By Shannon Lukens.
The Colorado Water Congress continues at the Steamboat Grand today. Governor Polis kicked off the annual gathering in its 67th year, to over 520 registered participants are attending and working to protect and improve Colorado’s resources.
“Working together is just how we get things done. Our shared efforts will always protect the water that supports our economy, our farmers, our ranchers, homes. Together we can secure a water future and achieve a sustainable level and affordable Colorado, now and for generations to come. Thank you.”
Governor Polis also spoke of the launch of a new website called coloradoriver.com
Other panelists on water included Senator John Hickenlooper, Senator Michael Bennet, and Congressman Joe Neguse. Bennet and Neguse held a Town Hall at Olympian Hall in the afternoon.
Senator Hickenlooper was on the air as Guest DJ on Easy 94-1, with two moose sitting outside the window of the studio.
Governor Polis stopped at Strawberry Park Elementary and Steamboat Springs Middle School on the first day of school.
Courtesy photos
He visited Hayden to talk about the Geothermal Energy Grant Program, of which the Town of Hayden is a recipient. He next stopped at Hayden Fresh Farms and then went to Fitch Ranch Artisan Meat Company in Craig.
More on the Story — Governor Polis spends the day in Northwest Colorado
The Crosho Fire in South Routt is now at 22% containment and has burned 2,067 acres as of Tuesday, with 355 total personnel working on the fire.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers wants a pause in wolf introductions. They’ll be introducing a bill asking that, during this week’s Special Session of the Colorado Legislature. The main reason is the state’s budget. Lawmakers this week have to cut nearly $1 billion from the budget.
If there is a pause in the wolf reintroduction, the money saved would go to Colorado’s Health Insurance Affordability Enterprise which helps Coloradans lower their health insurance costs.
Senator Dylan Roberts is one of the sponsors of the bill.
“Now is not the time to be spending precious taxpayer dollars on new wolves – let’s focus on lowering costs for Coloradans and balancing our budget and managing the wolves we do have.”
Other sponsors are Representatives Meghan Lukens of Steamboat Springs and Matthew Martinez of Monte Vista, as well as Senator Marc Catlin of Montrose.
“You know my cattlemen and livestock producers, they’re, they’re struggling with this and so is CPW. The whole program is struggling right now. Let’s take a pause, take a look at it, and let’s fix what’s not working. That’s what this bill is about. And we can help people possibly with their costs on insurance. It seems to me like it’s a win for everyone.”
More on the Story — Colorado legislators to introduce a bill to put a pause on wolf introductions, to help with the budget
The Town Board of Yampa meets at 6 p.m. tonight. The Yampa Wastewater Treatment Plant Project is on the agenda.
The 3rd Annual Golf for a Cure Alpine Insurance Brokers Golf Tournament is Wednesday, Aug. 20. It’s at Haymaker and there is a dinner, auction, and live band afterwards. This is a benefit for the UCHealth Jan Bishop Cancer Center. Find out more at Andrew@AlpineInsuranceBrokers.com, or call 970-879-2265.