Nearly a Half-A-Billion-Dollars in Pork Delivered to Colorado

Colorado is leading the pack with a whopping $496 million in federal funding for infrastructure projects and programs.

These taxpayer dollars are all part of the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, passed in 2021, sold to the American people as much-needed support to our vital national infrastructure.

Of course, Colorado is in desperate need of infrastructure investment after much neglect.

According to data from the U.S. Department of Interior, Colorado is receiving the lion's share of funds in the Mountain West region, with a staggering $496 million.

The biggest single grant, a whopping $167 million, is going towards the construction of a new Energy and Minerals Research Center at the prestigious Colorado School of Mines. With a total cost of $240 million, the remaining funding will be taken care of by the U.S. Geological Survey. Once completed, this state-of-the-art facility will house both school researchers and USGS experts, cementing Colorado's position as a leader in scientific innovation.

Colorado is also receiving $627,000 for important programs aimed at reconnaissance and inventory of critical minerals.

Water resources are another top priority, with a whopping $248 million going towards 18 projects focused on addressing drought, improving infrastructure, and developing new water and irrigation systems.

The Arkansas Valley Conduit, a vital 130-mile pipeline serving 40 communities, is receiving $160 million in infrastructure funds. This $600 million project, funded by both federal and local funds, broke ground just this past April and is already making a huge impact in ensuring our state's water needs are met.

In addition to these important water projects, there are also 22 grants totaling $6.4 million for ecosystem restoration. This includes funding for fish screens on the upper Colorado River, habitat restoration for the upper Animas River and the San Miguel Wet Meadow, and the important work of the Gunnison Basin restoration program.

Plus, the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge, south of Boulder, will receive $435,000 for crucial hazard mitigation efforts.

Arizona may have just slightly edged us out with $504 million in infrastructure funds, but Colorado is still leading the charge in terms of wildfire management. We are receiving almost $100 million for this important cause, with a generous $13.1 million coming our way.