Energy Policies Gone Sideways and Republican Unity Challenges

On January 26, 2024, Steven Peck, Rick Turnquist, Lorne Levy, and Karen Levine joined the show. Peck reports the Douglas County GOP has record cash reserves and near-full district captain seats, urging Republicans to avoid name-calling and focus on shared principles of limited government as they prepare for a sold-out Lincoln Day Dinner Turnquist exposes the hypocrisy of anti-fossil fuel activists who depend on natural gas.

Republican Unity and the Battle Against Political Division

Start listening at 4:14 – Hour 1

Steven Peck, chairman of the Douglas County GOP, brings encouraging news about party health in Colorado. The Douglas County Lincoln Day Dinner sold out two months early with Lieutenant Colonel Allen West as keynote speaker. More significantly, the county party holds more cash than any time in six years, with 44 of 45 district captain seats filled.

Peck addresses the corrosive effect of political name-calling within Republican ranks. Terms like “RINO” have become lazy shorthand that derails substantive policy debate. Rather than attacking ideological differences personally, Peck urges Republicans to focus on shared principles of limited government and low taxes. The state party under Chairman Dave Williams has raised over $800,000 and holds more cash than Colorado Democrats.

The conversation turns to ranked choice voting, which Peck identifies as a threat to conservative representation. He questions who benefits from the proposed change and warns that such a system would make electing representatives who believe in individual liberty nearly impossible.

“If we don’t hang together, we will hang separately. Christ and then Lincoln said a house divided itself cannot stand. So even if we had a majority, which we don’t, the infighting is not productive.”

Steven Peck, Chairman, Douglas County GOP

Democrat Energy Policy Disconnected from Reality

Start listening at 34:46 – Hour 1

Rick Turnquist continues his “Exactly Wrong” series examining Democrat policy failures as the 2024 election approaches. The Colorado legislature, just 16 days into session, has introduced 221 bills including measures on disinformation policing, universal healthcare, and gender-affirming care expansion. Of all proposed legislation, Turnquist finds only the income tax reduction bill worthy of support.

The core hypocrisy of anti-fossil fuel activists becomes apparent during every cold snap. Despite demands to eliminate natural gas and oil, these same advocates heat their homes with natural gas furnaces. During Winter Storm Uri in Austin three years ago, people burned furniture in living rooms when renewable energy failed and natural gas supply disrupted. The cognitive dissonance between environmental rhetoric and daily dependence on fossil fuels explains why many on the left seem perpetually angry.

Turnquist challenges the characterization of Governor Polis as a libertarian. Despite positive media coverage and even praise from commentators like John Stossel, Polis drives Colorado toward a doom spiral through energy regulation, vacancy committee appointments, and one-party control of the legislature. A constitutional amendment eliminating vacancy committees in favor of special elections could restore electoral accountability.

“While they want to do away with the oil and gas industry and natural gas and fossil fuels, they benefit from fossil fuels in every way, in every day of their lives. And the cognitive dissonance must be really painful, and maybe that’s why lefties are angry all the time.”

Rick Turnquist, Writer, To Advance Freedom

Housing Market Opportunities Amid Rate Uncertainty

Start listening at 60:27 – Hour 2

Lorne Levy of Polygon Financial Group addresses the dilemma facing homeowners locked into 2% mortgages who need more space. The Fed meets next week with no rate action expected until at least March. Current money market rates around 5.3% benefit savers, but any Fed rate cuts would immediately drop those returns while potentially boosting home prices as more buyers enter the market.

The key insight for prospective buyers: qualify for more than you want to spend, then work backward from a comfortable payment. Rather than asking “how much can I afford,” today’s buyers increasingly specify maximum monthly payments, typically below their qualification threshold. This conservative approach reflects greater financial awareness but creates challenges in a market where $3,000 monthly payment translates to roughly $300,000 mortgage, a price point with minimal Colorado inventory.

“If you can find a new home that has a payment that you can handle, then do it. And then refinance when the rates do drop instead of waiting for them to drop.”

Lorne Levy, Mortgage Specialist, Polygon Financial Group

Real Estate Inventory and Legislative Threats

Start listening at 67:35 – Hour 2

Karen Levine reports the Colorado market remains strong despite national headlines suggesting otherwise. Highly desirable communities continue seeing multiple offers and appraisal gap language, where buyers commit cash if properties fail to appraise at purchase price. Inventory remains constrained partly because homeowners with low-rate mortgages hesitate to sell.

The Colorado Association of Realtors anticipates 30 to 40 bills affecting private property rights this session. Short-term rental legislation threatens to impose statewide regulations on what should remain local decisions. In Summit County, 70% of properties are owner-occupied, contradicting assumptions that vacation rentals dominate. Each mountain community has made distinct short-term rental choices appropriate to local needs, yet state legislators believe they know better.

The wisdom of “marry the home, date the rate” applies now more than ever. Buyers who purchase today at higher rates face less competition and stable prices. When rates eventually decline, more buyers will flood the market, driving prices up. Those who bought earlier can simply refinance into better terms.

“If they can handle the payment today, they will be ahead of the market and there is opportunity there. While you’re waiting and the interest rates move down, the prices will be moving up.”

Karen Levine, Realtor, RE/MAX Alliance