Powering The Comeback Tour: Governor Polis Visits Cripple Creek

CRIPPLE CREEK - Governor Polis continued the Powering The Comeback tour in Cripple Creek today. 

“We heard from residents that it has been nearly 20 years since a sitting governor visited Teller County, which is far too long, so I thank the commissioners and local officials for joining me today to highlight Teller County’s sought-after tourist attractions, discuss ways we work together to invest in workforce development and help small businesses,” said Governor Polis. “We are rapidly getting both state and federal funds out to local communities to help power the Colorado comeback in every community no matter your zip code, and I’m particularly excited to watch the amazing progress that the RISE grant is making at Victor-Cripple Creek school district in preparing kids for success.” 

In Cripple Creek, Governor Polis discussed economic recovery and workforce development with the Teller County Board of County Commissioners including Commissioners Dan Williams and Erik Stone, local officials, state Rep. Mark Baisley and Department of Local Affairs Executive Director Rick Garcia.  The Polis administration has provided $186 million in relief for small businesses including those hit hard in the service and tourism industries and $40 to 50 million in sales tax relief for small restaurants and bars. 

Next, the Governor, Superintendent Miriam Mondragon, and local officials visited the Aspen Mine Center, an essential site for social services and community resources in Teller County.  This year, the Polis administration presented Cripple Creek-Victor School District with a $1.5 million ($1,491,000) RISE grant to create a community-wide “skills to employment” program for both youth and adults. The program combines relevant, purpose-driven classroom instruction with paid workforce training linked directly to immediate employment opportunities with the goal of skilling and reskilling the population for livable-wage, in-demand jobs that will also support economic development. 

Then, Governor Polis and local officials visited the Wildwood Casino and Hotel in Cripple Creek to discuss the importance of the tourism and legal gaming industries to Colorado’s economy and jobs. According to the casino, the Wildwood Casino is the highest casino in the world at 9,593 feet above sea-level. This year, the Governor signed legislation to grant more local control to the gaming commission, reduce unnecessary bureaucracy, and relax previous limitations relating to blackjack and constraints on gaming licensure. 

This morning in Golden, Governor Polis, the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, in cooperation with the Department of Transportation released a report detailing options to further protect Colorado’s wildlife habitat and wildlife corridors, and improve conditions for Colorado’s iconic big game species.

(Governor Polis meets with the Teller County Board of Commissioners)

(Governor Polis visits the Aspen Mine Center)