April 30, 2002

From The Governor's Office...
Colorado Governor Bill Owens' e-Newsletter

Owens Leads State Response to Fire and Drought

With Colorado facing one of the most severe droughts in decades, and the threat of a dangerous fire season, Governor Bill Owens last week launched a multi-pronged attack on these twin challenges.  His action came shortly before the Snaking Fire started, near Bailey.

“Nature is testing Colorado this year, challenging us with a very early fire season and a severe drought," he said.  "This is a fire alarm we all have to respond to."  

“The warning signs are clear," Gov. Owens said.  "That’s why I am releasing $450,000 in emergency funds for the Colorado Division of Forestry to allow us to place firefighters on duty six weeks early and three tanker aircraft on standby for rapid response when a fire breaks out.  Having a plane on standby makes our response time 24 minutes instead of 24 hours.”

The Governor urged Coloradans to take preventative measures to reduce the danger from fire, and to conserve water whenever possible.  He pointed out that as of April 19 this year (before the Snaking Fire), 283 fires had already consumed 7,600 acres in Colorado.  In contrast, in 2000 – the worst fire season in 50 years – 54 fires had burned 2,700 acres by the same date. 

Governor Owens also announced he will convene a Colorado Fire Summit later this spring with decision makers from federal, state and local government.  The goal of the meeting will be to establish strong lines of communication and develop a unified strategy to face this year’s challenging fire season.

In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, he said, “Farmers and ranchers throughout the state are suffering the effects of this multi-year drought.  Many of our reservoirs were drained last year to keep our crops alive and the lack of adequate snowfall this winter makes this a serious crisis.”

Fight Against Chronic Wasting Disease

Governor Bill Owens yesterday convened the state Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Task Force, which he appointed last month, and charged the group with charting a coordinated and aggressive strategy for combating the fatal brain disease that afflicts deer and elk.

The Governor told the 12-member panel of experts and key stakeholders from the public and private sectors that CWD “affects every Coloradan” and has the potential to severely damage entire industries and the state’s unique natural resources.

“We don’t want to face a Colorado without the herds of deer and elk that are so much a part of our quality of life here,” the Governor said.  “Entire communities depend on a healthy deer and elk population. That’s why we are taking such an aggressive approach to combating this disease and why this Task Force has such an important role to play.”

In his remarks to the group, the Governor said that results from ongoing testing are cause for cautious optimism, since the infection rate for disease in the wild is less than 1 percent.   He said this underscores the need for a coordinated, careful and strategic attack on the disease.

Gov. Owens charged the group with recommending strategies for containing the spread of the disease, identifying the best methods for protecting communities, landowners and businesses affected by CWD and developing a public education campaign about the disease.

Following the finding in late March that CWD had breached the Continental Divide, Gov. Owens ordered state agencies to take an aggressive and coordinated attack on the disease.  He has also visited areas on the Western Slope directly threatened by the spread of CWD and issued an Executive Order appointing the Task Force.

Owens Asks South Carolina to Cooperate in Rocky Flats Cleanup

Governor Owens has urged South Carolina Governor Jim Hodges to cease opposition to shipments of radioactive waste from the retired Rocky Flats plutonium plant to a storage site in South Carolina, as agreed in a deal between that state and the U.S. Department of Energy. 

Hodges has indicated he will not allow the waste into his state. 

Owens' letter to Hodges said, "The U.S. Department of Energy has provided me with a copy of Secretary Abraham’s letter and signed agreement sent to you on Thursday, April 11, 2002.   It is clear that the Department has made major concessions that directly address your concerns.  It is particularly noteworthy, in my view, that the Department agreed to your request that legislation be enacted to make the agreement enforceable.

"I was pleased to read that you agree with the specific provisions laid out by the Department because I am concerned that further delay on this issue has implications that go well beyond one state.  There are serious national security implications as well.   

Governor Speaks Out For Children

Governor Owens has spent the month of April emphasizing awareness of the need to protect Colorado's children from many forms of abuse.  He signed legislation making Colorado the 9th state in the nation to participate in the  AMBER Alert for missing children.  When law enforcement officials determine that a child has been abducted, they issue this alert, which is then distributed by local broadcast organizations with full descriptions of the child and suspect.

Owens also highlighted the need to increase awareness of sexual assault and child abuse.  

He also thanked local child abuse prevention organizations, such as the Kempe Childrens' Foundation and Colorado Court Appointed Special Advocates, for their expert work in understanding and preventing child abuse.  Governor Owens has long been a champion for children, dating back more than 15 years to his work as a state legislator.  In 1985 Owens carried legislation that re-wrote Colorado's child abuse laws to make them tougher.  In 1989 then-Sen. Bill Owens and then-Rep. Scott McInnis carried legislation that created the Colorado Children's Trust Fund.

First Lady Campaigns Against Underage Drinking

First Lady Frances Owens unveiled the national “Make a  Difference:  Talk to Your Child About Alcohol” initiative at Denver's Morey Middle School.  The campaign is aimed at raising awareness of tween (between the ages of 10-12 years old) drinking and the importance of parental and community involvement.

“Colorado children who are reaching their teen years are very impressionable and easily give in to peer pressure,” Mrs. Owens said.  “It is critically important for us as parents and teachers to talk with our children about the dangers of alcohol abuse and dependency.  This national program is designed to do just that by raising awareness of the maladies of tween drinking.”

Recently in Colorado, a young boy was found unconscious in a field after consuming a bottle of alcohol with his friends.  Fortunately this child recovered, but this case isn’t an anomaly.  Many incidences of underage drinking never make the evening news or the morning paper.  

Colorado was selected as the location for unveiling this new campaign because of the First Lady’s interest and desire to establish a statewide initiative in the state.  

In conjunction with this national campaign, Colorado is making available "Make a Difference" booklets to all Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Coordinators in the state’s middle schools, along with providing posters to all elementary schools, and establishing a Colorado toll-free Hotline number where kids may call for help (1-888-807-4306).  Professional counselors within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment staff the hotline and are on hand to talk with children or parents about these issues.  

Governor Owens Selects "One Book" For Colorado

Governor Bill Owens selected Snow in August by Pete Hamill as the Colorado centerpiece of the " One State, One Book" campaign, where cities and states encourage citizens to read and discuss the book, becoming, in essence, one big book club.  The reading campaign began in Seattle, Washington, in 1998, and is being spearheaded in Colorado by KHOW-AM talk show host Peter Boyles.

“In a time when our nation is at war, this book’s message is very applicable,” said Gov. Owens.  “Overcoming violence and adversity is what  Snow in August is all about.  The old fashioned plot of good versus evil resonates during this time in our country’s history.”

Governor Owens continues to highlight the importance of reading as instrumental in leading a successful life.  Through this national campaign, the Governor hopes Coloradans will be encouraged to read more than ever.

Other states and cities that have participated in the One State, One Book campaign include California, Grapes of Wrath; and Chicago, To Kill a Mockingbird.

Greetings From Colorado

Governor Owens unveiled a new Colorado stamp earlier this month as part of the nationwide "Greetings From America" series produced by the U.S. Postal Service.

Owens said, "The slogan of the U.S. Postal Service is, 'We Deliver.'  Indeed, they’ve delivered today with a great stamp for the state of Colorado.  It tells everybody who sees it, 'Colorado delivers a great winter sports experience.'”

(Photo courtesy The Denver Rocky Mountain News)