Reclaiming Colorado Through Local Action and Strategic Messaging

On September 18, 2025, Kim Monson examined how Coloradans are fighting back against government overreach through local action and strategic communication. Karen Gordey detailed a citizen referendum effort in Lakewood, Wendy Warner exposed Denver’s nearly billion-dollar bond scheme, Greg Lopez revealed his federal cease-and-desist strategy on wolf reintroduction, Pam Long outlined how conservatives can reach unaffiliated voters, and Donna Tompkins rallied support for common-sense school board candidates in Douglas County. Citizens Challenge Lakewood Zoning Overhaul Start listening at 05:25 – Hour 1 Karen Gordey, entrepreneur and Lakewood City Council candidate, detailed how the city council split a 398-page zoning overhaul into four separate ordinances to push through high-density housing across the entire city, not just transit corridors. The first ordinance passed August 25th, followed by a marathon session on September 8th that ran until 2:30 AM, where council passed 21 amendments while residents slept. Gordey explained that citizens are now exercising their constitutional right to petition the government through a referendum process. Two residents have come forward to sponsor what would be Lakewood’s first-ever citizen referendum. The clock started September 15th, giving organizers 45 days to gather 3,517 signatures from Lakewood voters. If successful, city council must either repeal the ordinances or send them to voters in a special election. “And when they do that, that forces city council to either repeal the ordinance or send it to the voters.” Karen Gordey, Lakewood City Council Candidate Denver’s Deceptive Bond Strategy Exposed Start listening at 19:20 – Hour 1 Wendy Warner, Secretary of the Colorado Union of Taxpayers, pulled back the curtain on Denver’s nearly billion-dollar bond question heading to voters this November. The Vibrant Denver Bond, totaling $950 million, represents a tax increase disguised as maintaining current rates. Warner explained that existing bonds are being paid off, which would naturally decrease property taxes, but the city wants to stuff more debt under the same tax rate. Warner revealed that city officials did not even know what they wanted to spend the money on when they decided to pursue the bond. They conducted community meetings using the Delphi Technique, where facilitators guide discussions toward predetermined outcomes, then balanced spending across council districts to secure votes. She urged voters throughout Colorado to scrutinize similar bond strategies in their own communities. “They didn’t know how they were going to do it or what they were going to spend the money on.” Wendy Warner, Secretary, Colorado Union of Taxpayers Federal Challenge to Wolf Reintroduction Start listening at 34:12 – Hour 1 Greg Lopez, former Colorado Congressman and gubernatorial candidate, announced he has sent a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Director demanding a 12-month cease and desist on Colorado’s wolf translocations. The Colorado Outfitters Association and Colorado Wool Growers Association partnered with Lopez on this federal-level challenge. Lopez explained that Colorado Parks and Wildlife is merely an agent of the federal agency responsible for the Endangered Species Act. Of 25 wolves introduced, nine have either died, been shot, or failed to survive, falling below the 70% survival threshold in CPW’s own management plan. Three w...