SIGNED! Pair of Hinrichsen Bills to Invest in Colorado State Fair, Support Veterans Become Law
Legislation provides $4 million to update State Fair facilities, expand educational opportunities for veterans
PUEBLO, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed a pair of bipartisan bills sponsored by Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, to invest in the Colorado State Fair and support Colorado’s veterans.
SB22-134, cosponsored by Senator Don Coram, R-Montrose, provides $4 million to help implement the Colorado State Fair Master Plan, which will update and modernize the Colorado State Fair, including upgrading facilities, addressing a backlog of capital construction projects, expanding marketing capacity, and making the State Fair more resilient and sustainable.
“The Colorado State Fair is a Pueblo institution, and a critical economic driver for our community,” Hinrichsen said. “I am proud to have secured this critical funding to update the fair’s master plan, improve fairground facilities, and help ensure families can continue enjoying the Colorado State Fair for generations to come.”
According to the Master Plan, the Fair generates over $29 million annually in economic impact to the surrounding area and provides, through its 101 acres of public lands, an affordable and accessible amenity for a diverse population. A historic asset of the state, the fairgrounds are currently facing issues common to many state fairs, including aging facilities and a backlog of building deficiencies, limited funding, competing venues and operational losses.
Polis also signed HB22-1407, which will increase higher education opportunities for veterans by allowing them to audit courses without impacting class availability or accessibility for other students. Colleges that have a program or policy that allows someone to audit a course must permit a veteran to utilize the program.
“We need to ensure that the brave men and women who have served our country are set up for success and equipped with the tools necessary to transition back to civilian life,” said Hinrichsen. “As a veteran myself, I know how challenging that can be, which is why I’m proud to champion this new law that will allow more veterans to access higher education opportunities in Colorado while simultaneously working a stable job to support their financial futures.”
These college courses will teach veterans new skills, improve job placement, and refine abilities that can be applied to real world careers. Furthermore, because spots are only available for veterans if there’s extra class space, there is no need to increase per-pupil funding. This bill only applies to public colleges and universities.
The bill would allow veterans to learn a new skill or subject, fill class seats that would have otherwise been left empty, and reward veterans for their service to our country.