Pitkin Co. Commissioner Calls For Aspen Chamber Association To Leave US Chamber Over Climate Stance
Pitkin County Commissioner George Newman called on the Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA) to leave the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, due to the national organization’s lobbying efforts to block climate change legislation.
Newman asked his fellow commissioners to pass an official resolution calling on the local chamber to break ties with its national counterpart. The commissioners asked county staffers to write a draft resolution, which the board will discuss next week.
The local business membership group has been in conflict with the national organization since 2010, when the U.S. chamber began aggressively lobbying against climate change legislation and running advertisements opposing it.
“By pulling out of the U.S. Chamber we’ll have much more ability to affect change,” Newman said at an afternoon meeting.
Commissioner Rachel Richards said she would support such a resolution, but wanted to gather information and meet with ACRA before moving forward. “I certainly endorse some action in some form,” Richards said.
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