Read this week's newsletter to learn about my efforts to help rural Colorado...

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Greetings Southern Colorado,

I hope you all have been enjoying this warm weather and the great outdoors. With roughly two weeks left in the legislative session, I have been working hard to provide assistance for rural Coloradans.

My bill, HB 22-1012, to improve wildfire mitigation and recovery is on its way to the Senate, and I will continue to update you as it moves through the legislature. This bill will ensure that our state has an adequate response and prevention plan when it comes to these devastating natural disasters.

This week, I introduced a bill, HB 22-1407, that will allow veterans to audit college-level courses for free, a complementary initiative to the GI Bill. Auditing these courses would teach veterans new skills, improve job placement, refine abilities that can be applied to a civilian career, and reward them for their service to our country. This bill will also help fill class seats that would have otherwise been left empty.

As we approach the end of the legislative session, I am committed to keeping the needs of HD 62 a priority and ensuring that rural Colorado is not overlooked. Do not hesitate to reach out to my office if you have any questions or ideas.

Sincerely,

Donald
Snowpack Levels & Drought Conditions

As we head into "wildfire season" in Colorado, Representative Donald Valdez will continue to monitor drought conditions across the state. As you can see in the graphic below, Southern Colorado's snowpack levels are low. The dry climate will likely increase the threat of wildfires and we need to be prepared. Representative Valdez has been working tirelessly on legislation that will help our state prevent and recover from wildfires.

According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, "as of 12:00 a.m. on April 29, snowpack statewide is 80 percent of median".

In the Legislature
Former Representative Kimmi Lewis Memorial:

On Monday morning, Representative Valdez spoke about the life and legacy of former State Representative Kimmi Lewis. Representative Lewis was born on March 19, 1957, in La Junta Colorado, and spent much of her childhood working on her parent’s cattle ranch. A stellar athlete, she attended Trinidad State Junior College on a basketball scholarship. Upon graduating, Representative Lewis purchased her family’s ranch and started a “cattle and feed hauling business” with her husband, George David Lewis. As a state legislator, she championed efforts to support the beef industry and bring needed support to farmers and ranchers. She was a strong voice for rural Colorado and helped bring change to our state. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her six children and fourteen grandchildren during this difficult time.

Representative Valdez honoring the legacy of Kimmi Lewis on Monday

Colorado Auctioneers Association:
During Monday’s session, the House of Representatives commemorated the Colorado Auctioneers Association. “The association exists to promote public auctions and the auction method of marketing through professional and ethical auctioneering practices in the state of Colorado.” Our auctioneers support Colorado agriculture by facilitating the sale of livestock, farm equipment, and produce.
HB 22-1012: Wildfire Mitigation & Recovery

On Tuesday, the House passed HB 22-1012, a bill sponsored by Representative Valdez. This bill is an crucial step in ensuring counties have adequate resources to prevent and recover from wildfires in a manner that reduces the carbon footprint on our atmosphere. Not only will this bill create a plan for recovery, but it will also help restore our state’s ecosystem. As wildfires become more pronounced across our entire state, we need to ensure communities are on a path for recovery and that our ecosystems remain healthy.
HB 22-1053: Blockchain Agriculture and Uniform Commercial Code

On Monday, the House passed Representative Valdez’s blockchain and agriculture bill. This legislation instructs the Agriculture Commissioner to create and implement an online program that teaches agricultural producers about blockchain technology. The benefits of blockchain technology are numerous: It improves accuracy by removing human involvement in verification, it reduces costs by eliminating third-party verification, it’s hard to tamper with, it’s transparent, and facilitates the accurate collection of data. By teaching agricultural producers about blockchain, they will be able to implement digital, data-driven systems to facilitate trade in agricultural products and improve farming techniques.

Vote tally for HB 22-1053: Blockchain Agriculture and Uniform Commercial Code

Holocaust Remembrance:
On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed a joint resolution to honor Jewish people affected by the Holocaust. As stated in the resolution, "The Holocaust was the systematic, bureaucratic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of Jews by the Nazi regime and its collaborators in Germany and occupied lands." We must remember and study this tragic time in history and continue fighting anti-semitism.
SB 22-028- Groundwater Compact Compliance:

On Wednesday, Representative Valdez spoke in support of SB 028, which allocates $60 million in federal funds to ensure Colorado meets their obligations under the Colorado River Compact and that sustainable levels of groundwater remain available. Groundwater is critical for the San Luis Valley because it drives its agricultural economy. Water is a precious resource, and the state government must play a role in the responsible conservation of agricultural water in the future. Representative Valdez was proud to vote in favor of this legislation and will continue to advocate for SB 028.
University of Denver Men's Hockey:

On Friday, the House of Representatives recognized the University of Denver Men’s Hockey team for winning the NCAA Hockey Tournament. On April 9th, the Pioneers won their ninth national title in a resounding victory over Minnesota State. Thank you to the DU Men’s Hockey team for representing Colorado well on the national stage.

Colorado House of Representative congratulating the DU Men's Hockey team

HJR 22-1018: Designate Colonel Stan Cass Memorial Highway

On Friday, the General Assembly passed a joint resolution honoring Colonel Stan Cass. Born in Greeley, Colorado in 1933, Colonel Cass dedicated his life to the service of his country and worked to positively impact those around him. He served in the Vietnam War and later started a non-profit, Honor Flight Northern Colorado, which flies veterans to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. The General Assembly extends its deep appreciation to Stan Cass and will continue to keep his family in their prayers.
Committee Meetings This Week:
Agriculture, Livestock, and Water:

On Monday, Representative Valdez had his last Agriculture, Livestock, and Water Committee of the year. During the committee, members heard a briefing from the Forest Service to discuss wildfire mitigation and prevention. We need to continue treating forests and building resilient landscapes that can slow the spread of fires. Representative Valdez is committed to equipping the Forest Service with the necessary resources to protect our state. This was the last Agriculture, Livestock, and Committee meeting for the year. If you’d like to know more about their work this year, visit the committee’s website on the General Assembly website ([link removed]) .
Representative Valdez at this year's last Agriculture, Livestock, and Water Committee

Business Affairs & Labor:
On Thursday, Representative Valdez testified in support of his bill to help veterans. HB 22-1407 will allow veterans to audit college-level courses without paying the hefty entrance fee. Audit programs allow people to attend college-level classes without having to complete homework (optional), and it doesn’t qualify them for academic credit. Auditing these courses will teach veterans new skills, improve job placement, refine abilities that can be applied to a civilian career, and reward them for their service to our country. Finally, many veterans juggle school, work, and family life simultaneously, which can be overwhelming. While programs like the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon are great for veterans who want to become full-time students, many cannot make that commitment. We must offer a more flexible alternative that allows veterans to absorb information in the classroom while also caring for their families and holding stable jobs. This is a complementary initiative to programs like the GI
bill. The bill passed the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee unanimously.
Community Outreach:
Press Conference For Tax Rebates:
Representative Valdez joined his colleagues and Governor Polis to announce $400 rebates to taxpayers. Our state has been through unprecedented challenges over the last few years, and it’s important we help Coloradans recover. The cost of living has significantly increased across our entire state- from rising home prices to gas at $4 a gallon. Representative Valdez will continue to support efforts to put money back in the pockets of hardworking Coloradans. You can expect $400 in the mail during late August or September.

Representative Valdez and his colleagues joining Governor Polis in annoucing $400 in tax rebates for Coloradans

Parkinson's Advocacy

Thursday afternoon, Representative Valdez joined the Parkinson Association of the Rockies and the Michael J. Fox Foundation to discuss how policy can play a role in fighting Parkinson's Disease. According to the Parkinson’s Association, "60,000 people are diagnosed with PD each year". I encourage those reading to learn more about this disease and the ways they can fight it.

Family Leadership Training Institute:
On Friday, Representative Valdez met with members of the Family Leadership Training Institute, an organization that creates "healthier, more inclusive communities and systems in which all Coloradans thrive. The institute exposes its members to a wide range of subject matter and helps Coloradans become engaged community members and leaders.
Representative Valdez meeting with members of the Family Leadership Training Institute

Representative Valdez meeting with the future generation of Coloradans during their visit to the State Capitol

Rural Resources, Programs, and Departments

Department of Local Affairs- Rural Economic Development Initiative: ([link removed])
"The Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) program is designed to help rural communities comprehensively diversify their local economy and create a more resilient Colorado."

Office of Economic Development and International Trade- ([link removed]) Rural Jump-Start Program ([link removed])
"This program helps economically distressed communities attract new businesses and jobs."

Colorado Department of Agriculture Website: ([link removed])
"Our vision is that Colorado agriculture be strong and vibrant, a key driver of the state’s economy, and recognized worldwide for its safe and abundant supply of high-quality food and agriculture products."

Skill Advance Colorado ([link removed])
"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 ([link removed])
"This program helps rural communities create economic development strategies by providing free technical assistance and consulting services."

Enterprise Zone Program ([link removed])
"This program encourages development in economically distressed areas of the state through tax incentives."

Location Neutral Employment Community Matching Grant ([link removed])
"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 ([link removed])
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 ([link removed])
-Click this link to see Pueblo's events calendar
Events in Alamos ([link removed]) a
-Click this link to see Alamosa's events calendar
-Earth day cleanup along the river from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Friday

Events in Monte Vista ([link removed])
-Click this link to see Monte Vista's events calendar

Events in Walsenburg ([link removed])
-Click this link to see Walsenburg's event calendar
Fun Facts and Capitol History
1. Del Norte was once home to one of the largest observatories in the nation; built by the Presbyterian College of the Southwest.
2. The observatory was built on top of Lookout Mountain & provided the best location in the state to view stars and planets.

The State Capital is home to many murals that showcase Colorado’s deep roots and cultural history. Inscribed under this mural is the phrase “And Men shall fashion Glaciers into Greenness and harvest April rivers in the Autumn.” This quote emphasizes the importance of responsible conservation of our natural resources, especially water. Water is the foundation for all life, and we must conserve this precious natural resource. Representative Valdez is committed to protecting our natural resources for agricultural uses and ensuring the future generation of Coloradans have the resources to put food on the table.

By: Lyndsie Ferrell - Updated: 1 year ago, & Posted Feb 17, 2021. (n.d.). A telescopic historical view of del norte. Del Norte Prospector. Retrieved April 26, 2022, from [link removed]

“Family Leadership Training Institute of Colorado.” Family Leadership Training Institute of Colorado, [link removed].

“Statistics.” Parkinson's Foundation, [link removed].

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