Otero County Backs Southeast Colorado Transit Hub Project in Funding Request to Congresswoman Boebert

Description: Otero County supports funding for a regional transit hub in Las Animas to improve transportation access, jobs, and services across Southeast Colorado. Read the full Letter...

A proposed Southeast Colorado transit hub in Las Animas would improve mobility, reduce costs, and expand access to jobs and healthcare.

March 10, 2026 

The Honorable Lauren Boebert 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Via Email: boebert.appropriations@mail.house.gov 

Dear Congresswoman Boebert: 

On behalf of the Board of County Commissioners for Otero County, we are writing to express our strong support for Southeast Colorado Enterprise Development, Inc. (SECED)'s Community Project Funding request for the Southeast Colorado Regional Transit Hub in Las Animas, Colorado. This project will transform a long-vacant former Sara Lee bread facility at 306 Bent Avenue into a modern, centralized "one-stop" regional hub for Southeast Transit (SETran), serving communities across the region. 

Otero County works closely with SECED and SETran. We see every day how the lack of reliable transportation limits access to jobs, healthcare, education, and essential services-particularly for seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and low-income workers. A centralized, ADA-accessible hub will improve on-time performance, streamline connections, and make it significantly easier for our residents to navigate available transit options. 

This project is also a fiscally responsible use of taxpayer dollars. Reusing an existing industrial building avoids higher-cost new construction, consolidates vehicle storage and operations into a single secure site, and reduces wear and tear caused by scattered facilities. Modernizing both the building and the transit fleet will decrease costly breakdowns and reduce deadhead miles, enabling limited local funds to be directed toward improved service rather than constant maintenance and repairs. These efficiencies will extend the useful life of the fleet and reduce long-term operating costs. 

Otero County is committed to supporting this project through our continued partnership with SETran and SECED to ensure that the citizens of southeast Colorado have access to affordable, dependable public transportation. We will continue to assist these organizations through committee work that develops policies, procedures, and operational standards. 

We respectfully urge you to give this request your full consideration and to advocate for funding the Southeast Colorado Regional Transit Hub as a high-impact investment in rural mobility, economic opportunity, and quality of life within your district. 

Thank you for your leadership and for considering this important project. 

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