The Pueblo Jobs Act and Investing in Rural Colorado
INTRODUCING THE PUEBLO JOBS ACT
I introduced the Pueblo Jobs Act to prohibit the federal government from cutting corners and to require the Army to rigorously follow the standard Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process when closing the Pueblo Chemical Depot. This process will provide certainty for the Pueblo economy and foster future job creation. My bill will support at least 1,000 jobs for the Pueblo region and allow continued investment in the city for years to come.
My bill is consistent with previous Army policy. On October 3, 2011, the Deputy Assistant Under Secretary of the Army Joseph Calcara confirmed that the Army would dispose of any excess or surplus property from the BRAC realignment at Pueblo Chemical Depot utilizing the authority and procedures of the BRAC Act. Utilizing the standard BRAC process provides the community and Army transfer certainty, cost savings, and the opportunity to reuse portions of the Pilot Plant and associated property for economic development and lessens the economic impact of the Depot closure on Pueblo and Southeastern Colorado by retaining and creating jobs.
I’ve worked hard to invest in Pueblo’s economy. One of my first Congressional visits was to tour the Pueblo Chemical Depot to meet with folks on the ground and offer my assistance. During the 2021 NDAA debate, I worked hard to ensure that Congress included a provision requiring the Army to be transparent and produce a report on its plan to invest in the Pueblo community during the decommissioning of the Pueblo Chemical Depot. Additionally, I submitted a letter of support to help PuebloPlex secure grant funding to improve surface transportation, implement job training at local schools, and invest in innovation at the Transportation Technology Center, Inc.
I had the opportunity to visit the Transportation Technology Center, Inc. and see the great work they are doing training hazmat workers to prevent and respond to train derailments.
OFFICIAL POLL: DO YOU THINK CONGRESS SHOULD PASS MY PUEBLO JOBS ACT?
ADVOCATING FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES BY PUTTING PEOPLE AHEAD OF VIOLENT WOLVES
I published an op-ed in the Cortez Journal and the Durango Herald discussing my work to put people ahead of violent predators. I have received letters from families, farmers, and ranchers across Colorado who have nowhere else to go and are tired of liberals in Denver, Boulder, and Washington, D.C. controlling wolf policy in their communities.
I am providing a voice for rural communities left out of the decision-making process. I shared their stories that the left doesn’t want people to hear at a recent hearing before the House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries.
I told Carlos Atencio’s story, a rancher and lifelong Colorado native whose dogs have been hunted and stalked by a vicious wolf pack. In the past two years, he has lost two pet dogs to wolf attacks and has had a third dog severely injured.
I shared Donna Sykes’ story. She has lived in Walden for 28 years. With the protections liberals have enacted for wolves, she cannot defend her livestock and pets. Recently, two wolves killed her border collie “Cisco.” The next day, they injured her neighbor’s dog. The dog survived but, later, was put down since the injuries were too severe.
I testified about Johnny Schmidt’s wolf problems. Schmidt is a rancher in Walden. In November, a wolf pack attacked his calves. He discovered the attack by hearing one of his heifers moaning in pain. He then discovered three additional calves that were severely maimed.
For each of these stories, there are hundreds of other Coloradans who are too afraid to speak up.
Read my full op-ed to hear about my Trust the Science Act and other legislative work I am doing to give rural Colorado a voice.
OFFICIAL POLL: DO YOU SUPPORT IMPORTING VIOLENT WOLF PACKS TO HUNT IN RURAL COLORADO COMMUNITIES?
SECURING A GRANT TO IMPROVE PUBLIC HEALTH IN PUEBLO
I helped secure a $5,109,735.00 grant for Pueblo Community Health Center. In fiscal year 2023, I worked to secure $1.85 billion for community health centers in an appropriations request signed into law. I am happy to see that the grant program I supported is now being used to invest in Pueblo. I also submitted appropriations requests for Community Health Centers in fiscal year 2022 and fiscal year 2021.
Community Health Centers save the healthcare system $24 billion annually since they cost less than one-sixth of an average visit to an emergency room. In Colorado’s Third Congressional District, there are eight Community Health Centers, and this grant will provide better access to quality medical care, provide more jobs, and strengthen rural communities.
I am a tireless advocate for rural healthcare. Last year, I worked to secure a Sole Community Hospital Provider Status designation from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for Delta Health. This critical designation increased resources for Delta Health, helped it remain independent, and stabilized drug prices for seniors.
ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS FOR THE 2023 CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION
My office is now accepting submissions from high school artists for the 2023 Congressional Art Competition. Each spring since 1982, student artists across the nation are invited to participate in the U.S. House of Representatives’ Congressional Art Competition, which annually displays the winning students’ artwork at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. One winner will be chosen from the Third Congressional District, and I look forward to inviting the winner out to D.C. to visit the Capitol and accept an award.
Last year, Kylee Smith from Walsenburg won. The deadline to submit artwork to one of my district offices is May 3rd. More information about the competition is available on my website.
