Jeff Hurd, representative of Boebert’s former district, wants to bring new style to shared priorities • Colorado Newsline

U.S. Rep.-elect Jeff Hurd will soon take over representing Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District after being represented for four years by U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert.

While the 45-year-old Republican from Grand Junction said he has “a different style” than Boebert, he said they will have similar priorities when it comes to the district’s needs. The district encompasses the Western Slope and southwestern corner of the state and extends east to include Pueblo, Otero and Las Animas counties. Hurd defeated Democrat Adam Frisch in the November election with 50.8% of the district’s vote to Frisch’s 45.8%.

“When it comes to the issues, I think we’ll work together,” Hurd said of Boebert, a MAGA provocateur returning to Congress from a new district. “I think that many of the issues that were important to the 3rd Congressional District when she represented it will continue to be important to the 3rd Congressional District, and I think we will fight to make sure that we have a “Advance sound economic policies that grow our economy, creating opportunities for families and small businesses.”

Hurd said when he arrives in Congress, he will work to secure the border, grow the energy industry in the 3rd District and protect Colorado’s water and agricultural resources. He’s “waiting to see” what President-elect Donald Trump’s immigration and deportation plans look like, he said, because he hasn’t yet seen any plans that are concrete enough to evaluate.

“Of course I am in favor of bringing criminals and violent criminals to justice and deporting them. I think that has to be the first and foremost priority,” Hurd said. “Beyond that, I think we’ll have to wait and see what exactly the Trump administration proposes.”

The last Trump administration moved the national headquarters of the Bureau of Land Management and its senior officials from Washington, D.C. to Grand Junction, but the Biden administration turned around This move was made while maintaining the agency’s “western headquarters” in the city. Some Trump allies have called for the headquarters to be moved west again.

Hurd said he would support moving the agency’s headquarters back to Grand Junction. While he’s not sure when or how that move might take place, Hurd said he’s encouraged by the support for a return he’s heard from other elected officials in the 3rd District and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat have.

“I think the decision-makers should be here in the West, where the land is managed and where they can be in closer contact with the people most affected by the decisions of this federal agency,” Hurd said. “I know this is an issue that is important to my district, it is important to our state, and it also has political support across all parties, which is encouraging.”

First and foremost: water

Hurd said he would also have to wait and see what Trump has proposed in detail regarding tariffs, although he has “some concerns about the blanket tariffs and the impact they could have on our economy.” He said the U.S. could use tariffs “strategically and thoughtfully” to ensure the country has its own resources and “does not become overly dependent on other countries, particularly when it comes to some critical minerals and resources.”

“I think it can definitely play a role if we use tariffs strategically to not only redress trade imbalances but also advance America’s national interests and national security priorities,” Hurd said.

Trump has announced he will impose sweeping 25% tariffs on key American trading partners such as Mexico, Canada and China as part of his efforts to lower the cost of living. Economic experts say Trump’s proposals will put a strain on American families’ wallets with more expensive cars, appliances and technology.

Trump also said he would tap tech billionaire Elon Musk and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to lead a new Department of Government Efficiency to reduce government spending and the number of federal workers. Hurd said the idea is encouraging and he’s excited to see what the leadership couple proposes. Increasing government efficiency and reducing spending are “two very important priorities” in the coming years, he said.

Colorado’s new members of Congress will spend the time between Election Day and Jan. 3, when they will be sworn in, transforming their voter services and setting up offices in their districts. D.C. Hurd will serve on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology and the House Natural Resources Committee alongside Boebert and U.S. Representative-elect Jeff Crank, a Republican from Colorado Springs.

Hurd is one of three freshman Republicans heading to Congress from Colorado in January. Of Colorado’s four Republican congressmen in the new term, Boebert is the only incumbent, although she will now represent the 4th District. Crank will represent Colorado’s 5th Congressional District and U.S. Representative-elect Gabe Evans will represent Colorado’s 8th Congressional District.

“I look forward to working with all of them and I think there are many opportunities for us to do good not only for our districts but for our state,” Hurd said. “I am also encouraged by the opportunities to work with our colleagues on the Democratic side.”

Hurd said he has already met with U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, a Lafayette Democrat who serves as assistant House minority leader, Democratic U.S. Rep. Jason Crow of Centennial and Democratic U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado, and He looks forward to working with Colorado’s Democrats on issues that are important to the entire state.

“I think there is an opportunity to work together as a Colorado delegation on issues that are not partisan but are important to all of us as Coloradans – first and foremost would be water and protecting this precious resource,” Hurd said.

Hurd said his constituents are concerned about issues that impact their lives every day, including the cost of food, housing and energy. He said they also want leaders to secure the border, protect Social Security and Medicare and ensure veterans receive quality care.

After Hurd’s election night watch party took place Grand Junction Sentinel Members of the media were reportedly “locked” in a curtained area separate from other attendees and had to be escorted each time they left the area. Hurd said he hopes to be “open, accessible and responsive” to the media, particularly local media in the 3rd District, which he said is a great way to reach his constituents. He said he also plans to be available to his constituents, hosting town halls and answering their questions.

“Effective communication is critical to ensuring that the citizens of the 3rd Congressional District know what their representative in Washington is doing on their behalf and how I will work on their behalf,” Hurd said. “I look forward to engaging with those I represent, whether they voted for me or not, and hearing what their concerns are, what questions they have, what their priorities are and how I can help best.”