Military in Colo. gets boost

Criminal justice, transit see cuts

M.E. Sprengelmeyer, Rocky Mountain News

Published February 6, 2007 at midnight

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President Bush's budget would increase spending on some state projects, military bases and scientific labs and cut transit spending, health care, rural programs, social services and other areas.

The president's plan includes:

• $61.3 million toward building a veterans medical facility at the Fitzsimons campus.

• More than $67 million in military construction: about $28 million for Fort Carson to accommodate the Army's 4th Infantry Division and $24.5 million for Schriever Air Force Base.

• $35.1 million to build a plant at Pueblo Chemical Depot to destroy 2,600 tons of mustard agent.

• $28 million for new laboratories at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Boulder to study nanotechnology, atomic timekeeping, laser engineering and superconductivity.

Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Loveland, who sits on both the Budget and Appropriations committees, is concerned that a proposed $200 million cut from transit could affect the West Corridor light rail planned for Denver, spokeswoman Laura Condeluci said.

Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Denver, said Bush's budget would underfund the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

And Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Denver, opposes a proposal to eliminate criminal justice programs that brought Colorado $5 million in 2006.

sprengelmeyerm@shns.com.

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