In the News...

Governor Authorizes Armory for Alamosa

Monday, April 19 2010

The Pueblo Chieftain
By: Patrick Malone
April 17th, 2010

DENVER — Gov. Bill Ritter on Friday signed into law a bill authorizing construction of a National Guard armory in Alamosa.

"I talked to some National Guard guys in Alamosa, and they're super-excited," said State Rep. Ed Vigil, D-Fort Garland. "I'm happy for the San Luis Valley, for Alamosa and that this infrastructure will make Colorado safer."

Grand Junction and Windsor also will be the sites of new armories under HB1140, which invests $4.7 million from the Colorado State Veterans Trust Fund in fiscal years 2010-11 and 2011-12 for the construction projects.

“We are very lucky in Colorado to have a large military community that provides support to open these three new armories, when in other states, they are being closed due to budget cuts,” said. “House Bill 1140 will give our National Guard the proper resources to train and prepare for future missions in new facilities and ensures that they have the best opportunity to be successful whether they are protecting Coloradans here at home or in combat zones overseas.”

Last year, the Colorado Army National Guard re-established a unit in Alamosa after a four-year absence. Delta Company, 1st of the 157th Infantry Battalion, is authorized for almost 80 soldiers. It currently occupies a temporary training area.

Guard members serve one weekend a month and two full weeks a year.

Reps. Nancy Todd, D-Aurora, and B.J. Nikkel, R-Berthoud, sponsored HB1140 along with Sen. President Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, and Sen. Nancy Spence, R-Centennial.