September 2022 – Routt County Republicans

Routt GOP: Making progress on housing crisis requires good policy

Housing has been a challenge here in the Yampa Valley since the late 1970s. Perhaps because we live in such a beautiful and desirable county, it may always be an issue.

But just because the goal seems insurmountable, it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t strive to help our community. Think of the old-fashioned barn raising where neighbors gathered to help each other build something.

There are several housing programs that align with Republican values, specifically those involving either self-help or private sector development and partnerships.

Eighteen families funded by the USDA, along with the former nonprofit Regional Affordable Living Foundation, built homes in Steamboat Springs, Hayden and Oak Creek. This group build concept is alive and well throughout the U.S.

Another “self-help” model is the internationally known Habitat for Humanity, which built 10 homes and duplexes here in Steamboat Springs from 2000 through 2010. Community volunteers pounded nails and hung drywall alongside future homeowners.

Another successful program that Routt County has utilized is the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, or LIHTC. This highly competitive program, created under the Reagan administration has recently funded the 48 unit Reserves apartments, the 72 unit Alpenglow and the 90 unit Anglers 400. By offering tax credits to the private sector via a public market, The Yampa Valley Housing Authority has partnered with a private developer to build and manage these income restricted units.

Four years ago, voters in Steamboat Springs were given the opportunity to tax themselves 1 mil for a 10-year time frame to support the Housing Authority plan, in accordance with TABOR rules. The voters overwhelmingly voted in support of this tax.

The Brown Ranch is being developed with the vision of the West Steamboat Area Plan and the new Routt County Master Plan. Housing and transportation go hand in hand as both issues need solutions.

Food and shelter are basic human needs. To ensure the people who represent the essential core of Routt County, our teachers, firefighters, other first responders, nurses and service industry employees should have the option to live in the communities where they work.

There is one candidate who has been working on these problems the better part of her professional and volunteer career scanning almost 50 years. Elect Kathi Meyer, candidate for Routt County commissioner, and she will make sure that Routt County, working collaboratively with its municipalities, continues to make progress on its housing challenges.

Routt County Republican Central Committee

PUBLISHED SOURCE: Steamboat Pilot & Today

Letter: Wolfson will work to ease child care crisis in rural Colorado

I was a licensed home child care provider for 30 years. On Aug. 31, I closed my facility. In those 30 years in a job I very much favored, I never had a politician reach out asking about my concerns, hopes and fears for the future of child care in our county — until Savannah Wolfson.

She not only reached out, but she visited my facility to learn about what is required of a quality licensed home. I also know I wasn’t the only provider that she went to see to gather information. Her eagerness to find out what day-to-day operations look like, the obstacles that providers face and to listen to reasons to why we have this child care crisis.

Savannah Wolfson is approachable, knowledgeable, believes in accountability and is willing to work to be a problem-solver, not a maker of problems. She believes and will stand up for us in rural Colorado.

I encourage you to vote for Savannah Wolfson House District 26. She will be the voice for rural Colorado.

Donna Starbuck

PUBLISHED SOURCE: Steamboat Pilot & Today

Heidi Ganahl Calls Polis’ Reversal on Auto Theft “Embarrassing”

Greenwood Village, CO — Crime is a crisis in Colorado and Jared Polis continues to show an inability to deal with it. Two months before the election, he is asking for the law HE signed, SB21-271, that has fueled our auto theft problem to be reversed.

Polis sent a letter (linked here) to the Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice asking them to reverse the sentencing change for auto theft in the Misdemeanor Reform Bill (SB21-271), which made it a mere misdemeanor to steal a car worth $2,000. SB21-271 led to Colorado being number one in the nation in auto thefts. Colorado Gubernatorial Nominee Heidi Ganahl is calling Polis out for his election-year antics.

“It’s embarrassing that Jared Polis would use another election year ploy to pretend he’s focused on Colorado’s crime crisis. On Polis’ watch, Colorado has become the most dangerous place to raise a kid. Polis has placed criminals ahead of victims and ignored the pleas of Coloradans to deal with the fallout from his soft-on-crime policies. Polis is responsible for Colorado’s crime crisis. From passing SB21-271 which has led to the poorest Coloradans being targeted by auto thieves, to decriminalizing fentanyl and other hard drugs, to lowering the penalty for felony murder, Polis has supported criminal activity instead of victims and their families. As Governor, I will be tough on crime from Day One,” says Ganahl.
https://www.heidiforgovernor.com/ganahl-calls-polis-reversal-on-auto-theft-embarassing/

Background:

A new study from the Common Sense Institute reiterates that Colorado continues to have the WORST auto theft problem in the nation. In the first 6 months of 2022, our motor vehicle theft rate increased by another 17.2%. Cars are being stolen from those who can least afford to have their freedom taken away, single parents who cannot get their kids to school, hard-working Coloradans who cannot get to work, and families struggling with record inflation.

You can find the 2020 letter where Polis asked for the “reform” on sentencing that led to SB21-271 here: https://cdpsdocs.state.co.us/ccjj/meetings/2020/2020-07-10_GovPolis-2020BiennialLetter_06242020.pdf

Media Contact:

Lexi Swearingen
Communications Director, Heidi for Governor
[email protected]
202-203-9629

Joe O’Dea: BIDEN/BENNET INFLATION BREAKS EXPECTATIONS

Denver, CO — Political outsider, successful business leader, and Republican nominee for U.S. Senate Joe O’Dea issued the following statement following the new report showing a high August inflation rate, breaking expectations.

Consumer prices including gasoline, groceries, and rents surged 8.3% in August compared to a year ago.

“Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion spending bill caused this inflation crisis, and Michael Bennet was the deciding vote,” said Joe O’Dea. “The Inflation Reduction Act won’t lower inflation. Spending trillions won’t lower inflation. One-party control of Washington, D.C. won’t lower inflation. America needs change.”

Core prices jumped 0.6% from July to August. Rent, medical care services, and new cars all grew more expensive last month. This is 6.3% higher than the previous year.

The cost of groceries climbed 0.7%, marking a total 113.5% increase over the last year — the highest since May 1979. Rent costs climbed 0.8%, up 6.7% from last year. Electricity is up 15.8% and health insurance is up 24.3%.

Congress had passed a $900 billion economic stimulus package in December 2020, after additional spending earlier in the year. Still, Joe Biden pushed Congress to pass the $1.9 trillion spending package, the American Rescue Plan. Michael Bennet applauded this decision.

Reckless spending worsened inflation, and Biden and Bennet went ahead despite warnings from economists.

Biden pressed Congress to pass another multi-trillion dollar spending package, Build Back Better. Michael Bennet, again, expressed his support for the package, putting the interests of the Democratic Party over the interests of the country.

Learn more about Joe O’Dea’s campaign here.

SOURCE: Joe O’Dea For Colorado

Heidi Ganahl Lays out Her Plan to ACTUALLY “Fix the Damn Roads”

Greenwood Village, CO — Colorado has the 46^th worst roads in the country. Three years ago, Jared Polis made a $5.4 billion investment in a plan he said: “would finally fix the damn roads.” In reality, that money has been diverted away from infrastructure and funded Polis’ pet energy projects. In fact, only one out of every three dollars created by SB21-260 goes to roads and bridges.

On Thursday, September 15th, the Colorado Transportation Commission will vote on an updated version of Jared Polis’ failed 10-year transportation plan. While these Polis appointed bureaucrats double down on a failed policy that has made our roads worse, Republican Gubernatorial Nominee Heidi Ganahl will lay out her $10 billion investment in roads that will actually get Coloradans to and from work safely and efficiently.

Heidi’s plan targets the roads in our state that are in the poorest condition. It actually relieves congestion by expanding roads and, in turn, gets people out of traffic and to work and home faster, therefore benefiting our environment and every part of Colorado. While Polis’ updated plan cuts paving dollars for rural Colorado in half, Heidi’s plan will fix roads all across our state.

Heidi’s plan is supported by key members of the transportation community from all four corners of our state, including Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers, who has yet to see the money to fix his city’s roads promised by Jared Polis three years ago.

Some of the key endorsers of this plan will be on hand to voice their support, including CDOT’s first female Chief Engineer, Pam Hutton.

10:00 – Republican Gubernatorial Nominee Heidi Ganahl

10:10 – Pam Hutton, Former Chief Engineer of CDOT

10:15 – Johnny Olson, Former Deputy Executive Director and Region Four (NE Colorado) Director

10:20 – Colorado State Senator Ray Scott, Senate Transportation & Energy Committee Member

10:25 – Statement of support from Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers

The speakers will be available for questions at the conclusion of remarks. Media interested in attending should RSVP to Lexi Swearingen at the contact below.

SOURCE: Heidi Ganahl For Governor

Kathi Meyer: Transportation

Routt County not only has a river running through it, but also a US Highway. The highway brings opportunities in facilitating connections between municipalities via car, truck or bus, but it also brings front range control of several other highways via oversight by the Colorado Department of Transportation.
When I-70 closes for fire or mudslide, Routt County sees major traffic impacts without any significant financial help or long-range alternatives.
As your Commissioner, I will work collaboratively with all affected entities for a fair and equitable solution. Doing nothing is not an option.

Kathi Meyer

One possible improvement is the formation and funding, subject to voter approval, of a Regional Transportation Authority (RTA). Improving roads, increasing bus services and even exploration of resurrecting rail service are all opportunities possible by creating an entity whose sole focus is all things transit. The one exception would be to continue to support the existing ownership and operation of the Yampa Valley Regional Airport by the County.

Last year saw the cost benefit and improved operational alternatives as a result of expanded competition. There are exciting things on the horizon with an expanded terminal and a potential new industrial park surrounding the airport. Upkeep of our Road and Bridge system is a core service of the County which demands continued focus and upkeep.

Finally, we must seek partnerships with both other public sectors partners and private development to increase bike and pedestrian connections, not just on a neighborhood basis, but on a community-wide level.

SOURCE: Kathi Meyer for County Commissioner

Kathi Meyer: Fiscal Responsibility

Early in my lending career, my mentor told me to treat every financial decision I made as if it was funded by my own hard-earned dollars.
As your County Commissioner, I vow to treat every financial decision as if it was my last penny.
My track record on the Steamboat Springs City Council supports my ethic of conservative fiscal responsibility.

Kathi Meyer

I will use my 25 years of disciplined financial management experience to thoroughly evaluate and understand every aspect of Routt County’s revenue and expenses. My corporate experience and common-sense approach taught me fiscal discipline and the ability to understand complex financial structures.

One of the key duties of all County Commissioners is the annual budget review and oversight of the County’s revenues and expenses. Unlike some cities, counties and states, the current fiscal status of Routt County is strong. I pledge to continue that strength as your fiscal steward.

One of the core values adopted Routt County is fiscal responsibility. It states in part “An obligation… by balancing efficiency and flexibility with budgetary discipline, while seeking sustainable resources and practicing long-term planning and prudent use of debt.” I couldn’t agree more.

Every decision has consequences, and each consequence has a cost. I will make sure that my fellow Commissioners hear that principle on a regular basis.

SOURCE: Kathi Meyer for County Commissioner

Kathi Meyer: The Housing Issue in Routt County

Housing has been a challenge here in the Yampa Valley since the late 1970’s. Perhaps because we live in such a beautiful and desirable county, it may always be an issue.
But just because the goal seems insurmountable, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t strive to help our community.
I think of the old-fashioned barn raising where neighbors gathered to help each other build something!

Kathi Meyer

I’ve spent the better part of my life creating opportunities for others to have safe, decent housing. During my corporate career, I led the financing for apartment complexes, mobile home parks and senior housing. And while serving on the Fannie Mae Advisory Board, I spearheaded national changes for first-time homebuyer loan programs and access to mortgages for minority populations.

When I moved to Routt County 26 years ago, I continued creating safe, decent housing opportunities, serving on the Board of the Regional Affordable Living Foundation (RALF). We acquired the 55-unit Hillside Village Apartments, started the USDA self-help program which financed the building of 18 single family residences throughout Routt County, and began the planning for the construction of 30 for-sale condominiums at Fox Creek. Then after the RALF Board worked collaboratively for two years with City and County officials, the Yampa Valley Housing Authority (YVHA) was born. And it was an honor to be chosen the first YVHA Board President. Since then, the Housing Authority has acquired the 68-lot Fish Creek mobile home park and built the 48-unit Reserves apartments and the 72-unit Alpenglow apartments with joint venture partners. The 90-unit Sunlight apartments will be leased up this summer. And recently YVHA broke ground on their next low- and moderate-income project at Anglers 400.

In 2010, I joined the board of Routt County Habitat for Humanity where I served as its Treasurer and past President. Under my watch, we built and sold a duplex in the Riverside neighborhood.

In 2018 our community voted overwhelmingly to support a small mil levy, as a dedicated funding source for housing. Perhaps that was one reason a generous, anonymous donor gifted $30 million dollars to expand our community housing stock by more than 2,500 units by 2040. The Brown Ranch is envisioned to be a new community and the Mid-Valley development will provide for-sale and rental opportunities.

Our County Commissioners should be leaders in setting goals, acting, and making sure the people who represent the essential core of Routt County—our teachers, firefighters, nurses, and service employees can live in the communities where they work.

Infrastructure, such as water, sewer, and roads, represents a major cost and hurdle in the development of housing. The County should play a significant role in solving the most high-profile challenge facing its citizens by endorsing housing grants, streamlining its internal approval processes for housing projects, and supporting its municipalities as they deal locally with their own infrastructure and housing challenges.

Finally, we must not forget our senior population who struggle to “age in place” and stay in the communities where they raised their family, and maybe our next generation.

Food and shelter are basic human needs. But we, as Routt County, can certainly do better than just basic.

SOURCE: Kathi Meyer for County Commissioner

JOE O’DEA’S AGENDA FOR THE SENATE:

Denver, CO — In case you missed it, political outsider, successful business leader, and Republican nominee for U.S. Senate Joe O’Dea announced the top two legislative priorities he will be pursuing when elected to the U.S. Senate.

See a recap of the coverage below:

Priority 1: Reduce Biden-era spending to reduce inflation and the deficit; re-prioritize funding away from the bureaucracy to protect our kids, communities, and border instead

Priority 2: Establish American energy dominance to reduce inflation and undercut the power of Putin and energy-rich tyrants

In the News:

Fox News: Colorado GOP Senate nominee O’Dea aims to target federal bureaucracy, push border security, energy dominance

“As part of his plan, O’Dea said in his first bill in the Senate he’d push to get “rid of new programs, new spending and new bureaucracy from [President] Biden and the Democrats. I would then use those cuts to drive down the deficit.”

“But on the combustible issue of immigration, O’Dea would break with hard-right conservatives and said he’d work with Senate Democrats to give Dreamers “full legal status.” Dreamers — the thousands of young undocumented immigrants brought into the country illegally by their parents — were granted legal protections through the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.”

“O’Dea highlighted that ‘my second bill would center on making America energy dominant. Let’s unleash American innovation and modernize permitting so we can modernize our grid and bring more clean energy online like wind, solar and nuclear. Let’s also get pipelines moving. Let’s get natural gas permits on the Western Slope and across the United States, along with LNG terminal permits, in the review process and approved and open new markets for our natural gas in Europe and Asia.'”

“O’Dea emphasized that ‘I’m running on the issues that are important to working Americans here in Colorado. It’s inflation, price of gas, price of groceries, record crime here in our state… And those are the issues I’m talking about. All this other nonsense with the Democratic Party, disingenuous ads, trying to paint me as something I’m not — I mean, it wasn’t but a couple of months ago I was moderate and now I’m a MAGA man. It’s unbelievable. These guys will do anything to stay in power.'”

What They’re Saying:

Paul Steinhauser, @steinhauserNH1: “2022 Watch-New on @FoxNews – #GOP Senate nominee @ODeaForColorado aims to target federal bureaucracy, push border security,energy dominance, tackle crime, in first bills, if elected in November. https://foxnews.com/politics/colorado-gop-senate-nominee-odea-target-federal-bureaucracy-push-border-security-energy-dominance…#2022Elections #copolitics #FoxNews“

Kristi Burton Brown, @ColoradoKbb: “The @coloradodems and @MichaelBennet refuse to stop the drugs flowing across our border – creating crime and killing our kids. Let’s elect @ODeaForColorado to clean it up! #copolitics“

Dustin Zvonek, @DustinZvonek: “For too long Washington has failed to address our border crisis. We need leaders serious about solving problems not partisan posturing. Both parties have failed, it’s time for a new direction. #copolitics #cosen“

Quill Robinson, @QuillRobinson: “.@ODeaForColorado is exactly right. America needs common-sense permitting reform to strengthen our energy security and continue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

Learn more about O’Dea’s campaign here.

SOURCE: Joe O’Dea for Colorado

JOE O’DEA INVESTS IN HIS WORKERS AND THE COMMUNITY

Denver, CO — In case you missed it, former U.S. Senator Hank Brown and former state Representative Cole Wist co-authored an opinion column in The Colorado Sun dispelling the outrageous and dishonest attacks from allies of Senator Michael Bennet on Concrete Express Inc. (CEI), Joe O’Dea’s construction company.

On CEI:

“O’Dea’s construction company, Concrete Express, Inc., has one of the best safety records and finest professional reputations in the construction industry.”

“At Concrete Express, first-generation Americans have worked their way up from entry-level laborers to becoming co-owners alongside Joe.”

“Benefits at O’Dea’s company are generous — the company helps pay college tuition for the children of employees through a scholarship program. Chronically ill workers are given months of paid leave and benefits.”

“Joe’s company gets hired by Republican counties and Democratic cities to build roads and reservoirs, to reroute rivers around old dams, and to build environmentally friendly bridges, trails and footpaths that expand access to Colorado’s wondrous outdoors”

On Giving Back:

“O’Dea and Concrete Express have donated millions of dollars in labor, construction supplies, and engineering know-how to Father Woody’s Haven of Hope, a homeless shelter in Denver now named Haven of Hope.”

“When O’Dea says we need to clean up homelessness, crime and addiction on the streets of Denver, even as we provide humane alternatives for those down on their luck, you can know Joe O’Dea walks the walk.”

On Joe’s Honesty:

“O’Dea spent months in the Republican Primary telling pro-life audiences and conservative talk show hosts he disagreed with them on abortion, that he would vote to codify Roe vs. Wade, but that he hoped the GOP would back him because he would attack inflation, cut the debt and support the police and military.”

“O’Dea told Donald Trump supporters that the former president was wrong to deny the 2020 election’s outcome.”

“Joe O’Dea has said he hopes Trump doesn’t run (he doesn’t think Biden should either) and he will campaign for another contender — like Sen. Tim Scott — if he does.”

“He tells immigrant communities he supports citizenship for ‘Dreamers’ — people protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program — but that we need to bolster border security to keep-out fentanyl, crime, and cartels.”

Learn more about Joe O’Dea’s campaign here.

SOURCE: Joe O’Dea For Colorado

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