February 28th marked the first milestone for Senate Bill 17-183 introduced by Senator Bob Gardner for support of USS Colorado..Today marked the first reading of the bill in the Local Government Committee. Ten members of the Committee were there to show support for the bill. Committee Member former Senator Bernie Herpin led off the testimony and introduced Chairman JJ Mackin. JJ spoke of the history of previous Colorado’s, the actions of the Committee to date and the efforts of the crew in the construction process and later as they go to sea. The remarks were well received with the Committee voting unanimously for its passage. Click here for a complete text of his remarks.

The bill moves on to the Senate Appropriations Committee for its next hearing. Both Senator Bob Gardner and Senator Larry Crowder of the Local Government Committee attended the boat’s Christening in December. The other members of the Committee are Senators Beth Martinez Humenik, Kerry Donovan and John Kefalas.