SAN LUIS VALLEY — Governor Jared Polis, in a collaborative effort with State Representative Matt Martinez and State Senator Cleave Simpson, signed into law, HB25-1023-Local Government Review of Fencing Projects, HB25-1288-Support for Federally Qualified Health Centers, and HB25-11222-Preserving Access to Rural Independent Pharmacies. 

The first signing ceremony took place at the San Luis Community Park. Martinez and Simpson were the proud sponsors of all the legislation. 

The legislation regarding the review of fencing projects gives municipalities like Costilla County the ability to fight large projects. For Costilla, the issue is the eight-foot fence around the privately owned Cielo Vista Ranch. Polis told Costilla County Commissioner Lorrie Quintana about the fence, "If they can't migrate and can't get through, that hurts every Coloradoan." 

Rep. Martinez told the crowd of about 100 people, "This is something I wanted to get involved in and be able to do right by our people and bring this to the state legislature."  

Martinez continued, "It was my honor and privilege to carry this bill and educate my fellow colleagues on how important this issue is for not only the San Luis Valley but also the state. This was passed with bipartisan support. It has been the honor of my life to be able to carry this."  

Polis also made a stop in Alamosa at Frosty Acres Rolled Ice Cream to discuss the impact possible tariffs may have on agriculture. The discussion included the question of the uncertainty that more expensive components may have on agriculture producers. 

Saguache County Rancher George Whitten said, "The uncertainty is taking a toll." 

The conversation shifted to how this unknown is impacting farmers’ and ranchers' well-being. Regarding the efforts the CDA has implemented to assist the ag community with mental health issues, Polis told the Valley Courier, "This is a new area for the Department of Ag (Colorado Department of Agriculture/CDA). Ten years ago, there really wasn't that access to mental health. For many people in production, CDA is going to be the main contact that they have with the state. We want to make sure we better meet their needs. Water, wolves, tariffs, people in ag are feeling a lot of stress." 

Bethany Howell with CDA added, "We have been really fortunate to have many partners across the state. The Ag Well and AgrAbility program; these programs have been instrumental in setting the groundwork."

At Valley-Wide Health in Alamosa, before signing legislation supporting Federally Qualified Health Centers and supporting rural independent pharmacies, Polis said, “There are many rural communities where there is only one pharmacy for half an hour to an hour...of course, pharmacies are critical to protecting our independent small pharmacies, which in turn help preserve access to care for Coloradans. We want to make sure we are fighting back against irresponsible policies that drive small pharmacies out of business." 

Simpson said, "Anything we can do to support rural Colorado and access to affordable, quality healthcare, count me in. I was born in that building right there, and trying to keep rural Colorado relevant at the state is really my highest priority."