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 ...................................... 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 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 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.