Rep. Boebert Introduces Bill to Complete the Arkansas Valley Conduit
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“Southeast Coloradans have been waiting for decades for the completion of the Arkansas Valley Conduit and the Finish the AVC Act will help local governments finally finish this major project,” said Congresswoman Boebert. “Rural families and businesses need access to clean, sustainable water they can depend on every day. It’s time we get the AVC done for Colorado, and I look forward to working with Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper to getting this bill through both chambers of Congress.” Once completed, the Arkansas Valley Conduit will provide water to as many as 50,000 Coloradans across 39 communities in Pueblo, Otero, Bent, Kiowa, Prowers and Baca Counties. While the AVC was originally approved for construction in 1962, the project was never completed because local communities were unable to cover 100% of the costs. By eliminating interest payments, The Finish the AVC Act will ease the burden of inflation costs that have caused the original $640 million estimate of construction in 2019 to rise to over $1.3 billion. “This bill will ensure the federal government makes good on its promise to Southeastern Coloradans to deliver a safe and reliable water supply,” said Senator Bennet. “We have invested over $300 million to build the Arkansas Valley Conduit over the past decade and now we must ensure increased costs don’t stop this project in its tracks.” “Water has been the lifeblood of Colorado’s Arkansas River Valley since long before JFK promised to deliver them clean drinking water,” said Senator Hickenlooper. “Sixty years later, our bill will help Southeastern Colorado communities harness their resources to get the job done.” “This bill is needed to help the Arkansas Valley Conduit be economical enough to supply clean drinking water to communities in the lower Arkansas Valley,” said State Senator Rod Pelton, whose district covers Southeast Colorado. “As someone who represents the communities that will directly benefit from the Arkansas Valley Conduit, I am proud to support the efforts of Congresswoman Boebert to finally finish this critical infrastructure project,” said State House Assistant Minority Leader Ty Winter. “Access to clean water is not a luxury, it is a necessity, and Southeast Colorado families and businesses deserve a reliable and sustainable water supply. The Finish the AVC Act is a vital step towards fulfilling a promise made to our region decades ago and I look forward to seeing this project completed for the future of our communities.” “This is another very important step for the people of the Lower Arkansas Valley who have struggled to get the Arkansas Valley Conduit moving ahead for more than 60 years. Now that the AVC is finally under construction and given the current estimated cost of the AVC project, this legislation is absolutely necessary to make this dream a reality. We are grateful for our entire congressional delegation stepping up to make it happen,” said Bill Long, President, Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District. Full text of Rep. Boebert’s House legislation can be found HERE. ### For updates, subscribe to Congresswoman Boebert’s newsletter here. |