CD-4 candidate Trisha Calvarese speaks at PRO15 Conference
Democratic candidate for Colorado's 4th Congressional District Trisha Calvarese recently spoke at the PRO 15 conference held at Morgan Community College in Fort Morgan. The invitation was extended to Calvarese and Republican Candidate Congresswoman Lauren Boebert, who could not attend.
Calvarese, a Colorado native, graduated from Douglas County public schools and attended Johns Hopkins University on a full academic scholarship.
"I had the honor most recently working in Washington, D.C. at the AFL-CIO, which is the largest federation of working people on the planet from every industry, and the United States National Science Foundation, created by American competitiveness," said Calvarese. "I worked on passing landmark legislation with incredible potential for this district and Morgan Community College specifically."
She went on to say that while working in Washington, D.C., both of her parents were diagnosed with cancer. She dropped everything and came home to care for them. "My father was a Republican. Before he died, he told me to step up and return everything that the community that raised me has invested in me, and that is what I am doing," she said.
Calvarese says she is committed to addressing healthcare, mental health, child care and economic challenges, which she feels are often overlooked in the eastern plains. She discussed the importance of energy and said that the United States invented semiconductors, solar cells and wind technology.
"These are the results of investments made in the United States Science and Technology Enterprise," she said. "We are not going to give up on the space race, and we are going to win. We have made those investments in our people and infrastructure and created an economic boom with different technologies and companies connected to those investments. It's time to do it again."
She would like to see a focus on manufacturing dominance, particularly in AI and future technologies to create well-paid jobs in places like the Eastern Plains. She supports the continued use of oil and gas alongside renewable energy sources. Endorsed by the United Mine Workers of America, she called for job plans that support rural communities.
Calvarese also discussed the need for better infrastructure in rural areas, emphasizing the importance of fixing roads to ensure growers can get their produce to market, and the rural regions should not be overlooked.
She advocates for more water storage in the West to share with the East, helping farmers, ranchers, and suburban areas with their developmental growth.
Before leaving, Calvarese toured the Morgan Community College Farm Box. She told the Morgan County Times that it was her first time seeing one in person and was impressed by its innovative approach to agriculture.
