Gov. John Hickenlooper will hold a town hall meeting Friday in Durango with Sens. Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner, and House Rep. Scott Tipton, after their visit to the Superfund site north of Silverton with Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt.
A news release announcing the town hall says they will be joined by “representatives from the EPA,” but does not clarify if Pruitt plans to attend. EPA officials did not immediately respond to The Durango Herald’s request for comment.
On Friday morning, a select group of state and local leaders will tour the Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund site, as well as the Gold King Mine, with Pruitt and other EPA staff.
EPA officials have been tight-lipped about who is attending the tour, and some local leaders have voiced frustration about being left in the dark about plans for the visit.
As of Thursday, Hickenlooper, Bennet, Gardner, Tipton and La Plata County Commissioner Brad Blake were confirmed for the tour.
Late Thursday, State Rep. Barbara McLachlan confirmed she will be on the EPA tour and at the town hall meeting.
Representatives with the city of Durango, the town of Silverton and San Juan County have not been given any details from the EPA.
The town hall will be held at 2:15 p.m. at the La Plata County Administration Building, 1101 East Second Ave., to “provide an update of their meeting and take questions from attendees.” The Durango Herald plans to live stream the town hall on its facebook page.
Blake and Durango Mayor Dick White will moderate.
The meeting will last until 3 p.m. Doors open to the public at 1:45 p.m.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
