Se Colorado News

U.S. Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-03) introduced the “Finish the AVC Act” today, aiming to complete the Arkansas Valley Conduit (AVC), a significant infrastructure project intended to provide clean water access to tens of thousands of residents in Southeast Colorado. U.S. Congressman Greg Lopez (CO-04) co-sponsors the bill, which proposes eliminating interest payments for non-federal costs and extending the repayment period from 50 to 100 years. Identical legislation has been introduced in the Senate by U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper.

“Southeast Coloradans have been waiting for decades for the completion of the Arkansas Valley Conduit and the Finish the AVC Act will help local governments finally finish this major project,” said Congresswoman Boebert. “Rural families and businesses need access to clean, sustainable water they can depend on every day. It’s time we get the AVC done for Colorado, and I look forward to working with Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper to getting this bill through both chambers of Congress.”

The Arkansas Valley Conduit is projected to supply water to approximately 50,000 residents across 39 communities in Pueblo, Otero, Bent, Kiowa, Prowers, and Baca Counties once completed. Initially approved in 1962, progress on the project stalled due to local communities' inability to cover full costs. The Finish the AVC Act aims to mitigate these financial challenges by removing interest payments amid rising inflation that has escalated construction costs from an estimated $640 million in 2019 to over $1.3 billion.

“This bill will ensure the federal government makes good on its promise to Southeastern Coloradans to deliver a safe and reliable water supply,” stated Senator Bennet. “We have invested over $300 million to build the Arkansas Valley Conduit over the past decade and now we must ensure increased costs don’t stop this project in its tracks.”

“Water has been the lifeblood of Colorado’s Arkansas River Valley since long before JFK promised to deliver them clean drinking water,” remarked Senator Hickenlooper. “Sixty years later, our bill will help Southeastern Colorado communities harness their resources to get the job done.”

State Senator Rod Pelton emphasized economic aspects: “This bill is needed to help the Arkansas Valley Conduit be economical enough to supply clean drinking water to communities in the lower Arkansas Valley.”

State House Assistant Minority Leader Ty Winter expressed support: “As someone who represents the communities that will directly benefit from the Arkansas Valley Conduit, I am proud to support efforts... Access to clean water is not a luxury; it is a necessity... The Finish the AVC Act is a vital step towards fulfilling a promise made decades ago.”

Bill Long, President of Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District added: “This is another very important step for people of Lower Arkansas Valley who have struggled... This legislation is absolutely necessary... We are grateful for our entire congressional delegation stepping up.”

Full text of Rep. Boebert’s House legislation can be found HERE.

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