An astute observer with knowledge of Western Colorado politics might have noticed a March 1 video clip appearing on CNN of President Donald Trump speaking from the White House, while U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton, R-CO3, and Republican Mesa County Commissioner Rose Pugliese stand right next to him, looking on.

The video clip has been used as “B-roll,” to use the industry vernacular, in a number of stories on Trump recently, with journalists narrating their reports on Trump policies over the clip.

Pugliese, a 39-year-old estate attorney and New Jersey transplant to Palisade, Colorado, was just elected to her second term as a Mesa County Commissioner in District 3 – an important, but somewhat low-key job in the scheme of national politics. So how does a rural Colorado county commissioner get onto the national stage right next to a new president so early in his term – and we mean, literally up front, as in, almost in front of the president? After all, nobody stands next to the POTUS for a televised event without a good reason for being there, right?

The news video of Pugliese in the limelight was recorded at a Feb. 28 signing ceremony in the Roosevelt Room of the White House where Trump signed an executive order to withdraw and force further review of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS), or Clean Water Rule, which was adopted by the agency during the Obama administration to help “protect the nation’s streams and wetlands.” A repeal of the measure has been much sought after, particularly by Western Republicans, due to their belief that WOTUS is an overly burdensome federal regulation that leaves out local government input.

In a world where political favors and rewards are commonplace, it wasn’t Pugliese’s New Jersey background (perhaps she’s been to Harrah’s at Trump Plaza a time or two, though not confirmed) or her support on the campaign trail that brought her to the White House (a source speaking on the condition of anonymity noted Pugliese did support Trump during the 2016 election but “didn’t show up at much” in terms of campaign events).

No, it wasn’t a political favor that drew Pugliese into the Roosevelt Room – at least not a favor directly from Trump it appears. Instead, it was more a matter of the White House coordinating Western U.S. leaders to be on hand for the executive action – one that would concern them more than anyone else – while they were in town for another, unrelated event.

The Statesman reached out to Pugliese to find out what her White House television appearance was all about, and it turns out it was somewhat of a fluke according to the commissioner.

“I was in Washington, D.C., attending a National Association of Counties annual legislative conference,” Pugliese wrote in an email to The Statesman. “I was contacted by the White House and asked to attend an executive order signing revoking the Waters of the U.S. Rule. Twelve commissioners from across the country were asked to attend, including Longinos Gonzalez, a commissioner from El Paso County.”

And it wasn’t Pugliese’s first trip to D.C. She also attended Trump’s inauguration Jan. 20, at the time describing herself as a “huge Trump supporter.”

Pugliese said Tipton was instrumental in getting her to stand right next to Trump.

Liz Payne, communications director for Tipton, told The Statesman that it was Tipton’s work on rolling back WOTUS that earned his invitation to the White House for the event.

“It was a small group that was present at the signing of the executive order,” Payne said. “I believe everyone gathered around the podium without assigned spots for the press conference. … I assume the group was asked to gather around the podium and that’s where the two of them [Tipton and Pugliese] landed.”

Asked whether she appreciated what Trump had done so far for Western Colorado, Pugliese said she thought Trump was doing a good job and fit her district – where he was elected with 64 percent of the vote – well.

“I am a supporter of the President,” Pugliese told The Statesman. “In his short time in office I have seen him first-hand listen to the voices of counties, especially rural counties, on important federal issues. I respect politicians who follow through on their campaign promises and President Trump is doing exactly what he said he would do.

“President Trump and his administration is really listening to the voices of counties and county commissioners. They reach out to determine what counties need in our communities and are working with us to mitigate federal regulations that are impeding our economies.”

Payne said her boss was particularly pleased with Trump’s appointment of U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Wyo., to Secretary of the Interior.

“Secretary Zinke is a proven leader who understands the complicated overlay of federal policy impacting Western States,” Payne said. “As an advocate for the West with a strong record on issues related to private water rights, forest management, and responsible energy production, Congressman Tipton believes that Secretary Zinke will be a strong advocate and partner for the West.”

Regardless of their perhaps unsurprising willingness to show some Republican support for a fellow Republican in the White House, one thing is for certain, both Tipton and Pugliese have mastered the art of news conference positioning. Either that, or they had some serious political luck on their side Feb. 28.

Editors Note: Tipton recently appeared in another high-profile photo as the sole bystander behind U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan at a congressional press event. (Another win for Western Colorado’s profile … and the congressman.)