Why Did Boebert Vote Against Hundreds of Millions in Infrastructure Funding to Benefit Colorado?

Today marks the anniversary of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), signed into law in 2021, and the Colorado Sun reports that this “10-year, $1.2 trillion federal infrastructure act has mostly gone to water resources and scientific innovation” in Colorado so far, amounting to nearly $500 million invested from the Department of Interior. Of the investments reportedly made, half of the projects are water resource and ecosystem restoration investments located in Congressional District 3, Rep. Boebert’s district. Notably, the congresswoman has claimed that her top priorities are “water, water, water” but voted against the IIJA saying that it is “wasteful” and “garbage.” “This is another example of Boebert’s doublespeak,” said Justin Lamorte, Executive Director of Rocky Mountain Values. “If her top priorities really are ‘water, water, water’ then why did she vote against major investments into fighting the drought that threatens our rural economies and families and farmers’ livelihoods? Instead of supporting what are traditionally bi-partisan infrastructure investments, Boebert made this about scoring political points with her extreme colleagues and still is today as she works to cut infrastructure funding through the appropriations process.” The IIJA will reportedly invest an overall $6 billion in infrastructure projects across Colorado including water, roads, and high speed internet. Yet, Boebert and the extreme House GOP are currently attempting to use the appropriations process to cut these successful transportation and infrastructure programs. Specifically, the Colorado Sun story reported about several major water investments in Boebert’s district: “Water projects — both restoring waterways and handling drinking and wastewater — is another heavily funded area. Eighteen projects, totaling $248 million, are seeking to address drought, the report said, either through upgrading aging infrastructure or adding new water and irrigation projects. The Arkansas Valley Conduit, a 130-mile pipeline to serve 40 communities east of Pueblo, has received $160 million in infrastructure funds. The $600 million project, financed through federal and local funds, broke ground in April…Watershed restoration of the upper Animas River received a $160,000 grant, Dolores River restoration received $85,000, the San Miguel Wet Meadow restoration $210,000 and Gunnison Basin restoration program received $945,000.”