Scanlon for Colorado

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  • An Open Letter To Yesterday’s DisEnchanted Voter

    WARNING: This blog posts contemplates the current state of America. In this analysis, I use some Teamsters language. Parental guidance is advised.
    Dear Voter,
    First, thanks for the time on the phone yesterday. I’m cold calling all over Commerce City these days and, well, I get a variety of reactions 🙂
    Second, no judgement here. Indeed, I’m pretty sure we have a ton in common, as I’ll get to.
    I speak to folks like you everyday. We regular folks are, ahem, frustrated at the current state of affairs. (My next blog post is titled Requiem to the US Constitution.)
    I hope you’re OK with me labeling you “disenchanted.” I think I could have used some Teamster language and you’d be nodding up and down at that too.
    I get it. It’s why I’m doing this damn campaign thing for the next year of my life.
    But there’s one thing I need to be clear on. You, you’re a smart fellow and I’m pretty sure you know this, but I have to point out that I’m not a revolutionary figure and I’m not going to forment any revolutionary change over here. I’m running for a major party nomination to be one of 65 legislators in one half of the bi-cameral Colorado legislature. That system was deliberately designed to keep would-be revolutionaries at bay, and then completely frustrate any who might somehow sneak in.
    So why am I running?
    First of all, our party got away from the working class people who not only made the damn Democratic Party, we built this whole fucking country damnit. And what we do we get? Seriously, on any given day, what do we get for it?
    Do we get a thanks? No. Do we get a raise? HA! Do our spouses cut us any slack? Do NOT answer that one, it’s a trick question!
    The point is, and you already know this, you feel this in your gut, we get shit on. We get shit on every day. And if I could change that, brother, believe me, I would.
    Of course, we all know I can’t.
    Here’s what I can do.
    I can campaign my ass off 6 days a week. I can tell any Eastablishment Figure who will listen that we working people are fed up and the fucking least you can do is provide food assistance.
    [Side Note: The Governor, God bless him, is asking everyone to give money and/or food to food banks as the federal government leaves the food assistance business. I am not. I am asking everyone to call Gabe Evans office:
    Washington DC Office
    1229 Longworth House Office Building
    Washington, DC 20515
    Phone: (202) 225-5625
    Greeley District Office
    3400 West 16th St, Building 1S
    Suite C
    Greeley, CO 80634
    Phone: (970) 324-2567
    Northglenn District Office
    10701 Melody Drive
    Suite 500
    Northglenn, CO 80234
    Phone: (303) 723-6560
    And ask them to restore the federal government. Food stamps, Medicaid, clean energy programs, put it all back. This is ridiculous.]
    You mentioned the great Wellington Webb. I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting him or Wilma. I told you I stole a page from his playbook. He famously walked Denver in his tennis shoes. I’m going to walk Commerce City in those steel toed shitkickers you see in my campaign logo.
    And if I’m honored to be elected as your Rep, I’ll wear those damn things every day. Not because they’re comfortable. Because they’ll be a constant reminder that I was born a mick on the wrong side of the tracks and I need to remember where I grew up and where I came from and who my people are.
    I wish it would somehow have a positive impact on your life, I wish I could somehow fix those outrageous health insurance premiums. Fuck, I wish I could get us a universal health care system. Argentina does it.* We just bailed them out. Why can’t we bail out Americans struggling with health care issues as well?
    So I get your frustration. You’re sure as hell not wrong.
    I don’t want to promise to be something I can’t. I can promise you this. I work from 3AM to 4PM six days a week. If I’m honored with the promotion of a lifetime, I’ll work hard every day to represent working people and working families. It’s all I’ve ever asked of my Rep’s, and frankly, I don’t think that’s asking a lot. You can certainly ask for more! You have my cell phone number, call or text me anytime. I need working people to keep it real for me!
    Keep being awesome.
    Sincerely,
    Michael Scanlon
    Candidate Colorado’s HD32
    9476 Sedailia St
    Commerce City, CO 80022

    * From Gemini: “The health care system in Argentina is complex and is composed of three main subsectors:
    “1 The Public Sector (State-run): This sector provides universal and free access to medical facilities, including emergency care, for all people in the country, regardless of nationality or ability to pay.”

  • #NoKings Commerce City – Reunion Version

    Today over 1,800 locations across America hosted No Kings rallies to protest the Trump Administration, his numerous unconstitutional actions, and his general desire to be a dictator.

    About 100 people turned out to Reunion Park for the initial gathering:

    There were no speeches other than Kristi, the organizer you can kind of see standing tall on a cooler in the middle of this picture. She was brief, reading an inspiring quote about what hope is.

    There was a no campaigning rule, so Chris and I had to just quietly work the crowd. Chris and I are opponents in this race, but we’re genuine friends too:

    After about an hour, we marched almost a mile (LOL) “across” Reunion to the intersection of Reunion Pkwy and 104th. This was surely the first ever political march in Reunion. Congrats Mr. President!

    We gathered at the intersection, where we heard constant honking from passers by who apparently also disapprove of the direction the President is taking our country.

    Luz Molina and I have been friends since the first Obama campaign in 2008. She’s in the middle of this picture, carrying a sign that says Love One Another. She’s currently running for city council and also plans to run for the HD32 seat I’m seeking.

    There were a few elected officials at our rally. Mayor Steve Douglas was there, as was his wife, City Councilwoman Kristi Douglas. City Councilwoman Susan Noble was in attendance as well. None of the candidates for CD8 were at our rally.

    It’s always inspiring to gather with like-minded members of the community to share energy and ideas and hopes and fears. Thanks to the organizers who made today’s No Kings rally happen in Commerce City!

    Someone said to me “Fascists use that flag.” I replied “I refuse to concede it to them. It stands for independence, freedom and represents what was once the greatest nation ever.” They seemed OK with that response.

  • #TBT – That Time Joe Biden Spoke In Commerce City

    The year was 2008. According to this picture, it was October 21st.

    Then Senator Joe Biden had been hand picked by our party’s nominee, Senator Barak Obama, to be the nominee for Vice President.

    Dutifully, Senator Biden jumped in full force and toured the nation touting Senator Obama and their national ticket. In 2008, Colorado was just becoming a battle ground state after years of being a fairly reliable red state.

    And it so it came to pass that one Joe Biden appeared in the gym of Adams City High School in core city Commerce City. The rally was in the “old” (or original, if you will) Adams City High School. The energy in the gym was VERY high. The Senator was on his game and clearly felt the wind at the back of their campaign. Former Republican Secretary of State Collin Powell, a highly respected individual in DC and across the nation, had just endorsed Senator Obama and his campaign for the White House.

    I’ll never forget Senator Biden saying “Collin Powell” a few times, and with each time a dramatic pause followed by a louder emphasis.

    I have a few videos somewhere, I carried my video camera with me that day.

    October 21, 2008. The day Joe Biden visited Commerce City, Colorado.

  • Musings On Turning 58

    I sent out a classic election campaign email today. October 8th being my birthday, and this being my 58th trip around the sun, well, I asked people to give me $58.
    You can give me $58 too, by clicking here: https://lnx.scanlonforcolorado.com/l/zul97xXpJ
    All in all, I have a lot to celebrate at this stage. Other than early onset glaucoma, I’m in reasonably good health. I still play hockey and workout at the gym regularly. I still love to hop on the bike and just ride.
    It’s a helluva thing, this campaigning stuff. I’m going to celebrate yet another birthday in 2026 before we get to the election. And this is far from unusual. My opponent has been in the race for most of this year. Poor bastard. [For the record, Chris Van Dyke is a great guy. There are plenty of reasons to vote for him. And I don’t begrudge people who plan to. Although I do want a chance to talk to those folks!]
    So today I feel like I can take the privilege of stepping back a little and looking at the big picture. The loss of my Mom earlier this year, and my cat just the other day, has had me a little melancholy and despondent. Not quite myself. The cloudy weather of the last few days hasn’t helped!
    These personal issues will pass and I’ll be fine.
    Then there’s my nation and the looming ecological collapse.
    On the Climate Crisis, I launched ClimateCon! over 2 years ago now. www.climatecon.world I continue to plug away every week, if not every day. Our next conference is Feb 2nd. The lineup continues to grow. I intend to continue to run ClimateCon!’s for the next 10 to 30 years, so stay tuned!
    It’s been a tough year for people working and laboring to bend the curve on the Climate Crisis. The Trump Administration has sought to cut back, if not outright cancel, dozens of programs and projects.
    Now the Trump Adminstration and Congressional Republicans have conspired to shut down the federal government. This is no typical shutdown, even though everyone appears to be acting like it is.
    This is an unconstitutional takeover of the federal budget process by the White House. The constitution gives the power of allocating money to the Congress. It is very clear. It’s literally Article 1.
    This administration has been aggressive in taking control of spending decisions that only Congress is permitted to make. And now, they’re using the shutdown to get even more aggressive. I saw a headline that they have eliminated a watchdog oversight group inside of ICE.
    ICE is allowed to work through the shutdown because they are “essential.” They’re not getting paid – no federal employees are right now, government shutdown. But the essential workers still work, and then get lumpsum payments once the government returns. At least that’s how it’s been in the past. Yesterday the OMB Director threatened not make good on paychecks to employees who are currently working without pay, like air traffic controllers.
    This shutdown is just one prong of the Trump Administration’s rising authoritarianism. He’s threatening to put troops in Chicago and Portland. He’s attacking and weakening our finest universities. He’s waging war on our immigrant communities. He’s grifting and grifting and grifting. He continues to do an amazing number of things Vladmir Putin would want him to do. Coincidentally, Trump went out of his way this week to praise Putin.
    Did I think this was where America would be when I approached my golden years? I did not.
    Is there anything I can do about it? I ask myself over and over. And then I remember.
    Oh yeah. I’m running for office.

  • Broncos Score A Huge Win Over The Eagles

    Today I’m going to take a break from politics, city issues, working class struggles, Medicaid cuts, and all the other issues I’m campaigning on, to address the most important matter in Colorado – getting the Denver Broncos back to the Super Bowl!

    Broncos fans, in case you missed it – and I’m ashamed to say I didn’t watch this classic – our beloved Broncos scored a huge, huge win on Sunday. (Here’s a link to the highlights, which already has 1.5M views in just 24 hours https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5VBE0pbjNw).

    It was huge because they beat the defending Super Bowl champs. It was huge because they beat a 4-0 team on the road.

    Most of all, it was huge because they were down by multiple possessions and staged a major come back to win this game.

    For years, I’ve talked about the extra challenge of quarterbacking the Denver Broncos. Talk about legacy. The Ring Of Fame at Mile High Stadium is engraved with the names John Elway and Peyton Manning, two of the greatest QBs in football history. Those are huge cleats to step into!

    Enter Bo Nix. I don’t know that I have the superlatives to properly assess the budding career of Mr. Nix. He threw one perfect pass after another. One was on a third and 15 situation, which he threaded perfectly just beyond the first down marker to move the sticks, keep the ball in his hands, and keep the offense marching down field.

    And then there was the gutsy call to go for 2.

    Conventional wisdom in football, when you score a touchdown and get the 6 points to bring a game within one point, the CW is to kick the extra point, which is almost assured, and tie this sucker up and hope for OT.

    Coach Payton went for the win. Down one point and with a chance to tie the game, Coach Payton opted to put the ball in Bo Nix’s trusty hands and go for two. Bo calmly dropped back and threw yet another perfect pass, converting the two point play and getting the Broncos on top late in the fourth. A lead they would never reliquish.

    It’s a team sport, I’m sure I’m missing a lot and leaving out a lot of praise that’s much deserved. Obviously the Broncos defense, already considered one of the better defensive units in the NFL, stood tall. Jalen Hurts sure as hell didn’t lie down and give up!

    Indeed, I’m no football expert analyst. But you don’t have to be an expert to see that this Broncos team is for real! It starts with the quarterback. You can’t win without an exceptional QB. And I’m sure most if not all Broncos fans agree with me – Bo Nix is the kind of exceptional QB you can win a title around!

    Go Broncos!

  • Why I’m Voting YES on Ballot Measure 6A for South Adams County Fire

    When it comes to public safety, our community deserves nothing but the best. That’s why I’m strongly supporting Ballot Measure 6A for the South Adams County Fire Department in this November’s municipal election. This measure represents a critical investment in the safety and well-being of everyone who lives, works, and visits our community.

    Issue 6A will directly improve emergency response capabilities by enabling faster response times, reducing ambulance transport costs for residents, and ensuring our firefighters and paramedics have modern, updated safety equipment. When seconds matter in an emergency, having properly equipped first responders who can reach you quickly can make the difference between life and death. This isn’t just about statistics—it’s about protecting our neighbors, our families, and ourselves.

    What I particularly appreciate about this measure is how thoughtfully it’s been designed to minimize the burden on families. The funding mechanism specifically exempts everyday essentials that families rely on, including groceries, diapers, prescriptions, and school supplies. This approach recognizes that we can invest in public safety without putting additional strain on household budgets for the items families need most.

    Furthermore, unlike a property tax increase, a sales tax increase will make sure visitors are paying for their share of the emergency services we deliver to them when needed.

    The improvements from 6A will benefit everyone who enjoys what our community has to offer. Whether you’re a long-time resident, a new homeowner, a business owner, or someone who visits our parks and local establishments, you’ll benefit from enhanced public safety infrastructure. Strong emergency services aren’t just good for residents—they’re good for our entire community’s vitality and growth.

    I encourage everyone to learn more about this important measure by visiting https://www.supportsacfd.com/, where you can find detailed information about how 6A will strengthen our fire department’s capabilities. The facts speak for themselves: this is a smart, responsible investment in our community’s safety infrastructure.

    As we head to the polls this November for the municipal election—well before my own race in the June 30th primary—I urge every voter to say YES on 6A. Our firefighters and paramedics show up for us every single day. Now it’s our turn to show up for them and ensure they have the resources needed to keep Commerce City safe. Vote YES on 6A.

  • Can We Make Traffic Lights Smarter?

    Am I the only one sick of sitting at a red light when there isn’t a single car in sight in any direction?
    Do we not have the technology to make smarter traffic lights? [Spoiler Alert: We TOTALLY have the technology to make traffic lights smarter!]
    Think about Hwy2 and 104th. That one’s my personal favorite. The (relatively) new light at Potomac and 104th is a real gem. Any light on Tower Road at 3am. The list of traffic lights that operate below 99% efficiency is probably 99% of traffic lights.
    We can make these lights – and traffic lights across Colorado – smarter. You would waste less time and gas. The air would be a teensy bit cleaner. Drivers would get less frustrated.

    Any traffic light engineers want to enlighten me? Seriously, please, comment below or email me at michael@scanlonforcolorado.com before I go and make some policy proposal that isn’t even technically feasible!

  • Climate Week Summary

    Last week, the largest climate gathering of the year in America, NY Climate Week, was held in conjunction with the annual United Nations confab aslo in NYC.

    As the Founder of ClimateCon!, (www.climatecon.world) I have an unyielding passion for all things climate and all possible solutions to the biggest challenge humanity faces.

    At the UN last week, the President of the United States showed up and lectured everybody. He said climate change is a “con job”, and frankly, if anyone can spot a con job, you’d think it would be President Trump. He said green energy is a waste of time. He was, as he so often is, wrong wrong and wrong.

    NY Climate Week was largely overshadowed by the UN confab and the disgraceful words from our President. Perhaps they’d be better off on any other week of the year?

    Here in Denver, the next ClimateCon! is February 2, 2026 at the Lowry Conference Center in Denver. Tickets can be purchased at www.climatecon.world. We’ll have over 20 sessions, and we’re already planning sessions around hydrogen automobiles (Colorado is getting its first hydrogen stations any day), Sustainable Air Fuels, Renaming Heat Pumps (they’re air conditioners too!) and so much more, check it all out at www.climatecon.world.

    Colorado continues to be a leader on climate. There are numerous examples, from the Governor’s office to indigineous tribes, Colorado has a number of leaders and initiatives on the climate front.

    And if I’m elected to the Colorado House, climate will be front and center on my list of concerns.

  • Commerce City Needs Proper Air Monitoring

    What’s the air quality today in our neighborhoods here in Commerce City?

    It’s hard for a lay person to judge. And in our modern, industrial society, tracking air pollution can be helpful for everything from deciding whether to go for jog today to determining where you want to raise your infant child.

    We here in Commerce City are living in the industrial heart of the Denver metro area. We have the only refinery in the state of Colorado for God’s sake. Seriously, who thinks Commerce City DOESN’T need air pollution monitoring?!

    Apparently the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE):

    https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/site_description.aspx#RFN

    Welby has a few air monitors, and this is a great thing. Thank you, CDPHE.

    Now, please, someone tell me how our leaders reached the decision that we don’t need a working air pollution monitor in Commerce City?

    Let me be clear. I’m not asking for one measly air pollution monitor. I demand them on all sides of the refinery, and up here on the north range as well.

    If I’m honored by the voters of this district to be our next Representative at the state Capitol, I promise you this: I’ll either make it happen, and/or I’ll piss off a bunch of bureaucrats trying.

  • Welby Days Recap

    This past Saturday, on September 20th, the Welby Neighbors Association hosted their annual Welby Days get together. They had a rockin’ band. (I’m sucker for any music from the 80’s.) They had some great food trucks. (The one I approached had run out of eggs and couldn’t do any more breakfast burritos.) And they had a ton of booths.

    Huge shoutout to Robin O’Dorisio for putting together a very successful event!

    First, a CD8 Watch update:

    Manny Rutinel was the only candidate to pay the hefty $25 fee and staff a booth at Welby Days. He had at least 4 volunteers and/or staff manning that sucker. And he personally walked the event shaking hands and chatting with folks.

    Shannon Bird’s name was spotted on a sign in sheet, so she apparently walked through early.

    No other candidate was spotted.

    HD32 update:

    There’s a Republican running for HD32. I didn’t catch his name, but interestingly, he’s not White, which probably wasn’t the image you had of a Republican candidate. It certainly wasn’t for me! I didn’t get a chance to talk to him. I salute Adams County Republicans for finding a Republican in Commerce City willing to run. I intend to be his opponent in the general, where I intend to whop his ass.

    As for the Democratic candidates for HD32, yours truly was the only one with a booth at the event. I spoke to 28 individuals about the state of our state and what they’d like to see more (or less!) of from the Colorado legislature.

    My awesome campaign manager, Brian Hewlett, has been lining up volunteers, and I want to thank Cal for taking the time to hang out and staff our booth. I promise to learn his last name!