Phil Weiser Hikes West Maroon Pass to Connect with Western Slope Voters

The air at the trailhead is thin and cold, the kind that bites through wool layers before you’ve even taken your first step. By the time you reach the summit of West Maroon Pass, the view of the Maroon Bells is so sharp it feels like a physical blow, but the real story isn’t the peaks. It’s the group of twenty people standing there, shivering slightly, realizing they didn’t just hike a mountain — they navigated a complex political landscape together.

That’s the scene Phil Weiser finds himself in. Not in a boardroom in Denver, but on a trail above Crested Butte, where the terrain is steep and the stakes for Western Slope residents are higher than ever. Weiser, the state’s Attorney General, isn’t just posing for photos here. He’s using the hike as a classroom, explaining how water rights, housing costs, and federal policy intersect in ways that directly impact the neighbors living in the valley below.

"He started mentioning the hike to long-time friends, encouraging them to join," the author of the Aspen Times account notes. "What began as a small outing quickly became a group of 20 people and Zeke, the Weiser canine."

It’s a simple detail, but it reveals Weiser’s operating style. He doesn’t wait for an invitation to engage; he builds the coalition on the trail. And on that trail, he delivered what locals have been asking for: a clear-eyed look at the water issues that define life in the Roaring Fork Valley.

"As AG, Phil had engaged on these issues and used the tools of the Attorney General to try to secure our water future," the source writes. "That day captured something important for us about Phil: his willingness to really learn what lies behind the challenges we face, his remarkable gift for bringing people together and his passion for solving problems."

The question is whether that passion translates to the governor’s mansion. The current political landscape in Colorado is fraught with uncertainty. Michael Bennet, the sitting Senator, is jumping to run for another office rather than finishing his two-year term. For many locals, that’s a loss of seniority and stability. But the source argues that Weiser is better equipped to hit the ground running.

"Based on his experience in Colorado, Phil Weiser is most prepared to tackle our challenges," the source states. "Building on his years of experience in effective state-level governance, he will hit the ground running."

The record backs that up. Weiser’s eight-year tenure as Attorney General has been defined by specific, tangible wins that locals care about. He secured nearly $1 billion from Purdue Pharma and others for opioid damages, but crucially, he gave local communities — not just Denver, the power to decide how to spend it. That’s a direct transfer of power to the places that need it most.

He’s also been in the trenches on housing and groceries. He championed reforms to make housing easier to build and fought landlords who coordinate rent increases using sophisticated software. He stopped the Kroger-Safeway merger that threatened to drive up grocery costs for families who can already barely afford to eat. And he’s fought to save food benefits for Coloradans while protecting public lands from federal neglect.

"The numbers back that up," the source notes, pointing to the sheer volume of legal battles won and the specific sectors targeted. "He has championed reforms to make housing easier to build, fought landlords who coordinate their rent increases and stopped the Kroger-Safeway merger that would have driven up our grocery costs."

But it’s not just about the wins. It’s about the context. The Western Slope is struggling with affordable housing, social media’s impact on youth, and a water supply that’s being squeezed by city thirst and climate change. Weiser sees these not as isolated issues, but as connected challenges that require a governor who understands the terrain.

"In our valley, we are surrounded by extraordinary natural beauty, but what truly defines this place is the people," the source writes. "Yet many here struggle to find affordable housing, and are faced with landlords who use sophisticated software to collude to set high rents."

Weiser’s approach is to listen first, then act. He’s not just a politician; he’s a problem-solver who has spent years in the legal trenches fighting for everyday Coloradans. As the source puts it, "his willingness to really learn what lies behind the challenges we face" is his greatest asset.

The evidence supports this approach. Weiser’s eight-year tenure as Attorney General has been defined by specific, tangible wins that locals care about. He secured nearly $1 billion from Purdue Pharma and others for opioid damages, but crucially, he gave local communities, not just Denver, the power to decide how to spend it. That’s a direct transfer of power to the places that need it most.

He’s also been in the trenches on housing and groceries. He championed reforms to make housing easier to build and fought landlords who coordinate rent increases using sophisticated software. He stopped the Kroger-Safeway merger that threatened to drive up grocery costs for families who can already barely afford to eat. And he’s fought to save food benefits for Coloradans while protecting public lands from federal neglect.

"The numbers back that up," the source notes, pointing to the sheer volume of legal battles won and the specific sectors targeted. "He has championed reforms to make housing easier to build, fought landlords who coordinate their rent increases and stopped the Kroger-Safeway merger that would have driven up our grocery costs."

But it’s not just about the wins. It’s about the context. The Western Slope is struggling with affordable housing, social media’s impact on youth, and a water supply that’s being squeezed by city thirst and climate change. Weiser sees these not as isolated issues, but as connected challenges that require a governor who understands the terrain.

"In our valley, we are surrounded by extraordinary natural beauty, but what truly defines this place is the people," the source writes. "Yet many here struggle to find affordable housing, and are faced with landlords who use sophisticated software to collude to set high rents."

Weiser’s approach is to listen first, then act. He’s not just a politician; he’s a problem-solver who has spent years in the legal trenches fighting for everyday Coloradans. As the source puts it, "his willingness to really learn what lies behind the challenges we face" is his greatest asset.

That remains to be seen. But for now, the message from the trail is clear: Weiser is ready.

"Phil’s eight-year record as Attorney General speaks volumes about his tenacity and his commitment to everyday Coloradans," the source concludes. "He secured nearly $1 billion from Purdue Pharma and others for the damage caused by the opioids and gave local communities, not Denver, the power to decide how to best use the money."

That’s the promise. And for locals watching the race, it’s a promise worth considering.