Click the link to read the article on The Summit Daily website (Elliott Wenzler). Here’s an excerpt:
January 12, 2024
Wolves
While talking about his goals for the environment, the governor mentioned the reintroduction of gray wolves in Colorado, which began in December, as a way the state is “strengthening native biodiversity and restoring balance to our ecosystems.”
“We also need to protect that progress by continuing to invest in nonlethal conflict minimization that works to help our farmers and ranchers thrive,” he said…
Reducing fire insurance costs
Polis kicked off his speech talking about his top priority: housing. While he mostly focused on policies he hopes will help boost housing stock across the state, he also mentioned he would be supportive of legislation aimed at reducing the cost of fire insurance.
“Especially in the face of increasing climate-related disasters like the Marshall Fire,” he said.
A bill on the topic is expected to be introduced this session.
Mountain rail
Polis has also emphasized improved transit as a way to help make housing costs more affordable by allowing more density and making commutes easier. Part of that plan includes converting existing rail tracks from Winter Park to northwest Colorado into passenger rail. It’s a concept that’s been talked about for years and often thought of as an impossible “moon shot,” as Polis put it.
“I’m here to tell you it’s within reach,” Polis said…
Water
In one of his only comments on the topic, Polis said the state “remains committed to aggressively defending Colorado’s interests and rights in the Colorado River negotiations.”
[…]
Polis also said the state is on track to meet its goal of reaching 80% clean electricity by 2030 and will soon release new goals for greenhouse gas reduction. “Now we need to cut red tape that is holding back local investments and unprecedented federal resources in renewable and clean energy,” he said. Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, who represents Eagle, Garfield and Pitkin counties, said she was glad to hear the governor’s emphasis on clean air. “Those are things I see as very relevant towards our districts in rural communities in the Western Slope.”