Letters | The truth on Polis

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Dave Anderson’s commentary on the so-called “fiscal cliff” (“Washington must prioritize jobs, not cuts,” Nov. 22) injects sanity into the debate.

Not only does he expose the self-serving agenda behind the “Fix the Debt” coalition, he also exposes Jared Polis’ complicity with this campaign. People who believe Jared Polis is progressive should take a hard look at his far-right, kleptocratic economic policies.

I hope Dave Anderson will keep writing and shed more light on Polis’ demonstrated allegiance to right-wing economics so that people will be armed with the facts to start holding Polis accountable.

Anita Li/Boulder

Reviving the Republicans

I’d written you in July after reading an article on fracking by Paul Danish.

And as negative as I was about this writer’s coverage of that topic, I’m that positive about his recent article in your Nov. 15 issue titled “Why Romney lost — and how to win the next time” (Danish Plan).

Paul described at length and in detail what I’ve been feeling since the election. Having several close friends who are vocal Republicans and who seemed more “down” after election night than if the Broncos had lost, I have been watching them and wondering what their GOP party might do to attract voters like myself in the future. Item by item, Mr. Danish prescribes for the ailing party what might make them a valid choice to both undecided and “waiting to be convinced” voters like myself.

Thanks for the refreshing observations.

Roger Carpenter/Loveland

Save the prairie dogs

As grievances with prairie dogs continue to grow throughout the West and colonies are being demolished, someone needs to be a strong voice for these tiny creatures. The Prairie Dog Coalition is dedicated to the protection of imperiled prairie dogs and restoration of their ecosystems.

A fortunate few have seen prairie dogs as they nibble on grass, run between burrows, touch noses and kiss. And it’s heartbreaking to know one day their presence may be gone. Survival of the prairie dog is critical to the continued existence of the prairie ecosystem—one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world.

Nine different wildlife species depend on prairie dog populations and their habitat for their survival. Endangered black-footed ferrets, owls, hawks, foxes and about 200 other species are associated with prairie dogs and their habitat.

By planning ahead and working prairie dogs into open space plans, we can help direct their path of migration to the best habitats for them. By setting aside conservation areas for this native, keystone animal we can enjoy the prairie dogs and their associated species in our natural environment.

Prairie dogs now occupy just 2 percent to 8 percent of their historic range, and without serious conservation efforts, they may soon disappear. We have a responsibility to do everything we can to help the prairie dog ecosystem recover so that future generations can enjoy healthy wildlife populations, too.

Training volunteers and professional wildlife biologists on the latest nonlethal techniques to manage prairie dog populations humanely is a good first step to help protect these animals and restore their ecosystems. To ensure the protection of prairie dogs and their ecosystem, we must work together. The Prairie Dog Coalition, managed by The Humane Society of the United States, is working to fulfill this mission by providing information and advocacy training, facilitating communication and planning, and promoting conservation projects.

Ultimately, a conscious concern for these animals is necessary for retaining the beauty and majestic nature that is the prairie dog and the North American grasslands. Help us put an end to their demise and invigorate the prairie ecosystem once again.

Lindsey Sterling-Krank, director of The Prairie Dog Coalition/Boulder

Hooray for EnergySmart

As the CEO of Populus, a growing company in the residential energy efficiency industry, I am grateful for President Obama’s policies and initiatives that have encouraged the growth and success of our business.

A little more than two years ago, Populus was a small company of three — a tiny ship staying afloat amidst the rough seas of economic recession. As the housing market collapsed, our little ship was low on supplies.

Then we saw a port in the storm. Boulder County had just gone out to bid for a company to administer EnergySmart, a program funded by federal stimulus dollars.

In the bid response I wrote that administering the EnergySmart program would allow us to move Populus from a small start-up company to an established, homegrown Boulder County success story. Today, we have 35 employees and we’re still growing.

EnergySmart is more than an energy efficiency program; it’s a public-private partnership that has advanced the triple bottom line of social, economic and environmental sustainability in Boulder County. Not only have we reduced residential energy use, the EnergySmart service has also advanced economic growth and social justice.

The impact of this federal stimulus funding has been more than saving money on energy bills or fighting climate change. It was a life preserver. It helped build an industry, developing a community-based program that is cost-effective and making a difference in the lives of our neighbors.

Private enterprises don’t do it all, and we can’t do it alone — the public sector can start the ball rolling and continue to set the ground rules. By being inclusive of local businesses, these public initiatives can encourage economic development and foster innovation.

By working together we can create the rising tide that lifts all ships.

Laura Hutchings/Boulder