CSBJ Daily

The $471 billion Defense Appropriations Act that outlines the budget for 2008 Pentagon programs was given final approval by Congress and is headed to President Bush’s desk for signature.

As much as $224 million is earmarked for military programs in Colorado.

The Pikes Peak region will see a $3.2 million upgrade to the Cheyenne Mountain U.S. Northern Command center.  The lion’s share of the budget  –  a $142 million allocation — will pay for the continuing Pueblo Chemical Depot clean up.

That’s a modest amount compared to the $150 million per year, estimated by Colorado Sens. Wayne Allard and Ken Salazar allocated by the Pentagon to complete the removal of mustard gas and other weapons housed for more than 40 years at the Pueblo Army Depot.

Fort Carson, Peterson Air Force Base and Schriever Air Force Base will likely see additional funding in a separate 2008 military construction appropriations budget, still pending approval by both the House and Senate.