Thursday, October 17, 2024 Vol. 134 No. 10

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY NATHAN CAROMODY

THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN

FOCO EVENTS TOP STORIES

NEWS: CSU students share thoughts, feelings on upcoming election PAGE 17

SCIENCE: Science on the ballot: Propositions JJ, 127 bring ecology, conservation to voters PAGE 22

LIFE: Proposed same-sex marriage amendment spurs conversations on equality PAGE 23

SPORTS: Passing the torch: CSU point guard Kyan Evans readies for larger role PAGE 27

ARTS: Art, politics inspire societal change through identity, discussion PAGE 30

OPINION: Editorial: For our future, engaging in democracy is crucial PAGE 32

MEDIA: Trump makes campaign stop in Aurora PAGES 20-21

The Fall of the House of Usher at The Lincoln Center 7 p.m. Oct. 18-19, 25-26; 1 p.m. Oct. 19, 26

Trunk or Treat at the Northern Colorado Wildlife Center 3-6 p.m. Oct. 19

A Spooky Market at The Lyric 1-4 p.m. Oct. 20

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Letters to the Editor reflect the view of a member of the campus community and are submitted to the publication for approval. Readers may submit letters to letters@collegian.com. Please follow the guidelines listed at collegian.com before submitting.

Laura Exner sits behind her table at the Hocus Pocus Art Market Oct. 11. She said she has been working in resin art for over a year. PHOTO BY DARYN WHITMOYER THE COLLEGIAN

This publication is not an official publication of Colorado State University, but is published by an independent corporation using the name ‘The Rocky Mountain Collegian’ pursuant to a license granted by CSU. Approximately 59% of Rocky Mountain Student Media Corp’s income is provided by the Associated Students of Colorado State University (ASCSU) for the purpose of fostering student careers post-college and greater campus awareness and engagement. The Rocky Mountain Collegian is a 3,000-circulation student-run newspaper intended as a public forum and is printed on paper made of 30% post-consumer waste. It publishes every Thursday during the regular fall and spring semesters. The Collegian publishes online Monday through Thursday. Corrections may be submitted to the editor in chief and will be printed as necessary on page two. The Collegian is a complimentary publication for the Fort Collins community. The first copy is free. Additional copies are 25 cents each.

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EDUCATED ELECTORATE

What’s on the ballot?: 2024 Larimer County voting guide

By Allie Seibel, Hannah Parcells, Sam Hutton & Aubree Miller @csucollegian

Participation in Colorado’s electoral process at the local, state and federal levels remains the most impactful way for residents to advocate for change, reaffirm the priorities of Coloradans and impact their immediate communities. With a litany of propositions and constitutional amendments on the ballot — not to mention various county and state officials and representatives — voters have plenty of choice in deciding the future of the state of Colorado.

Federal offices

Republican candidate Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris’ race to the United States presidency headlines the ballot, and the contest is far from typical.

Following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race in July, Harris took up the mantle as the de facto incumbent candidate as Trump seeks a return to the White House for his second nonconsecutive term.

As expected, the race has remained exceedingly close, even after Harris’ surge in the polls following her confirmation as the Democratic nominee.

Colorado has 10 electoral votes cast by electors in the Electoral College. Largely voting in accordance with Colorado voters, those votes will be awarded to the winning candidate, with 270 electoral votes needed to secure the presidency.

The presidential race is not the only federal race Colorado voters have an impact on.

Of Colorado’s eight congressional districts, three include areas in Northern Colorado near Fort Collins. Most of Larimer County is within the 2nd Congressional District, though the 4th and 8th

Congressional Districts include parts of the eastern edge of the county.

Elected officials in these districts represent Colorado voters in the U.S. House of Representatives for twoyear terms and are responsible for serving on committees, introducing and voting on federal legislation and representing the state at the federal level.

Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District encompasses Fort Collins, Vail, Boulder and Estes Park, extending west from Interstate 25 toward Glenwood Springs. The main campuses for Colorado State University and the University of Colorado Boulder are located in this district.

Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, consisting of the state’s agriculture-dependent eastern territory, is home to one of the more publicized and contentious nationwide races. Long-time Rep. Ken Buck announced his resignation from the U.S. House in March, resulting in a special election in June to determine who would fill the seat during the final months of the term. Republican Greg Lopez won that election and has served as the representative from the 4th District since, but he is not on the ballot for the November election.

Colorado’s 8th Congressional District was drawn before the 2022 midterm elections following the 2020 census, making it Colorado’s newest congressional district. The district is situated between I-25 and Denver International Airport, spanning from Thornton to Greeley. It includes the southeasternmost part of Larimer County.

State offices

There are several state offices that will be decided during this election, including state senators from select districts, all 65 state representative seats in the Colorado General Assembly, the district attorney in each of Colorado’s 22 judicial districts and members of the Colorado State Board of Education.

Members of the Board of Education work to appoint personnel, approve funding and establish regulations governing K-12 education across the state.

Board of Education district boundaries match those of Colorado’s congressional districts, with one board member per district plus one at-large seat. Seats No. 2, No. 4 and No. 8 are on the 2024 ballot for Larimer County residents.

The Colorado General Assembly serves as the state’s legislative branch and comprises 100 members, including senators from Colorado’s 35 senate districts and 65 state house districts. Senators in the Colorado General Assembly serve four-year terms, with half of the senators elected every two years, while representatives serve two-year terms.

Members of the legislature are responsible for representing their constituents’ interests at the state level. They approve the state budget; introduce and vote on legislation; and serve on committees. In the Fort Collins area, Colorado Senate Districts 14 and 23 and Colorado House Districts 49, 51, 52, 53, 64 and 65 are on the ballot.

Senate District 14 covers most of the Fort Collins area, including Colorado State University’s main campus and surrounding neighborhoods. Senate District 23 includes the eastern edge of Fort Collins and crosses I-25 to include communities in Larimer County and Weld County between Greeley and Fort Collins.

Colorado House District 49 covers areas north, south and west of Fort Collins up to the Wyoming border and into the Rocky Mountains. House District 51 covers the greater Loveland area, not quite reaching Fort Collins. House District 52 includes the southeastern edge of Fort Collins and the area south of the city. House District 53 encompasses Colorado State University and the surrounding Fort Collins area. House District 64 covers areas south of Loveland and the western part of

Greeley. House District 65 covers north Fort Collins and surrounding areas southeast, such as Timnath and Windsor.

The district attorney is a statelevel official who is elected for four-year terms. Larimer County is within Colorado’s 8th Judicial District, which also includes Jackson County to the west. The district attorney oversees the judicial jurisdictions within their district and prosecutes cases on behalf of the state.

County offices

Of the three county commissioner seats in Larimer County, two are on the ballot this year. Larimer County’s Board of County Commissioners comprises three members elected from three geographically distinct districts in the county. Commissioners serve four-year terms and are limited to no more than three terms. The elections for the districts are staggered, meaning one of the seats is not up for election this year.

Larimer County District 2 covers the area between Drake Road in Fort Collins and 57th Street in Loveland and extends from the western edge of the county to the eastern edge, including the area surrounding Horsetooth Reservoir and parts of Roosevelt National Forest. District 3 encompasses the southern third of the county, including Loveland south of 57th Street and Estes Park.

Larimer County’s three commissioners help with policy for the county and work alongside city officials from cities within Larimer County.

The Larimer County clerk and recorder is also up for election this year. The county clerk and reporter is responsible for many of the day-to-day operations, including overseeing elections, registering voters, providing marriage licenses, handling business licenses and maintaining the county’s records.

Judicial retention questions

The Larimer County ballot this year asks voters to determine three

Colorado Supreme Court justices, five Colorado Court of Appeals justices and two district court judges for the 8th Judicial District and two County Court Judges for Larimer County.

In a retention election, a judge is removed if fewer than 50% of people vote yes. Colorado is one of 19 states that uses retention election methods for at least one court.

The Colorado Supreme Court is composed of seven judges who serve 10-year terms. They are annually scored by the Office of Judicial Performance Evaluation, with scores out of four and percentages of approval ratings from attorneys and judges surveyed.

The Colorado Court of Appeals handles appeal cases over district courts in the state. Twenty-two judges serve eight-year terms.

Amendments

An amendment, in the simplest of terms, is an addition or change to a section of the Colorado Constitution. Once an amendment is voted in, only another amendment can change it.

On the Colorado ballot this fall are seven amendments, all of which require approval from Colorado voters.

Propositions

While amendments make changes to the larger governing constitution, propositions make changes to the Colorado Revised Statutes. A proposition passes with a simple majority vote. There are seven propositions on the 2024 ballot.

Ballot questions

There are several ballot issues in Larimer County depending on the city and municipal districts where voters are registered. A ballot issue — sometimes called a ballot question or referendum — is a way for voters to directly vote on a law, measure or issue.

Reach Allie Seibel, Hannah Parcells, Sam Hutton and Aubree Miller at news@collegian.com.

A Larimer County mail-in ballot Oct. 14.

PHOTO BY CADEN PROULX THE COLLEGIAN

FEDERAL OFFICES

Candidates for Colorado Congressional District 2

By Hannah Parcells @hannahparcells

Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District is the third-largest geographically in the state and includes 11 of the state’s counties: Boulder, Weld, Clear Creek, Eagle, Gilpin, Grand, Jefferson, Larimer, Summit, Jackson and Routt counties.

The Northern Front Range, Central Mountains and Western Slope regions of Colorado all fall within the district’s boundaries, making the demographic makeup of the district varied and diverse. Many of the state’s prominent mountain ski towns and several long-established agricultural communities are represented by Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District.

The district is also home to Colorado’s two largest universities: the University of Colorado Boulder and Colorado State University, both of which are top research institutions and have Division I athletic programs.

There are five candidates on the ballot for the 2nd Congressional District, and voters will select one candidate to represent the district in the 119th Congress as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Joe Neguse

Democratic candidate Rep. Joe Neguse is currently serving his third term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Neguse has represented the 2nd district since being sworn into office in January 2019 following his win in the 2018 midterm election, earning 60.3% of the vote.

Neguse attended the University of Colorado Boulder for both his undergraduate degree and law school. Prior to his election to Congress, he served as a member of the Colorado Governor’s Cabinet and on the University of

Colorado Board of Regents as the representative from District 2.

Currently, Neguse serves on the House Committee on Natural Resources, House Committee on Rules and House Committee on the Judiciary and is the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Federal Lands. As a congressman, 25 bills sponsored by Neguse have been passed and signed into law.

Neguse has introduced several pieces of legislation focused on natural disaster assistance, land conservation, education and workplace reforms and economic development programs. Neguse’s priorities this election are to continue working to protect public lands, focus on economic opportunities and work for more affordable housing and education.

“I’d like to continue doing the work that needs to be done to build a brighter future for every Coloradan,” Neguse said. “Public service should be rooted in precisely that: service, which means listening first, building coalitions, being willing to have conversations with folks who might have a different worldview than yours and ultimately coming together, collaborating to find ways to build consensus on tough issues — all of which is focused on trying to build more opportunities for every American to be able to live their dreams.”

Marshall Dawson

Marshall Dawson is the Republican candidate for the Colorado 2nd Congressional District for the second time, having first run against Neguse in 2022. He won 28% of the vote in the election, earning a total of 97,700 votes.

Originally from Kentucky, Dawson earned a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Kentucky. He previously worked for IBM prior to moving to Colorado in 1997. Currently, Dawson resides in Longmont, Colorado, and works

in development for Advanced Micro Devices, a semiconductor corporation that develops computer parts.

His campaign focuses on individual liberties through promoting government transparency and limiting the role of the federal government. These goals are summed up by Dawson in his campaign slogan, “Peace. Power. Prosperity.” which is the philosophy by which he has modeled his campaign platform.

In a Ballotpedia survey, Dawson defined the goals of peace and power as collectively protecting individual freedoms and shifting power from the government to the people. His campaign has focused on his third goal of prosperity regarding economic policy.

“Our poor economy and high inflation is harming many Americans,” Marshall said in the survey. “By continuing to borrow and print money, Congress is effectively robbing us of our purchasing power, so we must unleash the economy by getting the spending under control. A responsible Congress will put an end to the practice of continuing resolutions.”

Cynthia Munhos de Aquino Sirianni

Cynthia Munhos de Aquino Sirianni is on the ballot in the general election this year as the Unity Party’s candidate for Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District. She previously ran for elected office as Unity Party candidate Paul Noel Fiorino’s running mate in Fiorino’s campaign for Colorado governor in 2022.

Currently, Sirianni works as a security guard and is an active proponent of mental health care access and environmental policy. Sirianni’s campaign has primarily focused on foreign aid and American intervention in foreign conflicts.

ELECTIONS

In an interview with the Coloradoan, Sirianni said her top concern as a candidate is foreign military aid, specifically to Israel.

“I support political selfdetermination for all people within the context of respect for human rights,” Sirianni said. “I feel morally compelled to stand against crimes against humanity funded by our tax dollars. I support an arms embargo to end military aid to Israel.”

Beyond this, Sirianni prioritizes addressing environmental concerns and the cost of living, highlighting carbon tax policies, changing pesticide standards and supporting universal basic income and universal health care policies.

Jan Kok

Jan Kok is the Approval Voting Party’s candidate for the Colorado 2nd Congressional District. Kok signed a declaration to serve no more than three terms if elected to office, something all Approval Voting Party candidates on the ballot in Colorado did.

Kok received a Bachelor of Science in computer science from CSU in 1994 and previously served as an election judge in Larimer County. He is currently a software engineer residing in Fort Collins.

As a member of the Approval Voting Party, Kok’s campaign platform echoes the main goal of the party, which is to change the electoral system in the United States. Kok is concerned that the current voting methods used in the country do not reflect the will of the people, an issue he said he believes can be fixed by changing the country’s voting system to a proportional approval voting system rather than the single-member district first-past-the-post system currently in place.

The Approval Voting Party was founded in Colorado and does not platform any issues outside

of electoral reform. Therefore, Kok focuses exclusively on raising awareness for the approval voting method of voting, which would allow voters to vote for multiple candidates as a form of approval rather than selecting a single candidate.

Gaylon Kent

The final candidate on the ballot in the Colorado 2nd Congressional District is Libertarian Party candidate Gaylon Kent. Kent has been a candidate in the general election three times prior to this year’s election. He was the Libertarian candidate for Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District in 2016 and 2018 and was the Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senator from Colorado in 2014.

Kent is a writer who currently resides in Hayden, Colorado. His campaign focus has primarily been imposing a flat tax rate of 5% on incomes over $50,000 and getting rid of a federal minimum wage, reflective of his belief that there should be no government interference on the American worker’s income. Kent proposed decriminalizing drugs to address shortcomings in the war on drugs in America, and he emphasizes supporting free markets and upholding ideals of personal freedom and individual accountability.

Kent also expressed support for abolishing the death penalty. His campaign reflects the Libertarian Party’s principles of keeping government out of the personal lives of American voters. His candidacy in this election marks the third time he has run in a general election for the U.S. House in Colorado, but it is the first time he’s run in Colorado Congressional District 2. Reach Hannah Parcells at news @collegian.com.

ELECTIONS

FEDERAL OFFICES

Candidates for Colorado Congressional District 4

By Sam Hutton @sam_hut14

Following the abrupt retirement of longtime Rep. Ken Buck in March, the race to elect the next representative of Colorado’s 4th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is in its final stretch. Currently represented in the interim by Republican Greg Lopez after a June special election, House District 4 encompasses the majority of Colorado’s eastern territory, second in size only to the sprawling District 3.

Although Fort Collins is situated in Congressional District 2, nearby Loveland, Windsor and Wellington are all encompassed by District 4, bringing one of the more contentious nationwide races to the doorstep of the Colorado State University and Fort Collins communities.

Lauren Boebert

Currently serving her second term as Congressional District 3’s representative, Republican candidate Lauren Boebert withdrew her reelection campaign and refiled to enter the District 4 conversation after early polling numbers indicated a close District 3 race.

A staunch supporter of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, Boebert has previously worked as a natural gas product technician and owned

Shooters Grill, Colorado. Sitting on the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, Boebert has voted yea on legislation related to lowering energy costs, “denouncing the horrors of socialism” and loosening COVID-19 vaccination requirements, according to Ballotpedia.

Boebert’s campaign priorities and goals for office include securing the southern border with Mexico, protecting Second Amendment rights, defunding Planned Parenthood and counteracting other democratic-led policies.

“I was elected to office because the American people are tired of the D.C. way,” Boebert said in a statement available on her website.

“I brought my work boots because I am here to drain the swamp. I am working to rein in the federal bureaucracy by cutting unnecessary programs, holding the Biden administration accountable and defending liberty from encroaching federal programs.”

Trisha Calvarese

Seeking to defeat Boebert is Democratic candidate Trisha Calvarese. Having grown up in Highlands Ranch, Calvarese said believes her local Colorado roots set her apart from Boebert, whose current district encompasses the western and southern portions of the state.

After earning a full scholarship to Johns Hopkins University, Calvarese worked in Washington

D.C. for the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations to implement legislation addressing infrastructure and American energy. She also worked in the U.S. National Science Foundation under a Trump nominee to bolster American manufacturing. Calvarese returned to Highlands Ranch after her parents received terminal illness diagnoses, leading her to make expanding Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security a top priority of her campaign.

In addition to protecting government health care programs, Calvarese also supports reproductive rights and says she will adamantly oppose any piece of legislation or elected official that restricts a woman’s ability to obtain an abortion.

“I’m running because I care about my neighbors,” Calvarese said. “I understand the challenges they are facing. I have a mortgage here, so I absolutely get it. People are really concerned about costs, especially in terms of food but also in terms of medicine.”

Frank Atwood

Running with the support of the Approval Voting Party, Purple Heart recipient Frank Atwood is seeking to disrupt the traditional two-party race in District 4. The party’s proposed voting system would allow voters to choose multiple candidates on the same ticket as their first choice, differing from ranked choice voting’s system of vote distribution.

Atwood previously ran for the U.S. Senate in 2022, ultimately falling short to incumbent candidate Michael Bennet. Since then, Atwood’s platform has remained largely unchanged, with his core platform echoing his party’s intent to disrupt the two-party system and bring new perspectives to Washington D.C.

“For major parties, approval voting means there will be fewer spoilers and less sabotage,” Atwood said in a statement on the Approval Voting Party website.

“For alternative parties, approval voting provides more viability and visibility. For voters, fewer dilemmas when torn between two good choices.”

Hannah Goodman

Running under the banner of the Libertarian Party, Hannah Goodman is also seeking to disrupt the District 4 race, and, more broadly, American ideals of governance and economics. In accordance with her Libertarian affiliation, Goodman advocates for the privatization of the American economy and denounces the U.S. military’s involvement in foreign conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine War and the IsraelHamas war.

A former educator and current chairwoman of the Libertarian Party of Colorado, Goodman regards her rural Colorado heritage as an important factor in the race, contending that her more urban counterparts will be unable to address the needs of

rural Coloradans, especially in relation to water and energy.

“We advocate for minimizing government intervention, championing free-market policies and ensuring property rights to fuel entrepreneurship and innovation,” Goodman said in a statement on her website. “Our vision is to create an environment where rural businesses thrive, driven by individual initiative and unhampered by restrictive regulations.”

Paul Fiorino

With support from the Unity Party, Paul Fiorino is running in District 4 to spark conversations. A former Republican Party chairman and ballet club organizer within CSU’s University Center for the Arts, Fiorino says he defies the typical mold of a politician.

While many of Fiorino’s policy stances and proposed initiatives are unavailable to the public, he expressed interest in bridging partisan divides and reducing the national deficit by limiting congressional endowment funding.

Another priority for Fiorino is energy policy, advocating for a total shift away from nonrenewable energy sources.

“First and foremost, this race is about Colorado leaning forward and leaning into our transformation from fossil to flow,” Fiorino said.

The Colorado Congressional District 4 race will be decided Nov. 5.

Reach Sam Hutton at news @collegian.com.

FEDERAL OFFICES

Candidates for Colorado Congressional District 8

By Aubree Miller @aubree.miller07

With the presidential election just around the corner, also on the ballot is the representative of Colorado’s 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Following the narrow results of the 2022 election, the 2024 race has been called a toss-up by political analysts.

Yadira Caraveo is currently the representative for Colorado’s 8th Congressional District and is running for reelection. Voters will decide between Caraveo and her opponents, which include Gabe Evans, Susan Hall, Chris Baum and James Treibert.

Yadira Caraveo

Caraveo is the Democratic candidate, and her campaign website details the policies and changes she has worked on in her tenure as congresswoman thus far. Caraveo won District 8 in 2022, defeating Republican candidate Barbara Kirkmeyer.

Caraveo’s defining issues include lowering the cost of living and protecting reproductive rights, among others.

She has worked as a pediatrician, with her work in health care fueling her passion for the legislative process. Caraveo says in a statement on her website that she is “working to lower health care costs, address the high cost of housing, combat climate change and protect a woman’s freedom to choose.”

Caraveo’s endorsements include Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Sens. John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet, among others.

Gabe Evans

Evans is the Republican candidate, and he has served in the U.S. Army and in various law enforcement roles, which have fueled his interest in elected office. Evans also ran for and won the Colorado State House District 48 race in 2022.

In terms of goals for the future, Evans “is running toward his next challenge: taking his conservative vision to Congress to make Colorado the best place possible to live and raise a family,” according to the Weld County Republicans website.

The four pillars of Evans’ campaign are American prosperity, security and education and defending American values.

Evans’ endorsements include those from fellow Colorado State

Rep. Anthony Hartsook and Colorado mayors Greg Mills of Brighton and Adam Morehead of Dacono.

Susan Hall

Hall is the candidate affiliated with the Unity Party. Labeling herself as the “propeace candidate,” Hall’s main goals are working for a free Palestine, Medicare for all and keeping money out of politics. She does not accept corporate donations. Hall graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver with a degree in Chicano studies and previously worked as a teacher.

Hall listed water scarcity and contamination, lack of mental health resources, gun violence in schools, access to reliable news and free public transportation as her top priorities for office, with the ongoing conflict in Gaza as her main running issue.

“The (two) reasons that I’m running is, first, to alert and protest the genocide of Palestinian people,” Hall said. “The second one is to try to alert people and say, ‘Hey, there is a different option as far as voting goes.’”

Although now retired, Hall said her experience both as a

teacher and as a student has influenced her ideas when it comes to government.

“I have a Chicano studies major, which has allowed me to look into history more,” Hall said. “And I’m thinking that may be more important than just any degree for a government official, especially if it’s national because they need to know what has happened and, therefore, what’s happening today.”

Chris Baum

Baum is affiliated with the Approval Voting Party, a minority party that aims to move the country “beyond two-party thinking,” according to a flyer posted on its website.

Baum is from Washington, D.C., having served in the U.S. Navy and worked as an information systems administrator.

James Treibert

Treibert is running as a writein candidate and is unaffiliated. While Treibert does not have a campaign website, his LinkedIn page details his work experience. Treibert currently works as a library materials handler at the University of Colorado Health Science Center.

Reach Aubree Miller at news @collegian.com.

STATE OFFICES

Candidates for Colorado State Senate District 14

By Sophie Webb @sophgwebb

Since 2019, Joann Ginal has represented Colorado State Senate District 14, but Ginal will not be running for reelection. Three candidates are currently in the running to replace Ginal.

Cathy Kipp

Democrat Cathy Kipp got her start in politics as a board member for Poudre School District, later serving as board president. In 2019, Kipp began serving in the Colorado House of Representatives and currently represents House District 52, also serving on several committees, including the Energy and Environment Committee and the Senate Finance Committee.

Kipp continues to campaign on public education, environmental issues and housing affordability. Her 2024 campaign also targets gun violence and reproductive rights.

“Women should have that right to get an abortion if they want one or need one for whatever reason,” Kipp said. “I think gun violence prevention is another big one. We need to do what we can to keep people safe in this world where there are way too many guns.”

If elected, Kipp plans on retiring from public office after her term but wishes to leave behind a legacy of care and consideration.

“It’s a real honor to serve, and I just hope to have the honor of continuing to serve,” Kipp said. “I think that the issues that I bring forth and have been working on are things that our community cares about, and those are the things I’ll keep working on.”

Phoebe McWilliams

Republican Phoebe McWilliams stands as Kipp’s closest challenger.

As a political newcomer, McWilliams is campaigning on tax relief for middle-class Coloradans, protecting Second Amendment rights, reducing crime and ensuring quality K-12 education within a safe environment.

“I want to protect the kids,” McWilliams said. “We had a couple of initiatives that I worked on this last summer, and one was to protect the kids. … I want to make sure that girls have the opportunity to participate in sports, and girls be in girl sports and not have to compete with transgender population.”

A Fort Collins native, McWilliams said she hopes her local roots will reassure voters and distinguish from her fellow candidates.

“I guess people would say that I have some good old-fashioned American values that are not being represented that should be,” McWilliams said. “I want to be able to do that.”

Jeff Brosius

Jeff Brosius is representing the Libertarian Party. For Vote411, a nonpartisan organization, Brosius completed a survey expressing disinterest in the dominance of single parties in the past 20 years he has been a Colorado resident.

In the survey, Brosius also stated his main concern of cost of living,

intending to combat swelling housing costs by increasing the supply of new housing. Brosius also promotes the increasing of energy production and supports the construction of nuclear power plants.

“I’d promote remote/telework as much as possible, reducing the need to drive,” Brosius said in the survey. “Reduce taxes on fuel, eliminate taxes on food, reduce restrictions on child care providers so they need not pass some arbitrary state licensing exam to watch your child as you work. ... All of these are possible, safe and effective.”

The survey also detailed Brosius’ support of the concept of “safe, legal, accessible and rare,” arguing instead of discussing abortion, society should instead be planning before the abortion becomes necessary, limiting the number of undesired pregnancies.

“We can do better by voting better, reducing the impact and size of government and reducing the extravagant cost of living,” Brosius said in the survey.

Reach Sophie Webb at news @collegian.com.

A senator raises his pen to indicate attendance at the Senate session of the Colorado General Assembly Feb. 8. PHOTO BY ALLIE SEIBEL THE COLLEGIAN

STATE OFFICES

Candidates for Colorado House Districts 52, 53, 65

By Chloe Waskey @aubree.miller07

Voters in Fort Collins will elect state representatives in the Nov. 5 election, shaping the lower chamber of the state legislature for the next two years. Members of the Colorado House of Representatives can create, modify and vote on state laws.

District 52

Colorado House District 52 covers south-central Fort Collins and includes the area between Interstate Highway 25 and South Taft Hill Road.

Yara Zokaie

Yara Zokaie, the Democratic candidate and current chief deputy assessor for Larimer County, focuses on climate change, affordable housing and civil rights.

Zokaie sent a campaign statement to The Collegian:

“I am a first-generation Iranian American and tax attorney running for the Colorado State House to build an inclusive Fort Collins where everyone in our community has equal opportunity. My opponent has said that immigrants do not belong in our community and that I am ‘subservient to the ayatollah.’ These racist attacks have no place in Fort Collins. Please join me so we can make sure we hold our top polluters accountable, have affordable housing and protect our reproductive rights.”

Steve Yurash

Steve Yurash, the Colorado Center Party candidate, earned a degree in physics before moving to Fort Collins in 2003.

“We need a third party to be that voice for the moderate majority,” Yurash said.

Yurash prioritizes reducing housing costs, addressing crime and supporting civil rights. He also supports affordable housing through property tax relief and amending the Construction Defect Action Reform Act, which governs construction defect litigation.

“The unintended consequences of the poorly written law only benefited trial lawyers,” Yurash said.

Yurash also backs cash bail requirements and enforces red flag laws.

“I think that would help to make campus safer,” Yurash said, relating his positions to Colorado State University.

While Yurash considers himself to be “fiscally conservative,” he emphasized that he is not a Republican.

“I support women’s reproductive rights,” Yurash said. “I support gay marriage. I support antidiscrimination laws.”

District 53

Colorado House District 53 covers northern Fort Collins, extending southwest from Long Pond to southern Horsetooth Reservoir.

Andy Boesenecker

Democrat and former teacher

Andy Boesenecker is campaigning for a third term. His priorities include affordable housing, climate change initiatives and transit.

He sponsored HB24-1175 in 2024, enabling local governments the first opportunity to buy certain rental properties for affordable housing.

“It’s really troubling to see just how our younger generation doesn’t feel like home ownership is a possibility,” Boesenecker said.

In February, Boesenecker proposed SB24-159, aimed at gradually ending oil and gas permits

and expanding environmental litigation. The bill was rejected.

He also helped pass SB24-184, expanding surface transportation, and sponsored HB24-1018, which did not pass but would have removed sales tax on college textbooks.

Donna Walter

Donna Walter, candidate for State House Representative, District 53. Courtesy of Donna Walter for Colorado.

Republican Donna Walter is running for the fifth time since 2014. She said her top priorities are “children, taxpayers and protecting the citizens from universal health care.”

Walter plans on protecting children by addressing school-related policies.

“The legislature believes that your children belong to them, and I don’t believe that,” Walter said in an Oct. 3 candidate forum.

Specifically, Walter opposes HB241039, a bill enacted in April that requires teachers to refer to students by their chosen name.

Walter’s campaign also focuses on property taxes.

“A lot of the property tax bills that have passed have increased the rents, making it more difficult for students to find affordable housing,” Walter said regarding CSU students.

While Walter has not spoken in depth about health care in her 2024 campaign, she has shared her positions in the past.

“My goal is to generate the free market purchase of insurance, including across state lines,” Walter said.

District 65

Colorado House District 65 is east of District 53 and spans from Johnstown to Wellington.

Will Walters

Democrat Will Walters has an academic background in economics and technology, and he narrowed down his top priorities in a recent interview with The Denver Post to include economic opportunity, environmental stewardship and good governance.

“While I am a Democrat, my focus is on representing all our community’s needs,” Walters said in a statement available on his website.

“I’ll ensure all our community has a voice at the Capitol.”

His campaign focuses on lowering the cost of living for middle-class Coloradans, environmental conservation and air improvement efforts and promoting transparent governance.

Lori Garcia Sander

Republican candidate Lori Garcia Sander is a former schoolteacher and principal.

Sander prioritizes the economy, public safety and education.

“Working with other legislators we can look at what are the costs of living and figure out how we can mitigate those and lower them,” Garcia Sander said.

Garcia Sander plans to address crime rates by revising lenient legislation and advocates for education funding that aligns with fiscal conservatism.

“I will work to ensure that we continue to fully fund our schools every year without raiding (Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights) funds and ensure that we support school districts with safety on campuses and in classrooms,” Garcia Sander said in a statement on her website.

Reach Chloe Waskey at news @collegian.com.

STATE OFFICES

Candidates for district attorney of 8th Judicial District

By Allie Seibel @allie_seibel_

On the ballot for Larimer County is the office of district attorney, a role that oversees all criminal cases in the county by representing the government in criminal cases that make it to court. A DA serves as a prosecutor when it comes to criminal matters, but they also work with law enforcement to determine if charges should be filed, as well as engaging in criminal justice policy, according to the National District Attorneys Association. In Larimer County, the incumbent DA Gordon McLaughlin is running against Dawn Downs.

Gordon McLaughlin

Elected as Larimer County DA in 2020 and running as a Democrat, McLaughlin is seeking a second term in the role. Before being elected DA, McLaughlin served as a deputy district attorney for Larimer County.

“As a district attorney, you can really have an enormous impact on the lives of victims of the community,” McLaughlin said. “I stood up to run for DA ... so that we can do a better job of creating a safe and healthy community, and that also involves making sure that we’re being attentive to social justice issues.”

McLaughlin’s initiatives include addressing gun violence, sexual assault, domestic violence, hate crimes and criminal justice reform.

“If we want to reduce recidivism, the best way we can do that is often address the root causes of crime by getting someone into drug treatment and not jail,” McLaughlin said. “So we’ve really done a lot of work on those issues the last four years to make sure that we’re treating the whole community and making sure that we’re advocating for some of these other things as well.”

McLaughlin also has launched initiatives with behavioral health treatment through the Larimer Opioid Abatement Committee.

“Social justice and criminal justice do not have to be at odds like historical folks in law enforcement have thought,” McLaughlin said. “If we want to protect victims, the best way we can often do that is prevent crime, not just prosecute crime.”

Dawn Downs

Dawn Downs is the first woman and the first unaffiliated candidate in the 8th Judicial District.

“I’m running unaffiliated because politics should not play a role in the DA’s office,” Downs said. “I’m a public servant, and I’m a prosecutor before a politician ever.”

Downs formerly worked as a defense attorney. She currently serves as chief deputy district dean over the felony division of the district court in the district attorney’s office and also is the managing attorney for the City of Fort Collins over the Public Safety and Prosecution Team.

“A lot of people don’t know a lot about local politics, and really, the office of the district attorney is a critical office to ensure that we live in a safe community,” Downs said. “We have to have people that are willing to stand up for others and ensure that we can be safe and ensure that victims’ voices are heard and that their rights are upheld.”

Downs’ initiatives include public safety, victim support and rehabilitative support for crimes committed under substance abuse or mental health impairments, as well as accountability in the office.

“We have to prosecute the crimes that occur here in our community on behalf of the state of Colorado, and so we have a job and an obligation to the community to ensure that justice is sought without exception for every single person here,” Downs said. “We need to do that by making sure that victims’ and offenders’ rights are upheld and ensuring that we all live in a safe community.”

Reach Allie Seibel at news @collegian.com.

Candidates for Larimer County commissioner

By Riley Paling @rileypaling

The race for Larimer County commissioner is well underway. County commissioners are responsible under state statute for the health, safety and welfare of the citizens, including law enforcement. This includes supporting the court system and the district attorney as well as providing jail facilities through the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office.

The commissioner’s responsibilities also include administering and carrying out virtually all programs overseen by the Colorado Department of Human Services. Counties may also provide health services, although their ability to do so depends on the resources available.

Larimer County is divided into three distinct county commissioner districts. District 1’s county commissioner is John Kefalas, whose seat is safe until 2026, as county commissioner terms are staggered in four-year intervals.

District 2

District 2 encompasses the majority of Fort Collins, spanning north from Loveland to West Drake Road.

Kristin Stephens

Democrat Kristin Stephens is currently running for re-election as Larimer County commissioner. Running with goals for commitment to community engagement and sustainable development, Stephens aims to focus on initiatives that enhance the quality of life for residents during her tenure in office.

“Affordability is probably the top issue — that’s what I hear from residents,” Stephens said. “Home ownership is out of reach for many people. Even rents are too high for people who have middle-class jobs. ... This includes child care because we have a lot of community members who are struggling with that as well.”

Stephens’ background in environmental policy drives her efforts to promote green spaces, responsible land use and clean energy solutions. She has backed projects that improve public infrastructure, expand affordable housing and support local businesses during her term.

Stephens said she works closely with community members, regional organizations and government agencies to address pressing issues and promote inclusivity in decisionmaking processes. Her leadership has earned her recognition for promoting transparency and accountability within the county government. As she seeks reelection, Stephens said she aims to build on her successes and continue advocating for a vibrant, sustainable and equitable community for all residents.

Erick Selgren

Republican Erick Selgren is running against Stephens for Larimer County commissioner, bringing what he describes as a wealth of experience and a strong vision for local governance. With a business and community development background, Selgren said he is dedicated to encouraging economic growth while ensuring environmental sustainability remains a priority.

He has been actively involved in local initiatives to improve

infrastructure, enhance public safety and increase access to recreational spaces. Selgren emphasizes engaging with constituents to understand their needs and concerns, focusing on collaboration. He said he is committed to promoting transparency in government and advocating for policies that support families and small businesses.

District 3

Covering Loveland and extending west toward Grand Junction, Larimer County’s 3rd county commissioner district will also be decided by Fort Collins voters in November.

Jody ShadduckMcNally

With a background in public administration and social work, Shadduck-McNally has spent years addressing mental health, affordable housing and social equity issues. ShadduckMcNally said her experience as a community leader has helped facilitate constructive dialogue around pressing local issues.

“Engaged in the community, knowledgeable about issues facing Larimer County families and passionate about preserving our quality of life, I have spent the last two decades working tirelessly to protect and serve residents of Larimer County and Colorado,” Shadduck-McNally said.

Shadduck-McNally said she is dedicated to promoting sustainable practices and enhancing public resources to improve the quality of life for all residents. She also aims to prioritize listening to constituents’ concerns and collaborating

on solutions that benefit the entire community.

As she runs for election, Shadduck-McNally said she hopes to bring fresh perspectives and innovative strategies to county governance, ensuring a thriving, inclusive and resilient community for future generations.

Ben “Uncle Benny” Aste

Republican Ben “Uncle Benny”

Aste is the final candidate for Larimer County commissioner.

Aste is well-known for his deep roots in the community and solid commitment to public service. With a background in local business and community activism, Aste has spent years working on initiatives that enhance economic development, support small businesses and promote community engagement.

Aste said he is passionate about improving public infrastructure, expanding recreational opportunities and advocating for sustainable practices to preserve the local environment.

“I see the need for strong, common-sense leadership in our county,” Aste said in a statement on his website. “I believe every decision made for Larimer County should be reasonable, affordable and sustainable.”

As he seeks election, Aste emphasizes the importance of transparency in government and aims to create a more inclusive decision-making process. With a vision for a vibrant and resilient community, Aste said he is dedicated to enabling collaboration among residents, local organizations and government agencies to drive positive change.

Reach Riley Paling at news @collegian.com.

LOCAL OFFICES

Candidates for Larimer County clerk and recorder

By Chace Silvey @csucollegian

Larimer County has two candidates running for the county clerk and recorder position. The County Clerk and Recorder Office looks over three main departments: elections, recording and vehicle licensing.

For elections, the clerk is tasked with making sure voter registration is organized and accurate, preparing the ballot for the upcoming election and verifying that votes are accurately counted.

In the recording department, the clerk maintains the records of various legal documents. These can consist of things like government transactions or marriage licenses.

For vehicle licensing, the clerk’s office makes sure vehicles are registered within the county, issues titles and provides license plates. The office also collects registration fees, taxes and any

LOCAL INITIATIVES

By Chloe Waskey @csucollegian

Fort Collins residents will vote on one key ballot issue alongside three city-proposed charter amendments in the 2024 election Nov. 5.

A ballot issue is a legislative proposal that concerns local policy, while a charter amendment proposes changes to government operations. Both are considered city questions.

This year’s ballot issue concerns fiscal policy, and the three charter amendments propose revisions to the Home Rule Charter, a document that details the city’s functions.

All three charter amendments aim to replace the word “shall” with more direct terminology, remove gendered language and define computation of time. The additional computation of time sections will clarify how time and deadlines are interpreted, including the consideration of weekends and holidays.

Ballot Issue 2A

A city-initiated question, Ballot Issue 2A asks voters to renew the 25 cent per $100 purchase sales tax that is used to fund the Street Maintenance Program.

The tax, which has been in place since 1989, expires at the end of 2025. A yea vote on Ballot Issue 2A would extend the tax for another 20-year term.

other costs related to vehicle ownership and operation.

Tina Harris

Republican Tina Harris has worked within the County Clerk and Recorder’s Office for 25 years but only started in her current position as county clerk and recorder in April 2023. She was unanimously appointed to the position by the Larimer Board of County Commissioners in order to fill the recent vacancy made by former County Clerk and Recorder Angela Myers’ retirement. Harris says in a statement on her website that her main goal is to continue to foster a “personal, collaborative experience where everyone feels supported and understood.”

Harris also aims to maintain safe and reliable elections. She maintains a strong commitment to election security and promotes nonpartisanship in all operations. Harris said she will prioritize transparency and continue to place an emphasis on maintaining strict

election laws.  In the Department of Motor Vehicles, Harris said she will continue to improve efficiency within administrative operations. Harris also plans on expanding the availability of motor vehicle kiosks and said she hopes to further demonstrate her commitment to community service.

Wyatt SchwendemanCurtis

Wyatt Schwendeman-Curtis is the Democratic candidate for Larimer County clerk and recorder. Born in Westminster, Colorado, Schwendeman-Curtis spent his childhood between Colorado and Ohio. After receiving his degree in political science from the University of Akron, Schwendeman-Curtis spent 12 years in the restaurant industry, with six of those years in management. After sitting on Wellington’s Community Activities Commission, he ran for mayor of Wellington, losing by 181 votes in the 2022 election. He currently produces forecasting and data analytics.

Schwendeman-Curtis aims to create more transparency within the clerk’s office by offering voters more election data. Due to his background and love for data, Schwendeman-Curtis said he

2024 city ballot questions

A nay vote would remove the sales tax.

The Street Maintenance Program funds road repairs and maintains the longevity of Fort Collins streets.

“The City of Fort Collins’ Street Maintenance Program is a comprehensive, systematic way for the city to evaluate its street system and strategically maintain it with long-term, cost-effective maintenance and rehabilitation,” the City of Fort Collins website reads.

The website also details how proactive street maintenance saves the city money in the long run.

In 2024, revenue from this tax accounted for $10.7 million of the budgeted $21.5 million for the Street Maintenance Program.

Ballot Question 2B

Charter Amendment No. 1 proposes changes to Article VIII, the elections article of the Home Rule Charter. It removes the requirement for the chief deputy city clerk to serve on the Board of Elections, creates the position of lead election expert and aligns the candidate challenge processes with state guidelines.

The new Board of Elections, which would be responsible for election oversight, would consist of the city clerk, the chief judge and the new lead election expert, who would be appointed by the city clerk.

The new amendment also proposes that Article VIII be

revised to “eliminate vague language” regarding challenging candidates based on their nominations or qualifications. The new language would align with the Municipal Election Code process and would clearly define requirements for candidacy as well as the process for challenging a candidate on those grounds.

Ballot Question 2C

Charter Amendment No. 2 proposes that Article IX, which covers recall processes, be rewritten to be easier to understand and include extended timeframes to accommodate the increased number of petitions and signatures.

Currently, registered voters can initiate a recall by sending an affidavit to the city clerk, after which a petition form must be approved before circulation. Circulators must gather a number of signatures equal to at least 25% of the number of votes cast in the last city election within 30 days for review.

The revised Article IX would retain the same signature threshold requirements and similar processes, but the timeframes for petition circulation, city clerk review, setting up protest hearings and election scheduling would be extended.

These extended deadlines would give voters and government officials more time to thoroughly assess the

wants to make things more efficient and cohesive. He said he would also like to work with local city clerks and elected officials to save local city and county resources during elections.

Reach Chace Silvey at news @collegian.com.

increased number of petitions and signatures but would lengthen the overall recall process.

Ballot Question 2D

Charter Amendment No. 3 proposes that Article X, which concerns initiative and referendum processes, be rewritten to streamline procedures, update petition review timelines and adjust how petitions are summarized and scheduled for elections.

An initiative allows citizens to propose new legislation, while a referendum enables voters to approve or reject legislation from the city council. This amendment clarifies the language of Article X by listing

the procedures chronologically and removing the third section, which currently adds extra detail.

The city clerk would be responsible for writing a general statement of purpose summarizing the proposal, replacing the previous requirement that the proposal include a summary after each section of the petition.

Like Charter Amendment No. 2, this amendment would give the city clerk additional time to review petition requests and update the protest hearing timeline.

Reach Chloe Waskey at news @collegian.com.

COLLEGIAN FILE PHOTO

COLLEGIAN FILE PHOTO

STATE INITIATIVES

Amendments to Colorado Constitution

By Janaya Stafford @csucollegian

In addition to electing officials and confirming judicial appointments, Colorado voters are given the opportunity to decide the fates of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of Colorado.

A state constitution outlines a state’s governance. This includes powers, structure, limitations of the state government and individual and civil rights. The Colorado Constitution was adopted in 1876, currently containing 29 articles. It has been amended 171 times.

In this election, Amendment G, Amendment H, Amendment I, Amendment J, Amendment K, Amendment 79 and Amendment 80 are being voted on for various modifications.

Every amendment, except for Amendment J, will require 55% approval from voters because they add language to the Colorado Constitution, while Amendment J removes language.

Amendment G

Currently, the property tax exemption referenced in Amendment G is limited to veterans with a servicerelated disability rated at 100%. If the modifications are approved, Amendment G will open the property tax exemption to veterans with an individual unemployability status as determined by the U.S Department of Veteran Affairs.

Voter approval of Amendment G would reduce the property tax paid by some veterans by expanding the homestead exemption to include veterans with an individual unemployability status.

Voter rejection of Amendment G would keep existing requirements for the homestead exemption, continuing to have availability limited to veterans whose disability is rated at 100% permanent and total.

Amendment H

Amendment H would create a board called the Independent Judicial Discipline Adjudicative Board and create rules for the judicial discipline process. This board would have 12 members with four district court judges, four attorneys and four citizens. They would conduct disciplinary hearings and hear appeals of informal remedial sanctions given by the Commission on Judicial Discipline. The amendment would also clarify when discipline proceedings become public.

Voter approval of Amendment H would create an independent adjudicative board made up of citizens, lawyers and judges who would conduct judicial misconduct hearings and impose disciplinary actions. It would allow more information to be shared to the public earlier.

Voter rejection would continue to have a select panel of judges conduct misconduct hearings, and cases

would remain confidential unless public sanctions were recommended at the end of the process.

Amendment I

Currently, suspects of first-degree murder cannot be denied bail. If voted into effect, Amendment I will deem first-degree murder suspects ineligible for bail as long as prosecutors can show they have a strong case. Otherwise, first degree murder suspects will continue to not be able to be denied bail.

Voter approval of Amendment I would allow judges to deny bail to those who are charged with firstdegree murder and whose cases have been determined to have evident proof or great presumption that the person committed the crime.

Voter rejection of Amendment I means all persons charged with first degree murder cannot be denied bail.

Amendment J

In 2015, same-sex marriage was legalized across the United States. However, Colorado’s constitution still contains language that defines marriage as only between a man and a woman. The constitution states, “Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state.” Voting yes on Amendment J is voting to remove this language, while a nay vote is for keeping it. This amendment will only require majority approval because it is removing language from the state constitution.

Voter approval of Amendment J would repeal language in the Colorado Constitution that suggests marriage is only between a man and woman.

Voter rejection of Amendment J would keep language in the Colorado Constitution that suggests marriage is only between a man and woman.

Amendment K

Amendment K would alter deadlines for filing initiatives, referendum petition signatures, the text and title of every measure published and require judicial officials to file their declarations of intent to run one week earlier in order to allow the Secretary of State’s Office to certify the content and order of the ballot.

Voter approval of Amendment K would result in earlier deadlines for certain election filings and the publication of ballot measures in newspapers.

Voter rejection of Amendment K would maintain the current constitutional deadlines for election filings and publication of ballot measures.

Amendment 79

Amendment 79, the Right to Abortion and Health Insurance Coverage Initiative, would ensure that the state government and local governments cannot take away the right to abortion and would allow the procedure to be covered under health insurance plans. If voted in, the amendment will repeal Section

50 of Article V of the Colorado Constitution, adopted in 1984, that prohibits public funds being used for abortions. If not voted in, public funds will continue to be banned from being used for abortion procedures.

Voter approval of Amendment 79 would add the right to abortion into the Colorado Constitution and repeal the current ban on state and local funding for abortion services.

Voter rejection of Amendment 79 would continue the ban on state and local funding for abortion services and maintain the authority of state legislature for the legality of abortion in the state.

Amendment 80

Amendment 80 would add a new section to Article IX of the Colorado Constitution. It would state, “All children have the right to equal opportunity and access to a quality education,” and, “Parents have the right to direct the education of their children.” This would reaffirm school choice rights in the Colorado Constitution. This would include neighborhood, charter and private schools, home schools, open enrollment options and future innovations in education.

Voter approval would make school choice a constitutionally protected right for K-12 children and their parents.

Voter rejection would maintain the current system of school choice in state law.

Reach Janaya Stafford at news @collegian.com.

ELECTIONS

STATE INITIATIVES

Propositions on the ballot for Colorado voters

By Isabella Becker @csucollegian

In state-level government, a proposition is a proposed piece of legislation or a suggested change to state law that a portion of the state population wishes to see enacted. 2024’s propositions are placed on the ballot through the citizen initiative process, and all edit various statutes within the Colorado State Constitution. Each proposition will require simple majority approval from voters to pass.

Proposition JJ

Proposition JJ, “Retain Additional Sports Betting Tax Revenue,” would allow the state to collect tax revenue from sports betting above the amount previously approved by voters — $29 million — and put it toward water projects rather than refund the tax to casinos and sports betting operators.

Voter approval of Proposition JJ allows the state to keep extra betting tax revenue and use it toward water projects such as water storage and supply, agriculture and recreation.

Voter rejection of Proposition JJ would allow casinos and sports betting operators to continue to collect sports betting tax revenue when the amount collected exceeds the amount approved by voters.

Proposition KK

Proposition KK, “Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax,” would create a new state tax for firearm dealers, firearm manufacturers and ammunition sellers equal to 6.5% of their sales of firearms, firearm

parts and ammunition. Sellers with annual sales of less than $20,000, law enforcement officers, law enforcement agencies, activeduty military members and private sales between individuals would be exempt from the tax.

Voter approval of Proposition KK would create a new 6.5% tax on firearms, firearm parts and ammunition for firearm sellers, which would then be used to fund crime victim support services, mental health services for veterans and at-risk youth and school safety programs.

Voter rejection of Proposition KK means the state’s current tax on firearms and ammunition would not change.

Proposition 127

Proposition 127, “Prohibit Bobcat, Lynx and Mountain Lion Hunting,” would prohibit hunting, wounding, pursuing, entrapping or discharging a deadly weapon at bobcats, lynx or mountain lions in Colorado. Individuals convicted of any of the above could face up to 364 days in jail, a fine up to $1000 or both in addition to revocation of their hunting license for five years.

The only instances in which these animals can still be killed legally would be in the defense of human life, livestock or property or if the hunter holds a special license from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Vehicle accidents, scientific research or humane euthanasia are also cause for a legal kill.

Voter approval of Proposition 127 would make it illegal to hunt bobcats, lynx and mountain lions in the state of Colorado and establish penalties for violations. In addition, it would remove mountain lions

from the list of big game in the state of Colorado.

Voter rejection of Proposition 127 would continue to allow the hunting of bobcats and mountain lions as currently regulated by the state. Hunting lynx would remain illegal under state and federal law.

Proposition 128

Proposition 128, “Parole Eligibility for Crimes of Violence,” would increase the amount of prison time a convict must serve before being eligible for discretionary parole or earned time reductions. The crimes of violence affected under this proposition are seconddegree murder, first-degree assault, aggravated robbery, sexual assault, first-degree burglary and class 2 felony kidnapping. If passed, the proposition will only affect people convicted of these crimes after January 1, 2025.

Voter approval of Proposition 128 would require any person convicted of certain crimes of violence to serve 85% of their sentence before being eligible for discretionary parole or earned time reductions, and it would make those convicted of a third crime or subsequent crime of violence ineligible for discretionary parole or earned time.

Voter rejection of Proposition 128 would keep the current standards, which require that any person convicted of certain crimes of violence serve 75% of their sentence before being eligible for discretionary parole, minus earned time.

Proposition 129

Proposition 129, “Establishing Veterinary Professional Associates,”

would establish the state-regulated profession of veterinary professional associate in the field of veterinary care. Veterinary professional associates would need a master’s degree in veterinary care and would likely be assisting the veterinarians with tasks in their training that cannot be passed down to veterinary technicians or specialists.

Voter approval of Proposition 129 would create the profession of veterinary professional associate as well as outline the minimum education required to become one.

Voter rejection of Proposition 129 would continue to allow only veterinarians, vet techs and vet specialists to provide veterinary care in the state of Colorado.

Proposition 130

Proposition 130, “Funding For Law Enforcement,” would direct the state to spend $350 million on local law enforcement agencies in order to recruit, train and retain local law enforcement officers as well as provide a one-time $1 million benefit for families of officers killed in the line of duty. The Colorado Department of Public Safety has provided $30 million in grants to local law enforcement agencies over the past two years. The current benefits provided to families of fallen officers are pensions equal to 70% of a fallen officer’s base salary.

Voter approval of Proposition 130 would provide an extra $350 million to local law enforcement agencies as well as a one-time $1 million benefit for the families of officers killed in the line of duty.

Voter rejection of Proposition 130 would continue current levels of funding for local law

enforcement as well as keep the current benefits to families of those killed in the line of duty.

Proposition 131

Proposition 131, “Establishing All-Candidate Primary and Ranked Choice Voting General Elections,” would change the way the Office of the Secretary of State conducts elections for certain state and federal offices from majority voting to a ranked choice voting system. The offices that would be affected by this change would be U.S. senator, U.S. representative, governor and lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, state attorney general, state board of education members, regent of the University of Colorado, state senator and state representative. If passed, voters would have an all-candidate primary election in which they get to vote for any candidate regardless of their political affiliation, and the top four candidates move on to the general election. In the general election, voters would rank the four candidates in order of preference. The winner is determined by counting the ranked votes using instant runoff voting.

Voter approval of Proposition 131 would establish an allcandidate primary election and a general election based on ranked choice voting.

Voter rejection of Proposition 131 would keep the current primary and general election system based on majority vote.

Reach Isabella Becker at news @collegian.com.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY TRIN BONNER THE COLLEGIAN

LOCAL INITIATIVES

By Sam Hutton @sam_hut14

Poudre School District is asking Fort Collins voters to approve a $49 million mill levy by voting yea on Ballot Issue 4A. The district currently appropriates a $786 million annual budget.

Under the Debt-free Schools Act, Colorado school districts are allowed to ask permission from local voters to increase public school funding, with district officials citing insufficient funding allocation for teacher salaries, building maintenance and classroom resources. Denver Public Schools is requesting

Mill levy Ballot Issue 4A

$975 million from Denver area residents via the same ballot issue.

If the ballot issue is approved, Fort Collins residents with commercial property would pay an additional $113.92 in annual property taxes for each $100,000 in property value. Residential properties valued at $500,000 would be additionally taxed an estimate of $126.

If the mill levy receives voter approval, PSD’s proposed funding priorities include $21.5 million for teacher and staff salaries, classroom materials and career and technical training.

District officials say the average PSD teacher salary is less than those of comparable districts along the Front Range. First-year teachers earn $6,700 less than

teachers in the Cherry Creek School District and $4,000 less than teachers in the St. Vrain Valley School District.

Building renovation and maintenance would receive $22.9 million. Officials say the district has $800,000 available to address over $1 billion in annual facility maintenance requirements.

Per Colorado statute, PSD is required to allocate funding for local charter schools. The proposal earmarks $4.6 million for this purpose.

Supporters of the mill levy say PSD teachers deserve to be paid at the same rate as their Front Range counterparts, allowing the district to attract and retain talented teachers and better support students. The influx of

funding would not only allow the district to meet annual maintenance standards but would also foster student success by renovating classrooms to ensure student safety and productivity, proponents of the mill levy say.

Opponents of the mill levy increase, including State Senate District 14 candidate Phoebe McWilliams, say property taxes for Colorado residents are already too high, and the mill levy would only increase the financial burden placed on homeowners. Opponents also say PSD already has adequate funding at their disposal, claiming funds generated by a 2016 bond measure and a 2019 mill levy increase are sufficient for the district’s needs. Additionally, opponents argue

PSD should resort to closing under-enrolled schools in the district before asking voters for additional funding.

“(PSD) has $1 million, and they’re sitting on it,” McWilliams said in an Oct. 3 candidate forum. “What are they doing that for? Just so they can say they need to keep raising the mill levy.”

Several other candidates at the forum voiced their support for additional school funding, mentioning the potential for additional funding to be directed toward school diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

Reach Sam Hutton at news @collegian.com.

Supporters of Polaris Expeditionary Learning School gather outside of the Poudre School District Information Technology building during the Poudre School District board meeting discussing a proposed merger of Polaris and two other schools Oct. 10. Families and students protested the school board’s proposed vote to merge Polaris and two other schools. PHOTO BY ALLIE SEIBEL THE COLLEGIAN

What are 3rd parties?

By Claire Van Deventer @csucollegian

The United States has always had a distinct two-party system. While names and ideologies have shifted over time, two main parties have remained dominant throughout the country’s political history.

This system leaves little room for third parties to gain significant power. Rather, third parties tend to narrow their focus on specific issues that may be overlooked by dominant parties.

For example, a main focus of the campaign of Hannah Goodman, chairwoman of the Libertarian Party of Colorado and candidate for Colorado’s 4th congressional district, is agricultural prosperity in eastern Colorado.

“My family has helped shape Colorado politics as well as agriculture here in Colorado since 1886,” Goodman said. “I have a very broad overview of the economic value of agriculture. I hit it from an economic perspective because that is what I am most fluent in.”

Colorado is a hotspot for third parties. Below are the major third parties on Colorado’s ballot according to the office of Secretary of State Jena Griswold:

The Constitution Party focuses on upholding the principles of the

Declaration of Independence, the American Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

The Approval Voting Party promotes change in the voting process and electoral systems.

The Colorado Center Party focuses on bridging the divide between the two major parties and changing the voting process.

The Colorado Forward Party is centered on values and principles first and policies second.

The Green Party of Colorado approaches politics with a holistic, ecological outlook.

The Libertarian Party of Colorado emphasizes individual rights and liberties with little government intervention.

The No Labels Colorado Party promotes centrism and bipartisanship through the “common sense majority.”

The Unity Party of Colorado is a collection of Americans from all parties focused on finding solutions rather than focusing on differences.

Colorado’s unique electoral system significantly impacts the ability of third parties to gain traction in American politics.

According to Ballotpedia, Colorado state legislators and state executives are elected by plurality vote in a single-member system. A single-member system elects a single member for office.

In a plurality voting system, the

candidate with the most votes wins the election.

Associate Professor Matthew Hitt, who teaches American government and politics at Colorado State University with a specialization in decision making, explained the impact of the election process on third-party candidates.

“A country that elects its legislature using first-pastthe-post voting and singlemember districts, like we have for the United States House of Representatives, strongly encourages the development of only two major political parties,” Hitt said. “This is because there is no reward for a party running a candidate that finishes third, fourth or fifth — you get nothing in the legislature.”

Additionally, an ongoing debate in American politics is the idea of wasted votes or votes cast for a candidate who has little chance of winning. Hitt touched upon whether voting for a third party is worth it or not.

“If you think of voting as your means by which you exercise some influence over the outcome of elections, then you will exercise very little influence on the outcome of elections by voting third party,” Hitt said.

Gary Swing, chairman of the Unity Party of Colorado and candidate running in Colorado

State Senate District 18, urged voters not to follow the crowd.

“Representation is for people to vote for people who represent their views,” Swing said. “If you don’t feel the Democrats or Republicans represent your perspective, then you should vote your conscience if you choose to vote.”

Many students at CSU are voting for the first time. Assistant Professor Anna Mikkelborg, who also teaches American government and politics at CSU with a specialization in political identity, doesn’t want students to feel overwhelmed.

“There’s an analogy floating around the internet that I like: ‘Voting isn’t a marriage; it’s public transportation,’” Mikkelborg said. “Just because you vote for a member of a particular party doesn’t mean that you are part of that party. It doesn’t mean that you have to identify strongly with that party.”

Mikkelborg also urged students to shift their focus away from the presidential election and instead look toward the local level.

“You can vote in state-level elections; you have congressional elections,” Mikkelborg said. “A lot of those elections are going to decide outcomes that have a much more concrete effect on people’s lives in Colorado than the presidential election is going to.”

Reach Claire VanDeventer at news@collegian.com.

CAMPUS DISCOURSE

CSU students share thoughts, feelings on upcoming election

By Aubree Miller @aubreem07

The election for president and vice president of the United States is quickly approaching and vying for everyone’s attention. Recent polls from NBC have shown Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump neck and neck.

With four weeks left until Election Day,eligible voters are being peppered with information left and right. Colorado State University’s thematic Year of Democracy urges students to engage civically. CSU students have a variety of thoughts and feelings about the upcoming

election and a wealth of information from the university to go off of.

First-year business administration student Corah Clemmer discussed feeling prepared to vote but wanting better options.

“I just feel like this election — along with the past two — have become more of just two candidates spending time reminiscing on everything the other one has done wrong in the past rather than being transparent on policies and how to right wrongs,” Clemmer said. “It has come to everyone having ‘concepts of a plan’ and never knowing where they fully stand on any issue or what the plan is to improve our country.”

Some students expressed feeling concerned, scared and disappointed.

“I’m really anxious and angry at what our (country’s) politics have come to,” CSU journalism student Gigi Bergh said.

The divide between political parties has only grown in recent years. A 2020 report from the Pew Research Center highlighted divides between Republicans and Democrats.

“What’s unique about this moment — and particularly acute in America — is that these divisions have collapsed onto a singular axis where we find no toehold for common cause or collective national identity,” the report reads.

Students have felt this division, perhaps more recently with the federal candidate debates and each campaign’s — and their

supporters’ — frequent use of social media.

Agricultural sciences student William James noted this divide and said he is “constantly disappointed by the left and scared of the right.”

There is a myriad of policies and practices being debated and discussed, particularly related to the outcome of the election. However, there are concerns expressed by those who are not able to contribute to the outcome of the election, such as senior social work student Antonella Torres Peralta.

“I feel really scared as someone who is an immigrant, but I can’t vote,” Torres Peralta said. “I feel like everything affects me, but I have no say. I don’t have a voice in what happens to me.”

Feelings of concern and worry are not localized to only CSU or other universities; high schoolers are also experiencing strong feelings.

Chalkbeat, a nonprofit educational news organization, worked with the New York Times to survey teenagers on their thoughts and feelings about the election.

“Most participants expect the election to have a major or moderate impact on their lives,” Chalkbeat’s report reads.

With the election not too far away and Colorado ballots being mailed out, it is up to Fort Collins and U.S. residents to make their voices heard.

Reach Aubree Miller at news @collegian.com.

Amendment 79 plans to codify abortion in Colorado Constitution

By Em Barry @csucollegian

With seven amendments to the Colorado Constitution appearing on November’s ballot, one issue looms at the forefront of many people’s minds: abortion. Codifying the right to an abortion in the state constitution would also overturn the ban on using state and local funds to reimburse abortion services. If the political climate in Colorado changes in the future, Amendment 79 would also serve as a protective measure limiting legislation that would more strictly regulate abortion.

After the Dobbs v. Jackson decision in 2022 that overturned Roe v. Wade, states scrambled to pass legislation either restricting or protecting abortion access. The Colorado legislature implemented many protections for reproductive health care in response, a standout in the mountain west.

Amber Wright, a senior political science student at Colorado State University, canvassed for Amendment 79 when it was still considered Proposed Initiative No. 89. She said people were generally friendly, and she was even approached by some people who didn’t support abortion access to tell her they supported giving Coloradans the opportunity to vote on the issue.

In some more conservative areas, Wright said she and other canvassers received more negative reactions.

“There were people from a church in (Greeley) who would come up and pretend to be interested in our petitions just trying to take your time away from other people,” Wright said. “If you gave them your pen, they would actually try to scribble our pages. If you make marks outside of the designated boxes, it invalidates your entire booklet of signatures.”

Another aspect of Amendment 79 critics are concerned about is the financial impact on the state. However, CSU Professor Courtenay Daum said she believes that Amendment 79 likely won’t cause substantial financial changes.

“Amendment 79 doesn’t guarantee public funding for abortion; it just removes the constitutional prohibition on public funding for (it),” Daum said. “We’re dealing with two different types of public assistance for abortion, one of which is Medicaid, and the (other) would be state and local government employees utilizing their employee health insurance coverage.”

Daum said the fact Amendment 79 has been proposed at all is a good indication that abortion is something Coloradans care about protecting.

Colorado was the first state to permit abortion outside of specific circumstances in 1967, meaning

the ruling of Roe v. Wade didn’t add any additional protections to the existing statute.

The state’s progressive abortion laws have made Colorado a destination for people from places with more restrictive statutes.

“Pregnant people are coming to Colorado from Texas, from Oklahoma, from Wyoming, from Idaho, from states that are regulating and prohibiting abortion,” Daum said. “What Colorado does legally with respect to abortion in light of the Dobbs decision has ramifications that go way beyond Colorado. It’s reproductive access for pregnant people in this huge area of the country.”

In 2022, Gov. Jared Polis passed an executive order that provides legal protections for people who come to the state seeking abortions as a response to some states seeking to pass laws that would prosecute those traveling out of state for the procedure.

“No one who is lawfully providing, assisting, seeking or obtaining reproductive health care in Colorado should be subject to legal liability or professional sanctions in Colorado or any other state, nor will Colorado cooperate with criminal or civil investigations for actions that are fully legal in our state,” the order states.

Victoria Benjamin, director of the Survivor Advocacy and Feminist Education Center at CSU, described how access

to abortion and reproductive healthcare is also an important tool in violence prevention. However, the SAFE Center does not take an official stance on abortion and is only dedicated to providing victims the support and resources they need to recover from an assault.

“If a person is in a violent relationship, access to abortion can prevent them from having a lifelong tie to their partner,” Benjamin said. “We know, for example, that pregnant women who are in abusive relationships are at their highest risk of intimate partner homicide during pregnancy. Lack of access can result in death.”

Broad-reaching bills banning abortion procedures can lead to consequences that Benjamin said are not being considered.

“We’re seeing that there’s been women who have gone to an (emergency room) in a state where abortion is illegal now, and doctors hesitate to give them a procedure (like a dilation and curettage) because it’s considered an abortion procedure,” Benjamin said. “What will happen if that tissue stays in a body is that a person will become septic, and we’ve seen women die because they can’t access that particular procedure even though there’s no fetus.”

Reach Em Barry at news @collegian.com.

“Amendment 79 doesn’t guarantee public funding for abortion; it just removes the constitutional prohibition on public funding for (it). We’re dealing with two different types of public assistance for abortion, one of which is Medicaid, and the (other) would be state and local government employees utilizing their employee health insurance coverage”

COURTENAY DAUM

CSU PROFESSOR

PHOTO BY DARYN WHITMOYER

Kasper Evenson and Morgan Snyder table following the Vote For Your Future event Oct. 4. “We have this class of people with private insurance who can all get abortion, and then we have a class of people with public insurance who can’t get abortions,” Cidney Fisk said. “That’s discriminatory.”

THE COLLEGIAN

NEW REGULATIONS

Proposition 129 is pivotal moment for veterinary medicine

By Laila Shekarchian @csucollegian

This November, Coloradans will vote on a ballot measure stakeholders say could alter the future of veterinary medicine.

Proposition 129, the Veterinary Professional Associate Initiative, has sparked intense debate among veterinarians and animal welfare organizations around the state.

The measure aims to create a veterinary professional associate role and allow VPAs to practice medicine under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. While supporters argue the measure could mitigate the veterinary shortage facing Colorado, opponents say the quality of veterinary care and animal safety could be at risk.

In a survey conducted by the Colorado State University AnimalHuman Policy Center, veterinary professionals around the state expressed their struggles with the current veterinary system.

Seventy-one percent of practice managers and owners reported they are forced to turn away clients weekly because they are not able

to fit them into their schedules or address concerns in a timely manner.

The Dumb Friends League, a leading supporter of Proposition 129 and endorser of the All Pets Deserve Vet Care coalition, consistently faces this issue at its subsidized veterinary hospital on the CSU Spur campus.

“Every day, we have a line going into the parking lot,” said Ali Mickelson, senior director of advocacy and education at the Dumb Friends League. “We serve people on a first-come, first-served basis, and we fill up in a half hour every single day for a community veterinary medicine hospital. We’re also seeing an increasing number of people surrendering pets just because they can’t find veterinary care, so that’s been really hard.”

The organization states that introducing VPAs to the veterinary workforce would not only provide options to increase veterinary resources but also reduce the costs of care.

“We just think it’s an opportunity to add more people who care for animals into the profession,” Mickelson said. “As a shelter, we’re acutely aware of the shortage, and we would be delighted to hire these folks today because they would

allow us to expand the number of clients that we can see and have another level of increased care within our facilities.”

VPAs would have the ability to diagnose medical conditions, order and perform tests and perform routine surgical procedures. Critics argue that allowing someone with less training than a licensed veterinarian to provide such services would lower the standard of veterinary care and put pets at risk.

“The disparity is shocking,” reads a statement from Dr. Will French, former president of the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, and Kylie Yancey, DVM candidate at CSU. “Proposition 129 would allow VPAs to take on critical duties reserved for licensed veterinarians, putting them in real-life medical situations that they are not trained for and, as a result, placing pet patients in unnecessary danger.”

Organizations, including the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Student American Veterinary Medical Association have come out firmly against the measure as well.

“Given the considerable risks the proposed veterinary professional associate in Colorado would pose

“We just think it’s an opportunity to add more people who care for animals into the profession. As a shelter, we’re acutely aware of the shortage, and we would be delighted to hire these folks today because they would allow us to expand the number of clients that we can see and have another level of increased care within our facilities.”

ALI

MICKELSON DUMB FRIENDS LEAGUE SENIOR DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY AND EDUCATION

to animals, public health and our food supply, the SAVMA Executive Board has taken a position in full support of the AVMA’s position opposing Proposition 129 and the creation of the mid-level practitioner,” SAVMA President Tara Fellows Barron said.

Currently, the CSU College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences is creating a program that will train VPAs and provide them with a master’s degree in an effort to address the shortage of care in shelters. Per Colorado law, graduates of the program will not be allowed to work in veterinary clinics but could work in spaces including animal shelters and rescues unless Proposition 129 passes.

While CSU cannot take a stance on the legislation, the university has released a statement addressing its plan to launch the program.

“It’s important to remember that CSU’s program plans started long before the ballot measure was in existence, and CSU will continue to develop this master’s program regardless of the outcome of the election,” the statement reads.

As the debate continues, some veterinarians express optimism about VPAs and CSU’s program.

One of them is Dr. Paige Garnett, founder of Care Animal Hospital.

“I see this idea as my right arm — I would use these people,” Garnett said. “There’s nothing that says these people will deliver substandard care — nothing. The preparation is solid, and I think CSU has their act together and their heads straight on this.”

Veterinarians who oppose the measure simultaneously support CSU’s program as well.

“I just don’t think the solution to (the cost of veterinary care) is this particular measure,” said Dr. Joya Migliaccio, associate veterinarian at Family and Friends Veterinary Care. “I do think that this would help immensely in our shelter situation. ... If we can provide them with some relief and some ability to have other people who are helping take some of their work burden off, I think that would be absolutely instrumental.”

Reach Laila Shekarchian at news @collegian.com.

A horse foal and cat sculpture outside the main entrance to the James L. Voss Veterinary Teach Hospital Oct. 6. The hospital was built in 1979 and is named after the former dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. PHOTO BY ARIA PAUL THE COLLEGIAN

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF MILO GLADSTEIN WYOMING TRIBUNE EAGLE

1. Former President Donald Trump speaks during his rally at Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Aurora, Colorado, Oct. 11. “I’m calling for the death penalty for any migrant who kills an American citizen,” Trump said.

2. Trump supporters cheer and hold up signs.

3. U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert takes a selfie with a fan during the rally.

4. Trump supporters cheer. There were an estimated 10,000 people in attendance.

5. Mark Franco poses for a photo while waiting to get into the rally. “I’ve been watching Trump rallies on TV since 2016, and my first opportunity was here in Aurora,” Franco said.

6. Jeanne Hart waits in line for Trump’s speech. “We can’t get Harris in,” Hart said. “She’s going to destroy us.”

7. Julia Freund listens to Trump during the rally. “I’m defending my country,” Freund said. 5 6 7

Trump makes campaign stop in Aurora

ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS

Science on the ballot: Propositions JJ, 127 bring ecology, conservation to voters

By Allie Seibel @allie_seibel_

From water conservation to big cat hunting, two statewide initiatives dealing with scientific enterprises are on the ballot this November.

Proposition JJ and Proposition 127 are initiatives on the ballot facing a yea or nay approval vote at the state level.

Proposition JJ

If passed, Proposition JJ will put sports betting tax revenue above voter-approved limits toward water conservation and protection. Such revenue is currently refunded to casinos.

In 2019, Proposition DD was approved, legalizing sports betting and giving the state power to divert up to $27.2 million of revenue to water projects.

The Colorado Water Conservation Board, an almost fully self-funded water information resource, focuses both on projects and funding pertaining to the Colorado Water Plan, a framework focused on water conservation and water development that was adopted in January 2023.

The Colorado Water Plan focuses on four goals: creating and fostering water projects to provide vibrant communities thriving watersheds, including environment and and recreation; watershed health and wildfire protection; robust agriculture, including livestock, farming, orchards and ranching; and resilient planning, focusing on climate extremes.

According to the executive summary of the Colorado Water Plan, the average temperature in Colorado could rise by over 4.2 degrees by 2050, placing an increased demand on

water resources. Over 80% of Colorado residents rely on forested watersheds for drinking water, and 19 states, along with Mexico, receive water from Colorado headwaters.

“If no action is taken, municipalities risk having shortages by 2050 of up to 740,000 acre-feet statewide during dry times, and existing shortage risks for agriculture, recreation and the environment will increase,” the report reads.

Proposition 127

Proposition 127, if passed, will make hunting bobcats, lynx and mountain lions illegal in Colorado.

In 2022-23, 502 mountain lions were killed by hunters, according to a harvest report by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. There are currently no bag and possession limits on hunting bobcats — the season of which

starts Dec. 1 and ends Feb. 28, 2025. The state-endangered lynx are federally classified as threatened and are therefore illegal to hunt.

The proposition seeks to ban hunting on mountain lions and bobcats year-round and prevent lynx from ever being hunted.

“The measure restricts the ability of wildlife management experts at CPW to make science-based decisions to achieve the state’s ecological objectives, which include preserving biodiversity, ensuring sustainable ecosystems and protecting endangered species,” the 2024 State Ballot Information Booklet provided as an argument against Proposition 127.

Another argument against Proposition 127 from the Mule Deer Foundation states that without regulated hunting, the mule deer population could be threatened.

The ballot information booklet’s argument for 127 reads, “Big cats provide valuable ecological contributions, and Colorado should protect them rather than allowing them to be hunted.”

This is not the first time ecology has been on the ballot; in 2020, Proposition 114 narrowly passed by way of 50.91% approval, allowing wolf reintroduction into lands west of the Continental Divide in Colorado by the end of 2023.

In 1992, by way of a 69.7% approval vote, hunting black bears was prohibited between March 1 and Sept. 1 of all calendar years and was also prohibited using bait or dogs at any time. In 1996, Amendment 14 was passed to ban legal traps, poisons and snares.

Reach Allie Seibel at science @collegian.com.

LGBTQIA+ INITIATIVE

Proposed same-sex marriage amendment spurs conversations on equality

By Riley Paling @rileypaling

Gay marriage was federally legalized in the United States June 26, 2015, when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of samesex marriage in the landmark case Obergefell v. Hodges, but the debate around same-sex marriage was invigorated in the U.S. back in the 1970s with civil rights campaigns. The matter went back and forth for years until 1996, when President Bill Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act into law and samesex marriage was denied federally.

Despite gay marriage being legalized federally, the Colorado Constitution does not legalize it currently. Amendment J seeks to remove the language in the Colorado Constitution that says, “Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state.”

The amendment explicitly states that “marriage shall be between two individuals,” ensuring that same-sex marriages are recognized and protected under state law. This move responds to concerns that federal protections for samesex marriage, established by the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, could be rolled back in the future.

“In recent years, Colorado Democrats have passed numerous laws to increase protections against discrimination,” a joint statement released by the Colorado General Assembly LGBTQ+ Caucus reads. “In 2021, lawmakers approved a law that added ‘gender expression’ and ‘gender identity’ as a protected class under Colorado statute, and in 2022, Democrats amended (the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act) to improve age discrimination protections in employment

cases and extend time limits for complaints and charges.”

Proponents of this amendment argue that the constitutional protection of same-sex marriage is necessary to protect against potential legal challenges that could arise if the federal landscape changes.

Opponents of the amendment, however, have raised concerns regarding the necessity of such a measure.

Some argue that Colorado already recognizes samesex marriage and that this amendment could complicate existing laws.

The amendment has garnered significant support from various advocacy groups, including the Colorado Cobalt Advocates and local LGBTQIA+ organizations, which have been actively campaigning for its passage. They emphasize the importance of a constitutional guarantee to reinforce the rights of same-sex couples in the state.

“Colorado Democrats will continue to fight for your freedoms and stand up against discrimination, bigotry and violence against the LGBTQ+ community,” the LGBTQ+ Caucus joint statement reads.

As Election Day approaches, supporters and opponents ramp up their campaigns, utilizing social media, town halls and public forums to engage voters on this critical issue. Supporters are urging voters to see the amendment as necessary to fortify rights many take for granted, while opponents caution against potential unintended consequences.

“The U.S. Supreme Court has legalized discrimination and bigotry against LGBTQ+ people and has endangered equal protections under the law,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, LGBTQ+ Caucus co-chair.

“With one decision, the court reversed decades of progress to secure the freedoms and rights

of LGBTQ+ Americans and has threatened the rights of Americans to equally and fairly access public accommodations.”

The amendment has also sparked discussions about broader issues related to LGBTQIA+ rights and discrimination in the state.

Advocates are hopeful that a successful vote would send a strong message about Colorado’s commitment to marriage equality while also igniting further dialogue about the needs and rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals within the community.

As the ballot deadline nears, the fate of this amendment remains uncertain. Voters will ultimately decide whether to solidify same-sex marriage rights in Colorado’s constitution, marking a significant moment in the state’s ongoing journey toward equality.

Reach Riley Paling at entertainment @collegian.com.

“The U.S. Supreme Court has legalized discrimination and bigotry against LGBTQ+ people and has endangered equal protections under the law. With one decision, the court reversed decades of progress to secure the freedoms and rights of LGBTQ+ Americans and has threatened the rights of Americans to equally and fairly access public accommodations.”

For Coming into Queerness Day, the Colorado State University Pride Resource Center hosted Queer The Plaza, where they had a clothing swap, resources, posters and more Oct. 11. Coming into Queerness Day celebrates pride, authenticity and queer joy.

PHOTO BY JULIA PERCY THE COLLEGIAN

BRIANNA TITONE COLORADO GENERAL

ASSEMBLY LGBTQ+ CAUCUS CO-CHAIR

‘Vote on behalf of me’: Undocumented students talk civic engagement, democracy

By Allie Seibel & Hannah Parcells @csucollegian

Editor’s Note: This article uses the term “undocumented students” to refer to the students at Colorado State University who are permanent United States residents but do not have legal citizenship. This is how CSU refers to these students.

The ability to vote is one that every citizen gets at the age of 18 in the United States. Voters in this country get to decide who is going to represent them at the local, state and federal levels, but citizens aren’t the only ones directly impacted by policy.

As of 2022, there were nearly 19 million college students enrolled in the United States, most of whom were eligible to register to vote and cast ballots in elections at every level of government.

According to a 2021 survey, among those millions are 408,000 undocumented students, none of whom are allowed to vote in federal, state or most local elections, meaning they are unable to participate in the electoral process and make democratic decisions in the same way as their American citizen peers.

Under the 14th Amendment and the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution, only naturalborn citizens of the U.S. are allowed to vote in state and federal elections.

Colorado State University continues to emphasize the importance of voting both in the lead up to the election and throughout the thematic Year of Democracy. But of the more than 33,000 students at CSU, 136 are undocumented students, Associated Students of CSU Sen. Vladimir Lora Pardo said, who can’t participate in democracy through voting.

This doesn’t mean students can’t still engage with democracy in other ways. On Sept. 11, an anonymous group of undocumented students put a poster on the Lory Student Center Plaza that read, “Our presence in higher education is a right, not a privilege.”

The poster was a way for undocumented students to use

their voices and defend their rights anonymously in order to protect their security on campus.

Immigration has been one of the main political issues in this election cycle. The issue was heavily focused on during the Sept. 10 presidential debate, with both presidential candidates dedicating time to discussing their views on immigration.

“We talk about the American dream a lot, … but I’m living in an American nightmare. Every single day, I wake up, and in the back of my head, I’m thinking about how I’m putting my blood, sweat and tears into this degree, ... and there’s a possibility where when I graduate, I won’t be able to use this degree because … you need to have a work permit, or you need to be a U.S. citizen, or you need to have a social security number in order to work (in) this country.”

VLAD LORA PARDO CSU STUDENT

Former President Donald Trump hosted a rally in Aurora, Colorado, Oct. 11 that focused on his immigration policy. His visit to Colorado in the middle of a tour to several battleground states came after he repeatedly used Aurora as an example on the campaign train in comments regarding immigration.

Undocumented students at CSU can’t vote in the election, so they have to participate in civic engagement another way.

Lora Pardo is the first undocumented senator in the Associated Students of CSU, representing the first generation and undocumented students with the Academic Advancement Center.

“I feel like I actually have the power to make others feel included and make others feel represented and make them feel like they belong in a country that tells them that they don’t belong,” Lora Pardo said. “I feel like I have the power through just advocacy. I feel like I have the power to feel seen (by) not only myself but my community. But at the end of the day, it only goes so far.”

Lora Pardo represents the 136 undocumented students enrolled at CSU. Lora Pardo said support for undocumented students through the Undocumented Student Success program includes the USS coordinator position, funded every two years through ASCSU. Lora Pardo is fighting to continue funding the position. Lora Pardo’s goal is for the position to be based funding, meaning the role would be entirely donor operated and built into the university.

“CSU takes a lot of pride in saying that they’re very inclusive, very equitable, very diverse,” Lora Pardo said. “And I set foot on this campus, and I say, ‘If it comes down to it, will CSU fight for me? Will CSU make efforts to support me if ICE comes on campus? Will they take the initiative to not give out information about undocumented students?’”

Lora Pardo said he is unabashedly proud of his work and advocacy for undocumented students in ASCSU and vowed to fight for his family, his community and himself in the face of immigration challenges.

“I advocate for these individuals — for all 136 of these individuals — because I want them to feel seen,” Lora Pardo said. “I want them to feel heard. I want them to feel like they belong. And nobody talks about the imposter syndrome that you feel ... not only for me personally, not only as a first-generation student but as an undocumented individual.”

Lora Pardo said anti-immigration rhetoric surrounding the 2024 national election has instilled uncertainty about the future for him and his family.

“When I was younger, individuals asked us, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’” Lora Pardo said. “And, oh, I remember how I would dream. I’d be like, ‘Oh, I want to be the next U.S. president. I want to be a doctor. I want to be a surgeon.’ And then further on, once you start looking at the opportunities you have, you get another question: ‘What’s your social security number?’ And that’s when you freeze and you’re just like, ‘OK, I trust the people in power that they’re going to see that all we’re striving for is a better future.’ But unfortunately, that’s not the case.”

Through his advocacy work, Lora Pardo has met with CSU President Amy Parsons as well as state senators and congresspeople, being publicly open about his undocumented identity to request critical resources for undocumented student mental health and success.

“We talk about the American dream a lot, … but I’m living in an American nightmare,” Lora Pardo said. “Every single day, I wake up, and in the back of my head, I’m thinking about how I’m putting my blood, sweat and tears into this degree, ... and there’s a possibility where when I graduate, I won’t be able to use this degree because … you need to have a work permit, or you need to be a U.S. citizen, or you need to have a social security number in order to work (in) this country.”

As of Sept. 13, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas ruled to stop U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services from approving initial applicants for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, a citizenship program that defers action against undocumented individuals who come to the United States as children and grants them permission to work in the United States.

Current DACA recipients and applicants for renewal of DACA maintain their status, and DACA status can be renewed every two years. Before the ruling, DACA could be granted to any undocumented citizen who came to the United States before their 16th birthday.

Despite DACA status, voting privileges are not issued to any undocumented citizen.

“Genuinely, for my community, it feels almost like this wall in this bubble, and everyone in the bubble are people who can vote, people who can use their voice and things like that,” Lora Pardo said. “But it

feels like, for me, it’s like I’m outside of this bubble, and I’m like, ‘Listen, listen, I want you to advocate for me. Vote for me. Vote on behalf of me.’”

The Collegian sent an anonymous survey to members of the undocumented community at CSU surrounding their experiences with civic engagement.

“Supporting those that have the ability to vote so that they can make those important decisions (is important),” an anonymous student said. “By ‘support,’ it may be reminding them to register to vote (or) to read up on the available options.

“Fort Collins is not a dangerous city, but I do worry about other

undocumented people across the country, especially as I expect that there will be riots and upheaval no matter the outcome of the presidential election,” the same student said when asked to share additional thoughts on the topic.

Lora Pardo made the decision to attend CSU based on the support provided to undocumented students, and he is active in advocating for his community and urging the university for better support.

“I made sacrifices to be open about my undocumented identity and advocate for our community because if I didn’t do it, probably nobody would,” Lora Pardo said.

Lora Pardo expressed fear that members of the undocumented community are experiencing, both relating to changes in DACA regulations and the unknowns of the national elections.

“When it comes to the undocumented community, a lot of them are suffering in silence,” Lora Pardo said. “And so the reason that I advocate so strongly for the undocumented community is because, at the end of the day, I just want people to see that we’re also human. I want to get others to see that we’re also just human.”

Reach Allie Seibel and Hannah Parcells at life@collegian.com.

A banner reading, “Our presence in higher education is a right, not a privilege,” is placed at a table at the Wellness Wonderland event hosted by the Associated Students of Colorado State University Sept. 20. The banner, which was previously removed from The Plaza Sept. 11, is an anonymous form of protest from undocumented students at CSU.

PHOTO BY ALLIE SEIBEL THE COLLEGIAN

TRUCKING ALONG

SPORTS CSU football aims to keep momentum in week 8 rivalry against Air Force

By Michael Hovey @michaelfhovey

Colorado State football sits exactly at .500 within a rocky season, but it’s undefeated within its conference so far.

As CSU prepares for a week eight rivalry showdown against Air Force, a perfect start to conference play is on the line. Coming off a hard-fought win against San Jose State, the Rams enter the game with a chance to capitalize on generated momentum. Sitting at 1-0 in Mountain West play, the Rams are eager to prove themselves as true contenders for the remainder of the season.

This rivalry week brings added weight. The Rams haven’t beaten Air Force in seven straight meetings, a streak that weighs heavily on the minds of CSU veterans like center Jacob Gardner.

“We don’t have any wins against Air Force, and it needs to be burned into our heads all week,” Gardner said. “And in terms of intentionality and at practice and stuff like that, (it) needs to be an extra motivator for sure.”

For coach Jay Norvell and his squad, the challenge posed by Air Force goes beyond their history.

The Falcons are known for their disciplined triple-

option attack, which has led to the development of one of the most potent rushing offenses in years past. While Air Force is experiencing some growing pains this season, their offensive scheme remains complex.

CSU’s defense and defensive lineman James Mitchell have already faced Oregon State, another team with a strong rushing attack, and have an inkling of what to expect.

“Especially this week, this rivalry game, (we will) play with a little bit more edge,” Mitchell said. “Like (coach Freddie Banks) said, ‘A little bit more physicality, a little bit more execution.’”

The defensive battle will be crucial, but CSU’s offense will also need to stay sharp.

The Rams tallied fewer than half the penalties SJSU did in last week’s win, which was a big focus entering the bout. Staying on the field as an offense will be important, as the Falcons tend to dominate possession, especially in recent years.

“It’s a game we (have) got to get up on them first,” Gardner said. “(We) can’t be playing catch up with them. They like to hold the ball, and that means we need to make our possessions count.”

Norvell is aware of the challenge ahead. Despite their current transitioning state, Air Force has been a

model of consistency year in and year out. The Falcons’ disciplined approach to each game means opportunities must be capitalized on.

“They’ve been very stingy over the years defensively, and they force you to execute time and time again,” Norvell said.

“Because of their style of offense, you don’t get many opportunities offensively. So it really needs to be an efficient week where you’re really prepared.”

This game will be a test of resilience for both teams, but for CSU, it’s about more than just the box score. It’s about pride, redemption and proving they can finish the second half of the season strong. A victory on the road could not only break the streak against Air Force but also set the tone for the games following.

“At this point in the season, I really am concerned about getting our guys fresh and having great practices,” Norvell said. “Understanding the game plan and then pouring their hearts out on Saturday (is crucial). And that’s the cycle that we have to get into.”

Reach Michael Hovey at sports@collegian.com.

COLLEGIAN FILE PHOTO

Passing the torch: CSU guard Kyan Evans readies for larger role

By Michael Hovey @michaelfhovey

As Colorado State men’s basketball prepares to tip off the new season, a quiet but critical transition is underway.

Standing at the heart of this transformation is sophomore point guard Kyan Evans, a player who spent the past year watching, learning and growing under the mentorship of one of CSU’s best ever: Isaiah Stevens. Now the young point guard has a shot to lead.

The moment Evans arrived on campus, there was something different about him. His ability to connect with teammates, his work ethic and his passion for the game stood out right away. But like most first-years, he had to wait his turn. Evans spent his first year as a backup to Stevens, an All-Mountain West point guard whose presence both on and off the court left a lasting imprint on CSU basketball.

Assistant coach Ali Farokhmanesh noticed the profound positive effect Stevens had on his peers.

“It wasn’t just about watching what Isaiah did during games; it was the little things,” Farokhmanesh said. “How he talked to teammates, how he encouraged while holding them accountable, how he brought energy and joy to the team — that’s what Kyan saw every day, and now it’s his time to implement those lessons.”

For Evans, stepping into a leadership role hasn’t been easy, but it’s something he’s embraced. Known for being a connector, he has a knack for uniting players from all walks of life — a quality that sets him apart and mirrors the leadership style of Stevens.

“He’s the type of guy who can hang out with anybody,” Farokhmanesh said. “Whether it’s (Rashaan Mbemba) from Austria or (Jaylen Crocker-Johnson) from Texas, Kyan finds a way to connect with every single teammate.”

That ability to bring people together both on and off the court will be one of Evans’ most valuable traits as he enters his sophomore season. Fortunately for him, that trait comes naturally.

“I try to just be myself,” Evans said. “Last year, I was lucky enough

to learn from Isaiah and the other seniors. They showed me how to handle the physicality (and) the mental toughness it takes to compete at this level. Now I want to help the younger guys in the same way.”

When the sophomore reflected on his first year, it was clear Stevens’ influence extended beyond the stat sheet.

“Isaiah wasn’t just a great player; he was a great dude,” Evans said. “He became like a brother to me.”

Watching Stevens run the offense, handle pressure and maintain poise in the toughest moments gave Evans a roadmap for success not only for this season but for the rest of his career.

Evans’growth hasn’t been confined to the mental side of the game. He’s put in the work to improve physically as well. Over the summer, he added muscle to his frame, making him better equipped to handle the rigors of Division I competition.

“I’ve gained about 15 pounds this offseason,” Evans said. “That’s been huge for me, especially on

able to hold my own against more physical opponents.”

Senior Jalen Lake worked with the Evans this past offseason and has seen the progress he’s has made entering his second year.

“Yeah, his game has tremendously expanded,” Lake said. “You can tell he’s physically stronger — he’s understanding. He’s able to slow down, getting pieces to the paint, letting things develop and getting guys open. So you can see each day he’s just kind of starting to understand.”

As Evans gears up for his first season with expanded opportunities, expectations are high, but he’s ready. CSU has nearly an entirely new roster this year, and the team has spent the summer building chemistry and refining their system.

“I’m just excited to get on the court with my guys,” Evans said. “We’ve been working since June, and now it’s time to show what we can do. I’ve got personal goals, sure. But my main focus is on making sure we’re ready to compete as a team.”

UNCONVENTIONAL ATHLETICS

SPORTS CSU’s club disc golf looks to ascend to new heights

By Devin Imsirpasic @dimsirpasic

As the leaves begin to change colors and the winds grow chillier, a fall club sport team begins their new journey to take their program to the next level.

The Colorado State club disc golf team has begun its season and is continuing to show why disc golf is such a fast-growing sport.

In the team’s inaugural 2012 season as a recognized club sport, their men’s team placed first out of 40 teams at the College Disc Golf National Championship. Starting at the highest point possible, they have shown no signs of slowing down since.

With a second-place finish the following year in 2013 as well as placing in the top 20 nationally ranked teams the past two years, the CSU disc golf team has displayed how a group that is both connected and passionate about the sport can come together and perform like no other.

“Our team is known for staying positive and having fun during the competitions,” said senior Benji Schatz, treasurer for the team.

“Never try and have a bad attitude. Of course, we could all play better, but we’re constantly trying to stay positive and be together.”

A large emphasis for the club disc

golf team: Enjoy competing with the people you’re around.

“While we are playing our competition rounds, we’re having a good time; we’re joking with each other,” team President Nick Olmsted said. “If one of us messes up a shot, we’ll joke about it. Just keep that team chemistry positive. I think that really equates to having a good team; if everyone is staying positive, then nobody is getting mad at themselves, and we can, in the end, do better.”

At last year’s nationals in South Carolina in May, the Rams brought four teams, including their men’s Division I, DII and DIII teams as well as a women’s team. Competing for one final time with many experienced and graduating members proved to be one of the better parts of the national experience.

“As for the experience of nationals, it is second to none,” said fifth-year senior Ethan Peterson, who served as team president last year. “It’s like the best week of the whole year.”

president, reiterated how the team bonding experience created so many memories.

“You don’t have to know anything about disc golf. You don’t even have to have played disc golf before. If you just want to come out, come hang out. It’s really fun.”

TOM ASIALA

CLUB DISC GOLF PLAYER

“It was a blast,” Pacula said. “We flew out and had an Airbnb,

and I think being crammed into the Airbnb — 14 of us — … that is something I’ll never forget.”

A common theme with the team is their dissatisfaction with their performance at nationals last year, believing they underperformed. With a new president and many new members this year, the team has as high of hopes as ever after their first Colorado-only tournament, which was hosted by Colorado.

“Greg (Kee) is a freshman this year, and everyone else on the A team had played for a couple of years,” said junior Tom Asiala, a member of the A team. “So we were all like, ‘Oh, how is Greg gonna do?’ And he came out, and he shot lights out and destroyed everybody as a freshman, so it was really cool to see that.”

At the CU Disc Golf Invitational Sept. 28, the CSU A team won the whole tournament, and first-year Kee won the singles round in his first-ever collegiate event.

to do something good because to win (nationals), you can’t really have any weak links,” Peterson said.

While the CSU club disc golf team may seem highly competitive — constantly being nationally ranked and attending large tournaments — they largely emphasize being open to new members and teaching new players about the rising sport of disc golf.

“The biggest thing we want to push out into the community is that yes, we have the competitive side, but this is a very open team,” Olmsted said. “We want everybody to come. ... We just want people who are interested in disc golf, want to learn how to play it, come play disc golf with us.”

The CSU disc golf team practices on the Intramural Fields, at Edora Park and in the Glenn Morris Field House later in the year, aiming to return to the top of the nation while fostering a fun and lasting team bond.

“People think you have to be really good to join the team — you don’t,” Asiala said. “You don’t have to know anything about disc golf. You don’t even have to have played disc golf before. If you just want to come out, come hang

Reach Devin Imsirpasic at sports

CREATIVE EXPRESSION

Art, politics inspire societal change through identity, discussion

By Katie Fisher @csucollegian

Art has existed in conjunction with society and the government for all of human history. While the impact of art on politics cannot be directly measured, its effect on people’s cultural beliefs is undeniable, both on a national and local level.

“Art builds resilience,” said Sarah Zwick-Tapley, senior instructor in the Colorado State University Honors program. “It forces us to practice encountering the worst parts of humanity, ... it helps us practice what revolt looks like and it helps us practice what a new world would look like. ... So for me, art is critical, and I regard art as kind of being the therapy session of a society.”

Despite her background in theater, Zwick-Tapley teaches courses covering the relationship between art, politics and societal revolutions throughout history. She views art as a device for social change rather than a mechanism to climb the ladder.

“My undergrad was really influential for me,” Zwick-Tapley said. “There was a big focus on art changing the world. And the focus was not on fame; it was

making a political difference in the world.”

Identity, one’s personal relationship with art and the message they take away are uniquely individual. While exact effects of art on politics throughout history cannot be tangibly measured, several overarching trends and themes exist.

One’s political beliefs cannot be boiled down to a simple decision, as explained by Associate Professor Matthew Hitt, who studies judgment and decision making in the CSU Institute for Research in the Social Sciences and Political Science.

“Where political decisions come from, there is not a single cause,” Hitt said. “There’s not a single explanation. It is a multifaceted, complex process.”

On the national level, art has influenced social opinion throughout history. One example is the response to the May 4, 1970, shooting at Kent State University in which four students were fatally shot by the National Guard while protesting the Vietnam War.

Outrage turned to art as folkrock group Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young released their single “Ohio,” a protest song directed at the Kent State murders.

In the postmodern era, American theater began to shift from portraying only realistic stories to

a blend of realistic and nonrealistic while also highlighting previously unrepresented groups and stories.

“The other parts of postmodernism and theater are telling stories that have been previously untold and having multimedia, so we are in an era where people are hungrily looking for stories that have not been told before,” Zwick-Tapley said.

This development bled into films like the 1977 “Roots” miniseries, which told the multigenerational story of enslaved people in colonial-era America. It starred CSU alumnus John Amos and touched on topics previously untold in American television, Zwick-Tapley said.

“You were taught in school that slavery existed,” Zwick-Tapley said. “You were taught in school that people were bought and sold. But there was never an emotional component to it. Starting in the 1970s, white America, for the first time, became aware of that emotional component.”

Even today, art’s influence over politics in America can be seen playing over television screens all across the country every Saturday night, accompanied by a live studio audience.

“‘Saturday Night Live’ has made politics part of the public consciousness,” Zwick-Tapley said.

“Many people who don’t watch the news or read the paper do watch ‘Saturday Night Live,’ and of course, they have skits about current events, so some people are learning their current events in politics from ‘Saturday Night Live.’”

“Expressive acts of political discourse and speech like the creation of art is a wonderful way to engage in the political system. So I would encourage people to talk about politics. Practice politics. Make political arts.”

MATTHEW HITT ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

Even on the local level, art can influence society and people’s perceptions of identity. The Museum of Art Fort Collins is currently

featuring Nepantla, an exhibition curated by Tony Ortega. It features pieces from 36 Chicanx/é and Latinx/é artists 20-80 years in age. The exhibit’s name is intertwined with the themes it explores.

“Napantla means a place — a place between — it also means a place between two bodies of water,” Ortega said. “So it’s been used as a metaphor for writers and now artists to talk about being bicultural, bilingual or not quite fitting in one culture, not quite fitting in the other but that space in between, so learning how to navigate both cultures.”

Each artist was given the freedom by Ortega to present their own identity and understanding of Nepantla.

“So this exhibit is a lot about identity and where your identity fits in the world,” Ortega said. “And anytime you talk about identity, it becomes political.”

Art, both past and present and regardless of medium and creation, inspires a reaction from its viewer.

“Expressive acts of political discourse and speech like the creation of art is a wonderful way to engage in the political system,” Hitt said. “So I would encourage people to talk about politics. Practice politics. Make political art.”

Reach Katie Fisher at entertainment@collegian.com.

Attendees enjoy appetizers and look at art during the Nepantla exhibit opening night at the Museum of Art Fort Collins Oct. 3. “I did a selfie-portrait,” said Armando Silva, one of the artists featured. “It’s this mask that I have in my studio, and it’s all this stuff with childhood memories. It’s this idea of reconnecting with those feelings, imagery and symbolism.”

PHOTO BY SAMANTHA

VOTING BEATS

Presidential candidates past, present use music in political persuasion

By Chace Silvey @csucollegian

Music: It’s not just something you turn on to tune out silence while driving home. It’s been used time and time again as a tool. The large amount of influence musicians and music have on society is not a surprise to anyone. It’s not uncommon to see musicians in advertisements, making movie cameos or even promoting fast food meals. This

is why it only makes sense that politicians capitalize on this tool in elections.

Using music to rally people toward a political cause isn’t a new concept. In fact, George Washington’s supporters used the song “God Save Great Washington” to rally people together. The usage of the song — although not specifically written for the campaign — could be considered a campaign song or a piece of music used to promote a political candidate or movement. When it comes to campaign songs, it can become a little murky.

Some musical artists will outright endorse a political candidate or party, allowing them to use their songs. However, some artists have their songs used without an endorsement, which can lead to artists feeling frustrated and disagreeing with the use of the song. With this understanding, let’s look at the usage of songs in elections.

Although he was not the first musician to endorse a party, Frank Sinatra had a high impact on voters during the 1960 campaign, endorsing Democratic candidate John F. Kennedy. Sinatra even helped Kennedy raise campaign funds. With the open support Sinatra showed Kennedy, it only made sense for Kennedy to use the song “High Hopes” by Sinatra as a campaign song. But what happens if the artist doesn’t endorse the candidate?

Well, it’s complicated. Venues where rallies are held oftentimes have a public performance license from the performing rights organization, which allows them to play music for political rallies. Artists could theoretically send the party a cease and desist order,

but oftentimes, artists just publicly express their dislike for their music being used in a campaign.

One instance of this was former President Ronald Reagan’s 1984 reelection campaign and the use of Bruce Springsteen’s song “Born in the USA.” Springsteen then publicly criticized Reagan for the misuse of the song.

The 2024 presidential election is not exempt from the symbolic use of music. If anything, the usage of music in this election has been amplified. Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, saw an endorsement by Charli XCX in early July in a tweet made by the artist.

Moreover, a staple of Harris’ campaign is the use “Freedom” by Beyoncé in late July at her rallies. Although Beyoncé hasn’t openly endorsed Harris, the popular singer still permitted the use of the song.

One of Harris’ most notable public endorsements came from Taylor Swift, who endorsed Harris on social media, prompting the Harris-Walz campaign to use Swift’s song “The Man” early in September. Harris also posted

billboards using popular wordplay inspired by Swift’s The Eras Tour.

Many other artists have publicly endorsed Harris and running mate Tim Walz. Billie Eilish and her brother, Finneas O’Connell, endorsed the pair shortly after in a video coinciding with National Voter Registration Day. In early August, musical artists Megan Thee Stallion and Quavo performed live at a Harris rally.

Recently, Jon Bon Jovi has posted clips of his recently released song “The People’s House” in support of Harris, and Springsteen also publicly endorsed Harris and Walz.

Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump also had his fair share of musical endorsements and unwanted song usage. Country singer Jason Aldean shared his support for Trump in a social media post made in July following an attempted assassination of Trump.

Read the full version of this article at collegian.com.

Reach Chace Silvey at entertainment@collegian.com.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY ASIYE UCTUK THE COLLEGIAN

COMMUNITY IMPACT

For our future, engaging in democracy is crucial

By Collegian Editorial Staff

@csucollegian

Editor’s Note: This is an editorial. Editorials do not reflect the view of all employees of The Collegian but instead represent a stance taken by The Collegian’s editorial board, which consists of the editor in chief, the content managing editor, the executive editor and other members of the editorial staff.

Dear readers,

Eleven of the 20 members of The Collegian editorial staff are going to be casting their ballots in a presidential election for the first time this year.

We represent the 49.1% of people aged 18-24 registered to vote in the upcoming national elections, and we’ve been raised for the better half of our lives watching disillusion and distrust in the political system. We need to vote and see if we’re really the promised solution to the problems of the world that prior generations keep assuring us we are.

If you’re older than 18 years old, you’re part of the 244 million Americans eligible to vote in 2024. It doesn’t matter if you’re a political science student obsessed with the electoral process, kneedeep studying demographics and statistics as they pertain to this election, or someone whose civic engagement education doesn’t extend past an elementary school civics class. The entirety of this election matters, and exercising democratic rights is

an incredibly important part of being an American.

We’ve all been inundated with information about this national election for the last four years, but the most important part of the civic process isn’t who you vote for in the presidential election — it’s just as much about the rest of the ballot, the local issues, the state representatives and the amendments up for our determination.

The entire ballot is important, and students are doing a disservice

to the civic process by only bubbling in who they want to be president.

Local elections and smaller forms of democracy are where our voices are most heard. They’re where real change can be enacted, and because of our federalist system, they are where policies and changes can be most acutely felt.

Not to minimize the weight and gravity of the upcoming presidential election — trust us, we all know it’s one of the most important ones to date — but we would be remiss as a generation to not consider and educate ourselves on policies and candidates at the local and state levels. Their names might not be as well known as the flashy presidential candidates and their large reputations, but they will represent whatever values we deem most important.

As ballots begin to reach our mailboxes and the cycle of political advertisements begins to gain steam, we implore you to crack open the blue books mailed to each of us containing voting information, and we also implore you to sit down with this Collegian edition and learn more about the candidates

and issues up for election. We also ask you to be aware of ways you can engage civically, even if voting may not be possible. There is a wealth of information out there, and your voice matters.

CSU has many voting resources in place to make casting your ballot — whether this is your first or one of many — as easy as possible. A Colorado ballot drop box will be located outside the north entrance to the Lory Student Center from Oct. 21 to Nov. 5, and an inperson Voter Service and Polling Center will be set up in the Never No Summer room from Oct. 21 to Nov. 5 as well.

The best way to safeguard our future and protect our democracy is by casting your ballots this November for all issues and offices presented.

With that, we invite you to read and absorb this deep dive into democracy and civic engagement in Fort Collins and Larimer County. Happy voting!

The Collegian editorial staff

Reach The Collegian editorial staff at letters@collegian.com.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY TRIN BONNER THE COLLEGIAN

COMMUNITY IMPACT

Voting in local elections is as important as federal elections

By Charlotte Seymour @csucollegian

Editor’s Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board.

Voting can be intimidating, stressful and time consuming, especially for new voters, but it is crucial. Most of us would rather just cozy up on the couch with a glass of ice water and a bag of Cheetos watching Family Feud than put in the effort to vote.

Voting in the national election is a big deal, as it only happens every four years. Usually, people are constantly updated about the candidates, as it is impossible to avoid. The chatter about the candidates takes over every news source, every social media platform and the dinner table. The national election is everywhere. It’s like getting sand in your hair at the beach — it is simply unavoidable.

“Once you vote the first time, you may be more likely to stay up to date with the elections in the future. And if the ballot seems confusing, I am sure most people would be happy to help you understand it, even the internet.”

Local elections, on the other hand, seem to be more like sunscreen: very important but forgotten daily. But in reality, voting in local elections is just as important as voting in national elections. Sure, the national election may seem more important because the president vetoes bills, negotiates treaties, directs foreign policy and executes laws. But the candidates in local

elections directly affect you and the place you live.

First things first, voting in general is a privilege. We all need to honor that privilege and use it to every extent we can, including local and state elections. Voting is an opportunity to use your voice, impact your community and honor your rights.

In local elections, people elect state representatives, senators, governors, mayors, city council members, county commissioners, state legislators and more. Even though you might not know exactly what these people do, each of them make decisions that influence your life. Therefore, you should have a say in who assumes each position, especially because the election pool is much smaller, so the ballots cast carry much more weight. Many may not realize it, but these local elections affect schools, public transportation, health care access, job security, pay equity, crime policies, environmental

laws and gun safety. They could even decide whether that pothole you hit every day on the way to work will get repaired. A major factor local elections cover is taxation, and people should always have a say in where their tax dollars go.

I know it might seem like a hassle to research the candidates and decide which one your values align with. But I promise — an hour of research is going to be well worth it because it impacts you and your community. Once you vote the first time, you may be more likely to stay up to date with the elections in the future. And if the ballot seems confusing, I am sure most people would be happy to help you understand it, even the internet. Trust me — I know this is overwhelming. Take it from me: I am freshly 18 years old and know very little about voting and elections. I have only voted one time, and it was for the county commissioner back home in

Oregon. I knew I wanted to vote, but I had absolutely no clue who I was going to vote for. That night, I put on some music, cuddled up with my cat and researched each of the candidates on my laptop. I spent around an hour and a half reviewing the candidates’ ideals and found the one who best fit my opinions.

The next morning, I filled out the ballot, handed it to my dad and went to school. I remember I told all my friends I had voted for the first time. It doesn’t seem like much of a victory, but it was rewarding because I knew I was making an impact and I had just honored a right I had recently obtained.

Regardless of your age, voting is simple. It can even be fun sometimes. Plus, here in Colorado, we are lucky enough to have mailin voting, so all voters have to do is fill out their ballot, slap a stamp on it and throw it in the mailbox.

Reach Charlotte Seymour at letters@collegian.com.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY TRIN BONNER THE COLLEGIAN

Kamala Harris is Brat, will win election because of it

By Caden Proulx @csucollegian

Editor’s Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board.

I’ve always said we need a good-looking, young and witty presidential candidate to bring back the spark in American politics. While I thought this person would be Jack Schlossberg, it turns out it’s actually Kamala Harris, which is slightly disappointing but nevertheless exciting.

Harris’ presidential campaign is the shortest in modern history and was chaotically thrown together by campaign staff. In just a few days, they gathered delegate votes and support from Democrats in Congress. Despite this, Harris is currently leading or tied with Trump in national polls and performing much better than President Joe Biden was in key swing states.

Harris is not too different from Biden on key policy issues, especially the divisive Israel-Hamas war. So why is she polling so much better?

Kamala HQ

When it comes to spreading information in a way Generation Z understands, the Harris campaign is far outpacing Donald Trump’s.

Thanks to @KamalaHQ, the vice president is incredibly popular on TikTok because the campaign participates in viral trends, uses popular audio clips and even posts Roblox videos. Quick moments of Harris’ charisma are quickly spread on social media, while attacks against Trump are concise and use language Gen Z understands.

Even presidential debates — in which many people only watch the highlights — are easily distributable through short-form clips.

My personal favorite has to be the viral audio of Vice Presidential candidate JD Vance saying he’s a never-Trump guy.

Celebrity ‘Bratification’

Creator of the “Brat” album and trend, Charli XCX, publicly endorsed Harris, saying, “kamala IS brat” on X, formerly known as Twitter, amassing over 55 million views.

The implications of this Tweet were and continue to

be monumental, as it not only signaled the singer’s support for the Harris campaign but also gave the presidential candidate an entirely new branding platform, building on the most recognizable likeness in popular culture currently.

Following the first debate against Trump, Taylor Swift also endorsed Harris in an Instagram post to her 284 million followers and signed it “Childless Cat Lady” in reference to controversial comments made by Vance.

Harris’ endorsement list goes on and on, including icons like the Obamas, Barbra Streisand, Billie Eilish and Shonda Rhimes. But because Swift and Charli XCX are largely shaping popular culture right now and making Harris a part of it, their endorsements are invaluable.

Giggler in chief

The biggest reason for Harris’ rise to fame is, of course, her personality.

At least in comparison to Trump, nobody can deny that Harris is hilarious and energetic. None of this virality or new momentum would be possible without her distinctive, fun personality.

This is an easy momentum to feed into because, again, these

viral clips make her a part of popular culture. As a result of just one of these viral clips of Harris, her entire campaign can be identified by a single coconut tree emoji.

Now Trump is having the same problem Biden had before he dropped out, which is being the older candidate with less energy and enthusiasm.

Harris’ enthusiasm is something we haven’t seen at the presidential level since the Obama campaign, which Gen Z was too young to vote for, so Harris represents something fresh and exciting.

Not to mention, people quote her all the time in real life and interact with her platform in historically unseen ways due to the rise of TikTok.

These trends make her seem like an approachable, fun, slightly out-of-touch aunt we all love, and it’s very appealing to voters.

Ignorance is bliss

Because of all the reasons above, this last and possibly most important point is possible.

Since Biden dropped out of the election and Harris has become a rising figure, she really hasn’t been impeded by the problems plaguing the Biden administration.

The uncommitted movement, which calls on the sitting president to achieve a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, has become an increasingly large problem. The movement took off in states as primary ballots were cast and included over 100,000 uncommitted votes in Michigan, a key battleground state.

While the uncommitted movement declined to endorse Harris, she has pretty much gone through her campaign unscathed on the issue. It is unclear whether this is due to Harris’ recent popularity with Gen Z or the sudden swap in Democratic candidates.

And for being the Biden administration’s face of immigration, Harris sure has dodged a lot of heat in her handling of the border crisis since stepping into the race.

Social media is a new weapon campaigns need to take advantage of in order to compete, especially TikTok.

As long as Harris studies Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign and learns from the past, she is in the perfect position to become the country’s first woman president, and she’s done it by achieving virality.

Reach Caden Proulx at letters @collegian.com.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY TRIN BONNER THE COLLEGIAN

BALLOT CHALLENGES

Voting process is highly inaccessible

By Emma Souza @_emmasouza

Editor’s Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board.

Election Day is barreling toward us at a horrifying speed. And if you’re a young and new voter like me, voting next month feels both exciting and horrifying. I’m ready to have a voice in our democracy, but at the same time, I’m overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information from candidates, parties, polls and the media in general.

This information, while necessary, is almost always about the need to vote. It demands that we must stop certain candidates from reaching office and tells us why this election is the most crucial one in decades. But beyond the need to vote, much of America rarely discusses how to vote. While this exclusion may not always be intentional, it tends to conceal a major flaw in the voting process: accessibility. Many obstacles prevent everyday people from voting. Some we’ve become oddly complacent with, and others simply aren’t well known. So to assess this process, I’m going to break down its lack of accessibility.

Registration

The first step to voting is registration, as you cannot vote without being registered. The registration process is relatively easy in Colorado, a state that offers several platforms online and in person to register, including Election Day registration. However, many states across the nation aren’t this lucky. Ten states require in-person or postmarked mail registration 30 days before Election Day. Many other states require mail registration earlier than in-person registration, but only 20 states in addition to Washington D.C. have Election Day registration, though some only under certain circumstances or with certain documents.

With the business of day-today life, many new voters will not register until closer to Election Day and certainly not a whole month before. However, if those voters live in a state with strict registration deadlines, they will be unable to vote unless they register 30 days in advance.

If America’s true goal is to promote democracy and citizen participation within democracy, then why are we prohibiting citizens from voting if they’re not registered an absurd amount of time in advance? States barring Election Day registration — or even registration 15 days prior — uphold an inaccessible voting system that inherently goes against the betterment of our democracy.

Absentee voting and mail-in ballots

For those who cannot vote in person on Election Day, absentee and mail-in ballots are the perfect option. States mail a ballot out to the voter, the voter completes it and then they mail it back.  Although this process sounds easy, 14 states require excuses

for why a voter cannot make it in person to Election Day before sending them an absentee ballot. This would be easy to work with; however, many of these states have inconsistent — and bullshit — qualifications of what merits an excuse. Each of the 14 states accepts illness or disability as a valid excuse, but several don’t accept religion, old age, work, jury duty or even being a student outside of the county as valid.

Many states will send noquestions-asked absentee ballots, but the mere fact that others require such specific excuses astonishes me. This process severely hinders voting accessibility in large parts of the country without legislators batting an eye. Has nobody questioned the absurdity of picking and choosing these excuses? In what world is a conflicting work schedule, old age or religion not a valid excuse? Proactive voters who want a voice in the election might be denied participation simply because their excuse is deemed illegitimate. That is inaccessibility at its finest.

Day-of identification

Let’s consider a voter who registered on time and can vote in person on Election Day. They took time off work to vote, arriving at the polling place stressed out but assumedly prepared. The line is about 30 minutes long, so they’re already tired and annoyed by the time it’s their turn. But before they even see a ballot, they’re asked for identification. Well shit — their ID is old and doesn’t match their new address.

Voter identification can be one of many documents, ranging from homeowner bills to driver’s licenses; it all depends on if the state is a strict or nonstrict voter ID state. Nonstrict states are looser on ID policies, accepting any form or possibly none at all. However, certain strict states only accept a photo ID. If a voter in any given state does not have the required ID, they will likely fill out a provisional ballot. Provisional ballots look like normal ballots but are separated from the rest. And after being cast, local election officials decide if it counts. The voter typically has a

couple days to show a valid form of ID before the panel determines the validity of the ballot, depending on if the identification is correct. This also applies if the ID is expired or doesn’t match registration details. In this case, the panel might refuse to count the ballot because they don’t believe your identity is valid. So a voter who perhaps made sacrifices to vote on Election Day — missing work or driving far to the polling place — might not have a valid ballot just because their ID is different from their registration. So if a voter moved addresses since the time they registered, their vote might not count.

The U.S. voting process exemplifies a privilege of our democracy: the ability to have a voice in our government. This is a privilege those in many other countries do not have. Although we are fortunate in our ability to vote, there are severe flaws that prevent eligible voters from voting. In a time of voter advocacy, we must now shift the spotlight to voter accessibility. Reach Emma Souza at letters@collegian.com.

WEEKLY HOROSCOPE

By Sophia Masia

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (10/17/24)

ARIES (MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)

The planets are pushing all your buttons, but now is not the time to let frustration win. Anger doesn’t always have to be destructive, Aries.

TAURUS (APRIL 20 - MAY 20)

Listen, I know you’re a perfectionist, but nothing is going to be perfect enough for you this week. Trust your intuition, and don’t get stuck in your head, Taurus.

GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUNE 20)

Social circles are incredibly charged up right now. Either way, make space for some well-deserved alone time, Gemini.

CANCER (JUNE 21 - JULY 22)

The full supermoon has you feeling everything. Do

whatever is necessary to protect your peace. If you manage to avoid melting down, clarity will find you by the end of the week, Cancer.

LEO (JULY 23 - AUG. 22)

Your classmates or coworkers could be demanding more than usual from you. Do what you can to block out the noise and ignore your inner critic, Leo.

VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEPT. 22)

The energy this week is messy, but you are not one to be caught up in everyone else’s mess. While the other signs are busy battling it out with each other and the planets, I invite you to disappear.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23 - OCT. 22)

You’re caught right in the middle of this drama-filled transit, and tensions are probably high right now. I know you like to stay out of it, but this week is a great time to express complicated emotions.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23 - NOV. 21)

Nobody likes uncertainty, especially when you’ve been working around the clock, so this week could stir up some frustration around your personal projects. You don’t have to work yourself to the bone, Scorpio.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22DEC. 21)

This week hits you like a bag of bricks, but don’t worry, anything you’re going through now is going to be important for revelations late next week. Fun is on the horizon, but prepare for a bumpy ride there.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22JAN. 19)

This week brings chaos, but you’re too busy strategizing to be bothered. Later in the week, blessings find you and the peace is restored, but give people some grace in the meantime.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18)

Everyone and everything is getting on your last nerve, and you might be feeling ready to blow. Things are better understood with space. It’s better to come off distant than mean, Aquarius.

PISCES (FEB. 19 - MARCH 20)

You might be feeling unlucky recently, but trust that the kitchen sink won’t be clogged forever. It’s tempting to fall into an abyss of your self-pity, but the cosmic tides are turning in your favor this week.

OVERHEARD AROUND CAMPUS

“Ulysses S. Grant was good looking but, like, in a frontier way.”

“Can a guy not spread misinformation anymore?”

“My mom calls herself the Kamala Harris of Colorado.”

“The Supreme Court said, ‘Go to jail. Do not collect $200.’”

Have you overheard something funny on campus? Put your eavesdropping to good use. Tweet us @CSUCollegian and your submissions could be featured in our next paper!

Cold hands

Car repairs

Midterms

Mandatory class events

Academic advising and registration

Canceled classes

Autumn leaves

Pumpkin-flavored goods

CSU football wins

Scented candles