Some advice, support and criticism for Jared Polis
Re: “Polis heckled during drilling speech,†Aug. 23 news story
This is what Jared Polis should have told the Colorado Oil and Gas Association:
Today I am repeating the message of nuclear physicist Edward Teller when he warned the American Petroleum Institute that emissions from burning fossil fuels create a greenhouse effect that will cause global warming. The date was Nov. 4, 1959.
You have had 60 years to prepare for the transition that now must happen in the next decade. The global warming Teller warned about in 1959 is here and it threatens our outdoor recreation industry.
I invite you to work with me to ensure we make this a just transition for the people in your industry and those who have borne the impact of fossil fuel pollution for the past 60 years.
Harry Gregory, Denver
Re: “Democratic lawmaker’s war on drilling … ,†July 26, 2013 news story
Seems to me I remember Polis filing a lawsuit against fracking taking place near his vacation home in Weld county, a story in The Denver Post in 2013.
I think if he wants to be governor he should do something drastic like representing the interests and well being of the citizens of Colorado and not just himself.
Susannah Vandyke, Louisville
As a technologist, an entrepreneur, and a military veteran, I’m extremely excited about the prospect of Polis becoming governor.
I commissioned as an Air Force intelligence officer in 2005 and served on active duty before becoming a reservist. In 2015, I joined Patriot Boot Camp, a Colorado nonprofit focused on helping military veterans find prosperity through building technology companies. I worked with more than 250 motivated military veterans and military spouses.
Jared Polis made Patriot Boot Camp possible, providing seed funding and volunteering many hours of his time to mentor veterans in the program.
I have seen Polis’s leadership in action and observed the dedication that he brings to America’s military veterans.
Sean Maday, Superior
Having viewed one of Jared Polis’ campaign election ads on television touting his successful businesses at an early age, I am not seeing anything about successes in the U.S. House of Representatives for his tenure there that has made any significant difference for the average Coloradan.
His years in Congress have largely been to focus and push for issues that affect the LGBTQ community and legalization of marijuana, which doctors are now reporting causes irreversible effects on the brains of teens and young adults, and voted no on national defense appropriations for our nation.
His progressive agenda wants more government control and more taxes and socialized medical insurance for all Coloradans despite the findings that it would bankrupt our state.
Ruth Atkinson, Golden
As a preschool teacher with over 20 years of experience in the classroom, I support Jared Polis’ plan to implement universal, full-day preschool and kindergarten.
Polis’s experience includes time on the Colorado state board of education and, having started several schools himself, he understands the benefits of quality early education. Nobel prize winner James Heckman, in his study of the long-term effects of high quality early education, found great benefits for children, their parents, and the economy.
When you go to the polls this November, remember this: Polis is the education candidate.
Candice Brown, Denver
Stapleton disappoints at forum on public lands
Last week, at the first forum of the general election, Walker Stapleton said that the federal government should not be making determinations regarding federal lands, but refused to say whether he would stand up to President Donald Trump if he attempted to take away Colorado’s public lands.
Colorado is home to four national parks, eight national monuments, 41 state parks and millions of acres of wilderness, and public lands managed by the National Forest Service and BLM.
Our fantastic public lands sustain a wealth of plants and wildlife and generate a world-class outdoor recreation industry, which provides 229,000 jobs and generates over $2 billion in revenue.
It takes years of research and collaboration to draft a public lands legislation, and only the stroke of a pen by the president to gut the lands and sell the pieces to the highest bidder .
Jared Polis has spent nearly a decade protecting Colorado’s public lands.
The choice is clear. A vote for Polis is a vote for our Public Lands.
Rose Pray, Dillon
Re: “Family history in spotlight,†Aug. 12, news story
I have followed the news of Walker Stapleton’s alleged sin of being descended from Denver’s KKK mayor, Benjamin Stapleton.
A quick search on Wikipedia reveals that Mayor Stapleton was a Democrat. This is not surprising, as the KKK at its founding could be viewed as the domestic terrorist wing of the Democratic Party of that time.
The Democrats of the late 19th and early 20th century were the party of Jim Crow and the genocide of the blacks who dared to vote.
The Republicans were the party of emancipation and voter rights. Times change. Political parties change. It would be ridiculous to ascribe activities of the Klan today to be in any way associated with today’s Democratic Party.
It is equally ridiculous to ascribe the politics of Walker Stapleton’s great-grandfather to his political views.
Russ Kyncl, Wheat Ridge
Political ad twists the truth on Jason Crow’s record
Is a twisted truth the same as a lie? In this election cycle, voters need to evaluate political ads and their check sources.
As an independent voter, I watched the latest ad from the Congressional Leadership Fund about Jason Crow’s interactions with veterans. I wondered if an Army Ranger, who served three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan and earned a Bronze Star, could be as bad as portrayed in the ad.
After a few phone calls, I discovered the ad twisted the facts. Jason Crow was an unpaid volunteer on the Colorado Board of Veterans Affairs between 2009-2014. His group’s role was not one of oversight, but as adviser to the governor. The ad also fails to mention that Jason co-chaired the Military and Veterans Affairs Transition Committee and received the Volunteer Lawyer of the Year Award for thousands of hours of pro-bono work for veterans. This is hardly the image depicted in the advertisement.
Being an informed voter takes work, but we need to be aware of who provides the information and their agenda. Because this election cycle may have foreign interference, we need to question the content in political ads and work to untwist the facts.
Judith Snyder, Aurora
Setback initiative divides
I am a proud employee of the oil and gas industry in Colorado and encourage my fellow citizens to vote no on the 2,500-foot setback initiative. Several studies of the economic result to Colorado if this initiative is passed show that the negative impact will be significant and devastating to the state. However, these studies have not addressed one of the other significant contributions made by our industry in Colorado — charitable contributions.
The oil and gas industry has a long history of supporting charities and other organizations across Colorado through both financial and in-kind donations and contribution of thousands of volunteer hours. These contributions in 2017 were in excess of $10,000,000 and 42,000 hours donated to worthy causes by employees. Many of these organizations could not provide their much-needed services without our industry’s support.
This initiative is simply a ban couched in less offensive terms. The impact to Colorado’s economy and scores of charities across the state will be long lasting and devastating. Please vote no on setbacks.
Doug Dennison, Windsor
Re: “Setbacks measure is on ballot,†Aug. 30 news story
On page 2 of today’s Denver Post, there was an article about how the petroleum lobby says 2,500-foot minimum setbacks would devastate the oil and gas industry. In order for us to survive global warming, it¶¶Òõap crucial that the oil and gas industry be devastated. Life as we know it won’t continue unless existing gas and oil deposits are left in the ground.
Rick Evans, Denver
Faith Winters for SD 24
I am writing to express my support for Faith Winter’s candidacy for Senate District 24. Faith’s advocacy for public education is needed in Colorado.
Colorado has among the nation’s highest-rated public schools, in spite of the fact that our teachers are among the lowest-paid. This indicates the strong dedication from our public-school teachers, who are doing their best for Colorado children. We cannot take our teachers for granted. They need strong support from parents, legislators and our community.
Faith Winter’s voting record has earned her a 91 percent rating from the Colorado Education Association (CEA), compared with a 46 percent rating for her Republican opponent, Beth Martinez-Humenik. Faith is working hard to support our public schools, while Beth is not. Faith’s strong support for our children and Beth’s lackluster support are important reasons to vote for Faith.
I have three grandchildren who are in the SD 24 public schools, and I want them to get a good education. But more importantly, I know that America’s strength and competitiveness depends on the education of our children.
Alan Norton, Longmont
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