SOUTHERN COLORADO - On May 27, 2025 Governor Polis signed new laws across Southern Colorado.

Governor Polis began the day in Colorado Springs by signing new laws to support Colorado students outside of the classroom. The Governor signed SB25-197 - Tony Grampsas Youth Services Program, sponsored by Senator Exum and Representative Bacon.

“By investing in our kids we are investing in our future, and this law is providing important resources and activities for young people outside of school. I appreciate the bill sponsors for their work on this bill and their commitment to Colorado’s young people,” said Governor Jared Polis.

At Colorado College, home to a closed loop geothermal system, Governor Polis signed into law HB25-1165 - Geologic Storage Enterprise & Geothermal Resources, sponsored by Representatives Paschal and Soper, and Senators Simpson and Kipp.

“This law helps strengthen geothermal potential in our state and supports access to this low-cost energy option. Our state is a national leader in geothermal energy, with institutions like Colorado Mesa University and Colorado College leading the way, and this new law continues moving us in the right direction,” said Governor Jared Polis.

Governor Polis also signed HB25-1023 - Local Government Review of Fencing Projects, sponsored by Representatives Martinez and Bacon, and Senators Gonzales and Simpson. This law ensures that local governments play a role in approving any fences to ensure there is no negative impact to land access for wildlife, as well as the health of the land and the community.

Governor Polis also spoke with local farmers who are feeling the impacts of President Trump’s tariffs. They specifically discussed the impacts on beef and potato exports, two of Colorado’s top agricultural export products.

“Colorado’s farmers and ranchers are the lifeblood of our agricultural industry, which is an essential driver of Colorado’s economy. These tariffs are already hurting Colorado farmers, and farmers across the country and I urge President Trump to step away from these failed policies and stop hurting Colorado agriculture,” said Governor Jared Polis.

Governor Polis has taken strong steps to support Colorado’s farmers and ranchers accessing new markets across the world. For instance, Governor Polis helped open exports into Mexico for Colorado’s potato growers. The Trump tariffs could threaten the livelihoods of Colorado farmers in places like the San Luis Valley if Mexico imposes retaliatory tariffs. Colorado has already seen damaging retaliatory tariffs put in place that hit other commodities as well as agricultural equipment. This is another way the Trump tariffs will continue raising the costs of doing business for the nation’s farmers and ranchers.

Colorado is 5th in the nation for beef exports. Beef is among Colorado’s largest exports and is a top driver of Colorado’s agricultural economy. In 2024, the U.S. exported a total of $10.45 billion in beef and beef products around the world. Colorado’s top export countries for beef are Mexico, Canada, South Korea, Japan, China, all countries now facing Trump’s on-again off-again tariffs. Colorado’s other largest agricultural commodities, including dairy, wheat, and corn, all rely on export markets to do business.

In Alamosa, Governor Polis ended the day by signing HB25-1288 - Support for Federally Qualified Health Centers, sponsored by Representatives Martinez and Winter, and Senators Roberts and Simpson and HB25-1222 - Preserving Access to Rural Independent Pharmacies, sponsored by Representatives Winter and Lukens, and Senators Roberts and Simpson.

“We are committed to ensuring that every Coloradan has access to the health care they need to thrive, and these new laws help make that possible. Federally Qualified Health Centers are critical providers for many Coloradans, and supporting those facilities means supporting access to care. We also know that accessing medications is just as important as cutting costs, which is why I’m proud to sign this law today. I appreciate the sponsors for their work on these important bills,” said Governor Jared Polis.