Protecting water and fighting for rural Colorado

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Dear Southern Colorado,

I hope this email finds you well. Week nine of the legislative session has been full of committee meetings, resolutions, and bill readings. I'm continuing to make significant progress on my legislation to help rural Colorado and I wanted to provide you with an update.

This week, we had three more bills go through committee. I encourage people to read more about my legislation on the General Assembly Website. As always, don't hesitate to contact my office if you have any questions or ideas. Please read the rest of the newsletter to learn more about my efforts to help House District 62.

Here's to another productive week!

Sincerely,

Donald

Protecting Water

As a farmer and a rancher, Representative Valdez understands the importance of protecting rural Colorado's water. Water is the lifeblood of our land, and it is our responsibility to preserve that water for generations to come. Renewable Water Resources (RWR) aims to purchase local agricultural water and export it to Douglas County. Representative Valdez strongly opposes the RWR exportation plan.

Unfortunately, the Douglas County Commissioners canceled their visit to the San Luis Valley on March 26th. Commissioner Abe Laydon is still planning to come to the San Luis Valley on the 26th. This is a great opportunity for your voice to be heard and protect rural Colorado's water.

In the Legislature

Representative Valdez presiding over the State House of Representatives on Monday.

Representative Valdez had the unique honor of presiding over the Colorado House of Representatives on Monday. This was a great chance for him to guide his fellow legislators and enforce the house rules and procedures. Please visit the General Assembly Website to see a list of bills discussed during Monday's floor work.

Representative Valdez meeting with aerospace industry leaders

Colorado Aerospace Day

This Tuesday was Aerospace Day at the Capitol. As co-chair of the Aerospace and Defense Caucus, Representative Valdez understands the importance of the aerospace industry to our state and is committed to ensuring the Space Command stays in Colorado. Furthermore, Colorado has the second-largest aerospace economy in the country. We need to continue to satisfy the demand for talent by improving our workforce pipeline.

Aerospace day was a great way for Representative Valdez to meet with industry leaders and discuss recent developments in aerospace science and technology. He looks forward to continued partnership with aerospace industry leaders and supporting their advancements.

Here are some key facts about aerospace in Colorado:

1.) Colorado ranks first in the nation for its high concentration of aerospace jobs.

2.) The University of Colorado at Boulder receives more NASA funding than any other public school in the country.

3.) Colorado has one of the lowest corporate income tax rates.

Legislators, the Lieutenant Governor, and industry leaders posing for a picture

Improving Missing Person Investigations

The House Judiciary Committee passed Senate Bill 22-095: Improving Missing Person Investigations. This bill allows these departments to start investigations for anyone reported missing, regardless of jurisdiction. Furthermore, this bill will allow someone to file a missing person report electronically or via phone. Finally, any adult who has been missing for more than twenty-four hours will have their case referred to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Children will have their case referred to the CBI after two hours.

Senate Bill 22-148:

On Tuesday, the Senate and House introduced the bipartisan "Colorado Land-based Tribute Behavioral Health Services Grant Program." This bill will invest $5 million to help the Southern Ute Tribe develop a new behavioral health facility. It's imperative that we offer help to Native American tribes who may not have the same access to resources as the rest of Colorado.

Reproductive Health Equity Act:

This week, the Health and Insurance Committee held a hearing for the Reproductive Health Equity Act. This bill will codify a women's right to choose. Furthermore, the bill protects an individual's choice to use contraception. Representative Valdez will continue to monitor this bill as it moves through the legislature.

USS Colorado:

On Thursday, Representative Valdez commemorated our nation's servicemen and women, specifically those aboard USS Colorado. These people have shown a deep commitment to our national defense and they are worthy of our praise.

Representative Valdez commemorating the USS Colorado

International Women's Day:

On Tuesday, the legislature celebrated International Women's Day and Women's History Month. This is a time to honor the economic, cultural, and political contributions made by women to the great state of Colorado. Let's continue to celebrate the historic contributions of women.

Historical Facts:

1.) In 1895, three women, Clara Cressingham, Carrie Holly, and Frances Klock became the first women to serve in the Colorado State House.

2.) Colorado and Wyoming were the first states in the union to allow women the right to vote.

Foster Parent Bill of Rights:

The Foster Parent Bill of Rights easily passed the legislature on third reading. Representative is a prime sponsor on this bill and will continue to support foster parents in Colorado. Feel free to visit this link to learn more about this important bill for Colorado.

Committee Meetings This Week:

Agriculture, Livestock, and Water Committee:

On Monday’s Agriculture, Livestock, and Water Committee meeting Representative Valdez supported three bipartisan bills that will help rural Colorado. The first bill, House Bill 22-042 restructures the board of commissioners of the Colorado State Fair Authority to include commissioners from all four of Colorado’s agricultural districts. This bipartisan bill is an important step in improving the State Fair and it passed the Agriculture, Livestock, and Water Committee unanimously.

The second bill in committee, Senate Bill 22-030, changes the name of the Water Resources Review Committee to the Water Resources and Agriculture Review Committee. This bill ensures the review committee will consider both agricultural and water issues. As a farmer and rancher, Representative Valdez understands that water is the lifeblood for our agriculture industry and was proud to support this bill.

The last bill heard in committee, House Bill 22-1235, supports Colorado's veterinary technicians by implementing the recommendation of the 2021 sunset report on the Colorado Veterinary Practice Act. This bill passed the committee unanimously. We encourage you to read more about legislation considered by the Agriculture, Livestock, and Water Committee on the General Assembly Website.

Representative Valdez at an Agriculture, Livestock, and Water Committee Meeting.

Finance Committee:

In Monday’s Finance Committee meeting, Representative Valdez provided testimony on House Bill 22-1007. This bipartisan bill will create a grant program to support outreach efforts to landowners in high wildfire hazard areas and creates a state income tax credit to help landowners make their properties more defensible. As our state continues to get drier and hotter, we ought to give the most at-risk people the resources to make their communities safer. A few months ago, we watched as the Marshall Fire burned roughly six thousand acres of land and destroyed over one thousand homes with a combined value of five hundred million dollars. There is an urgent need for this bill and Representative Valdez will continue to support wildfire mitigation and prevention.

Transportation and Local Government Committee:

In Tuesday’s Transportation and Local Government Committee, Representative Valdez testified on House Bill 22-1154. This bill creates the Colorado Rotary License Plate. Money from this bill will go toward the highway users tax fund and the licensing services cash fund. This bill is an important step in upgrading roads, bridges, and highways by appropriating money to the state and local governments. This bill passed the Transportation and Local Government Committee on a vote of 12-1.

On Wednesday, the Transportation and Local Government Committee heard five bills. The committee unanimously voted to pass Senate Bill 22-075: "Removal of Cemetery District Directors". The bill will give county commissions the power to remove Cemetery District Directors. The director will be given a chance to speak at a public hearing.

For more information on the House Transportation and Local Government Committee, visit their page on the General Assembly Website.

Representative Valdez (center) thanking members of the Rotary Club for testifying in support of his bill

Capital Development Committee:

This week, Representative Valdez had two Capital Development Committee meetings. This was a great chance for members to discuss capital construction projects that fix aging infrastructure. This is a year-round committee and their work is vital to ensuring state facilities serve the needs of employees and visitors. We encourage you to read more about the committee's work on the General Assembly Website.

Representative Valdez (right) at Thursday's Transportation and Local Government Committee

Statutory Revisions Committee:

In Friday's Statutory Revisions Committee, members reviewed state statutes and past bills to make sure there are no defects in the law. The Statutory Revisions Committee plays an important role in modernizing and simplifying laws. If you'd like to read more about this committee's work, feel free to visit their page of the General Assembly Website.

Representative Valdez at Friday's Statutory Revisions Committee

OEDIT Rural Economic Resources

Skill Advance Colorado
"Colorado First and Existing Industry Job Training Grant Programs support Colorado’s workforce development by providing grants to both existing businesses and those locating to or expanding in Colorado. By reimbursing costs associated with job training, the programs increase transferable job skills that support business competitiveness and enhance workers’ resumes and long-term employment opportunities."

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."

Location Neutral Employment Community Matching Grant
"This grant provides marketing funds to help rural areas attract out-of-state companies to create new jobs in their communities."

All Rural Programs and Funding

In the Community

Events in Pueblo

-2022 Pueblo Jobs Fair at the Pueblo Motorsports Park

-Pueblo Diversified Industries Meet and Greet

Events in Alamosa

-Society Hall Presents: SLV Cancer Relief
-Celebrate some of the community's best eateries by visiting the participating restaurants during Restaurant Week

Events in Monte Vista
-Monte Vista Crane Festival is happening this weekend
-Click this link to learn more about the Monte Vista Crane Festival

Fun Facts and Information

1. "The [San Luis] valley is about the size of Connecticut extending 125 miles long and 65 miles wide with an altitude of over 7,000 feet." [1]

2. "The Valley is considered a desert averaging less than six inches of rain a year. There is a water aquifer under the Valley floor which provides water for the main resource which is farming." [2]

3.) "Covering nearly 8,000 square miles in southern Colorado, the San Luis Valley is the largest valley in the state and the largest high-altitude desert in North America." [3]

[1] “San Luis Valley.” Southern Colorado Guide, https://www.southern-colorado-guide.com/sanluisvalley.html.

[2] “San Luis Valley.” Southern Colorado Guide, https://www.southern-colorado-guide.com/sanluisvalley.html.

[3] Yongli. “San Luis Valley.” Articles | Colorado Encyclopedia, 13 Mar. 2020, https://coloradoencyclopedia.org/article/san-luis-valley.