Governor Polis Delivers Localized State of the State Address to Business, Community, and Local Colorado Springs Leaders

COLORADO SPRINGS/PUEBLO - Today, Governor Polis delivered his localized State of the State Address to leaders in Colorado Springs. Governor Polis discussed Colorado's leadership in increasing the supply of housing people can afford, investing in a convenient transit system to save people time and money, protecting our clean air and public spaces, making our communities safer, preparing Colorado students for success, and creating a competitive business environment and workforce to foster growth and innovation.

"Over the past year, we have been laser-focused on saving people money and lowering the cost of living, and there's a lot more we need to do. Colorado needs to lead the way in building more housing that Coloradans and families can afford, expand transit options to protect our clean air, make our communities and neighborhoods safer, and much more,I look forward to the work ahead to build on our successes, keep Colorado's economy and workforce strong, and make Colorado a model of personal and economic freedom for the nation," said Governor Jared Polis.

Earlier this year, Governor Polis delivered his seventh State of the State Address to the Colorado General Assembly. Governor Polis highlighted Colorado's leadership across the board to lower the cost of living and protect the rights and freedoms of all Coloradans. He outlined work ahead to continue building more housing Coloradans can afford near jobs and transit options.

In his address, Governor Polis echoed his State of the State address to the General Assembly, and called for smart stair reform to empower builders to create apartments that fit in our neighborhoods, not just city blocks, allowing houses of worship to use the land they own to help address our housing shortage, and double down on Colorado's investment in innovative modular housing solutions.

Governor Polis also will met with AmeriCorps members in Pueblo to learn how AmeriCorps is utilizing apprenticeships and increasing opportunities for members to get credentials that prepare service members for success and strengthen our economy.

"In Colorado, we are building a future where success and good-paying jobs are available to more Coloradans through many different low-cost educational paths. Connecting Coloradans with opportunities to gain credentials and develop skills with a paid apprenticeship will strengthen our workforce and economy, and I am thrilled that AmeriCorps is doing exactly that in Pueblo and around our state," said Governor Polis.

Later today, Governor Polis will meet with Pueblo Community College President Dr. Chato Hazelbaker and will tour the school's welding labs, which were renovated in 2020. These renovations were supported by remaining state funding from SB17-267, Sustainability Of Rural Colorado. This funding helped the weld shop expand to more than 6,000 square feet and add ten new welding stations along with numerous enhanced safety features, new lighting and dedicated space for major fabrication equipment. These facilities are helping strengthen Colorado's workforce and helping more Coloradans get the skills they need to fill in-demand welding jobs.

"Strengthening our workforce and helping more Coloradans build needed skills that lead to good paying jobs is good for our communities and our economy. I applaud the work Pueblo Community College is doing to support Coloradans in working to build careers," said Governor Jared Polis.

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