Happy New Year, NoColo!

And they’re off!

The inanity abides, unfortunately. As we approach the opening of the new state legislative session we are apprised (warned?) of what some of our legislators will attempt. Northern Colorado doesn’t get a pass in the OMG factor.

Unsurprisingly, new state senator John Cooke (erstwhile sheriff who was part of the engine that drove the recall of two senators for having dared, mind you, to place public safety over the demands of those who value gun rights over human life) is determined to undo the ammo magazine limitation. To his joy and our disgust, his candidacy (like Ken Buck’s) was endorsed by Ted Nugent. Further, Cooke was and continues to be supported in his efforts by the same bullet enamored “man” who found it expedient to hold a pro-gun rally across the street from a gathering memorializing those who died in the Aurora theater shooting.

Meanwhile, over in the house, Perry Buck (aka Mrs. Ken Buck) takes her seat for another term. During the recent election campaign she displayed her dazzling disconnect from all things real when she giggled about not knowing the boundaries of her own district. Face palms notwithstanding, she vows to continue her crusade to restore gun rights to certain felons (because that is absolutely at the top of every Coloradoan’s list of most important stuff, right?).

Upstream, Citizens United’s toy, ethically challenged Ken Buck, moves into Cory Gardner’s vacated House seat, thanks to gerrymandering and a large helping of state Democratic party indifference to the people of the district. Before he’s even sworn in Buck has given an acrid foretaste of his tenure by announcing his displeasure at seeing the President dining with a group of Sioux students in D.C.

Most sadly for the country, Colorado lost a senator and the Koch Brothers gained one. Lifelong environmentalist Mark Udall’s senate desk will now be occupied by ultra slick Cory Gardner whose resume includes easy vacillation between pimp and whore for extractive interests. We’ll have to make sure he doesn’t bill us for the cost of all those knee pads. It’s going to be a difficult adjustment. Udall was here often, accessible and welcoming to anyone who lives here; his staff was unfailingly welcoming and helpful. Conversely, on the rare occasion when congressman Gardner deigned to show up here he dodged and equivocated, and his staff bordered on the hostile while his local office became increasingly more difficult to access.


Some might be inclined to just chuck it all, go someplace more sane. Indeed, it’s not that far to districts with more genuine representation from the likes of DeGette or Perlmutter or Polis. So why stay? Because it’s home. The heart is here. And capitulation is just not on the menu today.