Aaron Manzo is a high school senior at Denver East High School who currently holds a 3.0 GPA. Manzo’s academic achievements include Principal’s Honor Roll, Seal of Biliteracy, and passed the ACCESS Test. Manzo serves as an altar boy for Annunciation Church.
Favorite Book: Dune – Frank Herbert
Favorite Movie: The Batman (2022)
Favorite Subject: Social Studies or World Language
Favorite Music: Bruno Mars
Future Career: Film Directing
Hero: My parents, Rodrigo and Angelica Manzo
Favorite Hobby: Reading comics.
Favorite Social Media Follow: Canelo, Messi, Ronaldo
Words to live by: “Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.” – Proverbs 25:15
Community Involvement: Manzo volunteers at Church and has volunteered at events selling books.
Why is Community Involvement important? Manzo says, “Community involvement can open gates to many opportunities and allow you to engage and connect with other businesses and learn skills.”
If I could improve the world I would…
“…. donate a lot of money to charities to help people around the world.”
College of choice: Manzo has applied at the University of Colorado – Denver, Regis University, Metropolitan State University and Arizona State University.
D and H lines will end at the Convention Center; L Line will not operate during the parade
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) will pause light rail service for the D, H and L lines in downtown Denver at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9, in preparation for the National Western Stock Show Parade.
All D and H lines will end at the Theatre District•Convention Center Station, and L Line service will not run during the parade. Regular service will resume on all lines around 2 p.m. after the parade concludes.
RTD offers a variety of safe and reliable services to reach the annual kickoff for the National Western Stock show, though detours and disruptions will be required to accommodate the parade route..
D and H lines will end at the Theatre District•Convention Center Station and will not serve the downtown loop
L Line service will be suspended during the parade
Many bus routes will detour, including routes 0, 1, 6, 8, 9, 10, 15, 15L, 19, 20, 28, 38, 43, 44, 48, 52
Free MallRide service will be suspended between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. for the closure on 17th Street during the parade
The parade will start at Union Station at the intersection of 17th and Wynkoop streets. It will proceed down 17th Street and finish at Glenarm Place. More information about parade events is available on the National Western Stock Show Parade website.
Heavy crowds are anticipated for the parade and celebration events. RTD encourages customers to use the Next Ride web app to plan their trip, view other options and sign up to receive Service Alerts.
Statement from President Joe Biden on Protecting America’s Ocean and Coasts from Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling: “I am taking action to protect the East and West coasts, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and Alaska’s Northern Bering Sea from oil and natural gas drilling and the harm it can cause. My decision reflects what coastal communities, businesses, and beachgoers have known for a long time: that drilling off these coasts could cause irreversible damage to places we hold dear and is unnecessary to meet our nation’s energy needs. It is not worth the risks. As the climate crisis continues to threaten communities across the country and we are transitioning to a clean energy economy, now is the time to protect these coasts for our children and grandchildren.
Colorado Governor
The Governor’s Office submitted its 2024-2025 supplemental budget requests and 2025-2026 budget amendments following the most recent economic forecast. These requests build on the Governor’s budget proposal to preserve education funding, make government more efficient, and make further investments in increasing public safety all while protecting the state’s fiscal future.
Denver Mayor
Mayor Mike Johnston today announced Al Gardner will serve as the new Deputy Mayor for Denver. In this one-year term, Gardner will continue in his role as executive director of General Services and will take on the Mayor’s duties whenever Mayor Johnston is unable to do so. “I trust Al to bring his commitment, leadership and passion to serve the residents of Denver,” said Mayor Mike Johnston. “I am grateful he has accepted this role and I look forward to working together on delivering on our promise to make Denver a vibrant, safe and affordable city for all.”
Ghana officials announced that all Africans with passports can now travel to Ghana without a visa. With this announcement, Ghana is now the fifth African country to offer this to African travelers. Visa-free travel in Africa is seen as an important factor for boosting the continent’s economy.
Hundreds evacuate part of Ethiopia because of volcano
Mount Dofan has been showing signs of a possible eruption, prompting hundreds of people in a rural part of Ethiopia to leave their homes. Video footage shows debris shooting out from the mountain, and smoke has also started to come out. Officials said it is too early to classify the mountain’s activity but wanted to take precautions.
Asia
World’s oldest person passes
Tomiko Itooka, a Japanese woman who was recognized as the oldest person by Guiness World Records, has passed. She was born in May 1908. Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, who is also 116, is now believed to be the world’s oldest person.
Giant tuna sold for $1.3 million
A group of restauranters in Tokyo paid $1.3 million for a tuna that weighs 608 pounds and is the same size of a motorcycle. The tuna, which was purchased by Onodera Group, will be served at the company’s Michelin-starred Ginza Onodera restaurants. The fish was sold at the annual new year auction at Toyosu Fish Market.
Europe
Hundreds of thousands of suspected Nazi collaborators names published
Officials have released the names of around 425,000 people who are suspected of collaborating with the Nazis when Germany occupied the Netherlands during World War II. Along with the names include files on war criminals and the nearly 20,000 Dutch people who enlisted in the German armed forces. The Huygens Institute, a group that helped digitize the archive, said the information contains important stories for present and future generations.
Austria chancellor to resign
Austria Chancellor Karl Nehammer said he will resign from his position and party leader. This announcement comes after talks between his conservative People’s Party and the Social Democrats about forming a coalition government collapsed. Last year, the far-right Freedom Party won in Austria’s general election.
Latin America
Guatemalan soldiers arrive in Haiti
Around 150 Guatemalan soldiers recently arrived in Haiti. The group is tasked with working to bring peace as Haiti continues to struggle with armed gangs. The Guatemalan soldiers are in Haiti as part of a United Nations effort led by Kenya. Haiti has dealt with economic chaos, little political control, and violent gang warfare since 2021.
Chile president visits South Pole
Chile President Gabriel Boric became the first leader in the Americas to visit the South Pole. He said his visit reaffirmed Chili’s claim to sovereignty over part of the Antarctic. He traveled with a group of scientists and cabinet members, like ministers for the armed forces and the environment.
North America
Johnson holds on to House Speaker position
Republican Mike Johnson will continue to serve as House Speaker after surviving a tight vote. President-elect Donald Trump endorsed Johnson for the role, saying he remaining House Speaker would be a big win for the Republican Party. Johnson is a Louisiana Republican and was supported by nearly all Republicans during his re-election efforts.
Surgeon General gives out warning on alcohol
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy is calling for risk warnings on alcoholic beverages after new research linked alcohol to seven types of cancer. Alcohol leads to about 100,000 cases of cancer and 20,000 deaths each year in the country. Congress has not updated the existing warning labels since 1988.
In the 21st century, society is fighting battles, perhaps, not even imagined as recently as a generation earlier. There is cybercrime, newer and deadlier drugs and gangs that have elevated violence to a whole different level. Then, there are the crimes that have plagued society for as long as memory can recall. Who would even want the job prosecuting these criminals?
Photo courtesy: John Walsh for Denver District Attorney Facebook
Meet new Denver District Attorney John Walsh. Walsh, who ran unopposed succeeds Beth McCann who has held the office for the last eight years. He takes the oath of office on January 14th.
“Denver is my hometown,” said Walsh in a post-Christmas phone conversation. “I love this city.” Walsh says the idea of running for DA had not crossed his mind until McCann announced she would not be running again. That’s when he made the decision. It was, he thought, “an incredible opportunity to work with a great office…the city, the police department and the community.”
Lending a hand, working for others just seemed natural to Walsh. It’s what his parents did. His father was a career federal worker. “He was one of those people who made the system work,” he said. “Dad worked for Social Security,” he recalled. His mother was a psychiatric nurse, first at Denver General Hospital—now Denver Health and Hospitals—and later at Fort Logan Army Hospital. “They were people who deeply believed in public service…they lived and breathed it.”
Denver’s new District Atttorney, Walsh, whose family moved to Denver when he was just 12, graduated from Cherry Creek High School. It was also while he was a student that his parents—much to his objection—sent him to Mexico one summer to immerse himself in the language and culture. He calls it one of the best experiences he could have ever had. And Spanish remains a tool he has called upon throughout his life.
After high school, he earned his undergraduate degree at Massachusetts Williams College and law degree at Stanford. In law school he was president of the Stanford Public Interest Law Foundation.
Over the course of his career, he has worked both in and out of government. After law school, he joined the U.S. Attorney’s Central District of California where one of his cases was the prosecution of Charles Keating. Keating and five U.S. Senators, including John McCain and John Glenn, were accused of corruption in the savings and loan crisis in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Walsh said his role in the prosecution involved only Keating.
Returning to Denver in 1995, Walsh reentered private practice working first at Holland & Hart, where he became a partner. Later, he joined Hill & Robbins before being appointed U.S. Attorney for Colorado by President Barack Obama in 2010.
While Walsh ran for office as a Democrat, he pledged to serve in a non-partisan manner. “I’m a strong believer that what we need to do is enforce the law that is truly effective,” he said. “You have to be tough on violent criminals,” but also “look for ways to prevent crime.”
Walsh said you don’t always need to be heavy-handed on people who have been involved in low level crime. The DA’s office, he believes, should work on “prevention programs that can keep people out of the system” while maintaining public safety.
He wants his office to be seen as a paragon of integrity where all people, those being prosecuted or those who are victims of crime, are treated fairly and thoughtfully. Compassion, he believes, has a place in the law. He pledged to also ensure that attorneys in his office meet the standards he sets. Walsh said he will “make sure they’re complying with the legal system and working to do the right thing,” which is simply seeking justice.
Instances of attorneys being admonished for withholding evidence, as periodically happens in cases in Colorado and other places or having the public second-guessing decisions in high profile cases, including police shootings, Walsh said, will not be tolerated. “I think it’s important for the DA’s office to be transparent.”
While Walsh ran as a Democrat and has worked over the years on various issues supported by the Democratic party, he said his role as DA is not political. “I don’t see the DA as a partisan position…we should not be thinking of ourselves as Democrats or Republicans.”
Over the course of his career, Walsh has prosecuted the most sophisticated white-collar crime, including securing multi-billion settlements against Citigroup for its part in contributing to the Great Recession and against big pharma for falsely advertising its product.
Walsh has also been at ground zero for some of Colorado’s most violent and horrific crimes. As U.S. Attorney, the job required him to be on scene following 2012’s Aurora movie theater shooting and the Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood shooting in 2015.
Walsh enters office at a time when car thefts that had skyrocketed in 2022 but have dipped over the past year still remain a serious problem, especially at DIA. So too are the deadly drugs, including fentanyl, that cartels have poisoned the country with. But those are only two challenges that will greet the city’s new DA. Gun violence, sex trafficking and a laundry list of both old and new challenges also go with the job.
But Walsh does not lack confidence. All along the path that has led him to this point, he says he has benefitted from exemplary mentors, including the man who once held the job he’s set to assume, former Denver DA and Colorado Governor Bill Ritter and former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.
Walsh knows his new job will be challenging and at the end of the day, it’s voters who’ll let him know exactly how he’s done. But he also holds himself to his own high standards. So far, while not batting ‘a thousand,’ he’s met the challenge.
The 63-year-old Walsh and his wife, Lisa, live in Denver’s Park Hill where they have resided for the last 30 years. They have three children, each of whom is a graduate of Denver East High School.
Disclaimer: Ernest Gurule’ has both professional and personal relationships with both attorneys and staff in the Denver District Attorney’s office.
Volunteering has always been a part of Ruth Sanchez’s life. And at AARP Colorado, she has found a place where she can make a true impact on a cause that she is passionate about.
Sanchez was inspired to volunteer for AARP Colorado by Lena Archuleta, who is known for being the first Hispanic woman to become a school principal in Denver.
Photo courtesy: Ruth Sanchez Facebook
“She inspired not only Latina women but also people of color that didn’t think they had a place in our society to be involved in any aspect of boards or commissions,” said Sanchez.
“What I think is she opened doors for people to come in,” Sanchez added.
Archuleta’s inspiration has led Sanchez to a successful 20-year journey as a volunteer with AARP Colorado. Through her time with AARP Colorado, Sanchez has successfully encouraged people to vote, hosted health fairs, pressed lawmakers on key issues, and more. Because of her dedication, AARP awarded her with a lifetime achievement award earlier this year.
“I love volunteering. I love to be in the community, and it is so rewarding,” said Sanchez. “It’s just gratifying and rewarding to know you might make a difference in someone’s life,” she said.
Sanchez is part of AARP Colorado’s El Comité, a sector of AARP Colorado volunteers who work to advocate for or assist Colorado’s older Latino residents. Through El Comité, Sanchez and other members like LaVozColorado Pulisher, Pauline Rivera, served on a community advisory committee that helped create the “El Movimiento: The Chicano Movement in Colorado” exhibit at the History Colorado Center.
Outside of El Comité, Sanchez was selected to attend the National Volunteer Institute where she met with other AARP volunteers from across the country. She said the year-long program was very well orchestrated, and she thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Sanchez has also served on the city of Denver’s Commission on Aging, which works to assist older adults through outreach, communication, and advocacy. This includes advocating for the rights and concerns of older adults, empowering them by disseminating information and sharing community resources, and monitoring and recommending legislation and policy changes that impact older adults.
Across Colorado, Coloradans 65 and older make up more than a sixth (18.4 percent) of adults. In some pockets of the state, like southeast Colorado, the Upper Arkansas Valley, and Gunnison and Dolores Valleys. Also, one in older adults in Colorado are Black, Hispanic/Latino, or some other race.
Meanwhile, data from the state shows that by 2035, the number of people over the age of 64 will reach 1.3 million.
Organizations like AARP Colorado and volunteers like Sanchez are crucial to ensuring older adults can age comfortably. Thank you, Ruth, for your dedication and inspiring work!
For two weeks the Denver Broncos had a chance to lock up the last wild card spot in the post season. For two weeks they have fallen short of doing that including their last attempt on Saturday afternoon in Cincinnati.
The Cincinnati Bengals are in a race to secure the last spot in the AFC Wild Card race, and defeating the Broncos on Saturday helped their case. Denver’s next game is at home and against the defending champions in the Kansas City Chiefs.
A few weeks ago the Broncos were at Arrowhead to face the Chiefs and lost to Chiefs 16-14 after getting the game winning field goal blocked which would have helped them get into the playoffs.
The scenario Denver is in now puts a lot of pressure on both coach Sean Payton and rookie quarterback Bo Nix. For fans a trip to the playoffs in a season deemed a ‘rebuilding season’, is a huge move in the right direction for the organization.
The Broncos will host Kansas City this Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High with the time to be determined.
In other sports the CU Men’s football team traveled to San Antonio to face Brigham Young University (BYU) Cougars in the Alamo Bowl. BYU was ranked amongst the top teams in the country at one point when they were undefeated. CU made the rankings after a much better season than expected.
Coach Deion Sanders was pivotal in revitalizing a once proud football program that flourished in the 80’s and early 90’s. His presence in Boulder has helped influence an increase in enrollment and sparked a new way for recruits to move about the portal in the offseason.
Despite a fairly decent season in Boulder, the Buffs were clearly out coached and played in their bowl game with BYU. By halftime CU was down 20-0 but was able to score a couple of touchdowns to prevent an absolute shutout. Shedeur Sanders was 16-23 for 208 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Heisman trophy winner, Travis Hunter had 4 receptions for 106 yards and one of CU’s only two touchdowns. Next season CU will start with a new young gun quarterback and a bunch of new faces.
The Colorado State Rams who finished third in the Mountain West faced the Miami RedHawks on Saturday in the Snoop Dogg Bowl (a.k.a. the Arizona Bowl). CSU, too, was out coached and out played, losing 43-17.
The Colorado Avalanche are enjoying a four-game winning streak after defeating the Utah Hockey Club on Friday night 4-1. Their last meet-up was back on December 12th when Utah thumped the Avs 4-1 with goalie Scot Wedgewood between the pipes. Friday’s game featured Avs goalie Mackenzie Blackwood who stopped 34 shots on goal.
The Avs are at home for the next four fames to host the Winnipeg Jets, the Buffalo Sabres, the Montreal Canadiens and the Florida Panthers.
As the old saying goes, ‘there is no such thing as a free lunch.’ But, in Pueblo, beginning today, January 1st, those who can show proof they are veterans, can ride the city’s buses for free.
Ben Valdez, Director of Pueblo Transit, the agency that oversees the city’s bus system, said the idea of providing bus passes to Pueblo veterans was sparked about six months ago. Greenlighting it, he said, was an easy decision especially since the city has long called itself, the “Home of Heroes.’ He also said it was an idea whose time had come.
“I think one of the biggest roadblocks that veterans have when they get out of the military is transportation,” Valdez said. “If we can remove one of those roadblocks to (help) get to appointments, to go to jobs, for their care or go to the grocery store,” that’s one less obstacle.
In order for a veteran to qualify for a pass for this new program, Valdez says they can visit the Pueblo Transit center at 123 Court Street or its administrative offices at 350 Alan Hamel Road and complete an application. Transit center office hours are 6:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays 8:00 to 5:30 on Saturdays. Applications can also be completed online at pueblo.cu/1353/Purchase-Transit-Passes.
Valdez said that those interested in getting their ‘vets ride’ need only show proof of their service. A military discharge form—DD214—a driver’s license showing status as a veteran, a VA ID card or a retired military identification card will suffice.
Valdez said it is unknown how many veterans will take advantage of the new program. But, according to the most recent U.S. Census, there are plenty of veterans in Pueblo proper and county-wide. There are an estimated 7,600 veterans residing in the city and a total of more than 12,000 across the county.
Valdez said the initiative has been endorsed by the city’s various veterans’ organizations and Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham has given it her full support.
“This is an exciting initiative that Ben Valdez has worked on for quite some time, to give back to the veterans in our community in a small way to say thank you,” said Mayor of Pueblo Heather Graham. “Pueblo is known as the Home of the Heroes and we believe that honoring our veterans’ sacrifices is important, especially when barriers to reliable transportation can be an issue when our military members return home.”
While the program begins on the first day of the year, Valdez says there is no set end date for it. Also, costs for the free ride program remain unknown. “We’ll figure out the costs,” he said, “when we figure out the number of riders.” An adult fare for a bus ride, Valdez said, is $1.25. All costs for the program will be the responsibility of Pueblo Transit. There will be no financial obligation to the city.
Valdez joined the Air Force shortly after high school and retired after 29 years of service. He laughs and says while he had no plans as a young man to join the military, a decision by his father played a significant role in his deciding to sign up. “He sold my bed,” Valdez recalled, a chuckle in his voice. His father then took him to a recruiter’s office. But what sealed the deal was a “paycheck of $640 a month!” Looking back, Valdez says it was not just a good choice, but the right one, too.
After retiring Valdez and his wife returned to their hometown. The pair have three children serving now in the military and five others living in Pueblo and other parts of the country. None of his children now in the military followed Valdez into the Air Force.
Growing up as a young girl in northern New Mexico and learning U.S. history in our school system was a prideful time spent.
Young memories of celebrating President’s Day honoring the ‘I chopped down the cherry tree’ President George Washington and the ‘honest Abe’ President Abraham Lincoln gave us a reason to revere the highest office in the land.
We admired the young popular President John F. Kennedy as television covered his short time in office and then was tragically assassinated in November of 1961. Most boomers know exactly know where they were on that fateful day.
As I grew into adulthood the highest office in the country housed many presidents, like Lyndon B. Johnson of Civil Rights fame, who was sworn in after Kennedy’s death. President Richard M. Nixon resigned after corruption, coverups and the Watergate scandal. Ronald Reagan a movie star turned president, demanded that Soviet Union leader Gorbachev Tear down that wall’ served the country for two terms.
A few decades later, a feeling of diversity and fairness followed when the first Black American elected U.S. president in 2008 for two terms, President Barack Obama.
All in all presidents have been labeled in history as winners or losers based on their achievements and legacy. But only one U.S. president stands alone as a remarkable post U.S. president, President Jimmy Carter.
Photo courtesy: The Carter Center Facebook
A peanut farmer by trade and a Sunday school teacher turned president whose ethics compassion, integrity and helping his neighbor, ruled his life.
His presidency is reported by historians as mediocre. Unfairly underestimated due to the woes of the day like inflation and foreign policy, Carter wins the humanitarian award of the century.
Former President Jimmy Carter achieved in 100 years what no other U.S, president has achieved, 100 years of a life full of purpose and humanity. He was a true Christian, the most Christ-like in his actions president we will ever know.
David Conde, Senior Consultant for International Programs
It is predicted by some that 2036 is the magical year that will see Mexico reach parity with the United States in several key areas that coordinate with the economic well-being of the country. Also, by that time, it is suggested that China’s economic engine will have fully engaged the over 900 million new consumers within its borders that represent the basis for the Chinese ascension to number one in the world.
The economic renaissance of countries around the world like Mexico and China adds urgency to an effort to stay ahead of the competition and strengthen the North American trade treaty that is set for renewal in 2026. The United States – Mexico – Canada trade agreement signed by President Trump during his first term is up for intense negotiations in the coming two years, hopefully leading to an extension.
Standing in the way is the incoming administration’s desire for a policy of mass deportations of the undocumented in the country and the desire to bring Mexico’s present industrial production for export to America. Mass immigrant deportation was a the major campaign issue for MAGA leading to the election of Trump.
I remember the beginning of the Great Recession in December 2007 that mostly came from home financing over-extension that created a national housing bubble. In that case, the annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was reduced by 4.3 percent leading to the greatest economic downturn since the Great Depression of the 1930s.
Research is indicating that the planned mass deportation of the 13.3 million undocumented will create a 4.2 percent downturn of the GDP that is almost the same as what caused the Great Recession. The reduction of productivity will also cost “hundreds of thousands” jobs to America.
A related issue is the idea of Mexico as the 51st State expressed by President-elect Trump confirms that Mexico is becoming the industrial heart of the North American trade block. The desire to take those industries to the United States and perhaps end the trade agreement is full of negative consequences not only for Mexico, but also for the United States.
In the case of the United States, the expense of manufacturing in America will greatly increase prices to our consumers. In the case of Mexico, China is already there and is prepared to fill the void left by the United States and Canada.
The repatriation of the undocumented also involves a number of complications. First, there are 5.1 million American children born to undocumented parents.
The Trump record of separating families may very well be happening again. Relevant to this is the fact that President Sheinbaum of Mexico has stated that she will only accept Mexican deportees that number less than 5 million.
The America First agenda promised by the incoming President is possibly leaving much of the world economic interests to the Chinese and the Europeans. The very thing that could counter that and keep America in the lead is the North American economic block.
It also seems to me that setbacks American political policies bring, it will not detract from the accelerated development in Mexico and its economic renaissance. The shadow of the United States is diminishing as Mexico’s neighbor to the north falls into greater decadence.
2025 appears to be a year of major changes not only in the United States but also in North America. Since China is already heavily invested in the Americas, its role in the hemisphere and in Mexico must be taken seriously.
The United States interests are moving to Asia. Mexico is already there.
The views expressed by David Conde are not necessarily the views of LaVozColorado. Comments and responses may be directed to News@lavozcolorado.com.
