A look at the 2020 legislative session - The - Western Colorado ...
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The
Vol . 40 No. 1 Spring 2020
The 2019 People’s Lobby Trip was our biggest ever. But already, more people have registered for the 2020 trip on February 24.
A look at the 2020 legislative session
by Jeriel Clark leave for employees, lowering the priorities include: current status as sole supplier of
Political & cost of higher education, and of transmission, distribution, and
Organizing Director course the continual need to fix House Bill 20-1064 which would customer service functions.
and maintain Colorado roads. enact a 2020 study through the
Public Utilities Commission House Bills 20-1162 and 20-1163
The 2020 Legislative Session Whether or not lawmakers can (PUC) to take a close look at take on reduction and
is off and running and it looks overcome the deep partisan Community Choice Energy. responsibility through
to be a busy one. Just a few divides that marked the 2019 Community Choice Energy polystyrene and single-use
days into the 2020 Colorado session to make progress on these (CCE) is a concept currently plastics bans and management.
legislative session, the Western critical issues remains to be seen. implemented in numerous states, Well thought-out, and with
Colorado Alliance Legislative under which local municipal- exemptions for hospitals, assisted
Committee was already tracking Amidst the partisan bickering ities could choose to purchase living facilities, etc., these
over 30 bills that center around and 2020 election theatrics electricity at wholesale through two bills would implement a
our mission. Now, more than impacting the Colorado Capitol, a supplier other than the local statewide reduction for single-
450 bills have been introduced our Alliance is focusing on what investor-owned electric utility. use items across Colorado.
and some of the “big agenda” makes a healthy, self-reliant, and
ones are still yet to come. livable future for everyone. This HB20-1162 would prohibit
session, we are prioritizing CCE has the potential to enable restaurants from sending patrons
These include some hot topic bills centered on clean energy communities to purchase home with polystyrene boxes
issues like public option and sustainable resource renewable energy and save money for leftovers, and HB20-1163
insurance, paid family medical responsibility. Our top without disrupting the local utility’s Continued on page 2
WESTERN COLORADO ALLIANCE NON-PROFIT ORG. Inside
PO BOX 1931 U.S. POSTAGE PAID
GRAND JUNCTION CO 81502 GRAND JUNCTION, CO
Stirring pots for 40 years A new chapter for
PERMIT NO. 134
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED ...................................... 2 homegrown prosperity.......... 6
A big win for clean air in Loving our public lands!
Western Colorado............... 3 ...................................... 7
Members in the spotlight....... 3 West Slope Youth Vote success
2020 Special Legislative ...................................... 7
Guide.............................4-5 Goodbyes and hellos............ 8
2 Western Colorado Alliance The Clarion Spring 2020
Stirring pots for 40 years “Out of Bounds”
(from Poems in Prison
1945-1947 by a Conscientious
Objector to the Good War)
by Steve Allerton against the status quo and the I can say that in 2020, we’ll You who by the grace of law
Alliance President authority that held the power continue to stir those pots and go free
and suffered some consequences. perhaps travel out of bounds
I suppose we’ve all had No jail time, but I’d stirred a pot a bit, having firmed up our walk by spongy springs
experiences where we’ve felt out which was not to be stirred. foundation with renewed and load your lungs up with
of bounds. I don’t mean stepping mission and vision statements, the smell of things
out of bounds while playing In its now 40-year history, a platform that guides our
for me.
a game, or slicing a golf ball Western Colorado Alliance work based on our values, a
across two fairways. I mean (formerly Western Colorado growing professional staff, and And when dawn
taking an action, or stating an Congress) has stirred some pots committed board members and yawns
opinion that is looked upon with and continues to do so. While members alike. It will also be a
disfavor. During my years in being looked upon with disfavor year in which we celebrate 40 and silver noises dribble from
human services and education, by some, we’ve numerous allies, years of inspired community her wings
there were times I spoke members, and supporters that organizing. And with that, I gather up such nuggets as
stir the pot right along with us leave you with a poem written free fall.
toward the creation of healthy, by Founding Human Chuck
just, and self-reliant Worley, who passed away You who are still in luck
communities. That’s what makes in 2016 at the age of 98: dig your itching fingers deep
this 40-year journey so amazing. in muck
and wash your eyes with all
Given my relatively short time Permission to publish “Out of
that’s fresh and green.
Bounds” was graciously provided
with our Alliance, I am no expert
by Speak4Peace Publishing.
on the organization’s history, Learn more about their efforts to
Summer finds me out of
nor can I claim to have a real support “living with conscience”
bounds this year…
sense of what the journey of the at speak4peace.com.
but conscience clean.
“founding humans” was like.
A look at the 2020 legislative session: Up and coming bills
Continued from page 1 in distressed communities. to our legislators representing us an anti-discrimination policy to
on the Western Slope for joining protect students from in-school
would prohibit stores and Senate Bill 20-054, the Rural forces for their constituents. and out-of-school discrimination
restaurants, from providing Development Grant Program, based on cultural and race traits,
single-use plastic carry-out to help incubate early-stage including hairstyles (HB20-1048).
bags, stirrers and straws. small businesses with goods and
West Slope Youth Vote
export potential in rural areas. And we can’t forget our West It can be kind of hard to see from
On the heels of the TriState Slope Youth Vote interns, who, way over here, but all eyes should
Generation announcement to Senate Bill 20-002 shores up between voter registration events be on the Colorado Capitol. And
shut the Craig Station Power funding for Rural Economic at their local high schools, have if you’d like a closer look, and
Plant and its corresponding Development Initiative grants, also turned their attention toward maybe a conversation or two, join
mines and its pending impact one of Colorado’s most powerful the Capitol. They’re impressed us for our 2020 People’s Lobby
on Western Slope economies tools for economic with several bills that could have Trip! We’re heading to Denver
(see HOMEGROWN diversification in small towns. a direct impact on West Slope on Monday, February 24 and
PROSPERITY, page 6), we are youth and want to encourage will be back on February 26.
also closely tracking three rural All of these bills are being their legislators to support them.
economic development bills: championed by Western Slope Members of Western Colorado
lawmakers and have bipartisan These bills include ones which Alliance, including some of our
House Bill 20-1003 proposes to support. While these bills may would expand excused absences West Slope Youth Vote interns,
expand partner eligibility under be overlooked on a statewide in school to cover mental will meet with our legislators to
the Rural Jump-Start Zone Act, level, they can make all the health days (SB20-014), a grant discuss all these bills and more.
which provides a tax nudge to difference toward strengthening program to support shelters If you’re interested in attending,
incentivize new businesses and our communities in Western focused on youth experiencing send me an email at jeriel@
new hires to open their doors Colorado. We owe a huge thanks homelessness (HB20-1122), and westerncoloradoalliance.org.
Our Alliance’s Staff Our Alliance’s Board of Directors
2481 Commerce Blvd., PO Box 1931
Grand Junction CO 81502 Officers Local Affiliate Directors
Steve Allerton, President, Grand Junction Grand Valley Citizens Alliance
(970) 256-7650
brings people together to build Kevin Kuns, Vice President, Montrose Betsy Leonard, Battlement Mesa
Emily Hornback, Executive Director
Andreya Krieves, Secretary, Grand Junction Ridgway-Ouray Community Council
grassroots power through Jeriel Clark, Political & Organizing Director Al Lowande, Ridgway
community organizing and Stefanie Harville, Operations &
At-large Directors Uncompahgre Valley Alliance
leadership development. Finance Director Gabriel Otero, Grand Junction Kevin Kuns, Montrose
Joel Dyar, Community Organizer Rodger Steen, Steamboat Springs Western Colorado Alliance in Mesa County
Our Alliance’s vision for the future Troy Redding, Community Organizer Andreya Krieves, Grand Junction
is one where engaged local voices Arn McConnell, Communications We are actively seeking a candidate for
are leading communities across Coordinator Board Treasurer. If you or someone you Director Emeritus
Western Colorado that are healthy, WesternColoradoAlliance.org know might be interested, Peggy Rawlins, Grand Junction
just and self-reliant. please contact us!
info@WesternColoradoAlliance.org
Spring 2020 Western Colorado Alliance The Clarion 3
A big win for clean air in Western Colorado
by Troy Redding
from both storage tanks and low
Community
producing wells. To ensure that
Organizer
methane producers adhere to
The Alliance secured an these new standards they will
important win with the Air be required to submit an annual
Quality Control Commission report of the emissions being
(AQCC) last December. New released from their facilities.
rules were adopted during the last
AQCC rulemaking process which Western Colorado Alliance is
will help to protect air quality especially proud of our work to
here in Western Colorado. strengthen air quality monitoring
Coloradans will now be able to and repair requirements of oil
look forward to a future where and gas facilities near businesses,
the oil and gas industry will homes, and schools. The Alliance
be required to enhance their along with our partners at
Leak Detection And Repair Grand Valley Citizens Alliance
(LDAR) practices and apply (GVCA) and the League of Oil
these practices statewide. and Gas Impacted Coloradans
(LOGIC) proposed that the
Due to these new rules oil AQCC implement stricter air Literally years of work on the part of Battlement Concerned Citizens
and gas operators will at quality monitoring require- helped pave the way for this victory.
a minimum be required to ments and repair standards for
perform inspections on their oil and gas operations located meetings where they provided changes possible. Without your
infrastructure twice a year. These within 1000 feet of these areas. both verbal and written testimony contributions we wouldn’t be
rules will close what is known as urging the AQCC to strengthen able to carry out our work
the 90-day permitting loophole. In December, the AQCC the current regulations and to and while we have certainly
This loophole allowed oil and chose to accept our proposal. apply them statewide. Without made progress our work isn’t
gas operators to begin their According to the AQCC, one of these voices we wouldn’t have finished. We look forward to
drilling and hydraulic fracturing the reasons why they chose to been successful in our efforts to working with all of you again
operations before the operators adopt these increased protections increase monitoring near homes during the coming months as
obtained the required permits. was because Western Coloradans and schools. It is because we we participate in the upcoming
testified overwhelmingly in wielded our collective power Colorado Oil and Gas Conser-
They avoided these permits support of these new standards. that Coloradans will now be vation Commission (COGCC)
because they placed limits on able to breathe a little bit easier. rulemakings and the next AQCC
the amount of air pollution Hundreds of residents on the rulemaking. Thank you again
operators were allowed to emit. Western Slope raised their voices The Alliance wants to thank for your support and we will
Additionally, these new rules will to protect our air quality. These all of our allies, supporters, look forward to seeing you
further reduce harmful emissions people wrote letters and came to and members for making these during the next rulemaking!
“We were looking at a future of skiing on rocks.”
is a radical optimist. A New His work helped bring 20 winter sports enthusiasts,
by Joel Dyar Hampshire native turned Crested stakeholders together to craft climate researchers, businesses
Community Butte high country adventurer, a Climate Action Plan for the and policymakers together
Organizer Patrick’s first winter in Gunnison town, including a target for to discuss climate change
County saw record-low snowfalls. 100% clean energy by 2030. threats in the High Country
In a time of national climate In December, 175 locals came and what locals could do.
dereliction, Patrick Church “It was worse than any of the out for the
local life-timers plan’s official
could remember,” ratification.
Patrick recalls.
“We were looking “It’s clear that
Members in
at a future of
skiing on rocks.”
our civilization
was going to
the Spotlight
have to tackle
Patrick dove this energy
headlong into transition issue at some stage, at He ended January with a training
local organizing some point,” Patrick says. “We’re of 30 volunteers and was working
that culminated just lucky to be the ones alive to help enroll customers in a
with the Crested when that happened. We’re the new community solar garden
Butte Town ones who get to figure this out.” offered by Gunnison County
Council joining Electric Association — until
dozens of winter Not satisfied with the town’s the program was overwhelmed
sports com- historic announcement, with demand and sold out.
munities across Patrick and friends packed the
North America house for a Gunnison County “This is all about love for
in declaring Climate Action Conference at these mountains,” Patrick
a climate Western Colorado University. says. “This is the least
emergency. The conference brought we can do for them.”
4 Western Colorado Alliance The Clarion Spring 2020
Jeff Bridges (D, SD26) Chris Hansen (D, SD31) Jerry Sonnenberg (R, SD1)
303-866-4846 (303) 866-4861 (303) 866-6360
jeff.bridges.senate@state.co.us chris.hansen.senate@state.co.us SenatorSonnenberg@gmail.com
John Cooke (R, SD13) Owen Hill (R, SD10) Tammy Story (D, SD16)
(303) 866-4451 (303) 866-2737 303-866-4873
john.cooke.senate@state.co.us owen.hill.senate@state.co.us tammy.story.senate@state.co.us
Don Coram (R, SD6) Dennis Hisey (R, SD2) Jack Tate (R, SD27)
(303) 866-4884 303-866-4877 (303) 866-4883
don.coram.senate@state.co.us dennis.hisey.senate@state.co.us jack.tate.senate@state.co.us
Larry Crowder (R, SD35) Chris Holbert (R, SD30) Nancy Todd (D, SD28)
(303) 866-4875
(303) 866-4881 (303) 866-3432
larry.crowder.senate@state.co.us
chris.holbert.senate@state.co.us nancy.todd.senate@state.co.us
(MINORITY LEADER) (PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE)
Jessie Danielson (D, SD20) Pete Lee (D, SD11) Angela Williams (D, SD33)
(303) 866-4856
303-866-6364 (303) 866-4864
jessie.danielson.senate@state.co.us
pete.lee.senate@state.co.us angela.williams.senate@state.co.us
Kerry Donovan (D, SD5) Paul Lundeen (R, SD9) Faith Winter (D, SD24)
(303) 866-4871
303-866-4835 303-866-4863
kerry.donovan.senate@state.co.us
paul.lundeen.senate@state.co.us faith.winter.senate@state.co.us
Stephen Fenberg (D, SD18) Vicki Marble (R, SD23) Rob Woodward (R, SD15)
(303) 866-4872
(303) 866-4876 303-866-4853
stephen.fenberg.senate@state.co.us
vicki.marble.senate@state.co.us rob.woodward.senate@state.co.us
(MAJORITY LEADER)
Rhonda Fields (D, SD29) Rachel Zenzinger (D, SD19)
Dominick Moreno (D, SD21)
(303) 866-4879
(303) 866-4857 (303) 866-4840
rhonda.fields.senate@state.co.us
dominick.moreno.senate@state.co.us SenatorRachelZ@gmail.com
Mike Foote (D, SD17)
Senate Committees
Brittany Pettersen (D, SD22)
303-866-5291
303-866-4859
mike.foote.senate@state.co.us
brittany.pettersen.senate@
state.co.us
Leroy Garcia (D, SD3) Agriculture & Natural Education Local Government
Kevin Priola (R, SD25) Todd, Chair;
(303) 866-4878
(303) 866-4855 Resources Ginal, Chair;
leroy.garcia.senate@state.co.us
kpriola@gmail.com Donovan, Chair; Story, Vice-Chair; Williams, Vice-Chair;
(PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE)
Danielson, Vice-Chair; Bridges, Hill, Lundeen Bridges, Coram, Crowder
Bob Gardner (R, SD12) Bob Rankin (R, SD8) Coram, Rodriguez,
(303) 866-4880 303-866-5292
Sonnenberg Finance
bob.gardner.senate@state.co.us bob.rankin.senate@state.co.us
Gonzales, Chair;
Lee, Vice-Chair; State, Military &
Joann Ginal (R, SD14) Robert Rodriguez (D, SD32) Hansen, Lundeen, Tate, Veteran Affairs
303-866-4841 303-866-4852 Appropriations Todd, Woodward Foote, Chair;
joann.ginal@yahoo.com robert.rodriguez.senate@
Zenzinger, Chair; Fields, Vice-Chair;
state.co.us
Moreno, Vice-Chair; Health & Human Hansen, Marble,
Julie Gonzales (D, SD34) Ray Scott (R, SD7) Foote, Gardner, Gonzales,
(303) 866-4862 (303) 866-3077 Services Sonnenberg
julie.gonzales.senate@state.co.us ray.scott.senate@state.co.us
Hansen, Hisey, Rankin, Fields, Chair;
Rodriguez, Woodward Winter Vice-Chair;
Note: Contact information is from
Colorado’s legislative website Jim Smallwood (R, SD4) Crowder, Ginal, Smallwood
which can be found at www.leg. (303) 866-4869
Business, Labor & Transportation &
state.co.us. The information is SenatorSmallwood@gmail.com
accurate as of January, 2020. This
Technology Judiciary Energy
website is also a good source for
the current status and language of proposed bills. Williams, Chair; Lee, Chair; Winter, Chair;
Danielson, Vice-Chair; Gonzales, Vice-Chair; Donovan, Vice-Chair;
= LEADERSHIP
Priola, Story, Tate Cooke, Gardner, Rodriguez Foote, Hisey, Scott
= WESTERN COLORADO LAWMAKER
Western Colorado
Federal Contacts
Gov. Jared Polis (D)
Senate Districts
136 State Capitol
Denver, CO 80203-1792
Pres. Donald Trump (R) U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner (R)
www.colorado.gov/governor 354 Russell Senate Office Bldg.
(303) 866-2471 Front Desk The White House Washington, DC 20510
(303) 866-2885 Constituent Services 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Phone: (202) 224-5941
Washington, DC 20500 Fax: (202) 224-6524
Switchboard: (202) 456-1414 http://www.gardner.senate.gov
Comments (202) 456-1111
If you’re interested in taking a deeper www.whitehouse.gov 400 Rood Avenue, Suite 220
dive into Colorado politics, sign up Grand Junction CO 81501
for Western Colorado Alliance’s Phone: (970) 245-9553
Legislative Committee! Email our @realDonaldTrump
Political Director Jeriel Clark at @POTUS @SenCoryGardner
jeriel@westerncoloradoalliance.
org to learn details!
U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet (D) U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton (R, D3)
261 Russell Senate Office Bldg. 218 Cannon House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20515-0603
For more info, visit: Phone: (202) 224-5852
Fax: (202) 228-5097
Phone: (202) 225-4761
Fax: (202) 226-9669
www.congress.gov http://bennet.senate.gov http://tipton.house.gov
225 North 5th St., Suite 511 225 North 5th St., Suite 702
DISTRICT SENATOR BROUGHT TO YOU BY Grand Junction , CO 81501 Grand Junction, CO 81501
5 KERRY DONOVAN (D) Ph: (970) 241-6631 Phone: (970) 241-2499
6 DON CORAM (R) Fax: (970) 241-3053
7 RAY SCOTT (R) @SenBennetCO @RepTipton
8 BOB RANKIN (R)
35 LARRY CROWDER (R)
Spring 2020 Western Colorado Alliance The Clarion 5
Tim Geitner (R, Dist. 19) Julie McCluskie (D, Dist. 61) Marc Snider (D, Dist. 18)
303-866-2924 303-866-2952 303-866-2932
tim.geitner.house@state.co.us Julie.mccluskie.house@state.co.us marc.snyder.house@state.co.us
S. Gonzales-Gutierrez (D, Dist. 4) Hugh McKean (R, Dist. 51) Matt Soper (R, Dist. 54)
303-866-2954 (303) 866-2947 303-866-2583
serena.gonzales-gutierrez.house hugh.mckean.house@state.co.us matthew.soper.house@state.co.us
@state.co.us
Matt Gray (D, Dist. 33) Barbara McLachlan (D, Dist. 59) Tom Sullivan (D, Dist. 37)
(303) 866-4667 (303) 866-2914 303-866-5510
matt@matthewgray.us barbara.mclachlan.house@state.co.us tom.sullivan.house@state.co.us
Leslie Herod (D, Dist. 8) Jovan Melton (D, Dist 41) Kerry Tipper (D, Dist. 28)
(303) 866-2959 (303) 866-2919 303-866-2939
leslie.herod.house@state.co.us jovan.melton.house@state.co.us kerry.tipper.house@state.co.us
Richard Holtorf (R, Dist. 64) Dafna Michaelson Jenet (D, 30) Brianna Titone (D, Dist. 27)
303-866-2398 (303) 866-2945 303-866-2962
(no email) dafna.michealson.jenet.house@state.co.us brianna.titone.house@state.co.us
Edie Hooton (D, Dist. 10) Kyle Mullica (D, Dist. 34 Alex Valdez (D, Dist. 5)
(303) 866-2915 303-866-2931 303-866-2925
edie.hooton.house@state.co.us kyle.mullica.house@state.co.us alex.valdez.house@state.co.us
Stephen Humphrey (R, Dist. 48) Patrick Neville (R, Dist. 45) Donald Valdez (D, Dist. 62)
(303) 866-2943 (303) 866-5523 (303) 866-2916
rephumphrey48@yahoo.com patrick.neville.house@state.co.us donald.valdez.house@state.co.us
(MINORITY LEADER)
Rod Pelton (R, Dist. 65) Kevin Van Winkle (R, Dist.43)
House Committees
Appropriations Finance Rural Affairs &
303-866-3706
rod.pelton.house@state.co.us
(303) 866-2936
kevin.vanwinkle.house@state.co.us
Kim Ransom (R, Dist. 44) Mike Weissman (D, Dist. 36)
Esgar, Chair; McCluskie, Herod, Chair; Bird, Vice-Chair; Agriculture (303) 866-2933 (303) 866-2942
Vice-Chair; Bird, Bockenfeld, Benavidez, Bockenfeld, Gray, Roberts, Chair; Valdez, Vice-
Coleman, Kennedy, Kraft-Tharp, kim.ransom.house@state.co.us mike.weissman.house@state.co.us
Kraft-Tharp, Rich, Sandridge, Chair; Arndt, Buentello, Catlin,
Pelton, Ransom, Rich
Snyder, Sullivan Holtorf, McCluskie, Pelton, Janice Rich (R, Dist. 55) Perry Will (R, Dist. 57)
Health & Insurance Titone, Will, Young 303-866-3068 (303) 866-2949
Business Affairs & Labor Lontine, Chair; Caraveo, janice.rich.house@state.co.us perry.will.house@state.co.us
Kraft-Tharp, Chair; Coleman, Vice-Chair; Baisley, Buckner,
Vice-Chair; Arndt, Bird, Duran,
McKean, Sandridge, Snyder,
Jackson, Mullica, Soper, Tipper, State, Veterans & Dylan Roberts (D, Dist. 26) Dave Williams (R, Dist. 15)
Titone, Will (303) 866-2923 (303) 866-5525
Sullivan, Van Winkle, Williams Military Affairs
dylan.roberts.house@state.co.us dave.williams.house@state.co.us
Judiciary Kennedy, Chair; Lewis, Vice-
Education Weissman, Chair; Herod, Vice- Chair; Duran, Humphrey, Kipp,
Lontine, Rich, Sirota, Williams
Lori Saine (R, Dist. 63) James Wilson (R, Dist. 60)
McLachlan, Chair; Buentello, Chair; Benavidez, Bockenfeld,
(303) 866-2906 (303) 866-2747
Vice-Chair; Baisley, Buck, Carver, Gonzales-Gutierrez,
lori.saine.house@state.co.us RepresentativeWilson@gmail.com
Buckner, Coleman, Cutter, Roberts, Soper, Tipper
Exum, Geitner, Larson,
McCluskie, Jenet, Wilson Shane Sandridge (R, Dist. 14) Mary Young (D, Dist. 50)
Public Health Care & Transportation & (303) 866-2965 (303) 866-2929
Energy & Environment Human Services Local Government shane.sandridge.house@state.co.us mary.young.house@state.co.us
Jackson, Chair; Hooton, Vice- Singer, Chair; Jenet, Vice-Chair; Gray, Chair; Exum, Vice-Chair;
Chair; Froelich, Geitner, Kipp, Caraveo, Cutter, Gonzales- Carver, Catlin, Froelich, Hooton, Jonathan Singer (D, Dist. 11)
(303) 866-2780 NOTE: As of time of publication, no
Landgraf, Liston, Saine, Sirota, Gutierrez, Kipp, Landgraf, Humphrey, Lewis, Melton, A.
replacement had yet been chosen
A. Valdez, Weissman Larson, Liston, Mullica, Pelton Valdez, D. Valdez, Wilson jonathan.singer.house@state.co.us
for Chris Hansen’s seat in District 6.
Hansen left when he was chosen to
Jeni Arndt (D, Dist. 53) Yadira Caraveo (D, Dist. 31) Dominique Jackson (D, Dist. 42) Emily Sirota (D, Dist. 9) replace Lois Court as state senator.
(303) 866-2917 303-866-2918 (303) 866-3911 303-866-2910 Court left for health reasons.
jeni.arndt.house@state.co.us yadira.caraveo.house@state.co.us dominique.jackson.house@state.co.us emily.sirota.house@state.co.us
Mark Baisley (R, Dist. 39) Terri Carver (R, Dist. 20) Sonya Jaquez Lewis (D, Dist. 12)
303-866-2935 (303) 866-2191 303-866-2920 Western Colorado House Districts
mark.baisley.house@state.co.us terri.carver.house@state.co.us sonya.jaquez.lewis.house@state.co.us
KC Becker (D, Dist. 13) Marc Catlin (R, Dist. 58) Chris Kennedy (D, Dist. 23)
(303) 866-2578 (303) 866-2955 (303) 866-2951
kcbecker.house@state.co.us marc.catlin.house@state.co.us chris.kennedy.house@state.co.us
(SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE)
Susan Beckman (R, Dist. 38) James Coleman (D, Dist. 7) Cathy Kipp (D, Dist. 52)
(303) 866-2953 (303) 866-2909 303-866-4569
susan.beckman.house@state.co.us james.coleman.house@state.co.us cathy.kipp.house@state.co.us
Adrienne Benavidez (D, Dist. 32) Lisa Cutter (D, Dist. 25) Tracy Kraft-Tharp (D, Dist. 29)
(303) 866-2964 303-866-2582 (303) 866-2950
adrienne.benavidez.house@state.co.us lisa.cutter.house@state.co.us reptracy29@gmail.com
Shannon Bird (D, Dist. 35) Monica Duran (D, Dist. 24) Lois Landgraf (R, Dist. 21)
303-866-2843 303-866-5522 (303) 866-2946
shannon.bird.house@state.co.us monica.duran.house@state.co.us lois.landgraf.house@state.co.us
Rod Bockenfeld (R, Dist. 56) Daneya Esgar (D, Dist. 46) Colin Larson (R, Dist. 22)
303-866-2912 (303) 866-2968 303-866-2927
rod.bockenfeld.house@state.co.us daneya.esgar.house@state.co.us colin.larson.house@state.co.us
Perry Buck (R, Dist. 49) Tony Exum (D, Dist. 17) Kimmi Lewis (R, Dist. 64)
(303) 866-2907 303-866-3069 (303) 866-2398
perrybuck49@gmail.com tony.exum.house@state.co.us kimmi.lewis.house@state.co.us
Janet Buckner (D, Dist. 40) Meg Froelich (D, Dist. 3) Larry Liston (R, Dist. 16) DIST. REP. DIST. REP.
(303) 866-2944 303-866-2921 (303) 866-2937
janet.buckner.house@state.co.us meg.froelich.house@state.co.us larry.liston.house@state.co.us 13 KC BECKER (D) 58 MARC CATLIN (R)
(SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE) 26 DYLAN ROBERTS (D) 59 BARBARA MCLACHLAN (D)
Bri Buentello (D, Dist. 47) Alec Garnett (D, Dist. 2) Susan Lontine (D, Dist. 1) 54 MATT SOPER (R) 61 JULIE MCCLUSKIE (D)
303-866-2905 (303) 866-2911 (303) 866-2966
bri.buentello.house@state.co.us alec.garnett.house@state.co.us susan.lontine.house@state.co.us
55 JANICE RICH (R) 62 DONALD VALDEZ (D)
(MAJORITY LEADER) 57 PERRY WILL (R)
6 Western Colorado Alliance The Clarion Spring 2020
A new chapter for
homegrown prosperity
by Joel Dyar facilities, including most natural This can feel like only the a future for post-coal communities
Community gas. A full switch from coal-fired latest chapter in a tired story like Craig, Naturita, Nucla and
Organizer power to new wind and solar of boom and bust. As former Paonia. It’ll take a renaissance
America was built on coal. is estimated to offer a savings Nucla United Mine Workers’ of local democracy to achieve
Colorado too. Coal provided of $78 billion in the US and a Association President Roger the unprecedented collaboration
the cheap, abundant fuel that stunning $389 billion in China. Carver wrote in the Daily between workers, local officials,
powered our country’s Grid-scale ion battery storage Sentinel: “In the long term, it’s economic developers, business and
industrialization, peaking at technologies, capable of banking clear that our region has a bad policymakers required to get this
nearly 900,000 mining jobs in power between sunny days habit of looking for easy money right. To us, that sounds like just
1923 and providing half of the and windy nights, are already instead of building prosperity the kind of collaborative, catalytic
US electricity generation supply beating some natural gas peaker here at home. Too many elected organizing that our Alliance
as late as 2005. For Western facilities on cost in Colorado. officials were happy to help big has cultivated for 40 years.
Colorado communities like Craig, companies vacuum up profits
Gunnison, Hayden, Meeker, These historic changes came from our resources while giving Western Colorado Alliance is
Naturita, Nucla, and Paonia, home to roost this January as workers like me and communities excited to announce the 2020
coal was the multi-generational Tri-State Generation & like these nothing to stand on Western Colorado Homegrown
anchor that built entire towns and Transmission, owner of several when the party was over.” Prosperity Summit as our region
families. The U.S. government coal stations that power rural answers that call. The first of its
invested heavily in coal’s success, Colorado’s electric co-ops, kind in Western Colorado, the
with direct subsidies and tax announced that it could no summit will bring hundreds of
breaks worth $70 billion. longer postpone its own Western Colorado regional attendees together this
transition. After years of member Alliance is excited to spring to trade strategies, craft
Today, coal is no longer cheap. co-op and investor pressure for solutions, and adopt a policy
Eleven coal companies have cheaper sources, Tri-State set announce the 2020 agenda. Trailblazing local
declared bankruptcy since the dates for the retirement of its Western Colorado community leaders will join
Trump election, including some Craig coal stations worth 1.3 Homegrown Prosperity regional experts in economics
of the nation’s largest. Coal GW of power. Craig Station and policy for in-depth workshop
production has fallen 42% since 1 closes in 2025 and Stations Summit! tracks on the biggest challenges
its historic peak in 2008, with 2 and 3 by 2030. The nearby and opportunities we face.
jobs falling by nearly half to Trapper mine winds down It will be a gathering worthy
53,000 nationwide and 1,300 between 2026 and 2030, with the
Coming this Spring! of this moment in history.
in Colorado. In the last decade, Colowyo mine closing around
operators in the United States 2030. Nearly 700 workers are Look for a summit date and
closed 550 coal-fired generation directly affected. Communities Western Colorado Alliance is details coming soon — we think
facilities worth a stunning will lose anchor jobs, consumer determined to change that story. you’ll want to be in the room as
110GW of output. In 2020, spending, and tax revenue. The Our region now has the chance a better future for healthy, just,
coal will supply just 20% of race is on to help these workers to take active ownership of its and self-reliant communities is
the nation’s electricity — but and their families have a future. economic destiny, beginning with written in Western Colorado.
nearly half of Colorado’s.
Cries of a “war on coal” from
some politicians may have
provided a cathartic channel for
community anger as one town
after another was confronted
with the loss of hundreds of
livelihoods and their proud
histories. This weaponization of
recent lay-offs failed, however,
to own up to the market and
technology forces at work in
coal’s decline — or to provide
leadership for entire regions in
desperate need of a future.
Solar costs are just 12% of
what they were a decade ago.
Wind costs are 31%. Both
technologies have a long cost-
curve distance yet to travel.
This year, virtually all new
utility-scale wind power will be The race is on for solutions in places like Craig, Colorado.
less expensive than fossil fuel (Photo by Jimmy Thomas, licensed under CC BY-SA.)
Spring 2020 Western Colorado Alliance The Clarion 7
Loving our Public Lands!
This February, our West Slope Youth Vote interns at
Olathe High School registered 100% of their senior
student body to vote in less than eight hours!
Phew!
Take a bow, Cesar, Natalia & Cassie!
8 Western Colorado Alliance The Clarion Spring 2020
Saying goodbye is hard...
...especially when the Community Organizer working
people to whom we’re on public lands and local
saying goodbye are so agriculture, who will
enormously special. soon be farming hemp in
the San Luis Valley.
In late 2019, we
bid adieu to Kelly To say we will miss these two
Dougherty, our amazing and unique people
intrepid Membership is just a huge understatement.
Coordinator, who Whether it was Kelly’s sly, dry
moved with her humor and passion for justice,
family to pursue new or Leah’s serene profession-
opportunities alism and genuine compassion,
in Denver. the qualities they brought to
their work will be simply
And this month, impossible to completely replace.
we said farewell to
Leah López, our We miss you both!
But saying hello is easy...
...when we’re saying hello conservation on oil
to an amazing new Board and gas development,
member like Gabriel Otero! land management
plans, conservation
Gabriel joined our Alliance’s designations,
Board of Directors in late defending National
2019. He’s a 4th generation Monuments and
Coloradan and grew up on a bedrock conservation
farm in Fruita. He’s worked in laws across the
congressional and senatorial Colorado Plateau.
campaigns. He also worked
for five years in the oil and gas Gabriel, an outdoor
energy sector. Gabriel received enthusiast, loves
his BA in Political Science from hunting, fishing,
Colorado Mesa University. hiking, camping
and spending time
Gabriel currently works in with family.
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