WELD COUNTY, Colo. – The Greeley Tribune has reported that Weld County commissioners held a meeting Thursday to solicit public comment regarding their plans to secede from Colorado and form a 51st state.
Nearly all of the roughly 50 people in attendance voiced support for the idea.
“I think people, when they feel disenfranchised, when they feel that their voices are not being heard, I think that’s a problem in a representative form of government,” commissioner Sean Conway said.
The five Weld County commissioners at the meeting on Thursday said they hope to include the 51st state initiative on the ballot in November, allowing voters to decide if the secession process should start. Another proposal would change the state’s constitution to grant rural counties increased representation.
“We believe there’s an attack on oil and gas,” commissioner Barbara Kirkmeyer said. “We believe there’s an attack on agriculture. I don’t think those down in Denver understand any of it.”
Commissioners claim there are issues such as water, energy production and education where they see a disconnect between rural voters and legislators.
“I have an issue with urbanites thinking it’s up to them to know what’s best,” Fort Lupton resident Elena Metro said. “I don’t know what’s best for them, and I don’t think they know what’s best for me.”
A Facebook page which supports the secession plans has been started by Jeff Hare who feels increased representation at the state Capitol falls short.
“It doesn’t right the wrongs that have been happening,” Hare said.
This was the first of four scheduled meetings to allow the public to comment on the proposed secession plans.
All meetings will take place between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. On Monday the second meeting will take place at the Southwest Weld Complex, Large Meeting Room, 4209 Weld County Road 24 1/2 in Longmont. The third meeting will happen on Tuesday at the Evans Recreation Center, Cottonwood Room, 1100 37th St. in Evans. The final meeting is on Wednesday at the Ault Fire Department, 16680 Colo. 14 in Ault.