Growth legislation: Moving forward without doing harm

Growth legislation: Moving forward without doing harm

May 22, 2001

Life in the Legislature
By State Representative Mark Larson

I already miss Jim Dyer. No offense intended Sen. Isgar, it's just that I am in the House because Jim Dyer urged me to run. He was my farm club manager, mentor, introduced me to all the right people and steadily prodded me to play a bigger part. His support, contrary to party wishes, meant everything to me and no doubt played a big part in my election successes. Jim was a beacon of goodness, always loyal (sometimes even when he knew he had made a mistake), and a balanced and reasoned statesman of the highest order. I am happy for Jim because he is happy. He has settled in to his new job as Commissioner with a renewed vigor and enthusiasm I haven't seen for several years. And I take comfort knowing that, should I need to call on him for advise or support, heck, he's only a block away! Congratulation Jim, you will always be my "Senator."

********

The special session is turning out to be not so special. The House has worked through several bills not dissimilar from bills in the regular session, dispatching them in an equally similar fashion. Since the Local Government Committee would normally hear all of the bills regarding growth in the special session, it would have meant that committee would meet endlessly for two days. Obviously, this was unacceptable. However, the alternative chosen by House leadership was not uncommon to knowing observers. The Speaker chose a second committee to assist with the many growth bills, choosing ... you guessed it, the infamous State Affairs Committee. Well, both committees worked long hours and churned out eight bills that the House took action on Thursday, sending all eight to the Senate. Every topic requested to be addressed in the Governor's Call was articulated in one bill or the other. Still, there was not much compromise with those wanting significantly tighter regulations and more state mandated controls. The Senate was working on only two remaining measures. Seems the "our way or the highway" philosophy still prevails over there!

Each time I read the bills, I would glean a new perspective. Each time I heard the bills discussed in committee, I again came away with a different point of view. But when it came down to which bills I supported, I had to fall back on the many conversations I have had with our rural communities and the values they hold dear. This reflection on what my constituents told me assisted greatly with my final votes.

I heard that, at the very least, we must have mandated comprehensive planning and growth management. I heard that we must begin to discuss urban service areas and what exactly that term means and to whom. I heard that private-property rights should not be taken without compensation, which in no way implies that there shouldn't be impact responsibilities. I also heard a need for open space and control of sprawl. Finally, I heard that, in lieu of legislation that did nothing or was watered down, we should render no legislation at all.

I was surprised at the number of legislators who were desirous of allowing little or no growth outside arbitrarily drawn urban service boundaries. This disregard for agriculture property rights caused for alarm. On Monday, I asked that Tom Weaver, County Manager for Montezuma County, come to the Capitol and put on a presentation about Landowner Initiated Zoning (LIZ), the concept instituted by Montezuma County. I asked Tom to make his presentation for three reasons. First, I wanted to demonstrate that many rural counties are indeed aggressivly working on growth management. Second, I wanted to demonstrate that rural cities and counties are working together on urban service areas and that some have already articulated agreements.

Finally, I wanted to demonstrate that the legislature should be aware of these efforts and, if in doubt, "Leave us alone" when efforts are already underway. Twenty-five legislators attended the presentation, including many urbanites who stated that they "had no idea" so much was happening in rural communities. Mission accomplished! Now, if we can only get through the remaining three days by moving forward without doing harm.

Mark Larson is a state representative from Cortez. He can be reached by phone (303) 866-2914; by fax, (303) 866-3318; or by e-mail at marklarson@qwest.net . He also has a Website at www.larsoncolorado.com .