Assembly Speech
Good morning,
I’d like to start by sharing a quote with you from Thomas Jefferson, that I saw at one of our county offices this week. “We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate”. So, I want to personally thank you all for engaging in the process of shaping our future together.
Last week in Denver we witnessed our opposition’s willful intolerance to the rule of law - common sense - and responsible conservation. This is a pattern that is becoming all too regular, and is a threat to our way of life. But participation requires more than just showing up—it requires leadership that understands what’s at stake. It requires a voice that won't just 'go along to get along' in Denver or D.C., but will stand firm for Rio Blanco County.
That is why I am asking for your vote today. I’m not just asking to represent a party; I’m asking for the privilege of representing our ranchers, our energy workers, and our families. I am asking for your vote so that together, we can take the fight for our water, our jobs, and our way of life to the front lines. I don’t just want to be a name on a ballot—I want to be your advocate.
The American Dream has never been a complicated formula; it’s always been anchored in a simple, sacred promise. It’s the idea that if you are willing to get your hands dirty and work a full day, you should be able to do more than just survive—you should thrive. You should be able to own your home, keep the tank full in your truck, and put high-quality food on the table for your family.
But here in Rio Blanco County, we know that the American Dream doesn’t just appear out of thin air—it is irrigated, it is mined, and it is drilled. In the Piceance Basin, that dream is fueled by the energy we produce for the rest of the country. It is grown in the soil by our ranchers who feed a nation that often forgets that Beef Is What’s for Dinner. For us, economic policy isn't an abstract theory discussed in a Denver skyscraper; it is the difference between a thriving Meeker and Rangely or a ghost town. When we protect our energy and agriculture, we aren't just protecting industries—we are protecting the very foundation of the American Dream for future generations.
We face a unique set of challenges on our rangeland. We’ve seen the impact of the wolf reintroduction program—a project forced upon us by voters who don’t have to live with the consequences. I stand firmly with our ranchers who are dealing with the reality of uncollared predators on their livestock. It is time for management that puts our producers first and radical social experiments last.
And let’s talk about the lifeblood of the West: Water. As Colorado River negotiations fail to reach a consensus, our message is simple: Rio Blanco County’s water belongs in Rio Blanco County. We cannot allow our senior water rights to be pirated to fill the swimming pools of the Lower Basin states or the sprawl of the Front Range. We are the stewards of this land, and we MUST defend our heritage.
As we look to our future and the challenges ahead of us, let us remember that in the early days of the Western Slope, unity wasn't just a preference—it was a survival strategy. You didn’t survive a winter or a drought alone; you survived because you stood with your neighbor.
We are a party of independent thinkers, and we will always have our differences of opinion. In the coming days, we must remember that what unites us is a thousand times more powerful than anything that divides us. Our opponents are banking on our division; Let’s disappoint them.
Let’s show the rest of Colorado that here in Rio Blanco County, 'Better Together' isn’t just a campaign slogan; unity is truly our strength. It is our shield against overreach, and it is the only way we secure the future of our communities, our water, and our resources. Let’s leave here as one team, with one mission, ready to win for the West.
Thank you, and God bless Rio Blanco County!