La Plata County rancher Jim Isgar will be sworn in sometime after that. The PUC regulates electric and telecommunications utilities, including approving rate changes. I think that balance is what Gov. Owens observed when he appointed me. Dyer will replace Robert J. Hix, who has served on the commission since 1994. He, too, is from Denver.
Commissioners serve four-year terms.
Several committee members said they will be sorry to see Dyer go. Democrats hold an 18-17 majority in the state Senate, and one of Isgar s top priorities is to keep the Senatorial District 6 seat in Democratic hands. He is very effectively, right this minute, running for re-election. Rep. Kay Alexander, R-Montrose, is the most likely candidate to challenge Isgar for the Senate seat. Both have said the votes from the farming and ranching community will make or break the election.