As a Durango resident, former Colorado state senator, and current CEO of our local electric cooperative, I strongly support the Durango Fire Protection District’s proposed mill levy increase, outlined in Ballot Questions 2A and 7A. I have already cast my ballot in favor, recognizing its importance for our safety.
At LPEA, I see firsthand the risks wildfires pose to our homes, schools and critical infrastructure. We invest in wildfire mitigation programs including grid hardening, preventive power shutoffs and community coordination to reduce risk. Supporting 2A and 7A will strengthen local fire protection, enabling faster response and the partnerships that keep the public and essential utilities safe during wildfire events.
From my days at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver, I was proud to be a prime sponsor of HB24B-1001, a bipartisan bill delivering property tax relief for all property owners, especially low-income families. The legislation was designed to enable more decision-making at the local level to fund essential local services, so supporting this levy is a full-circle moment for me, bringing the lessons of collaboration and compromise from statewide policy directly to our community and strengthening partnerships between service providers and residents.
The initiatives will generate $5.7 million annually, a modest investment today that will safeguard our homes, schools, power grid and community for years to come.
Chris Hansen
Durango
