Greeley Tribune: US Rep. Gabe Evans promises to make big changes for the lives of Coloradans

Rep. Gabe Evans on Friday reaffirmed his commitment to addressing immigration and prioritizing the safety of Colorado communities over the next two years.

Evans was officially sworn into office as the new U.S. House representative for Colorado’s 8th Congressional District on Friday.

Evans, a Republican, took former Rep. Yadira Caraveo’s seat in Congress with 48.9% of the vote in the November election. At his swearing-in, Evans specifically referred to immigration wait times and the importance of preventing certain immigrants from “cutting the line and collecting American taxpayer resources along the way.”

“I think we saw the American people speak pretty loudly and clearly that they want to make sure that we are following a comprehensive plan to not only secure the border but to also make sure we are taking care of American citizens,” Evans said. “I think it’s something we absolutely have to take a look at and put American citizens first and put people who are committed to following the laws first.”

Immigration reform was a key aspect of Evans’ platform on the campaign trail. During his campaign, Evans stated his intention to help relaunch the border wall project as well as reimplement a policy that requires migrants to remain in Mexico until they qualify for asylum or immigration.

Evans also aims to rein in crime in Colorado, reporting that the state ranks high in bank robberies as well as teenage fentanyl deaths. Evans looks to establish an integrated approach between federal, state and local levels to help make Colorado a safer place to live.

“That’s one of my top priorities. I’ve heard a lot about this from my constituents, and I continue to hear a lot about that,” Evans said. “We need to work to get Colorado back to a safer place and end the scourge of fentanyl.”

Evans said residents of Weld County and the rest of the 8th District can expect a larger congressional presence than they experienced under Caraveo’s leadership. Evans said he will attend various community events and local government meetings while maintaining an open-door policy at his offices in Greeley.

“We are here to serve you regardless of where you may lie on the political spectrum,” Evans said. “When I’m in the district, I’m going to try to be as present as possible, go to as many things as possible and have as many conversations as possible because that’s how I’ll gain the fullest understanding possible about what the problems are and how I can most effectively advocate for those concerns”

Evans’ staff have taken over Caraveo’s offices at 3400 W. 16th St., Building 1S, Suite C, in Greeley. The public is welcome to walk in from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays to talk about the issues that are concerning to them. Evans’ office can also be contacted using a form on gabeevans.house.gov.