FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – MARCH 19, 2018
Rural Colorado Community Brings Common-Sense Solutions to DC
Delta County Residents Travel from North Fork Valley to Meet with Congressional and Agency Leaders
HOTCHKISS, CO – Community representatives are arriving back in Delta County’s North Fork Valley this week after what they describe as a “remarkable” set of meetings with western Colorado’s congressional offices and Senator Michael Bennet, as well as with an Undersecretary at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and planning staff with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
“The North Fork Valley sends a delegation of local voices to Washington each year, but this trip was especially powerful,” said Alex Johnson, Executive Director of the Western Slope Conservation Center, one of the trip’s organizers. “The decision-makers we met with were really listening, and we want to thank all the officials and staff who took the time to meet with us.” 
This year the Delta County group focused on three main issues: protecting and providing access to public lands, rural development through strengthening the region’s new energy economy, and securing the county’s agricultural base. In addition to the Western Slope Conservation Center, participating organizations included Solar Energy International, the Valley Organic Growers Association, and Colorado Farm and Food Alliance. All the participants agree that the visit was well-timed, as many pressing issues still remain on Congress’ calendar for the session.
“With the Farm Bill up for reauthorization, and the importance this legislation has in protecting family farms and our state’s rapidly growing local food scene, we thought it a critical time to meet with policy-makers,” said Pete Kolbenschlag representing the Colorado Farm & Food Alliance. “If people care about good food and healthy ingredients, then they need to pay attention to the Farm Bill and support strong conservation provisions.”
The Farm Bill can also impact our national forests, since Forest Service management falls under the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As a result, Farm Bill conversations were particularly relevant for the North Fork residents, whose small-scale agriculture depends on clean water from healthy forests.
“Local stories matter to national decision-makers and those of us who live in Delta County are so fortunate to be surrounded by such amazing public lands,” said Karen Ortiz, Chair of board of the Conservation Center. “We will continue to make it clear to officials that responsible and sustainable management of those public lands support down-valley business, such as small scale farmers & ranchers, food processors, farm-to-table proprietors, agritourism, and recreation.”
Officials thanked the Delta County group for their willingness to travel across the country to visit with them. It was clear to group members that few other small communities bring such diverse voices together in a shared vision for the future of their home and the surrounding public lands. Beata Ramza with Solar Energy International returned home with a strong sense that our officials were listening.
“It was clear that the staff and elected officials remembered past North Fork delegations as well as the North Fork Valley itself,” said Ramza. “We are building connections that will last.” 
All those who took part in the trip agree that these kinds of long-term connections will be essential to success for many of the local collaborative, and rural resilience projects currently underway on the Western Slope. These community-based efforts include the North Fork Coal Mine Methane Working Group, and SEI’s Solarize and Solar in the Schools programs.
Decision-makers were happy to learn about these ongoing projects with diverse representation, bipartisan participation, and broad, local support. “Home-grown” solutions to vexing problems can address a range of issues. The Coal Mine Methane Working Group is an example of how creative solutions and shared values can bring diverse partners together.
“We can solve two problems by pointing them at each other,” noted Chris Caskey, a climate and energy scientist and board-member of the Conservation Center. “By using thermal energy from the coal mine methane waste, now being vented from the valley’s mines, we can produce value-added ceramics such as brick and tile from the clay currently filling Paonia Reservoir.” Such a project would help mitigate the climate impacts of the vented methane, improve the resilience of agriculture in the valley, and create local jobs.
Renown as Colorado’s “Farm-to-Table Capital,” the North Fork Valley includes Colorado’s highest concentration of organic farms, more than a dozen wineries, and a burgeoning local food scene. This vibrant economy relies on the watersheds protected by the national forests above the valley floor. The public lands, also important for hunting, fishing, recreation, and to the tourism that pumps millions into the county each year, are critical to the future of agriculture in the valley. 
“North Fork Valley growers depend on clean air and clean water to grow vegetables, livestock, fruit, grapes, grains, flowers, and more,” said Emily Hartnett, President of the Valley Organic Growers Association board of directors. “Our group represents over 100 small, family farms in the region, and our products go across the state – to Aspen, Telluride, Crested Butte, and the Front Range. The North Fork has become a very popular agritourism destination – known for its outstanding food, wine, views, hunting, and recreational activities. We must preserve our watershed and our public lands to ensure the economic viability of this region.”
The Delta County delegation included Alex Johnson, Karin Ortiz and Chris Caskey from the Conservation Center, Emily Hartnett and Molly Moore from the Valley Organic Growers Association, Beata Ramza from Solar Energy International, and Pete Kolbenschlag representing Colorado Farm & Food Alliance. All the groups vowed to stay involved at this important time.
“We are grateful to live in the North Fork and Delta County,” said Johnson. “We plan to stay engaged and make sure our neighbors are also ready to stand up for, and to work with others to protect, what we all value about this special place.”
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Contacts:
Pete Kolbenschlag, Colorado Farm & Food Alliance 970-510-0678