Severe energy impacts detailed

Energy development will have huge financial impacts on La Plata County and Colorado in coming decades. A draft report from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs indicates that oil and gas development will cost Colorado municipalities more than $23 billion in the next 20 years.

An internal report from the Department of Local Affairs was recently leaked to the public. The department had undertaken a study of expected capital improvements in counties experiencing oil and gas development. Taking a look at 40 counties and 57 cities and towns, the draft report anticipates $23.5 billion in municipal expenses as a result of oil and gas development.

Department of Local Affairs Director Susan Kirkpatrick explained in the draft’s cover letter that “The state has a continuing obligation to address the sizeable impacts of mineral production at the local level.”

Linda Rice, public information officer with the Department of Local Affairs, noted that the study is in response to interest in the state Legislature. “We wanted to take a look at what the anticipated future needs will be,” she said. “Local governments were contacted and asked to provide a snapshot. We asked them to tell us what they think their capital improvement costs will look like in the future based on energy and mineral production.”

Colorado Sen. Josh Penry, R-Fruita, commented that the report should be a wake-up call. He said he hopes it will help policy makers understand the impacts of energy development.

“People who view this as a honey pot, they need to know these needs exist,” he told theGrand Junction Daily Sentinel.  

Though Rice stressed that the document remains a draft, she did not expect the $23.5 billion number to change dramatically. And while the department would not release La Plata County’s expected hit, she said it could be a high as $1 billion.

“The figures are still being reviewed,” Rice said. “The whole purpose of that document was to get feedback and provide a look at what local governments will face in the future.”

A final copy of the report is expected in coming weeks.

Second power plant on hold

Durango’s power supplier is beginning to get the message – area customers prefer renewable energy and efficiency to new coal-fired power plants. Last week, Tri-State Generation and Transmission announced that it would delay plans for a new power plant.

Tri-State supplies power to the La Plata Electric Association and 43 other power cooperatives throughout the West. The supplier had been forging ahead with plans to construct three new power plants – two in Kansas and one in southeast Colorado near Lamar – to serve future needs. Earlier this month, the wholesale power supplier announced that one of the Kansas plants was on hold. Last week, it did the same for the Lamar plant, saying it would focus on natural gas to satisfy customer demands.

Tri-State has come under fire recently for being too reliant on coal-fired power. Holy Cross Electric, which serves Aspen, Vail and Glenwood Springs, left Tri-State several years ago, and the Delta-Montrose Electric Association rejected a contract extension last winter.

After going back and forth, the San Miguel Power Authority agreed to extend its Tri-State contract to 2050. “It’s easier to make changes inside the system,” Board Member Jerry Heffer told the Telluride Daily Planet. LPEA board members used similar logic when they approved contract extension several months ago.

Tri-State still plans one new coal plant in western Kansas.

Public art master plan unveiled

Public art is continuing to be a big priority in Durango. This week, the Animas River Greenway Public Art Master Plan was released. Developed by the City’s Public Art Commission, working the DHM Design, the Master Plan identifies areas along the river corridor suitable for displaying public art. Because residents, recreational users and tourists use the river corridor frequently, it was considered an ideal location for permanent and rotating art. “We’re happy to announce the completion of the Master Plan,” said Carol Martin, Public Art Commission chairwoman. “We’d like to invite the public to view the large version of the plan, posted at the Recreation Center, and to visit our new website. We welcome any input from the public on this public art initiative.”

The Master Plan is a starting point for locating art, such as sculptures and murals, when pieces are commissioned, donated, purchased or loaned. It also will provide direction to the Public Art Commission when budgeting for new projects.

It is the intent of the Master Plan to respect and be sensitive to natural areas and to locate installations within previously disturbed areas or in concert with trail improvement projects.

Residents can find a copy of the plan online at: www.durangogov.org/artcommission.

BID launches ‘Spring it On!’

Following in the footsteps of the holiday promotion “Holidazzle” and the autumn program “Fall for Durango Days,” the Business Improvement District has launched “Spring it On!” The downtown promotion will showcase events and activities slated for Durango during the month of May. The BID has pledged $5,000, with the City of Durango adding an additional $5,000 to support the program that will include regional advertising and printed promotional materials.

 “The City’s sales tax history reveals that the second quarter is traditionally the slowest of the year when it came to sales tax collection,” said John Wells, BID presiding officer. “So it made sense for the BID to do what it could to promote this period for the good of the whole.”

SASO art contest winners named

As Sexual Assault Awareness Month draws to a close, the work of local artists is being recognized. Durango’s Sexual Assault Services Organization recently held its first ever art contest – “Create – Inspire – Heal.”

Sexual assault survivors and all artists were invited to submit visual art on the topic of sexual violence. Submissions were displayed throughout April at the Lost Dog, and last week the contest winners were announced.

Maureen May won first place for her “Untitled” piece. “I must let it go,” a painting by Thaddine Swift Eagle, took second place and won the “People’s Choice “award. Daniel Gladden took third place for his piece, “This is wrong.” An untitled work by “Robin” was recognized as an honorable mention.

The exhibit will be on display at the Lost Dog, 1150 Main Ave., through the close of business April 26.

– compiled by Will Sands