Outside the Springs

It's no secret that Colorado's seen a considerable influx of people over the past 10 years. Indeed, according to the most recent U.S. Census, Colorado gained 744,518 new residents between 2010 and 2020. That's an increase of 14.8 percent and they all need affordable housing.

What do you think of when someone mentions Critical Race Theory (CRT)? Perhaps you follow Fox and think CRT is left-wing ideology designed to brainwash kids. Or perhaps you follow CNN and think CRT is necessary to break down a system that's inherently racist.

It's no secret that Colorado's seen an influx of people over the past 10 years. Indeed, according to the most recent U.S. Census, Colorado gained 744,518 new residents between 2010 and 2020. That's an increase of 14.8 percent.

At any given time in Colorado, there are around 9,619 men, women and children experiencing homelessness, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Most of these people have shelter, but approximately 2,188 are unsheltered, meaning they're sleeping in a place not designed for such — think under a bridge, a park bench, etc. Obviously, this is a problem.

“There is no doubt in my mind that millions of lives could have been saved if the people were not ‘brainwashed’ about gun ownership and had been well armed. ... Gun haters always want to forget the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, which is a perfect example of how a ragtag, half-starved group of Jews took 10 handguns and made asses out of the Nazis.” — Theodore Haas, Dachau survivor.

When I graduated from college in 2010, I walked away owing nothing. In fact, I was paid to go to college, courtesy of the United States Air Force. I chose this path because growing up it was emphasized that debt could cripple you, so stay out of it unless you're buying a house.

"This one trick will help you lose belly fat!"

"Erase wrinkles, now! Click here to find out how."

In 1980, the average cost of tuition at a four-year public university was $1,856 per year in the U.S., after adjusting for inflation. But by 2020, that rate rose to an average of $9,403. That is a significant increase.

In November 2007, my husband and I purchased our first home in Colorado Springs for $142,000. It was a quaint, 930 sq. ft. house in the downtown area that needed a bit of remodeling, but nothing too extensive.

On May 20, House Bill 21-1108, "Gender Identity Expression Anti-discrimination," also known as the Equality Act, was signed into law. When it goes into effect on Aug. 18, 2021, Colorado will join more than 20 states protecting "gender expression" and "gender identity." Sounds innocuous, right?