On Tuesday, former President Donald Trump escalated his ongoing conflict with Colorado's state leaders by using the first veto of his second term to halt a critical pipeline project designed to deliver clean drinking water to the eastern plains of Colorado, an area that is predominantly conservative. This move has intensified discussions around Trump's sentiments toward Colorado, especially following a New Year’s Eve message in which he told Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat, and Mesa County District Attorney Daniel P. Rubinstein, the prosecutor of former county clerk Tina Peters, to “rot in Hell.” In his message, Trump expressed his disdain, stating, “I wish them only the worst.”
Trump's actions are not just a reflection of personal animosity but are seen as a broader strategy to exert federal power against state and local authorities. His veto has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, including Representative Lauren Boebert, a Republican who represents the affected area. She characterized the veto as a denial of basic rights, stating, “Nothing says America First like denying clean drinking water to 50,000 people in southeast Colorado, many of whom voted for him in all three elections.”
The pipeline project, known as the Arkansas Valley Conduit, has been in planning since the 1960s and is essential for small farming and ranching towns in the region, where groundwater is polluted with salt and radioactive elements. Critics argue that Trump's veto may be politically motivated, particularly as Colorado refuses to grant clemency to Peters, who was convicted of tampering with voting machines in a failed attempt to substantiate Trump's unfounded claims of election fraud in 2020.
Trump's veto and other federal actions against Colorado are perceived as retaliatory measures against the state’s leadership. Governor Jared Polis has consistently resisted Trump's calls for pardons related to Peters' case, further straining relations between the state and the Trump administration. Additionally, earlier this year, Trump announced the relocation of the Space Command headquarters from Colorado Springs to Alabama, a decision that negatively impacted another conservative area within Colorado.
Beyond the pipeline, Trump's administration has threatened to limit voter-approved initiatives, such as the reintroduction of gray wolves into the state, and has targeted the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, aligning with its broader agenda against climate change initiatives. State leaders, including Senator Michael Bennet, have expressed concern that these actions signify a clear pattern of targeting Colorado.
In light of the veto, state officials and residents are rallying for congressional support to override Trump's decision, though it remains unlikely given the Republican majority in Congress. Many Colorado leaders view Trump's actions as political retribution, with some like Boebert questioning if the veto stemmed from her push for transparency regarding the Epstein documents.
Boebert's rise to political prominence was built on her staunch support for Trump, but her recent actions have drawn his ire, complicating her relationship with the former president. While she has not opposed other federal actions against Colorado, she has made it clear that denying water access to her constituents crosses a line.
The Arkansas Valley Conduit is critical for the health and safety of numerous communities, where residents often rely on bottled water due to contamination in local groundwater. Chris Woodka, a senior policy manager for the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District, emphasized the bipartisan support the project has historically received, stating, “We’ve always seen bipartisan support for this. We won’t give up on it.”
As local leaders and residents push back against Trump's veto, Colorado's political landscape continues to evolve, reflecting a growing tension between state and federal authorities. The implications of this veto extend beyond local politics, potentially impacting federal funding and support for essential infrastructure projects in the state.