A call for climate action
Each of the jurisdictions signing this guest editorial — Breckenridge, Frisco and Summit County — is part of the countywide climate action plan because we understand the steep and escalating impacts that Summit County communities are starting to face, including more frequent drought, more intense forest fires, warmer winters, hotter summers and more extreme weather events. The impacts to our communities are substantial and growing: economic challenges, the costs of rebuilding after extreme weather and natural disasters, the costs of treating sediment-laden water after post-fire erosion dumps mountainsides into our rivers, the costs to repair roads damaged by the extreme (and worsening) freeze-thaw and the costs to county residents who damage their tires or vehicles in the resulting potholes. One recent study projected that the costs to a single county would likely run $100 million or more over the next thirty years to repair roads buckling from the heat, roads and bridges damaged by floods and other impacts.
But despite our commitment, strong countywide collaboration and ambitious goals for our communities can only do so much. Without stronger statewide policy, we will have trouble reaching our local goals and Coloradans across the state will continue to experience the growing costs and impacts of climate change.
This is why each of our jurisdictions also participates in a statewide local government coalition, Colorado Communities for Climate Action (CC4CA). We understand how difficult it can be for individual small communities to change state policy. Working in partnership with other like-minded jurisdictions around the state allows us to have a real impact on what happens at the Colorado State Capitol.
All three of our jurisdictions, along with our CC4CA coalition partners, are working hard right now to pass a number of important bills at the legislature. These bills will expand opportunities for solar, reduce methane and other types of air pollution from drilling rigs, set clear and accountable goals for reducing carbon pollution across the state, ensure that passenger vehicles continue becoming more fuel efficient, expand electric vehicle access so that both Colorado’s urban and rural area can reap the economic and environmental benefits and save money for Colorado’s local governments, families and businesses.
All of Summit County’s legislators take these issues seriously and recognize that there are real challenges ahead. On behalf of our communities and constituents, we strongly encourage Sen. Bob Rankin and Rep. Julie McCluskie, along with Gov. Polis, to work hard to make sure that all of these bills become law this session.
Eric Mamula
Mayor
Town of Breckenridge
Gary Wilkinson
Mayor
Town of Frisco
Karn Stiegelmeier
Board of County Commissioners
Summit County
Best to give all the facts
In April 1’s Summit Daily News, Allen Best wrote a column about Vail Resort’s housing and wage challenges. It was interesting. At the end Best decided to inform us that President Trump’s tax cuts benefited the jet plane owners like himself and high-end customers that ski. What he didn’t mention is that unemployment among women, Hispanics and blacks are at historical lows. He also “forgot” to mention that wages and salaries are up 3.1%, highest level in a decade. CNBC (hardly a pro-Trump broadcaster) said, these wage increases were the “best since the Great Recession,” “highest in a decade,” and “easily topping any during former President Barack Obama’s entire term.” Best gives his opinion, which I am grateful for, as it is the purest form of free speech. He might have more of his desired impact were he to give all the facts.
Dan Richardson
Breckenridge