Here’s a long background piece about Scott McInnis from Karen Crummy writing for The Denver Post. From the article:
McInnis, chairman of the House subcommittee on forests and forest health, also brokered a compromise with Grand County commissioners that allowed “historic uses” such as motorized vehicles, mountain bikes and limited logging on the west side of the Continental Divide. He also backed a bill requiring federal agencies to compensate private-property owners for actions taken under the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Air Act and other laws regarding water rights. “He was conservative when it came to natural resources, which was reflective of his district,” said Denver pollster Floyd Ciruli, noting that issues of agriculture, water and mineral extraction all play big roles in the region’s job market…
McInnis pushed for the controversial Animas-La Plata project, a massive dam and diversion effort for the Animas River near Durango, which gives American Indians a reservoir for economic development. McInnis and others said it was the best way to settle old water claims from the Ute tribe, while others argued it was not only too expensive, but that a third of the water would instead help municipalities and local developers…
More 2010 Colorado elections coverage here.