Don’t miss this opportunity

Imagine cruising comfortably down a scenic highway on a scorching day, and after leisurely passing an exit, you suddenly realize you only have an eighth of a tank of gas left. You check the next offramp location, but it’s 75 miles to go. Then a sandstorm whirls in. Scary? You bet.

Scarier still is the similar situation facing electric municipalization supporters. To be blunt, the muni machine is running out money. And soon.

The tax that funds the operation is not going last through all the next rounds of legal wrangling, even with an optimistic view. And then COVID-19 blew in.

The engine sputters, you lose power steering and air conditioning, and you come to an eerie stop. Then you face the bitter truth: that exit you passed up actually had everything you really needed. And you can’t go back.

Boulder, you have spent a lavish $30 million looking through a rosecolored muni windshield. It’s time to face the truth of your dire circumstances, and take the Green Deal with Xcel Energy, which is truly great.

Show some true grit and vote “yes” on ballot issues 2C and 2D. Don’t be left with nothing to show for your efforts except for a whole lot of hot air.

KAREY CHRIST- JANER

Longmont

go vote. Unfortunately, some are suggesting we quit before we know definitive costs for local power, only to join a franchise that has largely unknown, escalating costs.

Some suggest we cannot afford to complete the condemnation. What they miss are the marketbased options available for financing local power without further public expense. Others claim off ramps and other contract provisions allow for an easy exit and local power revival if things don’t work.

Not likely. A recent Camera guest opinion by Brad Segal (Oct. 17) presents a convincing case that this proposal is effectively a 20-year contract with little chance of escape or ever reviving local power.

So don’t worry. Defeating 2C undoubtedly will give us the chance to comment on an even better offer next year. Each election, Xcel has promoted a better and final offer.

A “yes” vote supports a very bad deal. An Xcel contract shackles Boulder to an essentially irreversible 20-year, $2 billion partnership with few redeeming features.

Please join me in voting “no” on 2C. Don’t be greenwashed. We can do better than this!

PAT SHANKS

Boulder

they may face as a result of this program. Many people are struggling to pay their rent because of the pandemic and these additional costs will only cause more financial distress for them.

It is totally unacceptable that Boulder Housing Partners and their tenants will benefit from this program without paying a dime for it.

Do not be deceived. 2B will not solve the eviction problem, homelessness, or lack of affordable rental units in Boulder, but it will add to the problem of continual rent increases in Boulder.

AUDREY EASTWOOD

Boulder