Karl Hanlon, third from right, stands with his wife Sheryl Barto and the employees of U.S. Tractor & Harvest in Alamosa on the morning of Dec. 4 for the first stop in his campaign tour. Hanlon, a rancher from Carbondale and the city attorney for Glenwood Springs, is running for Colorado's 3rd Congressional District as a Democrat against Republican Scott Tipton. After visiting Alamosa Hanlon traveled to Pueblo and Durango and the three-day tour continues tomorrow. Hanlon will return to the San Luis Valley in early 2018.

“Over the last several months, I have spoken with many people about the challenges we face in western and southern Colorado. In those conversations, the thing I’ve heard over and over is that people are feeling ignored by their elected representatives,” Hanlon said.

“It’s time for independent, innovative leadership that will take on health care costs, have an honest conversation about energy and the environment, take meaningful action on opioid addiction and the mental health crisis, and work for the thoughtful preservation of our agricultural heritage. I’ve been speaking up, and now it’s time for me to step up. I plan to put a voice to our concerns as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District."