In ceremonies at the State Capitol on June 5th, Governor Hickenlooper signed Senate Bill 17-183, Support for USS Colorado Commissioning into law. The bill appropriates $100,000 to the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs to make grants for the purpose paying for expenses related to the commissioning of USS Colorado, promoting awareness of USS Colorado within the state; and to support the crew.

Twelve members of the committee and six sailors from the local Navy Recruiting District office were in attendance. One of the sailors, MMN1 Scott Gold, currently has orders to report to USS Colorado in September as a permanent member of the crew.

Those attending Included Sandie Bourassa, daughter of recently deceased WWII submarine Veteran Andy Palenchar. Andy was the sailor who pulled LTJG George H. W. Bush from the Pacific after the future President was shot down. Andy went on to serve as an officer in the Army, serving in Korea and two tours in Vietnam retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was an active participants in USS Colorado events here.

Also on display at the signing was the ship’s bell that will be on USS Colorado. The bell is a gift from the USS Colorado Battleship (BB45) Association to the submarine and cast by noted Colorado sculptor George Lundeen. The bell was rung in celebration upon the signing of the bill.

While this grant means that we have met our fundraising goal, we are still accepting donations. Money raised in excess of our obligations will go to a scholarship fund for crew’s families administered by the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation and will also help fund future crew visits to the state after commissioning.