We have a lot of good news coming your way

View this email in your browser ([link removed])


** COVID-19 Updates
------------------------------------------------------------

There is a lot of good news to be shared about Colorado and COVID-19. On April 3rd Governor Jarod Polis extended and amended Colorado’s mask mandate. People in ALL counties will still have to wear masks in schools, childcare facilities, assisted living and nursing homes, jails, prisons, and at specific personal services like salons and others. For counties rated ‘green’ masks are required to be worn when entering or within public indoor spaces where 10 or more unvaccinated individuals or individuals of unknown vaccination status are present. For more specifics on the updated mask mandate visit [link removed]

[link removed]


** Vaccines
------------------------------------------------------------

The COVID-19 vaccine is an essential tool in our fight against the pandemic. I’d encourage everyone who is able to sign up for a time to get vaccinated. Below I’ve included information on how citizens of the San Luis Valley can register to get vaccinated.

[link removed] This website includes phone numbers and online forms for vaccination appointments all across the San Luis Valley. Please be patient as your ability to make an appointment is determined by supply. This site also includes frequently asked questions about the vaccines. If you have additional questions about COVID-19 vaccines, you may call 1-877-CO VAX CO (1-877-268-2926). Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Answers available in multiple languages.

San Luis Valley Health and Valley-Wide Health Systems may be able to use your help! Contact us to volunteer as we offer vaccines to our communities. Vaccination events and the needed number of volunteers are unpredictable, so by submitting your information, there is no guarantee of a reply, but your interest in volunteering is much appreciated! Please email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) , call (719) 587-5707 to sign up!

For those of you in Pueblo there will be a vaccination clinic next week on Friday April 16th from 9:00AM to 5:00PM at 1615 E. Abriendo Ave, Pueblo, CO 81004. The Johnson & Johnson single dose vaccine will be available to anyone who is at least 16 years old. You can sign up for this clinic here ([link removed]) .


** American Recovery Act
------------------------------------------------------------

We have good news coming from Washington D.C. Colorado Senator Michael Bennet has been hard at work securing $100 billion in child tax credits to help lift families out of poverty. Starting at sometime this summer thousands of families in Colorado will receive monthly checks of at least $250 for a year, and up to $3,600 per year for each child 5 and under and up to $3,000 per year for each child 6-17 years old. Food and housing insecurity became a very real problem for Coloradans this year and this new tax credit will aide us in helping these families recover. This is included in President Biden’s American Recovery act which will also provide millions of dollars to projects in rural Colorado.


** Primary draw application deadline extended until Friday, April 9 at 8 p.m.
------------------------------------------------------------

Hunters hoping to draw a big-game license in Colorado in 2021 will now have until Fri., April 9 at 8 p.m. MT to apply in the primary draw due to volume-related technological issues that kept some hunters from being able to apply before the original deadline of April 6 at 8 p.m. To apply or to learn more visit [link removed]

[link removed]


** Volunteer Opportunity
------------------------------------------------------------

The Care and Share in Pueblo is in need of volunteers to help at the Sunny Side Market on east 8th Street. If you are able to help, Please go to www.careandshare.org ([link removed]) to volunteer and select the “Get Involved” tab. You will need to make an account to sign in to see the calendar.

This is a great opportunity for our Latinx community. The scholarship qualifications are listed below. Please reach out to [email protected] ([link removed]) with any questions.

● Applicants must be of Hispanic/Latinx/Chicanx descent, between the ages of 18 and 22, having reached the age of 18 and not older than the age of 22 as of June 26, 2021;
● Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 upon applying;
● Applicants must be a United States citizen (or an eligible non-citizen) and a Colorado resident for at least six (6) months prior to application deadline;
● Applicants are required to submit a complete Fiesta Pageant application, a current and official high school or college transcript, a resume ( See Example), and a minimum of two (2) signed letters of recommendation;
● COMPLETE APPLICATION MUST BE SUBMITTED AND/OR POSTMARKED BY SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 2021


** Initiative 16
------------------------------------------------------------

On Wednesday, after a lengthy hearing with strong opposition testimony, the Title Board granted Initiative 16, The Protect Animals from Unnecessary Suffering and Exploitation (PAUSE) initiative, a ballot title. This initiative seems like it would be a relatively harmless measure, but it would actually criminalize common agricultural practices.

This initiative could outlaw common veterinarian practices and artificial insemination of cows and other livestock. These practices are vital to keeping livestock healthy and to the industry as a whole. The initiative also calls for ranchers to raise livestock to one quarter of its life expectancy before slaughter. In addition it could outlaw the processing and slaughtering of livestock which are integral parts of ranching.

Colorado ranchers and the entire state will feel the consequences of this initiative if passed. The measure could impose huge costs on those participating in meat production because livestock would have to stay in the ranchers care for much longer. These costs would inevitably be passed down to the consumer, driving up the price of meat. In a time where people are already struggling to get by, the PAUSE initiative would only make it more difficult for working families to have access to food.

The vagueness and lack of awareness of common practices in PAUSE would certainly drive Coloradans out of agriculture and ranching. Those industries are vital to our economy and also represent a way of life. Fortunately, the Colorado Farm Bureau and various agricultural industry associations plan to appeal The Title Board’s decision in the Colorado Supreme Court. I stand with them in opposing this overreaching initiative as a Coloradan and a rancher.

On Monday April 5th the house convened to honor Colorado’s brave veterans. Several resolutions were read on the house floor to recognize the service of our brave men and women who have dedicated their lives to serving the American people. Among those recognized were Vietnam veterans, Latinx and Black veterans, Prisoners of War, and those who were Missing In action. My community is the home of many veterans and I was honored to take part in this special day. I was touched to hear the stories about my colleagues family members who served in the United State’s military. Although it is important to have specific days to recognize the hard work and dedication of our veterans, we ought to be remembering them and thanking them every single day. The Colorado General Assembly is working hard to make sure these citizens receive the benefits and protections they deserve. The flag was flown over the capitol to honor all those who have served.

We honor the families of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and remember them and those who came back injured and scared with PTSD. We stand united!

Resources for veterans and their families can be found here. ([link removed])


** Initiative 16
------------------------------------------------------------

On Wednesday, after a lengthy hearing with strong opposition testimony, the Title Board granted Initiative 16, The Protect Animals from Unnecessary Suffering and Exploitation (PAUSE) initiative, a ballot title. This initiative seems like it would be a relatively harmless measure, but it would actually criminalize common agricultural practices.

This initiative could outlaw common veterinarian practices and artificial insemination of cows and other livestock. These practices are vital to keeping livestock healthy and to the industry as a whole. The initiative also calls for ranchers to raise livestock to one quarter of its life expectancy before slaughter. In addition it could outlaw the processing and slaughtering of livestock which are integral parts of ranching.

Colorado ranchers and the entire state will feel the consequences of this initiative if passed. The measure could impose huge costs on those participating in meat production because livestock would have to stay in the ranchers care for much longer. These costs would inevitably be passed down to the consumer, driving up the price of meat. In a time where people are already struggling to get by, the PAUSE initiative would only make it more difficult for working families to have access to food.

The vagueness and lack of awareness of common practices in PAUSE would certainly drive Coloradans out of agriculture and ranching. Those industries are vital to our economy and also represent a way of life. Fortunately, the Colorado Farm Bureau and various agricultural industry associations plan to appeal The Title Board’s decision in the Colorado Supreme Court. I stand with them in opposing this overreaching initiative as a Coloradan and a rancher.

To learn more about this click here ([link removed])


** Rep. Donald Valdez’s Legislative Update
------------------------------------------------------------

Last week The General Assembly introduced multiple stimulus bills to help get Colorado on the right track to bounce back. These bills span a wide range of issues and aim to improve our economy. Schools, rural counties, healthcare, labor, and more are all encompassed in this new stimulus package.

SB21-229: Rural Jump-start Zone Grant Program ([link removed]) : This bill would create the Rural Jump-start Grant Program. New funds would become available for up to $20,000 to new businesses to establish operations; Up to $40,000 to new businesses to establish operations in a tier one transition community; Up to $2,500 to new businesses for each new hire and additional funds for tier one transition communities. These grants could seriously improve the material conditions of rural Coloradans. SB21-229 will be heard in the Senate Local Government Committee

SB21-204: Rural Economic Development Initiative Grant Program Funding ([link removed]) : The Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) was established last year by the general assembly. This bill would add 5 million dollars into the program and allows the Office of Economic Development to provide grants to a new employer or the expansion of an existing employer and for projects that create diversity and resiliency in the local economies of rural communities. Our rural communities thrive when they have a multitude of business and industries to support them. This bill is scheduled do be heard in the Senate Local Government Committee at 2pm on April 13th, 2021.

SB21-203: Funding For Colorado Proud ([link removed]) : The bill appropriates $2.5 million to the department of agriculture for the Colorado proud program. The Colorado Proud Program has a multitude of operations. They provide a label for meat and produce that is locally grown and processed in grocery stores, farmers' markets, garden centers and restaurants. They encourage consumers to buy local and support local economies. They provide a directory of local produce, provide information for food and agricultural workers in regards to COVID, they provide recipes, an event calendar, and a local agriculture map. They promote agro-tourism and have educational resources so Coloradans can learn more about their natural environment and where their food comes from. I am so proud to be sponsoring this bill! It will be heard in the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on April 22nd, 2021 at roughly 1:30pm

SB21-202: Public School Air Quality Improvement Grants ([link removed]) : This piece of legislation would transfers $10 million from the general fund to the public school capital construction assistance fund in order to fund public school air quality improvement projects. Students deserve the best and cleanest environments especially in light of the events of the last year. We ought to supporting any measures that would improve our public schools. This bill is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Committee on Education starting at 1:30 pm on April 15th 2021.

If you’d like to keep up with what bills are being introduced and where they are in the legislative process visit Bills, Resolutions, & Memorials | Colorado General Assembly ([link removed])


** Please reach out!
------------------------------------------------------------

I am here to listen! The needs of the community are my concerns.

[email protected]

[link removed] [link removed] [link removed]

Copyright (C) 2021 Donald Valdez. All rights reserved.
From the desk of Donald Valdez

Donald Valdez
P.O. Box 110
La Jara, Co 81140
USA
Update Preferences ([link removed]) | Unsubscribe ([link removed])
Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp
[link removed]