DURANGO \u2014 The same kind of alienation from living in isolated Southwest Colorado is what is driving the secession movement in northern Colorado.<\/p>\n
The secession movement is a \u201csqueaky-wheel\u201d protest to get the attention of the state government in Denver, State House Republicans said during a visit Wednesday to The Durango Herald.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey know they\u2019re not going to become Wyoming or Kansas or become their own state. They realize that, but (the secession movement) is their way of saying, \u2018Look, we feel we\u2019re being ignored,\u2019\u201d said State Rep. Brian Delgrosso, R-Loveland, the House minority leader.<\/p>\n
Delgrosso, who does not represent any of the counties seeking secession, said he was neutral about the effectiveness of their strategy.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t really say whether they\u2019re doing it the right way or the wrong way. For them, though, their thought process is that they don\u2019t feel like their voice is being heard,\u201d Delgrosso said. \u201cI know that folks out here feel that way \u2013 that (the perception is) life only exists in the Denver metro area and a 50-mile radius around it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Republican leadership of the Statehouse is on a statewide tour to reduce that alienation.<\/p>\n
Joining Delgrosso on the tour are representatives Kathleen Conti, the Republican caucus chairwoman from Littleton; Libby Szabo, the assistant minority leader from Arvada; and Kevin Priola, the House minority whip from Adams County.<\/p>\n
In talking about tours by political leaders, Delgrosso touched on the awkwardness of Gov. John Hickenlooper touring flooded areas that are simultaneously seeking state aid and secession.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know there was probably some uncomfortableness when the governor would tour,\u201d Delgrosso said. \u201cHe went to some of the main counties where they\u2019re standing up saying, \u2018We want to leave.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Not that touring Colorado is so bad.<\/p>\n
In particular, Priola praised the \u201cspectacular\u201d scenery around Telluride while acknowledging that driving on narrow mountain roads can be dicey.<\/p>\n
When the roads got really narrow, he made his wife get out of the car.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had my wife get out a few times \u2013 \u2018Just in case, sweetheart, I don\u2019t want both of us to go over the side (of the mountain),\u2019\u201d Priola said.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe walked while I went through the dangerous part and then got back in the car.\u201d<\/p>\n