An ominous character in the Dinosaur National Monument expansion proposal is coming to this neck of the woods. President Clinton is scheduled to be in Aspen, July 15-17.

Pitkin County Sheriff’s Department director of investigations and incident commander for the president’s visit, Joe Disalvo, confirmed that Clinton will visit Aspen on what is being called a fund-raising trip.

Disalvo said there are no plans for Clinton to visit any other areas in Colorado, but things can change quickly when it comes to the president’s schedule.

“We were told he was coming back in April,” said Disalvo. “Four weeks later the visit was canceled and then we heard three weeks ago that it was back on. Plans change on a minute’s notice.”

Disalvo was unable to say if anyone else, such as Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt, would accompany Clinton.

White House spokesperson, Victoria Valintine, could not confirm any of the president’s travel plans to Aspen or any other area in Colorado.

In the past, Clinton has been known to show up at potential monument sites and sign them over to monument status with an executive order with little warning.

Dinosaur National Monument may be safe from the president’s pen according to Pitkin County Sheriff’s Department officials. Disalvo believes that if Clinton was coming to the Dinosaur area, local law enforcement would have been notified.

Moffat County Undersheriff Jerry Hoberg has not been contacted by the Secret Service.

“If he (Clinton) is coming to Moffat County, his security would contact us,” said Hoberg. “They would want to coordinate with us about the lay of the land and possible security risks. Even with the Secret Service, it is common courtesy to say ‘we’re coming.'”

Hoberg believes a visit from the president, especially to the monument area, would create some special concerns. The Sheriff’s Department would have to notify the Secret Service about anti-government sentiment in the area and monument expansion opposition.

“Everybody in this area is going to know why he is coming here if he comes to Moffat County,” said Hoberg. “It would definitely create security concerns.”