Rural Representatives Hear from Colorado Lawmakers
Budget Prevails as Largest Concern, with Oil and Gas Revenues Declining
DENVER - Lawmakers presented their ideas to those with rural Colorado interests this week at the Capitol, underscoring looming battles over the budget and oil and gas regulations.
The annual two-day marathon held by Club 20, Action 22 and Progressive 15 - which represent most rural Colorado counties - offered a voice to areas of the state that often feel overshadowed by an urban-focused agenda.
"Your voice matters, and especially when you make the trip, whether it's out on the Eastern Plains, or Southwest Colorado or Northwest Colorado ... when you make that trip in, it carries a huge amount of weight," Sen. Ellen Roberts, R-Durango, told the audience.
She pointed out that 87 of the Legislature's 100 lawmakers represent communities along the Interstate 25 corridor - the Front Range. But she said that doesn't necessarily limit the rural voice.
"Rural legislators are a strong force," Roberts said. "We have to be three times as good as any other legislator here because there are so few of us."
Perhaps the largest question on the minds of attendees surrounded the budget. Budget writers are constrained by a constitutional cap on how much the budget can grow. About $156 million must be refunded to taxpayers this year.
Republicans in the Legislature have generally opposed the proposal. But some rural county commissioners at the meetings this week wondered why Republican leaders would oppose a move that would allow more money to be spent on things such as crumbling roads, without having to ask voters to raise taxes.
Playing into budget discussions is slumping revenue from oil and gas. Those in rural areas are worried about further damage, as anti-fracking interests plan ballot measures for this year that would offer local governments the ability to ban fracking. The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission also is in the midst of rule-making in an attempt to offer local governments more input.
Rep. Don Coram, R-Montrose, who also spoke at the meetings, pointed out that the state severance tax has declined by 70 percent, which is money that goes to local governments and will impact budgets this year.
"That's real money in these rural communities," Coram said. "That's huge. It'll affect every county and every city in the state of Colorado."
