Community Project Funding
Title: San Luis Valley Potato Cold Storage Facility
Proposed recipient: Colorado State University
Amount Requested: $2,000,000
Subcommittee: THUD
Explanation: Funding would be used to rebuild the San Luis Valley Potato Cold Storage Facility, which plays a critical community and economic role in the San Luis Valley (SLV). The project is a responsible use of taxpayer funds since the facility plays a pivotal role in supporting agricultural research for Colorado's potato industry, which spans approximately 53,000 acres predominantly situated in the SLV and sustains over 4,000 jobs within the state. The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized in Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, 7 U.S. Code section 1926(a).
Title: Manassa Police Department Technology Improvement and Community Policing Project
Proposed recipient: Town of Manassa
Amount Requested: $573,500
Subcommittee: CJS
Explanation: Funding would be used to upgrade the Manassa Police Department’s technology and equipment, including body cams, tasers, video cameras and radio equipment. The project is a responsible use of taxpayer funds since the upgraded equipment will assist with crime prevention in the Town of Manassa and nearby communities, while improving police-community relations. The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes described in section 1701(b)(8) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. § 10381(b)(8)).
Title: Veterans Enhanced Transportation Services Project
Proposed recipient: Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center
Amount Requested: $450,000
Subcommittee: Agriculture-FDA
Explanation: Funding would be used to purchase two state-of-the-art disability accessible vehicles for the Spanish Peaks Veterans Community Living Center. The project is a responsible use of taxpayer funds since these vehicles will improve accessibility to healthcare services and provide safe transportation for the center’s residents, helping meet veteran patient demand. The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized in Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, 7 U.S. Code section 1926(a).
Title: Pueblo County Drinking Water Quality for Citizens
Proposed recipient: Pueblo County Government
Amount Requested: $1,000,000
Subcommittee: Interior
Explanation: Funding would be used to improve drinking water quality and assist towards the costs of replacing piping, water tanks, dam repairs and a much-needed processing plant. The project is a responsible use of taxpayer funds since this funding is needed to make infrastructure improvements necessary for providing Pueblo County residents and tourists clean, safe drinking water. The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes described in Section 1452 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. 300j-12.
Title: Aspen-Pitkin County Airport Terminal Modernization
Proposed recipient: Pitkin County Government
Amount Requested: $5,000,000
Subcommittee: THUD
Explanation: Funding would be used to support construction of a new terminal, including construction and infrastructure materials, as well as activities. The project is a responsible use of taxpayer funds since the Aspen Airport supports both commercial service and diverse general aviation activity, making it a critical facility bolstering economic impact for the region and for Colorado. The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by 49 U.S.C. 47100 et seq.
Title: Upper Pine River Community Room Project
Proposed recipient: Upper Pine River Special Fire District
Amount Requested: $1,000,000
Subcommittee: THUD
Explanation: Funding would be used to support the construction and outfitting of a Community Room within the Upper Pine River Special Fire District’s facility in Bayfield. The Community Room will be available to the public for use as an emergency shelter, pop-up health clinic, public meeting space, and educational venue. The project is a responsible use of taxpayer funds as this The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized in 42 U.S.C. 5305(a)(2).
Title: Douglas Wash Detention Basin Project
Proposed recipient: Mesa County Public Works
Amount Requested: $1,000,000
Subcommittee: Homeland Security
Explanation: Funding would be used to construct two strategically designed detention ponds that will effectively manage 100-year flood events. The project is a responsible use of taxpayer funds since it will protect residential and agricultural properties from the recurring and costly impacts of flooding, enhancing the safety and well-being of residents living and working in the affected areas and improving the overall resilience of Mesa County to natural disasters. The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by section 203 of the Stafford Act (42 U.S.C. 5133), as amended by Section 1234, National Public Infrastructure Pre-Disaster Hazard Mitigation, of the Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA) of 2018.
Title: Norwood Redundant Water Line Project
Proposed recipient: Norwood Water Commission
Amount Requested: $5,000,000
Subcommittee: Interior
Explanation: Funding would be used to install a redundant water line in the Town of Norwood, providing critical upgrades to their aging water infrastructure. The project is a responsible use of taxpayer funds since the project will ensure safe drinking water for residents and reduce public health risks. The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized in Section 1452 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. 300j-12.
Title: La Jara Water Tower and Pipeline Upgrade Project
Proposed recipient: Town of La Jara
Amount Requested: $10,000,000
Subcommittee: Agriculture-FDA
Explanation: Funding would be used to construct a new water tower and replace aging piping within the Town that will allow the Town’s water system to function properly. The project is a responsible use of taxpayer funds since this project would eliminate the health hazard of having the majority of the Town’s pipe material be Asbestos Cement pipe. The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized in Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, 7 U.S. Code section 1926(a).
Title: Garfield County Drug Testing Public Safety Initiative
Proposed recipient: City of Rifle
Amount Requested: $400,770
Subcommittee: CJS
Explanation: Funding would be used to purchase and deploy hand-held spectroscopy devices for drug testing, reducing risk to law enforcement officers and first responders. The project is a responsible use of taxpayer funds since a limited federal investment of $400,770 will promote the safety of officers, first responders, and the general public in Garfield County, the City of Rifle, the City of Glenwood Springs, and the Towns of Parachute, Silt, New Castle, and Carbondale. The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes described in section 1701(b)(8) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. § 10381(b)(8)).
Title: Pueblo Rest Area at Exit 108
Proposed recipient: Colorado Department of Transportation
Amount Requested: $2,000,000
Subcommittee: THUD
Explanation: Funding would be used to complete a new rest area as part of the ongoing Exit 108 interchange construction project to meet new and future community needs and improve resilience to extreme weather. The project is a responsible use of taxpayer funds since the Pueblo area has been without a rest area since 2020, when CDOT was forced to shut down the existing stop because the water system failed. The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by 23 USC 133.
Title: De Beque Secondary Water Source
Proposed recipient: Town of De Beque
Amount Requested: $320,000
Subcommittee: Interior
Explanation: Funding would be used to develop a secondary water source that will provide a reliable backup supply during times when the Colorado River, its primary source, experiences high turbidity due to seasonal runoff. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because this project benefits the public by ensuring continuous access to safe, clean drinking water, even when the river’s sediment levels overwhelm the existing treatment system. The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by Section 1452 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. 300j-12.
Title: Rangely Airport Terminal Hangar/Lab Renovation
Proposed recipient: Colorado Northwestern Community College/Rio Blanco County
Amount Requested: $642,687
Subcommittee: THUD
Explanation: Funding would be used to renovate the 2,808 sf Hayes Building (Airport Terminal), as well as the 6,000 sf Simulation Lab/Hangar, which serves as CNCC’s main hangar and classroom space. The project is a responsible use of taxpayer funds as this facility is used by Rio Blanco County community members, including local and regional pilots, flight students, and county/college employees. Additionally, the airport often supports wildland firefighting efforts by hosting aircraft and providing logistical support. The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized in 42 U.S.C. 5305(a)(4).
Title: Mesa County E Road Phase III Project
Proposed recipient: Mesa County Public Works
Amount Requested: $3,000,000
Subcommittee: THUD
Explanation: Funding would be used to support the construction of critical road and safety infrastructure by widening E Road, adding sidewalks, and providing drainage improvements. The project is a responsible use of taxpayer funds since the project will improve access to critical daily destinations and improve transportation safety for all roadway users in Clifton, CO. The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by 23 USC 133.
Title: Patrick A. Lucero Public Library Renovation and Expansion Project
Proposed recipient: Patrick A. Lucero Public Library
Amount Requested: $1,000,000
Subcommittee: THUD
Explanation: Funding would be used to renovate and expand the existing library to better serve the Eastside community in Pueblo. The project is a responsible use of taxpayer funds since the expansion will help the library accommodate their high volume of visitors and allow them to serve more of the Eastside community with their comprehensive programming. The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by 42 U.S.C. 5305(a)(4).