ALAMOSA — Colorado's U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper held a town hall in Alamosa Thursday evening. Moderated by Alamosa Mayor Ty Coleman and held at The Barn at La Manzanilla, Arnold Salazar, who owns the venue, introduced the senator to the crowd.  

Salazar, whose late wife, Marguerite, worked for Hickenlooper for three years when he was governor, said the senator brought "human capital" to his role in government. "To bring the human side to politics has been just an incredible thing for this state and this country." 

Hickenlooper had high praise for Marguerite, saying he felt her presence in the room. He further credited the San Luis Valley for some of his ideas around economic development, specifically a tightly knit community with a shared "love of place." 

He then took out some notes, admitting to a lack of fondness for written speeches. "But my staff doesn't trust me anymore. I tend to wander." 

Hickenlooper discussed issues he's focusing on while in the Senate, including the inability of younger generations to live the quality of life lived by their parents or grandparents. He attributed much of the country's division to "that pathway that was lost with the export of manufacturing jobs." It eliminated "new chances for younger generations, 70% of whom aren't going to get a four-year degree." 

"In America, we're working on apprenticeships to make sure every kid has the opportunity to learn a skill that will get them a good paying job and their version of the American dream." 

His second issue is the "great transition" away from fossil fuels to the "new industries and new innovations" of wind and solar. 

"Colorado could lead the way. We make sure our kids understand the basic principles of energy and how this transition is going to work so they have an opportunity to get the skills so they can get the jobs. We're going to create new industries and new jobs like we never really imagined before." 

Hickenlooper was asked a broad range of questions from the audience, starting with Don Thompson's asking about the creation of a national conservation area at the Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument. Hickenlooper said he was "gathering information" and the people who live there should have a voice.  

He then spoke of the importance of wilderness. "All the great religious leaders in history would go into the wilderness, make their agreement with their God, and come back with moral principles that came from that communion." 

Heather Sanchez, Alamosa's city manager, asked him about the city's need for $30 million to recertify the levy, "which may not be much for the federal government but is a lot to the city." 

The senator said he is aware of the application and wondered how much of that is "actual value and how much is pushing paper?" Hickenlooper added, "Thirty million is a lot to me, whether it's federal or not."  

He was told by Anne Kelly, District Attorney for the 12th Judicial District, that funding is desperately needed for victim's assistance as law enforcement is "barely scraping by" with their budgets.  

Monica Wolfe, director of Southern-Central Colorado Seniors and Area Agency on Aging, spoke about cuts in federal funding. 

"Now we were cut USDA funds and every year we would get $70,000 to $100,000 for reimbursements for our meals we were serving. We lost $50,000 last year. This year we only budgeted $17,000 and then found out we probably wouldn't get that, so we lost our USDA money," said Wolfe. 

Hickenlooper, who described the aging population as a "sleeping giant" due to their propensity to vote, understood the challenges Wolfe was facing and said the Farm Bill, once the Senate passes it, should provide some relief. 

When a small group of participants called for an arms embargo with Israel and urged him to sign a Joint Resolution expressing Congressional disapproval of further sale of arms, Hickenlooper spoke of the horrific video he had seen of Hamas' attack on Oct. 7.  

"It was unspeakable and what happened next just amplified things. Their specific point was that they wanted that attack to be broadcast. Some of us said, 'Don't take the bait.'  I'm not a military expert but I think there must be a Palestinian state with self-rule, the hostages must be released. Palestinians must make commitments they'll be a peaceful neighbor. Otherwise, Israel is never going to stop. I'm not an expert, but every day that goes by takes me back to the images I saw. Give me the stuff and I'll read it." 

This exchange led to a retort by Alamosa resident Joel Kaufman, "I find this to be very interesting calling the Palestinians the terrorists, who is the terrorists, Israel is the terrorists. Israel is the apartheid state. The terrorism of the Palestinians is only in response to their land having been stolen by Israel. Israel is the tail that wags the American dog."  

In a later conversation with the Valley Courier, Hickenlooper was asked how, in a nation as divided as the United States is right now, can massive change like a transition from fossil fuel caused by climate change be accomplished when there isn't consensus that it's real or needed.  

"Climate change - it's in the response of the moderate Republicans. There are probably 20 in the Senate I describe that way. You don't tell them they're wrong. You listen, discuss the facts together and then go back and do it again. You build trust. 

"It's very, very important to not give up. Thomas Paine says, 'Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered but we have this one consolation. Without great sacrifice, there can be no glorious triumph. But if it's achieved too cheaply, we esteem it too lightly and it is dearness only that gives everything its value.' So, I think we gird our loins. We have massive protests.  

"I'm hopeful. No one taking on a really tough challenge ever succeeded if they're a pessimist. When you're out there working on something, and you've got fears, you have to bottle them up and set them aside. Take them to bed with you. But out in the world you've got to be finding solutions. No matter how frustrated you are, you have to keep working and looking for the best in people. 

"I believe that God is in each of us. You look in our eyes. Our bodies all age but not our eyes. I look at my brother. He's eighty now but I look in his eyes and they're just the same as they ever were. I believe that's some manifestation of the spiritual. There's something in there that every living creature has to some extent. Some piece of God. I want to take that and just keep going with it."