Congressman Crow Delivers $1.5M to Create the Colorado Freedom Memorial Center
Crow Secured FY23 Community Project Funding for the Center, Dedicated to Researching and Educating on Colorado’s Military History
AURORA — Today, Army veteran Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06) presented the Colorado Freedom Memorial Foundation with $1.5 million in federal Community Project Funding he secured in the Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations process to create the Colorado Freedom Memorial Center.
For ten years, the Colorado Freedom Memorial has provided a critical gathering place for communities to honor the 6,218 Colorado veterans killed in military action since Colorado’s statehood. The Center will bolster the Freedom Memorial with an indoor facility to host visitors, research Colorado’s military history, and serve as a meeting site for defense leaders in the area.
Rep. Crow with Rick Crandall and the Colorado Freedom Memorial Board of Directors
Photo courtesy of the Office of Congressman Jason Crow
“As a veteran, I’m honored to remember those we lost in the service of our state and nation – and for years, the Colorado Freedom Memorial has done just that. I appreciate Rick Crandall and all of the people and organizations here in Aurora who shared the vision for the Colorado Freedom Memorial Center. I’m proud to help deliver the funding to make it a reality,” said Congressman Crow. “This Center will be dedicated to preserving the history of our fallen heroes and teaching our families and kids of their sacrifice.”
"For a decade, we have had the privilege of being able to honor our fallen Coloradans and their families with the Colorado Freedom Memorial. The permanent memorial and future center are a treasured asset to the city of Aurora, our parks system and all of those who come to pay their respects and share their memories,” said Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman. “By continuing to invest in this memorial, we are demonstrating our profound gratitude and commitment to our military community and those at home who support them."
“For 10 years the Colorado Freedom Memorial has stood silent watch over the names of Colorado's fallen heroes, the men and women who gave all to protect freedom around the world. Now, thanks to Rep. Jason Crow's leadership in obtaining a $1.5 million CPF Grant, The Colorado Freedom Memorial Center will bookend the Colorado Freedom Memorial and a voice will be given to the Fallen,” said Rick Crandall, Colorado Freedom Memorial Foundation Executive Director. “This Visitor and Education Center will welcome Historians, Veterans and Authors who will tell stories of the battles these heroes fought, students will be sit in the CFM Centers classroom and learn about service and sacrifice and Gold Star Families will know their loved ones will not only be remembered, but will be introduced to future generations ensuring their legacy lives on. The CFM Center will do all that and more. Thanks, Rep. Crow for helping make it happen.”
Rep. Crow with George Peck and members of the Colorado Freedom Memorial Board of Directors
Photo courtesy of the Office of Congressman Jason Crow
“Congressman Crow truly understands the sacrifices that are represented on the Colorado Freedom Memorial. His support in helping us take the next step, a CFM Visitors Center, has been invaluable. As a retired serviceman, I am proud of his service and that I'm one of his constituents,” said George Peck, Lt. Col., USAF (Ret) and Vice Chair of the Colorado Freedom Memorial Board of Directors.
“The Colorado Freedom Memorial is an important connection between past and present. It was a unique opportunity to design a monument of this scale and magnitude that honors Colorado’s fallen heroes. I’m humbled to have played a role in this powerful tribute. It is exciting to see the next phase of this project come to fruition, which will continue to enhance the overall visitor experience at the memorial,” said Kristoffer Kenton, Freedom Memorial Architect, AIA, Director of Architecture, Galloway & Company, Inc.
Rep. Crow and Rick Crandall with rendering of the future Colorado Freedom Memorial Center
Photo courtesy of the Office of Congressman Jason Crow
Background on the Colorado Freedom Memorial Center
In partnership with the Colorado Freedom Memorial Foundation, Crow advocated for and secured funding to support the design and site plan for the Colorado Freedom Memorial Center.
The Colorado Freedom Memorial Center will be designed as a multi-use space containing:
- A theater for presentations by authors, historians, and veterans;
- A classroom with computers linked to CFM partners across the country where genealogists, historians and individuals can research generations of Colorado’s military stories; and
- Space to host visitors during inclement weather; bring students on field trips for lessons about service and sacrifice, and hold presentations by local military units about their important missions.
Crow fought for and secured funding for 15 projects that will directly benefit Colorado’s 6th District residents, as part of the final 2023 appropriations government funding package.