Delta cancels fireworks show
Like Montrose and Ouray, the City of Delta has decided not to host its Fourth of July fireworks show. The City announced that it coordinated with the Delta Volunteer Fire Department to postpone the show, after careful consideration of current local and regional conditions. Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are now in effect throughout the county, and residents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the restrictions and do their part to help prevent wildfires.
The city wants residents to know that while the fireworks show has been postponed, the celebration is far from over! The Western Sky Balloon Festival is still set to deliver an incredible Independence Day weekend packed with hot air balloons, a spectacular drone show, parade, live entertainment, food trucks, vendors, family activities, a foam party, and so much more. A rescheduled date for the fireworks show has not been announced yet, as it depends on how conditions unfold across this season.
Coloradans make their partisan primary picks
Colorado is now officially a blue state with nearly all state-wide and Federal races going democratic in general elections. That means that these democratic primaries, in most instances are, selecting the likely winner in November.
Starting with Federal Races:
In the race for the Democratic Senate nomination, incumbent John Hickenlooper held off a primary challenge from younger progressive democratic socialist, Julie Gonzales. Hickenlooper will face republican nominee Mark Baisley in November.
For Congressional District 1 (which is the Denver Metro Area), Colorado democrats followed suit with a national trend of replacing incumbents with more progressive candidates. After 20 years in office congresswoman Diana Degette was unseated by 29 year old self proclaimed democratic socialist Mela Kiros. The New York Times noted this morning that Ms DeGette, 68, was elected to congress the year before Ms. Kiros was born. Ms. Kiros will face republican nominee Christy Peterson in November.
In Congressional District 2, Democratic incumbent Joe Neguse was uncontested, but on the republic side, Kelly Ann Dennison beat out Christina Blunt to face Neguse in November.
Here in Congressional District 3, Colorado West Slope Democrats are hoping to take the seat formerly held by Lauren Bobert in November, and Dwayne Romero beat out Alex Kellof. Mr Romero will face republican incumbent Jeff Hurd in November, who easily beat out a primary challenge from Ron Hanks.
In Congressional District 5, the Colorado Springs Area, Democrat Jessica Killin beat out Joe Reagan. Ms. Killin with face republican Jeff Crank in November.
In Congressional District 8, the Fort Collins Greeley Area, Democrat Manny Rutinel beat out Shannon Bird, to face republican incumbent Gabe Evans in November. A Race that will be closely watched this November as a key race for Democrats push for a majority in the House.
State-wide races:
In the race for Governor, Colorado current Attorney General Phil Weiser beat out our Current Senator Michael Bennet with Weiser receiving 56% of the vote. Weiser is likely to be Colorado’s next executive, and if you’d like to get to know him and his views, you can hear our 30 minute conversation with him
here.
Which Republican Candidates Weiser will face in november, however is still unclear, as the between more moderate Barb Kirkmeyer, and far-right Victor Marx, is currently separated by less than 1 percent of the vote.
In the race for Secretary of State, Amanda Gonzalez (41 year old who is currently Jefferson County’s Clerk and Recorder), beat out Jessie Danielson (a current two term state senator). Gonzalez will face republican James Wiley in November, a race she is likely to win.
In the crowded Democratic race for Attorney General, COlorado’s current SOS Gena Griswold handily beat out three other democratic candidates, and is likely to be Colorado’s next AG. She’ll face Republican Michael Allen, who beat David Wilson, in the race for the Republican AG nomination.
In State House District 54 (which covers most of Mesa, and the Western Half of Delta County), Republican Nina Anderson, beat out Jason Bias. Ms. Anderson will face democratic Brittni Packard in November.
And finally there was only ONE county level contested race in the KVNF listening area, and that was the Delta County Race for Sheriff where Quinn Archibeque, beat out Darel Reed, with Archibeque winning 82% of the vote.
In sum, Hickenlooper will stay in the U.S. Senate after defeating challenger Julie Gonzalez. Bennet will also stay in the Senate, because he was defeated by Phil Weiser in the gubernitorial race. Jenna Griswold is likely to be Colorado’s next attorney general, and Griswold is likely to be replaced as secretary of state by Amanda Gonzalez. In Congressional District Three, the race will be between incumbent Republican Jeff Hurd and Democrat Dwayne Romero.
Dan Burke resigns from the Delta County School Board, saying he "no longer has a voice on the board"
Last week’s Delta County School Board was an eventful one. There were two farewells at Thursday's Delta County School Board meeting. One was expected. The other was a surprise. Superintendent Caryn Gibson opened the meeting with her farewell address. She retires at the end of the month, after sixteen years leading the district and forty years in education. Gibson thanked her family, her staff, and the community. She pointed to the district's accomplishments — strong state ratings across all its schools, and championships in athletics and academics. Taking over for Gibson is Amber Clark. She most recently served as assistant superintendent in Garfield County. Karyn Gibson, is running for an uncontested seat on the Montrose Board of County Commissioners.
Then came the surprise. At the end of the meeting, board member Dan Burke announced he was resigning, effective immediately. He said he was often in the minority on decisions, and that it had grown increasingly frustrating. Looking to the future, he said it was important for the board to remain nonpartisan.
Burke gave an emotional thank you to those who have supported him, including his wife. Visibly upset, he said he was resigning— effective immediately.
Dan Burke had been involved with the school district since 1982. Gibson thanked Burke for his service to the district.
