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  Home Page » Opinion » Columnists » Life In The Legislature » New State Senator Readies For Session Start In January

New state senator readies for session start in January

by State Sen. Bruce Whitehead
Life in the Legislature

In July, Sen. Jim Isgar left the Colorado Senate to join the U.S. Department of Agriculture as Colorado director for rural development. He was one of the longest-serving senators, and it's somewhat daunting to fill his "boots," but I believe I am up for the challenge. My name is Bruce Whitehead, and I was sworn in as your new senator from District 6 on Aug. 17.

I know Sen. Isgar provided this column over the years to update you about the issues and events around the district and the Capitol. I hope to do the same, and as this is the first of many columns, I want to use it for you to get to know me better.

First, like Sen. Isgar, I'm a native of Colorado, and I live in the Hesperus area. I'm a very proud husband and father to two girls: Isabel, 10; and Risa, 8. They both attend public school in our community and are active in school activities, as well as 4-H, soccer and music.

I'm a licensed professional engineer and obtained my degree in civil engineering from Colorado State University. I worked for the Colorado Division of Water Resources for 25 years, and for the last two years, I have been employed by the Southwestern Water Conservation District as its executive director.

Having lived in rural Colorado working on water issues for most of my adult life, I will build on that experience to assist me in representing my constituents in all eight counties in southwestern Colorado this session.

In what little spare time I have left, I enjoy playing guitar and singing bluegrass music with the local High Desert String Band.

I hit the ground running in August, and there has been little time to stop. I worked for state government for 2½ decades, but this is my first time holding public office. I've spent a good part of the last two months traveling the district to listen to your concerns and better understand what's important to you so I can take that knowledge to Denver with me in January when the legislative session starts. I have enjoyed the opportunity to visit with a lot of good people and look forward to meeting more of you over the next few months.

One of the first things that hit close to home was the uncertain future of the Old Fort Lewis College property south of Hesperus. I'm sure many of you have seen the news stories about Colorado State University terminating its contract with the State Land Board as a research affiliate at the Old Fort Lewis campus, which will affect the local community.

Fort Lewis College is the designated beneficiary of the "Old Fort," and I strongly support its efforts to obtain a master lease. The property is rich in historic and cultural values, and it is important that the community be given an opportunity to provide input to the State Land Board regarding its future uses.

There are existing leases and many other community uses that will need to be evaluated and taken into account. Even though this is a complex situation, I view it as an opportunity for FLC, as the beneficiary, to be more directly involved in the future management and use of the property.

We will miss the presence of CSU at the Old Fort, but I'm confident the transition will provide a positive change. I will continue to support the efforts of the local community and FLC regarding the future of this valuable resource in our area.

The last month, I made trips to Denver and attending meetings in the district. Near the end of September, I participated in the "Celebration of a Century" in Montrose County in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the Gunnison Tunnel project. I attended meetings in La Plata County for the "It's About Kids" campaign, the Noon Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs, LEAD Economic Development and LPEA. I also met with the League of Women Voters for Montezuma County at its annual membership meeting, where I addressed a range of topics, including the upcoming legislative session and the status of the state budget.

Last week was exciting, as well. I met with judges and other officials from the 7th Judicial District in Montrose to discuss legislation having to do with our courts and prison system.

As a participant in a forum on the Colorado ballot initiative process with students from Montezuma-Cortez High School, I discussed the political contrasts between the Front Range and Western Slope, specifically as it relates to water issues. It is very gratifying to talk with students about work at the Capitol, and to get them excited about politics and voting.

I also had a great opportunity to attend meetings Friday with Gov. Bill Ritter, which included meeting with local officials and a town hall meeting at the new Durango Transit Center.

This week, I will be meeting with the La Plata-Archuleta Cattlemen's Association and the Young Professionals of Durango, and traveling to Denver to discuss economic development of the state. I also hope to finalize the details to hire an intern from FLC.

Within the next few weeks, I plan to meet with a number of county commissioners and elected officials around the district.

I want to take this time to talk a little bit about what I'm doing in the district, and I also want to hear from you. Feel free to come to any of the posted events, e-mail me with your ideas or concerns or visit me at the Capitol if you are in Denver.

Bruce Whitehead, D-Hesperus, represents the 6th District, which includes Durango, in the state Senate. Reach him at the Capitol by phone at (303) 866-4884; by fax at (303) 866-4543; or by e-mail at bruce.whitehead.senate@state.co.us.