Governor Polis Visits Southwest Colorado

SOUTHWEST COLORADO - Today Governor Jared Polis traveled across Southwest Colorado, making stops in Manassa, Durango, Ignacio and Towaoc.

“Part of powering the Colorado comeback includes hearing directly from Coloradans in communities across the state and learning right from them about the issues they’re facing. Southwest Colorado plays such an important role in our state’s economy and our culture and I was thrilled for the opportunity to hit the road and hear from folks face to face,” said Governor Jared Polis. “For vaccinated Coloradans, this pandemic, in many ways, is in the rearview mirror. But for those who haven’t yet been protected from this virus, you’re just weeks away from that same experience. It’s going to take each and every one of us working together to ensure our state can build back even stronger and that means rolling up our sleeves to get this life saving vaccine.”

Gov. Polis began the day in Alamosa at Friday Health Plans, a health care insurance company that is hiring for hundreds of positions in the San Luis Valley. The Governor then went to Manassa to join former Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg for a roundtable conversation with local agriculture stakeholders on regional water and agricultural issues. The Governor then joined Secretary Salazar and other local officials, including U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper, Rep. Don Valdez, and more, for the Rio Grande Natural Area ribbon cutting ceremony. The ceremony was held to unveil new signage informing the public about the history, ecology and recreational opportunities along the southern most reach of the Rio Grande in Colorado.

Governor Polis speaking with several people while standing by a wooden fence in a field of flowers.

Governor Polis speaking to a crowd gathered by a dirt road.

In Durango, the Governor joined La Plata County Commissioners and Durango City Council members for lunch at Carver Brewing Company and then headed to Fort Lewis College to host a bill signing ceremony for HB21-1151, Indian Tribes To Certify Own Foster Homes.

The Governor ended the day in Ignacio and Towaoc meeting with tribal leaders from the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute Indian Tribes.

Governor Polis posing for a picture with tribal leaders from the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute Indian Tribes.

Tribal leader pinning a scarf around Governor Polis' neck.