Is it something in the cool mountain air or the ice-cold spring water?
We may never know for sure, but IEC Rocky Mountain and Southern Colorado have been leading the way when it comes to chapter engagement with public officials.
For the second year in a row, IEC Southern Colorado staff and contractor members met with U.S. Representative Jeff Crank (CO-5) for lunch on Aug. 11, 2026 at the chapter headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
During a roundtable discussion that lasted over an hour, members shared their concerns and perspectives while the congressman took notes and discussed bills he is working to advance.
“We really appreciate the congressman showing up consistently to demonstrate his support for our chapter, contractors, and apprenticeships,” said Savannah Smith, IEC Southern Colorado apprenticeship coordinator and the main planner of the event with Rep. Crank.
“Sometimes we tend to think of politics in big, grand terms and think of Washington as a place that’s so far away,” said Smith. “But in reality, there’s so much we can do at the local chapter level to make our voices heard to our representatives at all levels of government.”
IEC Southern Colorado delivered a PAC contribution of $2,500 to the congressman’s reelection campaign while he was on site. In the Denver area, IEC Rocky Mountain also delivered a $2500 PAC contribution to first-term incumbent Gabe Evans, who is facing a tough reelection fight in a tossup district in what is expected to be one of the most competitive races in the country.
“Congressman Evans has worked to make our voices heard in Washington since his first day in Congress from solar tax credit changes to permitting, said Marilyn Akers Stansbury, IEC Rocky Mountain CEO. “He has been transparent and responsive with us, and we are proud to support his campaign.”
On Sept. 9, IEC Rocky Mountain hosted Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling, who came for a tour, interactive lab demonstration and roundtable discussion. Sonderling has been nominated to officially lead the Dept. of Labor, and IEC supports his nomination, currently under consideration in the U.S. Senate.
Following an appearance by Henry Mack III, then-Assistant Secretary of Labor, at Policy Conference 2026, Sonderling’s visit to IEC Rocky Mountain reinforces the strong ties between the merit shop and the current Dept. of Labor.
“The department has been instrumental in increasing access to Workforce Pell Grants for trade apprenticeships, which directly benefits both IEC member contractors and American infrastructure and energy as a whole,” said Ben Brubeck, IEC lobbyist.
IEC is proud to recognize both IEC Southern Colorado and IEC Rocky Mountain for their leadership in forging strong relationships with merit shop champions in Congress.
As IEC PAC distributes funds to a slate of congressional candidates that align with merit shop values, the support of both chapters and individual members can make a significant impact. Members can learn more about IEC PAC here.
For more information about hosting a chapter-level advocacy event, please contact IEC Senior Manager of Government Affairs Jeremy Croft.