Democratic congressional nominee Gail Schwartz visited the Southern Ute Growth Fund on Monday, Oct. 17 with Tribal Councilman Tyson Thompson and Operating Director, Non-Energy, Patrick Vaughn. Her tour of the Growth Fund was to gain knowledge on how operations and procedures are conducted, as well as an overview of energy and economic development across the Southern Ute Indian Reservation.

Schwartz is running against Republican incumbent Rep. Scott Tipton to represent Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District. Schwartz stated that her initiatives involve lifetime work preserving and protecting Colorado’s land, water, and natural resources with the intent of building strong rural communities and economics.

She is a former state senator from Crested Butte and highlighted her experience in business, housing, education and public services. While in the state Senate, she held leadership positions on committees concerned with agriculture, natural resources, energy, water, labor and technology.