When the Rocky Mountain News writes an editorial it is read by hundreds of thousands of people across Colorado. There is no way to match the power of major newspapers. You just have to hope they have the integrity when they get it wrong to make it right.

The News -- or at least it’s at editorial page Editor Vincent Carroll -- have undertaken a crusade against ethanol. While they are entitled to their opinion they have provided a lot of disinformation to readers.

Sorry to say Vincent, a lot of what you write simply isn’t true. We at Colorado Corn will answer each and every of these editorials. Unfortunately we do not have the good fortune of having our responses printed.

However, newspapers depend upon a readership and when that readership expresses an opinion newspapers will listen. Well it’s more than time for rural Colorado to pick up the phone and call Vincent Carroll and tell him what you think of his whining about ethanol.

Tell him that for each gallon of ethanol produced we reduce foreign imports of oil by eight or nine gallons.

Tell him while ethanol receives a subsidy, the facts are for every dollar ethanol receives oil companies receive $2.50. Remind him of the environmental benefits for the city in which he lives, Denver, have been saved for years from the brown cloud as a result of blending 10% ethanol in gasoline during winter months.

Tell him that good science has clearly demonstrated that ethanol-blended fuels reduce carbon monoxide, reduce the particulate matter coming from tailpipes and reduce carbon dioxide, reducing the formation of greenhouse gases contributing to global warming.

And most importantly tell him those value-added opportunities like ethanol preserves the ability of corn producers and other farmers to provide the food that he buys in his Denver supermarket.

Vincent needs to hear from you. His number is (303)-892-5477.

Douglas J. Melcher