EAGLE COUNTY, COLORADO ~ EAGLE COUNTY, COLORADO - Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera embarked on a three-day trip to the Vail Valley this week, highlighting Colorado's leadership in infrastructure, arts and culture, and military readiness. The trip included stops at the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel, the Vilar Performing Arts Center, and the High-Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site (HAATS).

On Monday, Lt. Governor Primavera joined the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) for a tour of the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel. The tunnel serves as a critical artery for the I-70 Mountain Corridor and is responsible for keeping the corridor open and safe during harsh winter conditions. During her visit, Primavera met with the crew responsible for the tunnel's day-to-day operations and recent safety upgrades.

"Good government means showing up for the people who make Colorado work, and that includes the CDOT crews who keep our mountain corridor open and safe for every Coloradan who depends on it," said Lt. Governor Primavera. "Investing in infrastructure like the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel isn't just about concrete and steel, it's about keeping our communities connected and our economy moving."

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The following day, Lt. Governor Primavera traveled to Beaver Creek to tour the Vilar Performing Arts Center. The center received a $20,000 grant through Colorado Creates, an annual competitive grant program that supports arts programs and activities in line with the National Endowment for the Arts' strategic plan.

Through its Support the Arts Reaching Students (STARS) program, the Vilar has brought performing arts experiences to over 10,000 students between September 2025and April 2026. The grant funding also allowed for the launch of STARS in Schools, which brings guest artists directly into local classrooms for educational workshops. Additionally, busing costs were covered so that students from across the district could attend performances at the theater. Recent upgrades to the Vilar have also made it more accessible for people with disabilities.

"The Vilar is proof that when the state invests in the arts, communities like Eagle County see the return many times over, in classrooms, on stages, and in the lives of young people who might never otherwise experience live performance. No student's zip code should determine whether they get to experience live theater, and programs like STARS make sure that opportunity reaches every classroom in Eagle County," said Lt. Governor Primavera.

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The trip concluded on Wednesday in Gypsum, where Primavera visited the High-Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site (HAATS) at Eagle County Airport. The site is the only Department of Defense aviation school that trains pilots in aviation Power Management, a methodology built around aircraft power accountability in high-altitude and rough-terrain flying. The site has trained rotary-wing pilots from countries across the globe.

"There is nowhere else in the country where military pilots can get this kind of training, and that's a point of pride for Colorado and our nation. The same skills these pilots train for right here in Eagle County are the skills that save lives in our mountains and, the skills that are helping drive space exploration and innovation," said Lt. Governor Primavera.

The site has also partnered with NASA and trained 33 astronauts, including those from the Artemis missions. In addition to their role in training military pilots, HAATS plays a crucial role in high alpine hoist rescues across Colorado. Last summer, a Colorado Army National Guard aircrew trained at HAATS set a record for the highest hoist rescue ever conducted by a military aircraft in Colorado when they saved two stranded hikers near Torreys Peak.

Throughout her visit to all three locations, Lt. Governor Primavera emphasized a common theme - building a stronger and more connected Colorado for all. Her trip highlighted the state's commitment to investing in infrastructure, arts and culture, and military readiness, all of which contribute to the overall well-being of Colorado's communities.

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