{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"House\", state = \"CO\" and year = 2013 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364967", "Representatives Polis and Vargas Fight for DACA Individuals Eager to Join Military", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jared Polis", "P000598", "polis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, U.S. Representatives Jared Polis (CO-2) and Juan Vargas (CA-51) \u00a0were joined by fellow Members of Congress in urging the Department of Defense to issue a memo allowing Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals (DACA) to enlist in all branches of the United States military. Currently, individuals who qualify for DACA are ineligible for service.\r\n\u201cBy allowing DACA individuals to enlist, we not only ensure that all branches of our military remain fully staffed, but also give those who call the United States home an opportunity to defend their country,\u201d said Congressman Vargas.\u00a0 \u201cFor many Deferred Action individuals, joining the military would be a way for them to give back to a country that has offered them wonderful opportunities and a bright future.\u201d\r\nWith a shortage of eligible candidates enlisting, the military is facing severe recruiting issues, particularly in the reserves. DACA individuals, who have already undergone extensive background checks and finished high school or received a high school equivalent, make an ideal pool of vetted candidates.\u00a0 \r\n\u201cFor many young people brought to the United States before adulthood, America is the only place they\u2019ve known as home,\u201d said Congressman Polis. \u201cI hope the Department of Defense seizes this opportunity to enlist interested Deferred Action individuals in all branches of our military and allow them to help keep our nation, and their home, safe.\u201d\r\n\u201cDACA individuals have spent the majority of their lives in the United States, many with no memory or tie to their country of origin,\u201d said Congressman Vargas.\u00a0 \u201cThey view themselves as Americans, and as such, would be honored to serve their country and defend the land they call home.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://perlmutter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1007", "Perlmutter Urges House to Restore Veterans' Cost of Living Adjustment", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "perlmutter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Perlmutter Urges House to Restore Veterans' Cost of Living Adjustment \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Lakewood, CO,\r\n        December 19, 2013\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n       \r\r\tToday, U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) announced he is co-sponsoring legislation to repeal reductions to working age military retiree cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) included in the Bipartisan Budget Act. The Military Retirement Restoration Act, by Rep. Dan Maffei (D- Syracuse) is fully paid for by closing tax loopholes for offshore corporations. Companion legislation is introduced in the Senate by U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA).\r\r\tPerlmutter said, \"The bipartisan Murray/Ryan budget proposal was less than perfect and not exactly what I preferred. However it's been several years since Congress agreed to a budget, and I felt this was a small step in the right direction toward a more responsible budget process rather than governing from crisis to crisis. Specifically, I'm not happy about Rep. Paul Ryan's idea to modify and reduce cost-of-living adjustments for working age veteran retirees (those under 62). That's why I am co-sponsoring the Military Retirement Restoration Act to replace the cuts to working age military retiree benefits included in the Bipartisan Budget Act by preventing companies from avoiding U.S. taxes by abusing overseas tax havens. We had to take a first step to get into the budgeting process, and now I hope we can fix this provision.\" \r\r\t###\r\r\tThe Military Retirement Restoration Act will:\r \r\t\r\t\tRepeals the provision in the Bipartisan Budget Act (Section 403) that modifies the annual cost-of-living adjustment for working-age military retirees by making the adjustments equal to inflation minus one percent. This provision, which is scheduled to go into effect in December 2015, would result in a benefit cut for working-age military retirees. The Bipartisan Budget Act modifies the annual cost-of-living adjustment for working-age military retirees by making the adjustments equal to inflation minus one percent. At age 62, the retired pay would be adjusted as if the COLA had been the full CPI adjustment in all previous years, and the service members would receive the full COLA from then on. The provision would have saved approximately $6 billion over ten years.\r\t\r\t\tPrevents companies from avoiding paying their fair share of U.S. taxes. The repeal would be fully offset by stopping companies incorporated offshore but managed and controlled from the United States from claiming foreign status and avoiding U.S. taxes on their foreign income. It would require these companies to be treated as U.S. domestic corporations for tax purposes. This provision and is expected to raise over $6.6 billion over ten years.\r \r \r\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364866", "Polis\u2019 Summit County Land Sale Bill Passes Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jared Polis", "P000598", "polis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Representative Jared Polis (D-CO) today praised the passage of a bill he penned\u2014H.R. 2337 the Lake Hill Administrative Site Affordable Housing Act\u2014in the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee. The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives by voice vote on October 29, 2013.\u00a0 \r\n\u201cI am pleased that the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee has advanced The Lake Hill Administrative Site Affordable Housing Act and I urge prompt passage in the full Senate,\u201d said Rep. Polis. \u201cThis bill is the product of a community-driven effort to create additional affordable housing opportunities in Summit County while helping the U.S. Forest Service improve and maintain its facilities. This measure will contribute to community growth and economic prosperity.\u201d\r\nH.R. 2337 conveys a 40-acre parcel in the White River National Forest known as the Lake Hill Site to Summit County, Colorado. Proceeds from the sale will support much needed U.S. Forest Service facility improvement and maintenance.\r\nThe Lake Hill Site was selected for this sale because the property has lost its National Forest character. The parcel is isolated from other U.S. Forest Service land, sitting between I-70 to the north, Dillon Dam Road to the south, and condominiums to the west. The parcel was heavily logged and is home to unsightly infrastructure. As a result it is no longer suitable for wildlife habitat or recreation purposes. \r\nFortunately, the Lake Hill parcel can serve a greater community purpose as a site for affordable housing. There is a critical need for additional affordable housing to meet the demands of the county\u2019s workforce\u2014a need that will only become more urgent with time. During the winter, approximately one third of the workforce has to commute into the county because local housing prices are too high for residents to live near where they work. The Lake Hill site is the perfect setting for affordable housing to allow those who work in Summit County to live in Summit County. The property is located in the heart of Summit County between the towns of Frisco and Dillon and near free public transit.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364748", "Polis Lauds Interior Funding for CSU,  Fort Collins Science Center", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jared Polis", "P000598", "polis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Polis Lauds Interior Funding for CSU,  Fort Collins Science Center  \r\n   \r\n    \r\n      Research Projects to Provide Land and Wildlife Managers with Tools to Adapt to Climate Change \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        December 18, 2013\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Representative Jared Polis (CO-02) welcomed Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell\u2019s announcement today that Interior has awarded nearly $7 million to universities and other partners nationwide for research to prepare our communities for the impacts of climate change, and congratulated Colorado State University and the Fort Collins Science Center for their well-deserved inclusion in this vital undertaking. \r\n\u201cI am thrilled that the Department of the Interior has recognized Colorado State University and the Fort Collins Science Center as leaders on climate science research,\u201d said Congressman Polis. \u201cThe work that these world class institutions will produce with this funding will help protect our quality of life.\"\r\nThe research projects funded through today\u2019s announcement in Colorado\u2019s Second District include:\r\n \r\n    Developing a VisTrails Platform for Modeling Streamflow Hydrology and Projecting Climate Change Effects on Streamflow (Fort Collins Science Center)\r\n    Surrogate Species for Wetland-Dependent Birds in the Prairie Pothole Region: Selection, Evaluation, and Management Application in the Face of Climate Change (Fort Collins Science Center; CSU\u2019s Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology)\r\n    Capacity Building in the North Central Climate Science Center Domain (CSU\u2019s Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory)\r\n    Foundational Science Area Activities (CSU\u2019s Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364753", "Polis Urges Swift Action to Improve Internet Access in Schools and Libraries", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jared Polis", "P000598", "polis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO), along with a bipartisan group of two dozen Representatives, called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to improve and modernize the federal E-Rate program, which provides critical discounts for schools and libraries on their telecommunications and Internet services.\u00a0This important update will ensure every school has the ability to accelerate next-generation education reforms, support teachers, and enhance student learning.\u00a0\n\u201cAt a time in which technology is transforming so many aspects of our lives, too many schools do not have access to the connectivity they need to take advantage of the opportunities that digital learning presents,\u201d said Rep. Polis. \u201cIt is time for the FCC to act to improve, modernize, and streamline the E-Rate program in order to bring high-speed broadband to every classroom and personalize learning for every student.\u201d \nThe improvements to E-Rate will enable students to take full advantage of digital learning, which education experts agree requires 100 Mbps or more of bandwidth for every 1,000 students and staff members today, increasing to 1 Gbps by 2017. Unfortunately, 40 million of America\u2019s K-12 students do not currently have the Internet access and Wi-Fi they need to succeed in the global economy.\u00a0In order to reach this goal,\u00a0the group urged the FCC to focus E-rate on broadband connectivity and infrastructure, create an upgrade fund to support rural areas, increase transparency and accountability, and simplify and streamline the program so that high-speed broadband can be deployed to more schools and classrooms.\n\u201cThe district I represent in Upstate New York is largely rural, making increased access to broadband a priority of mine in Congress,\u201d said Rep. Chris Gibson (R-NY). \u201cI am pleased to be working with Representative Polis in a bipartisan manner to improve education through broadband expansion.\u00a0 If our children are going to compete in the 21st century workforce, they must have access to 21st century resources.\u201d\n\u201cE-rate was critical to bringing basic internet connection to schools on the North Coast and in rural areas across the United States, but the program hasn\u2019t kept pace with changing technology,\u201d Congressman Jared Huffman (D-CA) said. \u201cModernizing the E-rate program will improve collaboration in the classroom, allow students and teachers to access cutting-edge educational tools and material from around the world, and help schools prepare students for tomorrow\u2019s job market.\u201d\u00a0 \n\u201cAdvances in technology and the Internet have significantly transformed the way our students learn. The classroom experience is becoming increasingly dependent on digital and online learning tools \u2013 and as learning continues to evolve, it is more important than ever that we connect every school and library to high-speed broadband,\u201d said Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA). \u201cTo ensure our students are prepared for a 21st century economy, we must do better than providing them with the technologies and Internet speeds of the past. It\u2019s time to reform the E-rate program to meet the technology demands of the future.\u201d\nCongressman Jared Polis is co-chair of the Congressional E-Learning Caucus and a member of the House Education and Workforce Committee. The full text of the letter is below. You can find a signed copy of the letter here. December 18, 2013\u00a0\n\nFederal Communications Commission  \n445 12th Street, SW  \nWashington, DC 20554\nDear Chairman Wheeler, Commissioner Clyburn, Commissioner O\u2019Rielly, Commissioner Rosenworcel, and Commissioner Pai:\nAs Members of Congress concerned with improving our education system and preparing students for the jobs of the future, we are writing to urge swift action to improve and modernize the E-rate program in order to help connect our nation\u2019s schools with high-speed broadband over the next five years. This critical update will ensure every school has the ability to accelerate next-generation education reforms, support teachers, and enhance student learning. We believe this is an important step we can take to provide our children with high-quality digital learning opportunities in order to improve student outcomes and prepare them to succeed in a 21st century economy.\nImproving our children\u2019s ability to take advantage of learning technologies has always been a bipartisan endeavor, as has been the E-rate program itself. We are proud to support the bipartisan recommendations to update E-rate and we call for those across the education, government, and business communities to recognize the opportunity we have to improve and modernize our schools. Therefore, we ask the Commission for swift action to bring high-speed broadband to our students on an expedited basis.\nClosing the education gap means ensuring that our schools and libraries have access to digital learning opportunities that require high-speed broadband. However, too many of our children are currently trying to learn skills for tomorrow with outdated infrastructure from the past. While the E-rate program was enormously successful in bringing basic telephone and broadband to schools and classrooms, the connectivity provided is no longer sufficient. The average American school has about the same bandwidth as the average American home, but with 200 times as many users. Therefore, 72% of our schools do not have the Internet infrastructure they need to take advantage of digital learning opportunities today, and fewer than 1% have the infrastructure they will need in the future.\nIn an age when high-speed broadband is transforming almost every aspect of our lives, we must extend digital opportunities to every classroom. This is particularly crucial in rural areas, where students are less likely to have the speeds and infrastructure they need to take advantage of new technologies and high-quality educational content. Forty million of our nation\u2019s students\u2014the next generation of talent in the United States\u2014are being left behind without the speeds they need to succeed. As Commissioner Ajit Pai has noted, \u201cToday, too many kids walk off the school bus, only to walk decades into the past. This is unacceptable. \u2026 Parents are right to expect that schools will help prepare their children for the America of tomorrow, and they know that can\u2019t happen in the classroom of yesterday.\u201d\nExperts agree that to enable students to take full advantage of digital learning, America\u2019s schools should aim for 100 Mbps of bandwidth or more for every 1,000 students and staff members today, and 1 Gbps by 2017. In today\u2019s global economy, these high speeds aren\u2019t just an educational imperative, but a competitive necessity. Test results released this month show that American students still lag far behind countries like China, South Korea, Japan, Switzerland, and the Netherlands in math, reading, and science. It\u2019s no longer enough just to compete for jobs; we have to compete for higher educational outcomes enabled by higher broadband speeds.\nThis means we need to: (1) Focus E-rate on broadband connectivity and infrastructure to ensure that we maximize the impact of the program on learning by limiting support for yesterday\u2019s outdated dial-up era technologies; (2) Create an upgrade fund within the E-rate program to connect every school and library, particularly those in rural areas, to high-speed broadband; (3) Increase transparency and accountability for the program in order to reduce costs, research effective practices, and ensure that all students have access to the connectivity they need; and (4) Simplify and streamline onerous paperwork requirements to improve program efficiency. These reforms will make possible strategic investments to deploy high-speed broadband to schools and classrooms across the country.\nWe simply cannot prepare our kids to compete for 21st century jobs by leaving them stranded with age-old technologies. Therefore, we ask you to support swift action to modernize and expand the E-rate program to bring transformative learning opportunities to every school in America.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=78B75AAB-D969-2D78-1E31-AC4B37522C3C", "Bennet Cosponsors Bipartisan Bill to Clarify Volunteer First Responders' Status in Health Care Bill", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Proposal Designed to Allow Localities to Retain Volunteer First Responders\nColorado is Home to More than 300 Volunteer Fire Departments\nColorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today cosponsored a bipartisan bill to clarify how volunteer firefighters and other first responders are defined in the new health care law in order to ensure they can continue protecting communities that rely on them.\nThe Protect Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act amends the Affordable Care Act to make it clear that volunteer emergency service workers are not required to be counted as full-time employees for purposes of healthcare coverage. Counting them as full-time employees would put a strain on cash-strapped volunteer fire departments to provide healthcare coverage for them, while most volunteer first responders do not expect to receive compensation or health coverage as a result of their volunteer public service.\nColoradans know well how valuable our volunteer first responders are to our communities, especially in some rural areas where volunteers exclusively provide fire protection and emergency medical services, Bennet said. This bill is a commonsense fix and improvement to the health care law that ensures we don't unfairly penalize these brave men and women, who often receive little compensation for their services.\nUnless the provision for full-time employee is clarified, fire departments and other emergency response units that rely heavily on volunteers will be forced to eliminate emergency responders and/or reduce training and emergency response hours, since the cost of complying with the Employer Mandate in the health care law would be nearly impossible to cover.\nThis bipartisan bill was introduced by Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Mark Warner (D-VA), Pat Toomey (R-PA), Angus King (I-ME), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Mark Begich (D-AK). It has been endorsed by the International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Volunteer Fire Council, and Congressional Fire Services Institute.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://perlmutter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1005", "Udall, Perlmutter Welcome Decision Easing Rocky Flats Workers' Ability to Access Benefits", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "perlmutter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "'Today's Decision Ensures These Heroes Will Be Able to More Easily Access the Care, Compensation They Deserve'\r\r\tU.S. Senator Mark Udall and Congressman Ed Perlmutter, strong supporters of Colorado's nuclear industry workers, heralded the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' approval of a federal board's recommendation to make it easier for affected Rocky Flats workers to qualify for federal assistance under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness and Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA). Udall and Perlmutter welcomed the recommendations made by the federal board in October and urged the Department of Health and Human Services to quickly approve it.\r\r\tToday's decision allows those who worked at Rocky Flats from 1952 to 1983 to qualify for benefits under a \"special exposure cohort status.\" The new classification will alleviate some of the currently burdensome application processes and speed up access to compensation and treatment for health problems stemming from their service.\r\r\t\"Thousands of patriots at Rocky Flats helped our nation win the Cold War. Today's decision ensures that these heroes will be able to more easily access the care and compensation they deserve,\" Udall said. \"I am proud the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services quickly responded to our call  and those of Colorado's Cold War patriots  to act. This is a significant victory for Colorado's nuclear workers.\"\r\r\t\"This is welcome news for all the workers who risked their lives to protect our nation and helped end the Cold War. For years, Rocky Flats workers fought for the healthcare and compensation they earned during their service working in dangerous conditions on behalf of our nation,\" Perlmutter said. \"I'm glad we've been able to work with the Obama Administration to make sure these workers and their beneficiaries receive the health care and benefits they earned for their unselfish sacrifice to our country.\"\r\r\tUdall and Perlmuttersent a letter earlier this year to the Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Healthurging it to give \"special exposure cohort status\" to Rocky Flats workers who were exposed to radioactive and toxic substances during their work at the Cold-War Era plutonium-pit production facility.\r\r\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=416E3532-210B-E829-E9B4-AEB2F9FB80F3", "As Senate Moves Toward Passage of Budget, Bennet Urges Colleagues to Continue Bipartisan Work to Reduce Deficit", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Agreement a Step Forward: Replaces a Portion of Harmful Sequestration Cuts for Two Years, Leaves Many Issues Unresolved\nToday's Procedural Vote Paves Way for Full Senate Vote Tomorrow\nColorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet welcomed the Senate's support today for a bipartisan budget agreement that will replace a portion of the harmful across-the-board sequestration cuts for two years. Calling the agreement a step forward, Bennet also urged his colleagues to continue their work toward a long-term, comprehensive budget plan that puts the country on a path toward fiscal health.\nThis is by no means a perfect agreement and leaves many issues unaddressed. It does, however, represent a step forward and a departure from Washington's bad habit of lurching from one manufactured crisis to the next and waiting until the eleventh hour to come up with solutions.\nTime and time again, people in town halls across Colorado have told me that they want a bipartisan budget that materially reduces the deficit and shows we're all in this together. I remain committed to working with anyone from either side of the aisle who wants to develop a thoughtful, comprehensive plan to tackle our debt.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=69984A33-FD96-03D2-3EFD-7F3A0D903F6D", "Bennet, Grassley Look to Advance Provision for Children with Medically Complex Conditions", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado and Chuck Grassley of Iowa said today they will look for ways to advance their provision to better coordinate care for children with complex medical conditions under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), leading to better care and health for these children.\nKids in Colorado and around the country deserve doctors and hospitals that have every tool and resource they need to help them get better, Bennet said. We need to explore ways that we can ensure kids are getting the seamless care they deserve. We'll continue to work closely with the Senate Finance Committee to get this signed into law.\nConsidering creative models to promote better outcomes for children with medically complex conditions is something we need to explore in the future, Grassley said. Working with the Finance Committee on a bipartisan basis and the Congressional Budget Office, I hope we can move these ideas forward.\nBennet, Grassley, and seven other bipartisan members of the Finance Committee sponsored an amendment to the physician payments bill considered in committee last week that would establish under the Medicaid program and Children's Health Insurance Program an accountable care collaborative providing a network of services to children with medically complex conditions.\nThe amendment, which was offered and withdrawn, establishes a Medicaid Children's Care Coordination Program for children with complex medical conditions that would provide services through nationally designated children's hospital networks. Medically Complex Children are defined as those who are included in Clinical Risk Groups (CRG) 5b-9. The CRG methodology is a well-documented and accepted manner of classifying pediatric patients and their diagnoses nationally and can be adopted for these purposes easily.\nPatients in these groups have significant lifelong chronic diseases, limiting the probability of churning in and out of the network, Bennet and Grassley said. Approximately three million children in the country suffer from medically complex conditions, and two million of these children are in Medicaid, accounting for 6 percent of children enrolled in Medicaid and 40 percent of Medicaid spending on children.\nChildren with medically complex conditions are often need of specialized care that requires services provided by providers found in states outside of the family's state of residence. Medicaid's state-based structure creates impediments to seamless, integrated models of care that may be more appropriate for these children.\nChildren's hospitals are seen as the anchors to the nationally designated hospital network. While anchor hospitals will provide services for network patients including physician, inpatient and outpatient care, the network will necessarily include other hospitals, physicians, and providers to ensure these children receive the needed services in the most appropriate setting possible. Key to these networks is assurance that there is an adequate network to support the specific pediatric population, Bennet and Grassley said.\nThrough integrated care and risk-based reimbursement, improved patient outcomes and lower health care costs can be achieved, the senators said.\nBennet and Grassley said they will look for legislative opportunities to advance this proposal in the coming months.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://perlmutter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1004", "Perlmutter Thanks First Responders in Wake of Arapahoe High School", "2013-12-14", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "perlmutter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Perlmutter Thanks First Responders in Wake of Arapahoe High School \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Lakewood, CO,\r\n        December 14, 2013\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      \r\tToday US Rep. Ed Perlmutter released the following statement in response to the tragic shootings at Arapahoe High School and marking the one year anniversary of Sandy Hook:\r\r\t\"Today, I want to thank our first responders who acted swiftly to ensure the safety of our students and teachers yesterday after the shooting at Arapahoe High School. Our hearts and prayers are with all of the families and victims of the tragedy in Newtown, CT, as well as Arapahoe High School here in Colorado. In the wake of these senseless acts if violence, I know our resilience and the strength of our communities will unite us and guide us forward.\"\r\r\t###\r\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/tipton-statement-budget-vote", "Tipton Statement on Budget Vote", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CO", "Scott Tipton", "T000470", "tipton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Chart courtesy of the House Budget Committee)\nWASHINGTON\u2014Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) issued the following statement after passage of the Budget Act of 2013 today in the House.\n\u201cOur ability to reduce federal spending will have tremendous impacts on future generation\u2019s ability to realize the American Dream.\u00a0 We must chart a responsible and sustainable budget course that works to pay down our $17 trillion debt, strengthens our economy, and allows the government to continue to provide essential functions for future generations. To do this, over the long term we need to balance the budget and pay down the debt.\n\u201cWhile previous House-passed budgets have included larger reforms, today\u2019s budget resolution includes reforms to mandatory spending and makes modest progress toward reducing overall spending by staying true to the caps set under the Budget Control Act. It achieves $85 billion in mandatory savings and $23 billion in deficit reduction, without raising taxes. It also puts a stop to budgeting from crisis to crisis, preventing future government shutdowns that create economic uncertainty.\n\u201cWe have a long way to go to address our nation\u2019s budget crisis that has been decades in the making. The House has passed numerous budgets that would balance and pay off the debt, but it\u2019s become clear that Senate Democrats and the President are unwilling to even consider those plans. That doesn\u2019t mean we can\u2019t achieve some progress toward spending reform, as we have today. I am committed to continuing to fight to reduce federal spending and responsibly pay down the national debt. Our nation\u2019s future depends on it.\u201d\nBudget Act of 2013 highlights courtesy of the House Budget Committee:\n Sets overall discretionary spending for the current fiscal year at $1.012 trillion\u2014about halfway between the Senate budget level of $1.058 trillion and the House budget level of $967 billion.\n\tProvides $63 billion in sequester relief over two years, split evenly between defense and non-defense programs.\n\tIn fiscal year 2014, defense discretionary spending would be set at $520.5 billion, and non-defense discretionary spending would be set at $491.8 billion.\n\tThe sequester relief is fully offset by savings elsewhere in the budget.\n\tThe agreement includes dozens of specific deficit-reduction provisions, with mandatory savings and non-tax revenue totaling approximately $85 billion.\n\tThe agreement would reduce the deficit by between $20 and $23 billion.\n Learn more about the budget and find additional charts here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=9CB1038A-38B3-3747-5E47-D87BF6E5E20C", "Bennet Statement on Arapahoe High School Shooting", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet issued the following statement on the shootings this afternoon at Arapahoe High School:\nOur heartsare with all the students and families of the Arapahoe HighSchoolcommunity, as well as the brave first responders who helped secure student safety. No parent ever wants to look up at their TV screen in the middle of the day to see their children's school being evacuated because of a shooting. It's a gut-wrenching experience that no parent should have to endure. Unfortunately, it is also one that Coloradans are all too familiar with.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/co-biologist-tells-tipton-committee-blm-sage-grouse-approach-simplistic-damaging", "CO Biologist Tells Tipton, Committee that BLM Sage Grouse Approach Is Simplistic, Damaging", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CO", "Scott Tipton", "T000470", "tipton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014Today, during a House Natural Resources Committee hearing on the Endangered Species Act (ESA) decision-making process, Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) shined light on numerous concerns with the proposed ESA listing of the sage grouse.\nTipton questioned Megan Maxwell, a biologist from Broomfield, Colorado, on the Bureau of Land Management\u2019s (BLM) National Technical Team Report (NTT) which makes recommendations for stringent sage grouse habitat protections on millions of square miles in parts of Colorado and ten other Western states. Maxwell told Tipton and the Committee of numerous problems with the NTT report, including the one-size-fits-all approach to preserve the grouse, which fails to take into account diverse regional ecological factors vital to successfully preserve the species, or take into account the local efforts already underway.\nWatch video of Tipton\u2019s Q&A during the hearing.\n\u201cThe NTT Report provides habitat management recommendations for sage-grouse across its entire range including specific habitat prescriptions or goals which would apply to all sage-grouse seasonal habitats. Although this \u201cone-size-fits-all\u201d management approach may be convenient for BLM to administer, it is completely inappropriate for sage-grouse because of their broad ecological range, variations in population traits and characteristics across their range, and the variability in habitat conditions and threats within the range. These variations make managing sage-grouse and their habitat a complex task that must consider site-specific conditions and variables. Simplifying sage-grouse management by creating range-wide habitat prescriptions or percent disturbance thresholds fails to target the specific sub-regional and population scale factors, as well as seasonal habitat preferences,\u201d testified Maxwell. \u201cThe simplistic \u201cone-size-fits-all\u201d approach advanced in the NTT Report completely fails to recognize this variation and complexity which is a critical flaw. Consequently, the habitat management recommendations in the NTT Report will likely fail to protect sage-grouse and sage-grouse habitat range-wide and could even result in unintended adverse consequences, like increased risk of catastrophic fire and habitat destruction in areas already under extreme threat of wildfire.\u201d\nRead Maxwell\u2019s full testimony here.\n\u201cIf the goal is truly species preservation, it would make sense for the Interior Department to work with state and local officials to maximize the impact of effective efforts already underway. However, that\u2019s not the case,\u201d Tipton said. \u201cAs we heard today, the Administration is disregarding efforts underway in my district that take into account the diverse topography and ecology of the regions to preserve the grouse, and instead is pushing for a one-size-fits-all approach. Furthermore, despite numerous requests, administration officials have yet to provide measurable preservation goals for the species to give state and local officials in Colorado the chance to meet them.\u201d\nTipton questioned Maxwell about the BLM\u2019s blanket approach to preserve the grouse that fails to take into account regional factors and threatens multiple use development critical to local economies for eleven different Western States, including Colorado, on over 40 million acres of land. \u00a0\n\u201cThe conservation measures and the one-size-fits-all approach they\u2019re taking is what\u2019s going to really be damaging,\u201d said Maxwell.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://perlmutter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1003", "Perlmutter Supports Bipartisan Budget Agreement", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "perlmutter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Perlmutter Supports Bipartisan Budget Agreement \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, DC,\r\n        December 12, 2013\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      \r\tToday, U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter voted to support a bipartisan budget agreement which allows our country to move forward and work on the important priorities of Americans.\r\r\tPerlmutter stated, \"This agreement is not all I hoped for, but it's a first step in breaking through the partisan brinkmanship to provide relief from the automatic, arbitrary budget cuts and ensures some much needed economic certainty for the next two years. This will help strengthen our economy, promote job creation and reduce our deficit. It also makes sure valuable community services and resources are available to those who need them most and our senior citizens continue to have access to their doctors. We can't stop here, we need to do more to stimulate our economic recovery. I'm hopeful we continue working in a bipartisan way to address important priorities like passing comprehensive immigration reform, tax reform and securing our energy independence.\"\r\r\tThe budget agreement passed 332 - 94.\r \r \r\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364301", "Polis and Massie Call for Transparency in US trade agreements", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jared Polis", "P000598", "polis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Representatives Jared Polis (D-CO) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman requesting for transparency, particularly with respect to the intellectual property rights chapters, as the final rounds of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) are negotiated. The Congressmen also called for increase public engagement in the TPP negotiations with a range of diverse stakeholders to ensure that the final agreement maintains a balanced intellectual property system. \r\n\"We must ensure our trade policy is transparent and balanced,\" said Representative Polis. \"Ensuring a\u00a0balanced IP chapter will promote\u00a0a thriving digital economy\u00a0that is\u00a0in everyone's interest- from content creators, to users and intermediaries. As digital trade expands, Congress and the Administration must work together to get the policy right. If we properly design our digital-trade policy system, we can positively develop the global economy for decades to come.\" \r\nPolis and Massie expressed concern that important stakeholders including civil society groups, businesses, and academics have not been able to participate meaningfully in the treaty process, which is resulting in an imbalanced intellectual property system. In particular, they note that the TPP Intellectual Property Rights chapter leaked in November 2013 would place undue restrictions on our copyright laws, harming our innovation, our economy, and an open and free Internet. For instance, the leaked treaty draft includes language that would seemingly make any permanent fix to unlocking cellphones illegal. \r\nTo that end, Representatives Polis and Massie encourage the Administration to work with the negotiating parties to publicly release the current official text of the TPP intellectual property and related chapters\u2014or at least summaries of these proposals\u2014and invite public comments on such provisions before the agreement is concluded. \r\nCongressman Polis has also been an outspoken critic of the lack of transparency surrounding the intellectual property provisions contained in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the impact these provisions have on a free and open Internet. Last September, he joined with Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA) calling on the U.S. Trade Representative in a letter to publicly release \"detailed information\" about the intellectual property provisions, which are of particular importance to the public, currently being negotiated in the TPP.\u00a0And this past August, he and Congressman Massie led a bipartisan letter to Representative Froman on the issue.\r\nThe text of the letter follows.\r\n###\r\nDecember 12, 2013 \r\nThe Honorable Michael Froman  \r\nUnited States Trade Representative  \r\n600 17th Street NW  \r\nWashington, D.C. 20508  \r\nDear Ambassador Froman,\r\nWe write as supporters of trade and strong believers in a transparent and open government. As the final rounds of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) agreement are negotiated, we urge you to heed the public calls for increased transparency in the negotiations, particularly with respect to the intellectual property rights chapters. We request that you increase public engagement in the TPP negotiations with a range of diverse stakeholders and ensure that the final agreement maintains a balanced intellectual property system. \r\nWhile we recognize the need to maintain a degree of confidentiality in negotiating our trade agreements, we remain disappointed that important stakeholders including civil society groups, businesses, and academics have not been able to meaningfully participate in the treaty process. The Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Intellectual Property (ITAC-15) has a limited membership, precluding a more diverse set of stakeholders from being able to review and provide input on the negotiating texts or regularly meet with United States Trade Representative (USTR) negotiators. \r\nIn particular, we are concerned that the TPP Intellectual Property Rights chapter leaked in November 2013 would place undue restrictions on our copyright laws, harming our innovation, our economy, and an open and free Internet. These standards are troubling given their ability to potentially restrict the legislative branch, particularly when Congress has indicated it is beginning to evaluate the merits of revising these laws. For example, as sponsors of H.R. 1892, the Unlocking Technology Act, we are particularly troubled by draft proposals concerning prohibitions on the circumvention of technical protection measures or Digital Rights Management. The leaked treaty draft includes language that would seemingly make any permanent fix to unlocking cellphones illegal. Intellectual property is a dynamic policy area in which preserving Congress\u2019 ability to adapt to the changing nature of technology is absolutely critical for the United States and our trading partners.\r\nTo that end, we encourage the Administration to work with the negotiating parties to publicly release the current official text of the TPP intellectual property and related chapters\u2014or\u00a0 at least summaries of these proposals\u2014and invite public comments on such provisions before the agreement is concluded. A strong precedent already exists for such a process; for instance, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement official text was made public an entire year before the agreement was finalized. Additionally, in the future we urge you to develop a more open model of trade agreement negotiation.\r\nWe remain optimistic about the job creation and economic growth prospects that increased trade with our TPP partners could provide to our country. As the last TPP rounds are negotiated, greater transparency and public participation will only increase public support for the agreement and bolster the final product\u2019s legitimacy.\u00a0 \r\nSincerely,\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n________________________\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 _________________________\r\nJared Polis\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thomas Massie  \r\nMember of Congress \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=0C0D1DB7-6A87-5AAA-AF0E-D2175C6FBCEE", "SGR on Way to Extinction: Senate Finance Committee Passes Landmark Bill to Provide Certainty for Medicare Seniors and Physicians", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bill Repeals Doctors' Fix Permanently, Transitions to Streamlined Performance-Based Payment System\nIncludes Bennet Amendment to Expand Access to Medicare Data, Improve Quality of Care\nColorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today joined his colleagues on the Senate Finance Committee to advance a bill that will provide long-term certainty for Medicare providers and patients. The bill repeals the formula, known as the sustainable growth rate or SGR, for how Medicare providers are reimbursed for services and replaces it with a streamlined payment system based on the quality of care.\nThis bill is a huge step forward from the short-term fixes that have cost taxpayers billions of dollars and serve as nothing more than a temporary bandage, Bennet said. Colorado doctors are ready to move towards a more innovative payment system, but they need some stability and a pathway to get there. We're one step closer to getting this done permanently and in a commonsense way that will benefit doctors and seniors.\nOver the past decade, Medicare physician spending has exceeded the targets set by the SGR, resulting in the need for payment cuts under the formula. In order to avert these cuts and maintain services for Medicare patients, Congress has spent nearly $150 billion on short-term overrides during that time. The Improvements for Medicare Beneficiaries and Physicians Act transitions from the current volume-based payment system to one that rewards quality, efficiency, and innovation.\nBennet's amendment\nBennet secured a provision in the bill that will expand access to Medicare claims data to help evaluate doctor and hospital performance and find innovative, more effective, and less expensive ways to offer health care to beneficiaries.\nThe Affordable Care Act already permits certain qualified entities access to this data to evaluate and report on the performance of health care providers, however only nine organizations across the United States, including one in Colorado, are currently qualified entities and are extremely limited in their use of Medicare data. Expanding access to the data and the allowable uses will help get a bigger picture of how providers stack up against each other in terms of cost, quality of care, and other factors.\nThe House Ways and Means Committee passed its version of the bill today in a 39-0 vote.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221203233/http://www.markudall.senate.gov/?p=blog&id=3916", "A Star on the Map for Browns Canyon", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Mark Udall", "U000038", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Click here to receive these regular updates via email.  Dear Fellow Coloradan, \nVIDEO: Unveiling the Bill\nAfter working for nearly two years to develop a collaborative, community-driven plan to create Browns Canyon National Monument, I was pleased to recently announce the introduction of my bill in Nathrop. Watch video.\nBrowns Canyon National Monument and Wildness Area\nThis proposal would protect some of our most-loved river rafting spots along the iconic Arkansas River between Salida and Buena Vista by designating the area as a national monument and the adjacent Browns Canyon as wilderness. The official designation would literally put the region on the map, drawing more visitors to its world-class outdoor recreation opportunities and supporting the local tourism economy. \nWorking with Chaffee County Businesses\nDuring my most recent trip to the communities near Browns Canyon, I met with local small businesses in Buena Vista and Salida to hear how my Browns Canyon legislation will help their businesses to grow. You can see the photos from these visits on Flickr.\n \n \nColoradans don\u2019t have to look far to see how truly magnificent our state is. From the towering 14,000-foot peaks of the High Country to the grasslands of the Eastern Plains, I love calling Colorado home. Our diverse and stunning landscapes allow us to enjoy the outdoors year-round with plentiful hiking, skiing, hunting, fishing, kayaking and dozens of other activities to keep us moving.\nThe public lands that form the foundation of our high quality of life also sustain thousands of jobs that boost our state\u2019s economy. Colorado\u2019s outdoor recreation economy contributes more than $13 billion annually to our state, supporting over 125,000 jobs and generating almost $1 billion in state and local tax revenues.\nThat is why I can say with confidence that when we work hand-in-hand with communities to preserve public lands, we are supporting jobs, our economy and Colorado\u2019s high quality of life. Our world-class natural amenities are one of our greatest economic engines, and preserving public lands helps keep jobs, entrepreneurs, and investment moving to and thriving in our state.\nI became engaged in the movement to recognize Browns Canyon because local residents and businesses asked me to. I worked side-by-side over the last 18 months with Chaffee County leaders, residents, businesses, and other stakeholders to hold several public meetings and conduct more than 50 face-to-face meetings. The resulting bill is emblematic of how public lands bills should be done: from the bottom up and based on what the community wants.\nMy community-driven proposal designates 22,000 acres along the Arkansas River canyon and surrounding backcountry as the Browns Canyon National Monument, including 10,500 acres as Wilderness. This bill preserves visitor access and protects existing legal uses as they are now, so fishing, hunting, livestock grazing, commercial outfitting, mountain biking and motorized use will all continue as they have been. I\u2019d also like to note that this will not be like a National Park Service monument. Instead, this monument will stay under the same management as it has now \u2014 the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service and the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area.\nI believe that we don\u2019t inherit the land and water from our parents \u2014 we borrow it from our children. Having visited Browns Canyon and kayaked the Arkansas River many times, I know that Coloradans from all walks of life agree. That's why I am dedicated to leading the fight \u2014 with Coloradans by my side \u2014 to ensure that future generations of Coloradans can enjoy the Browns Canyon National Monument and experience this unique mix of exciting whitewater and wilderness backcountry.\nClick HERE\u00a0to learn more about my proposal and to review the map of Browns Canyon National Monument.\nWarm regards,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=553E6069-1CA9-A944-C4C1-E5A613FC7EE5", "Bennet, Udall Urge Senate Committees to Prioritize PILT Funding for Colorado Counties", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall are urging the leadership of several Senate committees to ensure that they prioritize federal resources for the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. These resources are critical to Colorado counties that use the funding to provide services, such as police, fire protection, emergency response and public education.\nIn a letter to the chairs and ranking members of the Senate Appropriations, Budget, and Energy and Natural Resources Committees, the senators wrote, Dozens of counties in Colorado contain high percentages of federal public land and PILT resources often make up significant portions of their county budgets. These dollars help fund essential services for the citizens of these rural communities and create important family-wage jobs that stand to be lost in a still-recovering economy. Without consistent and predictable resources into the future, county budgets face drastic cuts, and even potential insolvency.\nThe federal government needs to honor our commitment to our counties through this vital program, the senators added.\nBennet and Udall have been strong advocates for fully funding the PILT program. Last year, the senators led the fight in support of PILT and the Secure Rural Schools funding, which was secured in the transportation bill signed into law last summer.\nPILT provides federal payments to local governments to help offset losses in property taxes due to nontaxable federal land within their boundaries. The formula used to calculate payments is based on population, receipt sharing payments, and the amount of federal land within an affected county.\nRead below for full text of the letter:\nDecember 10, 2013\nDear Senators:\nWe write to request that your committees prioritize programmatic certainty and robust resources for the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. The PILT program provides critical funding to more than 1,900 counties in 49 states and territories, making up for diminished tax revenues stemming from Federal ownership of land within county boundaries.\nDozens of counties in Colorado contain high percentages of federal public land and PILT resources often make up significant portions of their county budgets. These dollars help fund essential services for the citizens of these rural communities and create important family-wage jobs that stand to be lost in a still-recovering economy. Without consistent and predictable resources into the future, county budgets face drastic cuts, and even potential insolvency. The federal government needs to honor our commitment to our counties through this vital program.\nWe urge you to prioritize certainty and robust funding for the PILT program into the future. Moving forward, I hope that we can work together to seek a long-term solution to the uncertainty that now faces PILT as its mandatory funding has expired. Thank you for your consideration of this important request.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=914CFD0F-4A83-759F-2E35-138996C8A496", "Bennet, Udall Urge Senate Committees to Prioritize PILT Funding for Colorado Counties", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall are urging the leadership of several Senate committees to ensure that they prioritize federal resources for the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. These resources are critical to Colorado counties that use the funding to provide services, such as police, fire protection, emergency response and public education.\nIn a letter to the chairs and ranking members of the Senate Appropriations, Budget, and Energy and Natural Resources Committees, the senators wrote, Dozens of counties in Colorado contain high percentages of federal public land and PILT resources often make up significant portions of their county budgets. These dollars help fund essential services for the citizens of these rural communities and create important family-wage jobs that stand to be lost in a still-recovering economy. Without consistent and predictable resources into the future, county budgets face drastic cuts, and even potential insolvency.\nThe federal government needs to honor our commitment to our counties through this vital program, the senators added.\nBennet and Udall have been strong advocates for fully funding the PILT program. Last year, the senators led the fight in support of PILT and the Secure Rural Schools funding, which was secured in the transportation bill signed into law last summer.\nPILT provides federal payments to local governments to help offset losses in property taxes due to nontaxable federal land within their boundaries. The formula used to calculate payments is based on population, receipt sharing payments, and the amount of federal land within an affected county.\nRead below for full text of the letter:\nDecember 10, 2013\nDear Senators:\nWe write to request that your committees prioritize programmatic certainty and robust resources for the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. The PILT program provides critical funding to more than 1,900 counties in 49 states and territories, making up for diminished tax revenues stemming from Federal ownership of land within county boundaries.\nDozens of counties in Colorado contain high percentages of federal public land and PILT resources often make up significant portions of their county budgets. These dollars help fund essential services for the citizens of these rural communities and create important family-wage jobs that stand to be lost in a still-recovering economy. Without consistent and predictable resources into the future, county budgets face drastic cuts, and even potential insolvency. The federal government needs to honor our commitment to our counties through this vital program.\nWe urge you to prioritize certainty and robust funding for the PILT program into the future. Moving forward, I hope that we can work together to seek a long-term solution to the uncertainty that now faces PILT as its mandatory funding has expired. Thank you for your consideration of this important request.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=DBCFA7C4-FE65-00FF-6FA1-99BC88DF6003", "Bennet Applauds Navy and USDA Announcement of \"Farm to Fleet\"? Initiative", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senator Michael Bennet today applaudedthe Department ofAgriculture(USDA)andthe Navyon the announcement of theirjointFarm to Fleetprogram that will incorporate biofuel as a part of fuel used by the Navy.Today's announcement means that for the first time, biofuels will be available for regular purchase by the Department of Defense.\nThis innovative collaboration willhelpensure we can domestically and cost effectively power our Navy, while at the same time creating a new customer base for Colorado farmers,Bennet said.This is an important step that will help strengthen our national security and diversify our energy portfolio.\nThe Farm-to-Fleet initiativeemerged from a 2010 challengePresident Obamaissued tothe Secretaries of Agriculture, Energy,and the Navy to expedite the development of domestic, cost effective, biofuel substitutes for diesel and jet fuel. As the USDA works to reduce the costs of making biofuels, it is estimated thatthe price per gallon will drop toless than $4by 2016, comparable with traditional fuel.\nBennet haslongadvocated fora balanced energy portfolio that includes biofuels, hydropower, and wind energy.He hassponsored legislation toreduce regulations for hydropower projects, championed the extension of the wind energy production tax credit,and secured a provision in theFarmBill toprovide low interest loans to families looking to install energy efficienciesor renewable energy systems.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=F2D1DC94-56BC-171B-3002-9A1472DD76CD", "First Focus Campaign Honors Bennet for Children's Advocacy", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today,the First Focus Campaign for Children (FFCC) honoredColorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennetas a 2013 Defender of Children for hiswork to improve the health, educational outcomes, and well-being of children. First Focus Campaign for Children is a national bipartisan children's advocacy group that recognizes members ofCongress whowork to promotechildren's issues,both in policy and budgetary decisions.\nWe have a responsibility to help build a better future for our kids and grandkids,Bennet said.It's an honor toreceivethis award from an organization that hasdone so muchto improve the lives of children nationwide.\nAs a formerschoolsuperintendent,Bennet has been a strong advocate for children's issuesthroughouthis career.During his time in the Senate,he has workedtoincrease childhood cancer researchandexpand research,education, and intervention activitiesrelatedto preterm birth.His breakthrough therapies provision in last year's FDA Reform bill, which helps expedite the approval process for certain lifesaving treatments,is helping improve the lives of kids with Cystic Fibrosis on a daily basis.\nFFCC priorities for the 113th Congressinclude reducing poverty, improving education, addressing child housing needs, and preventing abuse and neglect.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/column-colorados-water-rights-risk", "Column: Colorado's Water Rights at Risk", "2013-12-10", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CO", "Scott Tipton", "T000470", "tipton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "By Rep. Scott Tipton\nWith great foresight, the founders of this nation endeavored to protect private property from the federal government.\u00a0 In the West, we know that this protection extends to privately-held water rights. Unfortunately, recent history has shown that the federal government is more than willing to overreach its authority to try and acquire private water rights, through coercion if necessary. I was somewhat encouraged that the Forest Service recently acknowledged their flawed and unnecessary policy, and indicated that its future water rights clause may no longer require the transfer of privately-owned water rights. However, it needs to be noted that this clause has yet to be seen and the agency\u2019s comments indicate that we will only see a temporary fix for one group of water users in a single region.\u00a0 The Forest Service\u2019s latest policy shift doesn\u2019t provide the same level of protection as the bipartisan Water Rights Protection Act\u2014which is supported by more than 30 state, local and national stakeholder groups, including the National Cattlemen\u2019s Association, and numerous Colorado counties, river districts and conservation groups. The policy shift also falls far short of giving private water users much certainty, and is the fourth change in Forest Service water policy for ski areas in the last ten years.\u00a0 According to the National Ski Areas Association, \u201cThese changes are disruptive, create uncertainty and adversely impact our operations, planning and future growth. The ski industry can\u2019t afford to be subjected to a different water policy with each Administration. Only federal legislation can give us the long term protection we need of an outright statutory prohibition on the taking of our water rights by the federal government.\u201d Federal attempts to seize private water rights aren\u2019t limited to ski areas. The same tactics have been used by both the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service in attempts to take or interfere with private water rights associated with agricultural production in the heart of rural America where farmers and ranchers rely on their rights to secure loans and irrigate crops and livestock. In an October Natural Resources Committee hearing, Tim Lowry, an Oregon rancher, testified that from almost the moment his family purchased their ranch, the BLM began attempts to inhibit their ability to utilize their water rights. After a decade-long legal battle that has racked up more than $800,000 in legal fees for Lowry, the Idaho Supreme Court ruled in his favor and against federal attempts to hijack his privately-held livestock water rights. We\u2019ve heard similar stories out of Utah where the Forest Service denied ranchers access to rangelands for grazing until they transferred their private water rights, and in Nevada where Forest Service and BLM employees attempted to violate state law by eliminating livestock watering rights. It is unforgivable that the federal government would put people in a position of choosing between their lawfully acquired property and financial ruin.\u00a0 I know for certain that many of the ranchers I represent can\u2019t afford drawn-out and costly legal battles with the Forest Service and BLM to protect what is rightfully theirs under state law. Nor should they have to. That is why I joined with my colleagues Reps. Mark Amodei (R-NV) and Jared Polis (D-CO) to introduce the Water Rights Protection Act. This commonsense bill would protect communities, businesses, recreation opportunities, farmers and ranchers as well as other individuals that rely on privately-held water rights for their livelihood from federal takings. It would do so by prohibiting federal agencies from confiscating water rights through the use of permits, leases, and other land management arrangements. It would provide these vital protections for private property owners without affecting water allocations for non-federal parties or allocations that protect the environment.\u00a0 In order to permanently protect private water rights from federal takings and provide certainty for all water users, Congress must act and pass this bipartisan legislation. Water is the lifeblood of the West, and is vital for Colorado\u2019s economic health. I will continue to work to advance this needed legislation to protect all water users and ensure that our most precious resource is not subject to the control of Washington bureaucrats.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=F9CFAAE1-2BE9-F53D-5DB3-196098376794", "Bennet Urges FAA to Prioritize Wildfire Monitoring, Suppression When Choosing UAS Testing Sites", "2013-12-06", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet is urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to consider the benefits Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) technology can provide for wildfire monitoring and suppression when it chooses up to six new testing sites for these aircraft. The testing sites will help the FAA study how to best integrate UAS technology into our national airspace in a way that protects the privacy and safety of Americans.\nCongress passed legislation over a year ago directing the FAA to begin a process that incorporates UAS technology into the civil aviation system with six test sites around the country. The FAA has announced guidelines for its selection process with specific safeguards designed to ensure the privacy and safety of anyone living near a test site. Bennet is urging the FAA to locate at least two of the six sites in states that regularly experience wildfires.\nIn a letter to FAA Administrator Michael P. Huerta, Bennet wrote, Unmanned aerial vehicles hold out the potential to help first responders map, measure, and combat fires in ways that will strengthen our firefighting capabilities. This technology can help first responders see through smoke, utilize infrared technology, and fly through areas too dangerous for traditional aircraft, allowing them to identify hotspots and predict directional changes in a fire more effectively.\nBennet also pointed out that a major Colorado wildfire this year showcased the value of UAS technology. This past summer, for example, UAS technology was used to detect a dangerous remnant from the Black Forest fire in Colorado, which firefighters extinguished before it could reach a major gas pipeline, Bennet wrote in the letter.\nBennet introduced an amendment with Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ) earlier this year to create two additional test sites that would focus primarily on fighting wildfires. By focusing on wildfire monitoring, mitigation, and containment, the test sites would give emergency management and aviation officials a better idea of how UAS technology can be used to combat the devastating effects of wildfires.\nBennet has been a strong advocate for wildfire mitigation efforts. In August, he introduced a bipartisan, deficit-neutral bill that would award competitive grants to states for priority wildfire mitigation and preparedness projects on federal, state, and private land. He was also successful in securing two key provisions in the Senate version of the 2013 Farm Bill that would improve forest health and reduce the risk of wildfires: his National Forest and Insect Disease Act, which would prioritize the treatment of national forest land that is suffering from insect epidemics, and his Permanent Stewardship Contracting Reauthorization Act, which would permanently reauthorize stewardship contracting, an important tool that allows the USFS to partner with private businesses and individuals to help thin trees and reduce fuel loads.\nBennet also led membersof the Colorado delegationinsuccessfullyurging President Obamato designate the Black Forest and Royal Gorge Fires as major disasters. He was alsoinstrumentalin securingEmergency Watershed Protection fundsfor areas affected by last year's High Park and Waldo Canyon fires.\nRead below for the full text of the letter:\nDecember 6, 2013\nDear Administrator Huerta:\nAs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continues to consider applications to host one of six Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) testing sites, I write to request that the FAA prioritize wildfire monitoring and suppression as a key criterion for site selection.\nIn making this request, as the selection process moves forward, I also want to emphasize that the safety and constitutionally guaranteed privacy of our constituents is paramount. Our first responsibility is to ensure that test-site operations not violate the privacy or jeopardize the safety of any American. I urge you to continue to prioritize privacy and safety considerations as we cautiously integrate this promising new technology into our disaster response capabilities.\n2013 was another historically destructive fire season for the United States. All told, 33,000 fires burned more than 5,300 square miles of U.S. land, destroying 960 homes and 30 commercial buildings. This year's destruction is also clearly part of a larger trend. The six worst fire seasons of the last fifty years have all occurred since 2000, and overall wildfire suppression costs throughout the country have quadrupled over the past 25 years, as wildfires grow more widespread and more severe.\nUnmanned aerial vehicles hold out the potential to help first responders map, measure, and combat fires in ways that will strengthen our firefighting capabilities. This technology can help first responders see through smoke, utilize infrared technology, and fly through areas too dangerous for traditional aircraft, allowing them to identify hotspots and predict directional changes in a fire more effectively.\nUnmanned vehicles already have a proven track record of success in combating wildfires. This past summer, for example, UAS technology was used to detect a dangerous remnant from the Black Forest fire in Colorado, which firefighters extinguished before it could reach a major gas pipeline. Most recently, officials deployed an unmanned military predator drone to help provide round-the-clock information to firefighters battling the Rim Fire in California.\nA GAO report released earlier this year, calling for improved planning to enhance federal fire aviation programs, cited the need for better information on the intended use of surveillance aircraft . . . to determine the specific types of aircraft that will meet federal needs for aerial surveillance during firefighting. It's clear that unmanned aircraft have an important role to play as the federal government works to prioritize and fund a broader aerial modernization strategy.\nNearly two years ago, Congress passed legislation directing the FAA to select up to six UAS testing sites, in order to better integrate unmanned aircraft systems into our national airspace, and begin to leverage new military technologies to spur economic growth in our domestic aerospace industry. As this process moves forward, I urge the FAA to consider the benefits of deploying UAS technology to combat wildfires more effectively, and to ensure at least two of the six sites are located in states that regularly face these fires.\nI look forward to working with your agency on this issue. Thank you for your consideration of this important request.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://perlmutter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1001", "Perlmutter Supports Bipartisan Effort to Curb Patent Trolling, Stop Taxing Innovation Fees", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "perlmutter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "\"Innovation is key to building the jobs of the future in Colorado and throughout the country.\"\r\r\t Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) voted with a bipartisan group of House members to pass HR 3309, the Innovation Act, to help protect small businesses' patents from frivolous lawsuits by patent trolls. Additionally, Perlmutter joined the House Caucus on Innovation and Entrepreneurship's letter opposing the diversion of US Patent and Trade Office (USPTO) patent filing fees under the across-the-board budget cuts known as \"sequestration.\"\r\r\tThe Innovation Act forces patent trolls to be more transparent and make sure they are accountable for their claims of patent infringement.\r\r\tA new Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is located in the Denver metro area. It is projected to have a nearly $400 million economic impact in Colorado and support more than 1,000 new jobs directly and indirectly. Unfortunately, due to deep across the board budget cuts known as sequestration, the new office is significantly delayed. Perlmutter and other members of the House sent a letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) asking them to stop sequestering patent filing fees that fund the USPTO because the USPTO uses no taxpayer money and is entirely funded by user fees paid by inventors applying for patents.\r\r\tPerlmutter said, \"Innovation is key to building the jobs of the future in Colorado and throughout the country. If we make it in America, we will make it in America. We must make sure our patent system is fully funded to help the innovators of tomorrow receive their patents today, and we must do everything we can to ensure new ideas and products are developed without unnecessary litigation and delay.\"\r\r\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363508", "Polis-Chaffetz-Marino-Connolly Amendment to the Innovation Act Passes House", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jared Polis", "P000598", "polis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Representatives Jared Polis (D-CO) along with Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), Tom Marino (R-PA), and Gerry Connolly (D-VA) successfully passed their amendment to the H.R. 3309, the Innovation Act, to tackle the growing problem of patent trolls.\r\nSpecifically the Polis amendment strengthens the demand letter transparency language already included in the Innovation Act by mandating that claimants seeking to bring willful infringement claims identify the ultimate parent entity in the demand letters they send to their targets. \r\nIncreasingly, businesses of every size are finding themselves on the receiving end of patent infringement demand letters. These letters, which seemingly come out of nowhere, often make allegations that the use of everyday technology, such as wireless email, digital video streaming, and the interactive web, is in violation of a patent holders\u2019 rights. While it is estimated that the Patent Assertion Entities (PAEs) behind these demand letter lose 92% of the merits judgments in courts, retailers, advertisers, marketers, and other often simply settle these nuisance claims rather than running the risk of complicated, expensive, and protracted discovery and litigation in federal court. According to the Congressional Research Service, PAEs generated $29 billion in direct costs from defendants and licensees in 2011, a 400% increase over $7 billion in 2005. Another study reported that 62% of all patent suits filed in 2012 were brought by PAEs. \r\n\u201cMy amendment will ensure that patent trolls can no longer hide behind shell companies to conceal their true identity from the demand letter recipient,\u201d said Rep. Polis. \u201cThis language is a step in the right direction in providing businesses and entrepreneurs with the tools to better assess the validity of the demand letter and deter abusive demand letter practices in the first place.\u201d\r\nTwo weeks ago, Representatives Polis and Tom Marino (R-PA), along with Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL) introduced a comprehensive bill to increase transparency and accountability in the demand letter process. The Demand Letter Transparency Act would assist small companies and end users who lack the money, time, and resources to fight demand letters they receive from PAE\u2019s by putting additional information about the PAEs claims at their fingertips, enabling them to determine whether to ignore, settle with or defend against assertions made by a PAE. The bill would help erase the \u201casymmetry of information\u201d problem, collect data, improve transparency, and promote information sharing among those who receive demand letters from non-legitimate companies who hide behind vague, overboard and threatening demand letters.\r\n\u201cMy amendment strikes the right balance in protecting the rights of legitimate patent holders to enforce their patents while protecting consumers and businesses against non-legitimate abusers of the patent system,\u201d Polis concluded. \u201cBusinesses are increasingly coming under attack by entities abusing current patent law by sending vague, overbroad and threatening demand letters. As a result of this threat of litigation, consumers are forced to pay more and many companies are diverting significant dollars from R&D and other activities promoting job growth to simply cover their increasing legal fees.\u201d\r\nThe amendment was supported by a variety of businesses and organizations including\u00a0 App Developers Alliance, American Hotel and Lodging Association, American Association of Advertising Agencies, American Bankers Association, Association of National Advertisers, Credit Union National Association, Direct Marketers Association, DISH Network, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Food Marketing Institute, Independent Community Bankers of America, International Franchise Association, Mobile Marketing Association, National Association of Convenience Stores, National Council of Chain Restaurants, National Grocers Association, National Restaurant Association, and National Retail Federation.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363510", "Polis Calls on Colorado Oil and Gas Association to Withdraw Lawsuits Against Fort Collins and Lafayette", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jared Polis", "P000598", "polis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today Representative Jared Polis (CO-02) called on the Colorado Oil and Gas Association to immediately withdraw its lawsuits against Fort Collins and Lafayette on their fracking moratoriums.\r\n\"Colorado Oil and Gas Association needs to focus on winning over hearts and minds, not suing us when they disagree with the legitimate outcome of elections,\" Rep. Polis stated. \"I call on Colorado Oil and Gas Association to withdraw their lawsuits and stop trying to overturn the recent elections in Lafayette and Fort Collins.\"\r\nThe majority of Fort Collins, Boulder, Lafayette, and Broomfield voters chose to pass measures to extend drilling moratoriums or fracking bans. And even those who voted against these measures generally agree it is community members, not COGA, who should determine how and whether oil and gas is developed in Fort Collins and Lafayette.\r\n\"Local governments have authority to regulate oil and gas land use activities because oil and gas operations are matters of local concern that impact home values and are an important issue for residents and neighborhoods,\" Polis concluded. \"If the oil and gas industry forces taxpayers to defend these lawsuits it will generate even more public sentiment against creating energy sector jobs and achieving energy independence.\"\r\nAttached are links to videos of Congressman Polis speaking of his concerns on these lawsuits:\r\nVideo 1:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 http://youtu.be/PT3EnfqenXU  \r\nVideo 2:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 http://youtu.be/puQ24uz06KI", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=B3C51D09-8333-31FD-6D1F-5C269067370B", "Bennet, Udall Welcome $62.8 Million from HUD for Flood Recovery Efforts", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Following a tour of flood damage and the ongoing recovery efforts in Lyons today with Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall and Governor John Hickenlooper, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan announced that Colorado will receive $62.8 million from the Department's Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program. The announcement follows a letter led by Bennet and Udall that the Colorado Congressional delegation sent to Secretary Donovan in September urging HUD to make such funds available for flood recovery efforts.\nThe flexibility that comes with CDBG-DR funds make them extraordinarily useful for recovery efforts.\nThis infusion of federal support from HUD will supplement assistance already provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA).\nColoradans have made significant progress rebuilding and repairing in the aftermath of the floods this fall, but there's still a lot of work to be done, Bennet said. CDBG resources will help a wide range of recovery efforts, from individual home owners and businesses repairing damaged property, to cities and towns reconstructing roads, bridges and public spaces.This funding is critical for a number of small Colorado towns overwhelmed by this disaster to help finance rebuilding costs. This is another big step forward as Colorado builds back better than before.\nAs communities across Colorado continue to recover from September's flood, these disaster recovery funds will ensure that victims do not fall through the cracks. I will keep fighting to ensure that these Community Development Block Grant funds are used wisely to supplement the assistance FEMA, the Small Business Administration and other agencies have provided to Coloradans, Udall said. These HUD funds are especially important for uninsured homeowners, many of whom did not live in a high-risk flood area but saw their homes destroyed nonetheless.\nThe CDBG Disaster Recovery Program provides flexible grants to help rebuild communities affected by disasters, particularly in areas that may struggle to recover due to limited resources. CDBG funds can be used to aid recovery efforts involving housing, economic development, infrastructure and prevention of further damage to affected areas. Among other uses, the funding could potentially help supplement repair and replacement costs for the thousands of Colorado homeowners impacted by the floods.\nBennetand Udall have worked closely with Governor Hickenlooper, state agencies, and the entire Congressional delegation since the flooding began to ensure that Coloradans have every resource needed to rebuild. In October, the senators helped lead a delegation-wide effort thatsuccessfully lifted the capon the amount of emergency transportation resources Colorado could access to rebuild damaged infrastructure. They also led the Colorado delegation inurging the President to quickly declare an emergencywhen flooding began to ensure that emergency funding was available for response and recovery efforts.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/tipton-pressures-jewell-sage-grouse", "Tipton Pressures Jewell on Sage Grouse", "2013-12-04", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CO", "Scott Tipton", "T000470", "tipton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014Today, Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) spoke on the House floor to\u00a0urge Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to provide measurable goals for the preservation of the Greater Sage Grouse and the Gunnison Sage Grouse. Tipton also renewed his invitation for Jewell to come to Colorado to see firsthand the effective local preservation efforts underway. He emphasized that the proposed Endangered Species Act designations for the sage grouse, \u201cwould kill jobs, devastate communities, and disrupt effective species preservation efforts currently underway.\u201d\n\t\u201cThe proposed Endangered Species Act designations for the Gunnison Sage Grouse and Greater Sage Grouse would impact millions of acres in Colorado and hinder existing conservation efforts. It would put private lands off limits to most use and development, including agriculture production, without providing any compensation.\n\tIt would kill jobs, devastate communities, and disrupt effective species preservation efforts currently underway. It won\u2019t, however, more effectively preserve the grouse.\n\tIn my district, plans at the local level are underway to effectively preserve the species. Because they take into account the unique geography and environment of the region, these efforts are seeing success.\n\tInterior Department bureaucrats have yet to provide measurable species preservation goals so that state and local officials can meet them. Local conservation efforts are all too often disrupted by heavy-handed federal attempts to implement blanket plans that neglect local environmental and geographic factors. These one-size-fits-all plans create endless litigation and tie up resources that could be used for preservation.\n\tIf the true goal is species preservation then I hope Secretary Jewell will come to Colorado and see firsthand the effective work being done to preserve the sage grouse, as well as provide measurable species preservation goals.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363420", "Polis Pushes for Renewable Energy Standard", "2013-12-04", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jared Polis", "P000598", "polis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today Representatives Jared Polis (CO-02), Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (NM-03), and Ann McLane Kuster (NH-02) introduced the Renewable Electricity Standard Act of 2013, which would establish the first national renewable energy standard, requiring utilities to generate 25 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and biomass by 2025. Over the next twelve years the bill gradually increases renewable energy production from 6 percent by 2014 to 25 percent by 2025. Municipal and publicly-owned power facilities and rural electric co-ops are exempt from the bill.\r\nTwenty nine states, including Colorado, New Mexico, and New Hampshire, already have renewable generation standards. By advancing the production of clean renewable energy sources in all states, the Renewable Electricity Standard Act would spur innovation, capital investments, and job growth across the country while enhancing energy security and reducing pollution. \r\n\u201cThis is common sense legislation that ensures the United States keeps up with the 138 other countries that already have renewable energy goals or requirements in place. In 2012, Colorado ranked 6th in the nation for wind power and as a result the state has benefitted from the heightened investment and innovation that comes with more renewable energy production,\u201d said Rep. Polis. \u201cWith a national standard, every state in the nation would be able to reap the benefits of renewable energy, which stimulates jobs and economic growth while reducing carbon emissions and slowing global warming.\u201d \r\nStudies indicate that a national renewable energy standard would:\r\n \r\n    Create approximately 274,000-297,000 jobs; \r\n    Save consumers almost $100 billion on their utility bills by 2030;\r\n    Provide $13.5 billion to farmers, ranchers and other landowners in the form of lease payments; and\r\n    Add $11.5 billion in new local tax revenues.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=075989B1-DCC4-8D9E-4576-DCB9D4D842DB", "Bennet Urges More Access to Medicare Data to Help Reduce Costs, Offer Better Care", "2013-12-04", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today urged the Senate Finance Committee to explore options to expand access to Medicare claims level data to help evaluate doctor and hospital performance and find innovative, more effective, and less expensive ways to offer health care to patients.\nThe Affordable Care Act already permits certain qualified entities access to this data to evaluate and report on the performance of health care providers, however only nine organizations across the United States, including one in Colorado, are currently qualified entities and are extremely limited in their use of Medicare data. Expanding access to the data and the allowable uses will help get a bigger picture of how providers stack up against each other in terms of cost, quality of care, and other factors.\nAccessing and evaluating health care data is one of the major ways to lower health care costs, Bennet said. Doctors and hospitals can greatly benefit by learning where to make performance improvements, which can only benefit Coloradans. If the Medicare program spends time collecting data, we should ensure that this translates into a meaningful way to benefit patients and providers, and ultimately lower health care costs while improving quality.\nFull text of the Letter:\nDecember 3, 2013\nDear Chairman Baucus and Ranking Member Hatch,\nI would like to thank you for your work on the discussion draft of the SGR repeal, especially the section expanding the use of Medicare claims level data (data) under the Qualified Entity program. Although the current proposal is a step in the right direction, I believe that we can expand the use of data further in a secure and transparent manner. It is my hope that we can work together to find a way to expand both the number of qualified entities as well as the allowable uses of data.\nThe Finance Committee should explore options that will increase the number of qualified entities. Currently, this number is inadequate to generate the intended public benefit of the statute. Because qualified entities generally cover a limited region, the low enrollment must be improved in order to generate a nationwide benefit. The Qualified Entity program should create avenues for sustainable business models, enabling entrepreneurs, consumer organizations, and businesses to use this data to drive down health care costs. By increasing the number of qualified entities, we can increase transparency and quality.\nThe Finance Committee should also explore options to expand the allowable uses or users for the data beyond reports on provider and supplier performance. These expanded uses should be limited to providers and organizations that agree to use the data to improve the quality of care and are in compliance with all statutory and industry privacy standards.\nThere are several significant benefits to this structure. First, comprehensive claims level data will be available to smaller and regional entities, including providers and hospitals. As a result, the analysis generated will be more reliable. The revenue generated from subscriptions could also encourage entrepreneurs and emerging companies to become qualified entities. This would have the effect of increasing enrollment into the program in the short and long term. Finally, because cleaning up raw claims data would take significant time and be resource intensive, this will increase the quality of data available for analysis. The revenue generated will help keep the qualified entities model sustainable, ensuring that the intended public benefits will also continue.\nThe previous law regarding Qualified Entities sought to ensure that downstream businesses and insurers could have enough data points to develop accurate profiles of providers. For example, in one system, one provider may be viewed as low quality and high cost, while in another the same provider may be viewed as efficient and higher quality. With thoughtful modifications to the current program, I believe we could see this shared intent become reality.\nThank you again for your commitment and work on this issue. I look forward to working with you to find a solution.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=D132BD24-BFE3-882B-178A-D5725126984B", "Bennet Applauds Creation of USDA Energy Efficiency Loan Program", "2013-12-04", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today applauded the announcement by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will take new steps to save consumers money on their energy bills in partnership with rural electric cooperatives. USDA will provide up to $250 million to rural electric cooperatives to lend to business and residential customers for energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy systems.\nThe program builds on a provision Bennet helped advance in Congress and secure in the Senate-passed Farm Bill. The Rural Energy Savings Program(RESPA) Act, which Bennet also helped introduce last Congress, would allow the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to authorize low interest loans for rural homeowners and small businesses to do energy efficiency retrofits.\nColorado's rural communities are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to save money and use those savings to build their businesses and grow their local economies, Bennet said. This program will help families and small businesses reduce their energy use and save thousands of dollars in utility bills. It will also help create thousands of jobs in Colorado and across the country.\nFunding will be provided to rural electric cooperatives and utilities  the majority of which already have energy efficiency programs in place  who will then re-lend the money to help homeowners or businesses make energy efficiency improvements. In addition to energy audits, the loans may be used for upgrades to heating, lighting and insulation, and conversions to more efficient or renewable energy sources.\nThe Rural Energy Savings Program Act was part of Bennet's strategy to promote energy efficiency in homes and businesses, which also includes the bipartisan SAVE Act and Better Buildings Act.\nClick here for more information on USDA's announcement.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/tipton-votes-protect-communities-costly-epa-burden-and-public-safety-risk", "Tipton Votes to Protect Communities from Costly EPA Burden and Public Safety Risk", "2013-12-02", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CO", "Scott Tipton", "T000470", "tipton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014Today, Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) voted to pass bipartisan legislation in the House of Representatives to clarify the intent of the Safe Drinking Water Act and stop an unnecessary Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-created mandate that would prevent the installation of commercially-available fire hydrants, and jeopardize public safety.\nHydrants, like shower valves\u2014which are already exempt under the law\u2014are not intended to be a sustained source of drinking water, and as such do not pose health risks associated with long-term lead exposure. The EPA\u2019s interpretation of the law would stop the installation of hydrants that contain lead after January 4, 2014, creating a threat to public safety by leaving communities with no option to replace broken hydrants, even in the event of an emergency, since virtually all commercially-available hydrants contain lead.\n \n\t\u201cThe EPA\u2019s determination would do nothing to protect our drinking water supply as the Safe Drinking Water Act intends, but would create an unnecessary, onerous burden for many communities already on tight budgets, and pose a risk to public safety. In Pueblo, Colorado alone, the Board of Water Works estimates that the cost for achieving compliance with a lead free requirement for all fire hydrants would exceed $14 million,\u201d said Tipton. \u201cThe EPA attempt to create this new mandate is not the intent of the original law. Today\u2019s commonsense legislation clarifies Congress\u2019s intent, stops this overreach, and addresses the threat to public safety by allowing communities to continue to use readily available hydrants.\u201d\n \nIn a November letter to Tipton, the Pueblo Board of Water Works wrote:\n \n\t\u201cHealth concerns associated with lead are generally a matter of long-term exposure, and hydrants used during emergencies or at special events as potable water sources typically serve this purpose for only a few hours or days. Applying this act to fire hydrants represents a massive investment of time and resources for little if any discernible public health benefit. We do not believe that this interpretation of the law is what Congress intended.\n\t\u201cIn addition, existing inventories of hydrants across the country will be rendered obsolete if not installed before January 4. Again, the timing alone should give Congress grave concerns. The act was written to provide a three-year transition period for compliance. However, EPA\u2019s new interpretation gives manufacturers, distributors and public and private utilities only two months to use or lose their hydrant inventories.\u201d\n \nH.R. 3588, which the House passed today, amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to include fire hydrants in the list of items that are exempted from the prohibition on lead plumbing supplies, equipment, and fixtures.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=00E809D5-95A3-7F1D-AADA-269582C2D2CA", "Bennet Talks Train Horns with Northern Colorado Officials", "2013-12-02", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "They rival the noise of jackhammers (~100 decibels), rock concerts (~110 decibels), and jet planes (~100 decibels).\nTrain horns can reach noise levels of up to 110 decibels, and today Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet heard from local officials and small business owners from several northern Colorado communities about the effects they have on communities.\nBennet, along with fellow Colorado U.S. Senator Mark Udall, is working at the federal level to help local communities curb train horn noise in order to create some peace and quiet and generate more economic activity, as local officials have reported the loud noise from train horns is a drawback for tourists and businesses.\nCurrent safety regulations require the sounding of a train horn for at least 15 seconds before entering railroad crossings, unless other safety measures like flashing lights and barricades have been installed. Municipal leaders from multiple communities have reported that the costs associated with the alternative safety upgrades can be prohibitive.\nToday's meeting comes on the heels of an announcement by the Federal Rail Administration (FRA) that it would reassess its regulations around train horns, responding to efforts from Senator Bennet, Senator Udall, and local communities.\nThese railroads are the fabric of many of our communities in Colorado. We're not saying we don't want them in our communities; in fact, we believe we'll see more of them as our communities develop, Bennet said. But there needs to be some flexibility. This is a classic example of how a one-size-fits-all requirement is hurting communities on the local level. We want to find a way to balance the safety needs with the economic needs of these towns.\nWe're not asking for anyone to forgo safety. Safety is our paramount concerns, John Vazquez, mayor of Windsor, said. We're just asking the FRA to take a commonsense approach to this issue and provide a little flexibility.\nThis train horn issue makes it incumbent upon local government and local communities to fund these projects to create quiet zones, Cecil Gutierrez, mayor of Loveland, said. It's a challenge for communities like Loveland, beyond just the costs, because our city was developed over a hundred years ago. Some of the infrastructure changes that are necessary to create a quiet zone just aren't possible.\nWe shouldn't be thinking of this as a one-size-fits-all approach, Karen Weitkunat, mayor of Fort Collins, said. We need to look at how these regulations affect local communities and take a commonsense approach to how they're implemented.\nBennet's work on Train Horns:\nAfter hearing from cities across Colorado, including Fort Collins, Loveland, Longmont, Greeley, and Windsor, Bennet has worked with Senator Mark Udall to advocate for increased flexibility from the FRA to help communities establish quiet zones around railroad crossings.\nIn January, Bennet and Udall wrote a letter to the Federal Rail Administration urging it to reopen the train horn rule for comment. They also introduced an amendment to a transportation bill in July that would require the FRA to work with Colorado communities to examine its train horn rules and consider revisions.\nOver the summer, the senators urged the Senate committee with jurisdiction over the FRA to review the train horn requirements. At their request, Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) asked FRA Administrator Joseph C. Szabo if the agency was willing to work with communities to provide flexibility around train horn regulations. Szabo indicated a willingness to work with Congress to ensure its train-noise and quiet-zone rules protect public safety while also work for Colorado communities.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=128E9C86-765B-4B0C-7840-4D1CD8A2871E", "President Signs Bennet's Landmark Bill to Secure Drug Supply", "2013-11-27", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "President Barack Obama today signed into a law a bipartisan, bicameral bill co-authored by Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet to establish new safeguards for the drug distribution supply chain. The changes represent the most comprehensive efforts to secure the drug supply chain in 25 years. The Drug Quality and Security Act would track all prescription drugs from the time they are manufactured to the moment they are delivered to the drugstore and would improve the safety of compounded drugs.\nBennet helped write the drug supply chain security provisions, which are based off a bill he introduced with Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) in May after working to find consensus over the last two years.\nColoradans deserve and want to know that the prescriptions they receive at their pharmacies are safe and effective, Bennet said. This new law will help us know where those pills have been and who has handled them since the day they were manufactured. Whether it's a stronger drug supply chain or better oversight for compounded drugs, this commonsense bill will help restore confidence in our prescription drugs and protect our families from potential health risks.\nThe lack of a strong, uniform system to secure the supply chain has allowed bad actors to exploit a number of vulnerabilities.Problems include drugs that are stolen, tainted, or diluted and sold back into the supply chain, counterfeit drugs, an inability to quickly recall tainted medicine, and drug shortages.All of these problems have led to serious health problems, deaths, and increased health care costs.\nUnder the prescription drug security provisions of the bill, the FDA will know who has handled which drugs and when they handled them, preventing counterfeit or stolen pharmaceuticals from being sold back into the system and allowing the FDA to respond to recalls and shortages more quickly and efficiently.\nThe Drug Quality and Security Act reflects a bicameral, bipartisan effort to address prescription drug safety and security issues. The bill also ensures that quality compounded drugs are available to patients who need them through better oversight of compounding pharmacies and outsourcing facilities.\nIn addition to Senator Bennet, the bill was introduced by Senate HELP Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA), Ranking Member Lamar Alexander (R-TN), and Senators Al Franken (D-MN), Pat Roberts (R-KS), and Burr.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=15AA3508-AA81-D7AE-174C-25D9058E3822", "Bennet Bill to Reduce Premature Births Becomes Law", "2013-11-27", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today applauded the President's signature on his bipartisan bill to reduce infant deaths and disabilities by expanding research, education, and intervention activities related to preterm birth. Bennet sponsored the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act with Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), the ranking member on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee of which Bennet is a member.\nThis new law will help doctors and medical researchers learn more about infant deaths and disabilities, and how to treat and prevent them, Bennet said. In an average week in Colorado, 138 infants are born preterm and are at much higher risks of medical conditions that can severely shorten their lives. This research will help give those kids the best possible start in life.\nThe PREEMIE bill passed the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee by voice vote in February. The legislation reauthorizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) research and programs on preterm birth, including improving national data tracking on preterm birth, and conducting studies. The bill also reauthorizes programs at the Health Resources and Services Administration aimed at improving the treatment and outcome for infants born premature.\nA companion bill was introduced in the House by Representatives Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.) and Leonard Lance (R-N.J.). The bill is supported by the March of Dimes Foundation, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs, and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=22A4F666-5D33-195B-DFD2-B826039855D9", "Bennet, Udall Request Emergency Funding for Flood Recovery, Wildfire Mitigation", "2013-11-26", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall today are urging Senate Appropriators to provide emergency funding to support Colorado's continuing recovery efforts in the aftermath of September's destructive floods. The senators also requested additional resources for wildfire mitigation that would help avoid greater fire suppression and recovery costs in the future.\nBennet and Udall are requesting the resources from the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program, which is designed to support efforts to restore eroded watersheds and damaged drinking water infrastructure. The senators are also pushing for targeted funding through the Hazardous Fuel Reduction accounts, in order to prevent catastrophic wildfires and save the federal government money in the long-term.\nColorado's need for additional EWP fundinghas increased dramatically in the past two months, as Coloradans begin the task of recovering from this fall's historic flooding. As the state and a number of municipalities begin to rebuild and recover from this disaster, they also face an urgent need to stabilize riverbanks and re-channel waterways across a number of different streams that these floods significantly altered, Bennet and Udall wrote to the Senate Appropriations Committee. In addition, we also urge the Committee to free up additional resources for hazardous fuel reduction in order to reduce the frequency and severity of catastrophic wildfiresAdditional funding for hazardous fuel reduction in the Forest Service budget, and an increase in funding for FEMA predisaster mitigation, can help avert far greater costs in the future, and prevent the devastation that occurs from disasters like the Colorado Waldo Canyon, High Park or Black Forest Fires of 2012 and 2013, all of which destroyed hundreds of homes.\nBennet and Udall have led efforts to secure emergency assistance from federal agencies following devastating natural disasters like September's floods and the wildfires that have ravaged the state over the past several years. They helped lead a delegation-wide effort thatsuccessfully lifted the capon the amount of emergency transportation resources Colorado could access to rebuild damaged infrastructure from the floods. The senators also led the Colorado delegation tourge the President to quickly declare an emergencywhen flooding began to ensure that emergency funding was available for response and recovery efforts.\nThe senators also led Colorado's Congressional delegation insuccessfullyurging President Obamato designate the Black Forest and Royal Gorge Fires as major disaster areas and pushing the SBA to quickly approve a disaster declaration fortheWest Fork Fire Complex.They werealsoinstrumental insecuringEmergency Watershed Protection fundsfor areas affected by last year's High Park and Waldo Canyon fires.\nRead the full text of the letter below:\nNovember 26, 2013\nDear Chairwoman Mikulski and Ranking Member Shelby:\nWe write to request urgently needed emergency funding for the state of Colorado in the coming appropriations process. First and foremost, we write to emphasize that in the wake of the destructive September flooding, Colorado's need for supplementary emergency watershed protection (EWP) program funding has once again sky-rocketed. Second, we write to urge the Committee to include additional funding for wildfire mitigation, in order to avoid far greater losses  and costs  in coming years.\nColorado's need for additional EWP funding, administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), has increased dramatically in the past two months, as Coloradans begin the task of recovering from this fall's historic flooding. As the state and a number of municipalities begin to rebuild and recover from this disaster, they also face an urgent need to stabilize riverbanks and re-channel waterways across a number of different streams that these floods significantly altered.\nMany of the projects are not eligible for reimbursement under public assistance provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Officials in Colorado have already identified projects in Larimer, Boulder, El Paso, Morgan, Logan, Adams, Weld and Sedgwick counties totaling at least $216 million that require EWP funding. Unfortunately, the program currently has under $25 million available nationally. With no regular appropriations mechanism for supplementing this funding stream, we ask that the Committee work with us to add or repurpose additional resources for the EWP program, so that flood recovery work in Colorado can proceed without unnecessary interruptions.\nIn addition, we also urge the Committee to free up additional resources for hazardous fuel reduction in order to reduce the frequency and severity of catastrophic wildfires. As you know, wildfires across the Western United States are a growing crisis. The six worst wildfire seasons in the past fifty years all occurred since 2000. Since 1980, wildfires have caused over $28 billion in economic losses. By any measurement, those losses are accelerating dramatically as wildfire seasons become steadily worse.\nAs a consequence of this trend, wildfire suppression costs have also escalated dramatically, quadrupling in the past 25 years. These suppression costs are crowding out funding for the mitigation and hazardous fuel reduction work that hundreds of thousands of forest acres desperately need. Studies consistently show that targeted hazardous fuel reduction and other forest health projects are some of the smartest investments the federal government can make, averting over $5 in future losses for every dollar invested now. Yet hazardous fuel reduction funding through both the Forest Service and the Department of Interior, and pre-disaster mitigation funding through FEMA, have been cut back significantly in recent years. Defunding hazardous fuel reduction programs is, inevitably, committing us to even higher fire suppression costs in future years.\nWe therefore request that the Committee address this cycle. Additional funding for hazardous fuel reduction in the Forest Service budget, and an increase in funding for FEMA predisaster mitigation, can help avert far greater cost in the future, and prevent the devastation that occurs from disasters like the Colorado Waldo Canyon, High Park or Black Forest Fires of 2012 and 2013, all of which destroyed hundreds of homes.\nWe recognize that the appropriations process for fiscal year 2014 is already well under way, and adding additional resources at this late stage could be a challenge. We nonetheless hope that the Committee will work to provide additional resources for both EWP and hazardous fuel reduction.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=5CCA529F-3436-FFD9-B9FE-01AC2CCF3342", "Bennet Welcomes Repeal of Land-Acquisition Waiver for Expansion of Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site", "2013-11-25", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today welcomed the U.S. Department of Defense's announcement that it is withdrawing its land-acquisition waiver that would have to expand the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site near Trinidad.\nToday's announcement ends years of uncertainty for ranchers and the communities in southeast Colorado, Bennet said. It alleviates residents' concerns that they will be displaced by expansion and while maintaining the Army's access to training missions on this unique terrain.The waiver's withdrawal is a major step in creating a strong and productive relationship between southern Colorado and the Army that is mutually beneficial to the region, its economy and our national security.\nSince coming to the Senate, Bennet has worked closely with members of the Colorado Congressional delegation to secure extensions of the moratorium on expansion of the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site. In 2009, Bennet joined Senator Mark Udall and then-Representatives John Salazar and Betsy Markey to secure a ban on funding for any expansion of the site. In 2011, Bennet and Senator Mark Udall secured a letter from Army Secretary John McHugh providing assurances that the Army is not planning to expand and that expansion was not included in its five year plan. Bennet also worked with Senator Udall and Representatives Scott Tipton and Cory Gardner to advocate for a repeal of the land acquisition waiver.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=BFBEE652-F667-14B2-A489-0E67F75C3836", "Bennet, Udall Applaud Flood Recovery Funding to Restore Damaged Watersheds", "2013-11-25", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall today welcomed the release of $11.7 million from the Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program to help restore watersheds damaged by September's devastating floods. The funding will help cover 75 percent of the costs for 26 emergency projects, such as the stabilization of riverbanks and rechanneling of rivers and streams that were redirected following the historic floods that swept through Colorado's Front Range.\nWith winter weather descending on Colorado, it is more important than ever to complete these watershed restoration projects so that the spring snowmelt doesn't cause further flood damage, Bennet said. These resources will help restore our watersheds and riverbanks and help protect nearby communities. Coloradans are banding together to quickly complete these projects, in many cases ahead of schedule, and this funding will support those efforts. We will continue to work closely with NRCS and other federal agencies to meet the needs of the many other recovery projects that remain.\nThe September flood literally redrew the map in parts of Colorado, with some streams and rivers moving hundreds of feet from their original paths. During my travels to flood-damaged communities, I saw first-hand the extensive erosion and damage caused by this disaster, Udall said. These funds, which I have been proud to champion with the delegation, will help us restore Colorado's waterways, stabilize river and stream banks, and provide much needed protection for soil erosion and mudslides.\nBennet and Udall led the Colorado Congressional delegation in requesting the NRCS, along with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize these projects. They specifically asked for the quick release of any available funds from the EWP program to finance this urgent work.\nBennetand Udall have worked closely with the delegation since the flooding began to ensure that Coloradans have every resource needed to save lives and rebuild. They helped lead a delegation-wide effort thatsuccessfully lifted the capon the amount of emergency transportation resources Colorado could access to rebuild damaged infrastructure. The senators also led the Colorado delegation tourge the President to quickly declare an emergencywhen flooding began to ensure that emergency funding was available for response and recovery efforts. More recently, they voiced support for Governor Hickenlooper's request toadd additional counties to those eligible for individual and public assistance and to extend the application deadline for applying for support from FEMA.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=449A4EE8-7942-2C6B-7342-94B1AEBCB30C", "First Small Hydro Project in Colorado Moves Forward Thanks to Regulatory Efficiency Act", "2013-11-22", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S.Senator Michael Bennettoday announced thatthe Silverton-based San Juan County Historical Society's small hydro projectwould be allowed to move forward without undergoing the burdensome and expensive federal permitting process thanks to the Hydropower Regulator Efficiency Act. The bill, which Bennet cosponsored, cuts red tape for noncontroversial hydro projects that are less than 5 megawatts.\nThe Federal Energy Regulatory Commission officially announced last night that the project would not be subject to the federal permitting process, thanks to the bill, which passed Congress unanimously in August. As a result, the 11-kilowatt Silverton project will be the first small hydro project in the state, and one of the first in the nation to take advantage of this streamlined system.\n\"The Hydropower industry has tremendous potential to stimulate economic growth and job creation in Colorado,\"Bennet said.\"This common-sense bipartisan bill removesunnecessaryregulations to help small projects like this one get up and running in communities across the state. We should continue to look for ways to cutthrough red tape andpromote these types of clean, cost-effectiveenergy sources.\"\nThe Feds had previously said that our project needed to apply for a hydropower license, but requiring a federal license for a tiny, non-controversial hydro project on an existing pipeline didn't make sense,Beverly Rich, Chair of the San Juan County Historical Society, said.The Historical Society operates the Mayflower Mill site where the new hydropower project is being built. We're grateful to Senator Bennet for helping us cut through this red tape.\nIn addition to Silverton, projects in Telluride and Orchard City are working to take advantage of this reform under the new law.\nThe Hydropower Improvement Act was a companion bill to H.R. 267, the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013, sponsored by Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO) andCathy McMorris-Rogers (R-WA).\nBackground Info on the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act:\nPrior to the new law, the costly federal permitting requirements had been a barrier to entry for small hydropower developments. In many cases, the cost of federal permitting exceeded the cost of the hydro equipment.\nThe Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act solves this problem by creating a regulatory off-ramp from permitting requirements for small, non-controversial hydro projects on existing conduits, such as pipelines and canals. It doesn't change any underlying federal or state environmental statute, it simply streamlines the federal approval process.\nThe Colorado Small Hydro Association estimates that 100 MW of new hydro development in the state could mean 500 new jobs in various fields including developers, engineers, plumbers,carpenters, and others.\nFor more details on the Silverton hydro project, feel free to call Beverly Rich, Chair of the San Juan County Historical Society, at 970-387-5488.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/tipton-leads-charge-keep-pilt-intact", "Tipton Leads Charge to Keep PILT Intact", "2013-11-21", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CO", "Scott Tipton", "T000470", "tipton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014Stressing that many rural county budgets are already stretched thin as they strive to deliver vital services, Rep. Scott Tipton (R-CO), today, led a bipartisan group of\u00a046 of his House colleagues in urging Budget Conferees to provide certainty for counties and prioritize funding for the Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILT) program. PILT reimburses local governments for losses in tax revenues due to the presence of large expanses of un-taxable federal lands, ensuring vital funding for infrastructure, law enforcement, education and other essential operations.\nMatt Chase, executive director, National Association of Counties (NACo), said counties nationwide applaud the leadership of Rep. Tipton for his attention to PILT, and thanked the group of 47 members of Congress for their strong bipartisan support.\n\u201cCongress must keep its promise to counties and ensure that these federal payments are not disrupted,\u201d Chase said. \u201cThe PILT program is a critical source of revenue for counties with large areas of tax-exempt federal land within their boundaries. Without the revenue, many counties would be forced to cut services, delay infrastructure maintenance and improvement and eliminate local jobs.\u201d\nThe text of the letter to Budget Conferees from Tipton and his colleagues follows:\n \n\tDear Chairman Ryan, Chairwoman Murray, Ranking Member Van Hollen and Ranking Member Sessions:\n\t\t\u00a0\n\t\tAs you continue to conference on a budget for Fiscal Year 2014, we write to urge you to prioritize funding for the Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILT) program. PILT was first signed into law in October, 1976 and was created to bridge budget shortfalls that many counties face as the result of having large expanses of un-taxable federal lands. As you know, local property and sales taxes typically fund county governments allowing them to provide essential services such as law enforcement, infrastructure and education needs for communities. The inability for counties to collect these local taxes on the extensive acreage of federal lands in their jurisdictions poses a significant burden, and a fully-funded PILT program helps to offset the loss of these critical revenues. Almost 2,000 counties in 49 states depend on some form of PILT disbursement.\n\tThe PILT program has been historically underfunded in the past which has been detrimental for Western counties and rural communities. In 2008, legislation was signed into law to correct this and prevent PILT from being subject to annual appropriations, thus providing mandatory funding. Unfortunately, the mandatory requirement to fund the PILT program recently sunset and counties received their last disbursement in June 2013.\n\tWe all recognize the current fiscal challenges our nation faces, but prudent, economical uses of our resources can have significant benefits for our economy and local communities. Counties have already begun budgeting for Fiscal Year 2014 and without action from Congress, many will be forced to cut important services and implement budget contingency plans. As you all move toward an agreement on a budget resolution, we urge you to end this uncertainty and prevent further disruption to critical local government operations by providing full-funding for the PILT program. We pledge to work with you to identify the necessary offsets to ensure this program is fully paid for and does not increase direct spending, should mandatory spending for this program not be extended. Thank you for taking the time to consider our comments.\u00a0\n\tSincerely,\u00a0\u00a0\n \nSigned (47): Scott Tipton (R-CO), Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Steve Pearce (R-NM), Gloria Negrete McLeod (D-CA), Rob Bishop (R-UT), Raul Ruiz (D-CA), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Jim Matheson (D-UT), Greg Walden (R-OR), Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Derek Kilmer (R-WA), Joe Heck (R-NV), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Mark Amodei (R-NV), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Glenn Thompson (R-PA), Rick Nolan (D-MN), Steve Daines (R-MT), Steven Horsford (D-NV), Jason Smith (R-MO), Ben Lujan (D-NM), Chris Stewart (R-UT), Dan Benishek (R-MI), Trent Franks (R-AZ), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), Don Young (R-AK), Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Stephen Fincher (R-TN), Paul Cook (R-CA), David Reichert (R-WA), Robert Hurt (R-VA), Mark Meadows (R-NC), Sean Duffy (R-WI), Tim Bishop (D-NY), Ron Barber (D-AZ), Walter Jones (R-NC), John Garamendi (D-CA), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), and Jared Huffman (D-CA).\nView a pdf of the letter here.\n\u00a0\n#\u00a0 #\u00a0 #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=362465", "Polis Introduces Legislation to Address Crisis of Rising Student Loan Debt", "2013-11-21", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jared Polis", "P000598", "polis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO), along with Representatives Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) and Tim Bishop (D-NY), introduced legislation to tackle the rising student loan debt crisis by bringing fairness, common sense, and transparency to the student loan process. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), American families face an avalanche of more than $1 trillion in student loan debt, which amounts to approximately $24,000 in student loan debt for each of the 37 million student borrowers. The Know Before You Owe Act would help level the playing field by ensuring that student borrowers know about the financial advantages of lower cost federal loans before borrowing in the private market. According to the CFPB, 40 percent of students who have private student loan debt, had not exhausted all of their federal loan options, which come with interest rates as low as 3.4 percent compared to an average of 7.8 percent for private loans, before taking out more expensive private loans.\r\n\u201cIn today\u2019s knowledge-based economy, a college degree is the best investment that a student can make for their future,\u201d said Rep. Polis. \u201cHowever with the rising costs of higher education, today\u2019s students are being hamstrung by record debt levels, forcing them to delay other important investments in their futures, including saving for a secure retirement or purchasing a home. By empowering students with simple disclosure and coordination about the federal financial aid options before they turn to more expensive private loans, the Know Before You Owe Act will go a long way to help students make smart choices about the most affordable student loan opportunities available to them. Through simple coordination and disclosure, we can save student loan borrowers billions of dollars and make their education more affordable.\u201d\r\n\u201cThis bill empowers students and families to make the most informed choices about how to afford college and invest in their future without taking on unnecessary debt,\u201d Schwartz said. \u201cStrengthening the transparency of student loan options can help make college more affordable and provide a safeguard against those who might try to deceive students and families facing difficult financial decisions.\u201d\r\n\u201cStudents should not have to take on one more penny in debt than is absolutely necessary to attend college and pursue their dreams\u201d said Bishop. \u201cThis critical legislation will ensure that students have the information they need to choose the higher education financing option that is best for them--not for the lender.\u201d\r\nThere are distinct differences between federal student loans and those offered on the private market. Federal student loans have lower interest rates and reasonable repayment terms, including deferment of repayment for hardships and forgiveness in exchange for public service, such as teaching in low-achieving schools. In addition to having higher interest rates, private loans lack protections offered by federal loans have large fees and do not include federal forgiveness, cancellation, or repayment programs. Two-thirds of private loan borrowers, including those who took out both private and federal loans, said that they did not understand the major differences between private and federal options.\r\nThe Know Before You Owe Act would require private lenders to:\r\n \r\n    certify with the borrower\u2019s school that the student is enrolled and the amount the student is eligible to borrow before issuing a private loan;\r\n    provide the borrower with quarterly updates on their loans, including accrued but unpaid interest and capitalized interest;\r\n    report information to the CFPB about their student loans.\r\n \r\nThe bill would also require institutions of higher education to inform students about:\r\n \r\n    their federal financial aid availability and eligibility;\r\n    their ability to select a private lender of their choice;\r\n    the impact of a private loan on their eligibility for other forms of financial aid;\r\n    their right to accept, reject, or cancel a private loan as allowed under current law; and\r\n    the terms and conditions of federal and private student loans.\r\n \r\nThe bill is supported by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, National Association for College Admission Counseling, National Council of La Raza, Council for Opportunity in Education, Young Invincibles, National Consumer Law Center, The Institute for College Access & Success, National Consumers League, American Federation of Teachers, The Education Trust, U.S. Public Interest Research Group, Consumer Action, Democrats for Education Reform,\u00a0 American Podiatric Medical Students' Association, American Podiatric Medical Association, Association of American Medical Colleges, Demos, and Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. \r\n\u201cThe financial aid community stands behind The Know Before You Owe Act, which takes the important step of requiring full institutional certification of all private student loans, just as is currently required on all federal student loans. Private student loans often lack important consumer safeguards like the income-based repayment options and guaranteed deferments of federal student loans. This bill will allow aid administrators to provide better counseling on debt management by giving schools a fuller picture of students\u2019 financing options. The Act also excludes federal student loans from Health and Human Services from the definition of a \"private education loan,\u201d providing a much-needed fix to a legislative provision that has caused confusion to student borrowers for years. NASFAA urges Congress to support this legislation.\" \u2013 The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators\r\n\"We support\u00a0Know Before You Owe\u00a0because this bill helps\u00a0students understand the\u00a0loans they are taking out. In a recent survey of high-debt borrowers, Young Invincibles found that two-thirds of respondents did not know the difference between private and federal loans. This is a major\u00a0issue as federal loans have better repayment terms and borrower protections\u00a0than private student\u00a0loans.\u00a0We applaud Rep. Polis for working to ensure that students take out public loans before they take on private student debt.\u201d \u2013 Young Invincibles, a national organization representing the needs of young individuals aged 18 to 34.\r\n\u201cWe support the Know Before You Owe Act because it will help students make more informed decisions about borrowing for college. Students need to know if they\u2019re eligible for federal loans before they turn to riskier private loans.\u201d \u2013 The Institute for College Access and Success.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=A78FF309-A6F7-EFC8-07FB-3E405DF656FD", "Bennet Warns Veterans of Marketing Scam", "2013-11-21", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S.Senator Michael Bennet iswarningVeteransattempting to reach theVeterans BenefitsAdministration(VBA)about a marketing scam.\nA marketing company has purchased two toll-free numbers almost identical to the VBA toll-free numbersto trick Veterans who have mistakenly dialed the wrong number into providingcredit card numbers and other private information.\nBennet's office learned of the scam from the VA earlier today. According to the VA, the marketing company tries tomisleadVeteransinto volunteeringtheir personal informationby offeringafreeWalmart gift cardin exchange.When asked if they are the Veterans Affairs office,the marketing companyrepliesvaguelyandexplains that the Veterans Affairs office is very busy.Theyrespond yes when asked if they can help with VA benefitsandthey may even offer to transfercallersafter requesting credit card information.\nThe twoscamnumbersidentifiedby the VA are:\n \n800-872-1000similar to the Veterans Benefits Administration's main number 800-827-1000\n888-442-4511similar to the GI-Bill number 888-442-4551\n \nVeterans are encouraged to use care when calling VA national lines and to be aware that the VBA office does not sell gift cards or ask for credit card information.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=BC8635B0-0C5C-626A-975D-DE3358830691", "Bennet Statement on Senate's Vote to End Obstruction, Reform Filibuster for Nominations", "2013-11-21", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today issued the following statement on the Senate's vote to require a simple majority, instead of 60 votes, to consider and confirm executive nominations and most judicial nominations. Nominees to the U.S. Supreme Court may still be subject to a 60-vote threshold. Bennet voted to reform the Senate rules.\nWashington continues to be the land of flickering lights. Time and time again it has failed to respond to the needs of Colorado families and businesses.\nColoradans don't care about our party affiliation. They want Congress to work together and respond to the nation's needs  much like we did this week when I worked with Republicans to pass a bipartisan bill to make our prescription drug supply chain more secure.\nOnly through working together will we be able to create a 21st century energy strategy, implement a workable immigration system that secures the border and supports our economy, pass a Farm Bill that gives certainty to our farmers and ranchers, and support schools that will prepare our kids for success. Unfortunately, the abuse of the Senate's filibuster rule by a minority of senators has been part of the problem.\nThis obstruction of so many nominees is essentially a partial shutdown of or government that hurts our small businesses, our economy, and our ability to remain competitive around the world.\nBennet has been a long-time supporter of reforms to the Senate rules to help the Senate conduct its business more efficiently. In 2010,Bennet unveileda series of reforms including changes to the filibuster and secret holds. Bennet supported the Senate's bipartisan agreement in 2011 to end secret holds and to limit the use of the filibuster on motions to proceed.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/house-passes-tipton%E2%80%99s-all-above-energy-plan", "House Passes Tiptons All-of-the-Above Energy Plan | Congressman Scott Tipton (R - CO)", "2013-11-20", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CO", "Scott Tipton", "T000470", "tipton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2013 Today, the House of Representatives passed with bipartisan support Congressman Scott Tipton\u2019s (R-CO) Planning for American Energy Act (H.R. 1394), which would increase responsible American energy production by establishing a true all-of-the-above energy strategy. Tipton\u2019s bill passed as part of the Federal Lands and Energy Security Act of 2013 (H.R. 1965\u2014listed as Title II), a legislative package that also seeks to eliminate bureaucratic red tape that is hampering responsible energy development on federal lands.\nWatch Tipton speak on the Planning for American Energy Act\nH.R. 1394 (Tipton) would establish a true all-of-the-above domestic energy plan, putting into place common sense steps to create a framework for using federal lands to responsibly meet America\u2019s energy needs without repealing a single environmental regulation or review process. Under the legislation, the non-partisan Energy Information Administration provides the projected energy needs of the United States for the next 30 years to the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture on which they then base four year production plans. The bill requires that all energy resources including wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal, oil, natural gas, coal, oil shale and minerals needed for energy development be included in the plan. \u00a0H.R. 1965 (Lamborn) expands energy production on federal lands by eliminating red tape and streamlining the leasing and permitting process. View the full bill here.\n\u201cColorado, along with our neighboring Western states, is in a unique position to contribute to our nation\u2019s energy security and ensure that the United States remains competitive in the world market.\u00a0 By promoting a common-sense regulatory framework, embracing domestic energy research and development, and applying environmental and safety standards already on the books, rather than adding costly new mandates, we can help meet America\u2019s energy needs right here at home, providing energy and economic security that will benefit American families,\u201d said Tipton. \u201cAn all-of-the-above domestic energy plan that responsibly increases production on federal lands is needed to ensure the future prosperity of our nation. That is exactly what H.R. 1965 will accomplish. It creates a framework to responsibly meet America\u2019s energy needs, lowers energy costs for consumers, and creates much needed jobs.\u201d\nRead Tipton\u2019s full floor statement here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/tipton-testifies-hermosa-creek-legislation-senate", "Tipton Testifies on Hermosa Creek Legislation in Senate", "2013-11-20", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CO", "Scott Tipton", "T000470", "tipton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014Rep. Scott Tipton (R-CO), today, testified in support of the Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act of 2013 in the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee. Tipton and Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) have introduced companion bills in the House (H.R. 1839) and Senate (S.841) to protect the Hermosa Creek Watershed--an area in the San Juan National Forest north of Durango--as well as protect multiple use of the land.\nIn his testimony, Tipton spoke on the community effort behind the legislation that is endorsed by a broad coalition of stakeholders including: the City of Durango, the\u00a0La Plata County Commission, the Southwestern Water Conservation District, the San Juan County Commission, Region 9, the Colorado Snowmobilers Association, Jo Grant Mining Company, Inc., in addition to numerous business and sportsmen groups, among others.\nWatch Tipton\u2019s statement in the Senate here.\n\u201cThis legislation has truly been locally-driven and has broad community support,\u201d said Tipton. \u201cBecause the bill has been carefully crafted to preserve the Hermosa Creek watershed and the multiple use recreation opportunities it provides, it has received the endorsement of numerous local stakeholders including snowmobilers, anglers, hunters, mountain bikers and other outdoor enthusiasts, elected officials, grazing permit holders, miners, water users and Southwest Colorado residents.\u201d\nRead Tipton\u2019s full statement here.\nUnder the Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act of 2013, much of the land will remain open to historic uses, including mountain biking, motorized recreation, hunting, fishing and selective timber harvesting. Grazing will be permitted in the entire watershed. This legislation ensures that areas currently open to snowmobiling on Molas Pass will remain open for future use.\u00a0 This will benefit outdoor recreation enthusiasts and continue to provide an important source of economic activity for the area.\u00a0 If this bill is not passed, then snowmobiling will cease in this region following the 2013/2014 winter season.\nThis legislation also contains important provisions that allow for active land management in areas designated by the bill as necessary to control wildfires, insect infestations and disease outbreaks.\nTipton has requested a legislative hearing on H.R. 1839 in the House of Representatives.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=362395", "Polis and Huffman Offer Amendment Dealing with Impact of Flooding on Oil and Gas Infrastructure", "2013-11-20", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jared Polis", "P000598", "polis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Representatives Jared Polis (D-CO) and Jared Huffman (D-CA) introduced an amendment to H.R. 1965, the Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act, requiring the National Academy of Sciences to study and report to Congress on the environmental impact of flooding on oil and gas facilities.\r\n\u201cMy district in Colorado is all too familiar with the impact of devastating flooding on the nearby wells and pipelines. The September floods in Colorado not only caused extensive damage to homes and infrastructure, but also caused an unprecedented level of destruction to thousands of oil and gas facilities in northeastern Colorado,\u201d said Rep. Jared Polis. \u201cFlood can happen anywhere and it\u2019s important to understand how we can minimize damage to oil and gas infrastructure.\u201d\r\nIn September, Coloradans experienced some of the worst flooding in the state\u2019s history. In an instant, homes and businesses, roads and bridges were washed away. The September floods in Colorado not only caused extensive damage to infrastructure, but also caused an unprecedented level of destruction to thousands of oil and gas facilities in northeastern Colorado. As a result, over 43,000 gallons of oil and over 26,000 gallons of produced water spilled from tanks, wells, and pipelines into the floodwater. The Polis Amendment cosponsored by Representative Huffman would specifically require the National Academy of Sciences to study and report to Congress about the impact of\u00a0flooding\u00a0on oil and gas facilities and the resulting instances of leaking and spills from tanks, wells, and pipelines.\u00a0\r\nPreviously, Rep. Polis joined Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) in sending a letter on September 25th to House Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings requesting a hearing to fully understand the consequences resulting from the flood. To date, this hearing has yet to be scheduled.\r\n\u201cThe floods in Colorado shed a light on the need to better understand how we can prevent further spills and leaks as a result of floods in the future,\u201d concluded Polis.\r\nUnfortunately the amendment failed on the floor by a vote of\u00a0 201 to 221.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=362401", "Polis and Lee Push for an Equitable, Responsible Budget", "2013-11-20", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jared Polis", "P000598", "polis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Representatives Jared Polis (D-CO) and Barbara Lee (D-CA) sent a letter to the Chairmen of the House and Senate Budget Committees urging for parity between defense and non-defense cuts in any sequestration deal. The letter, signed by an additional 64 Members of Congress, urges the Budget Committee to repeal and replace the sequester, which is causing crushing cuts to non-defense programs, but states emphatically that any relief for defense discretionary spending programs must also provide \u201cat least the same level of relief to non-defense discretionary spending programs.\u201d\r\n\u201cFrom 57,000 children being kicked out of Head Start, to cuts to the Meals on Wheels program that many seniors rely on every day, sequestration has disproportionally impacted low-income and middle class families in America,\u201d stated Rep. Polis. \u201cJust when we are ending our combat missions in Afghanistan and have ended the war in Iraq, we must not continue to favor defense spending over programs that benefit low-income and middle class families.\u201d\r\n\u201cAt a time when we are recovering from the worst recession since the Great Depression, the across-the-board spending cuts known as sequester are pushing our nation over the cliff, especially our nation's most vulnerable,\u201d stated Rep. Lee. \u201cSeniors, veterans, the disabled, and families struggling with hunger can't be pushed aside, they must be protected. As we negotiate a budget, we must ensure that the vulnerable are protected and the Defense Department is included in any cuts.\u201d\u00a0\r\nSequestration has been particularly damaging for non-defense programs. Nearly 57,000 children have been kicked out of Head Start, many seniors can no longer rely on Meals on Wheels for their daily nutritious meals, and consumers are at risk given the FDA reducing its inspections of food manufacturing facilities by 2,100.\r\n\u201cDue to some one-time measures, defense programs received more funding in Fiscal Year 2013 than originally planned under sequestration while non-defense programs were provided no such relief. It isn\u2019t fair to the millions of Americans that rely on federal dollars for life-saving medical treatments; school-readiness programs; and job security, to bear the brunt of Congress\u2019 inability to pass a comprehensive budget that provides for our national security while also improving the lives of Americans nationwide,\u201d Polis concluded.\r\nThe text of the letter, with a list of the signers, follows:\r\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0November 19, 2013\r\nThe Honorable Paul Ryan \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0The Honorable Patty Murray  \r\nChairman \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Chairman  \r\nCommittee on the Budget \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Senate Budget Committee  \r\nU.S. House of Representatives \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0United States Senate  \r\nWashington, D.C. 20515 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Chairman Ryan and Chairman Murray:\r\nAs the Budget Conference begins work towards a responsible budget process to fund the Federal Government, it is imperative that Congress address the disastrous effects of sequestration.\u00a0\u00a0 While we believe Congress must repeal and replace the sequester, any attempt to provide relief from the Fiscal Year 2014 sequester for defense discretionary programs should provide at least the same level of relief to non-defense discretionary spending programs. The Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA) was clear that the $1.2 trillion in sequestration cuts between Fiscal Year 2013 and Fiscal Year 2021 would be guided by the core principle that they be divided equally between both defense and non-defense spending. The same must hold true for any attempt to undo or mitigate sequestration\u2019s impact.\r\nAlthough Congress intended for both defense and non-defense programs to be treated equally under the BCA, that turned out not to be the case in the current fiscal year. In Fiscal Year 2013, due to some one-time measures, defense programs received more funding than originally slated for under the BCA. If sequestration remains in effect for Fiscal Year 2014, the BCA mandates that $109.3 billion be slashed from the federal budget, evenly split between defense programs and non-defense programs. As such, under current law, defense funding must decrease between Fiscal Year 2013 and Fiscal Year 2014.\r\nSequestration has proven crushing for non-defense programs across the federal government. From nearly 57,000 children being kicked out of Head Start, to cuts to the Meals on Wheels program that many seniors rely on for a nutritious diet, to 2,100 fewer inspections by the Food and Drug Administration at food manufacturing facilities, Americans from all across the country are feeling the negative effects of sequestration. What\u2019s more, the harmful sequester is disproportionally impacting low-income and middle class families,\u00a0\u00a0 leading to reductions in critical public services and creating a drag on the overall economy. The devastating impact of these cuts has been magnified by the recent government shutdown.\r\nWe hope that Congress will recognize these harmful effects and replace all of the sequestration cuts with more sensible measures. However, in the absence of a comprehensive solution, any relief from the $109 billion in FY 2014 sequestration cuts must maintain parity between defense and non-defense programs. To provide further special treatment to the Pentagon would discount the needs of millions of Americans who rely on federal dollars for life-saving medical treatments; school-readiness programs; housing; research and innovation; job security; and food safety, among numerous other programs that have been automatically reduced.\r\nWe thank you for your consideration and your attention to this request.\r\nSincerely,\r\n\u00a0  \r\n\u00a0Jared Polis \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 Barbara Lee  \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress \r\n\u00a0James P. McGovern \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ra\u00fal Grijalva   \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress \u00a0Gwen Moore \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Alan Grayson\u00a0   \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress\r\n\u00a0Charles Rangel \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jerrold Nadler\u00a0   \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress \r\n\r\n\u00a0Chellie Pingree \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Frederica S. Wilson\u00a0   \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress \r\n\r\n\u00a0Alan Lowenthal \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jared Huffman\u00a0   \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress\u00a0 \r\n\r\n\u00a0Mike Quigley \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Alcee L. Hastings  \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress\r\n\r\n\u00a0John Conyers \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mark Takano   \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress \r\n\r\n\u00a0John Lewis \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ed Pastor\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0   \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress \r\n\r\n\u00a0Hakeem S. Jeffries \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Suzanne Bonamici   \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress\u00a0 \r\n\r\n\u00a0Henry \u201cHank\u201d Johnson Jr. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Eric Swalwell\u00a0\u00a0   \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress\u00a0\u00a0 \r\n\r\n\u00a0Michael H. Michaud \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Susan Davis\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0   \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress \r\n\r\n\u00a0Maxine Waters \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Al Green\u00a0   \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress\u00a0 \r\n\r\n\u00a0Sheila Jackson Lee\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Elijah E. Cummings\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0   \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress\u00a0\u00a0 \r\n\r\n\u00a0Eddie Bernice Johnson \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 David Scott\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0   \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress\u00a0\u00a0 \r\n\r\n\u00a0Carolyn McCarthy \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mark Pocan\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0   \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress\u00a0 \r\n\r\n\u00a0Gloria Negrete McLeod \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Robin Kelly\u00a0\u00a0   \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress\u00a0 \r\n\r\n\u00a0Lois Frankel \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Jos\u00e9 E. Serrano   \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress\r\n\r\n\u00a0William R. Keating \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mike Honda\u00a0\u00a0   \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress\u00a0 \r\n\r\n\u00a0Nydia M. Vel\u00e1zquez \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 Carolyn Maloney\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0   \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \r\n\r\n\u00a0Mel Watt \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lucille Roybal-Allard\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0   \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \r\n\r\n\u00a0Donald Payne, Jr. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Paul Tonko\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0   \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \r\n\u00a0Yvette Clarke\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Kurt Schrader  \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress \u00a0Keith Ellison\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Steve Cohen  \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress \u00a0Tony C\u00e1rdenas\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Louise Slaughter  \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress\r\n\u00a0Jim Moran\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Judy Chu  \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress \u00a0Sam Farr\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Marc Veasey \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0   \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress \u00a0Danny K. Davis\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 David Cicilline  \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress \u00a0Gregory W. Meeks\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Peter Welch   \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress \u00a0Donna M. Christensen\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Janice D. Schakowsky  \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress \u00a0Earl Blumenauer\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 George Miller  \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress \u00a0Marcia L. Fudge\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0  John Garamendi  \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress \u00a0Luis Gutierrez  \r\n\u00a0Member of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=BB6D8A95-A216-C2E9-7E96-39A76D7A93E8", "Bennet: Hermosa Creek Represents Best of Colorado, Deserves Balanced Management Plan", "2013-11-20", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today testified before the Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining in support of his bipartisan bill to protect more than 100,000 acres of the Hermosa Creek Watershed, an area in the San Juan National Forest north of Durango.\nThe Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act would establish a management plan for the watershed based on recommendations from the Hermosa Creek River Protection Workgroup, which included local water officials, conservationists, sportsmen, mountain bikers, off-road-vehicle users, outfitters, property owners, grazing permit holders, and other interested citizens. Bennet introduced the bill in April with Senator Mark Udall (D-CO), while Representative Scott Tipton (R-CO) introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives. Tipton also testified at today's hearing.\nHermosa Creek represents some of the best Colorado has to offer. It deserves a management plan that balances all of the land's competing uses and gives the local community certainty into the future, Bennet said. This bill represents a community-driven process to cement a long-term plan for their community's future. Congressman Tipton and Senator Udall have been great partners, and we urge the committee to move this bill forward for the people of southwest Colorado.\nThe bill would designate roughly 108,000 acres of San Juan National Forest land as theHermosa Creek Watershed Protection Area. Much of the land would remain open to all historic uses of the forest under the bill, including mountain biking, motorized recreation, and selective timber harvesting. Grazing will continue to be allowed in the entire watershed.\nIn accordance with the consensus recommendations of the Hermosa Creek Workgroup, roughly 38,000 acres of the watershed would be set aside as wilderness, to be managed in accordance withThe Wilderness Act of 1964. No roads or mineral development are permitted in wilderness areas; while hunting, fishing, horseback riding and non-mechanized recreation are allowed.\nSupporters of the bill include the City of Durango, theLa Plata County Commission, the San Juan County Commission, the Wilderness Society, Trails 2000, Four Corners Back County Horsemen, Jo Grant Mining Company, Inc., and the Colorado Off Highway Vehicle Coalition, in addition to numerous business and sportsmen groups, among others.\nIn 2011, Bennet penned anop-edin the Durango Herald, outlining his plans to seek feedback from interested Coloradans to build on the framework the workgroup set for the bill. The Durango Herald published an editorial in favor of the bill following its initial introduction in 2012.\nFor more information on the bill and Hermosa Creek, visit Bennet's website athttps://www.bennet.senate.gov/hermosacreek/.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://perlmutter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=999", "Perlmutter Highlights Importance of New Test Facility At NREL's National Wind Technology Center", "2013-11-19", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "perlmutter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Perlmutter Highlights Importance of New Test Facility At NREL's National Wind Technology Center \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, DC,\r\n        November 19, 2013\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n       \r\r\tToday, U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) congratulates the National Wind Technology Center at the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), on the grand opening of its new dynamometer test facility. This new facility will help engineers continue to more efficiently test the power systems of wind turbines.\r\r\tPerlmutter said, \"I am proud and in awe of the work being done by scientists and engineers at NREL as they continue setting the standard for excellence in renewable energy technology. This new test facility will help ensure new alternative energy resources are brought to market and help promote growth for small and medium sized businesses throughout our area. New products that increase our energy independence while providing clean and fuel efficient technologies are essential to changing the way we power our nation and lower costs for all Coloradans. \"\r\r\t###\r\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=362245", "Polis, Marino, and Deutch Introduce  Demand Letter Transparency Act to Tackle Growing Problem of Patent Trolls", "2013-11-19", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jared Polis", "P000598", "polis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Representatives Jared Polis (D-CO) and Tom Marino (R-PA), along with Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL) introduced the Demand Letter Transparency Act to tackle the growing problem of patent trolls. Increasingly, businesses of every size are finding themselves on the receiving end of patent infringement demand letters. These letters, which seemingly come out of nowhere, often make allegations that the use of everyday technology, such as wireless email, digital video streaming, and the interactive web, is in violation of a patent holders\u2019 rights. While it is estimated that the Patent Assertion Entities (PAEs) behind these demand letter lose 92% of the merits judgments in courts, retailers, advertisers, marketers, and other often simply settle these nuisance claims rather than running the risk of complicated, expensive, and protracted discovery and litigation in federal court.\r\nAccording to the Congressional Research Service, PAEs generated $29 billion in direct costs from defendants and licensees in 2011, a 400% increase over $7 billion in 2005. Another study reported that 62% of all patent suits filed in 2012 were brought by PAEs.\r\n\u201cBusinesses are increasingly coming under attack by entities abusing current patent law by sending vague, overbroad and threatening demand letters to businesses that are playing a vital role in our economy. As a result of this threat of litigation, consumers are forced to pay more and many companies are diverting significant dollars from R&D and other activities promoting job growth to simply cover their increasing legal fees,\u201d said Rep. Jared Polis. \u201cThe Demand Letter Transparency Act strikes the right balance in protecting the rights of legitimate patent holders to enforce their patents while protecting consumers and businesses against non-legitimate abusers of the patent system.\u201d\r\n\u201cChairman Goodlatte\u2019s Innovation Act makes significant strides to dismantle the fraudulent business model that is otherwise known as \u201cpatent trolling. I believe it is imperative that we also take on the issue of demand letters, which is at the very root of the problem,\u201d stated Rep. Marino.\u00a0\u201cDemand letters target family-owned businesses and entrepreneurs who are essential for creating jobs and generate revenue for the economy.\u00a0 Small businesses in my district cannot afford the legal fees associated with litigation and they should not have to sacrifice valuable resources to defend themselves against such vague and unsubstantiated claims. \u00a0\u00a0Shell companies and trial lawyers are running amuck, frauding the courts and businesses alike. It is time Congress address this hostile practice.\u201d\r\n\u201cIntimidating small businesses, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits with vague demand letters has become one of the most common ways that patent trolls take advantage of the lack of transparency in our patent system,\u201d said Congressman Ted Deutch. \u201cThe targets of these demand letters are often left to decide whether or not to enter into expensive litigation without knowing any of the details regarding the patent in question, whose rights are being infringed, or how often similar demand letters are sent. I am pleased to join Reps. Polis and Marino to introduce a bipartisan bill that uses to transparency to solve a growing problem.\u201d\r\nThe Demand Letter Transparency Act aims to assist small companies and end users who lack the money, time, and resources to fight demand letters they receive from PAE\u2019s by putting additional information about the PAEs claims at their fingertips enabling them to determine whether to ignore, settle with or defend against assertions made by a PAE. It would be a very necessary first line of defense before they are forced to spend valuable resources to hire a patent specialist. This bill will help erase the \u201casymmetry of information\u201d problem, collect data, improve transparency, and promote information sharing among those who receive demand letters from non-legitimate companies who hide behind vague, overboard and threatening demand letters. Specifically, the bill would:\r\n \r\n    Increase disclosure requirements of PAEs by requiring any entity, which is not an original inventor or University, that sends a specified amount of demand letters relating to a patent issued during any 365-day period, to submit to the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) certain information relating to the patent (including patent being asserted, ultimate parent entity, the number of entities they sent a demand letter to, and information pertaining to litigation or PTO review relating to such patent) and to file an exemplary copy of such demand letter with the PTO. Further it provides courts with discretion to sanction an entity that brings an alleged patent infringement case and does not meet the demand letter disclosure requirements above.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Create a demand letter database at the PTO, in consultation with the Attorney General and Federal Trade Commission, that would be a publically accessible and searchable.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Increase demand letter requirements for any entity sending a demand letter to help a patentee identify the patents and claims. The demand letter shall include identification of each patent allegedly infringed, each claim of infringement, the accused instrumentality, as well as an explanation of each element of the claim within the accused instrumentality, how each element is infringed and a greater description of alleged direct infringement. The letter also must include identification of any case or post-grant administrative action relating to any of the patents, and further specificity relating to the ownership of any patent allegedly being infringed upon. The legislation also requires such entities sending a demand letter to include a statement that the recipient is not required to respond to the letter by law and provide information to recipients regarding accessing the demand letter database established under this legislation. Further it provides penalties for non-compliance.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Codifies the FTC\u2019s authority to enforce violations of the bill\u2019s requirements under its existing authority.\u00a0\u00a0 Specifically, it defines entities that fail to contain proper standards in their demand letters or fail to submit their demand letters to the PTO as \u201cunfair and deceptive act of practices.\u201d\r\n \r\nThe legislation is supported by a variety of businesses and organizations including Dish Network, Public Knowledge, the National Restaurant Association, Application Developers Alliance, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the National Retail Federation, the Direct Marketing Association, the Mobile Marketing Association, and the Association of American Advertising Agencies.\r\n\"DISH applauds Rep. Polis and Rep. Marino for introducing the Demand Letter Transparency Act.\u00a0 The bipartisan legislation, if passed, will help spur innovation, and address the growing problem of patent trolls,\" said Jeffrey Blum, Senior Vice-President and Deputy General Counsel.\r\n\u00a0\u201cPatent trolls have placed a restrictive and unnecessary burden on the restaurant and small business community as they look to build towards the future. This continued assault on innovation is draining billions of dollars from our economy and inhibiting job creation. The Demand Letter Transparency Act will help millions of restaurateurs nationwide fight these frivolous claims, and clear the pathway for enhancing their customer experience,\u201d said Scott DeFife, Executive Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs, National Restaurant Association\r\n\u201cThe Demand Letter Transparency Act is an important bill that will bring the most abusive actors to account. It will protect innovators, small businesses, and end users who face dangerous patent troll threats. The bill provides a much-needed response to opportunistic patent trolls blanketing the nation with deceptive letters,\" said Julie Samuels, Senior Staff Attorney for Electronic Frontier Foundation.\r\nA section by section of the bill follows.\r\n###\r\n\u00a0\r\nSECTION BY SECTION- POLIS/MARINO DEMAND LETTER TRANPARENCY ACT\r\nToday, too many start-ups and end user businesses, such as restaurants, retailers, and grocery stores, are facing threatening demand letters from Patent Assertion Entities (PAE\u2019s) \u2013 who typically do not make or sell anything, but use patents to threaten litigation. Many small companies lack the legal expertise and resources to respond to complex patent infringement claims, and thus, end up devoting significant resources they could be spending on R &D and other business and job growth opportunities, to cover their legal fees. This diversion of resources is harming American innovation, businesses, and consumers, and stifling our economy. \r\nAccording to a recent study, one third of those responding start-ups had received patent assertions; of those 60% came from entities whose primary business is asserting and litigating patents. The study further found that the cost to startups to defend such patent demands regularly exceeds $100,000, and can ultimately end up reaching millions of dollars in litigation costs. \r\nWhile other proposals seek to curb abusive patent litigation, this bill will assist the smallest companies who face demand letter challenges (which are not legal complaints) before litigation even commences. This legislation will provide these companies a very necessary first line of defense before they are forced to spend valuable resources to hire a patent specialist.\r\nThis legislation aims to assist small companies and end users who lack the money, time, and resources to fight demand letters they receive from PAE\u2019s by putting additional information about the PAEs claims at their fingertips enabling them to determine whether to ignore, settle with or defend against assertions made by a PAE. \r\nThis bill will help erase the asymmetry of information problem, collect data, improve transparency, and promote information sharing among those who receive demand letters from non-legitimate companies who hide behind vague, overboard and threatening demand letters. \r\nSection 2: Demand Letter Disclosure\r\nThese provisions will ensure improved transparency and accountability in demand letters to the PTO, providing greater certainty to businesses and better reporting of the problem. \r\n \r\n    Demand letter disclosure related to patent ownership: Requires any entity, that does not meet certain exemptions provided for in the bill and is sending a specified amount of demand letters relating to a patent issued during any 365-day period, to submit to the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) certain information relating to the patent (including patent being asserted, ultimate parent entity, the number of entities they sent a demand letter to, and information pertaining to litigation or PTO review relating to such patent).\r\n \r\n \r\n    Exemplary copy of demand letter: requires these entities to also file an exemplary copy of such demand letter with the PTO. Any company-specific information included in these demand letters relating to the recipient will be confidentially protected by the PTO.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Non-Compliance Remedies: \r\n \r\na.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Monetary sanctions: provides courts with discretion to sanction an entity that brings an alleged patent infringement case and does not meet the demand letter disclosure requirements above. The court is required to consider good faith mistakes in failing to comply with these demand letter disclosure requirements when determining such sanctions.\r\n \r\n    Demand letter database: Mandates the establishment by the PTO, in consultation with the Attorney General and Federal Trade Commission, of a publically accessible and searchable database that includes such demand letters. The PTO is responsible for maintaining and updating the database. Any recipient of a demand letter can request the redaction of the company name, company-specific information, or any other company information from the database.\r\n \r\nThe database will not only assist with information sharing among demand letter receivers, but also provide additional pre-complaint data to relevant agencies and academics to further understand the scope of the problem. Current statistics are only available for patent infringement litigation in federal courts. \r\nSection 3: Demand Letter Requirements \r\n \r\n    Specific demand letter requirements: provides for increased requirements for any entity sending a demand letter to help a patentee identify the patents and claims. The demand letter shall include identification of each patent allegedly infringed, each claim of infringement, the accused instrumentality, as well as an explanation of each element of the claim within the accused instrumentality, how each element is infringed and a greater description of alleged direct infringement. The letter also must include identification of any case or post-grant administrative action relating to any of the patents, and further specificity relating to the ownership of any patent allegedly being infringed upon. The legislation also requires such entities sending a demand letter to provide information to recipients regarding accessing the demand letter database established under this legislation.\r\n \r\nSection 4: Remedies for Non-Compliance\r\n \r\n    Demand Letter Disclosure Non-compliance: allows a third party recipient of a demand letter who believes the sending entity has not met the disclosure requirements in Section 2, to file a petition with the PTO describing why the requirements that have not been met.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Demand Letter Database Non-compliance: allows a third party recipient of a demand letter who believes the sending entity has not met the demand letter requirements in Section 3, to file a petition with the PTO describing why the requirements that have not been met.\r\n \r\n \r\n    PTO Enforcement: permits the PTO to provide notice that the patent will be voided unless a fee is paid if an entity is found to have failed to comply with the demand letter disclosure requirements or demand letter database requirements within this legislation.\u00a0 \u00a0\r\n \r\nSection 5\r\n \r\n    FTC Enforcement: defines entities that fail to contain proper standards in their demand letters or fail to submit their demand letters to the PTO as \u201cunfair and deceptive act of practices.\u201d Codifies the FTC\u2019s authority to enforce violations of the bill\u2019s requirements under its existing authority.\u00a0 \r\n \r\nSection 6\r\n \r\n    Definitions: clarifies certain definitions under the bill.\r\n \r\nSection 7\r\n \r\n    Effective Date: provides a date certain upon which this legislation will go into effect.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=159C16F7-DE70-0E1C-9F18-8CE3CB62E136", "Bipartisan Amendment to Consolidate Federal IT Infrastructure, Save Taxpayer Dollars Filed to Defense Authorization Bill", "2013-11-19", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today led a bipartisan group of senators in introducing an amendment to help reduce waste and government inefficiency by consolidating the total number of federal data centers and making those data centers more efficient. The amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act was introduced with Senators Tom Coburn (R-OK), Tom Carper (D-DE), and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH).\nBecause federal agencies have been slow to act on consolidation initiatives, the bill sets hard deadlines and requires agencies to conduct inventories and implement consolidation strategies. Numerous studies have shown a relatively low utilization rate of the current infrastructure, resulting in an enormous amount of wasted space and energy  and incurring unnecessary costs.\nThis is a common sense way we can help reduce unnecessary waste in the federal government, save energy, and take a chunk out of our deficit, Bennet said. OMB set an ambitious goal, and it's time that we hold agencies accountable to help save taxpayers up to $3 billion.\nThe amendment was introduced as a standalone bill last month and was promptly passed by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee(HSGAC)the following week with unanimous bipartisan support by a voice vote.\nIn 2010, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) instructed federal agenciesto develop consolidation plans under the administration's Federal Data Center Consolidation Initiative (FDCCI), which could save up to $3 billion by 2015,according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), with additional savings beyond that date. However, GAO also found that a number of agencies have been slow to implement these plans  or, in some cases, to even inventory the total number of data centers they currently manage. Under the FDCCI, the federal government set a goal of shutting down at least 1,200 of the thousands of data centers it owns and operates.\nThis bill would require participating federal agencies to submit complete data center inventories and a consolidation strategy, which must include a timeline for implementation and cost-savings estimates. The legislation includes hard deadlines, and participating agencies must also submit annual updates on their progress for the next five years. In addition, the law would require the GAO to verify agency data center inventories, and woulddirect OMB to routinely report to Congress on cost savings realized to date.\nThe GAO has publicly endorsed thelegislation, saying it is necessary to ensure that agencies close down unnecessary data centers by the target deadline. The senators have worked closely with OMB and GAO to ensure that this legislation will help strengthen the initiative and achieve meaningful savings.\nThe bill is also supported by theProfessional Services Counciland theInformation Technology Industry Council.\nSenators Bennet and Coburnoriginally filed this legislation as an amendmentto theEnergy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013 (S.1392).", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=67C0D521-4AB9-E617-214D-5910215C725A", "Deadlines for Coloradans with Flood Claims Approaching", "2013-11-19", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet is reminding Coloradans of approaching deadlines to apply for flood relief. Yesterday, FEMA announced that the deadline to apply for Individual Assistance and Small Business Administration loans has been extended to December 1.\nThe deadline to file flood claims with the National Flood Insurance Program has also been extended. The deadline is now 81 days from the date of the damage, instead of 60.\nThe deadline to apply for Public Assistance and Transitional Sheltering Assistance is November 30.\nWe encourage any Coloradans who have property damage due to the flood to assess their losses and file a claim,Bennet said.Theseextensionswill help Coloradans access all of the resources they are eligible to receive to recover and rebuild.\nAdditional information on deadlines is below. For more information go tofloodsmart.gov.\nRequests for Individual Assistance The deadline for individuals affected by this disaster to apply for individual assistance with FEMA is now December 2. FEMA urges eligible individuals to register immediately, if they haven't yet, by phone at 800-621-3362 (or TTY 800-462-7585) or apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov.\nU.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)Loans forindividuals, private nonprofits, and businesses of all sizesworking to repair physical damageand replace personal property: The deadline for filing an application for a low-interest disaster loan is nowDecember 2nd. FEMA is urging Colorado individuals and businesses to fill out their loan packets and return them to the SBA, evenifthey don't think theycan afford orwanta loan;Applicants are under no obligation to accept an SBA loan and there is no cost to apply. However, completing and returning the SBA application may open the door to other forms of assistance such as additional FEMA grants.Individualsand businesses should keep all disaster funding options open,but they will be ineligible for SBA loans if they miss this deadline. For information about SBA programs, applicants can go tosba.gov/disasteror call (800) 659-2955 (TTY 1-800-977-8339). (Note that the application deadline for Economic Injury Disaster loans for small businesses and most private nonprofits without physical damage is June 16, 2014).\nTransitional Sheltering Assistance(TSA) For people staying in hotels (FEMA pays 75%, State pays 25% -- directly to hotels): DeadlineisNovember 30  checkout date December 1. Eligibility for TSA is decided on a case-by-case basis; if your home becomes accessible and/or livable, if you have already received rental assistance, or if rental units become available, for instance, you may no longer be eligible for TSA.\nRequests for Public Assistance Applicants for Public Assistance must notify FEMA and the State of Colorado about projects that may qualify for assistance(FEMA pays a minimum of 75%). The deadline has been extended to November 30 for all designated counties Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Clear Creek, Crowley, Denver, El Paso, Fremont, Gilpin, Jefferson, Lake, Larimer, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan, Sedgwick, Washington and Weld.\nMost requestsfor public assistance are filled out at Applicant Briefings.If applicants haven't filed a request yet, they should send the form toRPA_colorado@state.us. For more information, contact Kathy Workman at 720-557-0161 orKathy.workman@state.co.us.\nRegistration:Register with FEMA by phone,800-621-3362,from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., MT, seven days a week.Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages. People who have a speech disability or are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY)800-462-7585; users of711or Video Relay Service can call800-621-3362.\nRegister online:DisasterAssistance.gov. Register by Web-enabled device, tablet or smartphone: typem.fema.govin the browser.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=CD4A2385-E3CE-D95B-8682-FE5ED53325AC", "Following Interior Department's Delayed Disbursement of Millions in 2013 Mineral Leasing Revenues, Bennet Urges Senate Passage of Return our State Shares Act", "2013-11-19", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Interior Department announced today that it ultimately disbursed over $14 billion in FY 2013 revenues from mineral leasing on public lands and waters to state, local and tribal governments  including $130 million to Colorado. Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet called on the Senate to pass a bipartisan bill to ensure that all royalty payments are paid on time in the future. The Return Our State Shares (ROSS) Act would require the Interior Department to make its regularly scheduled royalty payments to states instead of withholding them as part of the sequestration and then returning them in a lump sum at the end of the fiscal year.\nColorado counties depend on these resources to operate essential government services and we're glad they are receiving record amounts of revenue this year. However, our states and communities should receive their full payments on time. They should not wrongfully be subjected to sequestration, Bennet said.\nThe mineral leasing revenues are distributed to states and local communities to support local governments and schools and to provide other critical community services. However, as part of the automatic budget cuts commonly referred to as sequestration, the Interior Department and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) have withheld portions of these revenues until the end of the fiscal year despite the fact that the funds are owed to states under law and are not taxpayer dollars pulled from the Treasury. These delays resulted in uncertainty for county governments and other recipients. The ROSS Act would ensure these payments are not subject to sequestration and would continue to be made in a timely manner.\nSenator Bennet introduced the ROSS Act earlier this month with Senator David Vitter (R-LA) to remove certain Treasury accounts derived from the Mineral Leasing Act (MLA), the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA), the RESTORE Act, and the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs from sequestration completely, thereby ensuring states receive their full payment at the appropriate time. All of the funds in question are generated from the private sector, passed through the federal government, and are then disbursed to states and other entities on a monthly or regular basis.\nThis money is not federal spending, and it is not being used to reduce the deficit. The Senate should quickly pass our bill to ensure that these communities have the resources they need for critical services like public schools, law enforcement, and other important community services, Bennet added.\nThe bill is cosponsored by Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Richard Shelby (R-MS), and Bill Nelson (D-FL).", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/tipton-statement-ouray-mine-accident", "Tipton Statement on Ouray Mine Accident", "2013-11-18", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CO", "Scott Tipton", "T000470", "tipton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) issued this statement on Sunday\u2019s mining accident in Ouray that claimed two lives.\n\u201cWe were deeply saddened to hear that two men lost their lives and 20 others were injured during a mining accident in Ouray on Sunday. Our prayers continue to be with the community and all of those impacted, especially with the families of the two miners who were tragically killed.\u201d\nCongressman Tipton\u2019s office is in contact with officials and intently monitoring the investigation being conducted by the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration and the Colorado Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/tipton-udall-bennet-press-usda-maintain-funding-snow-data-water-supply-monitoring", "Tipton, Udall, Bennet Press USDA to Maintain Funding for Snow Data, Water Supply Monitoring Program", "2013-11-18", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CO", "Scott Tipton", "T000470", "tipton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Scott Tipton and U.S. Senators Mark Udall and Michael Bennet are urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service to prioritize funding for its Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting Program. The program, which monitors snowpack in Colorado's mountains and helps water managers forecast supply issues before they occur, is in danger of losing funding due to looming budget cuts.\n\"In the face of prolonged drought, significant population growth and climate change, NRCS' snow program data provides vital information on precipitation and future water supplies essential for Colorado and the entire American West,\" the lawmakers wrote in the letter. \"Our state contains nine major watersheds, each with its own distinct snowfall patterns and obligations to downstream states. For example, current water supplies across the state range from 100 percent of normal in some areas to 40 percent in others. The ability to accurately measure snowpack in each basin, using both SNOTEL and manual snow course data, is essential for water districts and municipalities to meet the demands of competing users.\"\nTo read the bipartisan letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, click HERE or scroll below:\nUndersecretary Robert Bonnie  \n\tUndersecretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture  \n\tU.S. Department of Agriculture  \n\t1400 Independence Ave., S.W.  \n\tWashington, DC 20250\nDear Undersecretary Bonnie:\nWe have been informed that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is contemplating a reduction in funding for the agency\u2019s Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting Program, specifically the number of manual snow course measurement sites in Colorado and other western states, as one option to meet increasing budgetary constraints. As the congressional delegation from the headwaters state, we view this program as essential for the forecasting and management of our most precious resource.\nIn the face of prolonged drought, significant population growth and climate change, NRCS' snow program data provides vital information on precipitation and future water supplies essential for Colorado and the entire American West. Our state contains nine major watersheds, each with its own distinct snowfall patterns and obligations to downstream states. For example, current water supplies across the state range from 100 percent of normal in some areas to 40 percent in others. The ability to accurately measure snowpack in each basin, using both SNOTEL and manual snow course data, is essential for water districts and municipalities to meet the demands of competing users. Further, we know from the statewide water community that protecting both tools must be a priority, as automatic SNOTEL sites can often face mechanical failure mid-winter, leaving the manual snow courses as the only sources of reliable data to meet local demands and interstate compact deliveries.\nIntelligent and thoughtful water supply planning is critical to ensure a prosperous future for Colorado and the West. We hope that USDA and NRCS will prioritize manual snow course measurement sites as they manage their budget for FY14 and prepare their budget for future years. We call on the USDA and NRCS to ensure that the voices of Coloradans are heard as budget priorities are determined and to thoroughly assess the impacts of proposed changes the Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting Program.\n*Note: This release was sent jointly with the offices of Sens. Udall and Bennet.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=08C9DD1C-4C2E-C4FB-63CD-3518F1561410", "Senate Education Committee Members Announce Task Force to Review Higher Ed Regulations and Reporting Requirements", "2013-11-18", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet joined Senate education committee Ranking Member Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), and members Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.) today to announce the formation of a task force to examine burdens on institutions of higher education.\nThe Task Force on Government Regulation of Higher Education will conduct a comprehensive review of federal regulations and reporting requirements affecting colleges and universities and make recommendations to reduce and streamline regulations, while protecting students, institutions and taxpayers.\nBennet said:We must create an environment where our colleges and universities are focused on doing what they do best, and that's educating students to succeed in the 21stcentury economy. To do that, we must to take a step back and consider how the current requirements are helping or affecting that goal. This task force offers the opportunity to take a broad look at federal regulations and requirements in order to inform our reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. What we need is a system that makes sense for students and for colleges and universities.\nAlexander said: Let's face it: the federal government has become one of the greatest obstacles to innovation in higher education. The stack of federal regulations on colleges and universities today is not the result of evil doers, it is simply the piling up of well-intentioned laws and regulations without anyone spending an equal amount of time weeding the garden first. This task force will help Congress weed the garden.\nMikulski said: In order for America to out-build and out-innovate the rest of the world, we must first out-educate. And part of out-educating is making sure that we are supporting our institutions of higher education - helping them be them as they work to educate our next generation. Over the years, I have heard concerns from these institutions regarding federal requirements that, while well-intentioned, often end up being duplicative and burdensome.I have committed to seeing what can be done. We need to regulate, not strangulate. As this Task Force works on a path forward, it will be well-served through the leadership of the University System of Maryland's own Dr. William Brit' Kirwan, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and experience.\nBurr said: The tidal wave of regulations and reporting requirements faced by colleges and universities today is stifling innovation and, worse, raising college tuition price tags as schools pass on these compliance costs to students. This task force will assemble experts and stakeholders to help streamline regulations and reduce the unnecessary burdens on institutions of higher education.\nThe task force is co-chaired by Nicholas Zeppos, chancellor of Vanderbilt University, and William Kirwan, chancellor of the University System of Maryland. It will comprise 14 college and university presidents and higher education experts. The American Council on Education will provide organizational assistance.\nIn letters to request participation in the task force, the senators wrote: Our higher education system remains the best in the world and is often credited for its breadth of choice and commitment to institutional autonomy. Over the past decade, however, Congress and the U.S. Department of Education have added more mandates, reporting requirements and regulations with which institutions must comply. This Task Force creates an opportunity to conduct a comprehensive review of federal regulations and reporting requirements affecting colleges and universities and make recommendations to Congress and the Administration to streamline and reduce federal regulations, while at the same time maintaining student and taxpayer protections.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=5453E710-504E-3E9B-A2DF-3659CDC9AEFC", "Senate Passes Most Comprehensive Drug Safety Bill in 25 Years", "2013-11-18", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today the Senate passed a bipartisan, bicameral bill that represents the most comprehensive effort to establish safeguards for the drug distribution supply chain in the last quarter-century. The Drug Quality and Security Act would track all prescription drugs from the time they are manufactured to the moment they are picked up at the drugstore and would improve the safety of compounded drugs.\nThe drug supply chain security provisions included in the bill are based off of Bennet's Drug Supply Chain Security Act he introduced with Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) in May after working to find consensus over the last two years. The last comprehensive effort to establish safeguards for the drug distribution supply chain was 25 years ago with the passage of the Prescription Drug Marketing Act.\nAfter years of bipartisan work in Congress and feedback from businesses and patients, we're glad that this bill has passed and is on its way to the President's desk for his signature, Bennet said. We know more from a barcode on a gallon of milk than we do from a barcode on a bottle of prescription drugs, which could mean the difference between life and death. Whether it's a stronger drug supply chain or better oversight for compounded drugs, this commonsense bill will help restore confidence in our prescription drugs and protect our families from potential health risks.\nA broad range of stakeholders, including the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the Pew Charitable Trusts, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Community Pharmacists Association, the Federation of American Hospitals, Premier Healthcare Alliance, the American Medical Student Association, the American Public Health Association, the Annie Appleseed Foundation, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, the Center for Science and Democracy, the Union of Concerned Scientists, the Center for Medical Consumers, Community Catalyst, the Connecticut Center for Patient Safety, the National Association of County and City Health Officials, the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, Trust for America's Health, Woodymatters, the Healthcare Distribution Management Association, the Pharmaceutical Distribution Security Alliance, the Generic Pharmaceutical Association, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, PharMEDium, the Biotechnology Industry Organization, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, Pfizer, UPS, and Richie's Specialty Pharmacy endorsed the Drug Quality and Security Act. Excerpts from their endorsements can be seen here.\nThe Drug Quality and Security Act is a major step forward to better ensure that our prescription drug supply stays safe for patients. Over the next decade, we will move toward an interoperable electronic system that will help us sort through recalls faster and increase patient safety. This bill is the result of feedback and contributions from all sectors of business, and it gives community pharmacists the flexibility it needs, on behalf of Colorado families, to work more closely with its drug wholesalers and manufacturers.   David Lamb, owner, Good Day Pharmacies, with nine locations in Colorado\nWe applaud the passage of the Drug Quality and Security Act, which establishes a uniform standard for electronically tracing pharmaceuticals through the entire supply chain. This landmark, bipartisan legislation is the result of years of hard work by lawmakers and the healthcare industry. We are confident that it will make the nation's pharmaceutical supply chain, already the best in the world, stronger and more secure while ensuring that patients across the country continue to have access to safe medications.  Jake Kramer, McKesson Distribution Center Manager, Denver, Colorado\nCounterfeit and diverted medicines can have life or death consequences for patients. As part of a commitment to protecting the well-being of patients, Amgen supports the most effective measures to prevent counterfeiting and diversion.\nWe applaud Congress for all their work developing legislation that would implement a federal track and trace standard. This legislation provides a uniform standard that will help secure the downstream movement of medicines in the supply chain. We look forward to continuing our work with regulators and supply chain partners to implement these standards in the interest of patient safety.  Martin VanTrieste, Senior Vice President of Quality Administration, Amgen\nA summary of the bill can be found by clicking here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=C400FE19-12E9-EBF4-10B8-7E4791B08CB0", "Bennet, Udall, Tipton Press USDA to Maintain Funding for Snow Data, Water Supply Monitoring Program", "2013-11-18", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall and Congressman Scott Tipton urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service today to prioritize funding for its Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting Program. The program, which monitors snowpack in Colorado's mountains and helps water managers forecast supply issues before they occur, is in danger of losing funding due to looming budget cuts.\n\"In the face of prolonged drought, significant population growth and climate change, NRCS' snow program data provides vital information on precipitation and future water supplies essential for Colorado and the entire American West,\" the lawmakers wrote in the letter. \"Our state contains nine major watersheds, each with its own distinct snowfall patterns and obligations to downstream states. For example, current water supplies across the state range from 100 percent of normal in some areas to 40 percent in others. The ability to accurately measure snowpack in each basin, using both SNOTEL and manual snow course data, is essential for water districts and municipalities to meet the demands of competing users.\"\nTo read the bipartisan letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, scroll below:\nDear Undersecretary Bonnie:\nWe have been informed that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is contemplating a reduction in funding for the agency's Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting Program, specifically the number of manual snow course measurement sites in Colorado and other western states, as one option to meet increasing budgetary constraints. As the congressional delegation from the headwaters state, we view this program as essential for the forecasting and management of our most precious resource.\nIn the face of prolonged drought, significant population growth and climate change, NRCS' snow program data provides vital information on precipitation and future water supplies essential for Colorado and the entire American West. Our state contains nine major watersheds, each with its own distinct snowfall patterns and obligations to downstream states. For example, current water supplies across the state range from 100 percent of normal in some areas to 40 percent in others. The ability to accurately measure snowpack in each basin, using both SNOTEL and manual snow course data, is essential for water districts and municipalities to meet the demands of competing users. Further, we know from the statewide water community that protecting both tools must be a priority, as automatic SNOTEL sites can often face mechanical failure mid-winter, leaving the manual snow courses as the only sources of reliable data to meet local demands and interstate compact deliveries.\nIntelligent and thoughtful water supply planning is critical to ensure a prosperous future for Colorado and the West. We hope that USDA and NRCS will prioritize manual snow course measurement sites as they manage their budget for FY14 and prepare their budget for future years. We call on the USDA and NRCS to ensure that the voices of Coloradans are heard as budget priorities are determined and to thoroughly assess the impacts of proposed changes the Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting Program.\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/column-coloradans-deserve-affordable-accessible-health-care", "Column: Coloradans deserve affordable, accessible health care", "2013-11-15", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CO", "Scott Tipton", "T000470", "tipton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Coloradans deserve affordable, accessible health care\nBy Rep. Scott Tipton (CO-03)\nOver the last month, there have been lots of changed attitudes in Washington about the President\u2019s health care law. With new issues arising almost daily from the disastrous rollout, the President and Congressional Democrats can\u2019t escape the fact that the law is broken.\nBecause of this, the conversation is beginning to shift toward finding alternative solutions to the President\u2019s law that would truly bring about accessible and affordable health care for all Americans. This is an opportunity to get health care right in this country by replacing what\u2019s broken.\nI\u2019ve heard many stories from Coloradans who are running up against barriers to obtaining health insurance, including everything from website and Medicaid issues, to losing their existing plans that the President promised they could keep, and not being able to afford the increased costs under plans in the President\u2019s health care law.\u00a0\nFor many of those who have been able to get through the barriers to enroll in the exchanges, they have found that premiums are going up and deductibles and copays are sky-rocketing, especially for those in rural areas.\nA small church in Durango that has a group policy for their employees told me that under the President\u2019s health care law their premium is increasing nearly 50 percent\u2014an additional $22,000 per year for their five employees. Like many businesses, families and individuals, they simply can\u2019t afford it.\nJenifer from Monte Vista wrote my office: \u201cLast evening I went on my insurance company\u2019s website to see what my premium will be under the Affordable Health Care Act. I am in total shock. My husband and I are in very good health, we are in our late 50's, and our premiums are going from $498.00 per month to over $1100.00 per month with less coverage. What part of this is affordable?\u201d\nJenifer is exactly right\u2014this law isn\u2019t affordable nor is it making health care accessible.\nTo add insult to injury, residents in Colorado\u2019s 3rd District have noticed that the costs of their premiums can be nearly double the price of someone living in an urban area.\u00a0 Steve, a 3rd District constituent, sent us an email saying that the lowest bronze plan premium when quoted for his Cortez zip code was $1,023. When he entered a Denver zip code for the exact same plan the premium was $652. This amounts to a penalty on rural America and is blatantly unfair.\nBottom line\u2014the President\u2019s health care law was sold to Americans on false promises by the President, and by Senate and House Democrats who didn\u2019t even know what was in it before they passed it.\nNow we are seeing what\u2019s in it\u2014we\u2019re living what\u2019s in it\u2014and it is a mess.\nWe\u2019re seeing issues with accessibility\u2014especially in rural areas where the expansion of Medicaid is drastically increasing the strain on providers\u2019 limited resources, forcing them to stop seeing additional patients and effectively bringing about a rural health care crisis.\nWith premiums and deductibles sky-rocketing under the President\u2019s health care law, rural Americans being penalized with higher premium costs than those in urban areas, providers forced to turn away patients because of the colossal expansion of Medicaid, and dismal enrollment numbers falling far short of the Administration\u2019s goals, it\u2019s clear that the President\u2019s health care law is neither accessible nor affordable.\nWe have an opportunity to work together to pass an alternative solution that truly expands affordability and accessibility\u2014a patient-centered approach that allows for portability and pooling of coverage and ensures coverage of pre-existing conditions. This can be achieved through a market-driven solution that incentivizes enrollment with affordable access to quality care without forcing people to buy insurance they may not want through a mandate, enacts comprehensive tort reform to protect patients while preventing frivolous lawsuits, and rewards innovation in the health care delivery system.\nThere are plans that have been introduced in the House of Representatives that are a good start to achieving these ends, including the Empowering Patients First Act (H.R. 2300), of which I am a co-sponsor.\nThe ideas in these plans deserve a closer look, and I\u2019m hopeful they will be included in the national conversation as to how we can truly bring about affordable and accessible health care in this country.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/tipton-%E2%80%98we-have-opportunity-get-health-care-right-country%E2%80%99", "Tipton: \u2018We have an opportunity to get health care right in this country\u2019", "2013-11-15", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CO", "Scott Tipton", "T000470", "tipton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) issued this statement following the vote in the House today to pass legislation (H.R. 3350) to allow insurance companies to continue to offer health care plans currently available for another year and give Americans the option to enroll in those plans.\n\u201cWith millions of people feeling the pain of the President\u2019s health care law, legislation to allow insurance companies to continue to offer Americans existing plans that would otherwise be canceled\u2014which the House passed today\u2014is a start, but it doesn\u2019t address the inherent problems with the law. With premiums and deductibles sky-rocketing under the President\u2019s health care law, rural Americans being penalized with higher premium costs than those in urban areas, providers forced to turn away patients because of the colossal expansion of Medicaid, and dismal enrollment numbers falling far short of the Administration\u2019s goals, it\u2019s clear that the President\u2019s health care law is neither accessible nor affordable. With new issues arising almost daily from the disastrous rollout of the law, the President and Congressional Democrats can\u2019t escape the fact that it is broken.\n\u201cOver the last month, there have been lots of changed attitudes in Washington about the President\u2019s health care law\u2014including the President\u2019s own. The conversation is beginning to shift toward finding alternative solutions to the President\u2019s health care law that would truly bring about accessible and affordable health care for all Americans. This is an opportunity to get health care right in this country by replacing what\u2019s broken.\n\u201cWe have an opportunity to work together to pass an alternative solution that truly expands affordability and accessibility\u2014a patient-centered approach that allows for portability and pooling of coverage and ensures coverage of pre-existing conditions. This can be achieved through a market-driven solution that incentivizes enrollment with affordable access to quality care without forcing people to buy insurance they may not want through a mandate, enacts comprehensive tort reform to protect patients while preventing frivolous lawsuits, and rewards innovation in the health care delivery system.\n\u201cThere are plans that have been introduced in the House of Representatives that are a good start to achieving these ends, including the Empowering Patients First Act (H.R. 2300), of which I am a co-sponsor.\n\u201cThese ideas deserve a closer look, and I\u2019m hopeful they will be included in the national conversation as to how we can truly bring about affordable and accessible health care in this country.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://perlmutter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=998", "Perlmutter Highlights Flexibility, Choices and Competition in Colorado Health Insurance Market", "2013-11-15", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "perlmutter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Perlmutter Highlights Flexibility, Choices and Competition in Colorado Health Insurance Market \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, DC,\r\n        November 15, 2013\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n       \r\r\t Today U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter voted to ensure people with preexisting conditions cannot be discriminated against when obtaining health insurance by voting against the 46th pointless attempt by House Republicans to repeal and/or delay the Affordable Care Act.\r\r\tPerlmutter said, \"In the wake of the President's announcement yesterday, I believe the majority of my constituents in Colorado will have more flexibility and choices to obtain health insurance that meets their needs as we continue the transition to the functioning and operational Colorado marketplace, Connect for Health Colorado. \r\r\tThe rise in health insurance costs is slowing, and the rate of premium increases are at their lowest levels in years. The Republican bill before the House today doesn't move us forward. The Republican bill threatens the health care security of hard working families and allows health insurance companies to continue selling substandard plans indefinitely that do not provide basic coverage, force women to pay more for their coverage and discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions.\r\r\tAs I prepare to purchase my own family's health insurance policy through the DC marketplace, I also browsed through Colorado's connectforhealthco.com site so I can understand the options myconstituents have. I found it easy to navigate, and there are lots of plans, options and competition within the market in Colorado. I urge Coloradans to take the time to check out what's available to them and find a policy that meets their needs.\" \r\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/tipton-water-rights-protection-act-clears-house-committee", "Tipton Water Rights Protection Act Clears House Committee", "2013-11-14", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CO", "Scott Tipton", "T000470", "tipton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Narrow USFS statement fails to provide certainty for water users\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Today, the House Natural Resources Committee passed Rep. Scott Tipton\u2019s (R-CO) Water Rights Protection Act (H.R.3189) with bipartisan support, clearing the effort to protect privately-held water rights from federal takings for a vote in the House of Representatives.\nOver the years, the Forest Service has engaged in numerous attempts to require the transfer of privately-held water rights as a permit condition, amounting to an outright federal taking. During an October 29 House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation hearing water users testified about their experiences with federal land management agencies interfering with their privately held water rights. Read more here.\n \n\t\u201cWhile I am encouraged that the Forest Service acknowledged their flawed and unnecessary policy, and has indicated that their future water rights clause may no longer require the transfer of privately-owned water rights, this clause has yet to be seen, they have aggressively pursued such takings for over two years, and their comments indicate that we will likely only see a temporary fix for one group of water users in one region,\u201d said Tipton. \u201cWater users need certainty that all federal land management agencies, not just the Forest Service, are prohibited from future attempts to take privately-held water rights. Additionally, H.R. 3189 would prohibit future Forest Service officials from shifting course and engaging in similar water grabs in the future.\u201d\n \nRead Tipton\u2019s full statement here.\nThe National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) reiterated support for H.R. 3189 in light of the Forest Service announcement.\n \n\t\u201cDespite this announced change in policy, we still need Congress to pass the Water Rights Protection Act.\u00a0 The policy change announced by the agency this week is the fourth change in Forest Service water policy for ski areas in ten years. These changes are disruptive, create uncertainty and adversely impact our operations, planning and future growth. The ski industry can\u2019t afford to be subjected to a different water policy with each Administration,\u201d wrote Michael Berry, President of NSAA. \u201cOnly federal legislation can give us the long term protection we need of an outright statutory prohibition on the taking of our water rights by the federal government. H.R. 3189 is complementary to the agency\u2019s efforts to develop a new policy.\u201d\n \nRead the full NSAA letter here.\nDuring today\u2019s markup, Tipton attached an amendment to H.R. 3189 to make technical corrections and clarify the scope of the bill.\nThe full text of Tipton\u2019s amendment is available here.\nTipton\u2019s full statement on the amendment is available here.\nTipton introduced H.R. 3189, the Water Right Protection Act, in September with bipartisan support from Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO). It has received strong support from a broad coalition of local, state and national stakeholders, and a companion bill is being carried in the Senate by John Barrasso (WY).\nThe Water Rights Protection Act:\n Prohibits agencies from implementing a permit condition that requires the transfer of privately-held water rights to the federal government in order to receive or renew a permit for the\u00a0use of land;\n\tProhibits the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture from imposing other conditions that require the transfer of water rights without just compensation;\n\tUpholds longstanding federal deference to state water law;\n\tHas no cost to taxpayers.\n Endorsements to date: National Ski Areas Association, American Farm Bureau, National Cattlemen\u2019s Beef Association, Family Farm Alliance, Public Lands Council, National Association of Conservation Districts, Pacific Northwest Ski Area Association, California Ski Industry Association, Colorado Water Congress, Colorado Ski Country USA, Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, Colorado River Water Conservation District, Southwestern Water Conservation District, Rio Grande Water Conservation District, Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District, Rio Grande Watershed Association of Conservation Districts, Montrose County Commissioners, Mesa County Commissioners, Montezuma County Commissioners, Conejos County Commissioners, Gunnison County Commissioners, Rio Grande County Commissioners, Montezuma Valley Irrigation Company, Garfield County Commissioners, Aspen Ski Company, Durango Mountain Resort, Crested Butte Mountain Resort, San Luis Valley Water Conservancy District, Center Conservation District\u00a0and Club 20.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20131206063403/http://www.markudall.senate.gov/?p=blog&id=3854", "Getting Back on Our Feet", "2013-11-14", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Mark Udall", "U000038", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Posted: Thursday, November 14, 2013\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Click here to receive these regular updates via email.  Dear Fellow Coloradan, \nWhen September\u2019s heavy rains turned into historic floods, we knew the damage would be extensive and that the road to recovery would be long. But Coloradans are tough. And during difficult times we know that it\u2019s by banding together that we can overcome any challenge.\nThat\u2019s why when rising flood waters cut off towns like Estes Park, Lyons and Jamestown from the outside world, Coloradans pitched in to help our neighbors in need. And when we began the long process of rebuilding, we pledged to do so stronger and smarter than before.\nWith Coloradans by my side, I\u2019ve been fighting to make sure we keep this promise.\nBut households and business owners from Evergreen to Evans and Aurora to Estes Park have been left with few options. This 1,000-year flood damaged tens of thousands of homes and businesses, even those that were miles, in some cases, from the nearest rivers and streams. I saw this in my own neighborhood in Eldorado Canyon and heard the heart-wrenching stories of these tragedies when I visited communities along the Front Range and throughout the foothills.\nTragically, only 2,000 of the more than 27,000 families and businesses affected by the flood had flood insurance. Many of these families and business owners have been left with few options, but there is help available. I want to make sure all affected Coloradans know this important information:\n \nThe IRS is offering tax relief to flood victims. Individuals and business owners can go back and amend their previous year\u2019s tax filing, deduct losses incurred due to flood damage and likely get a larger tax refund.\nHome and business owners with loans and mortgages should work directly with their financial institutions to explore options such as principal forgiveness and forbearance. These options may make sense for borrowers who think the value of their property is less than what they owe on their mortgage or borrowers who may need to temporarily suspend their mortgage payments due to hardship caused by the disaster.\nHomeowners can apply to the Home Affordable Refinance Program or the Home Affordable Modification Program. These programs are designed to assist homeowners in refinancing their mortgages \u2013 even if they owe more than their home\u2019s current value.\nHome and business owners should visit the Colorado United website, the official state of Colorado portal for flood relief and recovery efforts, to learn about the availability of recovery resources, including temporary housing, no-cost electrical damage and plumbing assessments, and information on rebuilding houses and businesses.\nColoradans residing in the 11 counties with federal disaster declarations may be eligible for FEMA Disaster Assistance. Disaster Assistance helps with critical expenses and losses that are not covered by insurance. Homeowners, renters and businesses are also eligible for Small Business Administration low-interest, disaster assistance loans. Please make sure to remember that the deadline to apply is Saturday, November 30, 2013.\nIn the coming weeks and months Colorado will receive an allocation of Community Development Block Grants \u2013 Disaster Relief funds from the federal government which the state will administer through the Department of Local Affairs for recovery and rebuilding purposes. These funds will be an important source of Colorado\u2019s rebuilding efforts. A portion of these funds could aid homeowners and business owners working to rebuild.\n \nFor more information on these and other resources available to flood victims, please visit my flood resource page at markudall.senate.gov/floods.\nWe in the West pride ourselves on our independence and rugged individualism, but Colorado has shown the nation that we are at our best when we stand together to confront our shared challenges.\nWe still have a ways to go, but I will keep fighting to ensure Coloradans struggling to get back on their feet have all the tools they need to rebuild and recover.\nWarm regards,\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTags: e-newsletter", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/tipton-reintroduces-innovative-education-bill", "Tipton Reintroduces Innovative Education Bill", "2013-11-13", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CO", "Scott Tipton", "T000470", "tipton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014Rep. Scott Tipton (R-CO) has introduced legislation to help cash-strapped states fund K-12 and higher education by expanding responsible energy development and creating jobs, without removing any environmental safeguards.\nThe Education and Energy Act of 2013 (H.R. 3460) would dedicate 33 percent of the federal portion of new oil and gas revenues that are derived from leases for tracts located in a state, back to that state to be used for education.\u00a0 The bill will also distribute 17 percent of the remaining federal portion of mineral revenues to all states.\u00a0 This distribution will apply to new leases offered by the Secretary of the Interior, and to revenues which exceed the budget estimates projected by the federal government for the prior fiscal year. This will allow for a reliable source of educational funding in those states that choose to develop their domestic mineral resources under new leasing authority granted to the Secretary of the Interior.\n \n\t\u201cThe Education and Energy Act of 2013 provides an opportunity to make a considerable investment in our children\u2019s future and in the future of our universities through expanded responsible development of energy resources.\u00a0 This commonsense bill favors local control rather than Washington directives for education policy, allowing states to determine and pursue their own education policy and provide needed teaching resources without the need to raise taxes or impose federally based, top-down education directives,\u201d said Tipton. \u201cThis is a win-win for our children, educators, higher education students, job seekers, and American families seeking affordable domestic energy.\u201d\n \nIf the federal government receives revenues from domestic oil and gas development beyond that which was anticipated for a given year, those additional amounts will be apportioned for education funding as the states see fit.\u00a0 This funding allocation system allows for state legislatures to determine how best to direct the funds so they can address the unique educational issues faced by their state.\u00a0 By allocating mineral development royalties for education, we can provide a much-needed investment in the future of our country without the need to raise taxes or cut funding to other necessary services or programs, while having the added benefit of creating new jobs.\nH.R. 3460:\n Provides increased autonomy for states to develop their own education policy;\n\tOffers increased access to education resources for states without raising taxes or imposing one-size-fits-all Washington, D.C. directives;\n\tDirects 17 percent of the federal portion of new energy revenues to all states for education; and\n\tWhere applicable, allocates 33 percent of the federal portion of new energy revenues back to states that produce domestic energy for education.\n View the bill text here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=A6257378-34BA-DEC6-201B-EE9086A2310E", "Bennet, Udall: 2007 FEMA Policy Could Support Debris Removal in Evans, other Colorado Communities", "2013-11-13", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "More than 200 mobile homes in the City of Evans have been damaged from September's flooding and require removal, but the cash-strapped city is struggling to find the resources to foot the bill. To support the city's efforts, Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall are calling on FEMA to use a policy for private property debris removal dating back to 2007.\nUnder that policy, the City of Evans may be eligible for FEMA Public Assistance to remove damaged mobile homes because the homes meet key criteria set by the FEMA policy.\nThe two Senators wrote a letter to FEMA today urging it to follow this policy and make public assistance available to help Evans clean up its mobile homes in the Bella Vista and Eastwood Village parks. The Senators also asked FEMA to apply the debris removal policy to other Colorado communities, such as Jamestown, Longmont, Lyons, and Milliken, which are in similar situations, should the towns make similar requests.\nIn a letter to FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, the senators wrote, The historic floods in Colorado this year resulted in the damage or destruction of over 200 mobile homes in the City of Evans. Due to the scale of the destruction, the trailers were rendered uninhabitable and deemed a threat to public health and safety that need to be removed as debris. These trailers sit on privately owned property, and due to the extent of the flood damage, it is clear that they should qualify as debris.\nThe FEMA Disaster Assistance Policy entitled Debris Removal from Private Property (DAP9523.13) establishes criteria to evaluate the eligibility of debris removal from private property for reimbursement. These criteria include the elimination of immediate threats to life, public health, and safety; elimination of immediate threats of significant damage to improved public or private property; or to ensure economic recovery of the affected community. The policy makes clear that any one of these three criteria is sufficient to obtain FEMA public assistance. In the City of Evans, debris removal would address an immediate threat to public health and safety and would facilitate the economic recovery of the community.\nBennetand Udall have worked closely with the Colorado Congressional delegation since the flooding began to ensure that Coloradans have every resource needed to save lives and rebuild. They helped lead a delegation-wide effort thatsuccessfully lifted the capon the amount of emergency transportation resources Colorado could access to rebuild damaged infrastructure. The senators also led the Colorado delegation tourge the President to quickly declare an emergencywhen flooding began to ensure that emergency funding was available for response and recovery efforts. More recently, they voiced support for Governor Hickenlooper's request toadd additional counties to those eligible for individual and public assistance and to extend the application deadline for applying for support from FEMA.\nFull Text of the Letter:\nNovember 12, 2013\nDear Administrator Fugate:\nWe write to request that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) promptly approve the State of Colorado's request for private property debris removal for the Bella Vista and Eastwood Village mobile home parks in the City of Evans. Evans made this request, in conjunction with the state of Colorado, through the FEMA Public Assistance program. Moving forward, we also ask you to apply FEMA's private property debris removal policy to other similar situations in communities across Colorado that sustained heavy damage in the recent flooding.\nThe historic floods in Colorado this year resulted in the damage or destruction of over 200 mobile homes in the City of Evans. Due to the scale of the destruction, the trailers were rendered uninhabitable and deemed a threat to public health and safety that need to be removed as debris. These trailers sit on privately owned property, and due to the extent of the flood damage, it is clear that they should qualify as debris.\nThe FEMA Disaster Assistance Policy entitled Debris Removal from Private Property (DAP9523.13) establishes criteria to evaluate the eligibility of debris removal from private property for reimbursement. These criteria include the elimination of immediate threats to life, public health, and safety; elimination of immediate threats of significant damage to improved public or private property; or to ensure economic recovery of the affected community. The policy makes clear that any one of these three criteria is sufficient to obtain FEMA public assistance. In the city of Evans, debris removal would address an immediate threat to public health and safety and would facilitate the economic recovery of the community.\nIn addition to Evans, we expect that there may be similar requests from other Colorado communities involving debris removal on private property, including requests from the city of Longmont and the towns of Lyons, Milliken, and Jamestown. All of these communities, like Evans, face enormous flood recovery costs. We know that in all these cases, the local resources available fall far short of what is needed to cover these costs.\nWe therefore request that FEMA apply its private property debris removal policy in Colorado. It is our hope that this can be accomplished in the most expeditious manner possible. \nThank you for your consideration. We appreciate your ongoing efforts to help Colorado rebuild and recover from this far-reaching disaster.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/icymi-congressman-scott-tipton-discusses-obamacare-concerns-fox-news", "ICYMI: Congressman Scott Tipton Discusses Obamacare Concerns on FOX News", "2013-11-12", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CO", "Scott Tipton", "T000470", "tipton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) appeared on FOX News to discuss concerns with the Affordable Care Act. Tipton spoke about the stories he\u2019s hearing from constituents who are experiencing challenges signing up for insurance through the exchanges, have lost their existing coverage, and are facing increased health care costs.\nWatch the interview here\n  \n\tOn Friday, the House will vote on H.R. 3350 to allow Americans to keep their existing health insurance plans if they wish. Tipton is supportive of patient-driven health care solutions like the Empowering Patient\u2019s First Act (H.R. 2300), of which he is a co-sponsor.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=4D03BDBD-BA70-2A03-2027-A8A79DB9857E", "House Passes Bennet-Alexander PREEMIE Act, Heads to President's Desk", "2013-11-12", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today applauded the House of Representative's passage of a bipartisan bill he introduced with Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), ranking member on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, to reduce infant deaths and disabilities by expanding research, education, and intervention activities related to preterm birth. The bill now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law.\nIn an average week in Colorado, 138 infants are born preterm. This bill will help doctors and medical researchers who are working to find new and innovative ways to give our kids the best chance at a long and healthy life, Bennet said. This is important research that will help understand the causes and what can be done to reduce the rate of preterm births.\nThe PREEMIE bill passed the Senate unanimously in September. The bill reauthorizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) research and programs on preterm birth, including improving national data tracking on preterm birth, and conducting studies. It also reauthorizes programs at the Health Resources and Services Administration aimed at improving the treatment and outcome for infants born premature.\nThe bill is supported by the March of Dimes Foundation, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs, and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=FE60D070-29A1-12BC-B136-B4610F06024C", "Bennet's Bipartisan Track and Trace Bill Moves Forward on Senate Vote", "2013-11-12", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet welcomed the Senate's vote today to begin debate on a bipartisan bill to make pharmaceutical drugs safer for consumers by tracing them from the point they are manufactured to the pharmacy that sells them to consumers.It also raises standards for wholesale drug distributors, which will help ease drug shortages.\nThe bill, which also provides better oversight of compounding pharmacies, is based off of Bennet's Drug Supply Chain Security Act, which he introduced in May after working to find bipartisan consensus over the last two and a half years. The Senate is expected to vote on final passage by the end of the week.\nColoradans expect that we are already taking these basic commonsense steps to make sure their medicine is safe. Yet you can get more data from a barcode on a gallon of milk than you can from a bottle of aspirin two aisles over, Bennet said. This bill is the culmination of more than two years of bipartisan, bicameral work along with pharmacies, distributors, and prescription drug manufacturers. It will help us keep the prescription drug supply safe and keep our families healthy.\nThe lack of a strong, uniform system to secure the supply chain has allowed criminals to exploit a number of vulnerabilities.Problems include drugs that are stolen, tainted, or diluted and sold back into the supply chain, counterfeit drugs, an inability to quickly recall tainted medicine, and drug shortages.All of these problems have led to serious health problems and driven up costs.Under the prescription drug security provisions of the bill, the FDA will know who has handled which drugs and when they handled them, preventing counterfeit or stolen pharmaceuticals from being sold back into the system and allowing the FDA to respond to recalls and shortages more quickly and efficiently.\nThe Drug Quality and Security Act reflects a bicameral, bipartisan effort to address prescription drug safety and security issues.The last comprehensive effort to establish safeguards for the drug distribution supply chain was 25 years ago with the passage of the Prescription Drug Marketing Act.\nIn addition to Senator Bennet, the bill was introduced by HELP Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA), Ranking Member Lamar Alexander (R-TN), and Senators Al Franken (D-MN), Pat Roberts (R-KS), and Burr.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221200829/http://www.markudall.senate.gov/?p=blog&id=3844", "Standing Up for Our Heroes", "2013-11-11", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Mark Udall", "U000038", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Posted: Monday, November 11, 2013\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Dear Fellow Coloradan, \nEvery November, we take time to honor our nation\u2019s veterans. But the sacrifices these heroes made for our liberty deserves much more than a single day of thanks. Millions of veterans nationwide \u2014 more than 400,000 of whom call Colorado home \u2014 risked their lives for our freedom. Our courageous troops spend each and every day keeping us safe and defending our freedoms, and we owe them a debt of gratitude that matches their sacrifice.\nVeterans Day gives us a unique opportunity to pause and commemorate their sacrifices, courage and dedication. This year, I had the honor to present service medals to a Vietnam veteran and the survivors of two heroes who are no longer with us. As the son of a World War II vet, I know how important it is for military families to know that their country recognizes and values their immense sacrifices.\nHowever, support for our troops and veterans needs to be much more than just symbolic. This year, political brinksmanship and a partisan government shutdown threatened our troops' paychecks and many of the benefits our veterans rely upon. Shortly before the federal government shutdown, I introduced the Military Pay Protection Act to make sure our troops would be paid on time, even if excessive partisanship grinds everything else to a halt. Later that month, I was also able to work out an agreement to restore veterans\u2019 access to routine surgical procedures in Grand Junction, so veterans on the Western Slope do not have to make costly and time-consuming trips to the Front Range for critical health services.\nUnfortunately these are not the only roadblocks that are keeping some of Colorado\u2019s veterans from receiving the care and respect they have earned. But I won\u2019t stop working to tear down these barriers. Currently, I\u2019m collaborating with Congressmen Mike Coffman to explore the issues faced by veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress and identify ways we can work across the aisle to improve services. I also am championing our veterans\u2019 ability to access the benefits they have earned by urging the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to cut through red tape and ease cumbersome new ID card requirements.\nAs chairman of the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, the son of a veteran and a staunch supporter of Colorado\u2019s troops, I will continue to be a passionate advocate for veterans\u2019 rights. This Veterans Day, I ask you to join me in showing our appreciation for the veterans in our lives. And to those of you who are veterans yourselves, know that you continue to have our deepest gratitude for your sacrifices for this county and we sincerely thank you for your service.\nWarm regards,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=9B82EE72-4962-5A52-BF46-2309330D6312", "Bennet Statement in Honor of Veterans Day", "2013-11-11", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S.Senator Michael Bennettoday released the following statement in observance of Veterans Day. Bennet attendedthe Denver Veterans Day Celebration on the Auraria Campus.\nTodaywe come togetherto honor the bravery and dedication of the men and women of the armed forces whohaveservedtirelesslyin every corner of theglobeto protect our safety at home.While the troops of today facedifferentthreats and different challenges than the troops of the past,they are all united in their commitment toourcountry and their desire to serve.As we celebrate these heroes on Veterans Day, we should reflect on the great debt we owe the members of our military, and their families,and how we can best honor theirservice andsacrifice.This includes ensuring that we welcome our service members home with respect, gratitude, and opportunity.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/tipton-takes-main-street-promote-small-businesses", "Tipton Takes to Main Street to Promote Small Businesses", "2013-11-08", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CO", "Scott Tipton", "T000470", "tipton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Rep. Scott Tipton talks with Mike Hartkop, co-owner of Solar Roast Coffee in Pueblo)\nPUEBLO, CO\u2014Today, Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) visited Main Street to encourage local small businesses to participate in Small Business Saturday, the first Saturday after Thanksgiving when Holiday shoppers turn out to support businesses in their communities.\nTipton, a House Small Business Subcommittee Chairman and founder of the Congressional Small Business Caucus, visited with members of the Pueblo Economic Development Corporation (PEDCO) and toured Solar Roast Coffee to discuss ways to encourage business growth and job creation in Pueblo, hear about what\u2019s working locally, and share information about resources and tools available free to small businesses for Small Business Saturday.\n \n\t\u201cGetting feedback from job-creators and those engaged on the frontlines of economic development is invaluable as we work in Washington to ensure that government is helping, not hurting small business growth. Main Street Pueblo is a prime example of how small businesses play a vital role in the health of the local economy and strength of the community. Businesses like Solar Roast Coffee have found innovative ways to bring their communities unique, high quality products and services not found anywhere else, and have created jobs and economic growth in the process. That\u2019s something to be proud of,\u201d said Tipton. \u201cSmall Business Saturday is a great way for the community to show support for local job-creators while getting a jump on Holiday shopping.\u00a0 There are many resources, including marketing tools and tips, available through the Small Business Administration free to businesses that wish to participate.\u201d\n \nFor more information including a list of participating local retailers, and free promotional materials available to businesses, visit: https://www.sba.gov/saturday.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://perlmutter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=996", "Division of Insurance Offers Facts on Health Insurance Cancellations", "2013-11-08", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "perlmutter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Contact: Vincent Plymell, Communications Manager,\r\tColorado Division of Insurance, 303.894.2261, vincent.plymell@state.co.us As health insurance changes for 2014 take shape, many Coloradoans have been mailed notices regarding the cancellation of health insurance policies. The Colorado Division of Insurance (DOI) wants to address consumer confusion and alarm related to these cancellations. Since carriers must notify the DOI about these cancellations, the Division has been tracking this information.\r\r\tConsumers who have questions about these letters or any questions about their health insurance policy should contact the Division, said Commissioner of Insurance Marguerite Salazar. While some plans are being cancelled, Coloradoans have many new options for 2014, due to the strength and competitiveness of our health insurance market.\r\r\tCancellation letters must notify a consumer that the 2013 policy is cancelled, and must also highlight options for new coverage. However, the DOI recognizes that Coloradoans may still have questions. \r\r\tHere is what consumers need to know.\r\r\t1. Insurance companies remaining in the market are required to give consumers 90 days' notice before ending a plan, as well as the option to buy any other coverage being offered by the company to individuals. Companies leaving the market must provide 180 days' notice.\r\t2. Insurance companies are cancelling plans for many reasons. Some do not meet new federal requirements for benefits, coverage and premiums, as outlined in the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act. Other carriers have made business decisions to discontinue plans, as part of normal business operations.\r\t3. Consumers have options. In cancellation letters, companies are required to provide information about all the health insurance options available to consumers  plans from the existing company, other companies and from Connect for Health Colorado, the state's new marketplace for health insurance.\r\t4. Consumers should take the time to shop around. DOI approved 18 carriers and 541 plans for sale next year, many offered on Connect for Health Colorado. Colorado has a strong, competitive insurance market, and consumers have many choices. For coverage beginning January 1, 2014, coverage must be purchased by December 15, 2013.\r\t5. Consumers can call DOI for guidance. Anyone with questions about any information provided by an insurance company can call the DOI. The Division has trained experts ready to answer consumers' health insurance questions and provide easy-to-understand information. Call 303-894-7490 in the Denver area, or 1-800-930-3745 outside the metro area.\r\r\t  \r\tTerminated Health Plans\r\tAs of November 1, a total of 23 health insurance carriers have terminated policies in Colorado; 18 carriers in the individual market; 10 carriers in the small group market. Some carriers offer insurance in both markets, which is why the total is 23 carriers.\r\r\tIndividual Market\r \r\t\r\t\tIn the individual market, the policies terminated by the 18 carriers represent 106,083 covered lives.\r\t\r\t\tTerminated plans from Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colorado and Anthem (through its affiliated company, HMO Colorado) represent 75% of the covered lives. However, both of these carriers will offer a significant number of new individual plans in 2014.\r\t\r\t\tKaiser offers 54 plans for 2014 (27 through Connect for Health Colorado, 27 off of the exchange).\r\t\r\t\tAnthem (HMO Colorado) offers 29 individual plans for 2014 (14 through Connectfor Health Colorado, 15 off of the exchange).\r \r \r\r\tSmall Group Market\r \r\t\r\t\tIn the small group market, the policies terminated by the 10 carriers represent 143,116 covered lives.\r \r \r\t\r\t\tSimilar to the individual market, terminated plans from Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colorado and Anthem (through HMO Colorado & Rocky Mountain Hospital & Medical Services) represent 76% of the covered lives. Also like the individual market, both carriers will offer a number of small group plans in 2014.\r \r \r\t\r\t\tKaiser offers 66 plans for small groups in 2014 (24 through Connect for Health Colorado, 42 off of the exchange).\r \r \r\t\r\t\tAnthem offers 74 small group plans (5 through Connect for Health Colorado, 69 off of the exchange).\r \r \r\r\t###\r\r\t  \r\tThe Colorado Division of Insurance regulates the insurance industry and assists consumers and other stakeholders with insurance issues. \r\r\tDORA is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the marketplace and is committed to promoting a fair and competitive business environment in Colorado. \r\r\tConsumer protection is our mission.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://perlmutter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=997", "Perlmutter Honors Veterans and Military Families", "2013-11-08", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "perlmutter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Perlmutter Honors Veterans and Military Families \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Lakewood, CO,\r\n        November 8, 2013\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n       \r\r\tToday, U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) released the following statement in honor of Veterans Day and Military Families Appreciation Month.\r\r\t\"One of my biggest priorities is standing up for those brave men and women who stood in harm's way to protect our country. I want to extend my thanks to all our veterans for their continued service to our community and our country. \r\r\tWe also take time this month to honor those who stay behind and sacrifice while their loved one is serving. The life of many military families can be stressful as our men and women in uniform are relocated around the country or deployed overseas. Spouses may have a difficult time establishing careers of their own, and military children can have a difficult time moving between schools and enrolling in proper classes. It is important we provide ample resources to help our soldiers,veterans and their families. That's why I support First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden's Joining Forces Initiative which is helping military families with job training and military spouse hiring programs, as well as easing transfers to new schools, or helping school districts respond to the unique needs of the children of our soldiers. \r\r\tThis Veterans Day, join me in thanking an active duty soldier or veteran, and also thank their family who sacrifice quietly here at home.\" \r\r\t###\r\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=360643", "Polis Applauds Senate Passage of ENDA", "2013-11-08", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jared Polis", "P000598", "polis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Polis Applauds Senate Passage of ENDA \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        November 8, 2013\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Today, Congressman Jared Polis released the following statement about the passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) in the Senate:\r\n\u201cI am pleased that the Senate was able to work in a bipartisan fashion to protect the rights of LGBT Americans in the workplace. But the fight is far from over. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act in the House, a bill I introduced, has 196 co-sponsors, both Democrats and Republicans. I am confident that a majority of the House supports this legislation, and I will work with my Democratic and Republican colleagues to demand a vote on this important legislation.\u201d\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=94511679-D696-19C6-6CE4-609E10F06BA6", "Bennet, Vitter Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect States' Revenue Wrongfully Targeted by Sequester", "2013-11-08", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Senators MichaelBennet (D-CO) and David Vitter (R-LA) today introduced the bipartisanReturn Our State SharesActto ensure that mineral royalty payments and resources from sportsmen and restoration trust funds that are owed toColorado, Louisiana, and otherstates,willno longer be wrongfully subject to the sequester.\nThe mineral leasing revenues are dispersed tostates andcommunities thatdepend on the funds to help run local governments and schools and provide other critical community services. Thesportsmen and restoration trust funds provide habitat and other environmental improvements to statesand other constituencies.All of the funds in question are generated from the private sector,passedthrough the federal government and arethendispersedto states and other entitieson a monthly or regular basis.\nAs part ofthe automatic budget cuts commonly referred to as sequestration, and despite the fact that these arefundsowedto states under law andarenottaxpayer dollars pulled from the Treasury,the Interior Departmentand Office of Management and Budget (OMB) plan to continue to withholdmillions in royalty and trust fund payments through each fiscal year. At the end of each year they will return the onshore mineral royalties andrestoration funds to states in one lump sum.\nWithholding the payments from states and communities until the end of the year disrupts important predictabilityandhasthe potential toharm their budgeting and borrowing processes.\nThese revenues are not federal spendingand are not even being used to reduce the deficit once they're sequestered. Our bill ensures that communities receive these dollars when they need them to balance their budgets and provide critical services, Bennet said. Congress should find a smarter way to reduce the debt  but at the very least it should pass this bill to prevent revenue from wrongfully beingwithheld; especially if it isn't going to deficit reduction anyway.\nIt is absolutely ridiculous for States to wait an arbitrary amount of time to receive the funds that are theirs, regardless of sequestration. Our legislation will cut the red tape and allow States to bypass the unnecessary one-year delays on program funds that are not affected by sequestration and do not reduce the deficit, Vitter said.\nThe Bennet-VitterRelease Our State SharesActremoves theTreasury accounts derived from theMineral Leasing Act (MLA), the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA), theRESTORE Act, and the Wildlife and Sport Fish RestorationProgramsfrom the sequester completely, thereby ensuringstatesreceivetheirfull payment at the appropriate time. None of these accounts are funded by taxpayer dollars.\nGuidance regarding the implementation of the sequester from OMB and Treasury suggeststhat offshore mineral royalties and theadditionaltrust fund accounts included in the billshouldbe treated the same way as onshore mineral royalties andGulf Coastrestoration funds, meaning they will be withheld and sent to states at the end of the fiscal year.\nIn a letter of support for the billto Bennet,Colorado Counties Inc. (CCI) stated: \"(CCI) wishes to express gratitude and support for your bill that would exempt payments made under the Mineral Leasing Act (MLA) from the sequestration budget reductions.Colorado stood to lose $8.4 million dedicated for sorely needed transportation, education and other infrastructure projects. It is gratifying Interior remitted the payments back to the states. These funds should be protected from future discretionary designations.\"\n\"These conservationtrust funds were created to ensure our country's national resources will be protected despite disagreement over other federal spending,\" said Larry Schweiger, President and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. \"We support theReturn Our State Shares Actbecause funds paid by hunters, anglers, and energy companies to ensure the sustainability of wildlife and the environment should do just that.\nWe thank the Sponsors of this bill for keeping the trust with America's sportsmen and women by permanently exempting the Trust Funds from sequestration, said Dan Forster, President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and Director, Georgia Wildlife Resources Division. The states will use these funds to fulfill our conservation commitments to our hunting, shooting and fishing constituents and for the long-term benefit and use by all Americans.\nThe Return Our State Shares Act is cosponsored by Senators MartinHeinrich (D-NM), Roger Wicker(R-MS),Richard Shelby(R-MS)and Bill Nelson (D-FL).", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/tipton-udall-bennet-announce-naming-committee-southeast-colorado-va-clinic", "Tipton, Udall, Bennet Announce Naming Committee for Southeast Colorado VA Clinic", "2013-11-07", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CO", "Scott Tipton", "T000470", "tipton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "PUEBLO, CO\u2014Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) and Senators Mark Udall (D-CO) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) announced today the formation of a committee to recommend a name for the Veterans Affairs Pueblo Outpatient Clinic. The committee\u2019s eight members include a strong representation of the veteran community and have served in all branches of the Armed Forces in conflicts ranging from WWII to Afghanistan. The committee will conduct outreach to the community, including veterans\u2019 organizations, to gather local input on a name for the clinic.\u00a0\n \n\t\u201cThis state-of-the-art clinic is a vital resource for helping provide veterans in our community with the quality health care they deserve.\u00a0 Because of the significance of this clinic to the community it makes sense that the naming process is locally-driven,\u201d said Tipton. \u201cThe naming committee provides the opportunity for residents to choose a name that they feel best exemplifies the values of their community. With so many military heroes hailing from Southeast Colorado, the community is fortunate to have many worthy options to consider.\u201d\n \n \n\t\"Our veterans, who have sacrificed so much for our freedom, deserve the best care available. Pueblo's outpatient clinic is\u00a0serving veterans throughout the region, so it is fitting that it should bear the name of a southern Coloradan,\" Udall said. \"I urge veterans from throughout Pueblo and the region to participate in this community-driven process to honor one of the many heroes who have called southern Colorado home.\u201d\n \n \n\t\u201cPueblo is the Home of Heroes and it is fitting that this is a community-led process to name this clinic, which has cared for so many of our veterans in southern Colorado,\u201d said Bennet.\u00a0 \u201cI have no doubt the large veteran and military community in this region will work together to choose a name that best represents their unique principles and experiences. We all look forward to their decision.\u201d\n \nThe committee, which will be chaired by Colorado State Representative Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo), is expected to announce a schedule of meetings, as well as a timeline for a recommendation, in the coming days.\nCongressional guidelines for naming a VA clinic require that the person the clinic is named after must be deceased and one of the following:\n A recipient of the Medal of Honor or otherwise performed military service of an extraordinarily distinguished character;\n\tA member of Congress associated with the facility to be named;\n\tA veteran instrumental in the construction or the operation of the facility to be named;\n\tA top military or civilian official in a service branch, the U.S. Defense Department or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;\n\tAn individual who performed outstanding service for veterans.\n Additionally, the name must have the unanimous approval of the Colorado Congressional Delegation and of the pertinent state department or chapter of each Congressionally chartered veterans' organization having a national membership of at least 500,000.\nOnce the committee agrees on a name for the clinic, it will submit a recommendation to Tipton, Udall and Bennet to draft legislation.\n*This release was sent in unison with the offices of Sens. Udall and Bennet.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://perlmutter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=995", "Perlmutter Statement on Senate Passage of ENDA", "2013-11-07", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "perlmutter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Perlmutter Statement on Senate Passage of ENDA \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Lakewood, CO,\r\n        November 7, 2013\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n       \r\r\tThis is about civil rights, equality and ensuring all Americans are protected from discrimination\r\r\t Today, U.S. Congressman Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) commended the U.S. Senate for passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) by a bipartisan margin of 64-32.\r\r\tPerlmutter said, \"This measure is about civil rights, equality and ensuring all Americans are protected from workplace and employment discrimination. No one should lose their job or be treated differently in the workplace on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity. I urge Speaker Boehner to reconsider his position and allow this compromise legislation with bipartisan support to come to the House floor for a vote.\" \r\r\t###\r\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=471385D6-029F-3B7E-A85A-93EC394A0425", "Bennet, Senate Pass Historic Employment Non-Discrimination Act", "2013-11-07", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S.Senator Michael Bennetwas part of a bipartisan group of Senators voting today to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) in the Senate. The final vote was 64-32.\nENDA makes it illegal to hire or fire a person based ontheir sexual orientation. Under currentfederalemploymentlawsexual orientation is not a protected class,meaningit's legal to terminate someone based on their sexual identity.\n\"Today's historic votereaffirms that when we say liberty and justice for all weincludeall of our citizens,\" Bennet said. \"Everyone has a right to earn a living and provide for their families. Inthe Senate we were able to come together as Republicans and Democrats toassert thatbelief. I urge our colleagues in the House to pass this measure to ensure that, just as inColorado, LGBT citizens are respectedand treated equally in the workplace.\"\nIn 2007, the state of Colorado passed the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Actwhichpreventshiring or firing based on sexual orientation. \nBennet has advocated for the LGBT community throughout his career, including sponsoring an amendment to expand services for LGBT seniors and signing on to a legal brief to the United States Supreme Court calling the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional. He alsowas an original co-sponsor of the bill to repeal \"Don't Ask, Don't Tell.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=7CBDEDC4-EFBD-BEB6-6D79-136BE930A47C", "Bennet Seeks More Information on Military Mental Health Issues, Potential Connections to Discharges", "2013-11-07", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today introduced a bill to learn more about combat related mental health issues in the military and their connection to certain types of discharges.\nThe bill stems from concerns brought to Senator Bennet by Colorado Veterans, including some members of his Veterans Work Group, who believe some service members may be receiving less than Honorable discharges due to behavior related to mental trauma, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), caused during combat.Frequently, a less than Honorable discharge can result in a loss of some Veterans benefits for the service member.\nBennet's bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to explore whether service members are being discharged for conduct related to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or other combat-related mental health issues.The report would seek information about protocols, training, counseling, and treatment that are in place.\nWe've heard anecdotal evidence about these discharges. Yet, we don't have the data to assess if, when, and how often this might be happening, Bennet said. This bill will help us learn if service members are losing their benefits because of behavior related to mental trauma from combat. It can serve as a basis for discussion about potential policy changes. There is no reason we shouldn't be able to strike a balance between providing for our Veterans and allowing the military to effectively enforce discipline.\nThe bill requests GAO to conduct an inquiry surrounding questions in four categories:\n \nAssessment Process: The GAO will report back on how each branch of the military is considering the effects of mental and physical trauma related to PTSD and other combat-related behavioral health issues for service members who are being considered for discharge due to misconduct. The investigation will also look into how the Department of Defense is monitoring compliance with these assessment processes.\nTraining: The inquiry will seek information on training available to staff, including commanders, junior officers, and noncommissioned officers, on the symptoms of mental and physical trauma in service members and how to identify them.\nTreatment: The bill requests data on whether and how often service members discharged for misconduct receive treatment for mental or physical trauma related to PTSD or other combat-related behavioral health issues. It also seeks data on how many of these service members receive discharges that disqualify them from receiving VA health care or disability benefits.\n \n \nCounseling as Related to Benefits: Finally, the GAO will seek information on whether or not service members are counseled on the loss of VA health care and disability benefits prior to accepting a Chapter 10 discharge instead of a trial by court martial.\n \nBennet's bill follows his Veterans Suicide Panel, which Bennet created to take a comprehensive look at mental health issues affecting veterans. The panel detailed eleven recommendations to prevent Veterans suicide and specifically called for continued work to make sure our country is dedicating the resources we need to fully understand PTSD, TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), and the other mental health injuries from combat. On the issue of service members who were other than honorably discharged, the panel acknowledged an inability to reach consensus and a need for more information.\nThis suicide panel was formed in response to a recommendation from Senator Bennet's Veterans Working Group and a report Bennet commissioned in 2011 on how to better serve Veterans and military families. The report included recommendations on ways to make Colorado the best state for service members, veterans, and their families to live and work. Among its recommendations was a greater focuse on mental health issues.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=A58E22B9-0521-A5EE-9827-1A0FA8AE32AC", "Bennet, Udall Thank Federal Railroad Administration for Heeding Their Calls to Work with Colorado Communities to Ease Train Noise Rules", "2013-11-07", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Following months of pressure and numerous requests on behalf of Colorado communities, U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall welcomed the Federal Railroad Administration's recent decision to review its train noise rules and consider how to cut red tape and make the required train-crossing upgrades more affordable for local taxpayers. The reassessment of the agency's rules, noted at the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee's Oct. 31 meeting, will give Colorado communities an important opportunity to weigh in as early as Spring 2014.\nBennet and Udallpressed the Federal Railroad Administration in a recent letter to reopen its rules and give Colorado communities the flexibility they need to confront train noise  which can hurt businesses and residents near crossings  and protect public safety.\n\"The FRA's decision to reevaluate their regulations on train horns is encouraging news to local communities. This step demonstrates some Colorado common sense, balancing safety concerns with the desire to revitalize urban areas, promote economic growth, and generally have reasonable peace and quiet,\"Bennet said. \"We look forward to continuing to work with federal and local officials to develop a responsible solution that will better support these communities.\"\n\"I have long argued that the Federal Railroad Administration's train-noise rules, while well intentioned, were not working for Colorado communities that want to spur economic development and protect residents' quality of life,\" Udall said. \"The Federal Railroad Administration's promise to reassess its rules and seek input from Colorado communities is a win for local taxpayers and a welcomed result of how clear Coloradans and I were with the agency that these rigid rules were a problem. I urge local leaders and residents to engage in this upcoming rule-review process and help chart a sensible path forward.\"\nBennet and Udall have worked tirelessly to protect public safety while also ensuring that train-noise regulations do not stifle job growth, hamper economic development or detract from Coloradans' high quality of life. Pressure from Bennet and Udall forced the Federal Railroad Administration to promise in June to work with Congress to ensure its train-noise and quiet-zone rules protect public safety while also working for Colorado communities. Bennet andUdall also have urged the Federal Railroad Administration to be more flexible in how it allows Colorado towns and cities to meet its quiet-zone requirements.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=004B39CC-CED0-F49C-567D-1DB6C695DB8F", "Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Advances Bipartisan Bill to Consolidate Federal IT Infrastructure, Save Taxpayer Dollars", "2013-11-06", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee(HSGAC)advanced a bill today to help reducewaste andgovernment inefficiency by consolidating the total number of federal data centers, and making those data centers more efficient.HSGAC Chairman Tom Carper (D-DE)joined the effortas a cosponsor of thebill introduced last weekby Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO), and cosponsored by Senators Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH).\nBecause federal agencies have been slow to act on consolidation initiatives, the bill sets hard deadlines and requires agencies to conduct inventories and implement consolidation strategies. Numerous studies have shown a relatively low utilization rate of the current infrastructure, resulting in an enormous amount of wasted space and energy  and incurring unnecessary costs.\nThis is a common sense way that we can reduce unnecessary waste, save taxpayer dollars, and ensure that our federal agencies are being held accountable. It will also help cut energy consumption at these data centers,Bennet said.Making it through committee is an important step forward for this bill, and we welcome Chairman Carper on as a cosponsor.\nI'm proud my committee colleagues, as well as Senator Bennet from Colorado, have moved legislation forward to support OMB's own goals to consolidate duplicative data centers and save taxpayers up to $3 billion, Dr. Coburn said.\nThe Administration's Federal Data Center Consolidation Initiative is an ambitious challenge that is worth meeting. While evidence shows a major shift in the way the federal government thinks about and pursues IT management in its operations, it's clear that some agencies have more work to do,Chairman Carper said.We need to salute the success stories and push those agencies that have fallen short to work harder. This measure builds off of the Administration's efforts and will help agencies focus their efforts on consolidation, better manage their inventories, and ensure that the Consolidation Initiative is seen through to its conclusion. I want to thank Senators Coburn, Bennet, and Ayotte for their work on this important issue. The American people and our budget situation demand robust results, and this legislation is an important part of that effort. With over $17 trillion in debt, there's no excuse to continue to spend millions on wasteful and unnecessary federal data centers  some of which are utilizing only 5 percent of their capacity, said Ayotte. Our bipartisan legislation is a common sense measure that will save taxpayer dollars by speeding up consolidation and increasing the efficiency of data centers across government, and I hope the Senate will act quickly to pass this bill.\nIn 2010, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) instructed federal agenciesto develop consolidation plans under the administration's Federal Data Center Consolidation Initiative (FDCCI), which could save up to $3 billion by 2015,according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), with additional savings beyond that date. However, GAO also found that a number of agencies have been slow to implement these plans  or, in some cases, to even inventory the total number of data centers they currently manage. Under the FDCCI, the federal government set a goal of shutting down at least 1,200 of the over 3,000 known data centers it owns and operates.\nThe cost just to pay for the electricity to operate federal servers and data centers across the government is about $450 million annually. According to the Department of Energy, data center spaces can consume 100 to 200 times more electricity than a standard office space. This bipartisan legislation would help support OMB's government-wide effort to bring down these costs and conserve energy at the same time.\nThis bill would require participating federal agencies to submit complete data center inventories and a consolidation strategy, which must include a timeline for implementation and cost-savings estimates. The legislation includes hard deadlines, and participating agencies must also submit annual updates on their progress for the next five years. In addition, the law would require the GAO to verify agency data center inventories, and woulddirect OMB to routinely report to Congress on cost savings realized to date.\nThe GAO has publicly endorsed thelegislation, saying it is necessary to ensure that agencies close down unnecessary data centers by the target deadline. The senators have worked closely with OMB and GAO to ensure that this legislation will help strengthen the initiative and achieve meaningful savings.\nThe bill is also supported by theProfessional Services Counciland theInformation Technology Industry Council.\nSenators Bennet and Coburnoriginally filed this legislation as an amendmentto theEnergy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013 (S.1392).", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=8104C8D8-CE0E-5784-6FDF-8B480BB32F8B", "Beetle-Kill Trees to Dollar Bills: Bennet Welcomes USDA Research Grant", "2013-11-06", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "This afternoon, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that it will invest $10 million for research into converting beetle-kill trees in the Rockies into renewable energy. The research will be led by Colorado State University and will include technology developed by Cool Planet Energy Systems, a renewable energy company based in Greenwood Village, Colo.\nThis is great news for our state, which has seen first-hand the devastation and destruction that bark beetle infestations bring, Bennet said. The USDA's grant, which will be led by CSU and driven by technology developed by a renewable energy company based right here in Colorado, goes to show how our state is a leader in tackling these challenging issues with innovative solutions. At the same time, we are also helping build a cleaner energy portfolio that will create twenty-first century jobs.\nThese important research resources  a key part of the Farm Bill  are yet another reminder of why we need to pass a full, five-year Farm Bill quickly, Bennet added.\nThe USDA's announcement comes on the heels of a Senate Subcommittee hearing Bennet chaired yesterday highlighting the need to allocate mitigation resources up-front to prevent the risk of destructive wildfires and reduce the costs of fighting them in the long run.\nEarlier this year, Bennet, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry and Natural Resources, introduced a measure to prioritize the treatment of beetle-kill forest land. He was successful in including that provision as part of the 2013 Farm Bill that passed the Senate in June.\nBennet is a member of the Farm Bill Conference Committee, which is currently negotiating the differences between the House and Senate Farm Bills to come up with one final version.\nBackground info on the grant:\nAgriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack: Infestations of pine and spruce bark beetles have impacted over 42 million acres of U.S. forests since 1996, and a changing climate threatens to expand the threat from bark beetle on our forest lands. As we take steps to fight the bark beetle, this innovative research will help take the biomass that results from bark beetle infestation and create clean, renewable energy that holds potential for job creation and promises a cleaner future for America. This is yet another reminder of the critical investments provided by the Farm Bill for agricultural research, and I urge Congress to achieve passage of a new, long term Food, Farm and Jobs Bill as soon as possible.\nCSU will collaborate with the following partners to complete the project: the University of Idaho, the University of Montana, Montana State University, the University of Wyoming, U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station, National Renewable Energy Lab, and Cool Planet Energy Systems.\nSpecifically, the team will explore recent advances in scalable thermochemical conversion technologies, which enable the production of advanced liquid biofuel and co-products on-site.\nA prototype pyrolysis system developed by Cool Planet Energy Systems, based in Greenwood Village, Colo., can be tailored to the amount of feedstock available and thus can be deployed in close proximity to stands of beetle-killed timber. This localized production leads to significantly lower costs related to wood harvest and transportation. Their distributed scalable biorefinery approach is a key element in making the use of insect-damaged trees as feedstock plausible.\nThe award, provided under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), is part of USDA's effort to develop modern solutions for climate challenges in agriculture and natural resource management. AFRI is a key provision of the Farm Bill.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/congress-classroom-tipton-speaks-center-high-school-students", "Congress in the Classroom: Tipton Speaks to Center High School Students", "2013-11-05", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CO", "Scott Tipton", "T000470", "tipton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Congressman Tipton presenting Superintendent Welsh with a Congressional Tribute at Center High School)\nCenter, CO \u2013 Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) visited Center High School to speak to students about the legislative process, civic engagement, and the United States Constitution. Tipton also presented a Congressional Tribute to Superintendent George Welsh recognizing his dedicated work on behalf of the students and teachers of the Center Consolidated School District.\n \n\t\u201cI was honored to be able to speak to the students of Center High School today to discuss the legislative process and the Constitution, as well as answer their questions on the impact of the federal government on their daily lives. These students have learned about our government and the history of our country, so it was a real privilege for me to be able to share with them my experiences in Washington passing a bill into law, working on committees and serving in public office,\u201d said Tipton. \u201cThese kids are incredibly bright and asked some great questions. I was impressed by their civic knowledge, and am confident that they will have a big impact on their community one day.\u201d\n \nThe text of Tipton\u2019s Congressional Tribute of Superintendent Welsh follows:\nMr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. George Welsh, current superintendent of Center School District in Colorado.\u00a0 His leadership and ability to think outside of the box has greatly benefitted the Center School District and provided students with opportunities to learn and achieve beyond ordinary expectations. Leading by example, through dedication to teaching and learning, Mr. Welsh has inspired teachers and students in the San Luis Valley to reach their full potential for over a decade.\nMr. Welsh was recently named \u201cSuperintendent of the Year\u201d by the Colorado Association of School Districts, a well-deserved honor.\u00a0 Center School District has faced many challenges and headwinds, often operating with extremely limited resources. With Mr. Welsh\u2019s leadership, innovative use of technology and ability to maximize the resources available to the District, graduation rates in the Center School District have risen up to 93 percent, from 33 percent when he began in 1997.\u00a0 This is an extraordinary achievement. \nIn addition to being named \u201cSuperintendent of the Year\u201d by the Colorado Association of School Districts, Mr. Welsh was also the recipient of the Demont Award from the Colorado Association of School Boards, naming him Outstanding Rural Superintendent of the Year.\u00a0 \nMr. Speaker, It is an honor to recognize Mr. George Welsh for his dedication to education and leadership that has undoubtedly transformed many lives. Superintendent George Welsh is an incredible resource for his community, and I have no doubt that he will continue to have a significant impact during his education career, helping students and teachers reach their highest goals.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221193154/http://www.markudall.senate.gov/?p=blog&id=3831", "Steps Forward for Colorado Women", "2013-11-05", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Mark Udall", "U000038", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Posted: Tuesday, November 5, 2013\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Click here to receive these regular updates via email.  Dear Fellow Coloradan, \nWomen's health is about more than just ensuring individual well-being \u2014 it's about creating stronger families, more productive workplaces and healthier communities. That is why I have made it my mission to make sure that Colorado women\u2019s views are represented in Washington and that their health care concerns remain a top priority for lawmakers.\nDuring Breast Cancer Awareness month, we paused to reflect on the thousands of mothers, sisters and daughters who are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, as well those who have lost their fight with this terrible disease. Coloradans understand that preventative care is just as important for saving lives as any treatment regimen, which is why I fought to make sure that every woman \u2014 regardless of her financial situation \u2014 can receive life-saving breast cancer screenings and other preventive care at no cost. Early detection is crucial to ensuring our loved ones can survive a breast cancer diagnosis, and no woman should forgo a mammogram or annual physical because the cost is too great.\nStarting in 2014, our nation's health care law will make it illegal for insurance companies to make being a woman a pre-existing condition. That means the nearly 2.5 million women who call the Centennial state home will no longer be charged higher premiums because of her gender. No longer will health insurance companies be able to deny a woman coverage because she happens to be pregnant, or is in remission from a fight with breast cancer, or is a domestic violence survivor, or has any of the other so-called \u201cpre-existing conditions\u201d that were used as excuses to deny women health coverage. Thanks to our new health law, for the first time in our nation\u2019s history, these types of discriminatory treatments are banned and our mothers, daughters and sisters can no longer be denied access to quality, affordable health coverage.\nWhile there is more we can \u2014 and must \u2014 do to make sure that all Coloradans have access to the full benefits of the new health law, this significant expansion of women\u2019s access to health care is a clear win for families throughout our state.\nI will continue to fight to ensure that the voices of Colorado women are heard in Washington. I also want to thank those of you who have already shared your ideas with me through my Women\u2019s Policy Network. Women throughout our state have joined me at roundtables, written me through email and even tweeted to share with me their ideas and concerns for the future. I look forward to continuing these discussions and confronting these challenges together, and I also invite YOU to keep sharing your ideas with me.\nWarm regards,\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTags: e-newsletter", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=0AAF039E-81CF-5419-7F14-959A2E8EC1A5", "Bennet Holds Senate Hearing to Highlight Need for Wildfire Mitigation Resources", "2013-11-05", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry and Natural Resources, today chaired a hearing on the connection between Washington's shortsighted budgets and an increased risk for more frequent and larger wildfires across the country.\nBennet used the hearing to focus on the budgeting and policy decisions that guide the U.S. Forest Service's work to mitigate and suppress wildfires.\nThe hearing, entitled Shortchanging our Forests: How Tight Budgets and Management Decisions Can Increase the Risk of Wildfire, brought attention to shrinking budgets for mitigation efforts that studies have shown can reduce the future costs associated with catastrophic wildfires. According to the Congressional Budget Office, every $1 in wildfire mitigation funding saves $5 in future disaster losses.\nGetting ourselves out of this vicious cycle will be no easy task. But catastrophic wildfire is literally an issue of life or death for many people in Colorado, Bennet said in his opening statement. We are doing them, and the country, a great disservice by not tackling this problem.\nIt is my hope that today's hearing will help us consider innovative ideas to put us back on surer footing  a saner approach that dedicates the Congress and the agencies to putting in the work on the front end, before the fires do their damage, Bennet added.\nThe hearing featured testimony from Davey Pitcher, president and CEO of Wolf Creek Ski Area in Pagosa Springs, and Sallie Clark, El Paso County Commissioner and Second Vice President of the National Association of Counties (NACo), among others. Jim Hubbard, the Deputy Chief of the U.S. Forest Service and former Colorado State Forester between 1984 and 2004, also testified.\nAnother wildfire in southern Colorado is inevitable if conditions remain the same, Pitcher said in his testimony. When looking at the millions of acres of dead trees, we should resist simply seeing a chainsaw. Public outreach, timber sales, fuel reduction, controlled burns, and energy design should be used in conjunction to create an economically and environmentally sound forest health prescription that protects asset values on Wolf Creek Pass.\nThe Waldo Canyon Fire was a stark reminder of the need to be proactive in our efforts to protect our citizens, property, and resources, Commissioner Clark said at the hearing. We understand that no single effort is perfect, and we cannot end the threat of destructive wildfires. But it is important that we recognize and establish a framework for state, local and federal government agencies and the private sector, to work together to identify and manage our forests in a responsible way and to implement policies that provide the ability to get the job done.\nBennet has been a strong advocate for wildfire mitigation efforts. In August, he introduced a bipartisan, deficit-neutral bill that would award competitive grants to states for priority wildfire mitigation and preparedness projects on federal, state, and private land. He was also successful in securing two key provisions in the Senate version of the 2013 Farm Bill that would improve forest health and reduce the risk of wildfires: his National Forest and Insect Disease Act, which would prioritize the treatment of national forest land that is suffering from insect epidemics, and his Permanent Stewardship Contracting Reauthorization Act, which would permanently reauthorize stewardship contracting, an important tool that allows the USFS to partner with private businesses and individuals to help thin trees and reduce fuel loads.\nBennet also led membersof the Colorado delegationinsuccessfullyurging President Obamato designate the Black Forest and Royal Gorge Fires as major disasters. He was alsoinstrumentalin securingEmergency Watershed Protection fundsfor areas affected by last year's High Park and Waldo Canyon fires.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=57A1E441-78D5-3CF7-263E-4BD36EDCFB13", "El Paso County Commissioner Sallie Clark Advocates for Wildfire Mitigation Resources at Bennet-Chaired Committee Hearing", "2013-11-05", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today,Sallie Clark, El Paso County Commissioner and Second Vice President of the National Association of Counties (NACo), testified before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, and Natural Resources, chaired by Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, on the tragic effects of the Waldo Canyon and Black Forestfires and the importance of increasing fundingforwildfire mitigation efforts.\nBennet held the hearing, \"Shortchanging Our Forests: How Tight Budgets and Management Decisions Can Increase the Risks of Wildfire,\" todrawattention tothe budgeting and policy decisions that guide the U.S. Forest Service's action to mitigate and suppress wildfires. According to the Congressional Budget Office, every $1 in wildfire mitigation funding saves $5 in future disaster losses.\nHearingfrom Coloradans like Commissioner Clark who havewitnessed firsthand the destruction of these wildfiresisimportant to helping us do a better job of directing federal resources where they are needed most,\"Bennet said.\"The threat of wildfire in Colorado is only going to intensifyif we don't address this problem now. It's imperative that we provide our communities with the resources they need to implement the wildfire mitigation tactics necessary to reduce the number of wildfires in the coming season.\"\nIn addition to Commissioner Clark,today's hearing includedtestimony from Davey Pitcher,President andCEO of Wolf Creek Ski Area,andJim Hubbard,U.S. Forest Service Deputy Chief. Hubbard served as the Colorado State Forester between 1984 and 2004.\nIn her testimony,Commissioner Clark stated:\n\"The Waldo Canyon Fire was a stark reminder of the need to be proactive in our efforts to protect our citizens, property, and resources. We understand that no single effort is perfect and we cannot end the threat of destructive wildfires. But it is important that we recognize and establish a framework for state, local and federal government agencies and the private sector, to work together to identify and manage our forests in a responsible way and to implement policies that provide the ability to get the job done.\n\"The Board of El Paso County Commissioners unanimously supports proactive measures to lessen the likelihood of future deadly and destructive wildfires like Waldo Canyon and supports the results of a 2007 Congressional Budget Office study that indicated every dollar invested in healthy forest and wildfire mitigation will save more than five dollars in future disaster losses.\"\nBennet has been a strong advocate for wildfire mitigation efforts. In August, he introduced abipartisan, deficit-neutral bill that would award competitive grantsto states for priority wildfire mitigation and preparedness projects on federal, state, and private land. He was also successful in securingtwo key provisions in the Senate version of the 2013 Farm Billthat would improve forest health and reduce the risk of wildfires: hisNational Forest and Insect Disease Act, which would prioritize the treatment of national forest land that is suffering from insect epidemics, and his Permanent Stewardship Contracting Reauthorization Act, which would permanently reauthorize stewardship contracting, an important tool that allows the USFS to partner with private businesses and individuals to help thin trees and reduce fuel loads.\nBennet also led membersof the Colorado delegationinsuccessfullyurging President Obamato designate the Black Forest and Royal Gorge Fires as major disasters.He was alsoinstrumentalin securingEmergency Watershed Protection fundsfor areas affected by last year's High Park and Waldo Canyon fires.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=7C25A9C7-062C-185D-F1D4-504D3FC07921", "Wolf Creek Ski Area's Davey Pitcher Advocates for Wildfire Mitigation Resources at Bennet-Chaired Committee Hearing", "2013-11-05", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Davey Pitcher, President and CEO of Wolf Creek Ski Area,testified before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, and Natural Resources, chaired by Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, onthe damage that the West Fork Complex Fire inflicted on southwest Colorado and ways to reduce the risk and severity of such fires in the future.\nBennet held the hearing, \"Shortchanging Our Forests: How Tight Budgets and Management Decisions Can Increase the Risks of Wildfire,\" todrawattention tothe budgeting and policy decisions that guide the U.S. Forest Service's action to against and suppress wildfires. According to the Congressional Budget Office, every $1 in wildfire mitigation funding saves $5 in future disaster losses.\n\"Hearing from Coloradans like Davey who have witnessed firsthand the destruction of these wildfires is important to helping us do a better job of directing federal resources where they are needed most,\"Bennet said.\"The threat of wildfire in Colorado is only going to intensify if we don't address this problem now. It's imperative that we provide these communities with the resources they need to implement the wildfire mitigation tactics necessary to reduce the number of wildfires in the coming season.\"\nIn addition to Pitcher, today's hearing included testimony from Sallie Clark, El Paso County Commissioner and Second Vice President of the National Association of Counties (NACo), and U.S. Forest Service Deputy Chief Jim Hubbard, among others. Hubbard served as the Colorado State Forester between 1984 and 2004.\nIn his testimony Pitcher stated:\n\"Over the past decade, the cost of federal wildfire protection and suppression has averaged more than $3 billion annually.The West Fork Complex Fire alone cost taxpayers $33 million.By all indications, these numbers will continue to rise. Investing a portion of this cost upfront would most likely minimizethe overall cost of responding to fires on public land and protecting the wildland-urban interface. There is a general consensus among professional firefighters that a proactive approach to fuel reduction is a far better use of funds. For example, a contracted helicopter will cost over $15,000 a day when responding to fires.\n\"Another wildfire in southern Colorado is inevitable if conditions remain the same. When looking at the millions of acres of dead trees, we should resist simply seeing a chainsaw. Public outreach, timber sales, fuel reduction, controlled burns and energy design should be used in conjunction to create an economically and environmentally sound forest health prescription that protects asset values on Wolf Creek Pass.\"\nBennet has been a strong advocate for wildfire mitigation efforts. In August, he introduced abipartisan, deficit-neutral bill that would award competitive grantsto states for priority wildfire mitigation and preparedness projects on federal, state, and private land. He was also successful in securingtwo key provisions in the Senate version of the 2013 Farm Billthat would improve forest health and reduce the risk of wildfires: hisNational Forest and Insect Disease Act, which would prioritize the treatment of national forest land that is suffering from insect epidemics, and his Permanent Stewardship Contracting Reauthorization Act, which would permanently reauthorize stewardship contracting, an important tool that allows the USFS to partner with private businesses and individuals to help thin trees and reduce fuel loads.\nBennet also led membersof the Colorado delegationinsuccessfullyurging President Obamato designate the Black Forest and Royal Gorge Fires as major disasters.He was alsoinstrumentalin securingEmergency Watershed Protection fundsfor areas affected by last year's High Park and Waldo Canyon fires.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=653F6A11-926A-F50B-CA1C-93B410DC491E", "Bennet, Burr, Hatch Applaud First FDA Approval of Breakthrough Therapy Drug", "2013-11-04", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Burr (R-NC), and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) welcomed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) first approval of a cancer-fighting drug that had been granted a breakthrough therapy designation, thanks to a provision that the Senators successfully included in last year's FDA Safety and Innovation Act.\nThe provision allows for expedited FDA approval and provides more flexibility for breakthrough drugs or treatments that show dramatic responses early in development, while still ensuring drug safety and efficacy.\nThe first full FDA approval is a milestone for patients fighting this type of leukemia, Bennet said. The breakthrough designation is already helping improve the lives of people in Colorado and across the country with a variety of diseases.FDA approval of these drugs will mean that lifesaving treatments will be more readily available for patients.\nThe breakthrough therapies pathway was put in place to expedite the development and review of products targeting promising therapies such as the one FDA approved today, Burr said. Today's approval of the first breakthrough drug is a tremendous achievement on behalf of America's patients and families battling cancer and other complex diseases. It is my hope that the breakthrough pathway will continue to help FDA and innovators spur on future generations of life-saving treatments for patients and their families nationwide.\nThis first approval of a breakthrough therapies drug is an important step towards getting lifesaving care into the hands of the most at-risk patients as soon as possible, Hatch said. Red tape in Washington should not stand in the way of lifesaving care for Utahns or anyone across the country, and my hope is that the FDA will continue to utilize the breakthrough designation to help treat patients with CLL and other diseases.\nThe FDA announced Friday it had approved Gazyva (obinutuzumab) to help treat patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). CLL is a blood and bone marrow disease that usually gets worse slowly. According to the National Cancer Institute, 15,680 Americans will be diagnosed and 4,580 will die from the disease this year. Gazyva works by helping certain cells in the immune system attack cancer cells.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=685B5B10-457A-87BD-43F1-883D10977EB0", "Bennet, Senate Move Forward on Employment Non-Discrimination Act", "2013-11-04", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S.Senator Michael Bennetwas part of a group of 61 Senators today who voted in favor of beginning debate in the Senate on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).\nToday's vote clears a key procedural hurdle for the bill,which wouldmake it illegal to hire or fire a person based ontheir sexual orientation. Under currentfederalemploymentlawsexual orientation is not a protected class,meaningit's legal to terminate someone based on their sexual identity.\n\"America is founded on principles of liberty, equality, and justice for all and those principles must extend to all of our citizens, including theLGBTcommunity,\"Bennet said.\"But in many states, people can be fired at any time simply because ofwho they are.That'sunfair and unacceptable. This billis in line with Colorado law andthe majority of Americans who believethat everyone has a right to earn a living and feel safe and respected in the workplace.\"\nThe Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act preventshiring or firing based on sexual orientation inColorado.\n\"No one should ever be fired or not hired on account of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and that is why today's Senate vote on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act is a step in the right direction,\" saidOne Colorado Communications Director Jon Monteith. \"Importantly, we are proud to see that ENDA is inclusive of transgender employees -- just like the state workplace protections we succeeded in passing here in Colorado. While we still have more work to do before this bill reaches the president's desk, this vote is a milestone worth celebrating -- and Senator Bennet's leadership helped make it possible.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://tipton.house.gov/event/alamosa-town-hall-congressman-scott-tipton", "Alamosa Town Hall with Congressman Scott Tipton", "2013-10-31", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "CO", "Scott Tipton", "T000470", "tipton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Constituents are invited to join Congressman Scott Tipton (CO-03) for a town hall meeting in Alamosa on Monday. At the meeting, Tipton will answer questions and provide an update on legislation and key issues including water rights, water storage, Farm Bill, immigration, health care, and the economy.\nThe meeting begins\u00a0at 6:00 PM (MT) and will run approximately an hour.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/tipton-water-rights-protection-bill-gets-senate-sponsor", "Tipton Water Rights Protection Bill Gets Senate Sponsor", "2013-10-31", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "CO", "Scott Tipton", "T000470", "tipton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) introduced companion legislation to Congressman Tipton\u2019s (R-CO) Water Rights Protection Act (H.R.3189) adding further momentum to the bipartisan effort to prevent federal agencies from requiring privately held water rights be turned over to the federal government.\nTipton introduced H.R. 3189, the Water Right Protection Act, in September with bipartisan support, and it has been endorsed by a broad coalition of local, state and national stakeholders.\n\u201cFederal attempts to undermine the long-held state water law that protects the many uses vital to Western States are creating uncertainty and jeopardizing the livelihoods of communities, individuals, and businesses responsible for thousands of jobs. It\u2019s unacceptable that federal agencies are engaging in nefarious tactics to extort privately-held water rights,\u201d said Rep. Tipton. \u201cSenator Barrasso and I share a deep commitment to defending Western water rights, and I\u2019m pleased to work with him to advance the bipartisan Water Rights Protection Act. The introduction of a Senate companion adds further momentum to our effort to protect users from federal takings and restore needed certainty by ensuring that all non-federal water rights are upheld.\u201d\n\u201cOnce again, Washington is attempting to take over Western water rights with another federal water power grab,\u201d said Sen. Barrasso. \u201cThis time their tactics are basically extortion.\u00a0The Administration is holding public land-use permits hostage in an attempt to acquire private water rights. Chicago-style politics aren\u2019t welcome in the West and we won\u2019t sit back and let Washington attempt to bully our farmers, ranchers and other multiple use permit holders. Congress needs to pass our bill immediately and prevent Washington from extorting Americans\u2019 private water rights.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\nThe Water Rights Protection Act:\n Prohibits agencies from implementing a permit condition that requires the transfer of privately-held water rights to the federal government in order to receive or renew a permit for the\u00a0use of land;\n\tProhibits the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture from imposing other conditions that require the transfer of water rights without just compensation;\n\tUpholds longstanding federal deference to state water law;\n\tHas no cost to taxpayers.\n Endorsements to date: National Ski Areas Association, American Farm Bureau, National Cattlemen\u2019s Beef Association, Family Farm Alliance, Public Lands Council, National Association of Conservation Districts, Pacific Northwest Ski Area Association, California Ski Industry Association, Colorado Water Congress, Colorado Ski Country USA, Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, Colorado River Water Conservation District, Southwestern Water Conservation District, Rio Grande Water Conservation District, Rio Grande Watershed Association of Conservation Districts, Montrose County Commissioners, Mesa County Commissioners, Montezuma County Commissioners, Conejos County Commissioners, Gunnison County Commissioners, Rio Grande County Commissioners, Montezuma Valley Irrigation Company, Garfield County Commissioners, Aspen Ski Company, Durango Mountain Resort, Crested Butte Mountain Resort, San Luis Valley Water Conservancy District, Center Conservation District\u00a0and Club 20.\nBackground:\nThe U.S. Forest Service is attempting to require the transfer of privately-held water rights to the federal government as a permit condition on National Forest System lands. There is no compensation for the transfer of these privately-held rights despite the fact that many stakeholders have invested millions of their own capital in developing them.\nThe Forest Service permit condition has already hurt a number of stakeholders in Colorado including the Powderhorn Ski Area in Grand Junction and the Breckenridge Ski Resort. Despite having been excellent stewards of the environment and their water rights, the Forest Service has demanded the relinquishment of state-granted water rights from these ski areas in order to continue their operations.\nThe same nefarious tactics have been used in Utah, Nevada, and other Western states where agencies have required surrender of possession of water rights in exchange for approving the conditional use of grazing allotments. This federal water grab has broad implications that have begun to extend beyond recreation and the farming and ranching community, and are now threatening municipalities and other businesses.\nThe Forest Service claims that it is implementing the agency permit condition to prevent water rights from being sold off and used improperly, however according Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell, there have never been any such cases where the rights have been used improperly. In a November 2011 hearing, Tipton asked Tidwell if there were any examples of this occurring in the past, to which Tidwell responded with a resounding, \u201cNo.\u201d Furthermore, it was shown that the language of the water clause offers no guarantee that the Forest Service could not divert water to other locations or direct water for another purpose altogether.\nDuring a House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation hearing on Threats, Intimidation and Bullying by Federal Land Managing Agencies, this week, witnesses testified that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has also attempted to take privately held water rights. Read more.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=EBE0DB39-6151-FB31-D5EE-B905C72802B0", "Bennet, Coburn, Ayotte Introduce Bill to Consolidate Federal IT Infrastructure and Reduce Waste", "2013-10-31", "2013", "2013-10", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tom Coburn (R-OK), and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) introduced a bill to help reduce government inefficiency by consolidating the total number of federal data centers, and making those data centers more efficient. Because federal agencies have been slow to act on consolidation initiatives, the bill sets hard deadlines and requires agencies to conduct inventories and implement consolidation strategies. Numerous studies have shown a relatively low utilization rate of the current infrastructure, resulting in an enormous amount of wasted space and energy  and incurring unnecessary costs.\nIn 2010, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) instructed federal agenciesto develop consolidation plans under the administration's Federal Data Center Consolidation Initiative (FDCCI), which could save up to $3 billion by 2015,according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), with additional savings beyond that date. However, GAO also found that a number of agencies have been slow to implement these plans  or, in some cases, to even inventory the total number of data centers they currently manage. Under the FDCCI, the federal government set a goal of shutting down at least 1,200 of the over 3,000 known data centers it owns and operates.\nAt a time when we are facing tough choices to cut spending and lower the deficit,this is a commonsense proposal that will help the federal government save billions in taxpayer dollarswhile also conserving energy,Bennet said.We already know that this plan is a simple way to reduceinefficiencyanditensures that federal agencies are taking action toidentifyand shut downunnecessarycenters.\nAcross the federal government, duplication, overlap and mismanagement costs taxpayers at least $250 billion every year. The way to solve that problem is one program and one area at a time,Dr. Coburn said.I'm proud to join my colleagues in offering legislation that will consolidate duplicative data centers and help save taxpayers up to $3 billion.\nWith over $17 trillion in debt, there's no excuse to continue to spend millions on wasteful and unnecessary federal data centers  some of which are utilizing only 5 percent of their capacity,saidAyotte. Our bipartisan legislation is a common sense measure that will save taxpayer dollars by speeding up consolidation and increasing the efficiency of data centers across government.\nThe cost just to pay for the electricity to operate federal servers and data centers across the government is about $450 million annually. According to the Department of Energy, data center spaces can consume 100 to 200 times more electricity than a standard office space. This bipartisan legislation would help support OMB's government-wide effort to bring down these costs and conserve energy at the same time.\nThis bill would require participating federal agencies to submit complete data center inventories and a consolidation strategy, which must include a timeline for implementation and cost-savings estimates. The legislation includes hard deadlines, and participating agencies must also submit annual updates on their progress for the next five years. In addition, the law would require the GAO to verify agency data center inventories, and would direct OMB to routinely report to Congress on cost savings realized to date.\nThe GAO has publicly endorsed thelegislation, saying it is necessary to ensure that agencies close down unnecessary data centers by the target deadline. The senators have worked closely with OMB and GAO to ensure that this legislation will help strengthen the initiative and achieve meaningful savings.\nThe senators originally filed this legislation as an amendment to theEnergy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013 (S.1392).", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=358350", "Polis Introduces Bill to Support Innovative Solutions to Education Challenges", "2013-10-30", "2013", "2013-10", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jared Polis", "P000598", "polis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Representative Jared Polis (D-CO) today introduced the Investing in Innovation in Education Act, which would support and strengthen locally developed best practices to improve student outcomes. The bill would codify and strengthen the current Investing in Innovation (i3) program, which awards competitive grants to applicants with a record of improving student achievement and attainment in order to invest in what works in education. To date, several school districts in Colorado are receiving funds through this i3 program, including St. Vrain Valley School District, which received a $3.6 million \u201cdevelopment\u201d grant to implement a school turnaround program in seven schools, and the Denver School District, which received a $25 million \u201cvalidation\" grant to improve teacher and principal effectiveness. The bill has eleven original cosponsors including Reps. Tony C\u00e1rdenas (D-CA), Andr\u00e9 Carson (D-IN), David Cicilline (D-RI), John Delaney (D-MD), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Jim Himes (D-CT), Rush Holt (D-NJ), Ron Kind (D-WI), Jared Huffman (D-CA), and David Loebsack (D-IA).\n\u201cAcross the country, communities are developing solutions to our nation's most pressing educational challenges,\u201d said Rep. Polis. \u201cThe Investing in Innovation (i3) program harnesses the power of entrepreneurship and innovation so that these projects can scale to reach more students and families, while also building a research base of best practices from which everyone can benefit.\" \nThe Investing in Innovation in Education Act supports strategies to improve early learning outcomes, increase college access and success, address the unique learning needs of students with disabilities, improve the teaching and learning of STEM subjects, and support family and community engagement. Changes to the current i3 program include dedicating 25 percent of funding to grantees from rural schools to address educational challenges specific to these populations, prioritizing early stage applicants to support new educational models, and an added focus on improving teacher and principal preparation and support. \n\"The Investing in Innovation in Education Act will give a new generation of Americans the chance to develop promising new ideas and to prove their worth based on scientific evidence,\u201d said Charlie Barone, Policy Director for Democrats for Education Reform. \u201cRepresentative Polis and his colleagues understand that nowhere is this more needed in the U.S. than in education.\"\n\u201cAs an organization devoted to improving K-12 public education through research-based policies and practices, we believe it is critical for the federal government to drive innovation and support evidence-based programs,\u201d said Michele McLaughlin, President of Knowledge Alliance. \u201cWe appreciate Rep. Polis\u2019s leadership on this issue and look forward to working with him to promote the use of rigorous research to solve today\u2019s most pressing education problems.\u201d\nThe bill is supported by a broad group of organizations including AdvancED, Alliance for Excellent Education, Alumni Revolution, Boston Teacher Residency, Citizen Schools, Community Training and Assistance Center (CTAC), Democracy Builders, Democracy Prep, Democrats for Education Reform, Education Northwest, FHI360, Jobs for the Future, KIPP Public Charter Schools, Knowledge Alliance, Knowledge Works, McREL, Measured Progress, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, New Leaders, NewSchools Venture Fund, Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA), Public Impact, Results for America, Success For All Foundation, Talent Development-Diplomas Now, Teach For America, Teach Plus, TNTP, University of North Carolina at Greensboro- SERVE Center. University of Oklahoma-Outreach, College of Continuing Education, University of Virginia-Curry School of Education, and WestEd.\nFor additional information, please review our fact sheet\u00a0here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=B939527C-86F4-25F6-53C2-9394E4CD7F94", "Bennet Statement on Highway 36 Reopening", "2013-10-30", "2013", "2013-10", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet issued the following statement following the announcement that U.S. Highway 36, which was heavily damaged from last month's floods,willreopen on Monday, November 4, roughly one month ahead of schedule.\nThis announcement is a symbol of the resiliency and strength of Coloradans. Since flooding began, crews from the Colorado Department of Transportation and the National Guard have worked around-the-clock to rebuild as quickly as possible. Opening the highway nearly a month ahead of time is a testament to their hard work. We are all indebted to their selflessness and service.\nOpening this highway also provides much-needed access to many communities, including Estes Park, bringing relief to both businesses that have been hit hard by the floods and the federal shutdown, and residents who have had to go to great lengths just to get into and out of their towns.\nBennethas fought sincethe flooding began to ensure that Coloradans have every resource needed to save lives and rebuild. He was a key part of the Colorado delegation-wide effort thatsuccessfully lifted the capon the amount of emergency transportation resources Colorado could access to rebuild damaged infrastructure. He, along with the rest of the Colorado delegation, alsourged the President to quickly declare an emergencywhen flooding began to ensure that emergency funding was available for response and recovery efforts. And he recently joined the delegation in asking FEMA to support Governor Hickenlooper's request toadd additional counties to those eligible for individual and public assistance.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=CDC4A221-7592-561D-1E24-5DC4D3C1195A", "Bennet Opens Farm Bill Conference with Call for Principled, Practical Compromise to Provide Certainty for Colorado Producers", "2013-10-30", "2013", "2013-10", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today called on members of the Farm Bill conference committee to work together to get a full 5-year Farm Bill to the president's desk to be signed into law. Today marked the first official meeting of members of the conference committee as they work to reconcile the differences between the Senate-passed and House-passed bills.\nIn his opening statement, Bennet said, For the farmers, ranchers, and rural communities driving Colorado's $40 billion agricultural economy, it is so important that we work through our differences to complete this process. If I could sum up what I've heard in the nearly 30 listening sessions we've had across Colorado on this topic, the message would be simple: Give us the certainty of a 5-year Farm bill.\nAs a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Bennet helped craft the Senate bill with input he received from dozens of listening sessions and meetings held throughout Colorado.\nAgriculture adds $40 billion to Colorado's economy every year, making the Farm Bill particularly relevant. It also supports tourism and other vital industries with its increased focus on conservation and forest health  two priorities Bennet fought to include in the Senate bill.\nSenator Bennet's Prepared Remarks:\nThank you, Chairman Lucas and Ranking Member Peterson, for hosting us today. And thank you to Chairwoman Stabenow and Ranking Member Cochran for your sustained effort in getting us to this moment. I'm honored to be a part of the Farm Bill conference.\nFor the farmers, ranchers, and rural communities driving Colorado's $40 billion agricultural economy, it is so important that we work through our differences to complete this process.\nIf I could sum up what I've heard in the nearly 30 listening sessions we've had across Colorado on this topic, the message would be simple: Give us the certainty of a 5-year Farm bill.\nThe Senate Farm Bill reflects a bipartisan but principled and practical compromise. In it, we identify priorities, streamline duplication, and break away from old, inefficient habits. We end the days of automatically issuing payments to farmers, regardless of economic need. And we strengthen crop insurance to protect the farmers on Colorado's Eastern Plains against stubbornly persistent drought conditions.\nAs Colorado continues to break its own export records, its dairy sector has been especially effective at finding markets overseas. The Senate bill moves away from price protection on planted acres, which will strengthen our farmers' ability to export. We should be forward-looking to arrive at a commodity policy that supports this vital area of potential growth in the farm economy.\nThe Senate Bill makes strategic investments in additional areas of innovation and growth. It provides crop insurance and industry-led research and promotion for organicsan industry that is creating jobs at a rate of four times the national average. It provides mandatory funding for energy programsa huge creator of new wealth in rural Colorado. And the Senate bill strengthens rural development so that we can support businesses like the Abts Pharmacy in Haxtun. This pharmacy is a recent recipient of a USDA loan and now has 8 employees and serves the people in the Northeast corner of Colorado.\nMr. Chairman, we need a strong conservation title with robust resources in the final bill. When disaster strikes  like the horrible floods we had in Colorado  it is programs like EQIP that provide immediate aid to struggling producers. The Senate conservation title includes a provision to give the Agriculture Secretary flexibility regarding the match requirements needed to finalize conservation easements. This practical idea comes straight from Colorado's farmers and ranchers. The Senate Bill would also place more land in conservation by once again linking crop insurance participation to basic conservation practices. As for public lands conservation, the Senate bill upgrades the Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003 to prioritize treatments on national forest lands struck by insect outbreaksincluding Colorado's beetle kill. And there's a bipartisan Senate agreement for extending Colorado's Good Neighbor authority in our national forests.\nFinally, I recognize the challenges ahead, especially on SNAP and other nutrition issues. As a former school superintendent, I've seen firsthand how access to food and life success are closely intertwined for our kids. While no program written by lawmakers in Washington is perfect, the structure of SNAP has proven effective during this period of high need.\nWe should find path a forward that respects all people affected by on the Farm Bill.\nThank you again for this opportunity.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/blm-forest-service-attempting-take-private-water-rights", "BLM, like Forest Service, Attempting to Take Private Water Rights", "2013-10-29", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "CO", "Scott Tipton", "T000470", "tipton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 During today\u2019s House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation hearing on Threats, Intimidation and Bullying by Federal Land Managing Agencies, witnesses told Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has also attempted to hijack privately held water rights. U.S. Forest Service efforts to do the same have been well-documented in previous hearings.\nTim Lowry, a rancher from Oregon, testified during the hearing that from almost the moment his family purchased their ranch, the BLM began attempts to inhibit their ability to utilize their grazing rights. Read his full testimony here.\n\u201cThe federal government forced us into court and massive debt in an attempt to steal our stock water rights,\u201d said Lowry in his opening testimony.\u00a0 \u201cThe United States objected to our stock water rights claims that were filed pursuant to the Snake River Basin Adjudication and filed its own stock water rights claims to the same water.\u201d\nAfter a decade-long legal battle that has racked up more than $800,000 in legal fees for Lowry, the Idaho Supreme Court ruled in Lowry\u2019s favor and against federal attempts to hijack his privately-held water rights.\n\u201cI felt intimidated walking into that room full of Justice Department attorneys, BLM personnel, who had been dedicated to trying to obtain those water rights in the adjudication. And being told that we had no legal position to hold a water right\u2014that we were mere permitees there at the permission of the United States government, and had no right,\u201d said Lowry.\nTipton asked Lowry if the federal government had offered any compensation for the rights the BLM was attempting to take.\n\u201cThey were not willing to compensate anything.\u201d Lowry answered.\n\u201cSo the federal government can just jump in, take your private property rights, take your water rights that you paid for and you developed with no compensation. That\u2019s their opinion?\u201d asked Tipton.\n\u201cThat was the course they were taking and what was being attempted, yes,\u201d Lowry said.\nVIDEO of Tipton and Lowry\u2019s exchange is available here.\n\u201cIt\u2019s important to note that this is just not a Forest Service water grab, there is also BLM water grab in the West. [Water] is the lifeblood of the Western United States,\u201d Tipton said. \u201cThe bipartisan Water Rights Protection Act seeks to protect local water rights from federal government overreach and takings by prohibiting federal agencies from pilfering water rights through the use of permits, leases, and other land management arrangements, as well as by upholding longstanding federal deference to state water law on which countless water users rely. This legislation, if passed, would prevent the abuse we heard about in today\u2019s hearing, and save ranchers, farmers and other users from having to engage in drawn-out, expensive legal battles with federal agencies just to defend their private property rights from federal takings.\u201d\nH.R. 3189, the Water Right Protection Act, which Tipton introduced earlier this month with bipartisan support from Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO), has received strong support from a broad coalition of local, state and national stakeholders concerned with recent federal attempts to hijack privately-held water rights.\nDuring the hearing several of the witnesses spoke on the need to pass Congressman Tipton\u2019s Water Rights Protection Act, including ranchers Tim Lowry, Wayne Hague Jr. and Lorenzo Valdez, joining the broad local, state and national support the bill has received to date.\nFull witness testimony will be available on the House Natural Resources Committee website here.\nThe Water Rights Protection Act:\n Prohibits agencies from implementing a permit condition that requires the transfer of privately-held water rights to the federal government in order to receive or renew a permit for the\u00a0use of land;\n\tProhibits the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture from imposing other conditions that require the transfer of water rights without just compensation;\n\tUpholds longstanding federal deference to state water law;\n\tHas no cost to taxpayers.\n # # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/tipton-water-storage-vital-colorado", "Tipton: Water Storage Vital for Colorado", "2013-10-29", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "CO", "Scott Tipton", "T000470", "tipton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014 Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) stressed the importance of surface water storage in Colorado and other Western states today during a Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power hearing entitled, A Roadmap for Increasing our Water and Hydropower Supplies:\u00a0 The Need for New and Expanded Multi-Purpose Surface Storage Facilities. The purpose of today\u2019s hearing was to examine the multi-track, often conflicting and outdated regulatory framework that creates process-related hurdles inhibiting water storage projects from moving forward and making them unviable for private investment. Tipton noted that the natural cycle of rivers in the West is one of boom and bust, surplus and drought, and underscored the importance of a stable water supply for western economies, environmental protection efforts, flood mitigation, jobs and food security. The uncertainties of annual water availability (such is the case in Colorado during low snowpack years) can imperil communities which are hindered by a cumbersome and outdated regulatory framework that impedes the ability to store water for vital purposes.\n\u201cWater is one of the most important natural resources in Colorado and a main driver of economic growth,\u201d said Tipton. \u201cPrudent supply management and the ability to store much needed water will allow communities to support jobs that depend on the availability of water, protect food security, control flooding, ensure continued recreational opportunities, provide water for the development of hydropower, and meet environmental protection needs.\u201d\nWith the exception of the Animas-La Plata project in Southwestern Colorado, the Bureau of Reclamation has not built any large multi-purpose dams or reservoirs over the last generation.\n\u201cWithout the ability to store water that falls on Colorado\u2019s slopes, the West as we know it would not exist. The Colorado Water Conservation Board has estimated that by 2050 Colorado will need an additional 1 million acre feet of water to meet projected demands.\u00a0 This figure accounts for water saved through conservation.\u00a0 Water conservation is something all westerners know the importance of but conservation alone is not enough,\u201d said Tipton. \u201cNew water storage will play a role in meeting future demands.\u00a0 Without new water storage and continued conservation we could see as many as 700,000 acres of agriculture land dry up in Colorado by 2050 due to urbanization and urban water transfers.\u00a0 The dry up of this agricultural land has the potential to harm rural economies and the environment.\u201d\nIn his questioning of Dr. Robert Shibatani, CEO & Principal Hydrologist of the SHIBATANI GROUP, Tipton asked about the various beneficial impacts of increased surface storage for flood mitigation, hydropower development, and other uses, as well as discussed the need to update the outdated and cumbersome regulatory process.\nVideo of their exchange is available here.\n\u201c[Water storage] facilities in my view, can serve as an effective new platform to directly meet the challenges posed by a growing population, refocus attention on retaining a larger portion of a valuable public trust resource for a wide variety of beneficial uses, encourage a broader commitment to improving the nation\u2019s aging water infrastructure, and provide direct climate change adaptation,\u201d said Shibatani in his testimony.\u00a0 \u201cEnsuring water security can provide a vital foundational basis for robust national economic recovery.\u201d\nRead Shibatani\u2019s full testimony here.\nAll full witness testimony will be available on the House Natural Resources Committee website here.\nTipton\u2019s full opening statement is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=357008", "Polis\u2019 Summit County Land Exchange Bill Passes House", "2013-10-29", "2013", "2013-10", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jared Polis", "P000598", "polis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, the House of Representative approved Congressman Polis\u2019 bill, H.R. 2337, the Lake Hill Administrative Site Affordable Housing Act, by voice vote. This bill conveys 40 acres of the Lake Hill property in the White River National Forest to Summit County, Colorado. Summit County plans to use the site for affordable housing and proceeds from the sale would provide Region 2 of the U.S. Forest Service with funding to improve and maintain Forest Service facilities. Originally introduced by Representative Jared Polis in June, the bill has also been introduced in the Senate by Senators Udall and Bennet in July.\r\n\u201cToday the House of Representatives approved a bill I introduced, the Lake Hill Administrative Site Affordable Housing Act (HR 2337), which conveys 40 acres of the Lake Hill property in the White River National Forest to Summit County, Colorado so that the county can partner with developers to build affordable housing,\u201d stated Rep. Polis. \u201cHigh rent has driven many residents of Summit County to live further and further from work. As our mountain communities continue to grow, affordable housing is becoming increasingly important. \u00a0This bill is an important step towards helping the community use the Lake Hill property in a way that improves the quality of life in Summit County. H.R. 2337 is a win-win because it will add affordable housing opportunities while providing funding for U.S. Forest Service to improve administrative facilities.\u201d\r\n\u201cThank you, Congressman Polis, for passing legislation that will provide our community with much needed workforce housing.\u00a0 Your legislation facilitates our community's goals of making Summit County a place where people can afford to live where they work, and work where they live,\u201d stated Summit County Commissioner Dan Gibbs.\u00a0 \u201cSummit County is committed to turning Lake Hill into a model for interagency cooperation.\u00a0 We already have heard from the USFS, State Patrol, our ski resorts, fire and school districts and our local towns.\u00a0 Together we will work to provide workforce housing for our employees so they can afford to live in the community they are helping to create.\u00a0 Now the ball moves from the House of Representatives to the Senate where a hearing on the Lake Hill legislation has been scheduled next month in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.\u00a0 Senators Udall and Bennet are working hard on the behalf of Summit County to expedite passage of the Lake Hill legislation in the Senate.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=67742C48-D851-ED63-8FF6-248E1C36CE7F", "Colorado Congressional Delegation Urges Federal Agencies to Maintain Focus on Restoration of Rivers, Streams", "2013-10-29", "2013", "2013-10", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Historic Rains Redirected Waterways across Front Range\nWork Needs to Move Forward Before Spring Snow Melts\nWashington, DC  Members of the Colorado Congressional delegation today urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize work to stabilize riverbanks and rechannel rivers and streams that were redirected following historic floods that swept through Colorado's Front Range. With winter quickly approaching, local Colorado municipalities affected by flooding urgently need to move ahead with this work. Some communities are at risk of more flooding when the snows melt this spring if local waterways are not adequately restored.\nIn a letter to the heads of the three agencies, the delegation wrote, Rechanneling these river and stream diversions will be a multi-agency endeavor. We know that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers along with state agencies and local counties are jointly reviewing the damage to determine which sections need to be restored and what is eligible for reimbursement.\nWe urge you to prioritize this project with renewed focus, and continue to ensure joint coordination across multiple agencies and departments to address this critical issue, the delegation added, asking the three departments to work with state and local officials to provide funding commitments for this work as quickly as possible.\nThe delegation further warned that if the issue is not addressed in a timely manner, municipal and agricultural water supplies will be impacted and some areas and homes will be vulnerable to new rounds of flooding this spring.\nThe letter was signed by Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall and Representatives Diana DeGette, Jared Polis, Cory Gardner, Doug Lamborn, and Ed Perlmutter.\nMembers of the delegation have worked since flooding began to ensurethatColorado communities and agencies have every federal resource they need to save lives, protect homes, and start the recovery process. The delegation urged the President to quickly declare an emergency to make emergency funding available for response and recovery efforts. They also urged the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to make disaster recovery funds available and have asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support Governor Hickenlooper's request to add additional counties to those eligible for individual and publicassistance. They also worked together to successfully lift the cap on the amount of emergency transportation funds Colorado could receive to repair infrastructure damaged from last year's floods. Raising the cap was included in legislation that reopened the government earlier this month.\nThe lawmakers will continue to work together with federal agencies to advocate for critical federal resources to aid in recovery efforts.\nFull Text of the Letter:\nOctober 29, 2013\nDear Secretary Vilsack, Administrator Fugate, and Commanding General Bostick:\nWe write to urge your continued focus on rechanneling and restoring a number of rivers and streams across the Front Range that have been redirected following last month's devastating floods in Colorado.\nAs you know, historic rains poured down on Colorado in early September, leading to 500-year floods in a number of areas. These floods forced over 18,000 Coloradans to leave their homes, damaging thousands of structures and hundreds of local businesses. Nine Coloradans tragically died.\nThe task of stabilizing riverbanks and rechanneling these rivers as communities recover has become an especially urgent focus of the recovery effort. For example, when the St. Vrain River flooded, it redrew its own course. The new riverway damaged pipelines, cut off irrigation ditches, and placed several neighborhoods in a new floodplain. If the issue is not addressed in a timely manner, municipal and agricultural water supplies will be impacted and some areas and homes will be vulnerable to new rounds of flooding in the spring. A number of other communities across the Front Range face similar challenges.\nRechanneling these river and stream diversions will be a multi-agency endeavor. We know that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers along with state agencies and local counties are jointly reviewing the damage to determine which sections need to be restored and what is eligible for reimbursement.\nWe urge you to prioritize this project with renewed focus, and continue to ensure joint coordination across multiple agencies and departments to address this critical issue. In particular, local officials are looking for clarification on how the reimbursements for stream rechanneling on private lands will be accomplished.\nWith colder weather expected in Colorado communities in a matter of weeks, time is of the essence. We ask that you work with state and local officials to provide funding commitments for this work as quickly as possible, utilizing FEMA public assistance, any available funds from the USDA's Emergency Watershed Protection program, and any other federal funding sources that could help finance this urgent work.\nThank you for your consideration. We appreciate your ongoing efforts to help Colorado rebuild and recover from this disaster.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=B14A7E5D-7AF1-94D2-3447-6C8F94E32715", "Western Senators Urge USDA to Partner with Timber Industry to Reduce Wildfire Risks, Strengthen Forest Health", "2013-10-29", "2013", "2013-10", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A bipartisan and bicameral group of western lawmakers pressed the U.S. Department of Agriculture to partner with the timber industry to reduce wildfire risks in fire-prone areas, create jobs and improve community safety throughout the Rocky Mountain West. Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet joined U.S. Senators Mark Udall (D-Colo.) and Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), who led the letter, which was also signed by Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.).\n\"The National Forest management program in this region falls far short of meeting the need for hazardous fuels reduction and forest restoration. ... There has never been a better time to foster industry partnerships that will reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires, restore forest health, and create sustainable rural jobs,\" the letter reads. \"That is why we ask for your renewed commitment to increasing the pace and scale of forest restoration in the Rocky Mountain Region - particularly in the wildland-urban interface and in backcountry areas supporting critical infrastructure and water supplies. Specifically, we ask you to consider increasing the investment in restoration and timber management, and continuing to pursue operational efficiencies.\"\nCongressmen Mike Coffman (R-Colo.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Kristi Noem (R-S.D.), Jared Polis (D-Colo.) and Scott Tipton (R-Colo.) also signed the letter.\nThe bipartisan coalition sent a similar letter last year pressing Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to partner with the private sector to treat \"more acres in our states - particularly in the wildland-urban interface, and backcountry areas with critical infrastructure.\"\nAccording to the National Interagency Fire Center, the Rocky Mountain region, which includes Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and most of South Dakota and Wyoming, experienced 2,482 fires so far this year. These wildfires scorched 230,526 acres.\nClick HEREto read the senators' letter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 731, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"chamber\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "House", "p1": "CO", "p2": "2013"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=CO&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 608, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=CO&year=2013&party=Democrat", "selected": false}, {"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 123, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=CO&year=2013&party=Republican", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=CO&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 731, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=CO&year=2013", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=CO&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "CO", "label": "CO", "count": 731, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2013", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=CO&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "2013", "label": "2013", "count": 731, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=CO", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2013-10-29,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ebennet~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fpublic~2Findex~2Ecfm~2Fpress-releases~3Fid~3DB14A7E5D-7AF1-94D2-3447-6C8F94E32715", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=CO&year=2013&_next=2013-10-29%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ebennet~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fpublic~2Findex~2Ecfm~2Fpress-releases~3Fid~3DB14A7E5D-7AF1-94D2-3447-6C8F94E32715&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 249.28035796619952, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}