DENVER – For Republican Sen. Ellen Roberts, there really is no such thing as a break from the state Legislature.
Perhaps it’s a good thing that she’s running unopposed this election cycle, as Roberts has been flying back and forth from Durango to Denver regularly this summer.
Her work has been on two separate committees, one addressing water issues facing the state, and another focused on wildfire matters.
In the last two weeks, Roberts recommended legislation that would:
Assist volunteer fire departments with organizing.
Empower state employees to conduct safe prescribed burns without fear of liability.
Assist farmers with property taxes if land is destroyed by a natural disaster.
Help local governments with water funding if they participate in best practice and conservation training programs.
Roberts is very passionate about prescribed burns, pointing out that in rural areas – especially in Southwest Colorado – the practice is critical to prevention.
She pointed out that districts have been fearful of controlled burns because of new tougher state regulations after the devastating Lower North Fork Fire in 2012. The Colorado State Forest Service caused a wildfire in Jefferson County that killed three people and damaged or destroyed more than two dozen homes.
“Prescribed burning is not happening across the state because of the changes in state policy,” Roberts said. “The problem is we’ve got all these wood piles all over the state that need to be dealt with.”
On water issues, Roberts remains focused on conservation, pointing out that constituents across the district and state highlight that as a crucial component.
“What we heard consistently from the citizens was conservation is of great importance to them in meeting water supply,” Roberts said. “Most people recognize it’s not going to solve the entire water supply gap, but that conservation is very important to the people, and they are willing to engage in new approaches that improve Colorado’s conservation efforts.”
Headed into her ninth year at the Capitol, Roberts believes she has been successful by developing relationships. She started in the House, serving four years, before being elected to the Senate. Roberts will be term-limited after this second term in the Senate.
“I developed a strong network of communications with my constituents, and having them identify the issues of biggest concern, and then going to Denver and trying to address them, Roberts said.
“I’m proud to have been a conduit for Southwest Colorado to express what their concerns and ideas are,” she said.
For Roberts, her work on health care has truly stood out. The issue for her has been providing access to health care for rural Colorado.
“I spent a lot of time in prior years on rural health care, access to actual health care, which is even more important than access to an insurance card,” Roberts said.
She is a bit uncertain about her next four years, pointing out that a lot will depend on the makeup of the Legislature. Democrats hold only a one-seat majority in the Senate, and a few tight legislative races could swing the chamber to the right.
Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat, is also in a competitive race with Republican Bob Beauprez, who could change the political power of the executive branch.
“It’s challenging because I don’t know who’s going to be in charge and what their priorities are going to be,” Roberts said.
But in the upcoming session that begins in January, she would like to focus on issues concerning natural resources and water.
Roberts said she will also continue to focus on issues that involve the federal government, including public lands, health care, education and funding.
“I don’t believe we were ever intended to just be a satellite of Washington, D.C., policy, going back to the founding of the nation,” Roberts said. “We have unfortunately drifted in that direction.”
pmarcus@durangoherald.com
Ellen Roberts
Political affiliation: Republican
Key issues: Natural resources; water conservation and supplies; leverage with the federal government
Family: Husband, Rick; two grown children
Residence: Just outside Durango
Occupation: Attorney
Favorite President: Abraham Lincoln
