News
Muhammad Ali Hasan, candidate for Colorado’s House District 56, is spearheading a tri-county coffee shop tour to raise awareness on the growing concerns of the Pine Beetle problem and the raiding of Western Slope Severance Tax funds.
The tour is scheduled to hit 16 local restaurants and businesses in Summit County starting on Jan 28 in Leadville.
The main priority at the coffee shop gatherings will be to sign and comment on postcards that will then be sent to the Republican and Democratic State Parties, urging them to take a greater interest in the issues currently effecting District 56 residents. Colorado’s House District 56 includes Summit County, Lake County, and parts of Eagle County.
“I’m looking to make the events as fun as possible,” Hasan said of the tour. “The best way to educate people is to get them engaged and be proactive. Getting people to fill out postcards makes the issues all the more real.”
The Pine Beetle problem is quickly becoming a major issue for Summit County and all of Colorado. T he U.S. Forest Service reported that bark beetle infestation grew at an “unprecedented rate” in Colorado last year, affecting 500,000 additional acres.
As the beetle population continues to creep into Summit County the dead and dying trees left in the wake are greatly increasing the wild-fire risk, putting Fire-Rescue officials on high alert.
“I don't think that we have done enough to address the Pine Beetle yet and I really wanted a republican to step up and take ownership of the issue,” Hasan said.
Another issue Hasan is looking to address is the Colorado Severance Tax, which has a very large impact on District 56.
The Colorado Severance Tax is imposed upon renewable natural resources that are removed from the earth in Colorado, and tax is calculated on the gross income from oil, gas, and carbon dioxide production.
“We get taxed more when the severance tax gets diverted to Denver or Boulder,” Hasan said. “We need to inform the Democratic and Republican Parties that the local community is suffering and it’s important to keep the funds invested in local areas.”
Hasan is calling the coffee shop tour a “non-partisan” event, assuring the public that the main priority is the issues and not the upcoming election. Hasan has invited the current District 56 Representative, Democrat Christine Scanlan, to join him on the coffee shop tour, proving that the issues will remain the primary focus.
“This isn’t about republicans or democrats, it’s about two very important issues that we shouldn’t be divided on,” Hasan said.
“I encourage anyone to get involved with this issue,” said Rep. Scanlan. “My efforts are best served here at the capital and we are receiving strong bipartisan support.”
So far the tour has rolled through Vail, Avon and Edwards, and Hasan is excited with the feedback he is getting from the public.
“It’s been going excellent and people have responded really well,” Hasan said. “As of right now we have around 650 postcards signed. My overall goal is 1,000 and we’re not even half way through so that is a very good sign.”
Hasan’s campaign has provided the funding for the tour, which includes the cost of the postcards and the postage. Many of the local coffee shops and business on the tour are also acting as co-sponsors, offering up their establishments free of charge to help get the word out on these two very important issues
The tour is scheduled to hit 16 local restaurants and businesses in Summit County starting on Jan 28 in Leadville.
The main priority at the coffee shop gatherings will be to sign and comment on postcards that will then be sent to the Republican and Democratic State Parties, urging them to take a greater interest in the issues currently effecting District 56 residents. Colorado’s House District 56 includes Summit County, Lake County, and parts of Eagle County.
“I’m looking to make the events as fun as possible,” Hasan said of the tour. “The best way to educate people is to get them engaged and be proactive. Getting people to fill out postcards makes the issues all the more real.”
The Pine Beetle problem is quickly becoming a major issue for Summit County and all of Colorado. T he U.S. Forest Service reported that bark beetle infestation grew at an “unprecedented rate” in Colorado last year, affecting 500,000 additional acres.
As the beetle population continues to creep into Summit County the dead and dying trees left in the wake are greatly increasing the wild-fire risk, putting Fire-Rescue officials on high alert.
“I don't think that we have done enough to address the Pine Beetle yet and I really wanted a republican to step up and take ownership of the issue,” Hasan said.
Another issue Hasan is looking to address is the Colorado Severance Tax, which has a very large impact on District 56.
The Colorado Severance Tax is imposed upon renewable natural resources that are removed from the earth in Colorado, and tax is calculated on the gross income from oil, gas, and carbon dioxide production.
“We get taxed more when the severance tax gets diverted to Denver or Boulder,” Hasan said. “We need to inform the Democratic and Republican Parties that the local community is suffering and it’s important to keep the funds invested in local areas.”
Hasan is calling the coffee shop tour a “non-partisan” event, assuring the public that the main priority is the issues and not the upcoming election. Hasan has invited the current District 56 Representative, Democrat Christine Scanlan, to join him on the coffee shop tour, proving that the issues will remain the primary focus.
“This isn’t about republicans or democrats, it’s about two very important issues that we shouldn’t be divided on,” Hasan said.
“I encourage anyone to get involved with this issue,” said Rep. Scanlan. “My efforts are best served here at the capital and we are receiving strong bipartisan support.”
So far the tour has rolled through Vail, Avon and Edwards, and Hasan is excited with the feedback he is getting from the public.
“It’s been going excellent and people have responded really well,” Hasan said. “As of right now we have around 650 postcards signed. My overall goal is 1,000 and we’re not even half way through so that is a very good sign.”
Hasan’s campaign has provided the funding for the tour, which includes the cost of the postcards and the postage. Many of the local coffee shops and business on the tour are also acting as co-sponsors, offering up their establishments free of charge to help get the word out on these two very important issues
Coffee shop tour dates
Leadville DayMonday, Jan. 28
Provin’ Grounds — 8-10 a.m.
Tennessee Pass Cafe — 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Rosie’s Brewpub — 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Silverthorne Day
Tuesday, Jan. 29
Sunshine Cafe — 8-9:30 AM
Pizza Hut — 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Murphy’s — 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Dillon Day
Wednesday, Jan. 30
Butterhorn Bakery & Cafe (Frisco) — 8-9:30 a.m.
Dillon Dam Brewery — 6-8 p.m.
Frisco Day
Thursday, Jan. 31
Butterhorn Bakery & Cafe — 8-9:30 a.m.
Moose Jaw — 12-2 p.m.
Jonny G’s — 6-9 p.m
Breckenridge Day
Friday, Feb. 1
Crown Cafe — 8-9:30 a.m
Clint’s Bakery & Deli — 12-2 p.m.
Downstairs At Eric’s — 6-7:30 p.m.
Keystone Day
Sunday, Feb. 3
Inxpot — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m
Redcliff Day
Monday, Feb. 4
Mango’s — 5-7:30 p.m.
