Governor Polis In Southern Colorado, Highlights Efforts to Support Military Connected Students, Local Small Business, and Investments in New Elementary School

COLORADO SPRINGS/PUEBLO - Today, Governor Polis was in southern Colorado visiting Colorado Springs and Pueblo. Governor Polis met with students and staff at Jenkins Middle School, a Purple Star Awardee recognized for its dedication to supporting military connected students. In May 2024, Governor signed HB24-1076, the Purple Star Program into law to designate public schools that provide services and support to military-connected students and their families.

"Supporting military connected students is an important part of ensuring that all students succeed and that Colorado is the best state for veterans and military families. No kids should be left behind because a family member is serving our nation. I was proud to sign the Purple Star Award program into law in 2024 and I am thrilled to be at Jenkins Middle School today to honor their dedication to supporting military families," said Governor Polis.

Governor Polis then visited PexPeppers Hot Sauce, a local small business using locally grown Pueblo chiles to create a broad flavor of hot sauces that can be found at local markets and grocers across the state.

"PexPeppers is a smoking hot local small business in Pueblo, spreading the love of our world-famous, and obviously superior, Pueblo chile. Small businesses are the bedrock of our communities and our economy, and PexPeppers is no different," said Governor Polis.

Finally, Governor Polis attended the Grand Opening of Abrams Elementary's new state-of-the-art building in Fort Carson. Abrams Elementary is also a 2024 Purple Star School and one of 14 schools in Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8, which serves approximately 8,000 students, 70% of which are military-connected.

"In Colorado we are committed to providing every student with the high quality education needed to learn the skills to thrive in the classroom and beyond. This state of the art new building will help ensure these kids learn in a fresh, safe, and innovative environment that prioritizes the skills needed to succeed in the classroom, especially those whose families are making sacrifices everyday for our safety and security," said Governor Polis.

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