James O'Rourke
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james-e-orourke.bsky.social
James O'Rourke
@james-e-orourke.bsky.social
81 followers 100 following 13 posts
Investigative reporter (and sometimes film critic) @coloradotimesrecorder.com
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Reposted by James O'Rourke
beedle.bsky.social
Erin Lee says they still need 100,000 signatures to get the initiatives on the ballot.
November 21, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Reposted by James O'Rourke
beedle.bsky.social
Good evening. I’m in Windsor for a presentation on gender-affirming care (not in support of)
November 21, 2025 at 12:59 AM
james-e-orourke.bsky.social
New from me: I sifted through all the ballot initiatives on the Colorado Title Board's website that have been proposed for 2026.

That's right, all of 87 of them (to this date).

Here's what I learned:
coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/11/adva...
Analysis: Conservative Dark Money Group Dominates Colorado's Ballot Initiative Process for 2026
Ostensibly, ballot initiatives are meant as a way for the average citizen to create political change without the Legislature. But over half of the initiatives which could be put to...
coloradotimesrecorder.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Reposted by James O'Rourke
coloradotimesrecorder.com
Over half of the initiatives which could be put to Colorado voters in 2026 have been spawned by a single dark money group, a Colorado Times Recorder analysis has found.
coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/11/adva...
Analysis: Conservative Dark Money Group Dominates Colorado's Ballot Initiative Process for 2026
Ostensibly, ballot initiatives are meant as a way for the average citizen to create political change without the Legislature. But over half of the initiatives which could be put to...
coloradotimesrecorder.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Reposted by James O'Rourke
katelynburns.com
This piece is can't miss
msjpauly.bsky.social Madison Pauly @msjpauly.bsky.social · 1d
I’ve spent a lot of the last three years investigating the rise of anti-trans politics. Often, it came back to the controversy over trans women athletes.

So I teamed up with @pablo.show to look into the leading figure on the issue: Riley Gaines.

www.motherjones.com/politics/202... 1/
How right-wing superstar Riley Gaines built an anti-trans empire
The swimmer tied a trans woman for fifth. The MAGA industrial complex took care of the rest.
www.motherjones.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Reposted by James O'Rourke
erikm.bsky.social
This was a hell of a claim to make anytime, much less two weeks before Thanksgiving. After I asked DIA about it, Evans sent a "clarification" to the podcast on which he said it, but wouldn't answer my questions.
November 20, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Reposted by James O'Rourke
beedle.bsky.social
I wrote about how everyone hates the filibuster:
coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/11/colo...
Colorado Republicans Criticize the Filibuster
During last week’s episode of the Truth and Liberty livecast, titled "Breaking the Gridlock," host Richard Harris, a prominent Republican activist, called for the end of the Senate filibuster. “It's.....
coloradotimesrecorder.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Reposted by James O'Rourke
loganmdavis.bsky.social
Only one member of Colorado's congressional delegation was mentioned in the Epstein emails released last week -- and, for some reason, only I have reported it.

coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/11/davi...
DAVIS: Which Member of Colorado's Congressional Delegation is Mentioned in the Epstein Emails?
You haven’t seen this reported anywhere yet, but a member of Colorado’s congressional delegation is mentioned in the tranche of emails released by the House Oversight Committee from Jeffrey Epstein’s....
coloradotimesrecorder.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Reposted by James O'Rourke
npr.org
The bishops' decision formalizes a yearslong process for the U.S. church to address transgender health care. They also approved a special message on immigration, expressing concern over enforcement and conditions in detention centers. n.pr/4hTblhM
U.S. bishops officially ban gender-affirming care at Catholic hospitals
The bishops' decision formalizes a yearslong process for the U.S. church to address transgender health care. They also approved a special message on immigration, expressing concern over enforcement and conditions in detention centers.
n.pr
November 13, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Reposted by James O'Rourke
jasonsalzman.bsky.social
@caitlynkim.bsky.social reports that DeGette said that “Democratic party leaders are trying to get enough signatures for a discharge petition on a three-year extension of the premium enhanced tax credit.” Will CO GOP House delegation sign it especially Hurd who’s expressed support for the subsidies?
November 13, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Reposted by James O'Rourke
erikm.bsky.social
Where else you gonna find Denver DSA and Turning Point USA events in one place?
November 12, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Reposted by James O'Rourke
samanthawrites.net
on Them today, my most room-temperature take of all time: democrats can, in fact, win elections without cynically abandoning trans civil rights at the first sign of trouble

www.them.us/story/2025-e...
Election Night Proved Democrats Don’t Need to Abandon Trans People to Win
Mamdani, Spanberger and other wins tell Dems: you don’t need to cave on transgender rights to win an election.
www.them.us
November 6, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Reposted by James O'Rourke
erikm.bsky.social
Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman has apparently called the race, even if it's not official yet- He just congratulated the winners on Facebook.
#copolitics
November 5, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Reposted by James O'Rourke
coloradonewsline.com
NEW: Far-right Colorado podcaster Joe Oltmann is suing MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, a onetime ally in the national election conspiracy theory movement, alleging Lindell breached the terms of $3 million loan agreement.
By @chasewoodruff.bsky.social
Far-right Colorado podcaster sues Mike Lindell, MyPillow over unpaid $3 million loan | Colorado Newsline
The suit alleges that Lindell secured a loan of $3 million from the plaintiffs in 2023 and has failed to make any payments since then.
coloradonewsline.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Reposted by James O'Rourke
loganmdavis.bsky.social
I have worked on just about every kind of race from dogcatcher to US Senate.

None of them hit me half as hard as watching Woodland Park take back its school district last night. I have never seen so many tears shed at a victorious election night party, as folks realized the nightmare was over.
November 5, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Reposted by James O'Rourke
beedle.bsky.social
Shoutout to the VA for getting me my FOIA response *on* election day. Better late than never, I guess.
coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/11/co-s...
CO Springs School Board Candidate has History of Complaints, Misconduct at VA
Eddie Waldrep, a candidate for the Academy School District 20 Board of Education, has touted his experience as clinical psychologist for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). His campaign website.....
coloradotimesrecorder.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Reposted by James O'Rourke
coloradotimesrecorder.com
Stepping up its involvement in anti-trans political campaigns, Colorado’s Catholic Bishops have directed parishioners to gather signatures at church to place initiatives on next year’s election ballot.
coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/10/turn...
Turning Catholic Churches into Campaign Hubs, Bishops Instruct Churches to Collect Signatures for Anti-Trans Ballot Initiatives
Stepping up its involvement in anti-trans political campaigns, Colorado's Catholic Bishops have directed parishioners to gather signatures at church to place anti-trans initiatives on next year's elec...
coloradotimesrecorder.com
October 31, 2025 at 6:52 PM
james-e-orourke.bsky.social
My latest for @coloradotimesrecorder.com: Colorado Catholic bishops, including Denver Archbishop Samuel Aquila, published a letter in August calling on parishes to host signature-gathering weekends for an anti-trans group's ballot initiatives.
coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/10/turn...
Turning Catholic Churches into Campaign Hubs, Bishops Instruct Churches to Collect Signatures for Anti-Trans Ballot Initiatives
Stepping up its involvement in anti-trans political campaigns, Colorado's Catholic Bishops have directed parishioners to gather signatures at church to place anti-trans initiatives on next year's elec...
coloradotimesrecorder.com
October 31, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Reposted by James O'Rourke
ashtonpittman.bsky.social
Trans people have warned for years that these anti-trans policies would hurt far more than just trans people.
gbbranstetter.bsky.social Gillian Branstetter @gbbranstetter.bsky.social · 23d
Citing a Trump executive order banning "gender ideology," the VA is withholding coverage and treatment for male veterans with breast cancer, an increasing condition among veterans exposed to toxic chemicals during service. 100 male veterans a year are diagnosed with breast cancer.
Citing Trump Order on “Biological Truth,” VA Makes It Harder for Male Veterans With Breast Cancer to Get Coverage
A Department of Veterans Affairs memo obtained by ProPublica erects new roadblocks to care for veterans with the rare but deadly cancer. The agency cites no new science but relies on an executive orde...
www.propublica.org
October 31, 2025 at 6:02 AM
Reposted by James O'Rourke
coloradotimesrecorder.com
Last week, two conservative Cherry Creek School Board candidates each received $5,000 donations from President Donald Trump's Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright, and his wife, according to state campaign finance records coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/10/trum...
Trump Cabinet Member Donates $5,000 to Two Cherry Creek School Board Candidates
Last week, two conservative Cherry Creek School Board candidates each received $5,000 donations from President Donald Trump's Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright, and his wife, according to state campai...
coloradotimesrecorder.com
October 29, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Reposted by James O'Rourke
coloradotimesrecorder.com
Fremont County Republican Stephanie Luck says she won't run for reelection to the statehouse, but hinted at a possible run for a different, perhaps bigger office. She also called one declared candidate a liar, while endorsing a new one.
State Legislator Won't Run For Final Term, Calls Opponent a Liar While Endorsing New Candidate
Colorado state Rep. Stephanie Luck (R-Penrose) will not run for reelection next year. Speaking at the Fremont County GOP monthly meeting last night, Luck cited the need to spend more...
coloradotimesrecorder.com
October 29, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Reposted by James O'Rourke
coloradotimesrecorder.com
Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO) is staying silent on the Trump Administration’s decision to cancel two Department of Energy (DOE) projects, totaling over $33 million, in his district. coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/10/evan...
Evans Remains Silent on Trump's Cancellation of Two Energy Projects in His District
Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO) is staying silent on the Trump Administration's decision to cancel two Department of Energy (DOE) projects, totaling over $33 million, in his district. Evans According to...
coloradotimesrecorder.com
October 27, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Reposted by James O'Rourke
beedle.bsky.social
My latest on the D49 Board of Education race:
coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/10/cons...
Conservatives Clash in CO Springs School Board Race
Two members of El Paso County School District 49’s (D49) conservative board majority are up for re-election this year. Should either Jamilynn D’Avola or Lori Thompson lose their race, the...
coloradotimesrecorder.com
October 23, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Reposted by James O'Rourke
coloradotimesrecorder.com
Chaos and fear reign in an underfunded, under-staffed school district, where nearly a dozen teachers told writer @loganmdavis.bsky.social with absolute certainty that they would be fired if they spoke on the record for this piece.

coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/10/bull...
Bully: The Crisis of Leadership in Montezuma-Cortez Schools
The phone call came through around 9pm while Cyndi Eldredge was watching television with her husband. On the other end of the line was her boss, Montezuma-Cortez School District superintendent...
coloradotimesrecorder.com
October 16, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Reposted by James O'Rourke
coloradotimesrecorder.com
New Fever Swamp Review!
CTR takes a look at candidates in D49 and D11, discussing prevailing issues in both districts, including the recent strike in D11.
coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/10/feve...
Fever Swamp Review Podcast: School Boarding 2: Elections
CTR takes a look at candidates in D49 and D11, discussing prevailing issues in both districts, including the recent strike in D11. https://youtu.be/lZvKGVzY3wA Also available on Spotify and Apple Podc...
coloradotimesrecorder.com
October 15, 2025 at 10:34 PM