Community Project Funding
Project Title: UCCS Cybersecurity Program and Research Lab Equipment
Organization: University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Subcommittee: Commerce Justice Science
Location: Colorado Springs
Amount Requested: $732,853
Project Description: The $732,853 in funding will be used to expand UCCS’s Cybersecurity Program and Cyber Engineering Labs by acquiring advanced educational and research equipment. This investment will enhance student preparation in Space and Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity, including the protection of sea, land, air, space, and cyber systems. Students will gain skills in threat prediction, protection, and response, with hands-on experience solving real-world problems and engaging in community demonstrations. Specifically, I am requesting $624,661 to upgrade the cyber research labs with the following: satellite constellation testbed ($120,000), aerial testbed ($50,000), operational technology testbed ($130,000), software security testbed ($48,786), cyberattack emulation appliance ($100,000), flight unit equipment ($95,875), and GPU with multi-instance GPU capability ($80,000). Additionally, $108,192 will support hands-on experiential learning, workforce preparation programs, and student cybersecurity clubs through the purchase of 10 high-performance gaming laptops ($27,000), 20 versatile laptops ($42,000), 2 GPU cooling cards ($5,280), 60 wireless adapters ($3,869), and a server rack ($30,042). Within a year, this funding will enable deployment of new equipment, launch of the student “Cyber Satellite Challenge,” and recruitment programs targeting students in southern Colorado. Long term, it will strengthen curriculum integration with real-world tools, create realistic cyber training environments, and develop a skilled cybersecurity workforce.
Project Title: El Paso County Tactical and Continued Certification Project
Organization: El Paso County Sheriff’s Office
Location: 27 East Vermijo Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Amount Requested : $500,000
Project Description: This community project funding will support not only the needs of EPSO and El Paso County but also the Pikes Peak region with a vehicle that can respond to catastrophic incidents and protect law enforcement and civilians from ballistic attacks. EPSO plays a large role in the community in responding to high-risk situations and a new rescue vehicle would assist their current responsibilities of serving all citizens in unincorporated El Paso County, other regional municipalities and jurisdictions, and Colorado Spring’s military installations. Additionally, a portion of this funding will go towards supporting EPSO’s responsibility of managing the El Paso County Jail and maintain accreditation of national standards for the correctional facility.
Project Title: Palmer Park Drainage Improvement Project
Organization: U.S. Army Corp of Engineers
Subcommittee: Energy & Water
Location: Colorado Springs
Amount Requested: $3,365,000
Project Description: The requested funding of $3,375,000 will enable USACE to replace the existing storm sewer system along Palmer Park Boulevard with reinforced concrete pipes, upsize the drainage lines, and install an additional 26 inlets throughout the area. The Palmer Park Drainage Improvement Project will address essential community needs by enhancing public safety, protecting infrastructure, and improving accessibility.
Project Title: Security Stormwater Outfall Infrastructure Improvement Project
Organization: U.S. Army Corp of Engineers
Subcommittee: Energy & Water
Location:
Amount Requested: $3,000,000
Project Description: The requested funding of $3,000,000 to The Security Boulevard Stormwater Outfall Infrastructure Improvement Project aims to undertake comprehensive repairs of the outfall at Security Boulevard, including the replacement of the headwall and wingwalls, as well as the upgrade of the 144-inch pipe upstream. These enhancements will significantly bolster drainage capacity, mitigate flooding, and prepare for future infrastructure demands.
Project Title: Constitution & Peterson Road Traffic Safety Community Project
Organization: El Paso County
Subcommittee: Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development
Location: Colorado Springs
Amount Requested: $1,000,000
Project Description: The $1,000,000 in funding will go towards safety improvements at Constitution Avenue and Peterson Road. The proposed project aims to address these challenges through targeted infrastructure improvements including the installation of improved crosswalks, pedestrian signals and refuge areas. Additional improvements of intersection realigned, and signal timing modification will enhance both pedestrian and vehicular safety. These upgrades align with local and national traffic safety goals and support El Paso County’s Local Road Safety Plan.