Club 20 conference set for March 31

Christian Reece
Christian Reece

A variety of officials and other speakers will address a range of topics affecting Western Colorado at the Club 20 spring conference in Grand Junction.

The conference is set for March 31 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 743 Horizon Drive Grand Junction.

Club 20 — a coalition of counties, communities, businesses and individuals in Western Colorado — has scheduled its annual awards and recognition banquet for March 30 at the hotel.

The events are open to the public. For more information or to register, call Club 20 at 242-3264 or visit www.club20.org.

“Now, more than ever before, it is imperative to engage with our elected officials so we have a voice in shaping the landscape of Western Colorado both literally and figuratively,” said Christian Reece, executive director of Club 20. “The issues we are facing as a region, a state and a nation have far-reaching implications. It is vital that Western Colorado leaders be strong advocates on behalf of the needs of Western Slope communities.”

The conference will feature a number of elected officials, including U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton and Colorado Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne. State Rep. Dan Thurlow and Wayne Williams, Colorado secretary of state, also are scheduled to participate.

Still other speakers will include Carol Hedges, executive director of the Colorado Fiscal Institute; JoAnn Groff, Colorado property tax administrator; Ken DeLay, executive director of the Colorado Association of School Boards; Matt Gianneschi, chief operating officer of Colorado Mountain College; and Kent Thiry, chairman of Let Colorado Vote.

Presentations will focus on state limits affecting budgeting and spending in Colorado, including the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, the Gallagher Amendment and residential assessment rate.