President Donald Trump vetoed the Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act sponsored by MAGA-aligned U.S. Representative Lauren Boebert (R-CO). Note: The Arkansas Valley Conduit (AVC) is a 130-mile pipeline with spurs that will serve 39 communities and 50,000 people east of Pueblo, Colorado.
In a statement, Trump said “More than $249 million has already been spent on the AVC, and total costs are estimated to be $1.3 billion,” and that the bill “would continue the failed policies of the past by forcing Federal taxpayers to bear even more of the massive costs of a local water project.”
Trump added: “Enough is enough,” and said his administration will end such “massive costs of taxpayer handouts.”
When those supporting the bill, including conservative radio talk show host Jeff Hunt, defendied the bill saying the AVC is critical to bringing fresh water to Eastern Colorado, Boebert replied, “This isn’t over.”
This isn’t over. https://t.co/SxRacLX8fp
— Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) December 31, 2025
Boebert said in a statement: “President Trump decided to veto a completely non-controversial, bipartisan bill that passed both the House and Senate unanimously. Why? Because nothing says ‘America First’ like denying clean drinking water to 50,000 people in Southeast Colorado, many of whom enthusiastically voted for him in all three elections.
“I must have missed the rally where he stood in Colorado and promised to personally derail critical water infrastructure projects. My bad, I thought the campaign was about lowering costs and cutting red tape. But hey, if this administration wants to make its legacy blocking projects that deliver water to rural Americans; that’s on them.”
Boebert added: “I’m going to continue fighting for Colorado and standing up for our rural communities, our farmers, and every family that deserves safe, reliable drinking water without decades more delay. And I sincerely hope this veto has nothing to do with political retaliation for calling out corruption and demanding accountability. Americans deserve leadership that puts people over politics.”
More than one replied to Boebert’s statement and her hint about Trump retaliation with comments including “I’m sorry was Boebert one of the people who pushed for the Epstein files?” and “Trump just doesn’t like Polis, and therefore Colorado” and “This absolutely has to do with Tina Peters vs Polis.”
Note: Boebert was one of the four Republicans to sign Rep. Thomas Massie’s (R-KY) discharge petition to get the House to vote on the complete release of the Epstein Files, and Democratic Colorado Governor Jared Polis has reminded Trump that no President has jurisdiction over state law nor the power to pardon a person (Tina Peters) for state convictions.
Peters, whose release from incarceration Trump has championed, was convicted by a jury of her peers, prosecuted by a Republican District Attorney, and found guilty of violating Colorado state laws, including criminal impersonation. Polis said: “This is a matter for the courts to decide, and we will abide by court orders.”