Local leaders from Moffat, Routt, and Rio Blanco counties met with U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper in Craig Thursday. It was for a roundtable discussion at Loudy-Simpson Park on how the region can diversify the economy. Senator Hickenlooper says it was obvious the community members were committed to working together.

Senator Hickenlooper said to the group to continue working together. He added that the country has an obligation to communities such as Moffat County to help rebuild after transition like what is happening with the closing of the coal mines.

Moffat County Commissioner Tony Bohrer  is also grateful that city and county officials are working together, especially on some big projects behind the scenes that could help support the economy.

Commissioner Bohrer said he was pleased that Senator Hickenlooper was receptive.

 

Other comments from the meeting include:

 

Craig Mayor Ryan Hess says more and more is happening in northwest Colorado. He thanked Senators Hickenlooper and Bennet for their support through federal funding on projects such as the new Moffat County Courthouse being built. He said the Craig community is very short on housing and that they can’t do anything to help Craig’s economy until there are new homes available. Get homes, connected with parks, bring restaurants and other amenities and more businesses will come.

 

Moffat County Commissioner Don Broom also applauded combined services with the City of Craig. The economy is in a state of transition. He estimated that Moffat County is losing about 700 jobs through the coal mines shutting down. They are looking into wind solar projects on private land and possibly defense and aerospace in northwest Colorado.

 

Andy Shaffer is the mayor for the Town of Rangely. He asked Senator Hickenlooper for continued support for oil and gas. He says there are too many regulations that they are dealing with to continue to be successful. Groups like BLM, EPA, CDPHE, and the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. He said they are trying to be good neighbors and look to the future but they need support.

 

Routt County Commissioner Tim Redmond is hesitant about the Office of Just Transition. He says the communities are going through changes that are somewhat beyond their control, which can result in people being anxious and angry. “We’re in a situation where we really can’t get a handle as to what our future is like.” He added that it is difficult to coordinate between the different local, state, and federal agencies, and that small governments already have their hands full. He told the senator that “Any coordination and technical assistance would be greatly appreciated.”

 

Zach Wuestewald is the Mayor of Hayden. He says they are trying to diversify, going into the future for the Town of Hayden. He says housing is a huge issue for the valley. There is no workforce housing available in Steamboat which is turning into a problem for towns like Hayden.

 

Moffat County Commissioner Melody Villard spoke of the effect of regulations on the communities. She said, “We’re finding ways to climb this steep hill as neighbors but we would like to know someone is at the top of the hill to throw us a rope.”

 

Craig City Council member and Executive Director of Visit Moffat County Tom Kleinschnitz emphasized the importance of water and planning for the long term is critical. He mentioned landlocked BLM land that would help ag and ranchers if more accessible. Transportation for tourism is also critical between the communities. He said there is a new paleo formation that may be bigger than the dinosaur wall in Jensen. It’s on BLM land two miles from Dinosaur National Monument.

 

Moffat County Manager Jeff Comstock said Sen. Hickenlooper led the effort when it came to collaboration and that is what is needed on the latest public land issues. “Your ability to bring people together is going to make a difference.” He said agriculture is the factor that has to be brought in to any new proposals.

 

Senator Hickenlooper said This country has an obligation to communities like Moffat County to help rebuild after a transition like this. He said more people need to look out for the little guys. He said tourism and outdoor recreation is a big asset in Moffat County. “Everyone agrees that’s something we want to support.” Hickenlooper reminded the group that he is one of the oldest freshman senators at the U.S. Capitol. He said Senator Michael Bennet has done so much to help Moffat County but he knows he won’t get votes in return. He says people in the city have responsibility to support people in the rural parts of the state, especially because they’ll need water for agriculture to have a long-term sustainable future. Sen. Hickenlooper says there is a Rocky Mountain bipartisan senate caucus of U.S. senators forming and that they’ll listen and they’ll compromise for the better good. He said not to lose faith, “We’ve got to be strong as a country. We’ve got to come together.”