INCUMBENT FACING STIFF CHALLENGE IN DISTRICT 57

The race for Colorado House District 57 features a coal miner, an incumbent
lawmaker and two third-party candidates.

The district includes western Garfield County, along with Moffat, Rio
Blanco, Routt, Jackson and Grand counties.

Democrat Terry Carwile is a heavy-equipment operator at the Trapper mine
outside Craig and said he is running "because working people need a voice
and a legislator that represents rural residents."

State Rep. Al White, R-Winter Park, was elected in the 56th District two
years ago. Reapportionment after the 2000 Census moved him into the 57th.
He touts the success of Colorado no-call list as the bill's main sponsor in
the House.

Libertarian Mike Plylar of Kremmling opposes gun control and favors a
policy reform on the issue of illegal drugs. Zane Newitt of Rifle is a
candidate of the American Constitution party. Neither could be reached for
comment.

According to the Colorado Coalition of Independent Third Parties, the
American Constitution Party supports the sanctity of human life, the right
to bear arms, constitutional money system, a strong national defense and
the preservation of American sovereignty.

The party is opposed to exporting American jobs through globalized trade,
uncontrolled immigration, and the federal income tax, according to the
coalition.

Changing the makeup of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Committee to
reflect less industry presence is something White said needs to be proven.

"I think we have to be shown there is a health and safety factor related to
the way the commission operates," he said. "Right now I'm not sure there
are a large number of infractions. If not, I don't think it's unreasonable
to have some expertise with oil and gas issues on the board."

Carwile supports less industry presence on the commission. Currently, five
of the seven members have economic ties to the energy industry.

"I think there is a bias on the part of the commission," he said. "I'm big
on local control, and I think Delta County deserves a pat on the back for
standing up and reflecting the concerns their residents had about coal-bed
methane. I think we need to take a careful look at the board."

Plylar's Web site has information on issues such as gun control.

"A Democrat for gun owner's rights is an oxymoron and the Republican Party
is only a slightly slower path to the same, identical end - confiscatory
gun laws," he wrote. "Homeland security could very well sound the death
knell of citizen gun ownership in America, all couched in the illusion of
relinquishing liberty for safety. Ultimately, we'll have neither."

On drugs, Plylar said a long, hard look was needed at what he felt "just
may be nothing more than a hysterical witch hunt run amok."

"It's time Americans revisit the whole issue and begin to realize what
we've done to our fellow citizens, their families, and our legacy in the
name of the 'War On Drugs,' " he wrote.

Plylar said he supports hemp for Colorado's farmers, medical marijuana and
an end to the prohibition on marijuana use by adults. He also wants to see
drug testing ended, which he called "voodoo science."

Substance abuse should be treated as a medical problem, not a criminal
justice issue, Plylar said.

On the Web: Terry Carwile, www.terrycarwile2k2.com; Al White,
repalwhite@qwest.net; Mike Plylar, www.lpcolorado.org; Zane Newitt,
www.acpcolora-do.info.