MEEKER | Rio Blanco County Farm Bureau received the Policy Implementation Award of Excellence from the Colorado Farm Bureau (CFB), recognizing the Dance Without Wolves fundraiser hosted to defeat Proposition 114, the ballot initiative that will introduce wolves into Western Colorado. The Dance Without Wolves event raised $34,000 and was a joint effort with Rio Blanco Cattlemen’s and Woolgrowers including dinner, silent and live auctions, and a dance. Colorado Farm Bureau matched the $34,000 dollar for dollar.
The money raised was utilized to educate and inform targeted voters of the issues associated with this ballot measure to sway them to vote NO on 114. Even though the measure passed by a slim margin,polling indicated that the efforts dropped the percentage in favor from 70% to 50.1% showing that these efforts are effective. Rio Blanco County played a major role in this effort and the end results showed it.
The award was presented at the annual Colorado Farm Bureau meeting held Nov. 21, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions in place, an all-state, in-person meeting was not possible. Each of the ten Farm Bureau districts across the state established a central meeting place in their district and the meeting was held virtually. District 10, which includes Rio Blanco County, held their meeting at the Meeker Fire Protection District’s meeting room with representatives from Routt, Moffat and Garfield counties joining Rio Blanco representatives.
During the meeting, the CFB presidency changed hands from Don Shawcroft (Conejos County) to Carlyle Currier (Mesa County). James Henderson (Conejos County) became the new CFB Vice President. More locally, Angela Ryden (Garfield County) retired as the District 10 representative and our own Callie Hendrickson was voted in to take her place. Kelly Osborn (Rio Blanco County) accepted a continued position of District 10 representative to the Women’s Leadership Committee.
The organization would have preferred to meet as a state and in-person, but this provided a safe way to get business accomplished. Our thanks to the Rio Blanco Fire Protection District for allowing CFB the use of their beautiful facility in this centralized location. The wonderful audio and visual equipment allowed our connections to be one of the best in the state. Congratulations Rio Blanco Farm Bureau on your state award and representation at the state level.
Special to the Herald Times
