About 50 people gathered in Fort Lupton Thursday to weigh in on whether Weld County should band together with several other Colorado counties and form a 51st state.
The crowd—which was mostly in favor of the proposal—expressed frustration with recent laws that they say don’t take into account the concerns of rural America.
“We believe there’s an attack on oil and gas. We believe there’s an attack on agriculture. I don’t think those folks who are making laws down in Denver understand any of it,” said Weld County Commissioner Barbara Kirkmeyer. All five commissioners were in attendance.
"We believe there's an attack on oil and gas. We believe there's an attack on agriculture."
Weld County Commissioners are soliciting public opinion to decide whether to put the issue to voters this November. Meantime, Cheyenne County commissioners east of Colorado Springs have already decided to put the issue on the ballot this fall.
The idea would be a long shot. Both the Colorado Legislature and U.S. Congress would have to approve the move. But Commissioner Sean Conway says he thinks a discussion is important.
“People when they feel disenfranchised and they feel their voices aren’t being heard, that’s a problem in a representative form of government,” Conway said.
Remaining Meeting Schedule:
All meetings will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- July 29 - Southwest Weld Complex, Large Meeting Room, 4209 Weld County Road 24½, Longmont
- July 30 - Evans Recreation Center, Cottonwood Room, 1100 37th Street, Evans
- July 31 - Ault Fire Department, 16680 Highway 14, Ault
