Voting, Second Amendment Rights, and Colorado’s Fiscal Future

On October 30, 2025, Kim Monson navigates a packed broadcast covering election preparedness, taxpayer protections, Second Amendment advocacy, real estate trends, and a prehistoric adventure coming to Denver, with guests Karen Gordey, Rob Knuth, John Zaller, Karen Levine, Teddy Collins, and Lorne Levy. Lakewood City Council Race and Small Business Start listening at 9:03 – Hour 1 Karen Gordey, owner of Radiant Painting and Lighting and candidate for Lakewood City Council, discusses the importance of transparency in business and the urgency of voter turnout. With only 17 percent of Jefferson County ballots returned as of the previous afternoon, Gordey emphasizes the need for get-out-the-vote efforts in a city she describes as increasingly following Denver’s troubled path. She highlights her commitment to honest estimates, quality products, and treating customers fairly, principles she aims to bring to public service. “If you look at one side versus the other, there’s probably right around 5,000 conservative votes out there that are ballots that have not been turned in.” Karen Gordey, Lakewood City Council Candidate Protecting TABOR and Taxpayer Rights Start listening at 19:44 – Hour 1 Rob Knuth, vice president of the Colorado Union of Taxpayers, warns of escalating threats to Colorado’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights. The organization reviewed 273 pieces of legislation during the last session, tracking attempts to undermine taxpayer protections. Knuth notes that Governor Polis cut only $252 million of a nearly $1 billion deficit, with legislators attempting to backfill the gap through additional taxation rather than spending restraint. He urges Coloradans to join CUT for just $25 annually to stay informed and hold elected officials accountable. “We do have a one party rule system here and we don’t have enough people within that one party to stand up and align themselves with the values that we stand for at CUT.” Rob Knuth, VP, Colorado Union of Taxpayers Prehistoric Adventure Comes to Denver Start listening at 32:52 – Hour 1 John Zaller, executive producer at Exhibition Hub, announces that Dinos Alive opens next week at 3900 Elati Street in Denver. The immersive experience features life-size animatronic dinosaurs, walking virtual reality where visitors can stroll alongside a Stegosaurus in prehistoric Colorado, and educational programming aligned with STEM curricula. Zaller emphasizes Colorado’s rich paleontological heritage, noting that the Stegosaurus, Diplodocus, and Allosaurus were all discovered in Pueblo. The exhibition offers families a stress-relieving escape with free parking and flexible timing options for 75 to 90 minute visits. “Colorado is really ground zero for dino discovery in a lot of ways. It’s right in the heart of the Morrison Formation, which is one of the most fossil-rich formations in the world.” John Zaller, Executive Producer, Exhibition Hub Real Estate Opportunities for Homebuyers Start listening at 64:12 – Hour 2 Karen Levine, REMAX Alliance realtor, reports that first-time homebuyers have more choices than they have had in over a decade. Despite appreciated prices, seller concessions can buy down interest rates to make payments more manageable. Levine notes that motivated sellers want ho...