The Colorado Walk

The Colorado Walk in support of Referenda C and D began on September 3rd north of Fort Collins and will conclude near Raton Pass on October 13th.

State Senate Majority Leader Ken Gordon recently wrote in his email newsletter:

"If you would like to join us, look at www.thecoloradowalk.org. Sunday, Sept 11th, will be a good day. We start in Boulder, at 10:00 AM, from the parking lot at the southeast corner of Baseline and Broadway, across from the CU law school.

We have a good time, and not everyone walks the whole way. Our scheduled distance on Sunday is 12 miles. When this is all over you may want, like I do, to feel that you did everything you could to help get these measures passed. The opposition would destroy the sinews that hold our community together: our education, health care and transportation systems. These are what make a community. The opposition lives in ideology land where facts don't matter. I don't think that even they will want to live in the world they are trying to create."

For more information about the Walk, Referenda C and D, and TABOR, and to request a yard sign in support of C and D, go to:

www.thecoloradowalk.org

Congressman Udall Calls for Summit on Emergency Response in Colorado

Westminster, CO - In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Colorado Congressman Mark Udall (D-Eldorado Springs) is calling for a federal-state summit on Colorado's emergency preparedness to assure Coloradans that the state is prepared to meet the challenges of a catastrophic disaster such as the one that hit the Golf Coast last week.

"I believe a summit with state officials, the Colorado congressional delegation, representatives of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and federal emergency response agencies to explore our state's plans for large-scale disaster response would be an effective way to reassure Colorado's citizens that our preparedness is receiving necessary resources and support. A summit on Colorado's preparedness would also provide an important forum for mayors, police, fire and local government to express their concerns and identify potential needs for upgrading resources, materials and plans to meet catastrophic emergencies in Colorado," said Udall in a letter to Colorado Governor Bill Owens.

The congressman also said that state and federal officials should identify and properly address the state's equivalent of the "levees that did not hold in New Orleans" and to the extent possible, discuss them in a forum where there is public accountability. Udall also said that plans should be in place to ensure that the most vulnerable communities, especially low-income areas, are included in any disaster preparedness plan.

"There should be no interest in reinventing the wheel or creating an unnecessary review process, but at the same time, I think Coloradans may rightfully wonder whether we are turning every stone at the federal and state levels to plan and provide support for worst-case scenarios," concluded Udall.

In the Press

Congressman Tancredo Votes Against Hurricane Relief

Denver, CO - Congressman Tom Tancredo yesterday voted against Hurricane Katrina relief funding.

In an astounding disregard for the plight of Americans, Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo voted against the aid package for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. He has supported disaster aid in the past, including relief for tsunami victims in Asia; however, today Congressman Tancredo opposed critical relief for Americans who need it most. The aid package passed on a 410-11 vote with Tancredo in the minority.

"Colorado families expect Congressman Tom Tancredo to represent their values and compassion in Congress. He has once again proven that he is not a leader for the state of Colorado or for the voters of Congressional District 6," said Pat Waak, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party. "In this state thousands of Coloradoans have stepped forward to donate time and money to the refugees of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Even in Douglas County, Colorado Democrats are raising funds for disaster relief. However, their Congressman does not represent their values in supporting the relief effort."