Gail on the Issues

Protecting Our Region's Water

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"Not one drop!" is my motto. I strongly oppose any further diversion of water from Western Colorado's rivers and streams to the Front Range. I understand that the Front Range population is growing, but so are we in rural Colorado. We must protect our water for our own agricultural, recreational and environmental needs. The future economic viability of the 5th Senate District absolutely depends on our water quality and quantity.

Renewable Energy

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Renewable energy is not a fad, it is our future. It is also vital to achieving energy independence, which in turn is central to our national security. As your State Senator, I do everything possible to create economic incentives and develop policies that will unleash the potential that renewable energy holds for the energy-rich counties of the 5th Senate District, including bio-fuels, bio-diesel, ethanol, hydro, wind and solar power.

Preserving Our Agricultural Heritage

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If water is the lifeblood of rural Colorado, our agricultural communities are its soul. Yet today, many of these communities are struggling, as their water is being sold off the land, as land is being carved up for new subdivisions, and as today's farm economics take their toll. The motto, "No farms, no food," just about says it all. We must extend greater support to our agricultural communities with innovative policies and fiscal measures. Their survival, sustainability and success is inextricably linked to our own.

Education & Our Children

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I have devoted a good portion of my life to improving and expanding educational opportunities for all Coloradans. Education is the key to economic opportunity. Our future is tied directly to the quality of education we provide to our children. We cannot begin to fulfill the potential of our young people, nor our vision for the future of our State, unless we invest generously and thoughtfully in preschool, full day kindergarten through 12th grade, and higher education.

Affordable Health Care for All

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Rural Coloradans should not have to settle for a quality of health care that is the least bit inferior to the care received by those who reside in more urban settings. Increased access to higher quality health care is one of my highest priorities. Whatever it takes -- improved hospitals, clinics, tele-medicine, and policies which encourage doctors and nurses to locate and build their practices in rural Colorado -- I am committed to bringing the highest quality health care to citizens in every corner of this district.

Protecting our Environment

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There is no state that is prouder of its physical environment than Colorado, and it is why most of us are drawn here. The state whose "fruited plains" and "purple mountains majesty" inspired "America the Beautiful," deserves to be preserved and protected. The legacy of our public lands must be passed to future generations and I will work tirelessly in the State Senate to preserve it.

Sportsmen and Outdoors Enthusiasts

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I am a strong advocate for hunters, fishermen and outdoor recreation. They are a fundamental part of our way of life in Western Colorado. Outdoor recreation is also a big part of our economy, and that's why I will work hard to protect fish and wildlife and their habitat, including protecting clean running streams and rivers. I will be a tireless advocate for the Division of Wildlife and for science-based decisions, not politics-based decisions, and will promote buying land to provide more protected hunting and fishing opportunities for our sportsmen.