Scanlon for Colorado

Category: Uncategorized

  • 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.”

  • 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.

  • 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!

  • 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!

  • Next Steps For Dems At The Colorado Legislature

    I had a great lunch with a Democratic Representative yesterday. We talked Democratic Party politics and the future of the legislature here in Colorado.

    “The biggest obstacle to progress in Colorado is the Democratic Party,” they said.

    OUCH! I mean, seriously, as someone who has poured way too much time and treasure into this party of ours, this is not what I want to hear.

    They cited the fact that a few key pieces of legislation sailed through both chambers with all Dems voting yes, only to be vetoed by Governor Polis. For example, the Workers Protection Act.

    C’mon Guv!?!

    I asked what I think is an obvious question (and they had a ready answer):
    We Dems have had both chambers and the Governor’s office for at least a few sessions now. If there’s some burning issue, why haven’t we done it? And what is left to do, and why haven’t we done it yet?

    (This provoked the answer about the Democratic Party being the biggest obstacle to progress.)

    Short summary of a long answer:

    “Things to do still” includes private prisons. We have too many of them. “We have a higher prison population than Russia, North Korea, and China.” Yikes. Private prison reform. I’m already leaning yes.

    We talked about the need for workers to get equity. Actually, this was the one subject where I did all the talking. This is one of my core issues. Workers deserve equity for their labor. Whether we use existing programs like ESOPs or 401(k) match, worker councils or co-ops, there are plenty of existing means to get workers a slice of the pie they prepare and bake.

    I left them with what I tell everyone. I’m going to organize HD32 as best I can. This way, whether I win or lose, I’ll feel good knowing that our party is better organized in this very blue district with a history of low voter turnout. The goal being a better Dem turnout in November 2026 so we elect a Dem our new Attorney General (I’m leaning to Crisanta Duran, they are “1000%” behind David Seligman). And a Dem as our new Governor (we’re both leaning towards Phil Weiser, we both agree Michael Bennet would also be a great Governor). And so the whole slate will fare better.

  • Why Fed Independence Matters To You, And Firing Federal Officials For Mortgage Fraud

    President Trump, who more and more is exhibiting alarming displays of incoherence and possible dementia, announced today that he is seeking to remove one of the leaders of the Federal Reserve. His game plan is somewhat transparent. He knows there’s a chance his tariffs will drive the economy into a ditch (that chance being about 95-99%) and so he’s setting up the Fed to blame them for not moving fast enough to lower interest rates.

    President Trump’s justification for removing Fed Governor Lisa Cook is based on an allegation that she committed mortgage fraud.

    I’m very glad to hear that mortgage fraud has risen to the level of job termination of federal officials. Congress should move immediately to examine every mortgage Donald Trump ever signed.

    Long term, the issue of Fed independence is no joking matter. The dollar is the world’s reserve currency, we have the greatest economy in the world. But not by accident. An independent central bank is critical to a healthy capitalist economy.

    Here’s a quick primer:

    Why Fed Independence Matters:

    • Monetary Policy Effectiveness: An independent Federal Reserve can make difficult but necessary decisions based on economic data rather than political cycles, allowing for timely interest rate adjustments and inflation control without regard to election timing or political pressure from either party.
    • Credibility and Inflation Expectations: Markets and consumers trust that the Fed will maintain price stability over the long term when it operates independently, which helps anchor inflation expectations and makes monetary policy more effective at managing economic cycles.
    • Protection from Short-Term Political Pressures: Independence shields the Fed from demands for easy money policies that might provide short-term economic boosts but create long-term instability, allowing for consistent policy frameworks that support sustainable economic growth.

    Likely Market Outcomes if Independence is Compromised:

    If markets lose confidence in Fed independence, several negative consequences would likely emerge. Bond markets would probably demand higher risk premiums, driving up long-term interest rates as investors price in greater uncertainty about future inflation and monetary policy consistency. The dollar could weaken significantly as international investors question the Fed’s commitment to price stability, potentially triggering capital outflows. Inflation expectations would likely become unanchored, making it much harder and more costly for the Fed to control actual inflation. Additionally, market volatility would increase as investors struggle to predict policy changes based on political rather than economic considerations, and the Fed’s forward guidance would lose much of its power to influence economic behavior.

    The biggest damage of all will likely come from the rising interest rates. Rising interest rates kill the federal budget because of the huge debt load the federal government is servicing.

    Independence for the Fed! It might not make for a sexy political tagline, but it sure is vital.

  • The Big News From Gabe Evans Office!

    Here in Commerce City, we’re currently represented at the U.S. House of Representatives by a fellow named Gabe Evans.
    Gabe has completely kowtowed to the Trump Administration’s unconstitutional actions. He and his fellow Republicans have ceded all the power and control Congress is enshrined with, the first and most important instance being “the power of the purse.” Our Founding Fathers put Congress first in the Constitution, in Article 1, for a reason. They didn’t want a King. They didn’t want a dictator. They wanted a system of checks and balances.

    Gabe Evans likeness courtesy of Claude’s free AI version

    In reality, the federal government currently has no checks on President Trump, and there is no balance in D.C., which is under military occupation. Rights are being stripped from people, some of whom disappear off the street. Poor people are seeing their safety net removed. Science research has been severely, and likely permanently, disrupted. The climate crisis is ignored completely, as if that will fix the problem.
    Well, good news! In his August 25th newsletter, our Congressman Gabe Evans assures us he’s been “fight[ing] for Colorandans.” Here’s the run down:
    Top Story: He “Attended the Colorado Chamber Congressional Luncheon”
    Seriously. The biggest, most impactful thing our Congressman did for us last month was share a lunch with Democrats and other business leaders.
    I guess it’s a start. Maybe he’s just warming up the newsletter. What’s Top Story #2?
    2 “Held a Roundtable with the U.S. and Thornton Area Chamber of Commerce”
    OK, more talking, and perhaps some listening. Better than nothing. 3?
    3 “Listening to Local Leaders”
    Now this one is interesting, because there’s a picture accompanying it, but there’s no date, name of the group that called the meeting, or a location of the meeting. Still, it was “great.”
    “It was great to hear from local leaders and share an update on the One Big Beautiful Bill, which increases funding for border security and public safety, reduces waste and fraud in Medicaid while increasing funding over 10 years, and enables businesses to grow and make investments in our community.
    “It’s always an honor to hear from boots on the ground fighters in Colorado. I’m so thankful we can work together to find more ways to stand up for CO-08 in Congress.”
    So, lots of listening.
    Other accomplishments of late include “Connecting with Colorado Drivers” and “Supporting CO-08 Veteran Run Businesses”.
    Is underwhelming too soft?
    The only positive thing in this newsletter is his survey, click here if you want to share your opinion with his office.
    I don’t know about you, but a Congressman citing “listening” as all his top accomplishments, its a little bit like a grocery store clerk bragging about showing up to work. Great. And?
    Click here for the archive of newsletters from Evans’s office, currently only updated through March 2025.
    To see the entirety of the lame email I dissected above, email me at michael@scanlonforcolorado.com and I’ll FWD it to you.

  • A New American Patriotism

    It was great to see Dems from across Adams County at tonight’s annual JFK Dinner.

    For the uninitiated, the JFK is our big annual hoo-ha, and you know, its fun to get all dressed up once a year and have a nice meal with so many old friends.

    Our Keynote Speaker this year was Congressman Jason Crow.

    Congressman Crow is a natural, and his military career following a stint in construction has a little something in it for everyone. A hero from January 6 and the insurrection attempt, he weaves together a tale of his comrades from his unit and his efforts to block the door and keep a mob out of the House chamber. It’s compelling and gripping.

    Congressman Crow spoke about a New American Patriotism. Instead of me trying to summarize it, here’s a podcast where he elaborates on it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76nDtAhShc8.

    He talks about the on-going need, always, for citizenry to be involved and engaged. Our great nation isn’t inevitable, there is no savior institution. It’s people standing up and earning it and making sacrifices. He cites numerous historical milestones like suffragettes and the Civil War.

    I’m on board Congressman Crow!

    Here’s to a New American Patriotism!

  • It’s OK To Not Be OK

    Breaking the Silence in Commerce City and Beyond

    Something powerful is happening in our communities. After decades of whispered conversations and hidden struggles, we’re finally saying out loud what we’ve always known in our hearts: it’s OK to not be OK.

    For too long, mental health has been treated as a personal failing rather than a health issue. In working-class communities like Commerce City and Welby, the pressure to “tough it out” runs deep. We’ve been taught that asking for help is weakness, that admitting you’re struggling somehow makes you less of a provider, less of a parent, less of a person.

    That ends now.

    The Facts We Can’t Ignore

    Mental health challenges affect 1 in 5 Americans every year. In Colorado, we’ve seen alarming increases in anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation, particularly among our young people. The COVID pandemic didn’t create these problems, but it exposed just how fragile our mental health infrastructure really is.

    Here’s what we know: mental health is health, period. Just like we wouldn’t tell someone with diabetes to “think positive thoughts” instead of taking insulin, we can’t treat mental health challenges as character defects that people should just overcome on their own.

    Why This Matters for HD32

    When I knock doors in Commerce City, I hear the same stories over and over. Parents worried about their teenagers who seem withdrawn and anxious. Workers struggling with depression but afraid to take time off. Seniors feeling isolated and forgotten. Veterans carrying invisible wounds that never fully heal.

    These aren’t isolated problems – they’re community challenges that require community solutions.

    What We Can Do

    As your representative in HD32, I will fight for:

    • Full mental health parity – Insurance companies must cover mental health treatment the same way they cover physical health
    • School-based mental health programs – Every student should have access to counseling and support
    • Crisis intervention training – Our first responders need better tools to help people in mental health emergencies
    • Workplace mental health protections – No one should lose their job for seeking help
    • Community mental health centers – Accessible, affordable care in every neighborhood

    The Permission You Don’t Need (But I’m Giving Anyway)

    If you’re reading this and struggling, here’s your permission slip: You are allowed to not be OK. You are allowed to ask for help. You are allowed to prioritize your mental health without guilt or shame.

    You are not broken. You are not weak. You are human.

    Resources That Are Here for Us Right Now

    • 988 – Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text, 24/7)
    • Colorado Crisis Services – Text TALK to 38255
    • Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741
    • NAMI Colorado – Support groups and resources statewide

    Moving Forward Together

    The conversation about mental health isn’t just changing in legislative chambers and healthcare boardrooms. It’s changing around kitchen tables, in break rooms, at community centers, and yes, even on social media.

    Every time someone says “I’m struggling and that’s OK,” they make it easier for the next person to speak up. Every time we treat mental health as seriously as we treat physical health, we save lives.

    This is what it means to put working families first. It means acknowledging that our mental health is just as important as our paycheck, our benefits, and our job security. Because what good is economic opportunity if we’re not healthy enough – mentally and physically – to seize it?

    In HD32, we’re going to lead this conversation, not follow it. We’re going to make sure every family has access to the mental health resources they need. And we’re going to keep saying, loud and clear, that it’s OK to not be OK.

    Because that’s how we heal – together.

    If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out for help. You matter. You bring irreplaceable value. There are people who want to support you.