I hope this email finds you well. I've been busy serving Southern Colorado at the State Capitol and wanted to provide you with an update. I'm continuing to progress with my legislation to help rural Colorado this year and I strongly encourage you to share your thoughts and concerns by contacting my office.
If you're looking for a way to get involved at the Capitol next week, the Joint Budget Committee will hear public testimony on the 2022-2023 budget. This will occur next Tuesday, the 8th at 2:00 pm. If you'd like to participate in person, go to the first floor of the legislative services building and look for hearing room B. If you'd like to participate online, you can do so here with this link. Again, this is a great way to engage in state government and make sure your voice is heard.
Here's to another productive week in the legislature!
Sincerely,
Updates from the floor
Representative Donald Valdez spoke on the floor of the Colorado House of Representatives about the 4-H students and a bible study for farmers and ranchers.
In the Legislature
Representative Valdez joined his colleagues in the state capitol by supporting resolutions that honor our military personnel and veterans. We encourage everyone to read more about these resolutions by clicking on the links below.
HJR22-1006 by Representative(s) Young and Carver; also Senator(s) Zenzinger and Gardner–Concerning recognition of Military, Veterans, and MIA/POW Appreciation Day.
HJR22-1007 by Representative(s) Herod and Bacon; also Senator(s) Coleman and Buckner–Concerning recognition of African-American veterans.
HJR22-1008 by Representative(s) Ortiz and Holtorf; also Senator(s) Rodriguez and Moreno–Concerning recognition of the contributions of Latina and Latino veterans.
HJR22-1009 by Representative(s) Weissman and Hanks; also Senator(s) Donovan and Liston–Concerning honoring Colorado veterans on the seventy-seventh anniversary of the end of World War II.
HJR22-1010 by Representative(s) Sullivan and Pico; also Senator(s) Fields and Rankin–Concerning the recognition and remembrance of military veterans in Colorado who served in the Vietnam War.
HJR22-1011 by Representative(s) Bernett and Geitner; also Senator(s) Kolker and Lundeen–Concerning honoring gold star families.
HJR22-1012 by Representative(s) Snyder and Lynch; also Senator(s) Garcia and Hisey–Concerning reaffirming Colorado to be the permanent location for the United States Space Command, and, in connection therewith, urging the Department of Defense to keep the United States Space Command in Colorado.
HJR22-1013 by Representative(s) Esgar and Luck; also Senator(s) Garcia and Simpson–Concerning the fifty-fourth anniversary of the capture of the U.S.S. Pueblo by North Korea.
HJR22-1014 by Representative(s) Ortiz and Sandridge; also Senator(s) Lee and Liston–Concerning the designation of a portion of Colorado State Highway 21 from Kettle Creek to Woodmen Road in El Paso County as the “SFC Will Lindsay Memorial Highway”.
"It’s Colorado 4H day at the capital. And look who I ran into." Representative Donald Valdez
Representative Donald Valdez (left) testifying in favor of HB 22-1043 on 2/1/2022
This Weeks Committee Meetings:
Transportation and Local Government:
On Tuesday, Representative Valdez took part in a House Transportation and Local Government committee meeting. During the meeting, he testified in support of House Bill 22-1043, which makes a distinction between these two vehicles. As a result, this bill will improve data collection regarding vehicle fatalities and injuries. He also supported House Bill 22-1103, which creates the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority special license plate for motor vehicles. Money raised from this program will help improve our infrastructure (highway users tax fund). Finally, Representative Valdez supported House Bill 22-1004: Driver License Fee Reduction. Representative Valdez will continue to support fiscally responsible bills that positively impact the lives of Coloradans.
Agriculture, Livestock, and Water:
In Thursday's Agriculture, Livestock, and Water committee meeting, Representative Valdez supported the House Bill 22-1012: Modify the Administration of the Colorado State Fair. The State Fair is a sacred Colorado institution that highlights the best of Colorado. Representative Valdez will continue to support and participate in the the State Fair. The committee also discussed current water policy issues. As a farmer and a rancher, Representative Valdez understands that water is crucial to our agriculture industry because it supports the livelihood of farmers and the production of food for the rest of the state and nation to enjoy. Preserving and protecting water is one of Representative Valdez's top priorities.
OEDIT Rural Economic Resources
Colorado Rural Resiliency and Recovery Roadmaps "This program provides technical assistance and grants for regional teams of rural communities to drive economic relief, recovery, diversification and long-term resilience."
Rural Technical Assistance Program "This program helps rural communities create economic development strategies by providing free technical assistance and consulting services."
Rural Jump-Start Program "This program helps economically distressed communities attract new businesses and jobs."
Enterprise Zone Program "This program encourages development in economically distressed areas of the state through tax incentives."
1. The San Luis Valley is a major hay-producing region and the crop is second behind potatoes as the Valley’s most valuable crop.
2. The San Luis Valley specifically grows malt barley which is supplied to Coors Brewing Company to make beer.
3. Carrots are usually a contract crop grown by local farmers under a contract with Grimmway Farms who lease the land, plant the carrots, and harvest them in the fall. [2]
[1] Bosselman, Andy. “Colorado Rep. Donald Valdez Speaks on the Floor of the Colorado House of Representatives on June 11, 2020.” Rep. Donald Valdez Announces Run for Boebert’s Congressional Seat, Colorado Newsline, 18 Feb. 2021, https://coloradonewsline.com/2021/02/18/rep-donald-valdez-announces-run-for-boeberts-congressional-seat/. Accessed 21 Jan. 2022.
