Constitution Day and the Battle for Local Control

On Constitution Day, September 17, 2025, Kim Monson gathered citizen watchdog Mike Rawluk, scientist James Lyons-Weiler, rancher Wendy Volk, and sixth-generation farmer Trent Loos to examine how ordinary Americans are reclaiming their communities through informed engagement and constitutional principles.

Biosecurity Concerns at CSU’s Bat Vivarium

Start listening at 17:37 – Hour 1

Mike Rawluk sounds the alarm on Colorado State University’s bat vivarium research center, a facility less than half a mile from homes that will study the Nipah virus, a pathogen with a 30 to 70 percent mortality rate. The project, funded through a cooperative agreement between CSU, NIH, NIAID, and DARPA, began with field research in Thailand in 2018 studying Indian flying fox bats. Rawluk traces how the December 2022 location and extent vote at the Larimer County level proceeded with minimal public input, highlighting the connection between this research and EcoHealth Alliance.

The citizen watchdog has met with Representative Boebert’s staff and Senator Bennet’s office seeking oversight of the grants funding this research. Questions remain about the transportation route for importing bats from Bangladesh through Denver International Airport to CSU, and then shipping tissue samples to Rocky Mountain Labs in Montana.

“You’ve got a situation where you’ve got a disease that has a 30 to 70 percent mortality rate. That’s one to two out of every three people that contract this disease being studied here.”

Mike Rawluk, Citizen Watchdog

Rational Discourse in an Age of Rage

Start listening at 33:33 – Hour 1

James Lyons-Weiler, founder of IPAC-EDU, reflects on Charlie Kirk’s assassination and its implications for public discourse in America. The scientist, who participated in a 26,000-person X Space the day of the tragedy, argues that Kirk’s work with 3,500 Turning Point USA organizations in high schools offers hope for teaching civics and rational discourse to the next generation.

Lyons-Weiler distinguishes between rhetoric, the art of well-formed argument laid out plainly, and polemic, argument designed to shut down opposition through force. He advocates for Colorado to lead the nation in developing curriculum teaching students to engage in earnest discourse, including the metacognitive skill of evaluating one’s own thinking. The scientist also discusses the arrest of Paul Thorson, a 14-year fugitive indicted in 2011 for wire fraud related to vaccine-autism research, and what his extradition could reveal about CDC communications.

“But it is equally important that through your behavior, you show them that you can carry rational discussions with people with who you disagree.”

James Lyons-Weiler, Scientist and Founder of IPAC-EDU

Wyoming Citizens Defeat 56,000-Acre Wind Project

Start listening at 73:00 – Hour 2

Wendy Volk, a licensed real estate agent whose family has ranched in Laramie County for 154 years, describes how citizens defeated a massive industrial wind project proposed by Spanish-owned Repsol. After poring through a nearly 500-page permit application and placing countless sticky notes on unanswered questions, Volk led efforts that resulted in a 3-1 county commissioner vote denying the permit.

The proposed project would have converted prime agricultural land into an industrial facility with 170 wind turbines. Wyoming Game and Fish expressed wildlife concerns, while questions about road safety, traffic impacts from 285 semi-trucks daily, and aquifer protection remained unanswered. Volk credits the professional, non-confrontational approach of concerned citizens and the willingness of county commissioners to listen.

“But I’m glad for right now that the 170 wind turbines are not going to be on our horizon any time in the near future.”

Wendy Volk, Rancher and Real Estate Agent

Healthy School Meals and the Nutrition Debate

Start listening at 101:57 – Hour 2

Trent Loos challenges the premise of Colorado’s Proposition MM, which would impose a graduated income tax to fund school meals. The sixth-generation farmer argues that current USDA dietary guidelines deprive children of essential animal protein and fat, citing his conversations with former Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, who acknowledged failing to reform school lunch programs during his tenure.

Loos recounts the story of researcher Lindsay Allen from UC Davis, who after two years studying children in Kenya found significant cognitive improvements in those consuming animal products. Allen’s findings were so strong she suggested parents who deny children this nutrition could be guilty of neglect, but threats silenced her public advocacy. The farmer points to investigative journalist Nina Teicholz’s work in The Big Fat Surprise, documenting how dietary guidelines since 1977 have been based on flawed science.

“So, no, I’m not in favor of any more money for anybody until we figure out what a healthy meal is.”

Trent Loos, Sixth-Generation Farmer and Rancher