Steve Holdren, Capitol Strategies, LLC
Every four years people say, “ This could be the most important election of our time,” and honestly, this might be the year they’re right! The 2016 election is extremely important for our country and our state.
The balance of power lies in waiting on it’s results, our nation will elect a new President, the majority in the U.S. Senate could change parties, influencing important decisions, including appointments to the U.S. Supreme Court, rights granted to the citizens by the constitution, environmental and regulatory change and the list goes on.
The balance of power in the Colorado Legislature may change too, although Colorado has traditionally been a checks and balances state, the majority margin in the senate is so narrow, the final vote count will ultimately decide, resulting in what could be Democratically controlled Legislative and Executive branches of state government.
The ballot again will be overrun by proposed amendments to the state’s constitution and statutes, although Colorado voters have an opportunity to create change in the initiative process, making it harder, yet more fair and equitable, to get amendments on future ballots.
CLA will continue to be a progressive voice for the livestock industry at the Colorado Legislature, working in coalition with other like-minded interests to preserve the industry in Colorado. Issues pertaining to animal welfare, water, property rights, business and insurance will remain at the top of the list of priorities.
We will continue to educate Legislators on the importance of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s, Environmental Ag Program to our industry, as it comes up for extension in 2017.
This could be the most important election of our time, so vote! It has been said that “Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote.” Educate yourself on the issues and get to know the candidates running for office and be sure to get honest and truthful information!
Abraham Lincoln once said, “You can’t believe everything you read on Facebook.”
There’s a lot of truth in that…
Steve Holdren has been lobbying on behalf of Colorado Livestock Association members for the past 17 years. Steve has been the President of Capitol Strategies since 1987, a respected governmental relations and lobbying firm that provides contract lobbying and governmental relations services to a variety of clients at the state and federal levels. Steve is a Colorado native and was raised north of Weldona on a cow/calf ranch. He attended Northeastern Junior College and Colorado State University where he graduated with a bachelor of science in Agriculture and Animal Science.
