WEEK OF NOVEMBER 28, 2024
VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 22
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SPECIAL HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS EDITION Former Vice President Mike Pence visits Colorado Christian University as inaugural President’s Speaker Series lecturer
Council formalizes policy rules for members elected to other offices BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Former Vice President Mike Pence addresses the crowd at CCU for the inaugural President’s Speaker Series keynote.
Trump’s first VP warns against populism, says his decision to certify the 2020 election results was “worth the cost” BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Former Vice President Mike Pence paid a visit to Colorado Christian University for the institution’s inaugural President’s Speaker Series, where he participated in a luncheon, presented scholarships, gave a keynote lecture and fielded questions from CCU President Eric Hogue during a Q&A session. Pence’s visit on Nov. 15 saw
the former vice president — along with Hogue and Centennial Institute (a conservative think tank operated out of CCU) Director Greg Schaller — discuss a number of issues, including the relationship between Christianity and conservativism, gay marriage, abortion and Pence’s political career. Serving as Vice President during Donald Trump’s first term, Pence notably played a central role in the Jan. 6, 2021 United States Capitol attack by refusing to acquiesce to demands that he reject Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 Presidential Election, all while rioters erected a gallows nearby and chanted to “Hang Mike Pence.” The former Governor of Indiana was not chosen as Trump’s running mate in this
VOICES: 10 | HOLIDAYS: 12 | CALENDAR: 27
year’s election, where his place on the ballot was filled by Vice President-Elect J.D. Vance — a move largely speculated to be due to, in part, Pence’s actions on Jan. 6, 2021. “It’s worth the cost,” Pence said of his decision to certify the 2020 election results and the impact the events had on his political career. He added that he believes that “our calling” is “supporting, defending and upholding the constitution.” Nevertheless, Pence said he and his wife Karen “offered our most sincere congratulations to President Trump” after Trump’s victory in the 2024 Presidential Election. He then warned against populism and said that he feels the Republican Party needs to stick to the “traditional conservative agenda.”
PHOTO BY RYLEE DUNN
“We have a time of great opportunity… but I also believe it is a time of concern,” Pence said. “For those of us who believe in a traditional conservative agenda, we need to heed to our roots and ensure that our majority and leadership stays on the path… The truth is there’s been an erosion. “Even if Republicans have achieved a monumental victory this year, we’ve also faced an erosion that seems to be taking place when it comes to our deepest values and our ideals and our principles,” Pence continued. Pence then referenced a speech he gave at St. Anthony’s College while he was running for president in 2023. SEE PENCE, P2
It was a busy night for Arvada’s City Council, as a policy for councilmembers elected to other offices and an agreement approving Broomfield’s withdrawal from the Jefferson Parkway project were approved. The six remaining Arvada City Councilmembers convened for their typical business meeting on Nov. 18 — the first meeting without former Councilmember Lisa Feret, who was recently elected to serve as the Colorado House District 24 Representative andresigned from her council seat on Nov. 11. As applications to fill Feret’s spot on council roll in, Arvada’s City Council approved a resolution adopting a formal policy for councilmembers who are elected to another office during their council term. The city previously had no such policy in its charter. The new policy states that the councilmember must resign before they are sworn into their new office, and formally prohibits Arvada City Councilmembers from being employed by another municipality or the City of Arvada. Arvada City Attorney Rachel Morris said she contacted six municipalities in the area to see what their policies are and found that four to five of the six have similar policies to the one Arvada’s City Council Passed. One municipality had a policy mandating that city councilmembers resign the Tuesday after the election if they are determined to be the winner of that race. Councilmember John Marriott voted no on the resolution, stating that he believes councilmembers should have to resign on a more rapid timeline than the policy allows. “I think the intent of our charter was clear; that you shouldn’t be serving in two elected offices at the same time,” Marriott said. “And I think it’s finessing the situation to say that you’re not serving in another office until you’re sworn in. “I think in the case of members of city council who are elected to the state legislature,” Marriott continued. SEE COUNCIL, P6
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