Readers respond

‘GREEN’ GOVERNOR BE GONE
Just read the September article in ColoradoBiz about Gov. Bill Ritter and his agenda to turn Colorado into a green state (“Power Glide,” Robert Schwab). From the sounds of it, we are well on our way.

Too bad. Colorado is rich in natural resources, which Gov. Ritter has written off in pursuit of an agenda. Small business on the Western Slope of Colorado will suffer the most from these policies. The notion that so-called green jobs will employ as many people as natural gas, oil, coal and eventually oil shale is simply not true. Perhaps solar and wind power will slowly gain share in the energy market, but they should work alongside fossil fuels.

Mesa County, Colo., had the highest employment in the state for a few years because of gas and oil exploration. Gov. Ritter did very little to make sure these jobs were safe. In fact, he was very compliant with the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission in making excessive regulation a reality. This drove a lot of business out of Western Colorado. Now, Mesa County has one of the highest unemployment rates in the state, if not the highest.

ColoradoBiz may want to contact a major gas and oil service company to get an idea of how Gov. Ritter’s policies have negatively affected this industry.

He may be proud of being the “greenest governor in America,” but if Western Colorado has a say in the outcome of the next election, he’ll be the former governor of Colorado, and he can go back to practicing law in Denver.

– CD PARK | GRAND JUNCTION

CORRECTIONS
A story about Gov. Bill Ritter’s “new energy economy” initiatives (“Power Glide,” September) should have said the Abound Solar plant is located in Weld County off Interstate 25 near the towns of Frederick and Firestone, east of Longmont. The company’s administrative offices are in Loveland.

The Denver Rescue Mission’s website was incorrect in the Top Company special section in September. Information about the 117-year-old nonprofit can be found at denverrescuemission.org. Its programs include a men’s shelter with 200 overnight beds.

A story about resorts (“Green Acres”) in September should have said the Colorado Springs Marriott received an award for reducing its energy consumption from the Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau. Also, a quote about the beetle-kill wall paneling at Devil’s Thumb Ranch should have been attributed to co-owner Bob Fanch.