The idea of replacing Junie with a rookie is ridiculous

Three game changers stood out in 2023 in Boulder.

First, Coach Prime for his profound impact in Folsom Field and on Boulder.

Second, his son Shedeur who is on track to be remembered as the most impactful male Boulder athlete in a generation.

Third is Representative Junie Joseph.

In 2022, Boulder elected her as the first Black Woman to represent us in the Colorado House of Representatives. It was historic! We were living up to the “equity” talk we so often espouse and she delivered by being one of the most impactful leaders at the Capitol.

In Junie’s first session, she passed 19 bills that became law, including ones to protect children, increase educational funding, lower the cost of housing and stop gun violence. Five of those bills were directly related to climate change, including her decarbonization bill HB 23-1272 that was named “one of the most substantial climate bills” passed in America in 2023.

Her leadership has earned the endorsements of state and national environmental organizations:

The Climate Cabinet uses data science to identify and endorse legislators in America making an “outsized” positive impact on addressing climate change. Junie was one of just 78 legislators nationwide they endorsed.

Lead Local endorsed Junie as one of just five “climate champions” in Colorado.

Conservation Colorado endorsed Junie for her leadership, too.

Gov. Jared Polis; Commissioners Marta Loachamin, Ashley Stolzmann and Claire Levy; Mayor Aaron Brockett; Attorney General Phil Weiser and dozens of Colorado legislators endorsed her to stay in the legislative game fighting for all of us.

The Jane Fonda Climate PAC, too, “…we can re-elect a leader who will prioritize climate action and lead by example.”

The idea of replacing Junie with a rookie is as ridiculous as Coach Prime benching Shedeur for someone who never played football.

I hope you will join me in voting for Junie!

— Tom Cosgrove, Boulder

Vote for POC in the Democratic Primary

Currently, we have the opportunity to advance several non-white candidates to the general election, depending on your district. Each of these candidates is uniquely qualified for their respective roles.

Attending the NAACP Candidate Forum earlier this month made me keenly aware that this primary election is characterized by racial divisions: nearly every contested office is between older or seasoned white candidates and a candidate of color.

Personally, I believe that prioritizing equity and trust over marketing dollars spent and name recognition is essential. While the right wing is busy killing off diversity and equity programs across the country, we have a chance to do the right thing by advancing people to positions of power where they would historically have little access. Do your research!

— Blake J. Stone, Boulder