Mountain Lion Hunting Bans, Property Tax Burdens, and Honoring Medal of Honor Heroes

On August 15, 2024, James Livingston, Chris Dorsey, Karen Levine, and Susan Kochevar joined the show. Medal of Honor recipient recounted the Battle of Dai Do where 800 Marines faced 10,000 North Vietnamese soldiers Conservation expert exposes D Veteran realtor explains MLS commission field changes taking effect and their impact on home buyers and sellers Business owner describes how Adams County detaboring caused her property taxes.

Vietnam Valor and the Marine Memorial

Start listening at 16:49 – Hour 1

James Livingston, a Major General in the United States Marine Corps and Medal of Honor recipient, recounted the harrowing events of May 2, 1968, during the Battle of Dai Do in Vietnam. Leading 189 Marines against an entrenched North Vietnamese division of 10,000 soldiers, Livingston’s Echo Company penetrated fortified bunker complexes to relieve surrounded American forces.

The battle exacted a devastating toll. Of 800 Marines engaged, 81 were killed and 297 medevaced. Only 35 of Livingston’s original 189 men emerged unscathed. When wounded himself, Livingston remained to cover the withdrawal until his Marines refused to leave him behind. He urged support for the USMC Memorial Foundation event on August 24th at the Marine Memorial in Golden, Colorado.

“But if we hadn’t taken that objective, nothing had ever been accomplished. So we were able to accomplish that role, relieve the pressure on the other companies, and consolidate in the village of Dado.”

James Livingston, Major General, USMC (Ret.), Medal of Honor Recipient

Out-of-State Groups Target Colorado Hunting

Start listening at 33:56 – Hour 1

Chris Dorsey, host of Sporting Classics and conservation thought leader, warns that Washington D.C.-based animal rights organizations are funding a ballot initiative to ban mountain lion and bobcat hunting in Colorado. The initiative, architected by Wayne Pacelli, formerly of the Humane Society of the United States, uses emotionally charged language that Dorsey calls factually inaccurate.

Since mountain lions became a game animal in 1965, their populations have remained stable or increased under regulated hunting. Dorsey points to California, where a 1990 hunting ban led to more lions killed through depredation permits at taxpayer expense, plus fatal attacks on humans. He argues the ballot language bypasses Colorado Parks and Wildlife scientists who should advise on wildlife management.

Hunters contribute over $20 billion to conservation nationally, and hunting and fishing generate $3.2 billion annually in Colorado while employing 21,000 people. Dorsey warns this initiative is a fundraising vehicle for animal rights groups who will next target deer and elk hunting.

“And when you consider hunters have, I think, generated now north of $20 billion for conservation, all the success stories that are built around the North American wildlife conservation model are well documented.”

Chris Dorsey, Host, Sporting Classics

Real Estate Market Navigates Industry Changes

Start listening at 63:08 – Hour 2

Karen Levine, RE/MAX realtor with over 30 years of experience, explains major changes taking effect in the real estate industry. The local MLS will no longer display cooperative commission fields, fundamentally altering how buyer agent compensation is negotiated. Levine notes that mortgage rates have dropped to around 6.5 percent, the lowest since early 2024.

She emphasizes that real estate transactions involve 189 possible turbulence points that professionals are trained to navigate. While some sellers successfully handle for-sale-by-owner transactions, most benefit from professional guidance through the complex process.

“It’s called possible turbulence occurrences in a real estate transaction, and there are 189 on our list.”

Karen Levine, RE/MAX Realtor

Property Tax Explosion Threatens Small Business

Start listening at 73:49 – Hour 2

Susan Kochevar, owner of the historic 88 Drive-In Theater, describes how Adams County’s decision to detabor property taxes devastated her business. Her commercial property taxes skyrocketed from $14,000 to $40,000 in one assessment cycle, nearly tripling her tax burden overnight.

Kochevar attributes the crisis to the combination of Gallagher Amendment repeal and county-level Tabor exemptions. She warns Jefferson County residents against similar detaboring efforts on their November ballot. The conversation turned to election integrity, with Kochevar expressing concern about mail-in ballot chain of custody and supporting the Colorado 2024 Election Project.

Kim Monson outlined her three-pronged election project: legal action through United Sovereign Americans to enforce minimum federal election standards, using fractal technology to identify undeliverable ballot addresses, and a public information campaign.

“Well, I should be the poster child for what happens when your county tears off Tabor in the property tax realm and what could happen to you.”

Susan Kochevar, Owner, 88 Drive-In Theater