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Colorado News Miner 153
Marx and Oltmann, Marx comment in context, election updates, ballot fiasco, Tina Peters, and more.
by Ari Armstrong, Copyright © 2026
Marx Watch
Marx Goes Full Oltmann: Kyle Clark: "GOP Gov nominee Victor Marx appeared Thursday [October 8] on the podcast of Joe Oltmann, who has called for the execution by hanging of Marx's opponent, Phil Weiser. Oltmann says Weiser is part of a 'Synagogue of Satan Jews' who run Colorado. Oltmann just endorsed Marx for governor." For Marx to align himself with Oltmann is disgusting and completely disqualifying. Especially given this, anyone knowing this who now votes for Marx is morally corrupt. I listened to the entire Oltmann-Marx interview (which also included the lieutenant governor candidate) and there is nothing redeeming about it. This is as bad a failure of judgment by a prominent state-level candidate as I've ever witnessed.
No Debate for You: Colorado Sun: "Victor Marx skips debate." Kyle Clark and CPR: At the candidates' one and only joint meeting, before the Colorado Chamber of Commerce, the candidates got all the questions in advance, and Marx read his prepared "answers." What an embarrassment for the Chamber, for the Republican Party, and for Colorado voters.
A Missed Opportunity: Love or hate Barb Kirkmeyer, she would have been an extremely tough debate opponent for Weiser. It's a shame Colorado voters cannot hear a real debate from candidates for the most important office in the state.
Marx's 'Unusual' Spending: CPR: "His expenditures show that he . . . relied on a trusted group of friends, family and previous associates with little to no experience in elections."
Domestic Violence Claims: John Frank claims, "Marx demanded that Weiser, the state's attorney general, apologize for accusing him of domestic violence in recent weeks" (link in original). Frank's claim is inaccurate in that Weiser never (directly) accused Marx of domestic violence. The link that Frank provides goes to a post, not by Weiser, but by the Colorado Democratic Party. True, video there juxtaposes Marx talking about slamming his wife into a door and making her cry with Weiser condemning domestic violence. But if you look at the original video, Weiser does not directly reference the Marx quote in question; rather he talks about domestic violence in the abstract. Further, although Frank claims Weiser "doubled down" during the Chamber of Commerce discussion in "accusing" Marx of domestic violence, that is simply not what Weiser said at all. Instead, Weiser said, "I want to be very clear. I have never said and won't talk about anything about your [Marx's] marriage, your family. I made a comment about the following statement. The statement was, this is verbatim, 'More girls and women wouldn't be abused by men if they were content with where God has them.' . . . . That statement says to victims of domestic violence that somehow it's their fault. My response about domestic violence is to survivors out there, it's not your fault." You can watch the abbreviated clip of Marx at 9News. Marx released the longer clip (see next item). I'll leave it to readers to evaluate the legal and moral status of Marx's behavior, as he described it, toward his wife and young child.
My Apology to Marx: Previously I said that Marx's "content" comment reflected "straight-up misogyny." That was inaccurate. Marx released the longer clip, and it's clear in context that Marx was talking about potential "singleness" (a woman being single) here. So Marx clearly is not saying that a woman should be "content" in a bad relationship so that she isn't abused; he's saying that a woman should be content to be single rather than enter an abusive relationship. Initially, based on the shorter clip, I misinterpreted Marx's meaning, and I apologize to Marx and to my readers for that. Weiser should publicly acknowledge that, like me, he got this one wrong. (Marx is still a terrible candidate and no one should vote for him!) Arguably Marx still is laying the blame for abuse at the feet of women; on the other hand, he says, "No guy should lay his hands on you physically or abuse you verbally."
Election Watch
CoCo Oopsie: Some 800,000 ballots improperly include the passenger rail measure limited to a geographic region. This is a major screw-up. Kyle Clark says it wasn't Jena Griswold's fault. Wayne Laugesen is not so forgiving.
Fentanyl Measure: Get More Smarter: "Debunking the damned lies around Prop 132 with CCJRC's Kyle Giddings."
Trafficking Measure: Jamie O'Rourke: "'Not Victim-Centered At All:' Trafficking Survivors Slam Anti-LGBTQ Group’s Ballot Measure as Harmful to Victims." As I have discussed, the measure is dangerously poorly written.
Trans Surgeries: S. Baum: "Colorado's Top Medical Groups Formally Oppose Anti-Trans Ballot Prop. 135."
Weiser on Socialism: CPR: "I'm not a socialist. I believe in the free market system. I believe in responsible regulation."
Crank and the Epstein Files: Lindsey Toomer and Wayne Laugesen offer very different perspectives.
Quick Takes
Peters and Trump Conspire on Elections: Kyle Clark: Felon Tina Peters met with Trump. Reportedly they discussed the possibility of seizing ballots. Meanwhile, Peters's attorney, speaking with Joe Oltmann, publicly said, "Donald Trump is not going to relinquish control again" in case of potential impeachment and removal. The attorney also teased the possibility of civil war with Trump declaring martial law and controlling the nation's weapons. Jared Polis, who once called Atlas Shrugged a great book, today is learning its lesson, "In any compromise between good and evil, it is only evil that can profit." Polis has said proposals to interfere with the elections are "dangerous." More from Lindsey Toomer and Steve Rabey.
CSU Rape Allegations: Hannah Metzger: "CSU fraternity brothers colluded to drug, rape woman, lawsuit claims."
Some in Colorado Colleges Embrace AI: CPR: "The AI Engaged Campus Designation gives a nod to schools that are getting out ahead of the brave new AI world with intentional policies and training for staff and faculty on how to use it ethically." Chalkbeat: "CU Denver's AI Hub aims to teach students and faculty about the technology."
School Racism Allegations: KRDO: "Sand Creek parent wants accountability a week after alleged racism from Lutheran High School at football game." KDVR: "Air Academy to forfeit homecoming football game to Lutheran High School." Good for Air Academy.
Flock You: Daily Sentinel: "Denver woman sues police, Flock Safety after being falsely accused of stealing package from porch."
Erin Lee's Daughter: Last year she said she was "embarrassed" that she previously identified as transgender and said she was "really, really confused" at the time.