Drum roll, please!

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Drum roll, please!

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Last time I wrote to you was at the tail end of 2023, saying I would be back with an announcement in 2024...

Last time I wrote to you was at the tail end of 2023, saying I would be back with an announcement in 2024. After our organizing committee deliberated — balancing stories from doors, living rooms, and community spaces across our county— they decided that the problem the Uncompahgre Valley Alliance will champion first is……

public transportation in our community!

Quarter One (January-March) was dedicated to getting our initial team together and creating our research plan to help us figure out our specific steps to improve public transportation. The campaign is picking up speed now, but there is plenty of time to contribute and get involved!

  • Do you ride the public bus or would more public transportation improve your life?
  • Do you know someone who has been impacted by the lack of public transit in our community?
  • Know allies that would be interested in public transportation?
  • Are you a strategic thinker who loves the idea of bringing lasting change to life?

We want to hear from you ASAP! Call me at (970) 579-5047 or reply to this email. Your connections, ideas, and energy are needed.

Photo credit: All Points Transit

We are scheduled to meet again on Wednesday, May 1 at 5:45 pm in the Centennial Room off Centennial Plaza. If you are interested in joining, reach out to me to receive the agenda.

Other Alliance happenings

In late February, Alliance members from across the West Slope traveled to Denver to visit with legislators and talk about West Slope needs as part of our Alliance’s annual People’s Lobby Trip. Let’s hear from John English, a Montrose County resident and newly involved member, to learn about his lobby trip experience:

“Organized chaos might describe the Capitol on the day we were there. Legislators chased by their aides were scurrying to and fro while lobbyists, groups, and the general public tried to get their attention. Our trip organizers had skillfully arranged for us to meet with legislators who represented us as well as sponsors of legislation that was important to us. We conversed with legislators in conference rooms, the chaotic hallways, and even on the floor of the Senate. 

“I particularly enjoyed chatting with Senator Cleave Simpson, who is the Senate sponsor of the bill supporting regenerative agriculture and our Senator. Additionally, I was inspired by one of our colleagues who is deeply immersed in regenerative agriculture policy. The depth and breadth of her knowledge amazed me. It turns out we know many of the same people in the movement. I guess that’s one of the primary values of a trip like this: cross pollination. So, next year if you are interested in any of the bills that we are supporting, I urge you to go on the People’s Lobby Trip.”

DMEA elections are around the corner!

We also will be electing new DMEA board members starting on May 3. Here is the run-down from Regional Organizer Tyler McDermott:

Delta Montrose Electric Association (DMEA) elections are just around the corner, and Western Colorado Alliance is excited to announce our endorsed candidates for the 2024 DMEA Board! This year, we asked candidates to answer a questionnaire that was analyzed by our Clean Energy Team members to decide who we would encourage our neighbors to support, and we were impressed by the responses. We are excited to endorse candidates Steve Metheny (District 2), Ryan Sedgeley (District 1), and Kevin Williams (District 5), who have demonstrated their commitment to keeping DMEA on the path to providing more locally produced, clean energy for their members and keeping rates low. 

Typically less than 14% of members participate in these elections, so it is critically important that you make your voice heard — and DMEA has made it easier than ever! 

You can vote beginning on May 3 in one of five ways:

  1. Log into your bill portal on DMEA’s website and click ‘Vote Now.’
  2. DMEA members with an email registered will get an email in their inbox with a secure link to vote.
  3. Return your mail-in ballot by mail. (It must arrive by June 4 to count!)
  4. Visit DMEA’s headquarters office (11925 6300 Rd, Montrose, CO 81401) during business hours and drop your mail-in ballot off at their secure ballot box in the main lobby
  5. Vote in person at the DMEA Annual Meeting on June 6!

Keep on the lookout for more information from us at Western Colorado Alliance as we will soon be launching a landing page with all the information you will need to vote!

That’s all for now! Enjoy the upcoming sunshine. The Uncompahgre Valley Alliance is back in action! 😎

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