He said that if Congress doesn't enact regulation to allow for more logging, the effects in Colorado could be irreversible. "This will be our third congressional hearing on the Western Slope of Colorado," said Tipton.

"It's always much more interesting when folks from Washington, D.C. come out into the actual rural areas of the state because sometimes I don't think we get the attention we need," said Nancy Fishering, the vice president of the Colorado Timber Industry Association. (Read more...)

Pro-fracking states drill Obama plan
Proposed federal rules focus of congressional field hearing
May 3 , 2012
The Pueblo Chieftain
By Patrick Malone

DENVER — Western state officials took turns bashing the federal government Wednesday at a congressional field hearing on proposed nationwide drilling rules on hydraulic fracturing.

Reps. Scott Tipton, R-Cortez, and Diana DeGette, D-Denver, sat with the House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Development that includes Reps. Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs, and Mike Coffman, R-Aurora.

The hearing was called in response to last month’s announcement by the Obama administration that it would seek coordinated federal oversight of natural gas production. At the hearing, federal oversight was denounced by officials from Colorado, Wyoming and Utah.(Read more...)

Tipton, a Republican from Cortez, hosted a pair of roundtables for San Luis Valley employers to hear about their problems and come up with ways to dent the unemployment rate.

And the latter is no small problem in the San Luis Valley, where unemployment ranges from 9.2 percent in Alamosa County to double digits in Costilla, Rio Grande and Saguache counties, according to the most recent state labor statistics.(Read more...)

How I'm fighting for seniors in Washington
Glenwood Springs Post Independent
April 2, 2012
By Rep. Scott Tipton

The U.S. House of Representatives has put forward a bold plan fashioned through bipartisan efforts to preserve Medicare and other critical safety nets for seniors and future generations, while addressing the drivers of our country's debt crisis by making responsible budget reforms.

Our country is $15.4 trillion in debt, and this year our publicly held debt will reach 73 percent of our entire economy. If we don't act soon, the situation could reach a point at which government can no longer fund the programs that so many Americans rely on — programs like Medicare.

Republicans have passed numerous pieces of legislation to address this crisis and preserve Medicare, including a budget. Unfortunately, these solutions have been met by a Senate that is unwilling to pass a budget or even take up the bills for a vote. (Read more...)

OPINION: Federal Debt Reduction Required
Pagosa Daily Post
March 30, 2012
By Rep. Scott Tipton

Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed a bold plan that creates economic certainty by cutting wasteful government spending, and empowering American families and businesses to rebuild their savings accounts and create new jobs. Our plan stands up for seniors, businesses, American families, taxpayers and future generations.

The American people deserve more than the continued reckless spending put forward in the President’s budget proposal, which would bankrupt our country by expanding the national debt to $26 trillion over the next decade.
(Read more...)

GJ Gas Jumps 60 Cents in 3 Weeks
March 14, 2012
KJCT8.com
By Don Coleman

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. -- Drivers across the country are feeling the pain at the pump, but few are seeing a higher jump than those in Grand Junction.

Three weeks ago, we reported about Grand Junction's $3.03/gallon average being amongst the lowest in the country in this article. Exactly three weeks later, the city's average sits at $3.59/gallon.

Small businesses, for the most part, have been able to deal with the rising cost. But, as gas prices get closer to record levels, one local industry is preparing for the pinch. (Read more...)