Vote ‘no’ on Proposition 131

Please vote “no” on Proposition 131, the one concerning ranked-choice voting. The idea to change the way Coloradans vote was initiated by multi-millionaire Kent Thiry, and is supported by many of his multi-millionaire buddies. So far, they have dumped more than $9 million into pushing Prop 131 on voters. Anytime a bunch of multi-millionaires tells us common people that they’re going to “improve the way democracy works” — WATCH OUT! It’s the fox in the hen house, folks. I’m voting a decisive “no” on prop 131, and I hope you do, too.

— Tom Brock, Boulder

Ballot Issue 7A is vital for public transit

The passage of Ballot Issue 7A could enhance, rather than diminish services which, for many of us, is critical to living quality lives.

I have lived in Boulder for 51 years. I am blind and relied on RTD’s bus service until 2020 when RTD cut the bus route near my house.

RTD’s on-demand service enables me to live an active life. On-demand is cheaper and far superior to RTD’s Paratransit’s reserve-ahead service which costs taxpayers $58 per ride.

Many people with disabilities have busy lives, working, volunteering and giving back to our community, and we rely on the on-demand service, particularly where buses are not available.

RTD is making an aggressive effort to significantly reduce their on-demand service, while telling voters in ballot Measure 7A that funding is needed for “MAINTAINING THE AVAILABILITY OF SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.”

RTD is focusing on reducing, not maintaining, services and they are spending an exorbitant amount on staff to get it done. The general public should be aware of RTD’s efforts to severely cut services while asking for funds to maintain them. Citing the transportation needs of people with disabilities is clearly considered to be a good strategy for getting this measure passed, but this misinformation and half-truths are reprehensible.

RTD is the biggest tax collector in Colorado and this ballot measure is a blank check. I support this measure because maintaining on-demand service is so helpful to living a quality life. It is cheaper than Paratransit and empty buses rolling through the city.

We need good public transportation, and beyond this ballot measure, we must demand more accountability from RTD upper management and the Board of Directors.

— Judy Dixon, Boulder

Drawbacks of Prop 131 are undeniable

In 2020, 78% of Boulder voters voted for a citywide ranked-choice voting system (RCV). Last year, Boulder elected its first mayor using that system. Like many in Boulder, I voted in favor of the 2020 initiative and am a supporter of RCV. At first glance, Prop 131 on our current ballot seems like it does little more than expand RCV statewide, but the devil is in the details.

Prop 131 is not the straightforward RCV initiative we backed in Boulder. Instead, it introduces “jungle primary” elections, where the top four candidates — regardless of party affiliation — advance to the general election. While weakening political parties might appeal to some, the unintended consequences of jungle primaries far outweigh any potential benefit.

Simply put, Prop 131 will flood our elections with more money. Candidates will be forced to raise significant funds to compete in a crowded field, favoring independently wealthy candidates and opening the door for special interests to dominate the campaigning process. Over the years, Colorado has become the gold standard in elections thanks to the voters’ repeated rejections of increasing money in our elections. Those best-in-nation election laws have produced great outcomes, from steadily rising voter turnout to a diverse legislature. That’s a trend we want to continue, not reverse.

I like RCV as much as the next Boulder voter, and I would support RCV being used across the state. However, the drawbacks of Prop 131 are undeniable. I urge you to vote “no” on Prop 131.

— Liz Marasco, board member, Colorado Common Cause, Boulder

Who does Neguse represent?

Rep. Joe Neguse has to date received $107,000 in donations from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee or AIPAC. AIPAC is a pro-Israel lobby, essentially a foreign lobby influencing U.S. policy and elections. (AIPAC is already likely responsible for removing some of our representatives from office.) At the same time, Neguse has once again locked constituents out of the hallway leading to his office. These are constituents who are upset at Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza, the West Bank and now Lebanon. Is there a problem here? The weapons for this genocide are paid for by U.S. taxpayers. But Neguse won’t even talk to us about this deadly issue and continues to support sending more and more weapons to Israel.

— Nancy Sullo, Boulder

Dolores Canyons are natural treasures

Sara Kuntzler’s guest opinion (Oct 8) to protect the Dolores Canyons is spot on. The canyons offer a living classroom where young people can connect with nature far beyond textbooks. The rock layers in canyon walls can bring a geology text to life.

A soaring peregrine falcon can leave a lasting impression on a student, sparking a lifelong passion for biology and conservation. By seeing ancient petroglyphs, they learn to appreciate our deep and rich history with the land.

The Dolores Canyons are among Colorado’s most remarkable natural treasures, and it’s crucial that we act now to protect them for the benefit of future generations and the young people of today. Designating the area as a national monument is the best tool available to ensure its preservation and safeguard its well-being for years to come.

— Henry Stiles, Lafayette

Fall is time for breast health awareness

This time of year is typically associated with Breast Cancer Awareness Month. While breast health is incredibly important, and it is the second most common cancer among women in the United States, women’s health is a lifelong continuum.

As an M.D. in family medicine, the main health issues I suggest women consider when caring for their overall health include contraceptive care, breast cancer, gestational diabetes, cervical cancer and more.

For a woman considering a family, it’s important to know immunizations are recommended prior to, during or after pregnancy, to protect mother and child. These may include whooping cough during pregnancy, flu and RSV.

On the other end of the spectrum, menopause is another critically important time when women should be in tune with their overall health. This occurs most often in women older than 45, when hormone levels start to decline.

Yet heart disease is the No. 1 killer for women in the U.S. In 2021, heart disease was responsible for 310,661 deaths in women, or one in every five females.

You can lower your risk of heart disease by regularly checking your blood pressure and keeping it in a healthy range, checking for diabetes, and keeping your blood sugar levels in a healthy range. It can also reduce your risk of heart disease if you quit smoking, limit alcohol, stay active, and make healthy food choices.

This fall, I remind women it is important to remain vigilant year-round in being fully aware of the symptoms and risk factors for breast cancer, as well as steps they can take to improve their overall health.

— Dr. Kylie Beukema, Broomfield

Donald Trump and reproductive rights

I’m too old to become pregnant, so I write this not on my behalf but that of those who can. Allowing anyone, but particularly a male — and an old, capricious and quixotic one at that — to determine what a female can do with her body is obscene.

Trump’s rhetoric on the subject of pregnancy has gone from calling himself “the father of IVF” to saying “abortion should be banned after x (the number keeps shifting) weeks” of pregnancy. He doesn’t know what he thinks; his policy du jour will be the same as that of the last person he heard speak about the subject.

Everyone who cares about an individual female or females should find the idea of a second Trump presidency abhorrent. So should anyone who still believes in America as a free country. An authoritarian like Trump may start by taking away the right of females to decide what’s best for their bodies, but it won’t end there.

Think carefully about the freedom you’d least like to lose before putting a check mark in front of Trump’s name.

— Barbara J. Kelly, Broomfield