Hurd in the House Episode 13 is live on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube! This week, I sat down with Jacobo Varela, Executive Director of TRIO College Opportunity Programs and Director of Veterans Upward Bound at Colorado State University Pueblo. A U.S. Army veteran, Jacobo has spent more than a decade helping veterans in Southern Colorado find resources and new opportunities. We talked about the challenges veterans can face when navigating benefits and services, where to turn for help, and how education and community connections can support the transition to civilian life. Take a listen! #CO03 Spotify: https://t.co/2fjnaLplzv  YouTube: https://t.co/mRYMm9lm4r

When a wildfire starts, every minute matters. At a hearing on disaster prevention, I asked John Gale of Pano AI how faster detection can help firefighters respond sooner. In Douglas County, Pano’s system alerted response agencies within minutes of detecting the Bear Creek Fire. A local helitack crew responded, and the fire was contained to less than three acres. Technology like this can give firefighters something they rarely have enough of: time. #CO03 Watch the rest of my questioning here: https://t.co/SGV8B5QmR2

I have raised concerns directly with the White House and Pentagon about reports that the Administration may livestream Nidal Hasan’s execution. Hasan murdered 13 people and wounded 32 others at Fort Hood. His crimes were horrific, and he deserves to face justice. But how our government administers justice matters. We should not broadcast an execution to the world. I hope the Administration reconsiders. https://t.co/rK8TCzbTjP

Great turnout at the Pueblo Police Department’s open house! Thank you to Chief Chris Noeller and the entire @PuebloPolice1 team for the opportunity to see their work firsthand, tour the real-time crime center, and get a better understanding of the training officers go through. Our law enforcement officers put themselves on the line every day to keep our communities safe. I’m grateful for their service and will always stand with the men and women who protect Pueblo. #ILovePueblo #CO03

The devastating wildfires and flooding across Southern Colorado have destroyed homes, displaced families, and left communities facing a long road to recovery. Last month, I brought Western Caucus Chair @RepMaloyUtah and Chairmen @RepWesterman and @RepBrianBabin to Southern Colorado to see firsthand the damage from the Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain Fires and the challenges our communities continue to face. I appreciate my colleagues taking the time to see what families in our district are up against. Recovering and rebuilding won’t happen overnight, and I’ll keep working to make sure our communities have the federal support they need to get back on their feet. #CO03 Read more from CBS Colorado: https://t.co/jpNQL1xJMZ

Thank you to Secretary Collins for coming to Pueblo, the Home of Heroes, to hear directly from our veterans and local leaders. We’ve made progress reducing VA processing times, but there’s more work to do. Veterans across Western and Southern Colorado deserve timely, reliable care and the benefits they’ve earned through their service. I’ll keep fighting to make sure they get both. #CO03

Three years ago, Hamas terrorists carried out the deadliest attack against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, murdering more than 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostage. I will never forget visiting Kibbutz Nir Oz and seeing firsthand what was left behind after the October 7 attacks. Today, we remember the innocent lives taken that day, stand with Jewish communities against antisemitism and hatred, and reaffirm our support for Israel’s security and its right to exist. We will not forget October 7.

Reminder to student entrepreneurs across #CO03: there’s still time to apply for America250’s America’s Startup competition. Undergraduate college and trade school students with an early-stage business idea can apply individually or in teams of up to five. Thirty semifinalist teams will be invited to Washington, D.C., to pitch in person, and finalists can receive up to $50,000 to help develop their businesses. Western and Southern Colorado are full of young people with good ideas. If you’ve been thinking about starting something, this is worth a look. Applications are due October 8. Learn more and apply through: https://t.co/JhOjRh7VBA

Western Colorado has skilled manufacturers doing work that contributes directly to our national defense. I toured Valor Tactical with CEO Jan Zickerman and learned more about the company’s engineering and manufacturing work here in Mesa County, including mounts for a .50-caliber M2 machine gun that Valor is currently putting through live-fire testing. Valor is a good example of how Western Colorado’s manufacturing expertise can support our servicemembers while creating skilled jobs here at home. #CO03

Geothermal can produce reliable American energy around the clock. We should be doing a lot more with it. That’s why I’m co-chairing the new bipartisan Congressional Geothermal Caucus with @RepSalinas, @RepAuchincloss, and @RepNickBegich. Republicans and Democrats agree there’s an opportunity here. Our job now is to find practical ways to get more geothermal projects built, strengthen the grid, and meet America’s growing demand for energy.  Colorado has real potential to be part of that future. #CO03 Read more: https://t.co/K1QYCfYuDD