Campbell to open office in Durango

Campbell to open office in Durango

August 23, 2001

U.S. Senator
Ben Nighthorse Campbell

By Tom Sluis
Herald Staff Writer

Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, R-Colo., plans to open an office in Durango on Sept. 4 at the old Morehart Building on East Second Avenue to deal with the increasing needs of Campbell’s constituents.

"With a growing population on the Western Slope, this office will take the overflow from our Grand Junction office," said Camden Hubbard, Campbell’s press secretary.

Hubbard said Katie Aggeler, Campbell’s district director at his Grand Junction office, would staff the Durango office at 679 East Second Ave. with one other person.

When contacted in Grand Junction, Aggeler referred all questions to Hubbard, but said the new Durango office was "exciting."

Campbell used to have an office in Durango, but closed it in December 1995 to cut the operating costs of his state offices overall, and because the Durango workload was light compared with his other offices in the 3rd Congressional District. Statewide, he has offices in Fort Collins, Pueblo, Greenwood Village and Colorado Springs.

In 1995, the annual operating cost of the Durango office was between $80,000 and $100,000, and the total operating budget for all of Campbell's staff and offices, including salaries, was $1.6 million.

"This office will be very convenient for outreach because people can’t always get to Grand Junction," Hubbard said.

Hubbard did not know what Aggeler would be paid or what expenses would be involved with the new office.

U.S. Rep. Scott McInnis, R-Colo., who represents Durango for the 3rd Congressional District, also has an office in Durango.