Eight Western governors and three Canadian premiers are part of a contingent of more than 350 people expected to descend on Breckenridge on Sunday for the Western Governors’ Association annual meeting.
The three-day event features presentations on policy issues such as energy independence and regional economic growth, as well as the chance for leaders to network. President Bush’s energy and agricultural secretaries are scheduled to speak.
Colorado Gov. Bill Owens, the group’s outgoing chairman, said Western governors, regardless of party, share similar concerns and challenges. The conference helps governors and their staffs build relationships.
“My people … have gotten to know the staffs of other governors. They’ve had a beer with them, and if we have an issue, as we sometimes do with neighboring states, … we address it because we know these guys by face and by name,” Owens said.
The association of 18 Western states focuses on finding solutions to regional issues such as drought, wildfires and Indian gaming.
As chairman, Owens held a March summit in Denver on Indian gambling. In the past 17 years, tribal gambling has spread to every Western state except Utah and Hawaii. Owens said he thought the national Indian gaming conference brought visibility to the issue and “addresses a very real concern in Colorado, and that is off-reservation gaming, and that’s a relatively new wrinkle in terms of Indian casinos.”
This week the governors will discuss opportunities and barriers to international trade for the West. The 18 Western states have the third-largest economy in the world, said Pam Inmann, the association’s executive director.
The conference won’t be bad for Breckenridge’s economy either. Larry Crispell, the mayor pro tem, said businesses and restaurants are sprucing up. The town is even handing out gift baskets to the governors.
“It’s very, very difficult to estimate the publicity, the value of that publicity, and if they have a good time, it’s even better because they’ll be spreading the news that Colorado is a great place to visit,” Crispell said.
Expected to attend are Owens, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski, Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds, Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal, and Canadian Premiers Gary Doer of Manitoba, Ralph Klein of Alberta and Lorne Calvert of Saskatchewan.
Staff writer Chris Frates can be reached at 303-820-1633 or cfrates@denverpost.com.
