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

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Dear Southern Colorado,

As some of you may know, this is my last year as a State Representative. I began my tenure in the House back in 2016. In the time since, I’ve championed legislation to support rural Colorado, from implementing telehealth legislation to helping farmers and ranchers.

While public service is inherently messy- full of debates and conversations- I’ve always kept the needs of House District 62 at the center of my decision-making and worked to bridge the divide between rural and urban.

I want to extend my deep appreciation for putting your trust in me these past six years. It has been an immense honor to represent my community in the Colorado House of Representatives, and I will be forever grateful. As we look to the future, I hope you continue to share your opinions, questions, and concerns with leaders at all levels of government.

The voice of rural Colorado matters, so use it and speak up.

Donald
Snowpack Levels & Drought Conditions

According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, "Currently, as of 12:00 a.m. on May 11, snowpack statewide is 66 percent of median".

Bill Highlights:
SB 22-118: Encourage Geothermal Energy Use

This session, Representatives Valdez and Holtorf passed a bill to put geothermal energy on equal footing with solar by capping installation fees and classifying it as a type of pollution control equipment.

Geothermal energy is a reliable source of renewable energy. Unfortunately, it's vastly underused in Colorado. According to the U.S Department of Energy, Colorado has an abundance of geothermal resources, including the entire San Luis Valley. This bill will make sure we use these resources to become a cleaner, more sustainable state. Read more about SB 22-118 using this link ([link removed]) .

Representatives Valdez and Holtorf after their geothermal bill passed the House

HB 22-1231: Foster Parent Bill of Rights

HB 22-1231 increases rights for foster parents, including the right to receive training, timely financial reimbursements, and clear descriptions of their expectations. This legislation will make life easier for Colorado’s foster parents by ensuring they receive the support they deserve. These people have dedicated themselves to a truly noble cause, and the state government ought to support them however it can. To read more about this bill, click here ([link removed].) .

HB 22-1012: Wildfire Mitigation and Recovery
HB 22-1012 allocates roughly $7 million to help communities recover from wildfires. This bill is an important step in ensuring counties have adequate resources to prevent and recover from wildfires in a way that reduces the carbon footprint on our atmosphere. HB 22-1012 creates a plan for recovery and helps to restore our state’s ecosystem. As wildfires become more frequent and destructive, the state government must provide our communities with the tools to rebuild.
HB 22-1007: Assistance Landowner Wildfire Mitigation

HB 22-1007 creates a grant program to support outreach efforts to landowners in high wildfire hazard areas and creates a state income tax credit to help landowner’s make their properties more defensible. These efforts could include removing debris and protecting windows. Colorado continues to get hotter and drier, we ought to give the most at-risk people the resources to make their communities and properties safer.

Representative Valdez chairing the House of Representatives

HB 22-1053: Blockchain Agriculture And Uniform Commercial Code

This legislation will modernize our state’s agriculture industry by teaching farmers how to implement blockchain technology in their daily practices. For context, this bill was created based on the finding from the “Blockchain Advisory Group”, a group appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture in 2019. After extensive research, the committee highlighted potential applications for blockchain in the agriculture industry. This bill follows through on the committee's work by putting their recommendations into statute.

Representative Valdez knows first-hand the unique set of challenges faced by farmers and ranchers- from supply chain shortages to drier climates- and it’s vital we do everything we can to help them succeed.

HB 22-1407: Veterans Audit Higher Education Courses

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, and it doesn’t qualify them for academic credit. It is also important to note that this bill will not impact class availability/accessibility for tuition-paying students. Veterans who take advantage of this program can only audit courses with available class space.

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.
SB 22-195: Modifications To Conservation Districts Grant Fund
SB 22-195 will continue funding Colorado’s seventy-five conservation districts for the foreseeable future. Conservation districts play a vital role in the responsible management of our state’s natural resources. As a farmer and rancher, I understand the urgency with which we must conserve our water and protect our natural landscapes. This bill will ensure we can meet these challenges head-on and prepare Colorado for the future.

Representative Valdez talking about the importance of conservation districts

Additional Session Victories:
A Historic State Budget:

SB 22-028: Groundwater Compact Compliance Fund

Senate Bill 22-028 will allocate $60 million in federal funds to retire wells and finance reductions in groundwater use, especially for the Rio Grande River Basin. This bill will directly benefit farmers and ranchers in the San Luis Valley by helping them manage their water, and I look forward to seeing the tangible impact of this policy.
HB 22-1151: Turf Replacement Program
HB 22-1151 will help save money and water by replacing irrigated turf with “water-wise landscaping”. It’s not just the agriculture industry that has to play a role in the conservation of water, urban areas do too. This bill will go a long way in helping conserve water and relieve the burden on our farmers and ranchers. To read more about HB 22-1151, click here ([link removed]) .
Putting Federal Funds To Use:

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." The application process is closed, but it's never too early to start preparing for next year.

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." This application has a rolling deadline.

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."

Colorado Department of Agriculture: ([link removed])
Click this link to learn more about the Colorado Department of Agriculture and their work to help rural Colorado.
Behavioral Healthcare Resources:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: ([link removed])
The SAMHSA aims to help those suffering from substance abuse and mental illness

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: ([link removed])
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides confidential support for those in distress

I Matter: ([link removed])
Created by House Bill 22-1258, I Matter provides parents and youth with mental health resources

National Institute of Mental Health: ([link removed])
The National Institute of Mental Health connects people with a variety of resources to improve their mental health and receive immediate help.
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

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

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