July 15, 2009 08:38 PM UTC

Candidate Emerges For Roberts' House Seat

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• by: Colorado Pols

Democrats have a candidate for the state House seat currently held by GOP Rep. Ellen Roberts, who in turn has announced her intention to run for Rep. Jim Isgar’s soon-to-be-vacated Senate seat. Brian O’Donnell, a former executive of the popular environmental advocacy group Trout Unlimited, has campaign experience and can be expected to fight hard for this swing Durango-area district. Release follows–says O’Donnell, “I will work hard in the Legislature to ensure that the citizens of Southwest Colorado get their fare share of government services, I will fight any effort to take our water, and I will stand up for the needs of our rural communities.”

For Immediate Release:   July 15, 2009

O’Donnell announces bid for Colorado State House

Contact:   Brian O’Donnell — (970)903-0276, odonnellforcolorado@gmail.com

DURANGO – Brian O’Donnell, a Democrat from Durango, announced his candidacy today for the Colorado State House in the 59th District.  

“I am running because we need to improve the economy of Southwest Colorado, make quality healthcare more accessible and affordable, and protect our land and water,” said O’Donnell.

O’Donnell, 38, works as the Executive Director of a Southwest Colorado based non-profit organization, the National Conservation System Foundation.  O’Donnell previously worked as the national Public Lands Director for the sportsmen’s group Trout Unlimited.  

Upon announcing his candidacy, O’Donnell stated the importance of representing all parts of the district and working across party lines.

“I pledge to represent all of the citizens in House District 59, whether you live in Archuleta, La Plata, San Juan or Montezuma County.

I will work hard in the Legislature to ensure that the citizens of Southwest Colorado get their fare share of government services, I will fight any effort to take our water, and I will stand up for the needs of our rural communities.

I will always put the needs of our district ahead of partisanship, and I will ensure fiscal discipline in our state government,” said O’Donnell.

A veteran campaigner, O’Donnell has been involved in politics for more than 15 years including work on Congressional and Presidential campaigns.   Because of his expertise on energy, water and land issues, O’Donnell was appointed to the Obama Campaign’s national energy and environment policy committee.

O’Donnell will be touring the district in the coming weeks and months to hear from voters about the issues that matter most to them.

O’Donnell, and his wife Melyssa have lived in La Plata County for more than a decade.  They have an 18-month old daughter, Kara, who was born in Durango.

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