Congressman Salazar and Senator Bennet meet with VA Secretary to push for Southern Colorado Veterans Cemetery

Salazar and Bennet say the meeting was promising

WASHINGTON, DC – Following a meeting today with U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki, Congressman John Salazar and Senator Michael Bennet say they are optimistic about the likelihood of bringing a Veterans Cemetery to Southern Colorado. For many years, Colorado congressional members have been working to construct a national cemetery in Southern Colorado. Today, Congressman Salazar and Senator Bennet met with Secretary Shinseki specifically to discuss the effort to create a much needed Veterans Cemetery. According to all three, the meeting was productive.  

“I am enthusiastic about Secretary Shinseki’s willingness to explore every option in serving our nation’s rural veterans,” said Congressman Salazar.  “Senator Bennet and I have communicated the urgency of having a VA cemetery in Southern Colorado.  Our 150,000 veterans and their families need a site that is accessible.  I will continue to work to make it clear that the absence of a cemetery in Southern Colorado punishes our rural veterans for choosing to be buried close to the small towns where they live.”

Senator Bennet has been a strong supporter of the Veterans Cemetery effort since coming to Congress. He offered the following comment on today’s meeting.

“For years, folks in Southern Colorado have been fighting to create a national Veterans Cemetery to call their own,” he said.  “It’s time Washington delivered.  Today’s meeting with Secretary Shinseki was a step in the right direction, but Congressman Salazar and I won’t give up until we have delivered on the promise to Southern Colorado’s veterans and their families.”

Secretary Shinseki offered the following comment on today’s meeting:


“I appreciate Senator Bennet and Congressman Salazar’s strong and steadfast advocacy on behalf of Colorado’s Veterans and desire for a national cemetery in southern Colorado.  I look forward to working with them to better serve our Nation’s Veterans.”