Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser paid a visit to Northwest Colorado last month, attending the 2025 Colorado Water Congress Summer Water Conference in Steamboat Springs.

During his visit, Weiser sat down with the Steamboat Pilot & Today to discuss his 2026 campaign for Colorado governor, as well as several pressing issues affecting Routt and Moffat County residents.

Specifically for Colorado’s Western Slope, Weiser said protecting water rights was top-of-mind.

With about 80% of the state’s water found on the Western Slope, Weiser said it’s imperative that water management “works for our whole state.”

“If we don’t protect water in communities in Colorado, they won’t have a future,” said Weiser.

Weiser noted that protecting forest health goes hand-in-hand with water management, with both issues having a “close climate connection.”

“Having a proactive commitment to how we protect our land, air and water is crucial to this part of the state,” he added.

In addition to protecting Northwest Colorado’s natural resources, Weiser said he is focused on improving youth mental health, not just in the region, but across the state.

While visiting the area, Weiser met with the Craig-Scheckman Family Foundation, a Steamboat-based youth advocacy organization, noting that the foundation’s work on youth mental health is a “model for the whole state.”

“Young people all across Colorado are really hurting,” he said. “There are a lot of indications of those challenges. This community — with incredible on-the-ground work — … It’s inspiring, and it’s pretty special.”

Weiser also noted the importance of providing support to those communities affected by the upcoming closures of the Routt and Moffat County coal plants.

“I care deeply about ensuring a just transition as those plants are closed …,” said Weiser. “We need to make sure that we are investing in these communities and that people here have a future in Northwest Colorado. I believe a core part of that has to be collaboration between Steamboat Springs, Hayden and Craig.”

Weiser also addressed the increase in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in Colorado, emphasizing the seriousness of enforcing state law as it pertains to local law enforcement jurisdictions.

“Colorado law is very clear,” said Weiser. “Colorado law enforcement does law enforcement, not immigration enforcement.”

“We have a shortage of law enforcement resources,” he added. “We cannot allow our law enforcement to be diverted or coerced by the federal government to do their job.”

As attorney general, Weiser filed a lawsuit against a Mesa County sheriff’s deputy who shared a 19-year-old student’s immigration status with ICE in June, according to reporting by the Colorado Sun.

Local law enforcement agencies are barred by state law from coordinating with ICE, something that Weiser plans on continuing to enforce as governor.

Weiser noted that everyone in Colorado should feel safe to contact law enforcement if they are the victim of a crime or a witness to a crime, regardless of immigration status. 

“We should be aware of what’s causing this, which is we have a lawless, bullying administration in Washington that has embarked on campaigns designed to intimidate people,” Wesier said.

“What we are seeing at the federal level is not responsible immigration enforcement,” he continued. “What we’re seeing are intimidation campaigns designed to provide fear. That’s harmful to public safety because people may be afraid to reach out to law enforcement. It’s harmful to our future.”

During his time serving as Colorado’s attorney general, Weiser has filed 35 lawsuits against the Trump Administration, and noted that each lawsuit involves a “harmful” violation against the people of Colorado.

Weiser emphasized the weight of President Trump’s January attempt to repeal birthright citizenship, calling it “repulsive to the First Amendment,” as well as his March executive order suspending large U.S. law firms from security clearances and federal resources.

“I find both of those actions egregious and a front to our constitutional freedoms,” he said.

“This administration, time after time after time, has said about AmeriCorps funding, education funding, mental health funding, ‘We’re just not going to give out money that Congress mandated that we give out,'” Weiser continued. “It is a blatant violation of the law.”

Looking back on Gov. Jared Polis’ run in office, Weiser said he respected the governor’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, commending him for his respect of local control and “hard-headed, data-driven thinking.”

Moving forward, Weiser wants to continue to fight the “threat of social media,” something that he and Polis disagree on.

In 2023, Weiser, along with dozens of other states, sued Meta for the exploitation of young users for profit. Earlier this year, Weiser pushed for a bill that would establish social media requirements to protect users, particularly minors. Polis vetoed the bill in April.

“As governor, I’ll sign it,” said Wesier.

“We need governors who bring moral clarity on what our values are and what we’re fighting for,” he continued.

When asked about his confidence in the judicial branch remaining untouched by politics, Weiser said he held some worries, but continues to have faith that the federal court system will continue to be a place where law and order are kept.

“I’m concerned about the integrity and effectiveness of our judiciary given a range of factors,” Weiser said. “I’m also someone who’s hopeful … I see many of these cases as so clearly beyond the pale, but I do believe that the Supreme Court will uphold the rule of law.”