Article Published: Tuesday, January 06, 2004
Natural resources chief to step down, run for Congress

Walcher says he'll seek 3rd District seat

By Joey Bunch
Denver Post Environment Writer

Greg Walcher announced Monday that he will give up his job as director of
the state Department of Natural Resources on Friday to run for the Western
Slope's 3rd Congressional District seat.

"I've always considered it my moral obligation to leave Colorado better
than I've found it, and I think I've done that," the Republican from Grand
Junction said Monday afternoon. "I look forward to doing that as a
congressman."

Gov. Bill Owens has made no decision and has no timetable to name an
interim or permanent replacement, said the governor's spokesman, Dan Hopkins.

Walcher, appointed in January 1999, oversees 15 state boards and 2,500
workers in the divisions of wildlife, state parks, water conservation,
water resources, minerals and geology, oil and gas, forestry and state lands.


Walcher split with Owens in November when, the day after the resounding
defeat of the governor's Referendum A proposal, Walcher issued a news
release saying he never supported the measure.

Walcher had previously spoken in favor of the ballot question that would
have created a $2 billion loan program for dams, reservoirs and pipelines.
The measure was strongly opposed on the Western Slope, where leaders said
it would drain mountain rivers and streams to supply Front Range cities.

Walcher and Hopkins said there was no Referendum A rift. Hopkins said he
could not comment on whether Owens will endorse Walcher's congressional run.

Rep. Scott McInnis, a Republican, has said he will not seek a seventh term
in the 3rd District.

Walcher's five years as the state's top natural resources official
engendered critics, including some on his own staff.

"I believe he's dishonest, vindictive, and I don't think he's a straight
shooter," said Bruce Gill, a wildlife researcher for the Division of
Wildlife for 35 years before he resigned in a dispute with Walcher two
years ago.

Gill said that when his research found that habitat loss was steadily
thinning mule deer populations, Walcher and his administrators wanted
instead to shift the blame to predators in order to appease development
interests.

Walcher denies playing politics with the environment. "I have considered
it an honor and privilege to be associated with a department concerned
with everything other than politics," he said.

The environment, he said, is an inherently controversial beast. Walcher
said he has tried to strike a balance between making natural resources
available to Coloradans and preserving them for future residents.

Wade Haerle worked for Walcher 14 years ago when Walcher was president of
Club 20, a coalition of Western Slope counties.

Haerle, a staunch Democrat who worked for U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse
Campbell of Ignacio before Campbell switched to the GOP, said Walcher
could count on his vote for Congress.

"Greg is one of those few people who don't want the office but wants to
work on the issues," said Haerle, who represents state park interests on
the Great Outdoors Colorado Board. "Greg cares passionately about the
issues that affect western Colorado."