Governor Polis Delivers CMU Commencement Addresses, & Signs Bills into Law in Grand Junction, Clifton, Rifle, Glenwood Springs, and Eagle County

GRAND JUNCTION - Today, Governor Polis delivered commencement addresses to the graduating class of Colorado Mesa University and is signing legislation into law in Grand Junction, Clifton, Rifle, Edwards, Glenwood Springs and Eagle County. 

“I was proud to congratulate the CMU Class of 2023 on their exciting graduation this morning in Grand Junction, and to sign legislation that makes bold investments in Colorado now and for the future, making sure that these young leaders can continue to grow in our great state. From providing good-paying jobs in the fields that will power the future, to cutting red tape and saving people money on behavioral health services, to reducing barriers to more housing now, we are building a Colorado for All where people can thrive now and for generations to come,” said Gov. Polis. 

This morning in Grand Junction, Governor Polis signed HB23-1260 Advanced Industry and Semiconductor Manufacturing Incentives sponsored by Representatives Matt Soper and Alex Valdez, Senators Mark Baisley and Kevin Priola to strategically position Colorado to maximize federal funding from the CHIPS act, continuing to create good-paying jobs and boost Colorado’s innovative advanced manufacturing sector.

“This bipartisan law positions Colorado to compete for national funding under the CHIPS Act and attract more good jobs to Colorado,” said Gov. Jared Polis

At the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range, Governor Polis signed the bipartisan SB23-275 Colorado Wild Horse Project sponsored by Senators Joann Ginal and Perry Will, Representatives Mike Lynch and Monica Duran to ensure that Colorado’s iconic wild horse herds will have a humane and sustainable future in Colorado. This legislation  sets a national example for how the state, ranchers, advocates, local communities, conservationists and federal land managers can work together to achieve outcomes that benefit communities and the majestic wild horses.  

In Rifle, Governor Polis signed legislation into law to boost Colorado’s strong economy in rural communities, with SB23-006 Creation Of The Rural Opportunity Office sponsored by Senators Dylan Roberts and Janice Rich, Representatives Barbara McLachlan and Marc Catlin. The Rural Opportunity Office serves as a hub connecting rural small businesses to key resources, continuing to bring good-paying jobs to Coloradans.

Governor Polis also signed HB23-1247 Assess Advanced Energy Solutions In Rural Colorado sponsored by Representative Meghan Lukens and Ty Winter, Senators Dylan Roberts and Rod Pelton in Rifle to continue Colorado’s nation-leading work in clean energy, including by maximizing investments in advanced energy technologies in Southeast and Northwest Colorado. 

In Glenwood Springs, Governor Polis signed the bipartisan SB23-295 Colorado River Drought Task Force sponsored by Senators Dylan Roberts and Perry Will, Representatives Julie McCluskie and Marc Catlin to build upon the Polis administration’s ongoing work to preserve and protect Colorado’s precious water resources, and to continue Colorado’s leadership addressing Colorado River challenges. 

Governor Polis also signed the bipartisan HB23-1265 Born To Be Wild Special License Plate sponsored by Representatives Meghan Lukens and Elizabeth Velasco, Senators Janice Marchman and Perry Will. This new license plate will bring consistent funding to provide training, and equipment for non-lethal conflict measures to support voter-approved gray wolf introduction into Colorado, helping to prevent conflicts with livestock while also advancing wolf recovery. 

At Eagle Valley Behavioral Health, Governor Polis signed legislation to save people money on behavioral health services, cut red tape, and increase access to needed services, including with SB23-174 Access To Certain Behavioral Health Services sponsored by Senators Chris Kolker and Bob Gardner, Representatives Meghan Lukens and Ty Winter and HB23-1268 Private Treatment for Out-of-state Defendant sponsored by Representatives Meghan Lukens and Gabe Evans, Senators Dylan Roberts and Byron Pelton. 

At Dowd Junction, Governor Polis will sign SB23-001 Authority Of Public-private Collaboration Unit For Housing sponsored by Senators Dylan Roberts and Rachel Zenzinger, Representatives Shannon Bird and Megan Lukens to expand housing opportunities by utilizing underused state land for much-needed housing projects.