Bennet Visits Minturn, Hayden, and Craig to Hear From Communities On Critical Federally Funded Projects

Statement

Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet visited Minturn, Hayden, and Craig this week to learn more about how federal funding he helped secure through the Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) process will support important projects in these communities.

"The Congressionally Directed Spending process was an opportunity for Coloradans -- a lot of them from communities that have felt completely invisible to Washington in recent years -- to tell Congress directly about the challenges they face," said Bennet. "After decades of Washington cutting taxes for the wealthy and hoping it will trickle down to families in Colorado, Washington is investing directly in our communities again. The projects I saw -- from increasing child care options in Hayden to improving access to clean water in Minturn to rebuilding the courthouse in Craig -- will help spur economic growth in these communities."

In Minturn, the town will use $1 million in federal funding to help construct a new water tank for the community, which will help lower water costs, increase water quality, and secure the area's water supply. In addition, it will help combat wildfires and support the development of affordable housing. In Hayden, the town will use over $2.8 million to expand a child care facility and create cultural arts and technology spaces at the old high school, now called The Hayden Center. Bennet ended his day in Craig to see how Moffat County will use over $4.6 million to renovate an old K-Mart building into a new courthouse and county building after years of safety and security concerns about the aging Moffat County courthouse.

"We are in the process of upgrading our entire water system in Minturn. The federal grant funding that Senator Bennet secured allows us to begin the first phase of this process, which is the construction of a new 600,000 gallon water tank. Having this new water system will help keep the cost of water down for current residents and allow us to direct funds to other projects, such as building more affordable housing like the Eagle County School District workforce housing project at Maloit Park for teachers and staff," said Mayor Earle Bidez.

"As the Mayor of Hayden, I would like to personally thank Senator Bennet for his dedication to Northwest Colorado, specifically for fighting to get Hayden this CDS request, which will complete the Hayden Center three years ahead of schedule. This CDS allocation allows us to leverage multiple other grants for the project, expand childcare, start a new arts and culture scene, have indoor recreational opportunities, and open up tourism to Hayden. Without this funding we would still be piecing this project together. The Town of Hayden thanks Senator Bennet for representing all of Colorado and fighting for this investment in Hayden, which will improve the quality of life in Hayden," said Mayor Zach Wuestewald.

"We are sincerely thankful for Senator Bennet's tremendous effort to secure $4.65 million dollars in federal grant funding to help Moffat County renovate an old Kmart building in Craig into a new courthouse and county building. The new facility combines the departments from 6 buildings into one, providing services to the public that are functional, efficient, safe, and secure. The future economic growth of Moffat County depends on being able to provide adequate public services," said Melody Villard, Moffat County Commissioner.

Source