Prop HH Defeat, Climate Realism, and the Crisis in Higher Education

The November 9, 2023 broadcast of The Kim Monson Show tackled three major issues facing Americans: Colorado’s decisive rejection of Proposition HH, the truth about climate policy and energy, and the disturbing rise of anti-Semitism on college campuses. Ben Murrey, Gregory Wrightstone, and Don Sweeting brought expert analysis to each topic.

Challenging the Climate Crisis Narrative

Start listening at 34:00 – Hour 1

Gregory Wrightstone, Executive Director of the CO2 Coalition and author of Inconvenient Facts, exposes the economic destruction behind climate alarmism. Michael Bloomberg’s pledge of another $500 million to eliminate American coal represents just one front in the war against reliable, affordable energy.

Wrightstone presents data showing that warming and increased CO2 are actually benefiting Earth’s ecosystems. The top eight global crops are breaking production records year after year, driven by longer growing seasons, CO2 fertilization, and fossil fuel-derived nitrogen fertilizers. His new book, A Very Convenient Warming, documents these benefits that climate alarmists refuse to acknowledge.

The conversation also addresses Colorado Springs Utilities’ plan to reduce carbon emissions 80% by 2030, a goal Wrightstone calls economically destructive and based on flawed climate models.

“What they’re doing is pushing just economic suicide for the United States and the Western world. But here in the United States, we need reliable, abundant, affordable energy. And we don’t get that from wind or solar.”

Gregory Wrightstone, Executive Director, CO2 Coalition

Anti-Semitism Exposes Higher Education’s Failure

Start listening at 73:00 – Hour 2

Don Sweeting, Chancellor of Colorado Christian University, addresses the disturbing pro-Hamas demonstrations erupting on American campuses. His viral Fox News piece, “Pro-Hamas Protests Expose the Massive Failure at the Heart of American Higher Education,” struck a nerve because it names what many refuse to confront.

Sweeting traces the crisis to neo-Marxist ideology that has infiltrated universities over decades. Students are being deconstructed of their values, stripped of their love for America and Western civilization, then reprogrammed with an alien worldview. The result is moral relativism so profound that students celebrate the October 7th atrocities against Israel.

Colorado Christian University offers an alternative model based on competence, character, and Christ-centered faith, the same pillars that once defined all American higher education. Major donors are now withdrawing support from elite institutions, recognizing that ideological indoctrination has replaced genuine education.

“I think the biggest issue in my mind is the ideology that has gained a foothold.”

Don Sweeting, Chancellor, Colorado Christian University

Colorado Rejects Prop HH Tax Scheme

Start listening at 17:00 – Hour 1

Ben Murrey, Director of Fiscal Policy at the Independence Institute, breaks down the landslide defeat of Proposition HH. Colorado voters rejected the measure by a margin of roughly 60% to 40%, sending a clear message that even in an increasingly blue state, fiscal conservatism remains strong.

Murrey explains that the legislature’s attempt to use property tax pain as leverage for a larger tax grab backfired spectacularly. Rather than offering clean property tax relief, Democrats crafted a complex scheme designed to capture TABOR refunds. Governor Polis now faces pressure to call a special session before December, when property tax increases become locked in.

The discussion highlights the need for long-term reforms, including income tax cuts to prevent chronic over-collection and new rules requiring legislative ballot measures to go through the same title board process as citizen initiatives.

“Colorado continues to be fiscally conservative. I think Coloradans continue to love TABOR. They love the fact that TABOR is a restraint on taxation. It’s a restraint on the growth in government, on government spending.”

Ben Murrey, Director of Fiscal Policy, Independence Institute

Real Estate Market Update

Start listening at 64:00 – Hour 2

Karen Levine of RE/MAX Alliance discusses opportunities in the Colorado real estate market. With mortgage rates slightly improved and motivated sellers in the fourth quarter, buyers may find better negotiating positions than earlier in the year.

“There is a bit more inventory on the market. A lot of times sellers who are on the market the fourth quarter are motivated sellers.”

Karen Levine, Realtor, RE/MAX Alliance