Why the Colorado Democratic Party’s Caucus & County Assembly matters
Dear Editor:
As a county Democrat officer in Rio Blanco County, I encourage Democrats to take part in the Colorado Democratic Party’s Caucus & County Assembly on March 7. This process plays a key role in deciding which candidates appear on the Democratic primary ballot for local, state, and federal offices.
Unlike the presidential caucuses that were eliminated in 2018, caucuses and assemblies are still used by political parties to choose which candidates move forward to the June 30 primary election. This includes races for county offices, the state Legislature, and statewide offices.
Even though only a small share of registered Democrats typically take part in caucus and assembly, these meetings have a real impact. The candidates who earn support at these meetings are the ones who appear before voters in the primary. That means the people who show up help shape the choices that everyone else gets to make later.
In Rio Blanco, registered Democrats will meet for a caucus and county assembly on March 7, at the Meeker Public Library, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. At caucus, Democrats will handle party business and elect delegates and precinct leaders. Those delegates will then attend the county assembly, where they will vote on which candidates move forward in the party’s nominating process.
This process gives local Democrats a direct way to help shape who represents our community and our state. It also gives new and young voters a chance to see how party decisions are made before Election Day.
To take part, you must be a registered Democrat living in Rio Blanco County by February 12, usually 22 days before caucus. You can register, or check and update your voter registration, at GoVoteColorado.gov.
If you care about who represents our community and what the Democratic Party stands for, I encourage you to take part.
Thank you from Debbie Frazier
I want to thank the person or persons that bought our dinners at the Ma Famiglia. It was really nice because it was Valentine’s Day. Dinner was really special.
Debbie Frazier
Meeker
Outfitters: The canary in the coal mine
Dear Editor:
Outfitters…. Colorado’s index species. Outfitters have deep roots and a long tradition passed down in Colorado history that goes back to a time when packing and guiding people safely through Colorado’s vast backcountry, on the back of horses and mules, was essential to natives and settlers alike.
Today, outfitters are mostly known for hunting and horseback rides, but they serve a much broader role in our public lands. For the US Forest Service, permitted outfitters provide a public service that they don’t have the resources to provide. In the Summer months, you’ll find Outfitters helping the Forest Service by packing gear and equipment into the back country to support trail crews. Outfitters also repair and maintain sections of trail systems for everyone to use.
Outfitters support crews fighting fires by packing equipment and gear to remote fire locations. Outfitters are also known for helping local search and rescue groups by providing horses and guides, helping injured folks and saving lives. Outfitters also support scientists and researchers doing environmental research and wildlife studies with guides, navigation, and packing services.
Outfitters are a unique and hardy group who lead an outdoor life of love for wildlife and the environment. Why are they the canary in the coal mine, the index species? Because Colorado’s development and exploitation of natural resources is destroying the very thing outfitters are trying to save, the environment and their way of life.
Since 2010, Colorado’s population has exploded by another 1,000,000 people! The west slope mountain towns have taken over the very best habitat at the headwaters of Colorado’s most precious valleys. It’s estimated that Colorado is losing 690 acres of open space every single day!! How do we coexist with wildlife on this unsustainable path?
Where outfitters once traveled with their pack trains. Where the elk, deer and bison once roamed, where the wolves thrived, now many of these wild lands are gone forever. Without the wild lands, the wildlife is doomed, their sacred homes lost forever.
That’s when outfitters will be gone.
Shawn Welder
Meeker