Colorado’s Budget Dumpster Fire, Zoning Tyranny Against a French Bakery, and Constitution Week Preview

On Tuesday, September 2, 2025, Kim Monson examines Colorado’s fiscal shell games and regulatory overreach with former State Senator Kevin Lundberg, author and Federalist contributor Helen Raleigh on a French bakery’s battle with Jefferson County zoning officials, and Grand Lake Constitution Week organizer Marc Auville previewing the premier constitutional celebration in America.

Special Session Exposes Budget Gimmicks and Tax Increases

Start listening at 17:02 – Hour 1

Kevin Lundberg characterizes the recent Colorado special session as a “dumpster fire,” revealing that legislators raised taxes by approximately $250 million while claiming to address an $800 million budget shortfall. The former state senator explains how lawmakers disconnected Colorado income tax from federal tax cuts, eliminated the vendor fee that compensates businesses for collecting sales tax, and sold future tax credits at a 25% discount to generate quick cash. Lundberg notes that despite claims of fiscal responsibility, the legislature added $4.4 million to fund Planned Parenthood after federal funding was cut.

The discussion turns to election integrity concerns, with Lundberg detailing Colorado’s weak voter ID requirements and automatic voter registration system. He supports President Trump’s executive order requiring voter ID and ending mail-in voting for federal elections, arguing that Colorado’s current system cannot verify citizenship. Lundberg also promotes Protect Kids Colorado’s three ballot initiatives: protecting women’s sports, prohibiting child mutilating surgeries, and punishing sex traffickers with mandatory prison sentences.

“They raised taxes by about $250 million on the people of Colorado.”

Kevin Lundberg, Former Colorado State Senator

Zoning Regulators Target Christian-Owned French Bakery

Start listening at 73:45 – Hour 2

Helen Raleigh exposes how Jefferson County zoning officials are threatening to shut down Et Voila French Bakery on Lookout Mountain Road. The bakery, operated by French immigrants Eric and Rachel Dauphour along with Rachel’s sister Ruth, faces eviction from trailer coaches they live in behind the commercial property. Ruth, a former economist who trained at a renowned French pastry school, begins baking at 1 a.m. daily, making the on-site living arrangement essential since Lookout Mountain Road is closed until 7 a.m. during winter months.

Raleigh reveals that county officials showed no understanding of bakery operations, suggesting Ruth could simply set bread in the oven and commute like everyone else. Despite thousands of emails from community supporters, the county refused to grant even a temporary two-year variance. The author cites Colorado’s ranking as the sixth most regulated state, noting that every 10% increase in regulations causes 36,000 lost jobs and 9,000 business closures. The Dauphours sold their home to fund the bakery renovation, embodying the immigrant pursuit of the American Dream that rigid bureaucracy now threatens.

“And that authentic French bakery with authentic French food, as well as coffee and cheese, are nice things Coloradans deserve.”

Helen Raleigh, Senior Contributor at The Federalist

Grand Lake Celebrates 14th Annual Constitution Week

Start listening at 103:07 – Hour 2

Marc Auville announces that Grand Lake’s 14th annual U.S. Constitution Week runs September 15-21, 2025, featuring Georgetown Professor Jonathan Turley as the Saturday keynote speaker. Turley will address free speech in an age of rage, drawing from his book on the subject. The week kicks off Monday with Rob Nadelson, who has spoken at 12 of the 13 previous Constitution Weeks, presenting on ancient Rome and the Constitution.

The celebration includes Youth Appreciation Day on Friday, where the Colorado chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution will demonstrate colonial-era musket loading and firing to mark the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War. Allen Thomas will present Friday evening on what the Federalist Papers reveal about the Constitution. Auville emphasizes the importance of civic education, noting that school systems have moved away from teaching constitutional principles. The week concludes with fireworks over Grand Lake Saturday evening and a Sunday morning church service featuring a solo concert.

“It’s so important for us to get back to teaching civics in America. It seems that the school systems have gotten away from teaching our youth about civics.”

Marc Auville, Grand Lake Constitution Week Organizer