Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ashley Palacios with Hope House Colorado for winning the Arvada Chamber of Commerce's Young Professional Leadership Award.

The Young Professional Leadership Award recognizes an Arvada young professional whose leadership and dedication has impacted the world around them.

Ashley is the Director of Operations at Hope House Colorado, an Arvada-based resource center and housing provider for teen mothers and their children. She is currently working to help open their Early Learning Center to give more opportunities to kids in the community. Relentless and compassionate, Ashley has also been a dedicated volunteer tutor with at-risk youth with Whiz Kids for twelve years, as well as a youth soccer coach.

On behalf of the people of Colorado's Seventh Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate Ashley on her award and thank her for all she does to support young people in our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Heather Fiedler of Arvada, Colorado, for winning the Image Award from the Arvada Chamber of Commerce.

The Arvada Chamber issues the Image Award to exceptional individuals who have a demonstrated commitment to the Arvada community and its public image.

For over 10 years, Heather has been an active member of the Arvada Community Garden, leading their efforts to provide fresh food, community, and gardening education to all Arvadans. She also plays a primary role in the Garrison Garden Paseo project and teaches over fifteen gardening classes every year to over four hundred attendees. Heather's hard work and dedication to the Arvada gardening community has fed and enriched the lives of hundreds of citizens and visitors alike. This award is a true testament to the leadership Heather has displayed as a gardener and leader in Arvada.

On behalf of the people of Colorado's Seventh Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate Heather Fiedler for winning the Image Award and thank her for her contributions to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Normalee Lee of Arvada, Colorado for winning the Arvada Chamber of Commerce's Image Award.

Normalee has spent years working to make Jefferson County a better and safer place to live. She has volunteered in all divisions of the Citizen's Police Academy Alumni Association and is a former Chairperson and longstanding volunteer for the Arvada Police Department. Additionally, she helped make the annual Bike Rodeo event run with Apex Parks and Recreation District a success. Arvada Chamber Image Award winners are selected for the positive image of Arvada they portray within the community, and Normalee has done just that.

On behalf of the people of Colorado's Seventh Congressional district, it is my honor to congratulate Normalee Lee on winning this award and thank her for her service to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mark McGoff of Arvada, Colorado for winning the Pioneer Award from the Arvada Chamber of Commerce.

Mark has proudly served his community in Arvada for years as a member of the City Council, the Arvada Fire Board, and a volunteer for the Historical Society, Arvada Jefferson Kiwanis, and the Arvada Center. He is an Emeritus Board Member of the Ralston House and is currently working to plan Arvada's anniversary celebration this year.

The Pioneer Award is granted when a previous winner of the Man or Woman of the Year Award continues to perform notable work for the people of Arvada. Mark has done exactly that with his continual contributions to the community and longstanding dedication to public service.

On behalf of the people of Colorado's Seventh Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate Mark McGoff for winning the Pioneer Award. We thank him for his commitment to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Keith Sorci for earning the Man of the Year Award from the Arvada Chamber of Commerce.

Keith has been serving his community for over 20 years in many capacities, including as president of the Arvada Gardeners, volunteering with the Arvada Historical Society and with local schools, and distributing food to those in need. Keith also works with Jefferson County Justice Services which offers alternatives to incarceration for Coloradans, training others to be equally helpful in their work for the community. His continued dedication to the Arvada Community showcases his spirit of service and this award acknowledges his hard work.

On behalf of the people of Colorado's Seventh Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate Keith on achieving the 2023 Arvada Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Humble House Cafe from Golden, Colorado for being honored as part of the Golden Rotary Ethics in Business Awards.

Known for its positive atmosphere and work environment, Humble House has designed a business model which includes both community involvement and charity work. Humble House is involved with a variety of causes. They offer free coffee Tuesdays for teachers, first-responders, and non-profit workers, sell retail on behalf of passionate artisans in the local community and creators in developing countries, and allow customers to choose which of several nonprofits the charity proceeds from their purchase will go.

Humble House has taken great care to create a business model that caters to the needs of the environment, encourages local community growth and engagement, and supports those in need around the world.

On behalf of the people of Colorado's Seventh Congressional District, it is my honor to thank the wonderful people of Humble House for their active involvement in our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sophya Sole for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Sophya has overcome many challenges along her journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Sophya, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Sophya's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Jefferson Jr./Sr. High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Sophya Sole on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Fremont County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and Department of Transportation (DOT) for their lifesaving work to keep roads clear and restore power during a record-breaking winter storm in March of 2024. This harsh winter storm brought over thirteen inches of snow and caused major power outages throughout the county.

Staff from the Fremont County Office of Emergency Management, led by Emergency Manager Mykel Kroll, and the Fremont County Department of Transportation, led by Director Mike Whitt, worked overtime and over weekends throughout inclement weather conditions to clear roadways and restore traffic to over 700 miles of mountainous roadways in the county. Together, they freed an elderly woman who had been trapped in her car by the snow, secured housing for a family who were victims of a fire, restored power to a residential care facility in Florence, rescued a man caught in his vehicle after an avalanche, and helped maintain power for a family with a young child who relies on a supplemental oxygen supply.

Under some of the most extreme conditions possible, Fremont County OEM and DOT did an exemplary job of saving lives and serving our community during this storm.

On behalf of the people of Colorado's Seventh Congressional District, it is my honor to recognize Fremont County Office of Emergency Management and Department of Transportation for their outstanding work and service to our communities.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Margarita Tikhanova for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Margarita has overcome many challenges along her journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Margarita, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Margarita's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Jefferson Jr./Sr. High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Margarita Tikhanova on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Andres Sanchez- Rubio for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Andres has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Andres, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Andres's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Jefferson Jr./Sr. High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Andres Sanchez-Rubio on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Caitlen Ruliffson for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Caitlen has overcome many challenges along her journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Caitlen, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives.

This award is a testament to Caitlen's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Jefferson Jr./Sr. High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Caitlen Ruliffson on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Monica Telles Rodriguez for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Monica has overcome many challenges along her journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Monica, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Monica's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Jefferson Jr./Sr. High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Monica Telles Rodriguez on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mathaniel Sanchez for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mathaniel has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Mathaniel, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Mathaniel's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Jefferson Jr./Sr. High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Mathaniel Sanchez on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Bruno Suacedo Martinez for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Bruno has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Bruno, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Bruno's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Jefferson Jr./Sr. High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future

It is my honor to congratulate Bruno Suacedo Martinez on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Susie Bell of Canon City for being inducted into the Fremont Hall of Fame.

Susie was a pillar in Fremont County and spent decades improving the community before her passing in November of 2022. Her many philanthropic contributions and hours of volunteer work continue to have a transformative impact on students and so many others in Fremont County.

Susie was committed to advancing education--she built several scholarships for current and future learners, supported early childhood development programs, and donated and volunteered for many events to promote the arts. Her tireless work and dedication to Fremont County did not go unnoticed. She will be missed, but her contributions will last for generations.

On behalf of the people of Colorado's Seventh Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate Susie Bell for being inducted into Fremont Hall of Fame and thank her for her contribution and commitment to our community.