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 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 ...... 2 homegrown prosperity...... 6 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED 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

“Out of Bounds” (from Poems in Prison Stirring pots for 40 years 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 Alliance President You who by the grace of law authority that held the power continue to stir those pots and go free and suffered some consequences. perhaps travel out of bounds walk by spongy springs I suppose we’ve all had No jail time, but I’d stirred a pot a bit, having firmed up our 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 her wings human services and education, by some, we’ve numerous allies, years of inspired community 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 You who are still in luck just, and self-reliant Worley, who passed away 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 Permission to publish “Out of Given my relatively short time that’s fresh and green. Bounds” was graciously provided with our Alliance, I am no expert by Speak4Peace Publishing. Summer finds me out of on the organization’s history, Learn more about their efforts to bounds this year… nor can I claim to have a real support “living with conscience”

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 (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 Kevin Kuns, Vice President, Montrose Betsy Leonard, Battlement Mesa brings people together to build Emily Hornback, Executive Director grassroots power through Andreya Krieves, Secretary, Grand Junction Ridgway-Ouray Community Council 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 Western Colorado Alliance in Mesa County Our Alliance’s vision for the future Rodger Steen, Steamboat Springs 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! [email protected] 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 our civilization skiing on rocks.” 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) (R, SD1) 303-866-4846 (303) 866-4861 (303) 866-6360 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

John Cooke (R, SD13) (R, SD10) (D, SD16) (303) 866-4451 (303) 866-2737 303-866-4873 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Don Coram (R, SD6) (R, SD2) Jack Tate (R, SD27) (303) 866-4884 303-866-4877 (303) 866-4883 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Larry Crowder (R, SD35) (R, SD30) (D, SD28) (303) 866-4875 (303) 866-4881 (303) 866-3432 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] (MINORITY LEADER) (PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE) (D, SD20) (D, SD11) Angela Williams (D, SD33) (303) 866-4856 303-866-6364 (303) 866-4864 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Kerry Donovan (D, SD5) (R, SD9) (D, SD24) (303) 866-4871 303-866-4835 303-866-4863 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Stephen Fenberg (D, SD18) (R, SD23) Rob Woodward (R, SD15) (303) 866-4872 (303) 866-4876 303-866-4853 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] (MAJORITY LEADER) (D, SD29) (D, SD21) (D, SD19) (303) 866-4879 (303) 866-4857 (303) 866-4840 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Mike Foote (D, SD17) (D, SD22) 303-866-5291 303-866-4859 [email protected] brittany.pettersen.senate@ Senate Committees state.co.us Agriculture & Natural Education Local Government (D, SD3) (R, SD25) (303) 866-4878 Todd, Chair; (303) 866-4855 Resources Ginal, Chair; [email protected] [email protected] Donovan, Chair; Story, Vice-Chair; Williams, Vice-Chair; (PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE) Danielson, Vice-Chair; Bridges, Hill, Lundeen Bridges, Coram, Crowder (R, SD12) (R, SD8) Coram, Rodriguez, (303) 866-4880 303-866-5292 Sonnenberg Finance [email protected] [email protected] Gonzales, Chair; Lee, Vice-Chair; State, Military & (R, SD14) Robert Rodriguez (D, SD32) Hansen, Lundeen, Tate, Veteran Affairs 303-866-4841 303-866-4852 Appropriations Todd, Woodward Foote, Chair; [email protected] robert.rodriguez.senate@ Zenzinger, Chair; state.co.us Fields, Vice-Chair; Moreno, Vice-Chair; Health & Human Hansen, Marble, (D, SD34) Ray Scott (R, SD7) Foote, Gardner, Gonzales, (303) 866-4862 (303) 866-3077 Services Sonnenberg [email protected] [email protected] Hansen, Hisey, Rankin, Fields, Chair; Rodriguez, Woodward Note: Contact information is from Winter Vice-Chair; Colorado’s legislative website (R, SD4) Crowder, Ginal, Smallwood which can be found at www.leg. (303) 866-4869 Transportation & state.co.us. The information is [email protected] Business, Labor & accurate as of January, 2020. This Judiciary Energy website is also a good source for Technology 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 Districts Gov. (D) 136 State Capitol Federal Contacts Denver, CO 80203-1792 Pres. Donald Trump (R) U.S. Sen. (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. (D) U.S. Rep. (R, D3)

261 Russell Senate Office Bldg. 218 Cannon House Office Bldg. Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20515-0603 Phone: (202) 224-5852 Phone: (202) 225-4761 For more info, visit: Fax: (202) 228-5097 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 (D) Ph: (970) 241-6631 Phone: (970) 241-2499 Fax: (970) 241-3053 6 (R) @SenBennetCO 7 RAY SCOTT (R) @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 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

S. Gonzales-Gutierrez (D, Dist. 4) Hugh McKean (R, Dist. 51) (R, Dist. 54) 303-866-2954 (303) 866-2947 303-866-2583 serena.gonzales-gutierrez.house [email protected] [email protected] @state.co.us (D, Dist. 33) Barbara McLachlan (D, Dist. 59) Tom Sullivan (D, Dist. 37) (303) 866-4667 (303) 866-2914 303-866-5510 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Leslie Herod (D, Dist. 8) Jovan Melton (D, Dist 41) (D, Dist. 28) (303) 866-2959 (303) 866-2919 303-866-2939 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Richard Holtorf (R, Dist. 64) (D, 30) (D, Dist. 27) 303-866-2398 (303) 866-2945 303-866-2962 (no email) [email protected] [email protected]

Edie Hooton (D, Dist. 10) (D, Dist. 34 (D, Dist. 5) (303) 866-2915 303-866-2931 303-866-2925 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Stephen Humphrey (R, Dist. 48) (R, Dist. 45) (D, Dist. 62) (303) 866-2943 (303) 866-5523 (303) 866-2916 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] (MINORITY LEADER) (R, Dist. 65) (R, Dist.43) 303-866-3706 (303) 866-2936 House Committees [email protected] [email protected] Appropriations Finance Rural Affairs & (R, Dist. 44) (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- [email protected] [email protected] Coleman, Kennedy, Kraft-Tharp, Kraft-Tharp, Rich, Sandridge, Pelton, Ransom, Rich Chair; Arndt, Buentello, Catlin, Snyder, Sullivan Holtorf, McCluskie, Pelton, (R, Dist. 55) (R, Dist. 57) Health & Insurance Titone, Will, Young 303-866-3068 (303) 866-2949 Business Affairs & Labor Lontine, Chair; Caraveo, [email protected] [email protected] Kraft-Tharp, Chair; Coleman, Vice-Chair; Baisley, Buckner, Vice-Chair; Arndt, Bird, Duran, Jackson, Mullica, Soper, Tipper, (D, Dist. 26) Dave Williams (R, Dist. 15) McKean, Sandridge, Snyder, State, Veterans & Titone, Will Military Affairs (303) 866-2923 (303) 866-5525 Sullivan, Van Winkle, Williams [email protected] [email protected] Judiciary Kennedy, Chair; Lewis, Vice- Education Chair; Duran, Humphrey, Kipp, Weissman, Chair; Herod, Vice- Lori Saine (R, Dist. 63) James Wilson (R, Dist. 60) McLachlan, Chair; Buentello, Lontine, Rich, Sirota, Williams Chair; Benavidez, Bockenfeld, (303) 866-2906 (303) 866-2747 Vice-Chair; Baisley, Buck, Carver, Gonzales-Gutierrez, [email protected] [email protected] Buckner, Coleman, Cutter, Roberts, Soper, Tipper Exum, Geitner, Larson, McCluskie, Jenet, Wilson (R, Dist. 14) (D, Dist. 50) Public Health Care & Transportation & (303) 866-2965 (303) 866-2929 Energy & Environment Human Services Local Government [email protected] [email protected] 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) NOTE: As of time of publication, no Landgraf, Liston, Saine, Sirota, Gutierrez, Kipp, Landgraf, Humphrey, Lewis, Melton, A. (303) 866-2780 [email protected] replacement had yet been chosen A. Valdez, Weissman Larson, Liston, Mullica, Pelton Valdez, D. Valdez, Wilson for Chris Hansen’s seat in District 6. Hansen left when he was chosen to Jeni Arndt (D, Dist. 53) (D, Dist. 31) Dominique Jackson (D, Dist. 42) (D, Dist. 9) replace as state senator. (303) 866-2917 303-866-2918 (303) 866-3911 303-866-2910 Court left for health reasons. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Mark Baisley (R, Dist. 39) (R, Dist. 20) (D, Dist. 12) 303-866-2935 (303) 866-2191 303-866-2920 Western Colorado House Districts [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

KC Becker (D, Dist. 13) (R, Dist. 58) Chris Kennedy (D, Dist. 23) (303) 866-2578 (303) 866-2955 (303) 866-2951 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] (SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE) (R, Dist. 38) James Coleman (D, Dist. 7) (D, Dist. 52) (303) 866-2953 (303) 866-2909 303-866-4569 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Adrienne Benavidez (D, Dist. 32) (D, Dist. 25) Tracy Kraft-Tharp (D, Dist. 29) (303) 866-2964 303-866-2582 (303) 866-2950 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Shannon Bird (D, Dist. 35) (D, Dist. 24) Lois Landgraf (R, Dist. 21) 303-866-2843 303-866-5522 (303) 866-2946 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Rod Bockenfeld (R, Dist. 56) (D, Dist. 46) (R, Dist. 22) 303-866-2912 (303) 866-2968 303-866-2927 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Perry Buck (R, Dist. 49) (D, Dist. 17) Kimmi Lewis (R, Dist. 64) (303) 866-2907 303-866-3069 (303) 866-2398 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Janet Buckner (D, Dist. 40) (D, Dist. 3) (R, Dist. 16) DIST. REP. DIST. REP. (303) 866-2944 303-866-2921 (303) 866-2937 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 13 KC BECKER (D) 58 MARC CATLIN (R) (SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE) 26 DYLAN ROBERTS (D) 59 BARBARA MCLACHLAN (D) Bri Buentello (D, Dist. 47) (D, Dist. 2) (D, Dist. 1) 54 MATT SOPER (R) 61 JULIE MCCLUSKIE (D) 303-866-2905 (303) 866-2911 (303) 866-2966 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 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.