January 12, 2024

Over the last ten days, the Eastern Plains in Colorado have endured severe weather and blizzard

conditions. Colorado’s farmers, livestock producers, and rural families were faced with single-

digit, below-zero temperatures, and other life-threatening conditions.

Yesterday, Governor Polis released a disaster declaration activating the Colorado State

Emergency Operations Plan to “take all necessary and appropriate state actions to assist the

affected jurisdictions with their response, recovery, and mitigation efforts.” The warning centers

Governor Polis announced can be found in counties along I-25 north of Jefferson County.

Despite our severe weather, the southern and eastern parts of our great state were ignored by this

measure.

Today I was contacted by several local officials in my counties who are struggling to assemble

limited resources to aid their communities. This is yet another stark example of the rural-urban

divide and the apparent disregard the Governor has for Rural Coloradans.

We call on Governor Polis to provide the same aid to Rural Coloradans as he gave to those in

urban areas. Governor Polis, be a governor for the whole State of Colorado.

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