I am pleased to be serving my second term as a La Plata County Commissioner. I was re-elected November 2016, and my term will end in January 2021.
I welcome the opportunity to make progress on these critical issues:
- Restore the Animas River and clean up leaking mines.
- Improve our air quality by cutting methane emissions.
- Establish a new land use code and improved transportation infrastructure to attract high quality employers and create new jobs.
- Complete the long-range comprehensive plan – with an eye toward diversifying our economy and addressing declining. revenues from oil and gas; protecting future water supplies, ranch land, and open space; and creating healthy communities with strong local businesses.
- Ensure that our transportation, housing and schools infrastructure will keep and attract high quality employers and create new jobs that pay a living wage.
- Strengthen our community by growing local and regional food.
- Keep our public lands in public hands and protect our outdoor recreation economy.
Accomplishments for La Plata County
Comprehensive Planning for La Plata County’s Future: I actively pushed the County to re-engage with creating a comprehensive plan. The Planning Commission is now doing so, with active citizen support.
La Plata County’s Precious Water: I supported the creation of the La Plata County Water Advisory Commission to aide the county both in planning for, and protecting, our waters.
Air Quality Standards: I led the county in developing strong state air quality standards and the nation’s first rule controlling methane emissions from oil and gas operations.
Diversifying La Plata County’s Employment: I advocate daily for diversifying our economy so we are not so dependent on any single industry.
Advocating for County Fiscal Responsibility: I supported convening a Fiscal Sustainability Steering Committee to help the commissioners plan for the county’s financial future.
My commission record and long-term planning
Read about my commission record and long-term planning, and Forum Question and Answers
Upcoming Events
Green Business Roundtable 2018-2019 Season
The Green Business Roundtable (GBR) is one of the most innovative and successful lunchtime networking events in Durango. Routinely attended by over 80 business leaders, elected officials, and influential community members, GBR inspires innovative discussions on timely issues affecting our region. GBR is non-partisan. See upcoming topics and join us on the second Wednesday of each month through April. More
The Club – La Plata County Dems on the Move!
The goal of The Club is to bring together all Democrats, from the most conservative to the most progressive, to celebrate our shared values, appreciate who we are and to work together to put more Democrats in office. Visit us on Facebook. Luncheon every 2nd Tuesday every month at the Durango DoubleTree Hotel. Visit the La Plata County Democrats website. More
Meet Gwen at the County Administration Building
Gwen typically holds open office hours for the public the third Monday of the month from 12:00 to 2:00 pm at the County Administration Building, 1101 East 2nd Avenue, Durango. Double check La Plata County’s website for monthly office hours and other public meetings. More
See More Upcoming Events
Let's end unfettered gas flaring
Gwen Lachelt voiced support for the Bureau of Land Management’s proposed natural gas waste rule during a congressional hearing April 27, 2016. Durango Herald Article.
MoreHold mining companies responsible for cleanups
Denver Post Editorial by Gwen Lachelt
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The American people are about to inherit another costly Superfund site, courtesy of inadequate and outdated federal mining regulations. Earlier this month, the EPA recommended that the Gold King Mine in southwest Colorado, which dumped a torrent of mine waste into the Animas River last year, should be added to the list of the nation’s most toxic clean-up sites. Photo (Brennan Linsley, Associated Press file).I can take the long view, by Durango Herald
Lachelt’s years of work, which ranges from co-founding Bear Smart Durango to helping pass legislation to protect New Mexico’s Valle Vidal from mineral extraction, has attracted the attention of The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, CNN, Time and The Washington Post, among others. In 2005, because of OGAP’s work, the Ford Foundation named her a national finalist for the Leadership for a Changing World award.
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Responsive to citizens' needs
I have been responsive to public concerns, both large and small – whether it’s been citizens wanting to ensure funding for the Sunnyside and Fort Lewis libraries, or a dangerous road intersection needing some additional signage, or too much commercial traffic to and from mines, or too many bears in too many trashcans, I have acted. There are no easy answers. I’m hoping that together we can determine how we can effectively deal with these issues without breaking the bank or increasing the budget – how we can make improvements without adding additional staff.
MoreLong Range Planning is Critical
Our county population is projected to explode from our current 54,000 residents to an estimated 85,000 by 2035. To preserve our county’s beauty and health, to keep this home to both wild life and ranchers, to attract high quality employers, we need to plan carefully.
MoreWhen a River Runs Orange
Durango, Colo. - The recent mining pollution spill in my corner of Colorado - La Plata County - is making national news for all the wrong reasons. Beyond the spill and its impact in everyone downstream, the underlying causes are far more worrisome and dangerous than just a mistake made by the Environmental Protection Agency.
MoreMethane Emissions and Acid Mine Drainage
Though currently toxic, our local environmental problems could actually stimulate local jobs and growth. From methane emissions that need an "Apollo-like effort to bring local, state and federal governments together with businesses and organizations to reduce emissions; to acid mine drainage leaving more than 300 million gallons each year into the Animas River -- these are our opportunities to clean up and employment.
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Testimonials
Governor John Hickenlooper Governor of Colorado
Gwen is always firm in her convictions, and while we have not always agreed, she is in public service for all the right reasons.
Julie Westendorff La Plata County Commissioner
Gwen brings fresh perspectives, intelligence and thoughtfulness, and creative problem-solving to address La Plata County issues.
Peter Schertz Maria’s Bookshop Co-Owner
Gwen knows how to work with diverse groups to get things done.