As a native of northwestern Colorado, I am a fan of High Country News. It has evolved from a tiny paper for people who care about the environment to a significant regional publication that contains news and opinions not found in nationally syndicated columns or major urban newspapers. I read it because I am a reader by habit and because I am interested in the economic, social, and political pressures that change brings to the quality of life and the environment in the West.

Today’s consolidated and "market-directed" media will not always cover specific subjects as you do, e.g. industrial pollution, water systems, wildlife habitats, land speculation, and so forth. It’s up to independent publishers like you to investigate, gather input, bring to public attention and fairly report. Policies and activities do have effects, and reporting the good and the bad consequences doesn’t mean you are getting "too political."

The administration in Washington seems bent on privatizing, meddling with, or destroying the systems and agencies that assure at least some accountability about public assets. This makes the kinds of reporting you do all the more important. And since when does having a reporter follow the processes in Washington mean you are wild-eyed environmentalists?

How sad it is that so many people insist on shooting the messengers when they don’t agree with what they read!

Marian M. Leonard
Lakewood, Colorado