Rep. Ken Buck Challenger Karen McCormick Launches Weeklong Southeast Colorado Tour

Karen McCormick

Karen McCormick will tour southeastern Colorado in her bid to oust Rep. Ken Buck, beginning in Trinidad September 3, making stops in Las Animas, Bent, Baca, Prowers, Cheyenne, Kiowa, and Otero Counties through September 8. McCormick will visit local farms, Southeast Colorado Hospital, and Otero County Public Schools; meet with elected officials and business leaders; and visit voters to learn more about the issues most important to the Coloradans she hopes will elect her to Congress in November.

Veterinarian and small business owner McCormick is challenging Buck in Colorado’s fourth Congressional district, which includes the cities of Greeley, Longmont, Castle Rock, and Parker as well as most of Colorado’s eastern plains. McCormick outraised Buck last quarter, and though members of Congress typically use the August recess to campaign in their districts, Buck has held few events and appears to be laying low.

McCormick, however, says she’ll lead the same way she campaigns: by building a close relationship with Coloradans to represent our district. “Members of Congress can’t represent us unless they show up and listen” she says, “I’ve been touring our district for over a year, holding live events where the public is welcome. This election will be our only chance to send a message to Washington for the next two years, and Colorado is tired of the status quo. We’re ready for affordable healthcare, fair tax reform, good jobs, and making sure our kids get a great education.”

McCormick says her priorities in the southeastern part of Colorado include fully funding the Arkansas River Conduit to bring safe drinking water to residents of the Arkansas River Valley, ensuring farmers’ access to thriving international trade and strong market demand for agricultural products, developing a Farm Bill to help rural Colorado prosper, and solving resources shortages in rural Colorado schools, where most teachers do not earn enough to cover the cost of living.

McCormick’s campaign confirms these events (italicized events are being finalized):

• September 3: Las Animas County and Trinidad

◦Trinidad Labor Day Parade 8:30 a.m.
◦Visit to Ludlow Massacre Site on Labor Day 1 p.m.
◦Hemp farm tour or meeting with cannabis shop owners.
◦Picnic at 3 p.m.

• September 4: Bent County and Baca County

◦Tour of Bent’s Old Fort, 11:15 a.m.
◦Tour of Southeast Colorado Hospital in Springfield, 1:30 p.m.
◦Meeting with Jeffri Pruyn, Mayor of La Junta, 6:30 p.m.
◦La Junta City Council Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

• September 5: Prowers County

◦Lamar City Council breakfast at 7am
◦Holly Commercial Club meeting 12:00 p.m.
◦Tour of Hixson Farms (near Lamar), 12:00 p.m.
◦Tour of Amache Japanese-American internment camp.

• September 6: Otero and Kiowa County

◦Meeting with K12 Superintendent, tour public schools, La Junta 9:00 a.m.
◦Meeting with OJC Agriculture Club, La Junta 12:30 p.m.
◦Kiowa County Fair, Kiowa County Democrats booth, 3:00-8:00 p.m.

• September 7: Cheyenne and Otero County

◦Coffee with Karen.
◦Tour of Sand Creek Massacre Site.
◦Meeting with Southeast Colorado Manufacturer’s Partnership.

• September 8: Otero County

◦Early Settlers Day Parade.
◦Meeting with elected officials and County Commissioners.