Western Colorado Congress

Welcome!

Western Colorado Congress (WCC) is an alliance for community action empowering people to protect and enhance their quality of life in Western Colorado since 1980. WCC members are currently working on a number of issues including local foods & agriculture, public lands management, and the impacts of developing oil & gas and uranium resources.

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The acres of beetle kill trees in CO make many of us nervous about increased wildfire risk. However, a new study from CU shows that topography and weather conditions are what we really need to be thinking about. ... See MoreSee Less

Spruce beetle impact on wildfires questioned

durangoherald.com

These trees have been killed or damaged from an infestation of the spruce bark beetle in the Rio Grande National Forest. A new study suggests that the native insect may not be to blame for increased severity of wildfires.

Posted 11/13/15

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John Keck and Bill Day like this

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Great piece from PBS on why new federal rules to cut methane emissions from oil and gas sites is a great idea- on so many levels.

If you agree, let the EPA know! Send your comments here: http://bit.ly/1Nn9WZS ... See MoreSee Less

Why capping methane leaks is a win-win goal for industry and environmentalists

pbs.org

Methane, the primary component of natural gas, is also a potent greenhouse gas, trapping energy in the atmosphere. Last year NASA released satellite images showing a hot spot in the area where New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Arizona meet, prompting scientists to go in search of the sources. Special c…

Posted 11/12/15

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John Metcalf, Nic Korte and 2 others like this

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"Being a part of the solar industry reminds me of serving in the military because of the higher purpose behind the day-to-day." ... See MoreSee Less

Solar Industry Commits to Employing 50,000 More Vets by 2020

ecowatch.com

Solar already employs a higher percentage rate of veterans than the total U.S. workforce, but the industry upped the ante this spring by committing to

Posted 11/11/15

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Megan Matyjasik Kinney, Adam Good and 2 others like this

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Substantial changes have already affected growing cycles and yields for agriculture, a huge part of the Western economy and culture. Many small communities are rising up to address the challenge of food security.

During a panel discussion on climate change impacts to agriculture in Paonia, Colorado, one expert talked about the drastic change he’s personally studied in these mountains. Click below to hear the full story. ... See MoreSee Less

Can small communities tackle global food security?

hcn.org

Climate change has profound impacts on growing seasons and crop yields, but local solutions have promise.

Posted 11/10/15

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Western Colorado Congress at The Historic Avalon Theatre.

A full house Saturday for Mountainfilm. Thank you to our sponsors, volunteers and the nearly 1,000-strong crowd for a great night! ... See MoreSee Less

Posted 11/09/15

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Cindy Geddes, Sharon Swedmark Jordan and 10 others like this

Nick MassaroThanks for the fun night.

6 days ago · 1

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The Grand Junction Sentinel on drilling in Battlement Mesa & the State's proposed rules on "residential drilling:"

"At what point does somebody’s public health trump somebody’s private mineral rights?” Dave Devanney, chair of Battlement Concerned Citizens, recently told The Sentinel’s Dennis Webb.

This is the question that has vexed the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission as it has pondered whether to tighten neighborhood drilling rules. The answer increasingly appears to be that public health never trumps mineral rights, so drilling proposals are green-lighted with a stack of conditions that are supposed to lessen impacts on nearby residences. ... See MoreSee Less

Drilling debate plays out in Battlement Mesa | GJSentinel.com

gjsentinel.com

Grand Junction - Imagine an energy development company announcing a plan to drill for natural gas on the Redlands with well pads proposed within 700 feet of

Posted 11/09/15

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Sharon Swedmark Jordan, Adam Good and 3 others like this

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It's Mountainfilm Eve and there's a few hours left to get advance tickets at Summit Canyon or online: http://wccongress.org/wcc/upcoming-events/…

Get excited for the festival with this preview from the Sentinel.

http://gjsentinel.com/entertainment/articles/… ... See MoreSee Less

Social justice, local ties feature high in lineup for MountainFilm on Tour | GJSentinel.com

gjsentinel.com

Grand Junction - From the poignant story of a dog and his person enduring hardships together, to a harrowing tale of medical professionals working to

Posted 11/06/15

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Tyler Logan Photography, Steve Allerton and 2 others like this

Steve AllertonGreat event last night. Incredible turn out, generous sponsors, host of volunteers, and powerful films. Far out!!!

1 week ago · 1

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This morning President Obama rejected the Keystone XL pipeline!

Congratulations to everyone across the country who has worked so hard for this, including our sister organization Dakota Rural Action in South Dakota! Read their statement here: ... See MoreSee Less

DRA Statement on Keystone XL Rejection

dakotarural.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 6, 2015 CONTACT: John Harter, Dakota Rural Action Vice Chair, crossed by former Keystone XL route: (605)840-9478 Paul Seamans, Dakota Rural Action landowner, crossed by former Keystone XL route: (605)669-2777 Sabrina King, Dakota Rural Action: (605)939-0527 SOUTH DAK…

Posted 11/06/15

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John Keck, Jessica Geddes and 12 others like this

Kris SmockLets get this right. Forty years ago we built the Alaskan pipeline through the artic wilderness in a much more hostile and fragile environment and we have numerous other pipelines crossing the country but we can't build this one why?

1 week ago

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Great news! Today, Sen. Bennet and lawmakers from NM introduced a bill to reform the outdated 1872 Mining Law.

Updating this 140+ year old law can prevent future disasters like the Gold King Mine blow out that dumped thousands of gallons of mine waste into the Animas River. Let's never let it happen again! ... See MoreSee Less

Western senators launch effort to reform mining law to spur cleanup

denverpost.com

Western senators weighed in on the toxic mines problem Thursday, launching legislation to reform the nation's 1872 mining law to require companies to pay

Posted 11/05/15

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Rig to Flip: Dispatches from the Range, Tyler Logan Photography and 6 others like this

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Last chance to get discounted tickets for Mountainfilm! Just $10 if you click this link today: http://wccongress.org/wcc/upcoming-events/… ... See MoreSee Less

Posted 11/05/15

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“Residential Drilling Rule” fails to protect impacted communities

Oct. 7, 2015 - Proposed new state rules that were supposed to give communities relief from oil and gas impacts have instead become a mechanism to ensure that industrial-scale operations are allowed within neighborhoods, according to groups representing residents of the Garfield County gas patch.

“We’re getting thrown under the bus here,” said Grand Valley Citizens Alliance president Leslie Robinson. [Full story]