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Dear Southern Colorado,

I hope this email finds you well. As we wrap up week twelve of the legislative session, I want to reflect on all our great work and our plans moving forward.

This week, the legislature debated the state budget, which provides funding for Colorado's state agencies and department initiatives. This will help bring resources to our communities. I've been closely monitoring this process and am committed to providing necessary assistance to rural Colorado.

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 week!

Sincerely,

Donald

Mis estimados constituyentes del sur de Colorado,

Espero que este e-mail les encuentre bien. Mientras terminamos la semana doce de la sesión legislativa de Colorado, quiero reflexionar sobre todo nuestro gran trabajo y planes para seguir adelante.

Esta semana, la legislatura debatió el presupuesto estatal, que proporciona fondos para las iniciativas de departamentos y agencias estatales de Colorado. He estado monitoreando de cerca este proceso y estoy comprometido a brindar los recursos necesarios a las zonas rurales de Colorado.

Como siempre, no dude en ponerse en contacto con mi oficina si tiene alguna pregunta o idea. Lea el resto de este reporte para obtener más información sobre mis esfuerzos para ayudar al Distrito 62 de la Cámara de Representantes de Colorado.

¡Demos gracias por otra semana de trabajo!

Sinceramente,

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. Unfortunately, a project called Renewable Water Resources aims to purchase local agricultural water and export it to Douglas County. Representative Valdez strongly opposes the RWR exportation plan and encourages his constituents to research this program.

Protegiendo el Agua

Como agricultor y ranchero, el Representante Valdez entiende la importancia de proteger el agua de las áreas rurales de Colorado. El agua es el elemento vital de nuestra tierra, y es nuestra responsabilidad preservar esa agua para las sigiuentes generaciones. Desafortunadamente, el programa de Renewable Water Resources (RWR) tiene como objetivo comprar agua agricultora local y exportarla al condado de Douglas. El Representante Valdez se opone firmemente al plan de exportación de RWR y le propone a sus constituyentes investigar el programa.

In the Legislature

Triple-negative Breast Cancer Awareness Month:

On Monday, the legislature designated March as Triple-negative Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Colorado. According to the resolution, "Triple-negative breast cancer, or TNBC, is one of the many forms of breast cancer and accounts for about 15 to 30% of all diagnosed invasive breast cancer cases in the United States." The resolution also states, "Breast cancer is among the most commonly diagnosed cancers and the second leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States." Representative Valdez strongly supports this resolution and future efforts to fight breast cancer across our state and nation. To learn more about Monday's resolution, click this link.

Members of the General Assembly rising in support of breast cancer awareness month on Monday

SB22-141: Nonsubstantive Changes to Title 43

On Monday, another one of Representative Valdez's bills passed through the House of Representatives. The bill makes several changes to Title 43 in the Colorado Revised Statutes. For context, Title 43 in the Colorado Revised Statutes deals with Colorado's laws and procedures surrounding transportation. This bill is a critical function of state government because it streamlines the language of important laws and makes necessary revisions. Click this link to read more about the bill.

Representatives Valdez and Lynch speaking about SB 22-141 to the rest of the House on Monday

Celebrating Educators:

During Tuesday's floor work, Representative Valdez commemorated Pueblo School District 60, superintendent Charlotte Macaluso, for her hard work and dedication to students and teachers in the Pueblo community. Educators make up the fabric of our local communities and their work often goes unnoticed. People like Charlotte Macaluso recognize students are the future of our state and that we need to continue to provide them with quality instruction. We encourage you to take time out of your day to talk to educators in your community about all the great work they do.

Representative Valdez thanking Superintendent Macaluso on Tuesday

Caucus Meeting- Budget Overview

On Tuesday, the Democratic Caucus met to discuss the state budget. This is a great way for legislators to dive deep into the weeds of funding for agencies and various initiatives outlined in the state budget. As proposed, the budget includes historic investments in education and the environment. We will continue to provide updates on the budget package as it moves through the legislature.

Democratic Caucus overviewing the state budget

State Budget- Second & Third Reading:

Members of the House of Representatives debated and eventually passed the state budget package late this week. The proposed budget will help move Colorado forward by making investments in K-12 education, behavioral health care, air quality, and child care. This is a critical step in saving people money, preparing students for success, and building a healthier state. Rural Colorado faces a unique set of challenges from a persistent drought to outdated infrastructure. The Representative will continue to advocate for a state budget that reflects the needs of rural Coloradans.

Recognition of Cesar Chavez

On Thursday, Representative Valdez and members of the House Latino Caucus recognized Cesar Chavez on his birthday. Chavez was a Mexican-American labor leader and civil rights activist who dedicated his life's work to "La Causa", or the cause. Chavez was inspired by the work of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. and founded the National Farm Workers Association. His most notable contributions included raising wages and bettering working conditions for farmworkers in the 1960s and 1970s.

"Preservation of one's own culture does not require content or disrespect for other cultures."
-Cesar Chavez

Representative Valdez and the House Latino Caucus recognize Cesar Chavez's birthday on March 31st

Committee Meetings This Week:

Agriculture, Livestock, and Water:

On Monday, Representative Valdez took part in a House Agriculture, Livestock, and Water Committee meeting. Members discussed Senate Bill 22-126: "Prioritize Water Storage Projects South Platte Basin". As a farmer and a rancher from the San Luis Valley, Representative Valdez understands the need to responsibly conserve and manage water use across the state. Visit the Colorado General Assembly Website to learn more about the House Agriculture, Livestock, and Water Committee's work.

Public & Behavioral Health & Human Services:

On Tuesday, Representative Valdez testified before the Public & Behavioral Health & Human Services Committee and urged them to support his bill, HB 22-1307. This legislation came out of the Statutory Revisions Committee and makes several technical changes to the Colorado Revised Statutes surrounding mental health professionals. Changes include adding mental health professionals to the list of individuals who won't be kept liable for dispensing an "opiate antagonist" and replacing "psychotherapists" with "mental health professionals". This is a bipartisan bill and was passed unanimously by the committee. This bill passed the House of Representatives on Thursday.

Representative Valdez testifying in support of House Bill 22-1307

Transportation and Local Government Committee:

On Tuesday, Representative Valdez took part in a House Transportation and Local Government Committee. Members discussed House Bill 22-1304: "State Grants Investments Local Affordable Housing". This bill makes a historic investment in affordable housing in Colorado. We have a severe shortage of affordable housing and it's time we take bold action to give people the support they need.

Community Outreach:

National Utility Contractors Association for Colorado:

On Tuesday, Representative Valdez met with members of the National Utility Contractors Association of Colorado. This was a great chance for the Representative to hear from utility contractors about their work surrounding the installation and repair of critical infrastructures like sewer lines and septic systems.

Representative Valdez meeting with members of the NUCA on Tuesday morning

Rural Resources, Information, and Programs

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."

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
Click the above link to view a more comprehensive list of rural programs and funding from the Office of Economic Development and International Trade.

Care for Colorado Program:
"The Care for Colorado program is made up of a coalition of partners across the state that share important messaging about preserving and protecting our state’s natural resources."

In the Community

Events in Pueblo

-Click this link to see Pueblo's events calendar

Events in Alamosa

-Click this link to see Alamosa's events calendar

Events in Monte Vista
-Click this link to see Monte Vista's events calendar

Events in Walsenburg
-Click this link to see Walsenburg's event calendar

Fun Facts and Information

1. "The San Luis Valley is located in Southern Colorado and is one of the largest high desert valleys in the world" [1]

2. The San Luis Valley has "an average elevation of 7,664 feet (2,336 m) above sea level" [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]

The State Capitol contains a ton of information about Colorado's vibrant history. Inscribed under the mural is the phrase, "Men shall behold the Water in the Sky and count the Seasons by the living Grasses." This is a reminder to be stewards of our land and natural resources in order to thrive as a state. Reservoir levels are at historic lows and much of Colorado is plagued by a persistent drought. As a farmer and a rancher, Representative Valdez understands the urgency with which we must address this crisis.

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

[2] “San Luis Valley Facts for Kids.” San Luis Valley Facts for Kids, https://kids.kiddle.co/San_Luis_Valley#:~:text=The%20valley%20is%20approximately%20122,the%20Rio%20Grande%20and%20groundwater.

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

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Donald Valdez · P.O. Box 110 · La Jara, Co 81140 · USA