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.”
Smith has worked to increase IEC Southern Colorado’s involvement in government affairs and was excited to attend IEC Policy Conference 2026.
“I met Savannah at Policy Conference and appreciated her enthusiasm for civic participation,” said Jeremy Croft, IEC senior manager of government affairs. “She really took the initiative to get IEC National’s support for this event, which contributed greatly to its success.”
Colorado Springs is a hub for aerospace and innovation as the location of both the U.S. Air Force Academy and Peterson Space Force Base. However, a current shortage of large construction projects in the area has made it difficult for many students to begin work as electrical apprentices.
The FRAMER Act (H.R. 7282), introduced by Rep. Crank in the U.S. House, aims to reduce red tape and make it easier to build and do business in Colorado and nationwide. If passed, the bill could create more job opportunities for electricians and apprentices.
During his first term in the U.S. House, Rep. Crank has supported policies and positions that benefit merit shop electrical contractors. He co-signed the Fair and Open Competition Act, which aims to prohibit project labor agreement (PLA) mandates and preferences on federal and federally assisted construction projects, helping merit shop contractors compete for these projects while saving taxpayers an estimated $10 billion annually.
Rep. Crank also supports regulatory reform to expand access to Registered Apprenticeship and remove restrictive mandates, as well as tax reform that would benefit contractors and apprentices nationwide.
While visiting the training facility, Rep. Crank bent and signed a piece of conduit under the instruction of Chapter Executive Director Dale Weis. The chapter suggested a single 90-degree bend, but then the congressman chose to add a second 90-degree bend, offsets, and cut the conduit to size.
IEC Southern Colorado was pleased to present Rep. Crank with a contribution from the national IEC Political Action Committee to assist with his reelection campaign.
“Our chapter supports Rep. Crank and is grateful for his work on behalf of merit shop electrical contractors,” said Smith. “We enjoy hosting this event and look forward to seeing him again next year!”
For more information about hosting a chapter-level advocacy event, please contact IEC government affairs staff Ben Brubeck or Jeremy Croft.