Poudre School District lines do not cross into Weld County and are unaffected. Photo credit: Poudre School District
Poudre School District lines do not cross into Weld County and are unaffected. Photo credit: Poudre School District

North Colorado on the path to statehood

Rural Colorado has had enough. Eleven counties, including neighboring Weld County, are asking voters in November to decide if the counties should pursue statehood.

According to The 51st State Initiative’s website, “We just want to be left alone to live our lives without heavy-handed restrictions from the state capitol.”

The initiative is considering three different proposals: each county being represented in the State Senate, annexation into Wyoming, or statehood. The counties voting to pursue statehood include Moffat in the northwest corner of Colorado, as well as Weld, Logan, Sedgwick, Phillips, Yuma, Washington, Elbert, Lincoln, Kit Carson, and Cheyenne in the northeast corner.

Poudre School District lines do not cross into Weld County and are unaffected. Photo credit: Poudre School District
Poudre School District lines do not cross into Weld County and are unaffected. Photo credit: Poudre School District

According to Weld County Commissioners, this movement is due to disagreement with Denver and the Democrat-controlled state government over oil and gas regulations, gun legislation, and water legislation. “Rural Colorado has been talking to legislators,” Weld County Commissioner Douglas Rademacher said in an editorial published Sept. 10. “We have been asking for seat at the table on issues that directly impact our livelihoods and homes, and we have been ignored.”

Story continues below advertisement

Fossil Ridge High School boundaries include parts of Windsor. However, that area of Windsor is part of Larimer County, so most FRHS students will not be affected if Weld County does pursue statehood.

Do you think North Colorado should become its own state? Tell us in the comments below!

View Comments (3)
Donate to Etched in Stone
$100
$1000
Contributed
Our Goal

Your donation will support the student journalists of Fossil Ridge High School. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.

More to Discover
Donate to Etched in Stone
$100
$1000
Contributed
Our Goal

Comments (3)

Slander or profanity, even if abbreviated, will not be approved.
All Etched in Stone Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • J

    Joey GinsborgSep 19, 2013 at 11:23 am

    No, I don’t think it should become it’s own state. However the restrictions placed on those eleven counties should be lifted or at least decreased.

    Reply
  • B

    Ben WoolfSep 12, 2013 at 1:20 pm

    No, because 51 states would require the US flag to have 51 stars and that would be weird. Also, 51 states does not appease the mind as well as 50 does

    Reply