Colorado’s Assault on Parental Rights and the Coordinated Attack on Trump

On this Thursday, April 13, 2023 broadcast, Kim Monson examines the coordinated assault on parental rights in Colorado and the unprecedented legal attacks on former President Donald Trump. The show features Colorado State Representative Ty Winter discussing the legislative battles at the Capitol, award-winning journalist Sharyl Attkisson analyzing the pattern of attacks on Trump, realtor Karen Levine on property rights and housing, and government watchdog Natalie Menten exposing the dangerous land use bills threatening single-family neighborhoods.

Unprecedented Attacks on a Former President

Start listening at 33:28 – Hour 1

Award-winning journalist Sharyl Attkisson, host of Full Measure on Sinclair TV, provides a detailed timeline of the coordinated attacks on Donald Trump beginning in 2015. Attkisson traces the Russia accusations back to the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton campaign, working with Ukrainian operatives to discredit Trump. She explains how improper surveillance of Trump associates like Carter Page allowed intelligence agencies to monitor Trump himself.

Attkisson reveals that lobbyists now write the bills that Congress passes, and members must meet fundraising quotas to sit on important committees. She discusses how both parties have been captured by special interests representing foreign nations, noting that similar laws are being coordinated internationally across the U.S. and Europe. Despite this pattern of government overreach, Attkisson offers hope that more people are becoming aware of information manipulation and that truth finds a way to be told.

“I hate to sound so cynical, but I’ve come to conclude that the federal agencies and Congress, not every member, but in general the congressional parties, the leaders Democrats and Republicans, they don’t work for us.”

Sharyl Attkisson, Host of Full Measure

Legislative Assault on Colorado Families

Start listening at 17:24 – Hour 1

In this segment, Representative Ty Winter joins Kim to discuss his first legislative session and the alarming bills targeting parental rights in Colorado. Winter describes the doublespeak in the chamber, where Democrats use Republican talking points about local control while simultaneously working to strip it away. He explains how legislation allows 12-year-olds to receive psychotropic drugs and mental health counseling without parental knowledge or consent.

The freshman representative discusses the battle over reproductive care legislation, pointing out the hypocrisy of Democrats opposing non-FDA approved progesterone to reverse abortions while supporting non-FDA approved puberty blockers for gender transitions. Winter emphasizes the importance of grassroots activism and urges listeners to pray for legislators and engage in uncomfortable conversations with neighbors about these issues. As a father of two daughters, he passionately argues that parents should be informed and present for their children during difficult decisions.

“We all know that, you know, they own the media. They own the mainstream media. The media pumps out their message. And I mean, I know that you guys are doing all you can, and I appreciate your service to this country and how you try to get the word out that this has to be a true grassroots effort. It has to be having that uncomfortable conversation with the person that you’re standing in line with at the checkout line at the post office, talking to your friends and family and getting them motivated and involved to talk to their friends.”

Representative Ty Winter, Colorado State Representative

Property Rights and the Housing Market

Start listening at 61:46 – Hour 2

Karen Levine, award-winning realtor with RE/MAX Alliance, joins Kim to discuss property rights and the current housing market. Levine reflects on the complicated intersection of housing policy and property rights, noting how construction defect legislation prevented condominium development in Colorado for years. She explains that we are now in the spring selling season with more houses going under contract than coming on the market, which will continue driving up property values.

Levine discusses opportunities in new home construction, where builders are offering incentives including interest rate buydowns that have not been seen in perhaps a decade. She notes that public policy and regulation have created many of the housing problems we face today, including an environment where it has become more favorable not to work. For buyers considering new construction, Levine recommends having representation from the very first meeting with builders.

“When we have these discussions, I’m like, well, but I have this right in my property, and you just told me I can’t short-term rental it. Was that your right to do that? Well, maybe it was if it affected the right of my neighbor. So it’s complicated.”

Karen Levine, RE/MAX Alliance Realtor

The Land Use Bills Threatening Colorado Neighborhoods

Start listening at 74:08 – Hour 2

Government watchdog Natalie Menten, former RTD board director and TABOR Foundation member, connects the dots between multiple land use and housing bills threatening Colorado. She explains Proposition 123, passed by voters last year, which diverts state revenue to subsidized housing and requires local governments to increase high-density housing by 3% per year to receive funds. Millions of dollars in special interest money pushed this measure through.

Menten details House Bill 1190, the “Right of First Refusal” bill giving government first rights to purchase multi-unit properties, effectively creating price caps on property sales with penalties up to $50,000 or 30% of property value for non-compliance. She then exposes Senate Bill 213, Governor Polis’s marquee bill, which imposes top-down zoning, bans single-family-only developments, and allows four accessory dwelling units on any residential lot. The bill requires 40-60 units per acre minimum near transit areas and includes a safety clause preventing citizens from petitioning to overturn it. Menten urges listeners to contact their state senators before the April 18th committee vote.

“What it is doing in short is it’s banning single-family only developments. The bill will grant right of use, and what this right of use that’s granted is in what is existing single-family residential-only neighborhoods, they would instead be allowed to add four accessory dwelling units onto any single-family residential lot.”

Natalie Menten, TABOR Foundation Board Member