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Nov. 18, 2000 By Janelle Holden One of the most powerful agricultural lobbying forces in the state of Colorado, the Colorado Farm Bureau, released its legislative targets for Colorado’s 2001 legislative session on Friday. When the Colorado Legislature convenes in January, the Farm Bureau plans to delve into the hot issues of growth, ballot-initiative reform, wildlife issues and water. "These are important issues to the diverse group of farmers and ranchers who make up Colorado Farm Bureau," said Roger Bill Mitchell, State Farm Bureau president, in a press release. "They need to be addressed through our state legislative process and with government agencies. We need to effectively communicate our concerns with elected and non-elected officials, and the general public." The Farm Bureau strongly opposed Amendment 24, the ballot initiative which would have limited growth by requiring counties to implement complicated zoning plans. Colorado voters defeated the measure by a 70 percent majority. "During the No. 24 ballot intiative campaign we successfully argued that the complexities of growth management needs to be addressed through the legislative process rather than a one-size-fits-all measure put into our state’s constitution," said Mitchell. "Now it is time to lay all the issues on the table and come up with a manageable proposal which will empower those who are directly affected by their decisions. Farm Bureau will be paying particular attention to see that property rights and local control are protected." Farm Bureau is also looking to reform the ballot initiative process. They are concerned that the process of gathering signatures allows petitioners to focus solely on the Front Range, and that geographic balance is needed before an amendment makes it on the ballot. They also plan to investigate requiring a two-thirds majority pass a constitutional amendment instead of a simple majority. This year Colorado had twelve constitutional amendment questions on the ballot. To ease the burden on ranchers with habitat needed to sustain endangered or threatened species, the Farm Bureau will lobby to garner more funding for the Habiat Partnership Program, and other incentive-based programs to protect species. In addition, the Farm Bureau will also be seeking legislative support to help the state meet current and future water demands sought by an increase in population. "We have a very busy year ahead of us," said Mitchell. "None of these issues have clear-cut solutions. There will be a great deal of work done in finding solutions." The Farm Bureau also announced that Farm-City Week will be celebrated beginning Nov. 17 and ending with the traditional Thanksgiving holiday. The week is an organized effort to bring rural and urban residents together in social settings to stress their inter-dependence. Today, farmers and ranchers receive only 20 cents out of every dollars spent on food at home and away from home. In 1980, farmers received 31 cents. |
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