what he was going to do about gun reform.“We need Democrats that are going to be Democrats 24/7, not Democrats when it's convenient,” Anderson said. “I feel like we've had some very convenient Democrats in the Legislature when it comes to these heavy issues like rent control, or our assault weapons ban that was killed by Dems. So, for me, this was an opportunity to stand up and say ‘I'm going to run.'” As he wraps up his time on the Denver school board, Anderson touted newly enacted board policies that make dyslexia screenings accessible for DPS students, as well as a 90% reduction in tickets and citations for students in the district, during his time on the board.Anderson said “We can't regress into an era where we're going back to criminalizing Black and brown children” If elected to the Colorado House, Anderson said he would prioritize four areas in his first legislative session: banning assault weapons, enshrining access to reproductive health care in the state Constitution, expanding protections for LGBTQ students, and increasing the state minimum wage. And your unsolicited concert pick of the week, Rebirth Brass Band! A New Orleans Institution since 1983 - Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers says “UNBELIEVABLE. HARD AS HELL, FREE AS A RAY OF LIGHT, THERE IS NOT A BAND ON EARTH THAT IS BETTER. STUNNING."Stunning and hardworking too, with Colorado shows tonight and the following 4 nights- Cleland Park in Delta, Ophelia's Electric Soapbox in Denver, Stoke in Salida, Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins, and finally the Durant Street VIP Tent in Aspen. Welp, that's it for me! From Denver I'm Sean Diller. Original reporting for the stories in today's show comes from Colorado Sun and Colorado Newsline.Thank you for listening! See you next time.

19 June 2023 AM Show - Colorado SOS Election Zoom Meeting Swarmed with Awake Coloradans - Nothing But Lies Like, Comment, Share, and SUBSCRIBE! On Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/ConservativeDaily On Foxhole: https://pilled.net/profile/181316 Follow us on Social Media: https://libertylinks.io/ConservativeDaily https://libertylinks.io/JoeOltmann https://libertylinks.io/Apollo https://libertylinks.io/PaulFleuret We might get canceled again…don't miss anything important. Subscribe to our newsletter: https://bit.ly/joinconservativedaily If you want to support the show, you can donate here: http://bit.ly/cd-donate https://www.americaneducationdefenders.com/ is a 501c3 that creates education content to enable children to have fun and develop their gifts! 10% off with Promo Code CD23 All proceeds enable Paul to create more amazing content! Support and protect your family and your second amendment NOW. DCF Guns is your one-stop-shop for firearms, ammunition, body armor, gear, and training. Get prepared for anything at https://www.dcfguns.co/ and use Promo Code JOE for 5% Discount online. Get the best coffee that only TRUE PATRIOTS can handle at https://beardedmancoffee.com/ and use Promo Code 1776 Support the fight for our nation by use promo code CD21 to get up to 66% off at https://www.mypillow.com/radiospecials or by placing your order over the phone at 800-872-0627. BUY 1 GET 1 FREE Special on the MyPillow 2.0 with Code CD21 Become a Conservative Daily member right now for massive savings on Faxblasts and member only perks! Use the link and sign up today! https://conservative-daily.com/forms/Step1b Text FREEDOM to 89517 to get added to our text list to receive notifications when we go Live! Privacy Policy: https://conservative-daily.com/Legal/Privacy Terms: https://conservative-daily.com/Legal/Terms Reply STOP to stop further text messages from Conservative Daily. Message and Data Rates may apply. Need help? (855) 954-6644 or reply HELP. Subscribe to our daily podcast at Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/ConservativeDailyPodcast We are also available on Spotify! https://open.spotify.com/show/2wD8YleiBM8bu0l3ahBLDN And on Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/conservative-daily-podcast/PC:37034 And on iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-conservative-daily-podcast-53710765/ on TuneIn: https://tunein.com/radio/Conservative-Daily-Podcast-p1350272/ And now also on Audible! https://www.audible.com/pd/Conservative-Daily-Podcast-Podcast/B08JJQQ4M Support Joe Oltmann in his legal battle against Eric Coomer: https://givesendgo.com/defendjoeoltmann

This week, Fallon is joined by RBB Aubrey Burgess, who wants to know the best practices for a brunch-style wedding. The duo get into the pros and cons of having an earlier wedding and then, what to tell your HMU, bridal party, and photographer so everything will run smoothly on a tighter schedule. To all our type-A brides, Fallon also suggests delegating smaller tasks — or the tasks you don't need to be done at 100% — to the community around you. Expert, and Certified Green Wedding Planner, JoAnn Moore joins the conversation to help Aubrey incorporate sustainability into her Coloradan festivities. From invites and welcome bags to florals and food, JoAnn helps us rethink the wedding industry's carbon impact. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Johnston wins Denver mayoral election | All 36 CO DMV offices can now issue driver licenses to undocumented immigrants and international students who qualify | Colorado Democrats and Gov Jared Polis pass statewide ban on ghost guns | AZ State Senator says she was not aware of her flag's neo-Nazi ties. She is now though, and she's keeping it | Talented field of Arizona Democrats compete in primary for Rep. Ruben Gallego's seat in Congress Song playsIntro by hostWelcome to High Country - politics in the American West. My name is Sean Diller; regular listeners might know me from Heartland Pod's Talking Politics, every Monday.Support this show and all the work in the Heartland POD universe by going to heartlandpod.com and clicking the link for Patreon, or go to Patreon.com/HeartlandPod to sign up. Membership starts at $1/month, with even more extra shows and special access at the higher levels. No matter the level you choose, your membership helps us create these independent shows as we work together to change the conversation.Alright! Let's get into it: Looks like we've got a winner! As of recording, it looks like Mike Johnston will be the next Mayor of Denver. After 12 years under the leadership of Mayor Michael Hancock, in which Denver has experienced rapid growth and a booming economy, the growing pains are catching up with us and Denver's new mayor will face crisis-level homelessness, addiction, and gun violence.Mike Johnston is a boyish Ivy League boy who has run for lots of things and served as lots of other, different things. Jokes aside though he seems to have the respect of a lot of people I deeply respect, and I'm excited to see what he can do. COLORADO NEWSLINE:All Colorado DMVs now offer driver's licenses to undocumented residentsBY: SHANNON TYLER - JUNE 6, 2023 3:10 PMEvery driver's license office in Colorado will now offer license and ID card services to undocumented residents and international students, Gov. Jared Polis announced Friday.In 2013, then-Gov. John Hickenlooper signed into law the Colorado Road and Community Safety Act, which made obtaining a standard driver's license accessible for undocumented immigrants and international students. At the time, only four offices in the state actually provided the service.Now, on the 10th anniversary of the signing of the bill, the DMV announced all 36 of the state's driver's license office locations will offer appointments for immigrants and international students to get a standard license or ID card. Gov Polis said  “Here in Colorado, we know that our immigrants strengthen the fabric of who we are. In the last 10 years over 250,000 Coloradans have been able to get their driver licenses and insurance, making all of us safer on the roads.” The law allows all Coloradans to obtain a standard driver license or ID card regardless of immigration status if the applicant can provide proof of identity and Colorado residency. The DMV works with several volunteer nonprofits around the state as a part of the I Drive Coalition to help provide Road and Community Safety Act services for undocumented immigrants to obtain standard license or identification cards. Organizations help to schedule free appointments for people who come to them. Henry Gomez with Grupo Esperanza de Colorado Springs, one of the organizations that supports and provides resources for immigrants, said the legislation is necessary for immigrants in Colorado to do essential daily tasks like driving to a doctor's appointment or taking their children to school. When the bill first passed, it was difficult for people to actually use the service because they had to travel long distances to the few places that offered it and wait hours to schedule an appointment, Gomez said. 1 of 20 statesColorado is one of 20 states, along with Washington D.C., to offer driver's licenses to undocumented residents. DMV spokesperson Stephany Garza said “Colorado has come a long way since the program launched in originally starting in a handful of locations. We've been able to grow it throughout the state, thanks to strong demand and a dedication to partner with community organizations and leaders.” “The DMV's mission is to provide motor vehicle, driver and identity services that promote public safety, trust and confidence, and having trained and licensed drivers on our roads is critical.” COLORADO NEWSLINE: I ain't ‘fraid of no ghost - guns. Because now they're banned in Colorado. BY: SARA WILSON - JUNE 2, 2023 1:48 PMSenate Bill 23- 279 makes the sale, manufacture and possession of ghost guns a Class 1 misdemeanor on the first offense and a Class 5 felony on subsequent offenses.bill sponsor Sen. Rhonda Fields, an Aurora Democrat, said “Ghost guns are untraceable, unserialized weapons that anyone can make or assemble in their own home – and they're extremely dangerous. We worked hard this session to make Colorado safer and prevent gun violence, and this new law is a big step towards reaching that goal.”The legislation was also sponsored by Sen. Chris Hansen of Denver, Rep. Andrew Boesenecker of Fort Collins and Rep. Junie Joseph of Boulder, all Democrats. Every Republican voted no.Law enforcement say ghost guns are being used more often in crimes across the state. The shooters involved with last year's attack at Club Q in Colorado Springs and the March shooting at Denver's East High School both possessed and showed an interest in ghost guns.Ghost gun kits are easily available online for anyone to assemble or 3D-print at home. Because that process bypasses serialization and necessary background checks, the guns can be nearly impossible to trace when used in a crime. Current ghost gun owners have until Jan. 1, 2024 to get the blank firearm, frame or receiver serialized by a licensed dealer. Serialization includes a background check. Going forward, people can still make their own firearms as long as they get them serialized.Eleven states already regulate ghost guns.The Colorado Legislature passed four other bills regulating firearms during this year's legislative session, which wrapped up in early May. That includes a minimum age restriction and three-day waiting period for gun purchases, expansion of the state's extreme risk protection order law to include groups other than law enforcement and a repeal of the state's legal liability protections for the firearm industry.Hats off to Colorado Democrats. They take so much abuse as well as threats from thousands and thousands of extremely aggressive gun rights activists. These gun groups create extremely dishonest and aggressive attack ads, and they do everything they can to show their strength. It takes real guts to pass gun safety laws in the West, and the Colorado Democratic legislators have some serious guts. Congratulations on a great session everyone.  ARIZONA MIRROR:AZ GOP senator proudly flies flag adopted by ‘fringe' far-right extremistsBY: JEROD MACDONALD-EVOY - JUNE 5, 2023 11:20 AMThe desk on the Arizona Senate floor for Republican Sen. Janae Shamp, displays the “An Appeal to Heaven” flag, which has been adopted by Christian nationalists and other extremists in recent years. Shamp says she displays the flag because of its historical ties to the American Revolution, and says she is unaware of its use by far-right extremist groups. But that, of course, is bullshit. The white flag with a pine tree on it and the phrase “An Appeal to Heaven” was originally used by George Washington and the Continental Army. It was later adopted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as its naval and maritime flag until 1971, when the copy was dropped, leaving only the image of the pine tree. In recent years, the flag has been adopted by Christian nationalists, who see the flag as a rallying call. Christian nationalists believe that the United States is Christian nation that should base its laws and practices around the teachings of Christianity.The flag has also been embraced by far-right extremist organizations like the Proud Boys and other neo-Nazi groups.Shamp did not respond to questions about whether she embraced the beliefs of Christian nationalism, and said she doesn't know anything about Christian dominionism, a closely related belief system.To investigative journalist, author and researcher David Neiwart, who has written extensively about the far-right, the lines between groups have begun to blur into an entire “universe” of far-right groups from QAnon, militias, white supremacists, and other extremist groups who have gained political influence among conservatives. Most of them share a few things in common, including beliefs in “right-wing authoritarianism” and the alleged supremacy of Christianity.After looking at the various people and causes Shamp has supported over the years, including various extremist and Christian nationalist figures and causes, Neiwart said it's clear to him that Shamp ascribes to those beliefs.  “She is definitely a Christian nationalist, she is definitely QAnon, and a fully enraptured Trumpite,” Neiwert said.  While a surge in Christian nationalism in recent years has garnered media attention — due in part to high-profile conservatives like U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who explicitly declared herself a Christian nationalist, and the backing of influential leaders like white nationalist Nick Fuentes — Christian dominionism has similarly been on the rise, though with much less fanfare. One of the more popular Dominionist beliefs is in the so-called “Seven Mountain Mandate,” which draws from the biblical book of Revelations and requires Christians to invade the “seven spheres” of society: family, religion, education, media, entertainment, business, and government. In doing so, American life can be reshaped to hew to conservative Christian values. The idea has been embraced and promoted by people like Turning Point USA leader Charlie Kirk and Paula White, the televangelist who served as a “spiritual advisor” to Donald Trump while he was president. According to David Neiwart, the key difference between Christian dominionism and nationalism is that dominionists want everyone under Christian rule, while nationalists think everyone should convert to Christianity.“Christian nationalists take it a step further than Christian Dominionists,” Neiwart said, adding that a dominionist wouldn't care if a Muslim was present, “they just want them under the thumb of Christian leaders.”One of the biggest promoters of Christian nationalism and dominionism has been disgraced Ret. Gen. Michael Flynn, Trump's first national security adviser, who has claimed that he is waging “spiritual warfare” and building an “army of God.” Flynn is also known to associate with other extremist groups. AZ Sen Shamp is a fervent supporter of Flynn's, and has posted praise of Flynn often on social media. The recent COVID-19 special committee she co-chaired was sponsored in part by an organization that Flynn co-founded. “I get goosebumps every time General Flynn talks about our great Nation!” Shamp said in a December 2021 post accompanied by a video of Flynn. At a Trump rally in Florence in January 2022, Shamp told Business Insider that the “No. 1 person standing up for ‘we, the people' is probably Gen. Michael Flynn.” Shamp, a conservative from Surprise, has also been found to have shared a number of QAnon posts on her Facebook linked to Neo-Nazis and antisemites. The flag, which Shamp displays on her desk and in her Twitter banner image, has also been connected to extremist groups and violent events. During the violent events of Jan. 6, the flag was seen being carried by a number of individuals.  “I would say Christian nationalism as a phenomenon is one of the real undergirding movements involved in the insurrection,” Neiwart said, adding that the militias and other groups such as the OathKeepers all had underlying Christian nationalist roots or beliefs. “All these Christian patriots that formed these militias are Christian nationalists as well.”ARIZONA MIRROR:Meet the Dems vying for Gallego's seat in the U.S. House of RepresentativesBY: GLORIA REBECCA GOMEZ - JUNE 2, 2023 1:33 PMSo far, four candidates have already launched campaigns to represent Arizona's 3rd Congressional District, which includes Laveen, Maryvale and part of Glendale. The district is considered a Democratic stronghold, with left-leaning voters outnumbering Republicans three to one. The winner of the Democratic primary is virtually guaranteed to capture the seat in November.First, Laura Pastor.The most recent entrant into the race is the daughter of Rep. Gallego's predecessor, Ed Pastor, who held the seat from 1991 until his retirement in 2015. The younger Pastor has a long career in elected office herself, with three terms on the Phoenix city council representing areas recently drawn into the 3rd District.Prior to her position on the council, she was a classroom teacher who worked with at-risk students. Ms. Pastor also serves on the governing board for Phoenix Union High School. In a launch video on Wednesday, Pastor invoked her family's political legacy and promised to continue it. “For five generations my family has worked for a better Arizona. From my grandfathers - who organized workers in the copper mines - to my mother - who lived with strength and integrity in a time of discrimination - to my dad. My dad taught me that lots of politicians can talk, but what matters is what you deliver.” “I am running to put my experience to work on behalf of Arizonans – to take care of our veterans, to have someone looking out for family budgets, and to protect all of our access to health care, including reproductive care,” Ylenia AguilarIf elected, Aguilar would be Arizona's first formerly undocumented congresswoman. Her family moved to the U.S. when she was just a toddler, and suffered repeated housing and food insecurity. Aguilar attended as many as 20 different schools. The single mother of two credits her early adversity with inspiring a personal imperative to voice the struggles of others. Aguilar spent more than a decade as a translator before becoming the first Latina elected to the Osborn School District Board, where she's still a member. During the Trump presidency, Aguilar helped author a resolution prohibiting ICE agents from entering schools. She also serves on the state's Central Arizona Water Project Board and as the business development manager for SOURCE Global, a Scottsdale-based renewable energy company that helps tribal and rural communities access clean drinking water via hydropanel technology. Water conservation is among her policy priorities, as well as immigration reform, and access to education and reproductive health care. At the top of her list is representing Arizona's diverse communities where past politicians have failed. “My story is your story,” she said, at her campaign kickoff. “I know what you go through. I know how hard you work, how much you love your children, how difficult it can be to get ahead and how often politicians leave our community behind, or worse — how politicians attack our communities trying to take away our rights. In Congress, I will be your voice, because your voice matters.” Yassamin AnsariPhoenix's Vice-Mayor was one of the first to throw her hat in the ring after Congressman Gallego announced his challenge to U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema. Ansari's election as the city's youngest council member in 2021 followed a career in climate change advocacy that included a stint as a policy advisor for the United Nations. Her work on the Phoenix council includes helping to draft and pass a citywide resolution that deprioritized abortion-related arrests and spearheading efforts to electrify Phoenix's public transportation. Those concerns would follow her to the federal level, with more ambitious climate change legislation a key part of her priorities. The country's as-yet unfulfilled pledge to reach net zero emissions by 2050 is of particular importance to Ansari, who vowed to lead an effort to remedy that. Also high up on her roster is gun violence prevention, housing affordability and a living wage. A daughter of Iranian immigrants, Ansari's election would be a first for the district, whose population is 51% Hispanic and has supported Hispanic candidates since 1991. But Ansari's council district, which spans from southwest to downtown Phoenix and has a similar population makeup as CD3, resoundingly backed her in 2021. She said, “As a daughter of immigrants, I very much understand the challenges that our community faces. My constituents know that I don't just represent one community, I represent all communities. And whether you're Latino, White, Black or any other background, representation is about listening to the community and making sure that you're surrounding yourself with people in the community so that their experiences and challenges are represented in the legislation you support.” She said “It's time to have leadership that is young and hungry and ready to take on some of these bigger crises.”Hector Jaramillo Jaramillo traces his activism back to two pivotal incidents that happened at very different times in his life. When he was 4, his father was deported, which he said “opened (his) eyes to the injustices of our current system.” Then, in his early twenties while protesting the killing of George Floyd in 2020, a gun was pointed at his head. Jaramillo was disappointed to find not much had changed after the nationwide movement against racial injustice, and realized that things would only improve if more people were allowed at the decision-making table. The 26-year-old Phoenix native, who currently serves on the governing board of the Glendale Elementary School District, would be among the youngest in Congress if elected. He noted that what he lacks in experience he makes up for in community engagement and personal, real-life knowledge. He said “Legislative experience is important, but so is lived experience – being somebody who's experienced the injustices of our system.” His goals include improving education funding, affordable health care for all and a complete overhaul of the current immigration system. That includes a pathway to citizenship, opening up government assistance programs for undocumented Americans, and shielding victims of crimes from having their undocumented status used against them. Jaramillo also wants to abolish ICE and Customs and Border Protection. He says their duties can be effectively carried out by their predecessor, the country's Immigration and Naturalization Service, as was the case before post-9/11 policies created the Department of Homeland Security. Jaramillo, who called himself an anti-establishment candidate, is hoping voters who are tired of the status quo will support his bid. He said “If you're happy with the way things are, keep electing the same people. But if you want real, progressive change, try someone new.” Raquel TeránWith a 17-year-long career in Arizona politics, tenures in both the state Senate and House of Representatives and the title of Democratic Party Chair under her belt, Terán is perhaps one of the most experienced candidates in the race to capture Gallego's seat. Born and raised on the Arizona border in Douglas, she attributes her passion for politics to the anti-immigrant rhetoric she grew up around. That motivation resulted in helping to organize a recall campaign against former state Sen. Russell Pierce, who authored Arizona's notorious 2010 ‘show us your papers' law, and working to defeat Sheriff Joe Arpaio in Maricopa County. Teran said, “I have been a fighter at the state legislature, and I'm ready to take on the extremists in Congress. We have a lot of work to do and I intend to bring my ‘si se puede' attitude to Washington DC”.Terán's top priorities include immigration reform, affordable housing, reproductive rights, holding corporate polluters accountable, and requiring wealthy corporations to pay their fair share are key goals for her. On Monday, U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly endorsed Raquel Terán in her bid for Congress. He said “Raquel has spent nearly two decades helping bring together a diverse coalition of voters that turned our state blue.”Welp, that's it for me! From Denver I'm Sean Diller. Original reporting for the stories in today's show comes from Colorado Newsline, Colorado Sun, ABC News, Arizona Mirror, and Denver's Westword.Thank you for listening! See you next time.

Mike Johnston wins Denver mayoral election | All 36 CO DMV offices can now issue driver licenses to undocumented immigrants and international students who qualify | Colorado Democrats and Gov Jared Polis pass statewide ban on ghost guns | AZ State Senator says she was not aware of her flag's neo-Nazi ties. She is now though, and she's keeping it | Talented field of Arizona Democrats compete in primary for Rep. Ruben Gallego's seat in Congress Song playsIntro by hostWelcome to High Country - politics in the American West. My name is Sean Diller; regular listeners might know me from Heartland Pod's Talking Politics, every Monday.Support this show and all the work in the Heartland POD universe by going to heartlandpod.com and clicking the link for Patreon, or go to Patreon.com/HeartlandPod to sign up. Membership starts at $1/month, with even more extra shows and special access at the higher levels. No matter the level you choose, your membership helps us create these independent shows as we work together to change the conversation.Alright! Let's get into it: Looks like we've got a winner! As of recording, it looks like Mike Johnston will be the next Mayor of Denver. After 12 years under the leadership of Mayor Michael Hancock, in which Denver has experienced rapid growth and a booming economy, the growing pains are catching up with us and Denver's new mayor will face crisis-level homelessness, addiction, and gun violence.Mike Johnston is a boyish Ivy League boy who has run for lots of things and served as lots of other, different things. Jokes aside though he seems to have the respect of a lot of people I deeply respect, and I'm excited to see what he can do. COLORADO NEWSLINE:All Colorado DMVs now offer driver's licenses to undocumented residentsBY: SHANNON TYLER - JUNE 6, 2023 3:10 PMEvery driver's license office in Colorado will now offer license and ID card services to undocumented residents and international students, Gov. Jared Polis announced Friday.In 2013, then-Gov. John Hickenlooper signed into law the Colorado Road and Community Safety Act, which made obtaining a standard driver's license accessible for undocumented immigrants and international students. At the time, only four offices in the state actually provided the service.Now, on the 10th anniversary of the signing of the bill, the DMV announced all 36 of the state's driver's license office locations will offer appointments for immigrants and international students to get a standard license or ID card. Gov Polis said  “Here in Colorado, we know that our immigrants strengthen the fabric of who we are. In the last 10 years over 250,000 Coloradans have been able to get their driver licenses and insurance, making all of us safer on the roads.” The law allows all Coloradans to obtain a standard driver license or ID card regardless of immigration status if the applicant can provide proof of identity and Colorado residency. The DMV works with several volunteer nonprofits around the state as a part of the I Drive Coalition to help provide Road and Community Safety Act services for undocumented immigrants to obtain standard license or identification cards. Organizations help to schedule free appointments for people who come to them. Henry Gomez with Grupo Esperanza de Colorado Springs, one of the organizations that supports and provides resources for immigrants, said the legislation is necessary for immigrants in Colorado to do essential daily tasks like driving to a doctor's appointment or taking their children to school. When the bill first passed, it was difficult for people to actually use the service because they had to travel long distances to the few places that offered it and wait hours to schedule an appointment, Gomez said. 1 of 20 statesColorado is one of 20 states, along with Washington D.C., to offer driver's licenses to undocumented residents. DMV spokesperson Stephany Garza said “Colorado has come a long way since the program launched in originally starting in a handful of locations. We've been able to grow it throughout the state, thanks to strong demand and a dedication to partner with community organizations and leaders.” “The DMV's mission is to provide motor vehicle, driver and identity services that promote public safety, trust and confidence, and having trained and licensed drivers on our roads is critical.” COLORADO NEWSLINE: I ain't ‘fraid of no ghost - guns. Because now they're banned in Colorado. BY: SARA WILSON - JUNE 2, 2023 1:48 PMSenate Bill 23- 279 makes the sale, manufacture and possession of ghost guns a Class 1 misdemeanor on the first offense and a Class 5 felony on subsequent offenses.bill sponsor Sen. Rhonda Fields, an Aurora Democrat, said “Ghost guns are untraceable, unserialized weapons that anyone can make or assemble in their own home – and they're extremely dangerous. We worked hard this session to make Colorado safer and prevent gun violence, and this new law is a big step towards reaching that goal.”The legislation was also sponsored by Sen. Chris Hansen of Denver, Rep. Andrew Boesenecker of Fort Collins and Rep. Junie Joseph of Boulder, all Democrats. Every Republican voted no.Law enforcement say ghost guns are being used more often in crimes across the state. The shooters involved with last year's attack at Club Q in Colorado Springs and the March shooting at Denver's East High School both possessed and showed an interest in ghost guns.Ghost gun kits are easily available online for anyone to assemble or 3D-print at home. Because that process bypasses serialization and necessary background checks, the guns can be nearly impossible to trace when used in a crime. Current ghost gun owners have until Jan. 1, 2024 to get the blank firearm, frame or receiver serialized by a licensed dealer. Serialization includes a background check. Going forward, people can still make their own firearms as long as they get them serialized.Eleven states already regulate ghost guns.The Colorado Legislature passed four other bills regulating firearms during this year's legislative session, which wrapped up in early May. That includes a minimum age restriction and three-day waiting period for gun purchases, expansion of the state's extreme risk protection order law to include groups other than law enforcement and a repeal of the state's legal liability protections for the firearm industry.Hats off to Colorado Democrats. They take so much abuse as well as threats from thousands and thousands of extremely aggressive gun rights activists. These gun groups create extremely dishonest and aggressive attack ads, and they do everything they can to show their strength. It takes real guts to pass gun safety laws in the West, and the Colorado Democratic legislators have some serious guts. Congratulations on a great session everyone.  ARIZONA MIRROR:AZ GOP senator proudly flies flag adopted by ‘fringe' far-right extremistsBY: JEROD MACDONALD-EVOY - JUNE 5, 2023 11:20 AMThe desk on the Arizona Senate floor for Republican Sen. Janae Shamp, displays the “An Appeal to Heaven” flag, which has been adopted by Christian nationalists and other extremists in recent years. Shamp says she displays the flag because of its historical ties to the American Revolution, and says she is unaware of its use by far-right extremist groups. But that, of course, is bullshit. The white flag with a pine tree on it and the phrase “An Appeal to Heaven” was originally used by George Washington and the Continental Army. It was later adopted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as its naval and maritime flag until 1971, when the copy was dropped, leaving only the image of the pine tree. In recent years, the flag has been adopted by Christian nationalists, who see the flag as a rallying call. Christian nationalists believe that the United States is Christian nation that should base its laws and practices around the teachings of Christianity.The flag has also been embraced by far-right extremist organizations like the Proud Boys and other neo-Nazi groups.Shamp did not respond to questions about whether she embraced the beliefs of Christian nationalism, and said she doesn't know anything about Christian dominionism, a closely related belief system.To investigative journalist, author and researcher David Neiwart, who has written extensively about the far-right, the lines between groups have begun to blur into an entire “universe” of far-right groups from QAnon, militias, w