RITTER TO MEET WITH SOUTHEAST COLO. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SATURDAY

Gov. Bill Ritter has invited county commissioners from storm-ravaged southeast Colorado to meet with him and other state officials in La Junta on Saturday to discuss ongoing efforts to provide disaster relief.

 

Commissioners from Baca, Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Las Animas, Otero and Prowers are expected to attend the meeting, scheduled for 9 to 10 a.m. at the Otero County Courthouse in La Junta. The courthouse is located at Third and Colorado, and the meeting will be held in room 107.

 

In addition to Gov. Ritter, Colorado Agriculture Commissioner John Stulp and representatives from the Department of Local Affairs will be on hand.

 

"I'm eager to discuss what steps the state has taken to secure federal disaster aid and listen to any suggestions about what else we can do to help," Ritter said.

 

Southeast Colorado was buried under 3 to 4 feet of snow by recent winter blizzards, with drifts of 10 to 18 feet deep in some areas. An estimated 10,000 cattle died in the storm, and the numbers will climb higher as the snow melts and carcasses are discovered. The area is home to 345,000 head of cattle and calves, 23,500 head of producing sows and 112,000 head of sheep and lambs, all with an estimated value of $500 million.

 

Ritter's trip to southeast Colorado comes amid a three-day statewide tour that begins Friday. The complete schedule:

 

Friday, January 19

 

Sterling

 

Time:                Noon to 1 p.m.

Location:            Northeastern Junior College

                        Tennant Art Gallery in the Hays Student Center

                       

 

Burlington

 

Time:                2 to 3 p.m.

Location:            Kit Carson County Carousel

                        Kit Carson County Fairgrounds

 

 

Trinidad

 

Time:                5 to 6 p.m.

Location:            Historic Aultman Hall

                        137 Cedar Street

 

Saturday, January 20

 

La Junta

 

Time:                8 to 9 a.m.

Location:            The Barrista

                        204 Santa Fe Ave.

 

Time:                9 to 10 a.m.

Location:            Otero County Courthouse

Third and Colorado, La Junta

Meeting with county commissioners from Baca, Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Las  Animas, Otero and Prowers counties to discuss disaster relief.

 

 

Alamosa

 

Time:                11 a.m. to noon

Location:            Adams State College

                        First Street Banquet Room of the Student Union Building

 

 

Durango

 

Time:                1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Location:            Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum, 479 Main Ave.

 

 

 

Rifle

 

Time:                4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Location:            Tarmac at Garfield County Regional Airport

                        0375 County Road 352

 

 

Grand Junction

 

Time:                6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Location:            Pipe Trades Education Center, Copper Room, 3168 Pipe Court   

 

Sunday, January 21

 

Eagle/Edwards

 

Time:                11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Location:            Fiesta's Café and Cantina

                        57 Edwards Access Road, Edwards Plaza

 

 

Steamboat

 

Time:                2 to 3 p.m.

Location:            Steamboat Springs Yacht Club

                        811 Yampa

 

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