{"id":35183,"date":"2023-03-15T18:32:32","date_gmt":"2023-03-16T00:32:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/parents-speak-out-about-rep-lauren-boeberts-visit-to-dolores-schools\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T02:23:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T08:23:11","slug":"parents-speak-out-about-rep-lauren-boeberts-visit-to-dolores-schools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/parents-speak-out-about-rep-lauren-boeberts-visit-to-dolores-schools\/","title":{"rendered":"Parents speak out about Rep. Lauren Boebert\u2019s visit to Dolores schools"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Republican
Republican U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, of Colorado's 3rd Congressional District, speaks with students in Dolores School District RE-4A on Wednesday morning as part of a trip through Southwest Colorado. (Bailey Duran\/Special to The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n

Many parents opted to keep their children home amid concerns for their children\u2019s safety after the announcement that U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert would hold a Q&A with Dolores High School students Wednesday during her trip to Southwest Colorado for water-related meetings.<\/p>\n

On Monday, the Dolores secondary school administration emailed parents about the Republican representative\u2019s visit. The district informed parents that only students were allowed to attend the Q&A so they could ask Boebert questions. Parents, friends and media initially were excluded, although The Journal<\/em> appealed Tuesday night and was granted access.<\/p>\n

After the email, reactions from parents expressed concerns about safety and whether the visit would become a political event.<\/p>\n

District officials emphasized that the event was a chance for Dolores students to engage in civic discussion and hear about current issues from Boebert, who represents the 3rd Congressional District.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe school\u2019s social studies department and administrative team felt that it was an opportunity to promote civic engagement amongst our students and to give them a rare chance to hear from the sitting congresswoman from our region and to promote civic engagement,\u201d the email said. \u201cThe MS\/HS administration and the superintendent discussed this visit and the benefits the opportunity presents to students thoroughly prior to inviting the congresswoman to visit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Boebert also planned to share her experience in government, according to the email.<\/p>\n

\"Republican
Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert, shown in an archived photo from the Western Conservative Summit in 2021, met with students Wednesday in Dolores School District RE-4A. (Olivia Sun\/The Colorado Sun file)<\/span>Olivia Sun, The Colorado Sun<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

\u201cCongresswoman Boebert will share insight on what it\u2019s like to serve in Congress; provide an overview of her legislative focus representing Colorado, including water issues; and then highlight the unprecedented events which started the 118th Session of Congress,\u201d the email said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe purpose of this event is not Political. In fact, the campaign side of Congresswoman Boebert\u2019s organization is not involved in this event in any way. Her legislative team is the team responsible and they are who we have communicated with exclusively. We understand that there are many in our community who like her and many who do not like her. The reason she was invited to our campus is not about whether some of our students, staff, parents and community members like or dislike her personally and\/or politically. She was invited because she is our representative to the United States House of Representatives. The work she is doing in Congress affects us all both regionally and nationally. It is our expectation that all students and staff engage in civil discourse while she is a guest on our campus,\u201d the email said.<\/p>\n

They added that if any parents would like their child to skip the event, they would be able to do so.<\/p>\n

One parent emailed The Journal <\/em>on Tuesday, saying the Dolores school administration clearly wasn\u2019t putting student safety at the forefront of the conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cSecurity concerns are being ignored by the principal,\u201d she said. \u201cNo parents were notified till the last minute by email and only because of rumors circulating. There is no concern over the children\u2019s safety bringing this controversial person to our children\u2019s schools.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was hidden from parents and is very concerning that the school is not taking school shootings serious. This embattled politician could have a crazy person come after her putting our children in the line of fire. Completely irresponsible,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

After three emails, the parent requested anonymity.<\/p>\n

\u201cDolores is a small community,\u201d she said. \u201cRetaliation is real in these small towns.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other parents said they were concerned that Boebert would bring a firearm on campus. She is known for conceal carrying.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have confirmed and re-confirmed with the Congresswoman\u2019s staff that she will not have a firearm with her while she is on campus,\u201d the district said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s really unfortunate that they would politicize something like this, and it was certainly an honor for me to be there. I wasn\u2019t making anything political of it. You know, just explaining the basics of civics and government and the way things operate and giving them kind of an insider\u2019s look without a partisan lens. I\u2019m not sure exactly what the safety concern would be. But I think that it was well received and the students were amazing, friendly and welcoming \u2026 they were a joy,\u201d the congresswoman told The Journal.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s sad that parents would even consider that and maybe even place that seed of doubt in their children\u2019s minds, blocking them from receiving information that they can learn about their federal government,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

This article will be updated when additional information becomes available.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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