Press Release- Jan 18, 2007
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
THURSDAY, JAN. 18, 2007
Contact:
Evan Dreyer, 720-350-8370
GOV. RITTER TO MEET WITH COUNTY OFFICIALS IN SOUTHEAST COLORADO OVER DISASTER RELIEF
Gov. Bill Ritter has invited county commissioners from storm-ravaged southeast Colorado to meet with him and other state officials in La Junta on Saturday to discuss ongoing efforts to provide disaster relief.
Commissioners from Baca, Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Las Animas, Otero and Prowers are expected to attend the meeting, scheduled for 9 to 10 a.m. at the Otero County Courthouse in La Junta. The courthouse is located at Third and Colorado, and the meeting will be held in room 107.
In addition to Gov. Ritter, Colorado Agriculture Commissioner John Stulp and representatives from the Department of Local Affairs will be on hand.
"I'm eager to discuss what steps the state has taken to secure federal disaster aid and listen to any suggestions about what else we can do to help," Ritter said.
Southeast Colorado was buried under 3 to 4 feet of snow by recent winter blizzards, with drifts of 10 to 18 feet deep in some areas. An estimated 10,000 cattle died in the storm, and the numbers will climb higher as the snow melts and carcasses are discovered. The area is home to 345,000 head of cattle and calves, 23,500 head of producing sows and 112,000 head of sheep and lambs, all with an estimated value of $500 million.
Ritter's trip to southeast Colorado comes amid a three-day statewide tour that begins Friday. The complete schedule:
| Friday, January 19 | |
| Sterling | |
| Time: | Noon to 1 p.m. |
| Location: | Northeastern Junior College Tennant Art Gallery in the Hays Student Center |
| Burlington | |
| Time: | 2 to 3 p.m. |
| Location: | Kit Carson County Carousel Kit Carson County Fairgrounds |
| Trinidad | |
| Time: | 5 to 6 p.m. |
| Location: | Historic Aultman Hall 137 Cedar Street |
| Saturday, January 20 | |
| La Junta | |
| Time: | 8 to 9 a.m. |
| Location: | The Barrista 204 Santa Fe Ave. |
| Time: | 9 to 10 a.m. |
| Location: | Otero County Courthouse |
| Third and Colorado, La Junta Meeting with county commissioners from Baca, Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Las Animas, Otero and Prowers counties to discuss disaster relief. |
|
| Alamosa | |
| Time: | 11 a.m. to noon |
| Location: | Adams State College First Street Banquet Room of the Student Union Building |
| Durango | |
| Time: | 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. |
| Location: | Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum, 479 Main Ave. |
| Rifle | |
| Time: | 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. |
| Location: | Tarmac at Garfield County Regional Airport 0375 County Road 352 |
| Grand Junction | |
| Time: | 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. |
| Location: | Pipe Trades Education Center, Copper Room, 3168 Pipe Court |
| Sunday, January 21 | |
| Eagle/Edwards | |
| Time: | 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. |
| Location: | Fiesta's Café and Cantina 57 Edwards Access Road, Edwards Plaza |
| Steamboat | |
| Time: | 2 to 3 p.m. |
| Location: | Steamboat Springs Yacht Club 811 Yampa |