Colorado’s Transgender Sanctuary Laws and the Fight for Parental Rights

On July 18, 2025, guest host Yvonne Paez fills in for Kim Monson to examine Colorado’s aggressive push toward becoming a transgender sanctuary state, the dramatic improvement in border security under the Trump administration, and new Second Amendment restrictions affecting gun owners. Medal of Honor recipient Robert L. Howard is honored on this Medal of Honor Friday.

Colorado’s Assault on Parental Rights

Start listening at 16:43 – Hour 1

Erin Lee, founder of Protect Kids Colorado, details the harrowing story of how her daughter was recruited into a secret gender and sexuality club at school, deceived into believing she was transgender, and taught how to access puberty blockers without parental consent. Lee traces the legislative assault on parental rights back to 2019, when Governor Jared Polis took office, identifying a cascade of laws that have made Colorado the most fortified transgender sanctuary state in the nation.

The 2019 law HB19-1120 lowered the age of healthcare consent to 12, allowing children to see gender-affirming therapists without parental knowledge. HB19-1129 banned so-called conversion therapy, requiring all licensed therapists to affirm gender-confused children rather than explore underlying causes. The comprehensive sex education law, HB19-1032, mandated gender ideology instruction beginning in fifth grade.

In 2025, SB25-1312 made it illegal to use biological pronouns for transgender-identified individuals, with penalties up to $55,000 per violation. Lee’s organization has filed federal lawsuits challenging the law. Senate Bill 129 eliminated any legal recourse for detransitioners seeking damages from doctors who performed irreversible procedures.

“So we are truly the most fortified transgender sanctuary state.”

Erin Lee, Founder of Protect Kids Colorado

Second Amendment Under Siege

Start listening at 62:52 – Hour 2

Alicia Garcia of the Second Syndicate reports on new concealed carry requirements that took effect July 1, 2025. The four-hour class requirement has doubled to eight hours with mandatory written and live-fire exams. Instructors must now obtain state certification and teach state-mandated content including red flag laws. Gun shops face new state permitting requirements, fingerprinting of all employees, and security mandates that have forced some businesses to close.

“So this is an American tradition: to bear arms and to be able to resist and to stand up against a tyrannical government.”

Alicia Garcia, Second Syndicate

Border Security Transformation

Start listening at 73:00 – Hour 2

Chris Harris, retired Border Patrol agent with over 20 years of service, reports that illegal border crossings have plummeted to the lowest levels since record-keeping began. Apprehensions have dropped from over two million annually under the Biden administration to potentially under 100,000 this year. Agent morale, which had collapsed when officers felt like “glorified babysitters” processing asylum seekers, has rebounded dramatically as they can now pursue actual enforcement.

Harris reveals that over 330,000 children were given to unverified adults under the previous administration. He recounts a firsthand account from an NGO volunteer who witnessed a 21-year-old man claim a 13-year-old girl as his daughter despite not knowing her name. DNA testing programs that could verify family relationships were shut down by the previous administration.

“If you’re going to protest that, I have to ask you point blank to your face, why? When we’re catching people that are dangerous criminals, that are misusing children, abusing children, why would that bother you?”

Chris Harris, Retired Border Patrol Agent

GOP Vice Chair Race

Start listening at 8:10 – Hour 1

Richard Holtorf, Washington County GOP Chair, announces his candidacy for Colorado Republican Party Vice Chair. The state central committee will vote on July 21, 2025. Holtorf emphasizes unity and bridge-building as his platform, warning against negative attacks that divide the party.

“My platform is built under unity, building bridges, not burning bridges, mending fences, not cutting fences.”

Richard Holtorf, Washington County GOP Chair