As 2016 begins, Americans must steel themselves for the intensifying presidential election year and all the ridiculousness that unfortunately accompanies it. While primary season has yet to begin, it will soon, and as the Republican and Democratic fields are narrowed, a corresponding amplification of policy debate, political gamesmanship and personal attacks will follow. At its core, this is a crucial exercise that will ultimately determine the country’s course for the next four years, and the same is true at the state and local levels – though the conversations we can anticipate here in 2016 are more nuanced than those that will surround the presidential election. In all that is to come this year, citizen engagement is essential.

Colorado is historically fond of ballot initiatives, and 2016 is likely to be no exception. Ballot Initiative 20 would amend the state Constitution to create a single-payer health care system in Colorado, funded by a $25 billion annual tax increase. This is the sole initiative already certified for the ballot, but others that will provoke similarly complex debates are under review. A right-to-die measure allowing those with terminal illnesses to end their lives could be on the ballot and the conversation is warranted, though sure to be fraught with colliding values. A slew of measures related to gas and oil development are proposed, addressing setbacks, fracking prohibition, and local communities’ authority to regulate the activity. This enduring conflict resulted in large part from Gov. John Hickenlooper’s Oil and Gas Task Force’s failure to meaningfully sort out the clash between state and local control over of gas and oil development. Given the low price of natural gas, this discussion will likely be heavily tinged with economic notes.

Those tones will resonate in La Plata County, where gas revenue has historically made up a large portion of the county’s budget but decreased production has reduced the cash flow. Voters last November rejected a mill levy increase – the first the county has proposed in at least 25 years – to pay for road and bridge maintenance and improvements. The need remains, though, and the question is likely to re-emerge in 2016, as it should. County residents must invest in their infrastructure. They will have to prioritize, however. A plan to build an $85 million new airport terminal will require citizen buy-in of some variety, and voters will likely be asked the question this year. The city of Durango needs a new water-treatment facility, and the money to build it. This will be a year of conversation about how and whether to invest in community facilities. The debates will surely be lively.

City and county residents are up to the task, though, after the engaging community challenges of 2015. Aside from election-related issues, there will be ongoing discussions about how to improve the city’s recreational amenities, encourage appropriate growth, meet the housing shortage that has priced too many Durangoans out of the rental and home-buying market, and ensure there is an adequate safety net to protect the region’s most vulnerable residents. These are critical issues that will affect the community now and well into the future. Make 2016 the year to participate.