Press Room

Senate Dems Kick Off Statewide Listening Tour

Thursday, August 6 2009

DENVER—    Monday, August 10, Senate President Brandon Shaffer (D-Longmont) will leave from the East Steps of the Capitol with packed bags and an open mind.  Next week marks the first leg of a four-week state-wide listening tour which will take President Shaffer, Senate Majority Leader John Morse (D-Colorado Springs), and other Democratic Senators to the four corners of Colorado.  Senator Dan Gibbs (D-Summit County) will be joining them Monday and Tuesday.

The purpose of the tour is to listen to Coloradans to gain a better understanding of what type of Colorado we want.  The Senators are looking forward to meeting people across the state and introducing themselves.  The tour will include town halls, meetings with local businesses, and newspaper editorial boards, fairs and other local events. 

“We can’t wait to get out there and get started,” said President Shaffer.  “We want people to understand that we aren’t state senators who sit at our desks at the Capitol making decisions.  We are listening to you.  We have confidence in the wisdom of the people of Colorado, and we want them to share their ideas with us, ideas that will shape the future of our great state."

“I can’t wait to get on the road,” said Senator Morse.  “We’re looking forward to not only seeing the four corners of Colorado, but to hearing what people have to say, and getting a better understanding for how we can help.”

Highlights of the Northwest Tour:

**The public is welcome at all following events!  The Senators will be available for interviews.

Please call Abigail Vacanti if you would like to arrange an interview (917-750-2272)

Monday, Aug. 10:    

• 2pm-3pm: Happy 150^th Birthday, Breckenridge! (Loc: Blue River Plaza, on the corner of Corner of Washington and Main, Breckenridge, CO)
• 3pm-4pm: Community Happy Hour for Breck 150 (Loc: Gold Pan Saloon 103 North Main Street, Breckenridge, CO)
• 5pm-6pm: Meet and Greet at the Lewis Sweet Shop (Loc: 208 E. Park Ave, Empire, CO 80438)

Tuesday, Aug. 11:    

• 8:30am- 10:30am: Meet and Greet at The County Seat Grill (Loc: 512 Byers Avenue Hot Sulphur Springs, CO 80451)
• 10:45a-11:15a: Speak with Grand County Commissioners at their weekly meeting (Loc: 308 Byers Avenue, Hot Sulphur Springs, CO)
• Noon- 1:30pm: Winter Park Fraser Valley Rotary Club (Loc: Beaver Village Lodge Restaurant)
• 4:30p-5:30p:  Cowboy sing-along (Loc: Outside the Discovery Center at the base of the Winter Park Ski Resort)
• 6pm-7pm: Picnic in the Park (Loc: Old School House Park next to Fraser Town Hall on Fraser Ave, Fraser, CO)

Wednesday, Aug. 12:

• 10am- noon: Cut down trees in a beetle-infested forest corridor with the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps (Loc: Routt National Forest.  Please call Abigail for exact location if you are interested in covering this event)  ***NOTE: This event is only open to the press.  

Thursday, Aug. 13:  

• 8:30a-9:30a: Routt County Fair (Loc: Routt County Fairgrounds, Hayden, CO)
• 12:45-1:45: Meet at Greet at Meeker Café (Loc: The Meeker Café, 536 Main Street, Meeker, CO 81641)
• 6pm-7pm: Palisade Peach Festival (Loc: Downtown Palisade, CO)

Overall plan for the statewide tour:

August 10-13: Northwest Tour (including Vail, Breckenridge, Steamboat, Hot Sulphur Springs, Winter Park, Fraser, Empire, Hayden, Craig and Grand Junction)

September 22-25: Southwest Tour (including Montrose, Gunnison, Durango, Alamosa, Delta, San Luis Valley, Salida)

October 21-23: Northeast Tour (including: Sterling, Ft. Morgan, Greeley and others)

November 12-14: Southeast Tour (including:  Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Lamar)