--couNTY COLORADO BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS District 1 - John Justman 970244-1605 District 2 - Scott 970-244-1604 District 3 Rose Pugliese' 970?244-1506 T270. Box-20,000 544 Rood'Avenue. Grand'JunciionLCOIorado 31502?501'0' 'rpcbocc@mesacounty.us Fax (970) 244?1539 September 12, 2017 Mr. John Ely - - Colorado River District Re: River District Dear Mr.E_ly, Recently the undersigned Mesa County Commissioners (Commissioner Justman is outof town), became aWare by reading the Glenwood Post Independent, that the Colorado River Water ConservationrDistrict (River District) hired Zane Kessler, former Executive Director of the Thompson Divide Coalition (TDC), to be the . . Communications Director. This is not well taken lay-the Mesa County Commissioners as Mr. Kessler has openly advocated issues that areadversarial to the interests of Mesa County. Mr.'Kessler, as an anti~oil ?and gas activist, has led the effort, for many years, to cancel oil and gas leases on public lands, including retroactive-adieu to existing . leases. These cancellations willhave 'a broad and far reaching detrimental impact on energy-related needs and jobs on the Western Slope. Mr; Kessler and the TDC's efforts included not only the Thompson Divide but the region as covered by the long term planners of the White River National Forest (a critical multi?use Forest). Mr. Kessler is very controversial in the positions that he has taken and that he has led in his position with-the TDC. Mr. KesSler has - become well established in the political world as representative of those positions, which in our opinion, conflict with many of the River District?s goals and positions, and are harmful to the Critical water rights the Riverbistn?ct is charged with pretestingforthe'multiruSe concepts of energy, development, agriculture, to name a few. it she'uld be noted that the TDC has now broadened to reach beyond whatWas the Thompson Divide, and has begun focusing en the entire White River Forest. we suspect you will see arm reaching into the Colorado River Basin. Mr. Kessler is now well placed with the River District to assist those type of efforts, and-based upon his comments; it appears he intends to do so." - it is interesting to note. that Mr. Kessler has, in his ?rst few days on the job, caused a stir up, which seems par . for the course. MrQKessler intends to do double duty for both the River District and the STDC. As'quote'd from the Glenwood Post article, Mr. Kessler said: will cOntinue to be active with the cOalition in _a volunteer capacity.? When contacted by Commissioner River District General Manager Eric Kuhn stated that this would not be allowed and that Mr. Kessler was aware that this was the understanding. Further, Mr. Treese, on at least two octasions-last Friday and Satord'ay, advised Commissioner that the statement was not true and in fact,?the newspaper had misquoted Mr. Kessler. Commissioner Mcinnis then contacted Glenwood Post Reporter John Stroud to verify'the printed statement. Mr. Stroud confirmed that it is exactly what Mr. Kessler. said and he stands behind the quote. Furthermore, it seems to also be the understanding of Mr. Ogliby, a TDC Board member, when he said that I coalition intends tokeep-Mr.? Kessler's number close at hand (same artitle). The fact is Mr. Kessler does intend to do both, whichjnow presents the District with not only a "he said, she said? eontroversy regarding Mr; Kessler?s statements, but brings up the question of con?ict of interest and the need for District employees to supper-t and advocate for the policies 'of the DiStriCt. - Page 2 of 2 Mr. Kessler'rode hard for the TDC brand and it is a stretch to think he can drop those many years of leadership against multiple?use, including'energy, to now ridehard for the District in, of all things, the position of Communications Director, where according to Mr. Kessler, he. will beworking on state?level water policy issues. We have been further advised that he is being groomed for Mr. Treeseis job upon his retirement. Mr. Treese has been I effective over the years because he built good solid relations with parties across the spectrum. Mr. Treese started riding with the Distn'ct?s brand, and he stayed ridinglwith its brand. As a member of the District, the undersigned. Mesa County Commissioners ask that you provide to all of the organizations that are members'of the District, the conflict of interest policies younow have in place and that you alsodescribe'in detail the dueadiligence practiced by the District when ?lling critical jobs. Furthermore, weask for a. clear understanding of what the exact agreement is with Mr. Kessier regarding his continued effort with TDC or any organization that may be in conflict with the District?s policies and goals. We 'would expect strict policies :on information sharing regarding innhouse River by someone in such a critical position. We would like to note that we would have provided input on this critical staff'hire had we been asked, but Mr. Treeseinforrned us that although he talked to Mr. Kessler?s provided references, he admitted he did not make any calls into Mesa County (and we suspect to any other counties) regarding Mr. Kessier?s hiring, and that he was not aware of any controversy involving (Which could easily have been researched on we find ektremeiy disappointing. - - - - We believe it would be prudent to review the matter, in light of the strong concerns of the Mesa County- Commissioners. Sincerely, Scott Chair? Rose Pugliese, Commissioner