Executive Director of Colorado Common Cause , Jenny Rose Flanagan, recently wrote an article explaining the work her office is doing to monitor American Recovery and Reinvestment Act spending. Common Cause Colorado is currently working with other state groups to ensure that Colorado stimulus funds are invested in an accountable and transparent manner.  Read more after the jump.

A Statement from Colorado Common Cause:

"Denver--It's a sad day in Colorado.  Over the last 150 years, the Rocky Mountain News has established a strong tradition of reporting on the local issues that matter to Coloradans. From award-winning investigative reporting to their distinctive political perspective on the editorial pages, the Rocky has been a consistent voice on the issues of the day.

While we will mourn the loss of the Rocky, we are troubled by what this loss means for the future of journalism in Colorado and beyond.  The Rocky Mountain News is not the first newspaper to announce plans to close in recent months, and unfortunately, it won't be the last.  The Rocky's closure is more than the loss of a single newspaper, it's just one example of a failing model for the news industry.  Although print media has become less popular, the desire--and need--for diverse and independent journalism has not.

An informed citizenry requires a diverse and independent media.  Newspapers have long been the medium to connect neighbors, inform communities, and give us the information necessary to hold government leaders accountable.  As more Coloradans choose to get their news online, we must ensure that the news they get continues to meet the standards set by the Rocky Mountain News and other print media."

Editor's note: This rally has been canceled. See this post.

The Rocky Mountain News is in trouble, after 150 years. So much trouble, in fact, that they could make the announcement to close any day. Journalism is in crisis not just in Colorado, but around the country.

We're teaming up with the good people at IWantMyRocky.com to speak out for the Rocky Mountain News and good journalism everywhere.

What: Rally to support Rocky Mountain News
Where: Outside Denver Newspaper Agency at 101 W Colfax Ave.
When: Sunday, March 1st
Time: 11:30AM

The story of the Rocky's demise should put us all on alert to the threat to journalism at large. While newspaper readership is on the rise, we are changing the ways we consume it. Our centers for good investigative reporting are not being supported to do their important work.

We need more voices fighting for the independent reporting that is the bedrock of our democracy. Without good reporters, we will no longer be able to hold power accountable.

Now more than ever, we need professional journalism to guide us and watchdog powerful interests. Information is power!

Please join us this Sunday.

One thing to watch in Colorado...

Overuse of provisional ballots.

According to Election Protection Officials, including Common Cause Colorado, many counties are immediately driving voters to use provisional ballots at any sign of a discrepancy.  Protocol is for poll workers and election officials to call their County Clerks to double check the database.

There has been reports of voter intimation early on in Weld County, were police officer were checking IDs and camped out in primarily Latino Voter Precincts.  Also at Colorado College.

Colorado Independent has been keeping good track of problems in Colorado.

Generally things have been quiet on the Western front with a few hiccups.  Many voters have had to vote on provisional ballots because of the voter purge confusion or not showing up on voter rolls despite knowing they registered.

One major hiccup coming from Weld County.  There have been reports from Hispanic voters leaving polling location without voting because information is only provided in English ONLY.  Most of the voter information, including ballots were not translated into Spanish.  Some voters have waited at their polling location until a family member arrived that could translate this information.

I experienced something similar in 2006 in Iowa, where I had to translate the entire ballot for a family that could only read in Spanish. There were no pollworkers that could speak Spanish or materials translated.  
Colorado unlike Iowa does not have an English only law.

Colorado blog Square State has more information.

The sky is falling on Wall Street and now more than ever we need all the information we can detailing the possible impacts for Americans. What are the news stories about the financial bailout telling you? Do we know any real details about proposed legislation? How many and what kinds of experts have been asked about these details? Where are the headlines with possible outcomes for Colorado? All I can find are articles mentioning the bailout, only to have the rest of the article about horse race campaign issues.

We see the same headlines in every newspaper in every town. Where are the guts of the stories?

We need a diverse marketplace of ideas in times like these, not superficial headlines that are sent down to all the local newspapers and TV stations from just a few corporate owners. Look at what several Colorado newspapers are running and notice that all but one are written by the Associated Press, instead of local journalists.

The Denver Post Bailout defeated in House; stocks plunge (Associated Press)
The Rocky Mountain News Stunning defeat in House for economic bailout; stock plunge a record (Associated Press)
Durango Herald Durango businesses feel the crunch (local story)
The Pueblo Chieftain DENIED! - House defeats $700B financial markets bailout (Associated Press)
Daily Camera Stunning defeat for economy bailout; stocks plunge (Associated Press)
The Coloradoan House rejects bailout plan (Associated Press)

OneWeb Day is a celebration. We are celebrating the success and vitality of the internet. Our activities online have transformed from entertainment only activities to those vital for the functioning of our democracy. Join Common Cause in celebrating OneWeb Day!

From the online Rocky Mountain News

Unlike television, radio, or any other medium we have known, the Web has been built by the people who use it. We all share the Internet, and should share in shaping its future. Yet many of us take the Web for granted, assuming it will always be a place where the next "big idea" can thrive. Similarly, far too many who want Internet access cannot get it, shutting them out of modern society and depriving us all of their creativity. To bring attention to these threats and challenges, activists, academics and entrepreneurs around the globe are celebrating OneWebDay today. Akin to an Earth Day for the Web, the theme of this third annual OneWebDay focuses on the impact the Web has on participatory democracy.

The FOX news affiliate in Las Vegas (KVVU) now has McDonald's product placement right smack in the middle of news programming.

The consolidation of our broadcast stations into large conglomerates, like that of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation, means that it's more difficult to tell when they are doing something they shouldn't be, like putting McDonald's iced coffee in front of newscasters.

Who's going to call them out? The other broadcast station, also owned by a large media conglomerate, that is or has plans to do the same thing?

If most of us are getting our news from hundreds of outlets, but they are owned by only a handful of corporations, the watchdog media has morphed into an excited lapdog for wealthy special interests.

Take Action!!