Town Hall, Small Business Relief, and Vaccine Updates

In my last newsletter, I spoke about how even though the legislature was going into a brief recess, the legislature wasn't taking a vacation. The weeks since adjournment have been busy with meetings, committee hearings, and more.

To keep the momentum going, I am excited to announce my upcoming town hall with Representatives Yadira Caraveo and Kyle Mullica. The three of us are in a unique position - we are the only members of the Colorado Legislature that are both lawmakers and frontline healthcare workers. Join us on February 8th at 6 pm for a conversation about the pandemic, and the upcoming legislative session! RSVP HERE.

As the Senator for District 3, investing in Pueblo's future is my biggest priority. That is why when I learned that Pueblo Community College is receiving over $2 million in grants to continue their hard work, I was ecstatic. PCC has been putting in a truly massive amount of work to make sure that students in rural parts of the state have the same educational opportunities as students in cities. This money is crucial in continuing education for teachers, improving technology, and expanding access to even more students. 

This news isn't just exciting to me as a Senator - it is exciting to me as a faculty member at Pueblo Community College. I am immensely proud to be an EMS instructor at the college, and am thrilled to see that the hard work of colleagues is being recognized here at the capitol. 

As we approach the one year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, we also move closer to the finish line. Vaccines are being distributed all throughout the state and Pueblo County has administered over 13,000 vaccines in our community. It was announced on Friday afternoon that the state is expanding vaccine access. On February 8th, people over the age of 65, teachers, and other essential workers will be eligible to get the vaccine. As the roll out continues, please keep an eye on local news, the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Pueblo Department of Public Health for updates. If you are eligible under these phases, please make sure you have signed up on the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment's alert system. If you have any questions, explore the links below or feel free to contact my office. 

The next round of CARES Act Economic Recovery Grants are now available in Pueblo. I grew up in my parents' beauty salon here in Pueblo, and it taught me that Pueblo's small businesses are the backbone of our community. If your small business is struggling, please consider applying for one of these grants. 

Even though the legislature is in recess, my office is ready to assist you however you need If you have any issues, comments, questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office. You can contact us via phone at 303-866-4878 and by email at senleroygarcia@gmail.com.