Election Security, Food Deserts, and Talking with Dr. Fauci
As a Marine, I consistently voted by mail when I served overseas, and I quickly learned that voting by mail is a safe and convenient way to ensure that your voice is heard. That is why I proudly cast my yes vote as a member of the Colorado House in support of the 2013 bill to expand vote by mail and increase voter turn out. In the years since the Voter Action and Modernized Election Act passed, Coloradans throughout the state learned the same lesson I learned while deployed to Iraq - voting by mail is safe, convenient and nonpartisan.
Yesterday, I met with fellow Pueblo leaders to tour our election center and discuss the systems in place to protect our right to vote. Thanks to a number of safeguards and the diligent work of county clerks across Colorado and our Secretary of State, Colorado has a demonstrated history of holding successful elections using vote by mail. I am confident that we can expect this trend of integrity and safety to continue this fall and any attacks on the safety of this method and attempts to sabotage the USPS won't be successful. Voting rights shouldn't be partisan - here in Pueblo and across the state, we know that voting is an essential part of our democracy. Regardless of which party you support, I encourage you to take the time to double check your voter registration and make a plan to vote this November. Learn more at the Elections Division within the Pueblo County Clerk and Recorder's Office. |
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“I think we have to be looking in this direction in the midst of this pandemic. And as we heard today, it’s reliable, it’s safe, it’s protected, it’s validated. It’s all the things we care about,” said state Senate President Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo. Read more from the Pueblo Chieftain here.
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Feeding Pueblo: Creative Solutions to Food Deserts
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Too  many communities in Colorado and in Pueblo suffer from inadequate access to fresh and healthy food. In these areas, commonly referred to as food deserts, people have to travel for miles before they finally reach a grocery store. After visiting the Colorado-based startup, FarmBox Foods, I feel optimistic that we can work together to ensure communities can achieve food independence for all their residents.
When paired with traditional agriculture, urban farming models like the one used at FarmBox Foods can provide a sustainable option for communities to grow and distribute their own food locally. In spaces as small as 320 square feet, thousands of people can eat healthy produce year-round. Learn more about my visit with FarmBox Foods here. |
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COVID-19 Health and Economic Recovery Policy Forum with Dr. Anthony Fauci
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At the end of July, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in a policy panel with with Dr. Anthony Fauci and other leaders from across the country to discuss the pandemic's impact on the Hispanic community. Hearing the perspective of other legislators across the country about their state's response to the pandemic was educational and enlightening as we look towards the next legislative session. Conversing with Dr. Fauci about his important work on the pandemic response as well as the path towards developing a vaccine was an honor and similarly inspiring. COVID-19 has impacted every Coloradan in some way shape or form and navigating this crisis will likely be something we must focus on for years to come. Though this task is a daunting one, it is conversations like this one that always inspire me and fill me with hope for the future. Thank you to The National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) for inviting me to participate in this forum, and thank you to all of my fellow participants for the discussion. You can learn more about NHCSL here.
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Colorado Latino Leadership Council
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I am extremely proud to announce that I have been selected to co-chair the newly formed Colorado Latino Leadership Council. Making up nearly 20% of the population, the Latino community is a non negotiable part of American life and unless we value their unique perspective, a truly unified country will never be realized. The goal of this council is to engage, educate and mobilize Latino voters across the state so Latino voices can be heard in a new and more meaningful way. Learn more about the formation of this committee here.
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Even though the 2020 legislative session has concluded, our work is not done. If you have any questions, concerns, or issues you need support on, feel free to call my office at 303-866-4878 or email us at senleroygarcia@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
Leroy Garcia
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