Sullivan: Results, not rhetoric, for the Roaring Fork Valley

As residents of the Roaring Fork Valley, we are fortunate to live in a region defined by an independent spirit. From the banks of the Crystal River to the peaks of the Elk Mountains, our community has a long history of solving local challenges through pragmatic collaboration.

I want to thank Representative Jeff Hurd for his stated commitment to protecting our water rights and his work on the Shoshone water rights acquisition — a vital issue for everyone in Western Colorado. However, as we look toward the future of Colorado’s Third Congressional District, there remains a significant gap between rhetoric and the defense of our democratic institutions.

Our neighbors in Glenwood Springs, Carbondale and Aspen deserve a representative who doesn’t just attend photo ops, but actively protects voting access and rejects the polarizing partisanship stalling progress in Washington. We need a representative who will be a firewall for our democratic institutions, not a rubber stamp for partisan extremism.

Whether it’s Alex Kelloff’s focus on our local economy or Dwayne Romero’s record of service, the Roaring Fork Valley has options that prioritize the Constitution over party loyalty. It’s time we demanded a leader who actually reflects our Western Slope values of accountability and civil discourse.

The strength of our democracy depends on our participation. Let’s ensure our representatives know that here, we value substance over optics and results over rhetoric.

Susan Sullivan

Carbondale