Posted 4 months, 14 days ago in 
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The Daily Sentinel story comparing my water-issues record with that of former Congressman Bob Schaffer was a glass half full. It noted I vigorously opposed Referendum A, the blank-check water grab rejected by Colorado voters in 2003, and that I voted “present” when the Resources Committee considered a bill to authorize a revised Animas-La Plata water project.
But it was half empty because it left out the rest of the Animas-La Plata story. In 2000, I thought the project’s revised plan was better than the original plan, but I was concerned about the costs and the lack of time to review the just-finished Interior Department analysis. I voted “present” because, while I wasn’t comfortable endorsing the package, I didn’t want to stop it from going to the floor for a final vote.
Later that year, the House considered similar legislation proposed by Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell. Having had time to satisfy my concerns, I voted for that bill, which was enacted, and I have championed the Animas-La Plata project ever since.
I was mildly amused to read state Sen. Josh Penry’s comment that “everyone” was stunned by my “present” vote in committee, when he was a staffer for my friend and colleague, Rep. Scott McInnis, the House sponsor of the authorization bill.
It is unclear to me whether Josh was also stunned to learn that when the full House considered Sena. Campbell’s legislation, I voted to support A-LP, while several others in the Colorado Delegation, including Reps McInnis, Hefley and Schaffer missed the vote entirely.
Readers of the Sentinel interested in where the Colorado congressional delegation has been on issues like Referendum A and the Animas-La Plata project may rest assured that I have not missed any of these votes and have consistently supported protecting the West Slope’s interests.
Rep. Mark Udall
Eldorado Springs
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