We are a hard-working group of progressive-minded individuals from the Western Slope region of Colorado. As avid supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidental campaign, we have asked him to consider scheduling an event in Aspen.

We are supporters of his bid for the highest office in our country and would like to lend our full support. As we are mostly struggling, working-class families, many of us will not be able to make the trip to Denver for his event there due to financial and time constraints. More importantly, our area is full of disgruntled, downtrodden workers who are not yet familiar with his message.

Many of the surrounding communities work for the survival of the beautiful scenery of the Aspen and Roaring Fork Valley, but largely unaddressed is the plight of the everyday working class who make this playground for the wealthy possible.

With a booming tourism industry, ski resorts and extremely high real estate values, this region should be one of the least expected places to find wage stagnation, immigrant exploitation and ridiculously low wages, right? Wrong. So many working in this economy, where the wealthy gain so much and pay so little, can gain no ground due to astronomical rent prices and low wages. Preying on the desperation of migrant and undocumented immigrant workers has created artificial wage devaluation for many markets.

We have also seen devastating impacts from aggressive oil and gas industry activity. Our local governments are often filled with wholesale mouthpieces for the extraction and tourism industries. The working class needs to be heard. We believe Sanders can be our voice and hope more of our locals get a chance to hear his message.

We stand in support of Sanders and thank him for his great service to our country. He has our full support and best wishes for our country.

Dustin Micheli

New Castle, Western Slope Colorado for Bernie Sanders 2016