(WASHINGTON, D.C.) -- Colorado Senators Wayne Allard and Ken Salazar, 5th District Congressman Joel Hefley, and 3rd District U.S. Representative John Salazar are co-sponsoring legislation to create a Pikes Peak Region national cemetery near Colorado Springs.
The legislation would lead to the development of a national veterans’ cemetery for El Paso, Fremont, Teller and Pueblo counties to better serve veterans in Southern Colorado.
“We believe this legislation addresses a significant need in the area that has been brought to my attention repeatedly by community leaders and local veterans service organizations,” Senator Allard said. “The growing military-retiree and veteran population in the area is driving this bill. The 2000 Census indicated that as many as 103,000 veterans and 110,000 spouses who may be eligible for burial in a national cemetery reside in the area we have identified to be served by this new facility.”
“So many veterans have chosen to retire in the Pikes Peak region, and clearly it would be desirable if their final resting place could also be there,” Congressman Hefley said. “We have worked hard for several years to get a veterans’ cemetery in the area, and I believe this legislation will put us a step closer to getting the job done.”
The Fremont County Commissioners have also approved a resolution endorsing creation of a Pikes Peak Region Veterans Cemetery. The Commissioners most recently were approached about the possibility that a site near Penrose may be considered for such a cemetery. A final site has not been chosen for the cemetery.
The legislation would lead to the development of a national veterans’ cemetery for El Paso, Fremont, Teller and Pueblo counties to better serve veterans in Southern Colorado.
“We believe this legislation addresses a significant need in the area that has been brought to my attention repeatedly by community leaders and local veterans service organizations,” Senator Allard said. “The growing military-retiree and veteran population in the area is driving this bill. The 2000 Census indicated that as many as 103,000 veterans and 110,000 spouses who may be eligible for burial in a national cemetery reside in the area we have identified to be served by this new facility.”
“So many veterans have chosen to retire in the Pikes Peak region, and clearly it would be desirable if their final resting place could also be there,” Congressman Hefley said. “We have worked hard for several years to get a veterans’ cemetery in the area, and I believe this legislation will put us a step closer to getting the job done.”
The Fremont County Commissioners have also approved a resolution endorsing creation of a Pikes Peak Region Veterans Cemetery. The Commissioners most recently were approached about the possibility that a site near Penrose may be considered for such a cemetery. A final site has not been chosen for the cemetery.