The U.S. House passed a Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations package March 17. Included in federal dollars headed to Colorado will be $7.6 million for projects in the state’s 7th Congressional District.
Rep. Ed Perlmutter celebrated the inclusion of 10 Community Project Funding (CPF) requests he made to secure money for his district.
Projects include infrastructure improvements, critical services for domestic violence victims, retrofitting a new health clinic for children and funding to support STEM education and workforce development programs across Jefferson and Adams Counties, according to a press release from Perlmutter’s office.
“Each of these projects have the ability to make a real difference in people’s lives and support critical investments in our communities,” Perlmutter said. “I’m glad to see Congress finally pass a longer-term spending bill which invests in workers and our communities, creates jobs, and continues to help build a better America.”
Local projects that will be funded include $300,000 to Red Rocks Community College to support the College’s Reach, Reason, Connect and Create Initiative to increase diversity in high-tech skill jobs and preparing the next generation of Colorado’s workforce.
“This is a wise investment that will validate the value of government, industry and education partnering to insure Colorado has a well prepared workforce,” said Geri Anderson, Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs, Red Rocks Community College.
Another beneficiary of the federal funding is Savio House, an organization that provides in-home therapeutic treatment to children and their families. As part of Perlmutter’s requests, Savio House will receive $300,000 to support their Family Residential Program and create the first treatment program in the nation that allows a parent needing addiction treatment, their partner, and their children to receive holistic, full-family care in an innovative residential setting in Lakewood.
Norma Aguilar-Dave, Executive Director of Savio, commented on the impact of the funding on her organization.
“We are honored by Congressman Perlmutter’s advocacy for families in his district impacted by substance use. Federal support for this project demonstrates our government’s desire to end generational cycles of addiction,” she said. “The project will be the first in the nation to provide a safe and stable living environment for an entire family while they receive the support they need to heal.”