A special "Thank you!" to the Cortez Journal for allowing me the opportunity to share my experiences of Life in the Legislature these past two years. Their commitment to covering the legislature and bringing the activities, intrigue, politics and debate to our region is a service for which I hope each of you will express your appreciation by a card, letter or phone call.

With the session being over, now is the time I enjoy the most about this job. This is the time I hold town hall meetings, rejoin those groups that the session interfered with my attending and, most importantly, meet with the good citizens of the district one-on-one or in small groups.

At the town hall meetings I will report on the legislation that was of significance this session and discuss the issues that prevailed. I will answer questions about bills, why I voted yea or nay on a particular bill, and ask what I should be focusing on over the interim. I will discuss the legislation I carried and begin assessing the need for potential bills to be carried next year.

During the interim I like to attend and participate in a wide range of community organizations and committees. Through this participation I learn about what is happening in the community and, of course, what needs to be done. I am always observing from a state perspective and taking notes about the effectiveness of local groups and how the state either enables or hinders these grass roots organizations. Some of the groups I attend include Early Childhood Care and Education, Violence Prevention Coalition, Area Agency on Aging, Business Education Councils, Family Centers, and teacher organizations, to name just a few. Any group or organization that would like for me to attend a meeting to hear about their efforts and how the state government effects them, need only ask and I will attend.

The interim is also when legislative interim committees meet, hold hearings, conduct business and prepare legislation. This summer I am significantly less encumbered than I was last year when I chaired the Oil and Gas Committee, served on the Administrative Law Judge Committee, attended Joint Budget Committee oversight hearings and continued to serve on the joint Capital Development Committee. It seems that in election years it is difficult to find legislators to serve on interim committees because they are too busy trying to get re-elected. While I understand the necessity of this, I also understand that my legislative obligation comes first.

Next week, Sen. Dyer and I will be touring transportation projects with the Highway Commission in the Boulder and Fort Collins area. Since both of us serve on the Transportation Committee in our respective houses, and since Jim currently serves on the Transportation Legislative Review Committee (along with former Durango Mayor Jasper Welch), it is important that we attend these meetings, tours and hearings to assess what CDOT and the Commission are doing and to monitor potential impacts to our district. Transportation issues loom dauntingly over our southwestern Colorado and we need to stay on top of funding formulas, allocations, prioritization of projects and maintain a presence before the commission and Executive Director Norton.

This summer the Capital Development Committee will be discussing many topics along with our normal flow of project exceptions, supplementals, extensions and many other oversight duties. Interim agenda items include the renovation of the Woodward House one block from the Capitol for utilization as legislative staff offices, on-going review and periodic updates of the Capitol life safety improvement project, review of the federal audit regarding the Division of Wildlife and Division of Parks and Recreation lands, Division of Wildlife real estate plans, the Capital Construction Contingency Fund audit and, a topic I have been pushing very hard, controlled maintenance recommendations. As you can see, the Capital Development Committee alone is enough to keep one busy with summer reading and travel. I am a "Legos Building Blocks" kind of guy and I truly enjoy this committee.

The interim is also when I need to hear from you. It is the time when we can discuss, research, explore, attempt resolution or develop a plan for many issues that need further inspection. I cannot do this without your help and input. Please let me know if there is something I need to be doing to help or assist with YOUR state government.