Rep. Salazar Secures Funds for Conduit to Ark Valley
By Bob Bauserman
"Water is the lifeblood of rural communities." That's something you will regularly hear from U.S. Rep. John Salazar of Colorado.
Those words echo the natural understanding a farmer has for the importance water. But when combined with the experience of an effective legislator, those words have become an especially powerful, driving force behind real change and support for rural Colorado.
A fellow farmer, John and I worked together on shaping water policy.
We all know that then-state Rep. John Salazar, D-Manassa, built a coalition to fight the billion-dollar boondoggle Referendum A and stopped rural water from being sent to the metro areas.
But in just six months, U.S. Rep. Salazar has built a solid reputation for working across the aisle to do what's best for rural communities, proving that his fight to defend rural water will be a lifelong effort. This last week alone serves as a great example of his dedication to rural water.
Understanding our community's need for access to clean water, Rep. Salazar specifically pushed for a seat on the powerful House Transportation Committee, so that he could shape the Water and Resources Development Act.
With the regular pollution of the Fountain Creek, a clean water project like the Arkansas Valley Conduit is ever more needed.
Rep. Salazar began the push for the Arkansas Valley Conduit in his first few days in Congress, working every angle to bring home funds for the project.
His effort on behalf of our communities was rewarded this past Thursday. The conduit has been stalled for several sessions of Congress. But because of Rep. Salazar's efforts with his Senate and House colleagues - Democrat and Republican alike - he was able to secure nearly $70 million in funding to finally jump start the project.
In this increasingly partisan environment, having a Democrat willing to work across the aisle and build bridges with his colleagues has proven to be invaluable for the Arkansas Valley.
Rep. Salazar is working directly with his colleagues, to stop Colorado Springs' pollution of Fountain Creek. He is building bridges where needed, but stands firm on his ground, never compromising the community he represents.
The communities of the Arkansas Valley have been well rewarded for their trust in our congressman, John Salazar.
Bob Bauserman is an Otero County commissioner and a resident of La Junta.
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