HomeMy WebLinkAbout20001557 06i22,'00 18:49 $303 861 4076 CCI WELD x']02/003
STATE OF COLOKADO
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Denver,Calorado 80203-1792 • 6; x,
Phone: (3031 866-2171 �4 *
MEMORANDUM ]-of )wens
Governor
DATE: June 22, 2000
TO: Colorado County Commissioners. 0FROM: Governor Bill Owens (juj.L44
The ongoing wildfire threat to much of Colorado-demonstrated most recently by the
devastating blazes in Lorimer,Jefferson and Park Counties along the Front Range--ha
prompted at least 47 of Colorado's 63 counties to impose various restrictions on open
burning. These restrictions,ranging from bans on campfires to limits on fireworks,
attest that county leaders throughout Colorado are very much aware of the continuing
risk that wildfires pose to their local communities and to the rest of the State.
With the July 4th holiday approaching,and with experts forecasting a continuing fire
danger,I urge you to review the open-burning restrictions currently in force in your
county to ensure they are the most effective means possible to reduce the risk of future
wildfires_ This includes reevaluating not only the specific fire-prevention measures that
are in place today,but also the resources available to local law enforcement to enforce
those restrictions,both now and in the days and weeks to come.
As you know,Colorado law expressly gives counties the power"Rio ban open fixes to a
degree and in a manner that the board of county commissioners deems necessary to
reduce the danger of wildfires within those portions of the unincorporated areas of the
county where the danger of forest or grass fires is found to be high. . . ." C.R.S_ 30-15-
401(1)(n.5)- At the same time,the law also provides that the Governor may impose
various restrictions to reduce the threat of wildfires. (C.R.5. 23-30-308)
After careful consideration, I have concluded that statewide fire-prevention restrictions
imposed by me as Governor would not serve the best interests of the people of Colorado
at this time. I have reached this conclusion after consulting with county commissioners
and other local officials throughout Colorado,as well as with Colorado State Forester
Jim Hubbard and Paul Cooke,Director of the Division of Fire Safety at the Colorado
Department of Public Safety.
A county-based approach to fire prevention recognizes that local officials-the leader;
who live in the area where open-burning restrictions may be imposed-are best-
positioned to determine which specific measures will be most effective to protect the life,
health and property of their fellow citizens. This respect for local control likewise
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Governor Bill Owens
June 22,2000
Page 2
extends to county law enforcement priorities. Because the responsibility for policing
open-burning restrictions rests chiefly with county sheriffs,policy decisions relating to
the most effective allocation of enforcement resources should properly be determined L1t
the county level.
Finally,as you reexamine your existing fire-prevention measures, I encourage you to
work closely with your interagency partners to coordinate open-burning restrictions and
bans within your county. This includes municipal,State and federal officials as
appropriate_ The State of Colorado stands ready to assist you to help ensure the suc:e_,s
of these efforts. Please contact Jim Hubbard(970/491-6303), Paul Cooke(303/239-4463)
or my office if we can be of assistance_
Thanks again for your attention to this matter and for your efforts to reduce the threat of
wildfire in Colorado.
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