ClarionThe Western Colorado Congress VOLUME 37 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2017 Members and staff participated in this year’s People’s Lobby Trip to Denver in late February. Left: WCC members enjoyed their time on the House floor as guests of Rep. Diane Mitsch Bush and Rep. Millie Hamner. Pictured from left to right: Tyler McDermott, Kierra Havens, Donnamarie, Rep. Mitsch Bush, Rebecca Mashburn, Jay Mashburn, Carson Anderson, Cazz Davis, McKayla Anderson. Below: WCC’s legislative liaison Sol Malick suppresses a laugh during a meeting between Rep. Barbara McLachlan (D-59) and WCC members. Photos by Jeriel Brammeier. Up close and personal with the state legislature By Emily Hornback, Organizer to lend support and training, and A recurring theme was economic We also discussed energy efficiency Sol Malick, our legislative liaison development on the Western Slope for low-income households. A record number of WCC in Denver, is on hand to make – specifically, how we can support A special thanks to Kathleen and members participated in our introductions and provide current traditional industries like farming Xenti Colucci for supporting the trip People’s Lobby Trip to Denver at information. and ranching (via bills promoting by offering us a place to spend our the end of February – which was a Because our team was so large, industrial hemp) and new business two nights in Denver. Much better triumph by many measures! While we split into two groups in order to opportunities (via broadband bills). than a motel! some of the 19 participants were meet with as many legislators as experienced citizen lobbyists, 10 possible. In the morning, one group were first-timers from Mesa County. went on the Senate floor at the WCC sponsors the annual invitation of Sen. Kerry Donovan (D- excursion not only to advocate for 2017 legislative priorities 5), and the other went to the House specific bills, but also to shed light floor as the guests of Reps. Millie on the legislative process and help Hamner (D-61) and Diane Mitsch WCC has identified some WCC is continuing to work folks understand the important role Bush (D-26). top priorities for the 2017 state with legislative sponsors they can play in government. WCC’s We also had individual legislative session – here are the on another bill that would community organizers are there meetings with Western Slope highlights: better protect our children Representatives Mitsch Bush, from drilling and fracking Our time spent on the Dan Thurlow (R-55), Marc Catlin Gasfield justice operations near schools. We House floor demystified (R-58), Barbara McLachlan (D-59) Local Government Liable have played a leading role in and Millie Hamner (D-61), as well as Fracking Ban Oil and Gas developing this common-sense the entire political process Senator Don Coram (R-6). Moratorium (HB 1124): WCC health and safety measure, which for me. It was eye-opening Leslie Robinson and Rodger opposed this bill at the start would close a disturbing loophole Steen, members of WCC’s Oil & Gas of the session so we’re happy in state regulations. Once the bill that our elected officials Committee, also met with the Air to report it’s dead! HB 1124 is introduced in the House, it will are just people who can be Quality Control Division to discuss would have penalized any local get an official title and number. influenced by us. the implementation of the new 2013 government that banned or WCC supports this bill as this air quality regulations for oil and enacted a moratorium of oil and year’s top legislative priority. gas development in Colorado. gas development by holding it –Cazz Davis, Our lobbyists spoke at length liable for the value of the mineral Continued on page 4 People’s Lobby Trip participant with legislators about the bills rights. detailed in the sidebar at right. WESTERN COLORADO CONGRESS NON-PROFIT ORG. Inside PO BOX 1931 U.S. POSTAGE PAID GRAND JUNCTION CO 81502 GRAND JUNCTION, CO New methane rule at risk ...........2 Retooling the “multi-tool” .............5 PERMIT NO. 134 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Smile and say “Organize” .............2 Picking up the PACE .....................6 Proposed wastewater injection well Jeriel back on staff as community reined in ...........................................3 organizer .........................................7 Build power for a civic solstice ....3 Community center raised as election issue ..................................7 Colorado State House and Senate directories ..........................4 WCC supports Days of Action ...8 US Congress threatens to overturn methane rule By Rodger Steen, WCC bring this bill to a vote any day. Board member To vote against the BLM If you haven't already called to urge your Senators to support the Right now, a rule that WCC methane rule is to vote against BLM’s Methane Waste Prevention and other citizen organizations Western Slope interests. This rule is Rule, please do so today! across the country have spent years a modest, practical and effective way working to pass is in jeopardy. The to limit the amount of methane gas • Sen. Cory Gardner at (303) Bureau of Land Management’s wasted during public and tribal oil 391-5777 or (202) 224-5941 Methane Waste Prevention Rule and gas production. If the new rule limits the amount of methane gas is repealed, oil and gas leasing could • Sen. Michael Bennet at (303) from public and tribal oil and gas again be managed by 37-year-old, 455-7600 or (202) 224-5852 wells that can be wasted through outdated rules. venting, flaring and leaks. The wasted gas is owned by Congress is attacking this rule the citizens of this country and is $330 million worth of natural gas is using an obscure tool called the managed by the BLM for the public wasted each year.” Congressional Review Act (CRA), good. When it is wasted, the oil and Reducing the amount of methane which would unilaterally roll back gas companies pay no royalties on it gas released into the atmosphere this updated regulation on fossil fuel and our country receives no revenue would also result in cleaner air and corporations. from it. WCC and its allies collected decrease the industry’s contribution In early January, the House the endorsement of 61 small to global warming. voted to use the CRA to repeal the business owners from the Western Everything is wrong about The Western Organization of Resource BLM methane rule, disregarding Slope who were opposed to rolling wasting this natural resource; it Councils hosted a fly-in to Washington years of public process and input back the methane rule. could be efficiently captured and DC in early February. WCC member from both citizen groups and the “The BLM’s methane rule makes sold and the royalties could be Karen Sjoberg of Grand Junction was industry. Colorado’s Rep. Scott good business sense,” states a letter returned to the citizens. Nothing is part of the team that met with nine Tipton joined the stampede. from these small business owners right about wasting it. senators in two days. Their aim was to WCC has worked with the to Senators Cory Gardner and The fate of this rule now rests build opposition to the effort to roll back the BLM’s new methane waste rules Western Organization of Resource Michael Bennet. “We recognize that in the hands of the Senate. We call using the Congressional Review Act. Councils (WORC) network for years the BLM’s oil and gas program is on Sens. Gardner and Bennet to to finalize this updated methane an important economic contributor make a decision that will protect our Photo by Sara Kendall, WORC’s rule. Now the fate of the rule to our national economy…[but] publicly owned resources and our air Washington Office Director. rests in the Senate, which could without the BLM’s rule, more than quality. Smile for the camera and say “Organize!” In the photo at right, WCC member Deb Allerton took a turn in front of the TV camera during a session at the Principles of Community Organizing (POCO) training held in Grand Junction in mid-February. Brandon Thompson, a reporter with KREX-TV, added more than a touch of realism to the role-playing exercise. POCO covers the basics of leadership, fundraising, organizational development, and community organizing. This hands-on training is the cornerstone of the Western Organization of Resource Council’s curriculum for grassroots leadership development. “This is one of the best trainings I’ve been to in a long, long time!” said WCC member Elizabeth Howard. WORC offers POCO twice a year. To learn more about the next training to be held in July in Billings, MT, visit www.worc.org. WCC Board of Directors Western Colorado Congress Grand Junction Office 134 N. 6th St., (970) 256-7650 is a grassroots, democratic Officers Dave Reed, Executive Director organization dedicated to challenging Steve Allerton President, Grand Junction Emily Hornback, Organizer Community group directors injustice by organizing people to Reed Kelley, Vice President, Meeker Roxanne Dennis, Organizer GRAND VALLEY CITIZENS ALLIANCE increase their power over decisions Dudley Case, Treasurer, Ridgway Jeriel Brammeier, Organizer Betsy Leonard, Battlement Mesa that affect their lives. Shari VanderVelde, Secretary, Grand Jct Stephani Soto, Office & Membership RIDGWAY-OURAY COMMUNITY COUNCIL At-large directors WCC’s community groups and Al Lowande, Ridgway members work together to create Montrose Office Bob Arrington, Battlement Mesa 12 S. Cascade Ave., #103 healthy, sustainable communities, social Ricardo Perez, Montrose UNCOMPAHGRE VALLEY ASSOCIATION Brenda Bafus-Williams, and economic justice, environmental Rodger Steen, Steamboat Springs Marv Ballantyne, Montrose Communications stewardship and a truly democratic Monica Wiitanen, Paonia WCC OF MESA COUNTY society. www.wccongress.org Director Emeritus Andreya Krieves, Grand Junction Peggy Rawlins, Grand Junction 2 - Western Colorado Congress Clarion • Spring 2017 Proposed wastewater injection well reined in By Emily Hornback, WCC Organizer The proposal must now be heard have a voice in decisions that could run roughshod over basic land-use before the Garfield Board of County threaten their communities.