Curry Pursuing Statewide Political Post

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!oa3 Curry continued from page District 61 representative. There has been speculation that he won't run for re-election next fall, and rvill instead seek a national post in the Third Congressional District that is being vacated by longtime Grand Junction politician Scott McInnis. On Monday Rippy confirmed that he is "interested in looking at the Third Congressional District," but that he has made no formal decisions yet. No other candidates have sur- faced for House District 61, a post that covers all or a portion of five counties, including Gunnison, Hinsdale, Gafiield and Pitkin. The primary population base for the district Iies in Glenwood Springs and the Roaring Fork Valley com- munities of Carbondale and Aspen. Curry acknowledged that she'll have to work hard in those heavi- ly populated areas to gain name recognition. She aLso said HD 61 is a large and diverse region, "where the issues really run the gamut." "People in Silt (along the Inter- state 70 corridor) have a different perspective that those in Lake Ciry," she said. "But recreation and tourism are the two primary revenue generators for the entire district, and water is a universal issue. I think water is on the minds of everybody right now" Curry, a Colorado native, has a Master's Degree is water resources from Colorado State University. She's worked in the water field for 15 years, before coming to Gunni- son as a private water consultant in Eastle Rock. For the past six years, she's been the manager of the UGRWCD, where she led the district through its worst drought in history and helped manage the first substantial downstream call on local water users in decades. It is this expertise and back- ground in water issues in particu- lar that Curry thinks would be valuable assets for a Western Slope representative to bring to the lPOistative front at this time. In "I think we're vulnerable right now," she said, referring primarily to the potential that a scheme to divert Gunnison Basin and other Western Slope water to the Front Range is brewing. "And I think I can make a difference." One of the main pieces of legis- lation Curry would like to focus on is a controversial one. She wants to pursue a law that pro- vides mitigation - be it in the form of cash, environmental safeguards or other concessions - to commu- nities that are on the giving side of large water diversions. This "basin of origin" legislation has failed re- peatedly in the past, and its a con- cept that has received criticism locally because it's viewed by some as a sign that the Gunnison Basin is admitting to the inevitabiliry of a trans-basin diversion project. I think we're vulnerable and I think I can make a difference. Kathleen Curry Local water interests have fought vigorously against such proposals in the past, and for the past decade the mantra of the UGRWCD and special interest groups has been "not one drop" of Gunnison Basin water to the Front Range. "I know this is controversial," Curry said, "but I'm OK with that. It doesn't mean anybody here wants or is encouraging a pro}ect or advocating for a transfer. But what if something does happen down the road and there is noth- ing on the books that looks at those impacts? If that happened then we've hurt this community, and the peaple would be asking why didn't the leaders in the Upper Gunnison go to bat for mit- for water grojeets. Another reason she opposes that measure is be- cause she said it doesn't work for rural Colorado. Curry supports small=scale, local water storage projects. "But," she argued, "I can't identify any local project that could receive funding in this arena. Referendum A is just another funding mecha- nism for Front Range domestic water interests. We cannot benefit from it. It just enhances our risk." Promoting what she ca1Ls "sus- tainable agriculture" is another issue Curry would like to take to the state capital. She echoed the often-heard lament that even though ranching remains preva- lent in the Gunnison Basin, you can't buy local beef in the grocery market or find it on the menus of local restaurants. Exploring and developing new markets for Colorado agricultural products is one role the legislature could play, Curry explained. She'd like the Gunnison Basin to be known for its organic beef and hay products because, she argued, "that's what we have here." Curry said she also wants to be a champion for small, rural business owners. As a legislator, she'd like to expiore ways to enhance Western Slope economies, or, she said, at the very least make sure state government doesn't create obstaclesl to economic development and the creation of new jobs. Finally, Curry thinks her expe- rience with the legislature and statewide political leaders would be invaluable. As UGRWCD director, she's testified before the legislature a number of times, had to study bills and meet with legislators. "I know my way around the capital," she said. "I know what committee meetings are impor- tant. I know where to park. All of that will be helpful. It'll take the mystery out of it so I can get on with the work I have to do." Beginning in January, Curry will reduce her role with the UGRW- /"T •.. .a.._s s.«... .. ,...n.s...s. nL?