{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"Senate\", state = \"CO\" and year = 2024 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/12/29/bennet-statement-on-passing-of-president-jimmy-carter/", "Bennet Statement on Passing of President Jimmy Carter", "2024-12-29", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet released the below statement following the death of President Jimmy Carter:\n\n\u201cPresident Jimmy Carter campaigned on telling the truth to the American people, and he kept his promise. He was a devoted family man, principled statesman, and champion for rural communities. His post-presidency set a global standard for dignity and selflessness. Susan and I join Colorado in mourning his loss and recommitting ourselves to the common good he espoused.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/12/24/bennet-sends-nine-bills-to-the-presidents-desk/", "Bennet Sends Nine Bills to the President\u2019s Desk", "2024-12-24", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Bennet-Led Legislation to Protect Kids in Foster Care, Build Affordable Housing, Invest in Rural Communities Included in End-of-Year Packages\n\nDenver \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet passed nine pieces of legislation through the House and Senate over the past month and sent them to President Biden\u2019s desk to be signed into law.\n\nThis legislation includes provisions from:\n\nForest Service Flexible Housing Partnerships Act\n\nStop the Spread of Invasive Mussels Act\n\nGood Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act\n\nSummit of the Americas Act\n\nProtecting America\u2019s Children by Strengthening Families Act\n\nRural Outdoor Investment Act\n\nColorado River Salinity Control Fix Act\n\nCoordinating AUKUS Engagement with Japan Act of 2024\n\nWomen\u2019s Suffrage National Monument Location Act\n\nIn case you missed it, here\u2019s what they\u2019re saying:\n\nColorado Newsline: Colorado Democrats, outdoor recreation groups cheer Senate passage of public lands bill\n\n\u201cWhile chaos in the U.S. House of Representatives threatened to trigger a government shutdown just before the holidays, Colorado Democrats and outdoor recreation advocates cheered the passage of a wide-ranging public lands bill in the Senate on Thursday.\n\n\u201cThe bipartisan Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences or EXPLORE Act was unanimously approved by the Senate after being passed by the House earlier this year. It now heads to President Joe Biden to be signed into law.\n\n\u201cThe EXPLORE Act includes a variety of measures aimed at protecting certain recreational uses of federally owned public lands, simplifying permitting procedures for federal land management and ensuring equal access for people with disabilities, military veterans and young people.\u201d\n\n\u2026\n\n\u201cThe Stop the Spread of Invasive Mussels Act, also sponsored by Colorado U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, aims to strengthen coordination between federal and state agencies responding to the spread of invasive species, including by giving the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation the authority to fund response programs, improving data sharing and ensuring that \u201cat-risk basins are eligible and prioritized for watercraft inspection and decontamination funding.\u201d\n\nColorado Public Radio: Colorado has tens of thousands of abandoned hardrock mines. Congress just passed a bill to help more groups clean them up\n\n\u201cCongress has passed a bill that could make it easier for non-profits or states and local governments to clean up abandoned mines.\n\n\u201cThe U.S. House on Tuesday approved the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act, via voice vote. The bill passed the Senate in July and now goes to President Joe Biden\u2019s desk.\n\n\u201cThe bill sets up a pilot program under the Environmental Protection Agency to allow \u201cgood Samaritans\u201d to clean up and improve water quality around abandoned hard rock mine sites without being subject to liability for pre-existing pollution.\u201d\n\n\u2026\n\n\u201cBennet said he was thrilled the bill made it through Congress, finally.\n\n\u2018It\u2019s 15 years of work by a lot of people, so it will be good to get it done,\u2019 he noted. Bennet co-sponsored past versions of the bill.\u201d\n\nSteamboat Pilot & Today: Workforce housing revival for U.S. Forest Service project in Steamboat Springs\n\n\u201cU.S. Senator Michael Bennet, who co-sponsored the legislation with U.S. Rep. Neguse and has adamantly pushed for the continuation of the Forest Service leasing authorization, said Friday that he was happy that congress members were able to work together to get the EXPLORE Act passed.\n\n\u201cIt started out in the 2018 Farm Bill, the expiration was making it difficult for what people had to do on the ground, even in Steamboat, but we were able to get the parties to come together to agree that putting it in the EXPLORE act made sense and I am really glad that we did because we were running out of time,\u201d said Sen. Bennet.\n\n\u201c\u2018It became clear, we had wanted to pass the Farm Bill and I think there was a sense, earlier in the year, that we would pass the Farm Bill, that is a deadline that we usually don\u2019t miss, but we were not able to get to a bipartisan Farm Bill this year so we had to find a different vehicle in the Senate and that is what EXPLORE became,\u2019 he added.\n\n\u201cThe legislation included in the EXPLORE Act also improves what might have been continued in the Farm Bill by extending the limit for Forest Service lease agreements from 50 to 100 years.\n\n\u201c\u2018We heard from local communities that we needed that extended period of time for them to make sense from a leasing and a financing point of view. So, we were able to double the time, and I think we are going to make that program better and more durable and maybe give us more flexibility on the ground,\u2019 added Sen. Bennet.\u201d\n\nFOX31 Denver\n\n\u201cEarlier this term, Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet called on a committee to prioritize policies that would help people in Colorado access clean water, and today, they celebrate the successful passage of the bill.\n\n\u201cThe Water Resources Development Act of 2024 authorizes $20 million for water supply and storm[water] management for El Paso County and $50 million for Fremont County.\u201d\n\nVail Daily: Salt in the Colorado River is causing problems. A bill is now heading to Biden\u2019s desk that would send more money to address the challenge.\n\n\u201cSince 1974, the Bureau of Reclamation has supported various projects to reduce salt levels in the Colorado River\u2019s upper and lower basins. Now, a bill to increase the 50-year-old program\u2019s funding is heading to President Joe Biden\u2019s desk after passing both chambers of Congress.\u201d\n\n\u2026\n\n\u201cBennet said in a statement that the legislation will \u2018support ongoing efforts to keep water from the Colorado River safe for communities, farmers and ranchers and water users throughout the entire Basin.\u2019\u201d\n\nColorado Public Radio: In the final days of a historically dysfunctional Congress, lawmakers sprint to pass a flurry of bills\n\n\u201cLast fall the House passed the Women\u2019s Suffrage National Monument Location Act, introduced by Colorado Rep. Joe Neguse and Arizona Rep. Debbie Lesko. The Senate gave its approval to the bill Friday. It places the monument, whose idea came from a constituent in Neguse\u2019s district, on the National Mall\u2026 A number of other Coloradans co-sponsored the bill, including Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, and Reps. Brittany Pettersen and Diana DeGette.\u201d\n\n\u2026\n\n\u201cMesa County could be buying some land from the federal government. The Senate passed the CONVEY Act, which the House passed earlier this year.\u201d\n\n\u2026\n\n\u201cHickenlooper, who introduced the bill with Bennet and got the bill through the Senate called it a win-win for locals and for the federal government\u2026 Bennet agreed. \u201cMesa County has made significant strides to secure a vibrant future for Clifton, and our legislation would be one more step towards prosperity for the community,\u201d he said in a statement.\u201d\n\nNBC Grand Junction\n\n\u201cU.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet celebrate passing the Clifton Opportunities Now for Vibrant Economic Yields Act, or CONVEY.\n\n\u201cThis act allows a 31 acre plot of land to be sold to Mesa County by the Bureau of Land Management. That land would be used for new economic development in Clifton.\n\n\u201cBoth senators commented on the passing, with Hickenlooper saying it\u2019s a win-win for the federal government and Mesa County, while Bennet says Mesa County has made significant strides to secure a vibrant future for Clifton.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/12/23/bennet-cheers-senate-passage-of-bill-to-support-colorado-children-in-foster-care/", "Bennet Cheers Senate Passage of Bill to Support Colorado Children in Foster Care", "2024-12-23", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "After Passing House, Unanimous Senate Approval Sends Legislation to the President\u2019s Desk\n\nDenver \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet celebrated Senate passage of the Protecting America\u2019s Children by Strengthening Families Act. The bipartisan legislation, which had already passed the U.S. House of Representatives with a strong bipartisan vote, reauthorizes and improves child welfare programs that promote family unity and the safety and well-being of children. The legislation now heads to the President\u2019s desk to be signed into law.\n\n\u201cWe have a responsibility to ensure that every kid in America grows up in a loving and supportive home. This legislation cuts through bureaucracy and provides a critical, flexible investment for the welfare of our nation\u2019s children,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cI\u2019m grateful for my colleagues\u2019 strong bipartisan support to pass this legislation so communities in Colorado and throughout the country continue to have the flexibility they need to keep kids safe and families together.\u201d\n\n\u201cCreating a safe, healthy, and supportive environment at home is the first step to helping Texas children thrive,\u201d said Cornyn. \u201cThis legislation would make strategic and evidence-backed improvements to ensure a 360-degree support system is in place for children in foster care nationwide.\u201d\n\nThis legislation would reauthorize Title IV-B of the Social Security Act for five years and improve its child welfare programs by:\n\nIncreasing funding by $75 million a year;\n\nExpanding evidence-based services to prevent child abuse and neglect;\n\nIncreasing access to training for caseworkers and improving recruitment and retention efforts to address caseworker shortage and bolster the workforce;\n\nReducing administrative burden;\n\nProviding grant funding for the Court Improvement Program to support child legal proceedings;\n\nStreamlining access to funding, including for Indian tribes; and\n\nStrengthening support systems for relatives and family transitions, including children entering into kinship diversion, exiting foster care, or transitioning to an adopted family.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/12/23/bennet-hickenlooper-celebrate-final-passage-of-bipartisan-water-infrastructure-bill/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper Celebrate Final Passage of Bipartisan Water Infrastructure Bill", "2024-12-23", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Legislation Includes Colorado Priorities to Manage Flood Risk, Promote Healthy Waterways\n\nDenver \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper celebrated the final passage of the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) which includes Colorado priorities to manage flood risk and promote healthy waterways. WRDA is passed every two years to authorize projects that address water management, flood control, ecosystem restoration, and long-term clean water priorities. The legislation now heads to President Biden\u2019s desk to be signed into law.\n\n\u201cColorado and the West are on the front lines of climate change. That\u2019s why it\u2019s more important than ever to invest in water infrastructure that can meet our state\u2019s changing needs,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cI\u2019m grateful for the passage of this important package to protect Colorado\u2019s vital waterways and resources.\u201d\n\n\u201cThese investments equip our communities with more resilient infrastructure,\u201d said Hickenlooper. \u201cWe need to harden our infrastructure to be sure we can handle more erratic weather.\u201d\n\nThe final legislation includes the following Colorado projects:\n\n$20 million authorized for El Paso County to address water supply and stormwater management;\n\n$50 million authorized for Fremont County for water supply infrastructure needs;\n\nA feasibility study of a project to restore ecosystems along Monument and Fountain Creeks and to rehabilitate the Templeton Gap Levee in Colorado Springs;\n\nA U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and U.S. Government Accountability Office study to help speed the completion of two projects to promote healthy waterways along the South Platte River and neighboring water systems in the Denver area; and\n\nA boost in the federal share for assistance from USACE for Continuing Authorities Programs (CAPs) to allow USACE to participate in smaller-scale projects to reduce flood damages and restore aquatic ecosystems.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/12/23/bennet-hickenlooper-welcome-341-million-to-cut-methane-emissions-in-colorado/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper Welcome $341 Million to Cut Methane Emissions in Colorado", "2024-12-23", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper welcomed $850 million from the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s (EPA) Methane Emissions Reduction Program to fund methane emissions reduction projects and combat climate change, including $341 million for six Colorado-based projects led by Colorado State University and Pioneer Energy, Inc. This funding is part of $1.36 billion from EPA and the Department of Energy (DOE) to reduce methane emissions provided by the Inflation Reduction Act, which Bennet and Hickenlooper helped pass into law.\n\n\u201cColorado has been a national leader in addressing methane pollution from the oil and gas industry,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cThis funding helps ensure Colorado will continue leading the way towards cutting dangerous air pollution, slowing the rate of climate change, and growing our clean energy economy.\u201d\n\n\u201cMethane emissions are driving our climate crisis and putting Coloradans\u2019 health at risk,\u201d said Hickenlooper. \u201cAs governor, we set the global standard on methane regulations. Now Colorado will lead the fight to stop these emissions at the source \u2013 all thanks to our Inflation Reduction Act.\u201d\n\nIn total, the EPA announced over $850 million for 43 projects, with over $341 million allocated to multiple projects led by two Colorado organizations:\n\nOver $324 million to Colorado State University to reduce methane emissions from existing wells, improve data monitoring of methane emissions; and\n\n$17 million to Pioneer Energy, Inc. to deploy technologies that reduce methane emissions from oil and gas production.\n\nBennet and Hickenlooper have consistently worked to cut methane emissions and strengthen federal oil and gas methane rules modeled on Colorado\u2019s. In 2021, Bennet and Hickenlooper led members of the Colorado congressional delegation to push the EPA for stronger methane regulations for the oil and gas sector. In 2023, both senators sent multiple letters to the EPA urging them to track methane emissions more accurately. Bennet and Hickenlooper joined members of the Colorado congressional delegation in a letter of support for Pioneer Energy\u2019s funding application.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/12/20/bennet-cortez-masto-cassidy-cornyn-announce-bipartisan-effort-to-help-train-more-doctors-and-address-health-care-workforce-shortages/", "Bennet, Cortez Masto, Cassidy, Cornyn Announce Bipartisan Effort to Help Train More Doctors and Address Health Care Workforce Shortages", "2024-12-20", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet alongside U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), and John Cornyn (R-Texas) \u2014 members of the Senate Finance Committee and the bipartisan Medicare Graduate Medical Education (GME) Working Group \u2014 released draft legislation to improve the Medicare GME program, which makes payments to teaching hospitals for training residents and fellows in approved training programs. Their bipartisan proposal aims to help increase the supply of physicians and meet the growing needs of communities across the country.\n\n\u201cRural Coloradans shouldn\u2019t have to travel long distances to see a doctor,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cThis bipartisan effort will help teaching hospitals train and retain providers in rural and underserved communities. All Americans deserve access to quality health care \u2013 no matter where they live.\u201d\n\n\u201cWorkforce shortages are straining our health care system, especially in rural areas, and we must do more to recruit, train and retain doctors in communities across Nevada,\u201d said Cortez Masto. \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019ve been working across the aisle on this bipartisan proposal to address critical gaps in our physician workforce. I\u2019ll continue working to ensure Nevada families in every corner of our state can access the care they need.\u201d\n\n\u201cDoctors often practice where they do a residency. If it helps to get doctors to practice in rural and low-income areas, let\u2019s put training programs in these areas!\u201d said Cassidy.\n\n\u201cBy creating new graduate medical education slots, our bill would expand access to and improve the quality of behavioral health and primary care in rural communities across the Lone Star State,\u201d said Cornyn.\n\n\u201cThe physician workforce shortage is threatening the health of Americans, particularly those in rural and underserved communities with fewer primary care doctors, psychiatrists, and other health care providers,\u201d said U.S. Senator Ron Wyden. \u201cI\u2019m pleased that members of the Finance Committee are taking this challenge head-on in a bipartisan way. I will continue to work with them to ensure aspiring physicians are being put on the fast track to work in the places that need them most.\u201d\n\nIn 1996, Congress capped funding for physician training through Medicare based on residency numbers, fearing a surplus. Nearly 30 years later, the Health Resource and Services Administration now projects a shortage of over 187,130 physicians by 2037 \u2014 including more than 87,000 primary care doctors and over 50,000 psychiatrists. By modernizing Medicare GME, this proposal aims to ensure that every state has the workforce it needs to provide the care every American deserves.\n\nThis bipartisan draft legislation would:\n\nExpand Medicare-supported residency positions in areas and specialties with critical shortages, like primary care and psychiatry.\n\nSupport rural hospitals in building residency training infrastructure.\n\nImprove federal data collection to better allocate GME funding and address workforce gaps.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/12/20/bennet-neguse-daines-celebrate-final-passage-of-bills-to-help-colorado-communities-address-housing-shortages-stop-invasive-species/", "Bennet, Neguse, Daines Celebrate Final Passage of Bills to Help Colorado Communities Address Housing Shortages, Stop Invasive Species", "2024-12-20", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "After Unanimous Passage in Congress, Legislation Heads to President\u2019s Desk\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.), and U.S. Representative Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), celebrated unanimous House and Senate passage of their Forest Service Flexible Housing Partnerships Act and Stop the Spread of Invasive Mussels Act. Their bipartisan legislation will strengthen the authority of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to lease underutilized administrative sites to address local needs, including for building affordable housing, and slow the movement of aquatic invasive species, like zebra and quagga mussels, into Colorado, Montana, and other Western States. Both pieces of legislation now head to President Biden\u2019s desk to be signed into law.\n\n\u201cColorado and the American West face multiple challenges \u2013 from invasive species in our rivers, lakes and waterways, to a housing crisis that makes it impossible for working families to make ends meet,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cI\u2019m grateful for the strong bipartisan support to pass these bills that will invest in our mountain communities and protect Colorado\u2019s precious natural resources. The Flexible Housing Partnerships bill especially will help open up more opportunities for housing projects in our mountain communities who face a dire housing crisis.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s as simple as this \u2014 in Colorado, the preservation of our public lands and the strength of our outdoor recreation economy is not only integral to the spirit of our state but to the success of our people,\u201d said Neguse. \u201cI am proud to see these bills through to the finish line\u2014and even more excited for the ways in which they will deliver for our communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m glad to see these commonsense, bipartisan bills to help address the housing shortage in rural Montana and across the west and to protect our Montana wildlife from invasive species heading to the president\u2019s desk to be signed into law! Protecting our Montana way of life will always be my top priority,\u201d said Daines.\n\nIn the 2018 Farm Bill, Bennet authored legislation in partnership with Colorado communities and helped secure the authority for the Forest Service to lease administrative sites to localities in exchange for in-kind contributions, including housing construction and improvement or maintenance of federal facilities. To provide towns and counties with greater certainty, the Forest Service Flexible Housing Partnerships Act lengthens the site\u2019s lease authority to up to 100 years and allows it to be renewed at the end of its term. As a result of the housing crisis in the West, the Forest Service currently experiences a severe staffing shortage. This legislation will also help the agency provide more housing for its workforce and better serve Colorado communities.\n\nAquatic invasive species pose a significant threat to Western rivers and reservoirs. Once established, these intruders are nearly impossible to eradicate and wreak havoc on crucial water infrastructure, limit recreation opportunities, and harm ecosystems and local economies. As invasive mussels spread across the West, preventative measures \u2013 like watercraft inspection and decontamination stations \u2013 are key to limiting their spread. The Stop the Spread of Invasive Mussels Act will strengthen prevention efforts, provide all federal agencies the authorities they need to limit the movement of invasive species into and out of U.S. waters, and ensure that all at-risk basins are eligible and prioritized for watercraft inspection and decontamination funding.\n\nSupport for Forest Service Flexible Housing Partnerships Act:\n\n\u201cThe passage of the Forest Service Flexible Housing Partnership Act will allow for continued partnerships among local governments, private industry, and the Forest Service as we work together on very complicated but much-needed workforce and affordable housing projects. CAST thanks Senator Bennet and Congressman Neguse for their leadership to pass this important legislation into law,\u201d said Margaret Bowes, Executive Director, Colorado Association of Ski Towns.\n\n\u201cFederal lands comprise 84% of Eagle County. With very little private lands for affordable workforce housing development, this is a problem Eagle County will struggle to fix on its own. The creative solutions in the Forest Service Flexible Housing Partnerships Act will help relieve this pressure. Authorizing the Forest Service to lease appropriate parcels for housing will greatly benefit our workforce and our mountain resort economy. We are excited about the improvements this legislation will now make to the existing Flexible Partnerships Authority and we thank Senator Bennet for his efforts on our behalf to get this bill passed into law,\u201d said Kathy Chandler-Henry, Commissioner, Eagle County.\n\n\u201cOn behalf of the Aspen community, I thank Senator Bennet for his steadfast support in making affordable housing happen. The bill\u2019s passage is a critical milestone for Aspen and our partners, including the dedicated staff of the USFS White River National Forest,\u201d said Torre, Mayor, City of Aspen.\n\n\u201cSan Miguel County is thrilled to learn of the passage of the Flexible Partnership Act and deeply grateful to Senator Bennet and his team for stewarding this common-sense legislation to the finish line. Like many resort communities, San Miguel County faces a shortage of affordable land appropriate for workforce housing. Governmental entities in our county have already been in conversation with local USFS representatives about opportunities to collaborate on workforce housing, while waiting for this bill to pass and allow us to move forward. We are excited to now roll up our sleeves and get to work on building housing that will benefit our whole community, including the Forest Service and other local employers,\u201d said Anne Brown, Commissioner, San Miguel County.\n\n\u201cSummit County is proud to have signed the first lease agreement in the country using the authority provided by the Flexible Housing Partnerships Act,\u201d said Tamara Pogue, Commissioner, Summit County. \u201cThanks to the leadership of Senator Bennet, more communities will have the opportunity to build the affordable housing they desperately need.\u201d\n\n\u201cLa Plata County is delighted to hear that this important legislation has been passed into law. As we struggle with the affordable housing crisis we need every tool in the toolbox we can to help our mountain communities. Often having land available for housing projects is the deal breaker for providing new opportunities. This legislation opens up more possibilities for underused federal land that can be used for community housing in collaboration with the Forest Service, who also desperately needs housing for their employees that can be provided by projects under this legislation as well. These can be win-win projects for our communities and federal agencies to work together,\u201d said Marsha Porter-Norton, Commissioner, La Plata County.\n\nThe Forest Service Flexible Housing Partnerships Act is supported by Summit County, Grand County, Eagle County, Aspen, Colorado Association of Ski Towns (CAST), and Northwest Colorado Council of Governments (NWCCOG).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/12/19/bennet-priorities-to-invest-in-outdoor-recreation-boost-rural-economies-head-to-presidents-desk/", "Bennet Priorities to Invest in Outdoor Recreation, Boost Rural Economies Head to President\u2019s Desk", "2024-12-19", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Based on the Rural Outdoor Investment Act, Provisions in Economic Development Legislation Will Recognize Importance of Outdoor Recreation for Public Funding\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet cheered Senate passage of legislation to reauthorize the Economic Development Administration (EDA), which included provisions from a bill he introduced in 2023 that recognizes outdoor recreation as a key driver of rural economies and prioritizes it for future federal funding opportunities.\n\n\u201cIn Colorado, outdoor recreation is an economic engine and a cornerstone of our Western way of life. Investments in trails, boat ramps, and campgrounds help attract tourism, boost local economies, and create good-paying jobs,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cBy passing this legislation, Congress is finally recognizing its importance to rural economies and ensuring that as demand for outdoor recreation in Colorado grows, rural economies grow too.\u201d\n\nThe EDA\u2019s Public Works grant program helps communities invest in local infrastructure to attract new industry, encourage business expansion, diversify local economies, generate local investment, and create or retain jobs. This reauthorization bolsters funding for the Public Works program to a historic $270 million annually and, for the first time, gives outdoor recreation special importance when awarding these grants. The new focus will mean that recreation assets will be recognized as vital elements for growing economies across Colorado to build a sustainable economic future and improve quality of life for people living in rural communities.\n\n\u201cOIA and its members are thrilled to see Congress elevate recreation as an infrastructure priority through the EDA for the first time. This funding will not only help Main Streets across the country better connect with recreation assets but also enable communities to build infrastructure that enhances residents\u2019 quality of life,\u201d said Kent Ebersole, President of Outdoor Industry Association. \u201cWe want to thank Senators Bennet and Schumer for championing this win-win approach\u2014helping grow local businesses while improving people\u2019s access to the outdoors. This is exactly the kind of forward-thinking support rural America needs right now.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/12/18/bennet-hickenlooper-cassidy-pass-bipartisan-legislation-to-support-u-s-diplomacy-in-the-western-hemisphere/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper, Cassidy Pass Bipartisan Legislation to Support U.S. Diplomacy in the Western Hemisphere", "2024-12-18", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper alongside U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) celebrated the final passage of their Summit of the Americas Act to strengthen U.S. diplomatic leadership in the Western Hemisphere. The Summit of the Americas convenes heads of state to bolster ties and promote regional partnerships, mostly recently in Los Angeles in 2022.\n\n\u201cColoradans understand that the Americas share more than a hemisphere; we share a braided culture, an economy, and a common destiny that we must write together,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cBy passing this legislation, Congress has committed the United States to continue deepening these relationships by institutionalizing such summits at least every four years.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Summit of the Americas provides us and our democratic partners in the Western Hemisphere a unique forum to tackle the world\u2019s largest issues and deepen our economic ties,\u201d said Hickenlooper.\n\n\u201cThe Summit of the Americas is key to building a stronger, more prosperous hemisphere,\u201d said Cassidy. \u201cThe Senate reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening ties and promoting economic growth across the Western Hemisphere.\u201d\n\nThe Summit of the Americas Act directs the Secretary of State to support the Summit of the Americas and codify the existing State Department unit to ensure implementation of Summit commitments and work with other U.S. agencies to ensure continued U.S. participation. The bill also expresses support for the Cities Summit of the Americas \u2013 of which Denver hosted the inaugural summit in 2023 \u2013 to continue as a key element of the larger Summit.\n\nIn 1994, President Bill Clinton convened the first Summit of the Americas in Miami to promote prosperity and enhance democracy throughout the Americas. Succeeding summits have elevated these and other issues like climate change and immigration.\n\nIn 2021 Bennet supported Colorado\u2019s bid to host the 2022 Summit of the Americas, which took place in Los Angeles. Bennet and Hickenlooper led the effort to support Colorado\u2019s bid to host the Summit of the Americas and Bennet spoke at the first-ever Cities Summit of the Americas in Denver in 2023.\n\nBennet and Cassidy are also the lead sponsors of the Americas Act, a bipartisan and bicameral bill to drive shared economic prosperity, strengthen democracy in our hemisphere, counter the influence of China and Russia, and address some of the causes of migration. The Financial Times Editorial Board, former U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Commander General Laura Richardson, Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader, Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle, and Costa Rican Trade Minister Manuel Tovar have all endorsed the bill.\n\nU.S. Representatives Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Ill.), Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), and Mar\u00eda Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) introduced and passed bipartisan companion legislation to the Summit of the Americas Act in the House.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/12/18/bennet-secures-bipartisan-wins-for-colorado-military-bases-military-family-health-care-and-personnel-pay/", "Bennet Secures Bipartisan Wins for Colorado Military Bases, Military Family Health Care, and Personnel Pay", "2024-12-18", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Bennet Priorities Passed in the National Defense Authorization Act Authorizes $270 Million for Colorado\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet celebrated the passage of major investments in Colorado military bases, protections for children\u2019s hospitals serving military families, and pay increases for military personnel in the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). Bennet helped secure over $270 million for Colorado including funding for Colorado Space Force installations and investments in U.S. space and defense capabilities.\n\nThis year\u2019s NDAA also includes language requiring the Department of Defense (DoD) to brief Congress on the effects of a recent Defense Health Agency (DHA) rule change decreasing TRICARE reimbursement rates for children\u2019s hospitals by 40 percent. This requirement follows Bennet\u2019s push for the DoD to reverse the rule and advocate for hospitals serving military family communities such as Children\u2019s Hospital Colorado.\n\nBennet priorities passed in the FY25 NDAA include:\n\nBuckley Power Independence Project \u2013 $68 million in military construction for Buckley Space Force Base\u2019s power resiliency project which will support all of Colorado\u2019s Space Force installations.\n\nTRICARE Children\u2019s Hospitals Reimbursements Briefing \u2013 The DoD is now required to brief the Senate and House Armed Services Committees on the effects of a recent DHA rule change decreasing TRICARE reimbursements to children\u2019s hospitals by 40%. The DoD must also provide a military contingency payment adjustments plan for assisting affected children\u2019s hospitals.\n\nMilitary Personnel Pay Increase \u2013 Junior enlisted service members (E-1 to E-4) will receive a 14.5% pay raise. All other service members will receive a 4.5% basic pay increase.\n\nColorado Defense and Aerospace Industry Investments \u2013 $216.1 million for research, development, and deployment of national defense and aerospace technology. This funding will improve U.S. military readiness and capabilities in the space domain.\n\nRip and Replace Funding \u2013 $3.08 billion for cellular companies to remove and replace sensitive telecommunications equipment. This funding will allow providers to fulfill the requirements set out in the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019. Over 120 companies faced shortfalls that jeopardized cellular coverage for Americans across the country, including in Colorado.\n\nContraception Coverage Parity Under the TRICARE Program \u2013 This legislation provides coverage parity and eliminates copays for contraceptives for eligible TRICARE beneficiaries acquired through retail pharmacies and the national mail-order pharmacy.\n\nCoordinating AUKUS Engagement with Japan \u2013 This amendment requires the DoD and State Department to evaluate Japan\u2019s export control systems and engage relevant Japanese stakeholders on AUKUS-relevant issues. The DoD is required to brief Congress on those discussions and potential technical cooperation with Japan on Pillar II of AUKUS, which focuses on jointly developing advanced capabilities between Australia, the UK, and the U.S.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/12/17/bennet-and-crow-reintroduce-bill-to-support-law-enforcement-and-improve-mental-health-crisis-response/", "Bennet and Crow Reintroduce Bill to Support Law Enforcement and Improve Mental Health Crisis Response", "2024-12-17", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and U.S. Representative Jason Crow reintroduced the Supporting Mental Assistance Responder Teams Community Policing Act or SMART Community Policing Act to dedicate funding for collaborative partnerships between law enforcement and local responders. The legislation would allow health professionals, case managers, and outreach teams to engage people experiencing crises related to mental health, poverty, homelessness, or substance use disorders and to de-escalate challenging situations. Studies confirm that community policing produces better outcomes for public safety while saving limited resources.\n\n\u201cColorado has proven that community policing improves public safety and saves tax dollars by meeting mental health and drug-related emergencies with resource-based responses,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cLaw enforcement should focus on violent crime while trained health and social service professionals de-escalate emergencies and connect individuals with services they need. This legislation draws on Colorado\u2019s leadership and expands the successes of community policing nationwide.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe\u2019ve seen community policing work in Colorado, and I\u2019m glad to partner with Senator Bennet to bring this public safety model to the rest of the nation,\u201d said Crow. \u201cOur bill will help ensure law enforcement has the resources to protect our communities and connect people in need with local mental health and other life-saving services.\u201d\n\nThe SMART Community Policing Act would create or expand programs that:\n\nPair a mental health clinician with a paramedic or emergency medical technician (EMT) to respond to certain low-risk calls to the 911 system;\n\nTrain crisis workers to respond to calls for service and help stabilize encounters;\n\nProvide mental health services for persons, including those in crisis who may need further evaluation and treatment;\n\nStabilize encounters between law enforcement officers and people experiencing a mental or behavioral health crisis and connect them with appropriate support programs;\n\nBuild case management and outreach teams to follow up with people to develop specific solutions to reduce repeat interactions with emergency services.\n\nThe legislation is based on Denver\u2019s STAR Program and Grand Junction\u2019s Co-Responder Program. Denver\u2019s STAR Program has responded to almost 7,500 calls for service that would have otherwise required police to respond. Grand Junction\u2019s Co-Responder Unit has responded to over 3,200 crisis calls.\n\n\u201cBy combining the skills of highly trained Police Officers with mental health clinicians we are able to provide a safer environment to address the needs of an individual experiencing a mental health crisis,\u201d said Matt Smith, Chief of Police, Grand Junction Police Department. \u201cThis collaborative effort allows many individuals to get resources at home or the most appropriate treatment facility for their individual needs.\u201d\n\n\u201cSMART delivers a continuum of care from crisis response through stabilization, with the ultimate goal of safe return to the community,\u201d Jaime FitzSimons, Sheriff, Summit County Sheriff\u2019s Office. \u201cSMART\u2019s response offers broader benefits too, such as de-escalating situations that might have otherwise led to arrests or hospitalizations and achieving significant cost savings through community stabilization. The program has been nothing short of a miracle, in its effectiveness in improving public safety and providing appropriate care while reducing strain on law enforcement. I applaud and appreciate Senator Michael Bennet\u2019s leadership in proposing legislation to expand such initiatives nationwide, recognizing them as essential for the future of community policing.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe co-responder program in Eagle County is addressing mental health crises with trained mental health clinicians, community paramedics and when needed by law enforcement officers,\u201d said Ryan Kenney, Police Chief, Vail Police Department. \u201c The program has drastically reduced emergency room visits and worked to keep patients in their homes while getting the services they need. Someone experiencing a mental health crisis needs the support and expertise of professionals who are trained to recognize and respond to their specific symptoms. The co-responder program in Eagle County has limited law enforcement\u2019s role in these incidents and allowed law enforcement to dedicate their time to public safety. The work Senator Bennet is doing ensures that co-responder programs like the one in Eagle County have the support they need to continue to provide these critical services.\u201d\n\nThe text of the bill is available HERE. A summary of the bill is available HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/12/17/bennet-hickenlooper-urge-tricare-and-childrens-hospital-colorado-to-fulfill-their-duty-to-military-families/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper, Crow, Lamborn Urge TRICARE and Children\u2019s Hospital Colorado to Fulfill their Duty to Military Families", "2024-12-17", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper alongside U.S. Representatives Jason Crow and Doug Lamborn released the following statement regarding the decision by Children\u2019s Hospital Colorado (CHCO) to go out-of-network for patients on TRICARE, the health care program for military service members and their families:\n\n\u201cMilitary families across the West rely on Children\u2019s Hospital Colorado \u2013 especially those with very ill or medically fragile children. Service members\u2019 children deserve the best medical care available, and the possibility that Children\u2019s Hospital Colorado would be out-of-network for TRICARE users on January 1st is unacceptable. We call on TRICARE and CHCO to come to the table, ensure fair reimbursement rates, and fulfill their duty to military families to provide access to the health care they need.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/12/17/bennet-introduces-bipartisan-bill-to-hold-insurance-companies-accountable-for-surprise-medical-billing/", "Bennet Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Hold Insurance Companies Accountable for Surprise Medical Billing", "2024-12-17", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) introduced the No Surprises Act Enforcement Act. This bill reinforces the No Surprises Act, which protects patients against surprise medical bills when they receive unanticipated out-of-network health care and helps ensure that the law is working as intended.\n\n\u201cFor too long, surprise medical billing left Coloradans on the hook for outrageous and unexpected costs after a hospital visit. That\u2019s why I introduced bipartisan legislation in 2019 to ban this harmful practice, and I was glad to see the No Surprises Act signed into law,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cThis legislation is a necessary next step to make sure health care providers and insurance companies are both upholding their responsibilities to patients under that law.\u201d\n\n\u201cSurprise medical bills can have devastating economic impacts on families\u2019 bottom lines. The idea that health insurers are breaking the law and unfairly punishing patients and providers is beyond the pale. Our legislation ensures that out-of-network medical bills are resolved promptly and fairly, with enhanced penalties for any failure by the health insurers to do so. We are fighting for patients, who often feel helpless battling the insurers and the health care industry. Let\u2019s level the playing field and put patients\u2019 care and positive outcomes above unfair payment practices,\u201d said Marshall.\n\nThe No Surprises Act was signed into law in 2020 to instill key patient protections while ensuring a balanced resolution process for disputes between insurers and providers when a patient received unanticipated out-of-network care. Under the law, patients cannot receive \u201csurprise\u201d medical bills when there is a dispute between the doctor and the insurer on the price of that care. However, the intent of the law is not being carried out and this bill creates additional guarantees that all parties are treated fairly.\n\nThis legislation reinforces the No Surprises Act by:\n\nClosing enforcement gaps through increased penalties for non-compliance of statutory payment deadlines;\n\nProviding parity between penalties imposed against parties who are not compliant with the law; and\n\nIncreasing transparency in reporting requirements.\n\nIn 2019, Bennet first introduced bipartisan legislation to protect patients from surprise medical bills.\n\nU.S. Representatives Greg Murphy (R-N.C.) Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.), John Joyce (R-Pa.), Kim Schrier (D-Wash.), and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) introduced companion legislation in the House.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/12/16/bennet-hickenlooper-welcome-11-7-million-from-bipartisan-infrastructure-law-for-fort-collins-city-vehicles-electrification/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper Welcome $11.7 Million from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for Fort Collins City Vehicles\u2019 Electrification", "2024-12-16", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper welcomed more than $11.7 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to accelerate the electrification of Fort Collins city vehicles. This funding was awarded through DOT\u2019s Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) program, which was created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The senators sent a letter to DOT supporting Fort Collins\u2019 application for this funding in August.\n\n\u201cThe Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is the largest investment in America\u2019s roads, bridges, and local infrastructure since President Eisenhower,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cThis funding will help Fort Collins achieve its emissions reduction goals by the end of the decade, fuel our state\u2019s transition to a clean energy economy, and reduce pollution for Northern Colorado.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investment will supercharge Fort Collins\u2019 EV charging infrastructure,\u201d said Hickenlooper. \u201cMore reliable charging. Lower costs. Less emissions. That\u2019s our BIL at work!\u201d\n\n\u201cColorado and our local communities are leading the nation when it comes to putting electric vehicles on the road. And today\u2019s investment, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is propelling this progress forward,\u201d said U.S. Representative Joe Neguse.\n\n\u201cThe City of Fort Collins is very appreciative of our congressional delegation for securing money to help us transition to our clean energy future,\u201d said Jeni Arndt, Mayor, City of Fort Collins.\n\nThe SMART grant program was created to help state and local governments develop and implement advanced technologies to improve the efficiency and safety of transportation infrastructure across the country. Fort Collins will use this investment to deploy electric vehicle charging infrastructure throughout the City, which will help create a more reliable and affordable electrical grid, and reduce emissions and operating costs.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/12/11/bennet-lummis-bill-to-reduce-salinity-of-the-colorado-river-heads-to-the-presidents-desk/", "Bennet, Lummis Bill to Reduce Salinity of the Colorado River Heads to the President\u2019s Desk", "2024-12-11", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Senate and House Unanimously Pass Colorado River Salinity Control Fix Act\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) celebrated Senate and House passage of the Colorado River Salinity Control Fix Act. Their bipartisan legislation, introduced in the House by U.S. Representative John Curtis (R-Utah) and passed by voice vote last week, will provide greater support for Colorado River Basin water users and local governments working to reduce the salt load in the Colorado River. The bill now heads to the President\u2019s desk.\n\n\u201cThe Colorado River is a precious resource for communities in Colorado and the industries that drive our economy. As our population grows and as we face a hotter and drier future, the federal government needs to step up and support state and local leaders to better protect our water supply,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cI\u2019m glad we were able to pass this bill that will support ongoing efforts to keep water from the Colorado River safe for communities, farmers and ranchers, and water users throughout the entire Basin.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Colorado River is a major source of water for Wyoming residents and businesses, and reducing its salinity is key to ensuring Wyoming continues to have access to clean and usable water,\u201d said Lummis. \u201cI am thrilled the Senate and House passed the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Fix Act to help implement important infrastructure projects on the river to reduce salt levels.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Colorado River is the lifeblood of the West, and its health is crucial for our communities, our economy, and our environment,\u201d said Curtis. \u201cThe Colorado River Salinity Control Fix Act builds on decades of collaborative efforts to reduce salinity levels, which have greatly improved water quality across the Basin. I\u2019m grateful for the bipartisan support for this legislation and for the dedicated work of my colleagues, including Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Michael Bennet (D-CO), the seven Basin states, and all the partners who have contributed to this important step forward for water users across the West.\u201d\n\nNearly 40 million people across seven states and over 30 Tribes rely on water from the Colorado River. However, naturally occurring salinity affects our ability to harness this water source for agricultural, municipal, and industrial water users. High salinity levels can reduce crop yields, limit crop growth, kill trees, and make land unsuitable for agriculture.\n\nThe Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act of 1974 authorized and supported salinity control projects and research across the American West, including through the Bureau of Reclamation\u2019s Basin States Program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s Natural Resources Conservation Service Environmental Quality Incentives Program. These programs provide assistance to farmers, ranchers, and water users who utilize salinity control measures. The Colorado River Salinity Control Fix Act would increase the federal cost-share for these salinity control programs across the Colorado River Basin.\n\n\u201cOver the years the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program has been successful in reducing the damages to water users caused by the high level of salts, most of which come from federally administered lands, in the Colorado River. However, damages still exceed $350 million annually. The Program is funded through appropriations and a cost-share which comes from a mill levy on power sales from federal projects within the Colorado River Basin. However, in recent years, due to prolonged drought and increased costs, the power revenues have been insufficient to provide the needed cost-share dollars. The proposed legislation, which is supported by all seven Colorado River Basin States, adjusts the cost-share percentages on portions of the Program to bring the cost-share in balance with Program needs,\u201d said Don Barnett, Executive Director of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum.\n\n\u201cColorado recognizes the importance of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program to our water users and the entire state, and supports this effort to address the imbalance between funding and cost share requirements, which is needed to sustain this important Program,\u201d said Becky Mitchell, Colorado Commissioner to the Upper Colorado River Commission and Vice-Chair of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum.\n\n\u201cAs a headwaters state, Colorado has always been a strong supporter of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program. This Program helps Colorado and its water users stay in compliance with Clean Water Act requirements,\u201d said David Robbins, Colorado member of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum. \u201cThe proposed Colorado River Salinity Fix Act fixes the present imbalance between Program funding and cost share requirements, and will allow Colorado and the other Basin States to continue to maintain compliance with water quality standards.\u201d\n\nIn addition to Bennet and Lummis, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) also sponsored this legislation.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/12/10/bennet-hickenlooper-celebrate-passage-of-legislation-to-help-clean-up-abandoned-mines-in-colorado/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper Celebrate Passage of Legislation to Help Clean Up Abandoned Mines in Colorado", "2024-12-10", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "After Passing Senate and House, Bipartisan Legislation Heads to President\u2019s Desk\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper applauded House passage of their Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act. This legislation, which would make it easier for \u2018Good Samaritans\u2019 such as state agencies, local governments, and nonprofits, and other groups, to clean up abandoned hardrock mines, passed the Senate unanimously in July and it now heads to the President\u2019s desk.\n\n\u201cThousands of abandoned mines pollute our ecosystems and threaten our watersheds in Colorado and across the West,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cThis bill will make it easier for our state, local governments, and nonprofits to clean up these mines, reduce pollution, and improve water quality. It\u2019s common sense for Coloradans, and I look forward to President Biden signing it into law.\u201d\n\n\u201cTens of thousands of abandoned mines across Colorado and the West are releasing acid and heavy metals into our water,\u201d said Hickenlooper. \u201cGood faith actors are ready to help clean up these mines. All we have to do is cut the red tape and let them.\u201d\n\nAcross the United States, thousands of abandoned hardrock mines pose environmental hazards to surrounding communities, environments, and watersheds. Organizations that have no legal or financial responsibility to an abandoned mine want to volunteer to remediate some of these sites. Unfortunately, liability rules would leave these \u2018Good Samaritans\u2019 legally responsible for all the pre-existing pollution from a mine, even though they had no involvement with the mine prior to cleaning it up.\n\nThe Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act creates a pilot permitting program to enable not-for-profit cleanup efforts to move forward, while ensuring Good Samaritans have the skills and resources to comply with federal oversight. This pilot program is designed for lower risk projects that will improve water and soil quality or otherwise protect human health.\n\n\u201cColorado voices have long called for legislation to empower Good Samaritans to conduct mine remediation projects, and with more than 23,000 abandoned mines statewide, the significance for our waters is clear. We look forward to seeing one or more pilot projects under this bill take place here in Colorado, so that we and our partners can finally roll up our sleeves and get to work improving water quality. Colorado\u2019s U.S. Senators have been leaders on Good Samaritan legislation for decades, and we thank Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper for all their hard work and dedication in bringing this commonsense legislation to fruition,\u201d said David Nickum, Executive Director, Colorado Trout Unlimited.\n\n\u201cAs a founding member of the Willow Creek Reclamation Committee in the late 1999 near Creede, Colorado, I worked on the first version of Good Samaritan legislation introduced in 2004. Today\u2019s passage is the culmination of a long-time effort to remove the roadblocks for grassroots watershed groups to take action in cost-effective ways to remove contamination from historic mining in the Mountain West. Thank you to Senator Bennet for his efforts to get this across the finish line,\u201d Zeke Ward, Commissioner-elect, Mineral County.\n\n\u201cMineral County is pleased to hear that the Good Samaritan legislation has passed and we are hopeful the President will sign it soon. We express our gratitude to the courageous hard work of those in Congress that brought it about. Our County has been fortunate to have a Stakeholder Group actively engaged in cleanup of the Willow Creek Watershed since 1999. It is our sincere hope the Pilot Projects this legislation permits will demonstrate the viability of getting more done to improve environmental conditions utilizing the volunteers we are calling Good Samaritans,\u201d said Scott Lamb, Chair of the Board of County Commissioners, Mineral County.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/12/05/bennet-hickenlooper-applaud-lake-nighthorse-agreement-between-bureau-of-reclamation-and-ute-mountain-ute-tribe/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper Applaud Lake Nighthorse Agreement Between Bureau of Reclamation and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe", "2024-12-05", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper applauded the announcement that the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) signed a contract with the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe that will help them benefit from the water they have long held rights to in the Animas-La Plata project\u2019s Lake Nighthorse.\n\n\u201cFor over a decade, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Bureau of Reclamation worked hard to come to an agreement for the Animas-La Plata Project that would protect the Tribe\u2019s long term interests and ensure it could benefit from federal drought funding,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cI was grateful to have visited Towoac in October and to have successfully encouraged Commissioner Touton to travel there, as well, so she could hear from Chairman Heart directly. Today\u2019s contract signing represents important progress for the effective management of the Colorado River that the Tribe and Coloradans across our state rely on.\u201d\n\n\u201cNo one has been denied use of their own water more than Tribes have. Today\u2019s agreement is an important step towards the Ute Mountain Ute finally benefitting from their water rights,\u201d said Hickenlooper. \u201cWe\u2019re grateful Reclamation heard us out and worked with the Ute Mountain Ute to reach an agreement.\u201d\n\n\u201cSigning this agreement is an historic moment for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. This agreement is like no other and is the culmination of over a decade of hard work on the part of both the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Bureau of Reclamation. With the signing of this agreement, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe is one step closer to finally unlocking its A-LP water,\u201d said Manual Heart, Chairman, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.\n\nIn October, Bennet visited the Ute Mountain Ute Farm and Ranch Operation in Towoac with USBR Commissioner Camille Touton. During this visit, Bennet heard about the challenges the Tribe faces due to long-term drought in the Colorado River Basin. The Ute Mountain Ute are currently unable to access or use water from Lake Nighthorse due to a lack of infrastructure, and would face high operations and maintenance charges if they were to enter agreements regarding use \u2013 or forbearance of use \u2013 of their water.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/12/05/bennet-hickenlooper-celebrate-61-million-for-aging-water-infrastructure-increase-drought-resilience-in-colorado/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper Celebrate $61 Million for Aging Water Infrastructure, Increase Drought Resilience in Colorado", "2024-12-05", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper celebrated the U.S. Department of Interior\u2019s (DOI) announcement of over $61 million for six Colorado projects to update aging water infrastructure, increase drought resilience, and improve hydropower generation. This investment is provided through the DOI\u2019s Aging Infrastructure Account, which received over $3 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.\n\n\u201cAs Colorado and the West face historic drought, we must safeguard clean water for future generations,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cThese Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments will revitalize aging water delivery systems across the West and help ensure Colorado\u2019s families, farmers, and Tribes have access to a safe, reliable water supply.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur water is too precious to waste even a drop on outdated infrastructure meant to deliver and conserve our water supplies,\u201d said Hickenlooper. \u201cOur BIL is fixing that. These updates will help save water and make us more resilient to drought.\u201d\n\nBennet and Hickenlooper fought to include $8 billion for western water infrastructure, $10 billion for forests, $19 billion for agricultural conservation, and $4 billion for drought in the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.\n\nA full list of projects in Colorado is below.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/12/05/bennet-hickenlooper-cheer-77-million-from-chips-science-act-to-make-colorado-a-microchip-manufacturing-hub/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper Cheer $77 Million from CHIPS & Science Act to Make Colorado a Microchip Manufacturing Hub", "2024-12-05", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Significant Federal Investment Will Help Colorado Springs-based Entegris Create Hundreds of Jobs & Strengthen Colorado\u2019s High-Tech Manufacturing Economy\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper welcomed the U.S. Department of Commerce\u2019s announcement of a final agreement on a $77 million investment from the CHIPS and Science Act. This investment will help Entegris expand its advanced technology manufacturing facility in Colorado Springs and create approximately 900 jobs.\n\n\u201cThanks to the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, we\u2019re bringing the semiconductor industry back to America \u2013 and more economic opportunity to Colorado,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cThis historic funding for Entegris will create good-paying jobs and help our state continue to lead the way in advanced manufacturing.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe need to win the race with China to shape the future of technology and who benefits,\u201d said Hickenlooper. \u201cOur CHIPS and Science Act is helping us catch up with semiconductor manufacturing right here in Colorado with companies like Entegris.\u201d\n\nEntegris is a leading supplier for the semiconductor industry. This investment will help onshore critical semiconductor supply chain and manufacturing equipment materials for leading-edge chip production and support Entegris\u2019 construction of its state-of-the-art manufacturing center in Colorado Springs. The manufacturing center, which is targeted to begin initial commercial operations in 2025, will initially support production of highly specialized containers that secure semiconductor wafers.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/12/04/bennet-cramer-crow-rogers-bipartisan-and-bicameral-colleagues-introduce-resolution-to-commemorate-5th-anniversary-of-space-force/", "Bennet, Cramer, Crow, Rogers, Bipartisan and Bicameral Colleagues Introduce Resolution to Commemorate 5th Anniversary of Space Force", "2024-12-04", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and U.S. Representatives Jason Crow (D-Colo.) and Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) joined 17 bipartisan colleagues in the House and Senate to introduce a resolution honoring the 5th anniversary of the United States Space Force. The resolution recognizes space as a critical military domain, celebrates the essential role the U.S. Space Force and its service members play in our national security, and urges continued development and modernization of its capabilities.\n\n\u201cThe United States Space Force plays a critical role in maintaining and advancing the United States\u2019 military readiness, superiority, and technological dominance in space,\u201d wrote the lawmakers. \u201cThe 5th anniversary of the United States Space Force is an occasion to honor the contributions of its personnel and recognize the installations that support its vital mission. \u201d\n\nThe U.S. Space Force was established on December 20, 2019, and created the first new branch of the U.S. armed services in 73 years. Superiority in the space domain is critical to protecting U.S. satellite operations and national security amidst growing threats from near-peer competitors such as China and Russia. Space Force\u2019s establishment centralized, expanded, and advanced space operations previously operated by the U.S. Air Force. Space Force operations include 36 bases and installations across 18 states and territories with approximately 14,000 active military and civilian personnel.\n\nThe text of the resolution is available HERE and below.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/12/04/bennet-relaunches-senate-website-with-interactive-federal-investments-map/", "Bennet Relaunches Senate Website with Interactive Federal Investments Map", "2024-12-04", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Website Redesign Includes Updated Legislation, Newsletter, Constituent Services, and Spanish Pages\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet launched a redesigned Senate website for Coloradans to more easily contact his office, share their opinions, and stay informed on federal investments in the state. Constituents visiting the site can receive assistance from federal agencies, request federal grant funding, and find the latest news from the Senator\u2019s office. Bennet\u2019s new website includes an interactive map, the first for Colorado. It shows that he secured over $10.5 billion in federal investments for Colorado from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, American Rescue Plan, and Congressional Directed Spending.\n\n\u201cColoradans should be able to reach my office and see the work we\u2019re doing for their communities in just a few clicks,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cMy updated website makes it easy to see how Colorado is represented in Washington and celebrates the generational investments we have made in our infrastructure, economy, and clean energy future.\u201d\n\nBennet\u2019s Senate website also offers student resources and detailed pages on major legislation such as the CORE Act and Child Tax Credit expansion.\n\nThe interactive map of Colorado investments can be found HERE. Visit bennet.senate.gov to see more.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/12/04/bennet-warren-khanna-jayapal-introduce-bill-to-provide-data-on-socioeconomic-effects-of-legislation/", "Bennet, Warren, Khanna, Jayapal Introduce Bill to Provide Data on Socioeconomic Effects of Legislation", "2024-12-04", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Bill Would Allow Legislators to More Effectively Address Racial and Economic Inequality\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), alongside U.S. Representatives Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), reintroduced the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Fiscal Analysis by Income and Race (FAIR) Scoring Act. This legislation seeks to provide policymakers with standardized data about the effects of their policies across race and income groups.\n\n\u201cOur country suffers from enormous income and wealth inequality, and too often legislation fails to account for how policy changes affect all Americans. Our FAIR Scoring Act will ensure there is objective, non-partisan information on how the effects of legislation will be distributed by income and race to better inform lawmakers and the American people,\u201d said Bennet.\n\n\u201cWe must do more to close the wealth gap in America that continues to widen across race and income,\u201d said Warren. \u201cThis bill is a first step towards that end by providing lawmakers with the data they need to make informed decisions to advance racial and economic justice in future legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs wealth inequality becomes one of the greatest challenges facing the US today, I am proud to partner with Sen. Warren (D-MA) on the FAIR Scoring Act. Our bill standardizes the legislative scoring system and ensures that legislators consider a bill\u2019s impact on various socioeconomic groups. It is an important step to promoting strong, equitable, growth in the 21st century economy,\u201d said Khanna.\n\n\u201cWhen legislation is proposed, it is critical that we know all of the impacts of it, including on people who have been disadvantaged as a result of years of damaging policies,\u201d said Jayapal. \u201cWhile the CBO currently scores the financial impacts, that leaves major question marks around what communities are affected. I\u2019m proud to co-lead this legislation that will help to ensure racial, gender, and economic justice is considered in introduced bills before they become law.\u201d\n\nThe CBO is required by law to produce a formal cost estimate for nearly every bill that is approved by a full committee in the House or Senate describing how the legislation would affect major components of the federal budget over a 10-year window. While these cost estimates provide insight into the fiscal impact of proposed legislation, policymakers have limited information about the distributional effects of bills across racial and income groups.\n\nThe CBO FAIR Scoring Act would:\n\nRequire the CBO to estimate the distributional impacts by race and income for bills that have a gross budgetary effect of at least 0.1% of GDP in any fiscal year within the 10-year budget window;\n\nRequire the CBO to provide such scores to relevant congressional committees before the bills are reported to the floor, to the extent possible;\n\nRequire the CBO to prepare a report describing possible methods for conducting distributional analyses by gender to strengthen CBO\u2019s capacity to conduct analyses of the interaction between race and gender.\n\nBennet, Warren, and Khanna previously introduced the CBO FAIR Scoring Act in 2021.\n\nThis legislation is endorsed by: The Washington Center for Equitable Growth, Our Revolution, Indivisible, and Coalition on Human Needs.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/11/08/bennet-hickenlooper-welcome-7-5-million-from-inflation-reduction-act-for-ute-mountain-ute-tribe-clean-water-infrastructure/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper Welcome $7.5 Million from Inflation Reduction Act for Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Clean Water Infrastructure", "2024-11-08", "2024", "2024-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper welcomed $7.5 million from the Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) to expand clean drinking water access for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. The funding, made possible in part through the Inflation Reduction Act, will help the Tribe plan and complete 18 miles of a 22-mile waterline to connect Cortez and Towaoc and deliver clean water to the community. Two weeks ago, the senators urged USBR to explore new opportunities for Colorado\u2019s Tribes to access federal funding for drought and water supply management.\n\n\u201cWhen the federal government established reservations for Native American Tribes, it promised a permanent and livable homeland for those it had displaced from their ancestral lands. At a time when our country\u2019s Tribes still lack reliable access to clean and safe water in the 21st century, that promise clearly has been denied and critical tribal water infrastructure like this pipeline should be a priority for the federal government,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cThis funding is an important step forward to ensure more members of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe can continue to access clean water, and I\u2019m grateful to the Biden/Harris administration for working to fulfill our nation\u2019s promises.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur tribal communities have long lacked adequate resources to reliably access clean drinking water,\u201d said Hickenlooper. \u201cThanks to our Inflation Reduction Act, we\u2019re changing that. This $7.5 million will connect Cortez and Towaoc to deliver clean drinking water and create good-paying jobs for the Ute Mountain Ute.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Ute Mountain Ute Tribe considers water and its watersheds as a sacred and vital element to life. Stewardship of the environment allows life to flourish and is an obligation of our tribe and people. This grant is a crucial step in finishing the project that we\u2019ve been working on for over 14 years to make sure everyone in our community has access to drinking water,\u201d said Manuel Heart, Chairman, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:02:12Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/10/29/bennet-hickenlooper-bipartisan-colleagues-push-for-more-temporary-work-visas-to-help-small-businesses-in-colorado/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper, Bipartisan Colleagues Push for More Temporary Work Visas to Help Small Businesses in Colorado", "2024-10-29", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper joined U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), alongside 37 of their bipartisan colleagues, to urge the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to release the maximum allowable number of additional temporary, non-agricultural (H-2B) visas for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 to support local economies and fill needed roles for American small businesses.\n\n\u201cMany employers turn to the H-2B program to meet their workforce needs to not only sustain their businesses, but also support their American workers,\u201d wrote Bennet, Hickenlooper, and the senators. \u201cThe H-2B program places requirements on employers to recruit U.S. workers, who are intentionally prioritized by the program and also receive demonstrated, positive impacts from their seasonal colleagues. In fact, a 2020 Government Accountability Office report concluded that \u2018counties with H-2B employers generally had lower unemployment rates and higher average weekly wages than counties that do not have any H-2B employers.\u201d\n\nIn Colorado, more than 8,400 temporary H-2B visas were requested by over 250 employers in Fiscal Year 2021 \u2013 reflecting a strong demand for H-2B workers in the state. In the letter, the senators highlight recent data from DOL\u2019s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Surveys illustrating the workforce struggles of seasonal businesses nationwide. The rate of job openings have increased annually for top five H-2B occupations. Landscaping, hospitality, and the ski industry \u2013 all key to Colorado\u2019s economy \u2013 are among the industries with the highest share of certified H-2B workers.\n\n\u201cAs you know, the FY 2025 H-2B first half fiscal year cap was met on September 18, 2024\u2014roughly three weeks earlier than the cap was met in FY 2024. The result is that seasonal employers whose peak seasons are in late fall and winter are capped out before their period of seasonal need begins. Absent cap relief, these employers will be unable to receive temporary, U.S. government-vetted guest workers,\u201d continued the senators.\n\nIn addition to Bennet, Hickenlooper, King, and Rounds, U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chris Coons (D-Del.), John Cornyn (R-Teas.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Fetterman (D-Penn.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), George Helmy (D-N.J.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Joe Manchin (I-W.V.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), John Thune (R-S.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) also signed the letter.\n\nBennet and Hickenlooper have previously pushed DHS and DOL to increase the availability of H-2B visas and worked to ensure that the visa program is efficient and effective. In 2022, they welcomed an additional 35,000 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas.\n\nThe text of the letter is available HERE and below.\n\nDear Secretaries Mayorkas and Su:\n\nWe write on behalf of seasonal businesses in our states\u2014including employers of housekeepers in tourist destinations, landscapers with defined seasons, seafood processors with short harvesting windows, and fairs and carnivals\u2014who are struggling to hire a sufficient number of temporary, seasonal laborers to support their operations.\n\nIn light of these labor shortages, we strongly urge the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of Labor (DOL), to utilize the authority provided by Congress in the FY2025 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act to release the maximum allowable number of additional H-2B visas for Fiscal Year 2025, as you did for Fiscal Year 2024. These visas will help employers handle their labor challenges, and provide additional certainty regarding their workforce planning decisions in the coming months. We urge you to promptly publish a temporary rule implementing the release of these supplemental visas.\n\nMany employers turn to the H-2B program to meet their workforce needs to not only sustain their businesses, but also support their American workers. The H-2B program places requirements on employers to recruit U.S. workers, who are intentionally prioritized by the program and also receive demonstrated, positive impacts from their seasonal colleagues. In fact, a 2020 Government Accountability Office report concluded that \u201ccounties with H-2B employers generally had lower unemployment rates and higher average weekly wages than counties that do not have any H-2B employers.\u201d\n\nThe most current employment data illustrates the workforce struggles of seasonal businesses nationwide. The Department of Labor\u2019s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Surveys (JOLTS) show the rate of job openings have increased year over year for the industries that represent the top five H-2B occupations. As you know, the FY 2025 H-2B first half fiscal year cap was met on September 18, 2024\u2014roughly three weeks earlier than the cap was met in FY 2024. The result is that seasonal employers whose peak seasons are in late fall and winter are capped out before their period of seasonal need begins. Absent cap relief, these employers will be unable to receive temporary, U.S. government-vetted guest workers.\n\nCongress has acknowledged this seasonal labor shortage by providing DHS with the authority to lift the H-2B visa cap for each of the past eight fiscal years. Given the growing demand for H-2B workers as employers continue to struggle with staffing shortages, we encourage you to promptly promulgate a temporary final rule for FY 2025 along the same lines as the FY 2024 rule.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/10/29/bennet-hickenlooper-colleagues-urge-federal-court-to-protect-access-to-emergency-abortions/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper, Colleagues Urge Federal Court to Protect Access to Emergency Abortions", "2024-10-29", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, alongside 258 members of Congress, submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit calling on the court to require Medicare-funded hospitals to provide life-saving care that may include abortion care. The court is considering Moyle v. United States and Idaho v. United States which concern the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), a federal law that requires hospitals that receive Medicare funding to provide necessary \u201cstabilizing treatment\u201d to patients experiencing medical emergencies, which can include abortion care.\n\n\u201c\u201c[T]he 99th Congress passed EMTALA to ensure that every person who visits a Medicare-funded hospital with an \u2018emergency medical condition\u2019 is offered stabilizing treatment,\u201d wrote Bennet, Hickenlooper, and the lawmakers.\n\nAfter the Dobbs v. Jackson decision in 2022, Idaho passed a law making it a felony for a doctor to terminate a patient\u2019s pregnancy unless it is \u201cnecessary\u201d to prevent the patient\u2019s death. The U.S. Department of Justice sued Idaho, arguing that the state\u2019s law is preempted by EMTALA in those circumstances in which abortion may not be necessary to prevent imminent death, but still constitutes the necessary stabilizing treatment for a patient\u2019s emergency medical condition. The district court agreed; however, Idaho appealed that ruling to the Supreme Court.\n\nIn their brief, the lawmakers ask the Ninth Circuit to uphold the district court\u2019s ruling. They argue that the congressional intent, text, and history of EMTALA make clear that covered hospitals must provide abortion care when it\u2019s necessary to stabilize a patient\u2019s emergency medical condition, and that EMTALA preempts Idaho\u2019s abortion ban in emergency situations that present a serious threat to a patient\u2019s health.\n\n\u201cCongress chose broad language for that mandate, requiring hospitals that participate in the Medicare program to provide \u2018such treatment as may be required to stabilize the medical condition.\u2019\u2026 That text\u2014untouched by Congress for the past three decades\u2014makes clear that in situations in which a doctor determines that abortion constitutes the \u2018[n]ecessary stabilizing treatment\u2019 for a pregnant patient, federal law requires the hospital to offer it,\u201d continued the lawmakers.\n\nIn March, Bennet and 257 of his colleagues filed an amicus brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to affirm the district court decision. In June, the Supreme Court sent the case back to the Ninth Circuit Court and reinstated the district court\u2019s injunction.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/10/29/bennet-hickenlooper-neguse-pettersen-polis-welcome-129-million-for-rail-projects-in-colorado/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper, Neguse, Pettersen, Polis Welcome $129 Million for Rail Projects in Colorado", "2024-10-29", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Photos from Press Conference HERE\n\nDenver \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, U.S. Representatives Joe Neguse and Brittany Pettersen, and Governor Jared Polis welcomed over $129.5 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for four Colorado rail projects. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado State University (CSU) Pueblo, San Luis Central Railroad, and OmniTRAX will all receive funding as part of DOT\u2019s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure & Safety Improvements Grant Program, funded in part through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The leaders held a press conference on Tuesday in Westminster, Colorado, to celebrate this announcement.\n\n\u201cColorado\u2019s railways are vital to connect our communities and get resources to markets across the country. That\u2019s why I ensured the U.S. Department of Transportation understood how critical this funding is for our state\u2019s transportation infrastructure,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cI\u2019m glad to have helped secure these investments in our railways\u2019 safety, efficiency, and reliability across the state. \u201d\n\n\u201cFrom freight in the San Luis Valley to passengers on the Front Range and beyond with CSU Pueblo\u2019s research, rail isn\u2019t just a part of our past, it\u2019s a big part of our future, too,\u201d said Hickenlooper. \u201cThat\u2019s the case we made to Secretary Buttigieg for this funding and this is just the start.\u201d\n\n\u201cAfter years of working to secure federal support for the Front Range Passenger Rail Project, I am excited to see the Department of Transportation heed our calls and commit to modernizing Colorado\u2019s passenger rail system\u2014not just for communities along the Front Range but for residents throughout the entire state. This is a once-in-a-generation investment in our passenger rail infrastructure, creating countless new opportunities for communities to connect, grow, and thrive\u2014and we will continue to work together to ensure this momentum leads to lasting benefits for all Coloradans,\u201d said Neguse.\n\n\u201cToday, I am incredibly grateful to see this federal funding coming to Colorado to strengthen our railway systems, enhance safety, and modernize our infrastructure,\u201d said Pettersen. \u201cAfter a train derailment in Boulder injured workers and put our communities at risk, I supported funding to reinforce public safety and restore trust in Colorado\u2019s rail infrastructure. I\u2019m pleased to see these federal dollars coming to our state to help ensure we have safe, reliable infrastructure for generations to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s grant will make freight rail traffic in some of our busiest growing communities safer quickly while providing critical building blocks for Passenger Rail. This major funding will help achieve important priorities like complying with longstanding federal standards and improving the safety of rail crossings, which can be the sites of dangerous incidents. With more than $66 million in federal support from the Biden-Harris administration, the future of Colorado\u2019s rail network is a clear priority for the federal government, as it should be. We thank Senators Hickenlooper and Bennet, Congressman Neguse and Congresswoman Pettersen, and our communities for their support of this important project,\u201d said Polis.\n\nThis funding includes:\n\n$66.4 million for CDOT to modernize Front Range rail. This investment will help CDOT design, install, and test train operation and safety improvements, including Positive Train Control (PTC) and railroad crossings;\n\n$50.5 million for OmniTRAX transportation safety and employment. This investment will help design and construct replacement railroad ties across Omnitrax short lines;\n\n$11.6 million for CSU Pueblo to research renewable energy for rail vehicles. This investment will aid research and development of alternative fuel rail transportation, including safety experiments on the use of CH2/CNG-powered rail cars at the facility; and\n\n$1 million for San Luis Central Railroad to replace wooden ties. This investment will help replace deteriorated cross and switch ties to ensure safety along the SLC corridor.\n\n\u201cSouthern Colorado often represents a hard-working spirit leveraging the opportunity of innovation. This Department of Transportation CRISI grant emboldens that spirit, enabling CSU Pueblo, in partnership with the Southern Colorado Transportation Technology Center (SCITT), to contribute to the future of rail transportation through critical safety research in hydrogen and natural gas technologies. I am particularly proud of how this project will partner with our Engineering program at CSU Pueblo, utilizing the expertise here to create new pathways for our students and local workforce. This grant is more than research \u2013 it\u2019s a valuable investment into Southern Colorado,\u201d said Armando Valdez, President, CSU Pueblo.\n\n\u201cTIES2 will be transformative for the communities served by Great Western Railway of Colorado and the regions served by OmniTRAX railroads in Georgia, Alabama, and Washington state,\u201d said David Arganbright, Senior Vice President, OmniTRAX. \u201cOmniTRAX is proud to call Colorado home, and we are tremendously appreciative of all the work that Sen. Hickenlooper has done in Congress to champion Colorado\u2019s railways and deliver the critical infrastructure investments that strengthen our nation\u2019s supply chains.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/10/28/bennet-celebrates-billions-of-dollars-from-inflation-reduction-act-for-rural-clean-energy-in-colorado/", "Bennet Celebrates Billions of Dollars from Inflation Reduction Act for Rural Clean Energy in Colorado", "2024-10-28", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 On Friday, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet joined U.S. Representatives Yadira Caraveo and Brittany Pettersen, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small, and leaders from Colorado rural electricity cooperatives to welcome more than $2.5 billion in low-cost financing and grants from USDA\u2019s New ERA (Empowering Rural America) program to support Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association\u2019s clean energy transition. Bennet also welcomed the news that two additional Colorado co-ops: Yampa Valley Electric Association and Poudre Valley REA (PVREA) would move forward in the New ERA awards process. Bennet helped secure roughly $13 billion in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to support rural clean energy initiatives through USDA, including the New ERA program.\n\n\u201cWith [the Inflation Reduction Act], we are rapidly deploying clean energy and boosting American manufacturing for wind, solar, and batteries,\u201d said Bennet in his remarks. \u201cMost important, we put rural America at the center of this transition. Actually, rural America put rural America at the center of this transition because of these co-ops in Colorado.\u201d\n\n\u201cCo-ops deliver power to over 70 percent of our state. They reach all four corners and they serve nearly 1.5 million people. And I think Colorado co-ops are uniquely positioned to drive economic opportunity for rural America, to set a standard for the rest of the country and the rest of the world, and are critical to our affordable transition to clean energy. The funding announced today is going to help our co-ops modernize their energy infrastructure, cut pollution, create high-paying jobs where we need them most, and lower energy costs for farms, for families, and for small businesses all over our state,\u201d concluded Bennet. \u201cI\u2019m so grateful that, as usual, Colorado is leading the way.\u201d\n\nThis funding will help rural electricity cooperatives bring affordable, reliable clean energy to communities across Colorado. Bennet and the leaders made the announcement during an event held at Tri-State\u2019s headquarters in Westminster, Colorado. Ahead of the presentation, they sat down for a roundtable discussion about the importance of rural communities leading the nation\u2019s clean energy transition.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/10/25/bennet-neguse-colorado-leaders-come-together-to-oppose-hazardous-oil-trains-along-the-colorado-river/", "Bennet, Neguse, Colorado Leaders Come Together to Oppose Hazardous Oil Trains Along the Colorado River", "2024-10-25", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and U.S. House Assistant Minority Leader Joe Neguse joined Colorado leaders to support Eagle County\u2019s position before the U.S. Supreme Court in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, Colorado. Eagle County is urging the Court to uphold the August 2023 D.C. Circuit Court decision to overturn the Surface Transportation Board\u2019s (STB) approval of the Uinta Basin Railway project based on flawed environmental review and violations of federal laws. Eagle County\u2019s arguments are supported by amicus briefs filed by the Colorado Attorney General and a broad coalition of Colorado communities that would be affected by the proposed railway.\n\n\u201cAnyone who has spent time along the Colorado River understands what the risks really are for our environment, our local economies, and our state. That\u2019s why I\u2019ve worked for years to urge federal agencies to adequately account for the full threat that the proposed Uinta Basin Railway poses to Colorado. This train has no business increasing the transport of hazardous oil from Utah through our state, and I\u2019ll continue to stand with a broad coalition of local leaders and community members to oppose this dangerous project,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cI hope the Supreme Court seriously considers Eagle County\u2019s arguments, the concerns raised by Colorado\u2019s Attorney General and numerous local governments in their amicus briefs, and the implications for those most deeply affected by a potential derailment in the headwaters of the Colorado River.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Uinta Basin Railway Project poses a significant threat to our state\u2019s water resources, wildlife habitats, outdoor recreation, and the broader interests of the Colorado River Basin. With these concerns and the well-being of our communities at the forefront, Senator Bennet and I have led an effort for years opposing this project,\u201d said Neguse. \u201cAs the Supreme Court prepares to hear Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, Colorado, we stand united with the community and local leaders in opposing this rail line and protecting our shared environment.\u201d\n\nIn their brief, Eagle County argues that the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) has long required agencies to consider the \u201creasonably foreseeable\u201d environmental consequences of their actions, which was codified in recent amendments to the Act. Eagle County further argues that the proposed railway project and the miles of oil trains traveling through Colorado each day will foreseeably affect Eagle County \u2013 namely, through increased wildfire risk and the potential for oil spills from train accidents.\n\nIf completed, the Uinta Basin Railway would enable the shipment of up to 4.6 billion gallons of waxy crude oil per year from Utah through Colorado to the Gulf Coast on as many as five trains per day. These trains would run over 100 miles directly alongside the headwaters of the Colorado River \u2013 a vital water supply for nearly 40 million Americans, 30 Tribal nations, and millions of acres of agricultural land. A train derailment that spills oil in the headwaters of the River would be catastrophic to Colorado\u2019s water supplies, wildlife habitat, and outdoor recreation. In addition, an accident on the proposed railway would also increase wildfire risk as the West faces a 1,200-year drought.\n\n\u201cThe downline effects of the Uinta line within Eagle County, and our state as a whole, are potentially catastrophic. These potential impacts, including significant wildfire and safety risks, and pollution to the Colorado River, should be fully and thoughtfully considered. We are confident the Supreme Court will agree with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals decision to invalidate the Uinta approval for failing to consider those and other impacts,\u201d said Matt Scherr, Commissioner, Eagle County.\n\n\u201cThe Colorado River is among the most critical natural resources in our state\u2014and our most critical water source. The risk to our state and others from shipping hundreds of thousands of oil barrels along the river daily is significant\u2014from wildfires caused by rail track sparks and oil car leaks contaminating the river to, at worst, derailments, and spills. The risk of harm to our state and mountain communities and others affected by this rail line are simply too great to ignore. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals was correct to throw out this project\u2019s approval for not having fully grasped the magnitude of its impacts to the environment. The Supreme Court should apply the letter of our federal laws and uphold the appellate court\u2019s decision,\u201d said Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser.\n\n\u201cIt is imperative that the Supreme Court recognize that communities along the Colorado River would be impacted by the proposed Uinta Basin Railway and the ensuing downline effects caused by additional miles-long trains filled with heavy waxy crude oil. As our amicus brief explains, the National Environmental Policy Act is a crucial tool giving voice to communities like Glenwood Springs that stand to bear the environmental and economic consequences that such a project can have on our rivers and public lands and the businesses that depend upon them. We hope that the justices will consider our communities\u2019 unique perspectives in these vital economic matters,\u201d said Ingrid Wussow, Mayor, City of Glenwood Springs.\n\n\u201cWater is an important part of the Western Slope way of life. Protecting our waters is crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems, supporting Colorado\u2019s outdoor recreation industry, and ensuring the foundation for Colorado\u2019s agricultural economy. The Uinta Basin Railway project will send hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil along the Colorado River, posing a major threat to this water source that over 40 million Americans rely on. A Supreme Court ruling will have significant implications for the future of the Colorado River, and I hope the justices consider the long-term impacts this project could have on Colorado\u2019s environment and our communities,\u201d said Julie McCluskie, Colorado State Representative and Speaker of the House.\n\n\u201cI continue to stand in strong support of Eagle County\u2019s demand for a robust environmental review of this proposed project and commend their efforts in bringing this need for accountability all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court,\u201d said Dylan Roberts, Colorado State Senator. \u201cMy constituents in Eagle County and all along the Colorado River deserve the very highest protection of our water and I am proud to be amongst many national, state, and local leaders and governments in supporting Eagle County\u2019s effort.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Colorado River is the heart of Garfield County. A train derailment from the Uinta Project would have catastrophic environmental consequences on our agricultural and recreational communities. Given the potential impacts to my constituents\u2019 livelihoods, we need to alleviate people\u2019s fear and provide a full environmental review before this project moves forward. I understand that energy security equals national security, however protecting the communities I represent is just as important,\u201d said Perry Will, Colorado State Senator.\n\n\u201cWater is the lifeblood of the Western Slope, supporting daily household needs, tourism, agriculture, local economies and everything in between. Keeping Colorado\u2019s waterways clean is essential and the Uinta Basin Railway will jeopardize our freshwater supply. I stand alongside the people of Eagle County and the more than 40 million Americans who rely on the Colorado River for fresh, clean water \u2013 our way of life depends on it. I hope the Supreme Court recognizes the gravity of the situation and the impact their ruling will have on our community,\u201d said Meghan Lukens, Colorado State Representative.\n\n\u201cThe people of my district would be hugely impacted, and they deserve better. The Uinta Basin Railway would double the amount of oil transported by rail in the U.S. and increase hazardous materials transport TENFOLD right through our communities. It puts our lives at risk: the potential for catastrophic wildfire, water contamination and accidents is too great. Our jobs, our wildlife, our ranches and our drinking water are threatened,\u201d said Elizabeth Velasco, Colorado State Representative. \u201cThis project should never have been approved in the first place. I support Glenwood Springs filing an Amicus Brief to urge the Supreme Court to support our communities and the industries that rely on the Colorado River Basin and reject this dangerous effort to send significantly more shipments of oil through Glenwood Canyon, and through the heart of small towns in Garfield County.\u201d\n\n\u201cAlthough we understand that oil needs to be transported from point A to point B, we are also the headwaters of the Colorado River. We have significant concerns about the impact a derailment and spill in Grand County would have on the ability to deliver clean, high-quality water to our own communities, and those throughout Colorado. Additionally, a waxy crude spill in Grand County would be catastrophic to our recreation- and ag-based economy,\u201d said Merrit Linke, Chair of Board of County Commissioners, Grand County.\n\n\u201cRoutt County is proud to support Eagle County and their effort to ensure rail safety and the protection of the Colorado River Basin. As this case makes its way through the legal system, it is apparent that the approval process for the Uinta Basin Railway did not fully consider the significant risks to Colorado\u2019s communities, our precious water resources, and the environment. Routt County continues to stand with so many of our local government colleagues in support of Eagle County,\u201d said Sonja Macys, Commissioner, Routt County.\n\n\u201cAmerica doesn\u2019t need Uinta\u2019s low quality, dirty oil, and 40 million Americans who depend upon the Colorado River certainly do not need the catastrophic consequences of the inevitable oil train derailment in the Glenwood Canyon. Citizens of western Colorado and Utah deserve better. Pitkin County stands with Eagle County in defending our river and our livelihood from this train wreck of a plan,\u201d said Greg Poschman, Chair of the Board of County Commissioners, Pitkin County.\n\n\u201cBoulder County is proud to stand with Eagle County and a bipartisan coalition of local governments and communities who oppose the construction of a railway that will bring railcars brimming with crude oil through pristine Colorado landscapes. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals correctly determined that the Surface Transportation Board violated the National Environmental Protection Act by failing to consider the environmental impacts of the proposed railway. Given the risks of train derailment for miles-long oil trains traveling through difficult mountainous terrain, Boulder County is justifiably concerned about accidents, wildfires, river contamination, and destruction of private property inevitably caused by the Surface Transportation Board\u2019s decision. The briefing before the U.S. Supreme Court demonstrates that the D.C. Circuit court\u2019s decision should be upheld and that federal law requires further evaluation and analysis before the railway can be approved,\u201d said Claire Levy, Marta Loachamin, and Ashley Stolzmann, Commissioners, Boulder County.\n\n\u201cChaffee County Board of County Commissioners wishes to reiterate our strong opposition to the proposed activation and expansion of the Uinta Basin Railway (UBR) Project. Chaffee County leadership share the common opinion of others directly within the path and \u201cdownline\u201d of the UBR corridor that the risks of transporting hundreds-of-thousands of barrels of toxic waxy crude oil through our mountain communities are simply too great for our residents and for the millions of visitors that journey to experience our region each year.\u201d said P.T. Wood, Commissioner, Chaffee County.\n\n\u201cAs representatives of the City of Grand Junction and its residents, we know the importance of ensuring that our community\u2019s interests are considered during the regulatory process for any project with the potential to have a significant impact on communities like ours. We urge the honorable United States Supreme Court to uphold the rulings of two lower courts, and simply ensure that down-line impacts of the proposed project are taken into account during the NEPA process,\u201d said Abram Herman, Mayor, City of Grand Junction.\n\n\u201cMinturn is thankful for the ongoing support from Senator Bennet in his effort to protect our environmental future. The outcome of this issue is collectively important to the communities of Eagle County and Senator\u2019s Bennet\u2019s commitment to our goals has been outstanding,\u201d said Earle Bidez, Mayor, Town of Minturn.\n\n\u201cOpening up the rail line along the Colorado River for oil transportation is a guaranteed water quality catastrophe that will impact millions who are dependent on the Colorado River,\u201d said Eric Heil, Manager, Town of Avon.\n\n\u201cRed Cliff, Colorado, a town of 280 residents nestled between Beaver Creek and Vail along the Colorado Scenic Byway (Highway 24), is deeply concerned about the potential impact of a railroad coming through our town, particularly near the waterways and natural areas we rely on. As a community surrounded by pristine wilderness, we understand all too well the dangers that a single wildfire can pose, not only to our tourism-based economy but also to the health and safety of our residents. The risk of a train derailment or sparks from passing trains igniting a wildfire is especially alarming, given the dense fuel loads in and around Red Cliff. Even more concerning is the potential derailment of trains carrying crude oil, which could result in catastrophic damage to our environment\u2014particularly to our water quality, a vital resource for both residents and wildlife. Any of these types of events could devastate our water supply, cause landslides, debris flows, and road closures, and cripple our town\u2019s economy for years to come. We urge policymakers to take these concerns seriously and prioritize measures that mitigate both wildfire risks and environmental threats posed by rail transport,\u201d said Duke Gerber, Mayor, Town of Red Cliff.\n\n\u201cThe Town of Crested Butte has joined the amicus brief in support of Eagle County\u2019s work to ensure appropriate environmental review of federal actions through the National Environmental Protection Act, or NEPA. It is understandable why the residents of Eagle County want to have full disclosure of federal decision-making. Trains traveling through a complicated mountain terrain will be carrying oil that if spilled, could pollute streams, increase the risk of wildfire, and undercut private property values. More generally, while NEPA does not require a particular outcome to a decision-making process, it has been fundamental to laying bare the logic of federal decisions. Why would anyone think that it is in the best interests of our communities and private property values to let the government make decisions without disclosing the impacts of those decisions? Anybody who is worried about the heavy hand of government should take pause with how the Surface Transportation Board failed to go through the NEPA process,\u201d said Ian Billick, Mayor, Town of Crested Butte.\n\n\u201cWhat happens in one place in the Colorado watershed affects all communities that are located within the watershed. That is why the Town of Basalt is proud to sign onto the amicus brief in support of Eagle County\u2019s position before the Supreme Court. Protecting the waters that support our communities is paramount to our economy and our way of life. The proposed Uinta Basin Railway would jeopardize all of that,\u201d said David Knight, Mayor, Town of Basalt.\n\n\u201cThe Colorado River is one of our state\u2019s most vital resources, and the risk posed by transporting large quantities of oil along its banks is too great to ignore. From potential fires and oil spills to devastating derailments, the consequences for our water, wildlife, and local economies could be catastrophic. The D.C. Circuit Court\u2019s decision to reject the project\u2019s approval was necessary to protect these resources, and we urge the Supreme Court to uphold it,\u201d said Alyssa Shenk, Council Chair, Northwest Colorado Council of Governments.\n\nAn amicus brief submitted in support of Eagle County was signed by the municipalities of Glenwood Springs, Grand Junction, Minturn, Avon, Red Cliff, Crested Butte, and Basalt, and Grand, Routt, Boulder, and Pitkin Counties, as well as the Northwest Colorado Council of Governments.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/10/24/bennet-hickenlooper-polis-call-on-reclamation-to-ensure-colorado-tribe-access-to-drought-water-management-funding/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper, Polis Call on Reclamation to Ensure Colorado Tribe Access to Drought, Water Management Funding", "2024-10-24", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper and Governor Jared Polis called on the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) to explore new opportunities for the Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute Indian Tribes to access federal funding for drought and water supply management. The lawmakers\u2019 call comes after USBR announced that forbearance proposals \u2013 paying water users to forgo water use, like the projects the Tribal Nations had planned to submit \u2013 will not be considered for upcoming Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding aimed at increasing water conservation and efficiency in the Upper Colorado River Basin.\n\n\u201cWe write to urge you to ensure that the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe (\u201cthe Colorado Tribal Nations\u201d) have the opportunity to apply for funding programs that address drought and water supply management in the Colorado River Basin, including through upcoming drought mitigation funding under the Inflation Reduction Act,\u201d wrote Bennet, Hickenlooper and Polis. \u201cWe strongly encourage you to explore other avenues for Colorado\u2019s Tribal Nations to pursue funding related to drought response, recognizing that they are currently forgoing their water use not by choice, but resulting from a history of inequity reflected in their long-term lack of infrastructure.\u201d\n\nThe Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and Southern Ute Indian Tribe hold combined water rights to over 33,000 acre-feet of water in Lake Nighthorse southwest of Durango but lack adequate infrastructure to deliver that water to their reservations. As a result, the Tribal Nations currently cannot use or benefit from their water, and it flows downstream to other users.\n\nThe Tribal Nations planned to apply for IRA funding to receive compensation for forgoing development of their water rights, but recently learned that their planned project would not qualify under the upcoming IRA drought funding announcement. In the letter, the leaders urge USBR to explore alternative funding opportunities that could better suit the needs of the Colorado Tribal Nations.\n\nBennet and Hickenlooper fought for $8 billion for western water infrastructure, $10 billion for forests, $19 billion for agricultural conservation, and $4 billion for drought in the IRA and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.\n\nThe text of the letter is available HERE and below.\n\nDear Commissioner Touton:\n\nWe write to urge you to ensure that the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe (\u201cthe Colorado Tribal Nations\u201d) have the opportunity to apply for funding programs that address drought and water supply management in the Colorado River Basin, including through upcoming drought mitigation funding under the Inflation Reduction Act.\n\nAs you know, Colorado\u2019s two federally-recognized Tribal Nations had intended to apply for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation\u2019s (USBR) Upper Colorado River Basin Inflation Reduction Act funding for water supply purposes, known as \u201cBucket 2 Water Supply,\u201d or \u201cB2W\u201d funding. The Colorado Tribal Nations had planned to apply in a bid to receive compensation for forgoing use of certain water rights as recognized under the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 1988 (as amended in 2000). For decades since that Act\u2019s passage, the Colorado Tribal Nations have lacked the infrastructure needed to fully develop their allocated water supply. The Colorado Tribal Nations\u2019 intent to develop uses for their legally recognized settlement water reflects their demand for full utilization of their water rights, despite challenges relating to infrastructure and other issues.\n\nThe Colorado Tribal Nations were disheartened to learn that USBR\u2019s forthcoming B2W funding announcement would not be open to projects such as those they originally planned, which would seek compensation for a forbearance of future development of their settlement water. We understand that USBR believes this activity will not qualify as a verifiable reduction in water use that can be compensated under B2W. Still, we must stress that a Tribe\u2019s lack of opportunity to develop those supplies does not equate to a lack of demand \u2013 nor should it foreclose other opportunities for that Tribe, including those under the Inflation Reduction Act.\n\nWe strongly encourage you to explore other avenues for Colorado\u2019s Tribal Nations to pursue funding related to drought response, recognizing that they are currently forgoing their water use not by choice, but resulting from a history of inequity reflected in their long-term lack of infrastructure. We ask that you work with the Colorado Tribal Nations and provide them sufficient time to apply if your agency determines another funding opportunity or source may be better suited to their needs \u2013 whether this be USBR\u2019s environmentally-focused funding for the Upper Basin known as \u201cBucket 2 Environmental\u201d or \u201cB2E\u201d, or another source yet to be identified.\n\nWe value your leadership and continued willingness to work with us on efforts to promote the health of the Colorado River Basin. We also appreciate your attention to addressing the longstanding inequities that Colorado\u2019s Tribal Nations have faced, and we look forward to working with you to ensure that paths toward a more equitable future remain open for them.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/10/23/press-releases-id-1f93d918-9a33-4776-8aad-ecfb340785c8/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper Welcome $23 Million from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for Denver, Colorado Springs Airports", "2024-10-23", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper welcomed $23 million from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to improve airport infrastructure in Denver and Colorado Springs. This funding comes through the Airport Terminals Program, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m grateful the FAA is supporting Colorado\u2019s airports as they improve and modernize to meet our state\u2019s changing needs,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cThese dollars will help ensure our airports can continue to fuel our economy and better connect communities across our state.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur Bipartisan Infrastructure Law keeps investing in Colorado and creating good-paying jobs. This time by improving travelers\u2019 experiences at both Denver International Airport and the Colorado Springs Airport,\u201d said Hickenlooper. \u201cGiddy up!\u201d\n\nSpecifically, this funding includes:\n\n$15 million for Denver International Airport to increase the efficiency and capacity of its baggage handling system; and\n\n$8 million for Colorado Springs Airport to improve energy efficiency and accessibility, and modernize gate areas.\n\nJust this year, Bennet and Hickenlooper have welcomed nearly $140 million from the FAA for Colorado\u2019s airports.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/10/21/press-releases-id-b351178a-dd93-4883-aa3b-4252d370da61/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper, Neguse Welcome Over $47 Million from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for U.S. 287 Safety Improvements in Larimer, Boulder Counties", "2024-10-21", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper alongside U.S. House Assistant Minority Leader Joe Neguse welcomed more than $47 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for safety improvements along U.S. Highway 287 in Larimer and Boulder counties.\n\n\u201cU.S. 287 helps connect communities across Northern Colorado, and historic funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will improve roadway safety while meeting the needs of Colorado\u2019s growing population. I\u2019m pleased to see Colorado continue to benefit from the most significant investment in America\u2019s roads, bridges, and essential infrastructure since President Eisenhower built the interstate highway system,\u201d said Bennet.\n\n\u201cWildlife crossings save lives by dramatically reducing traffic collisions with animals,\u201d said Hickenlooper. \u201cInfrastructure updates like these are exactly why we passed the infrastructure bill.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe US 287 corridor is one of Colorado\u2019s main north-south routes, serving as a gateway to Boulder, Longmont, Loveland, and Fort Collins. I\u2019m proud to have helped secure $47 million in federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for the improvement and redevelopment of this major roadway, which will help connect countless communities and improve roadway safety,\u201d said Neguse.\n\nThis funding will help the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) construct wildlife crossings and intersection improvements, add passing lanes and centerline rumble strips, widen shoulders, and install median barriers along U.S. 287.\n\n\u201cIn Colorado, we are committed to ensuring the safety and protection of Coloradans on the road and avoiding costly wildlife-vehicle collisions. Thanks to the Colorado Department of Transportation for their efforts to secure this funding, Senator Bennet, Senator Hickenlooper, House Assistant Democratic Leader Neguse for their leadership, and the Biden-Harris administration for providing our state with $47 million in funding to continue reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions and help create a safer Colorado for travelers and wildlife in Larimer County and on our roads,\u201d said Colorado Governor Jared Polis.\n\n\u201cUS-287 connects bustling communities in Northern Colorado and is an important connector between Colorado and our neighbors in Wyoming. This grant will make it possible to address long-needed safety improvements across this growing corridor and to continue our nation-leading efforts to protect against wildlife collisions. We appreciate the strong support of our Congressional delegation and our strong partnership with Larimer county as well as Wyoming to pursue and advocate for this grant. We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Transportation for funding the grant with dollars from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,\u201d said Shoshana Lew, Executive Director, CDOT.\n\n\u201cWe are grateful for this critical funding for CDOT and the support received from Senator Bennet, Senator Hickenlooper, and Congressman Neguse. Improving road safety and protecting our residents is a top priority for Larimer County. This investment in Highway 287 will help ensure safer travel through our region,\u201d said Kristin Stephens, Larimer County Commissioner.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/10/17/press-releases-id-a84bd683-ce9f-426f-87e2-170738465508/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper, Colleagues Urge Defense Secretary to Fix Rule Hurting Colorado Springs Children\u2019s Hospitals", "2024-10-17", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper and U.S. Representatives Doug Lamborn and Jason Crow, along with 16 of their Senate and House colleagues, sent a letter to U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. The letter urges the Defense Health Agency (DHA) to address the financial burden caused by a change in the way children\u2019s hospitals are reimbursed for the care provided to military families covered by TRICARE, the government health care program for active duty service members and their families.\n\n\u201cWe write to express our deep concerns about a 2023 Defense Health Agency (DHA) rule that catalyzed a major shift in the TRICARE reimbursement methodology for children\u2019s hospitals,\u201d wrote Bennet and the lawmakers. \u201cChildren\u2019s hospitals situated in defense communities in our home states are now grappling with the impacts of this change.\u201d\n\nEach year over 2.4 million children obtain care from children\u2019s hospitals through TRICARE, and the change has placed an outsized burden on children\u2019s hospitals in major defense communities, like Colorado Springs. Specifically, Children\u2019s Hospital Colorado said one in five patients in their Colorado Springs facility pay with TRICARE. The DHA previously exempted children\u2019s hospitals from the adult Medicare reimbursement process because the program\u2019s policies weren\u2019t applicable to the care children typically need. The rule change is expected to cost the hospital over $25 million annually.\n\nThe Children\u2019s Hospital Association (CHA) sent letters to DoD in 2020 and 2023 expressing their concerns about the proposed rule. However, they did not receive a response before the DHA implemented the change in October 2023.\n\nThe lawmakers specifically asked the following questions:\n\nWhat dialogue has DHA had with the affected children\u2019s hospitals to understand how this new reimbursement methodology impacts operations and access to care?\n\nWhat data and sources informed the agency\u2019s analysis of the impact on children\u2019s hospitals that care for TRICARE patients?\n\nHow did the agency account for the financial impacts of military families traveling for care in circumstances where local services are no longer available?\n\nHow did the agency develop the contingency payment and why did the DHA set a lower contingency payment for pediatrics?\n\nCan the agency verify the number of children\u2019s hospitals that are expected to qualify for the contingency payment that is outlined in the rule?\n\nThe text of the letter is available HERE and below.\n\nDear Secretary Austin:\n\nAs members of Congress representing military-connected children, we write to express our deep concerns about a 2023 Defense Health Agency (DHA) rule that catalyzed a major shift in the TRICARE reimbursement methodology for children\u2019s hospitals. Specifically, we urge the Department of Defense (DOD) and DHA to expeditiously meet with the affected hospitals to discuss administrative policy options to preserve access to pediatric care for military dependents.\n\nCollectively, we represent a significant number of the 2.4 million children who obtain care in children\u2019s hospitals through TRICARE each year. These hospitals provide specialized treatment for a spectrum of concerns, including minor health issues and complex, long-term health conditions. They play an essential role in the wellbeing of our nation\u2019s military families.\n\nUntil recently, since 2008, TRICARE exempted children\u2019s hospitals from the adult Medicare Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS). This exemption made logical sense, as very few children who seek care in children\u2019s hospitals are covered by Medicare and the program policies do not adequately reflect children\u2019s health needs.\n\nIn 2019, however, DHA proposed a rule to eliminate this exemption. In response, children\u2019s hospitals with larger TRICARE volumes collectively submitted comments through the Children\u2019s Hospital Association (CHA), outlining a number of concerns and asking DHA to extend the comment and implementation timelines pending the provision of more information. Instead, DHA\u2019s final rule, TRICARE; Reimbursement of Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Outpatient Services Provided in Cancer and Children\u2019s Hospitals, was finalized without any response and took effect on October 1, 2023.\n\nChildren\u2019s hospitals situated in defense communities in our home states are now grappling with the impacts of this change, as well as the ripple effects that the ensuing financial challenges may have on the provision of care for military families. For states with large military populations and no specialty children\u2019s hospital, any reduction in access to care would further complicate military family\u2019s choices by increasing burdens placed on families who already have to travel outside of their own state for medical services. Given the significant concerns expressed by children\u2019s hospitals about how the rule may impact military families\u2019 access to timely health care, we request that you provide us with responses to the following questions:\n\nDialogue: What dialogue has DHA had with the affected children\u2019s hospitals to understand how this new reimbursement methodology impacts operations and access to care?\n\nFinancial Data: What data and sources informed the agency\u2019s analysis of the rule\u2019s impact on children\u2019s hospitals that care for TRICARE patients? How did the agency account for the financial impacts of military families traveling for care in circumstances where local services are no longer available?\n\nContingency Payment: How did the agency develop the contingency payment and why did the DHA set a lower contingency payment for pediatrics? Can the agency verify the number of children\u2019s hospitals that are expected to qualify for the contingency payment that is outlined in the rule?", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/10/08/press-releases-id-1ac60e4f-0230-439e-b5f7-51ca9d5360c5/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper Welcome Funding for Colorado Organizations Supporting Veterans", "2024-10-08", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper welcomed over $1.6 million from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for eight Colorado organizations that offer adaptive sports, recreational activities, and equine therapy for veterans and service members living with disabilities.\n\n\u201cOur veterans have sacrificed so much to keep our country safe, and we owe them our support after they have served,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cColorado veterans deserve to live a full and independent life, and this funding will help wounded heroes access athletics and other recreational activities.\u201d\n\n\u201cAdaptive sports give our wounded veterans a community and outlet for mental health,\u201d said Hickenlooper. \u201cThis funding makes it easier for our disabled vets to hit the slopes and enjoy all the outdoor activities that make Colorado special.\u201d\n\nThe funding comes from the VA\u2019s\u2019 Adaptive Sports Grant Program, which supports more opportunities for disabled veterans to play recreational sports and activities customized to better fit their needs. The VA has awarded over $119 million in grants through the Adaptive Sports Grant Program during the last nine years.\n\nA full list of selected organizations is below:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/10/08/press-releases-id-df178b95-05bb-4a77-93c2-0956dd2bbd89/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper, Colleagues Introduce Resolution to Recognize Latina Equal Pay Day", "2024-10-08", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, along with 23 fellow senators, introduced a resolution to honor Latina Equal Pay Day. The resolution recognizes the disparity in wages paid to Latinas, the significance of equal pay, and its larger impact on women, families, and the economy.\n\n\u201cLost wages mean Latina women have less money to support themselves and their families, save and invest for the future, and spend on goods and services,\u201d wrote the lawmakers.\n\nLatina Equal Pay Day, which was observed on October 3, 2024, is a day to reflect on the continued impact of wage gaps on Latina women. In 2023, more than 60 years after the passage of the Equal Pay Act of 1963, Latinas were paid just 51 cents for every dollar paid to their white, non-Hispanic male colleagues. Latina women also continue to lack access to paid leave and experience increased levels of workplace harassment.\n\nBennet cosponsored a Latina Equal Pay Day resolution in 2022. He also cheered the passage of the Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month in September.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/10/07/press-releases-id-090c9b4b-d040-4120-b30c-f1e109037e8b/", "Bennet Statement Recognizing One Year Since the October 7th Hamas Attack on Israel", "2024-10-07", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet released the following statement marking one year since the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel:\n\n\u201cOn October 7th, 2023, Hamas terrorists invaded Israel, brutally killing 1,200 innocent people and kidnapping 250 more. A year later, Hamas still holds almost 100 hostages, among them at least seven Americans: Edan Alexander, Itay Chen z\u201dl, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Gadi Haggai z\u201dl, Omer Neutra, Keith Siegel, and Judith Weinstein z\u201dl. At the same time, Iran and its proxies continue to sow chaos throughout the Middle East \u2013 including by attacking U.S. troops and targeting American interests. The U.S. must defend our people and our allies, including Israel.\n\n\u201cThis terrible war has inflicted enormous human suffering and trauma on Israelis, Palestinians, and people far beyond the Middle East, itself. As the families of Hamas\u2019 hostages continue to call for an agreement to free their loved ones and secure a mutual ceasefire in Gaza, the U.S. must continue leading efforts to achieve such a deal. The U.S. must also lead efforts to secure an enforceable agreement that allows tens of thousands of displaced civilians on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border to return to their homes.\n\n\u201cThese diplomatic efforts are essential; indeed, they are the only way to bring lasting peace and prosperity to the region. These negotiations are a predicate to building a just two-state solution out of the tragedy of the last year.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/10/07/press-releases-id-5737be4f-27f2-48ac-89da-df5923371375/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper, Neguse, Crow, Pettersen, DeGette Announce Support for Colorado River District\u2019s Application for Funding to Complete Shoshone Water Rights Purchase", "2024-10-07", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, and U.S. Representatives Joe Neguse, Jason Crow, Brittany Pettersen, and Diana DeGette, wrote to the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) in support of the Colorado River Water Conservation District\u2019s (CRWCD) application for federal funding to purchase two of the oldest water rights on the Colorado River mainstem in Colorado, known as the Shoshone Permanency Project. The lawmakers offered their support as part of an ongoing BOR funding opportunity to provide environmental benefits in response to drought, which remains open for additional projects in Colorado and the rest of the Upper Colorado River Basin.\n\n\u201cThe Colorado River District\u2019s mission is to promote the protection, conservation, use, and development of the water resources of the Colorado River water basin for the welfare of the state of Colorado,\u201d wrote the lawmakers. \u201cPreserving the Colorado River\u2019s historical flow regime as intended by the Shoshone Permanency Project will benefit the Colorado River ecosystem every year, and especially in dry years.\u201d\n\nThe 1902 Senior and the 1929 Junior Shoshone Water Rights currently held by Xcel Energy are used to generate power at the Shoshone Power Plant and then return it to the river. Communities across Western Colorado have already committed over $55 million, and are applying to BOR for funding from the Upper Colorado River Basin Environmental Drought Mitigation program to help complete the purchase and create stability for communities, water and recreational users, and the environment. The Upper Colorado River Basin Environmental Drought Mitigation program funding opportunity is open for application through November 22, 2024, and the lawmakers welcome other applicants to contact their offices on the opportunity to provide support.\n\n\u201cThis strong show of funding reflects the local recognition of the Shoshone Water Rights\u2019 importance to the health of western Colorado\u2019s environment and local economies,\u201dcontinue the lawmakers. \u201cWe recognize the Shoshone Permanency Project\u2019s complex nature and ongoing technical review, but believe the opportunity to protect historical Colorado River flows deserves your attention.\u201d\n\nAs part of the Shoshone Permanency Project, CRWCD will seek a change in these rights to include an alternate beneficial use and preserve the historical flow regime. The state process for changing these decreed water rights is distinct from any federal funding review or outcome, and will proceed separately. As acknowledged in the letter, data collection and analysis related to the Shoshone water rights\u2019 historic use is ongoing and important to the state of Colorado\u2019s formal review.\n\nAs the Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee\u2019s Subcommittee on Conservation, Climate, Forestry and Natural Resources, Bennet has consistently worked with his colleagues to help communities in Colorado and across the American West as they face the effects of climate change. In June 2022, as Subcommittee Chair, Bennet held the Senate\u2019s very first hearing on Western drought. In June 2024, Bennet and Subcommittee Ranking Member U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) held a field hearing in Burlington, Colorado, to hear from Western producers and agricultural leaders facing historic drought.\n\nBennet and Hickenlooper fought to include $8 billion for Western water infrastructure, $10 billion for forests, $19 billion for agricultural conservation, and $4 billion for drought in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In September 2022, Bennet, Neguse, and Crow urged BOR to prioritize funding for long-term, permanent solutions to the Colorado River drought crisis as it worked to allocate the $4 billion for Western drought from the IRA. After calling on the Biden administration to make further investments to address long-term drought caused by climate change in April 2024, Bennet welcomed $400 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for investments at the irrigation district scale to address drought in August. The lawmakers will continue to work with communities and water users across the state to ensure as much of this funding as possible comes to the state of Colorado.\n\nThe text of the letter is available HERE and below.\n\nDear Commissioner Touton:\n\nWe write in support of the Colorado River Water Conservation District\u2019s (the River District) application to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation\u2019s (USBR) Upper Colorado River Basin Environmental Drought Mitigation funding opportunity, referred to as Bucket 2E. As you know, the Inflation Reduction Act provided a historic $4 billion to address issues caused by drought, including activities to support environmental benefits, and ecosystem and habitat restoration. If selected, the River District will leverage Bucket 2E funding alongside significant state and local investment to purchase two of the oldest water rights on the Colorado River mainstem in the State of Colorado \u2013 the Shoshone Water Rights \u2013 to preserve their historical flow regime in perpetuity.\n\nThe River District was established in 1937 as a local governing entity to represent water users across 15 counties in Western Colorado \u2013 including the headwaters of the Yampa, White, Gunnison, and Colorado Rivers. The Colorado River District\u2019s mission is to promote the protection, conservation, use, and development of the water resources of the Colorado River water basin for the welfare of the State of Colorado.\n\nNow, the River District is pursuing the Shoshone Permanency Project, which aims to preserve the historical Colorado River flow regime created by the 1902 Senior Shoshone Water Right and the 1929 Junior Shoshone Water Right (the \u201cShoshone Water Rights\u201d). The River District has signed an agreement to purchase the Shoshone Water Rights from Xcel Energy, which currently holds the rights for its Shoshone hydropower plant. Today, the Shoshone Water Rights are decreed as non-consumptive water rights: the water is used to generate hydropower at the Shoshone Power Plant and is returned to the stream. The Shoshone Water Rights\u2019 senior status \u201cpulls\u201d water to Glenwood Canyon, which ensures that water continues to flow and benefits the downstream environment. Preserving the Colorado River\u2019s historical flow regime as intended by the Shoshone Permanency Project will benefit the Colorado River ecosystem every year, and especially in dry years.\n\nData collection and analysis of Shoshone Water Rights\u2019 historic use is not yet completed, and ongoing\u2013a key step for understanding the historic flow regime on the Colorado River. The Shoshone Permanency Project seeks to change the water rights to include an alternate beneficial use for instream flow purposes, a legally recognized beneficial use in Colorado, to preserve the historical Shoshone flow regime. The proposed decree associated with these flows is still under technical review by the State of Colorado. The River District is actively discussing the proposal with other water users across the state. The Colorado Water Conservation Board and the State of Colorado Water Court will conduct a formal review in the coming months. Ongoing modeling will also help quantify the environmental benefits of the Shoshone Water Rights flows. One potential benefit is to the critical habitat of four fish in the Colorado River listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), known as the 15-Mile Reach, located near Palisade, Colorado.\n\nThe State of Colorado and our water users are making their own significant investments to ensure that the historical Shoshone flows can continue in perpetuity. The Colorado River District has allocated $20 million, the State of Colorado has appropriated another $20 million for the acquisition, provided the State\u2019s instream flow requirements are met, and a coalition of Western Slope water users and local governments have formally committed over $15 million. This strong show of funding reflects the local recognition of the Shoshone Water Rights\u2019 importance to the health of western Colorado\u2019s environment and local economies.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/10/04/press-releases-id-5d497567-0bb1-42eb-93ad-dec80719e992/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper Welcome $170 Million for Clean Water, Reliable Energy Infrastructure in Colorado", "2024-10-04", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper welcomed over $170 million in loans and grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for 12 Colorado projects in rural and Tribal communities to expand access to safe drinking water and reliable energy.\n\n\u201cEveryone deserves access to clean and safe water, no matter where they live. However, far too many rural communities in Colorado face the challenges of aging or unsafe water infrastructure,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cI\u2019m glad towns from Holly to Del Norte will receive this federal support to help them continue delivering reliable, clean water to Coloradans across the state.\u201d\u2019\n\n\u201cWhere you live shouldn\u2019t determine if you have clean water to drink or reliable electricity to keep the lights on,\u201d said Hickenlooper. \u201cFrom Rocky Ford to Silverton, these investments will create thousands of good-paying jobs while expanding access to safe drinking water and reliable energy.\u201d\n\nThe funding announcement is part of a $1.3 billion nationwide investment to make water infrastructure and the electrical grid more resilient to extreme weather, while creating thousands of well-paying jobs in the process. This funding comes from USDA\u2019s Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants and the Electric Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee programs. It is divided between over $127 million in grant funding and over $42 million in federal loans to the 12 Colorado projects.\n\nA full list of selected projects is below:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/10/04/press-releases-id-d4fd6579-dd97-4a75-a907-b4d27010c0fc/", "Bennet, Colleagues Push to Help More Families, Businesses Benefit from Clean Energy Tax Credits for Geothermal Heat Pumps", "2024-10-04", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet alongside 13 of his Senate colleagues called on U.S. Department of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to ensure its final rule for the Section 48 investment tax credit (ITC) allows multiple owners of geothermal heat pump (GHP) systems to claim the tax credit. Because GHPs frequently involve multiple ownership structures, the proposed rule could severely limit home-based and community-scale adoption of this clean energy technology.\n\n\u201cGHPs are among the most energy-efficient heating and cooling systems available for buildings. Increasing their deployment holds enormous potential to lower energy bills for American families and businesses and to reduce emissions,\u201d wrote Bennet and the senators.\n\nGHPs can play a critical role to help decarbonize buildings, reduce the need for new electricity generation and transmission infrastructure, and enable energy savings for Americans. In their letter, the senators urge the Treasury to allow different taxpayers who own separate, functionally interdependent or integral components of a GHP system to be eligible to claim the tax incentive.\n\n\u201cWe are concerned that Treasury\u2019s proposed guidance\u2026would severely inhibit the adoption of home-based and community-scale GHP systems, which typically involve multiple owners,\u201d continued the senators. \u201cWe urge Treasury to modify the proposed guidance and issue a final rule that acknowledges the unique ownership structure of GHP systems and allows taxpayers who separately own the components of a geothermal heat pump system to fully leverage the [investment tax credit].\u201d\n\nIn addition to Bennet, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) also signed the letter.\n\nIn December 2023, Bennet and 14 Senate colleagues wrote a letter to Secretary Yellen urging Treasury to issue guidance clarifying that GHP systems are exempt from the \u201climited use property doctrine\u201d, enabling third-party ownership models to help ensure we maximize deployment of this technology and the Inflation Reduction Act\u2019s climate, energy reliability, and cost-savings benefits.\n\nThe text of the letter is available HERE and below.\n\nDear Secretary Yellen:\n\nWe write to urge you to ensure that the Department of Treasury\u2019s (Treasury) final rule to implement the Section 48 investment tax credit (ITC) allows different taxpayers who own separate, functionally interdependent or integral components of a geothermal heat pump (GHP) system to be eligible to claim the ITC for the equipment they own. We are concerned that Treasury\u2019s proposed guidance in its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Reg-132569-17 (NPRM) for the ITC would severely inhibit the adoption of home-based and community-scale GHP systems, which typically involve multiple owners.\n\nGHPs are among the most energy-efficient heating and cooling systems available for buildings. Increasing their deployment holds enormous potential to lower energy bills for American families and businesses and to reduce emissions. Due to their reliable performance during extreme temperature, GHP systems provide certainty in household energy bills and insulate consumers from energy price shocks due to extreme weather events. A 2023 Department of Energy Oak Ridge National Laboratory report highlights the important role that GHPs can play in decarbonizing buildings, reducing the need for new electricity generation and transmission infrastructure, and enabling energy savings for Americans across the country. According to the report, broad GHP adoption would result in cumulative savings to the U.S. economy of more than $1 trillion by 2050, eliminate the need for 24,500 miles of transmission lines, decrease required electricity generation by 13 percent, and reduce carbon dioxide emission by more than 7,300 million metric tons.\n\nA GHP system typically includes a ground loop (or heat exchanger) outside the building as well as a heat pump(s) and conditioning distribution system (piping and ductwork) inside the building \u2013 these components typically have different owners. Treasury\u2019s interpretation in the NPRM is that these pieces of equipment are functionally interdependent yet distinct components of the same system. As drafted, the agency proposes excluding multiple taxpayers who own those distinct components of a GHP system from claiming a tax credit under the ITC unless the two taxpayers share more than 50 percent overlapping ownership of the equipment. Treasury\u2019s interpretation in the NPRM runs antithetical to congressional intent in passing updates to the ITC, which was to promote the wide-scale adoption of GHPs and other clean energy technologies.\n\nWe urge Treasury to modify the proposed guidance and issue a final rule that acknowledges the unique ownership structure of GHP systems and allows taxpayers who separately own the components of a geothermal heat pump system to fully leverage the Section 48 ITC. This will ensure, as Congress intended, that we maximize the deployment of GHP technology and its associated energy reliability and cost savings benefits.\n\nWe look forward to hearing from you on this important matter.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/09/26/press-releases-id-32137eb9-b6bd-4dcd-af5e-34e81ae7dc62/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper Introduce Public Lands Legislation to Protect Gunnison Basin and Surrounding Regions", "2024-09-26", "2024", "2024-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper introduced the Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection (GORP) Act to permanently protect key portions of the Gunnison Basin and the surrounding regions through a variety of public land management tools, including special designations focused on recreation, wildlife, scientific research, and conservation.\n\nThe bill is based on over a decade of collaboration with local governments, Tribes, and public lands user groups. It has the bipartisan support of six counties in Western Colorado, as well as the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and local municipalities. A wide variety of local businesses and public lands user groups, including summer and winter motorized recreation, conservation, mountain biking, whitewater recreation, rock climbers, ranchers, water users, and hunters and anglers, also support the bill.\n\n\u201cFor over a decade, Coloradans have come together at trailheads and kitchen tables to share their love for the spectacular landscape in and around Gunnison County,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cThis bill proves that people with wide-ranging interests can forge compromise and develop a common vision to protect our public lands for future generations.\u201d\n\n\u201cAdventurers across Colorado and the country come to the Gunnison Basin for its rugged canyons and untamed wilderness,\u201d said Hickenlooper. \u201cProtecting these additional 730,000 acres will help keep it that way for generations.\u201d\n\n\u201cLand is very important to the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and throughout history we have lost a lot of land that has been taken from the tribe unjustly,\u201d said Manuel Heart, Chairman Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. \u201cTo get land back for the tribe by putting it into Trust status as this legislation does, is important to the tribe\u2019s children and grandchildren. The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe appreciates Senator Bennet\u2019s work on the GORP Act, supports the legislation and hopes it will move forward quickly in the US Senate.\u201d\n\n\u201cColorado\u2019s great outdoors are known around the world and this bill marks a valuable step in the need to protect the incredible Gunnison Basin for future generations of Coloradans and visitors,\u201d said Colorado Governor Jared Polis. \u201cI appreciate Senator Bennet\u2019s leadership on this issue and look forward to seeing this bill move forward.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a former resident of the Gunnison Valley and Western Colorado University graduate, I am intimately aware of the importance public lands, wildlife and outdoor recreation are to local communities\u2019 economy and environment,\u201d said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Natural Resources. \u201cOur forests, water, wildlife and open spaces are some of our most precious natural resources and outdoor recreation drives visitors and residents to our state to enjoy our diverse opportunities. I commend the work of Senator Bennet and the many diverse stakeholders on developing the locally driven Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection Act. Introduction is a great first step and I look forward to working alongside all interested parties as this legislation makes its way through the U.S. Congress.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe GORP Act reflects the way we do business in Gunnison County: we sit down with our neighbors to find common-ground solutions and a way forward to best serve our community. Public lands are our backyard here and I\u2019m proud of the work we\u2019ve done to bring so many stakeholders \u2013 snowmobilers, ranchers, mountain bikers, and conservationists to name a few \u2013 together,\u201d said Jonathan Houck, Gunnison County Commissioner. \u201cWhile GORP started in Gunnison County, I couldn\u2019t be happier to stand with five neighboring Western Slope counties in support of this legislation, and I thank Senator Bennet for listening to our communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cDelta County is glad to have worked with Senator Bennet on the GORP Act,\u201d said the Delta County Commissioners. \u201cIts provisions for Delta County will provide public access to a boat ramp, ensure that the BLM can continue to permit existing motorized boat use, and bring forward a thoughtful balance of uses on public lands in the North Fork Valley. This legislation shows what\u2019s possible when we roll up our sleeves and work together.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Saguache County Board of Commissioners are pleased to support the introduction of Senator Bennet\u2019s Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection Act (GORP), and eagerly anticipate the passing of this legislation,\u201d said the Saguache County Commissioners. \u201cWe appreciate the multi years the many stakeholders have committed to this project.\u201d\n\n\u201cPitkin County Is a strong supporter of public lands, and we believe in designating new Wilderness areas in sensitive landscapes, where appropriate,\u201d said Greg Poschman, Chairman, Pitkin County Board of Commissioners. \u201cWe are incredibly grateful to Senator Bennet for his work on the GORP Act, and we look forward to celebrating the two proposed Wilderness designations in Colorado\u2019s wild and pristine high country.\u201d\n\n\u201cHinsdale County was proud to have collaborated with Senator Bennet, Gunnison County and Ouray County on the GORP Act,\u201d said Kristie Borchers, Chair, Hinsdale County Board of County Commissioners. \u201cWe are excited that a key portion of the scenic Cimarron area where Hinsdale, Ouray and Gunnison County come together will be protected by this legislation. This bill will help protect our watersheds and the landscapes that attract the visitors who help drive our mountain town economies in the San Juan Mountains. We look forward to seeing the GORP Act move forward in Congress.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe GORP Act sets the bar for collaborative and beneficial legislation,\u201d said Lynn Padgett, Vice-Chair, Ouray County Board of County Commissioners. \u201cI am forever grateful to Senator Bennet and his team and stakeholders like Gunnison, Hinsdale, and Ouray Counties for enthusiastically working together to include the proposed Uncompahgre Wilderness expansion and especially for protecting Turret Ridge. The peaks of the Cimarron range are unique in their scenery and geology. The GORP Act not only protects important migration areas for elk and key habitats for lynx and moose. The GORP Act protects our precious wildlands, vital to our local economy and quality of life.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur groups have worked for nearly a decade to craft a vision for public lands in and around Gunnison County that will benefit our economy, environment, and quality of life into the future,\u201d said members of the Gunnison Public Lands Initiative in a joint statement. \u201cThe GORP Act reflects the countless hours we spent working together and with communities around the Gunnison Basin. We are eager to see this thoughtful and well-vetted legislation signed into law.\u201d\n\nBackground\n\nThe GORP Act will protect over 730,000 acres of public lands in Western Colorado, safeguarding the region\u2019s local economy, world-class recreation, ranching heritage, wildlife habitat, and clean air and water. The bill also includes provisions for recreational boating in Delta County and at the request of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, transfers the Pinecrest Ranch from fee ownership to trust ownership.\n\nSenator Bennet drafted the GORP Act at the request of Gunnison County and based on a proposal from the Gunnison Public Lands Initiative. The bill also reflects the input from surrounding counties and feedback Senator Bennet received during a public comment period held in 2022.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/09/26/press-releases-id-4db54d97-d730-4c45-89b6-3f82190d7031/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper, Cassidy Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support U.S. Diplomacy With  the Western Hemisphere", "2024-09-26", "2024", "2024-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper joined U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) to introduce the bipartisan Summit of the Americas Act to strengthen U.S. diplomatic leadership in the Western Hemisphere. The Summit of the Americas convenes heads of state to bolster ties and promote regional partnership, mostly recently in Los Angeles in 2022. U.S. Representatives Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Ill.), Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), and Mar\u00eda Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) introduced bipartisan companion legislation in the House.\n\n\u201cColoradans understand that the Americas share more than a hemisphere; we share a braided culture, an economy, and a common destiny that we must write together,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cWe demonstrated this at the successful Cities Summit of the Americas in 2023 and must continue working to deepen these relationships by institutionalizing such summits at least every four years.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur country is strongest when we trust and work with our neighbors,\u201d said Hickenlooper. \u201cThe Summit of the Americas helps us tackle the world\u2019s largest issues and strengthens our relationships with our democratic partners in the Western Hemisphere.\u201d\n\nThe Summit of the Americas Act directs the Secretary of State to support the Summit of the Americas and codify the existing State Department unit to ensure implementation of Summit commitments and work with other U.S. agencies to ensure continued U.S. participation. The bill also expresses support for the Cities Summit of the Americas \u2013 of which Denver hosted the inaugural summit in 2023 \u2013 to continue as a key element of the larger Summit.\n\nIn 1994, President Bill Clinton convened the first Summit of the Americas in Miami to promote prosperity and enhance democracy throughout the Americas. Succeeding summits have elevated these and other issues like climate change and immigration.\n\n\u201cAs Executive Director of the Biennial of the Americas, which proudly hosted the inaugural Cities Summit of the Americas, I wholeheartedly support the Summit of the Americas Act. This legislation is vital for empowering local leadership and fostering subnational diplomacy across the hemisphere,\u201d said FloraJane DiRienzo, Executive Director, Biennial of the Americas. \u201cBy strengthening collaboration and driving innovative solutions to shared challenges, it builds on our mission to unite diverse voices and create lasting impact. The Biennial remains committed to advancing this important work for a more connected, equitable, and prosperous future for the Americas.\u201d\n\nIn 2021 Bennet supported Colorado\u2019s bid to host the 2022 Summit of the Americas, which took place in Los Angeles. Bennet and Hickenlooper led the effort to support Colorado\u2019s bid to host the Summit of the Americas and Bennet spoke at the first-ever Cities Summit of the Americas in Denver in 2023.\n\nBennet and Cassidy are also the lead sponsors of the Americas Act, a bipartisan and bicameral bill to drive shared economic prosperity, strengthen democracy in our hemisphere, counter the influence of China and Russia, and address some of the causes of migration. The Financial Times Editorial Board, U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Commander General Laura Richardson, Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader, Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle, and Costa Rican Trade Minister Manuel Tovar have all endorsed the bill.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/09/26/press-releases-id-db61550c-60ae-41e2-ba19-09862659dd20/", "Bennet, Blackburn Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Employer Child Care Tax Credit", "2024-09-26", "2024", "2024-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), members of the Senate Committee on Finance, introduced the bipartisan Child Care for American Families Act to strengthen the employer-provided child care credit and expand support for small and rural businesses.\n\n\u201cChild care costs are rising nationwide, and countless families lack access to affordable, high-quality child care. This makes things that much harder for working parents, strains families\u2019 budgets, and adds undue stress for families with young children,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cThe Child Care for American Families Act will help increase our country\u2019s child care supply and reduce the number of Americans in child care deserts.\u201d\n\n\u201cMany families across Tennessee and America are struggling to find reliable and affordable child care, and we need to incentivize businesses to invest in child-care services for their employees,\u201d said Blackburn. \u201cOur Child Care for American Families Act would help alleviate the financial burden of child-care costs by expanding and modernizing the Employer-Provided Child Care Tax Credit.\u201d\n\nThis legislation expands the employer-provided child care credit and increases the existing credit to:\n\n60 percent for businesses in eligible rural areas, for a maximum total credit of $1.2 million annually;\n\n50 percent for small businesses, for a maximum total credit of $1 million annually; and\n\n40 percent of the first $2 million in qualified child care expenses for a maximum total credit of $800,000 annually.\n\nThe legislation also directs the U.S. Department of the Treasury to issue guidance on multi-employer facilities.\n\nIn 2018, the Center for American Progress found that more than half\u2014an estimated 51 percent\u2014of the U.S. population lived in a childcare desert, with disproportionate impacts felt by low-income communities, Hispanic communities, and other communities of color. According to the Bipartisan Policy Center, 31.7 percent of children below the age of six with working parents do not have access to child care, while in rural communities, that number rises to 35.1 percent. According to the Center on Poverty and Social Policy at Columbia University and the National Women\u2019s Law Center, increased investment in affordable child care would increase the number of women working full-time by 17 percent; this number jumps to 31 percent for women without a college degree.\n\nBennet has continuously worked to expand the Child Tax Credit to help families afford the rising cost of raising kids. Last year, Bennet joined House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) to call on the Internal Revenue Service to improve outreach promoting awareness of the Employer-Provided Child Care Credit. In 2021, Bennet also introduced the Military Childcare Expansion Act to expand access to child care for servicemembers and their families.\n\nThe legislation is endorsed by Save the Children, Colorado Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC), Kindercare, Early Care & Education Consortium (ECEC), and BPC Action.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/09/25/press-releases-id-1f213b78-27ae-4fe8-87bc-3c115bb531b2/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper Introduce Legislation to Compensate Communities Affected by Gold King Mine Disaster", "2024-09-25", "2024", "2024-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper introduced the Gold King Mine Spill Compensation Act to help communities in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona that were affected by the Gold King Mine disaster of 2015.\n\n\u201cThe effects of the Gold King Mine disaster were felt far beyond the banks of the Animas River. The blowout hurt families, farmers, and outdoor recreation companies in Durango and throughout southwest Colorado who depend on the river for their livelihoods,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cAlmost a decade later, too many Coloradans still feel its effects. Our legislation is a necessary step to help Coloradans finally recover certain remaining costs and damages incurred from the spill and make Southwest Colorado communities whole again.\u201d\n\n\u201cLocal farmers, homeowners, and outdoor rec outfitters were left high and dry after the Gold King Mine spill in 2015,\u201d said Hickenlooper. \u201cOur bill will make sure they get the compensation they need to finally recover and move forward.\u201d\n\nOn August 5, 2015, the Gold King Mine spill released 3 million gallons of polluted mining wastewater into the Animas and San Juan rivers, affecting waterways in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, the Southern Ute reservation, and the Navajo Nation. Though the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was able to partially compensate some claims, its ability to meet the needs of affected businesses, farmers, and homeowners is constrained by existing laws. This legislation would provide EPA with the necessary authority and funding to compensate certain outstanding claims from the spill.\n\n\u201cThe Gold King Mine Compensation Act clears the procedural hurdles that kept businesses that suffered economic losses due to the spill nearly 10 years ago from being made whole,\u201d said Matt Salka, Chair, La Plata County Board of County Commissioners. \u201cWe are grateful that the impact felt by those businesses has not been forgotten and that a remedy is possible through this much-appreciated legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe work that Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper and their teams have done on the Gold King Mine Bill is restoring my faith in government. After all these years to see the promise of our government concerning the Gold King Mine incident and its ensuing economic damage was not forgotten, is refreshing. The wheels of government turn slowly. We at Mild to Wild Rafting and Jeep Tours are thankful that Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper and their teams are keeping them turning,\u201d said Alex Mickel, President, Mild to Wild Rafting and Jeep Tours.\n\nThe La Plata County Board of County Commissioners also shared a letter in support of this legislation.\n\nImmediately after the Gold King Mine disaster, then-Governor Hickenlooper declared the affected area a disaster zone. The following month, Bennet requested and testified at a Senate hearing regarding the cause, response, and effects of the Gold King Mine disaster. He also introduced the Gold King Mine Spill Recovery Act to ensure the EPA continued to work with states, local communities, and Tribes to compensate those who were affected and implement long-term water quality monitoring. The following year, Bennet worked to pass legislation to support recovery efforts from the spill.\n\nOn its second anniversary, Bennet and New Mexico Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, alongside then-Representative Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-N.M.), introduced legislation to reform the nation\u2019s antiquated mining laws and prevent future hardrock mine disasters.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/09/24/press-releases-id-6fe903c8-4a64-474d-b274-9a6a04d2a2de/", "Bennet, Caraveo, Bipartisan Colleagues Introduce Resolution to Recognize Hispanic Restaurant Owners", "2024-09-24", "2024", "2024-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and U.S. Representative Yadira Caraveo joined bipartisan Senate and House colleagues to introduce a resolution celebrating Hispanic Restaurant Week. From September 22nd through October 3rd, the designation recognizes the hard work and contributions of Hispanic restaurant owners and employees in Colorado and across the country.\n\n\u201cThrough their rich culinary traditions and hard work, Hispanic restaurant workers and owners contribute significantly to our communities and economy,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cHispanic Restaurant Week celebrates the profound influence of Colorado and the nation\u2019s Hispanic community on our national palette, and I\u2019m grateful to stand with Rep. Yadira Caraveo to honor them with this resolution.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Hispanic community enriches the culture, heritage and history of Colorado. The many Hispanic-owned restaurants in our community are a result of their hard work and conviction to build a better future for themselves and their families. Today, we are presenting a Hispanic Restaurant Week Resolution with the support of both parties and both chambers. This is a special occasion to celebrate the many contributions these restaurants \u2014 and the hardworking families who run them \u2014 bring to our communities.\u201d said Caraveo.\n\nIn addition to Bennet and Caraveo, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and U.S. Representatives Nanette Barragan (D-Calif.), Maria Salazar (R-Fla.), and Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.) also cosponsored the resolution.\n\nThis resolution is endorsed by the Hispanic Restaurant Association.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/09/23/press-releases-id-33160d00-894b-4c2b-9e56-57bdd3e22fa5/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper, Colleagues Cheer Passage of Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month", "2024-09-23", "2024", "2024-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper introduced and voted to pass the bipartisan resolution formally recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from September 15th through October 15th. The resolution passed unanimously.\n\n\u201cThere is so much to celebrate about the Hispanic community\u2019s deep roots in Colorado,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cThis month, I\u2019m grateful for the contributions of the more than 1.2 million Hispanic Americans who call our state home.\u201d\n\n\u201c\u00a1Feliz Mes de la Herencia Hispana! Colorado\u2019s rich Latino community defines our state and has helped make it the best place to live,\u201d said Hickenlooper.\n\nIn 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson first commemorated Hispanic Heritage by designating \u201cHispanic Heritage Week.\u201d President Ronald Reagan expanded the celebration in 1988 for a full month. Hispanic Americans are the country\u2019s largest racial or ethnic minority group, representing more than 65 million people and comprising nearly a fifth of the U.S. and Colorado\u2019s population.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/09/19/press-releases-id-3f5c15d9-f866-45b0-b900-5f2d18fdeb86/", "Bennet, Colleagues Push to Combat Disinformation and Misinformation in Latin America and the Caribbean", "2024-09-19", "2024", "2024-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet alongside U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-N.M.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), introduced a bicameral resolution expressing concern about and calling for action to counter Spanish-language disinformation and misinformation across Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as communities in the United States. While social media companies fail to address these threats, malicious actors affiliated with governments of countries including People\u2019s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, and the Islamic Republic of Iran use misinformation to undermine democracy.\n\n\u201cOnline misinformation and disinformation are not new, but the sophistication and scale of new generative AI tools has rapidly exceeded existing safeguards and made it easier for foreign influence campaigns to disrupt free and fair elections, sow mistrust, and undermine democracy \u2013 especially in Latin America and the Caribbean,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m speaking up with my colleagues to call on social media companies, Latin American and Caribbean governments, and the Biden administration to work together to counter disinformation campaigns and protect democracy in the Western Hemisphere.\u201d\n\n\u201cDisinformation poses a significant threat to free and fair elections, and social media platforms must do more to address this growing threat in Latin America and the Caribbean,\u201d said Luj\u00e1n. \u201cThis resolution urges social media companies to strengthen safety measures, collaborate with civil society and independent media, and boost transparency. It also urges governments across the Americas to invest in combatting misinformation and disinformation. I am committed to preserving the integrity of our elections and ensuring that communities have access to accurate information.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor years, Russia, China, and other authoritarian regimes have weaponized disinformation to undermine democracy \u2013 both in the United States and across the globe,\u201d said Cardin. \u201cIn Latin America, this threat is especially rampant, as limited resources and weak independent media leave the region vulnerable to widespread and malign Spanish-language disinformation operations. This congressional resolution \u2013 the first of its kind to address the dangers of dis/misinformation in the region and its impact on Latino communities in the United States \u2013 sends a clear message: social media companies, regional governments, and the Biden administration have a responsibility to act swiftly in taking stronger action to confront these challenges.\u201d\n\nBennet has repeatedly pushed U.S. leaders to deepen partnerships with Latin America and the Caribbean, and is the Senate Democratic lead co-sponsor of the bicameral, bipartisan Americas Act, which would strengthen U.S. economic leadership across the Western Hemisphere. Bennet has also called on leading technology companies to identify and label AI-generated content to combat the spread of misinformation and disinformation, and has introduced the REAL Political Ads Act to require a disclaimer on political ads in the U.S. that use content generated by AI.\n\nIn addition to Bennet, Luj\u00e1n, and Cardin, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and U.S. Representatives Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Norma Torres (D-Calif.), and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif) also cosponsored this legislation.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/09/18/press-releases-id-43cc166c-3d10-49c2-8f1e-0ad62884e56c/", "Bennet, Colleagues Urge FCC to Require AI-Generated Content Disclosure in Political Ads on Radio and TV", "2024-09-18", "2024", "2024-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration with oversight over federal elections, alongside U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-N.M.) and six of their Senate colleagues urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to adopt a proposed rule requiring the disclosure of AI-generated content in political ads on radio and TV.\n\n\u201cWe recognize that the use of AI-generated content has many benefits. But like any new technology, AI poses risks to society, risks that are even more pronounced in the context of elections. The use of AI-generated content has the potential to amplify mis and disinformation, incite political violence, and suppress voter participation,\u201d wrote the senators.\n\n\u201c[F]oreign actors may use deceptive AI to sow discord and undermine our democracy and faith in elections,\u201d continue the senators. \u201c[A]s AI-generated content becomes more and more advanced, voters may find it difficult to recognize video, images, audio and text as fake. For this reason, we believe it is imperative that robust transparency and disclosure requirements are in place as soon as possible.\u201d\n\nIn 2022, Bennet was the first senator to propose creating an expert federal body to regulate digital platforms with his Digital Platform Commission Act. In June 2023, Bennet called on major technology companies to identify and label AI-generated content, and introduced the Global Technology Leadership Act to bolster the government\u2019s ability to assess U.S. capacity in emerging technologies relative to other countries. Bennet also introduced the Oversee Emerging Technology Act and the ASSESS AI Act to ensure government use of AI complies with fundamental rights, and joined his colleagues to introduce the REAL Political Ads Act to require a disclaimer on political ads for federal campaigns that use content generated by AI.\n\nIn addition to Bennet and Luj\u00e1n, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) also signed the letter.\n\nThe text of the letter is available HERE and below.\n\nWe write to express our support for the Federal Communications Commission\u2019s (FCC) proposal to require disclosure of the use of AI-generated content in political ads on radio and TV. While more must be done to address the risks that AI poses to our elections, we urge the FCC to adopt these rules as the 2024 presidential election is less than two months away and, in some states, voters can begin casting ballots as early as this month.\n\nWe recognize that the use of AI-generated content has many benefits. But like any new technology, AI poses risks to society, risks that are even more pronounced in the context of elections. The use of AI-generated content has the potential to amplify mis and disinformation, incite political violence, and suppress voter participation. In addition, foreign actors may use deceptive AI to sow discord and undermine our democracy and faith in elections. Lastly, as AI-generated content becomes more and more advanced, voters may find it difficult to recognize video, images, audio and text as fake. For this reason, we believe it is imperative that robust transparency and disclosure requirements are in place as soon as possible.\n\nIn addition, we support the following specific provisions of the proposed rules. First, we support on-air and written disclosure requirements. Such requirements are the most straightforward way to ensure that the public is notified of the use of AI-generated content in the advertisement they are viewing and/or hearing. Second, we support the application of transparency and disclosure requirements to both candidate and issue advertisements. This will ensure that both types of political ads are subject to the same standards. Next, we support the transparency and disclosure requirement applications to both broadcasters as well as other entities under the FCC\u2019s jurisdiction. Again, this will ensure a more level playing field across mediums. Additionally, we urge the FCC to include an updated definition of \u201cAI-generated content\u201d to clarify that long-standing, basic editing tools are not considered as covered content. This will ensure that basic audio and video accessibility and editing tools are not negatively impacted by this necessary rulemaking on artificial intelligence. Lastly, we support a requirement that these rules take effect 90 days prior to an election as well as during the election certification process.\n\nWe urge the Commission to finalize and implement these rules as soon as possible. Thank you in advance for your attention to this important issue.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/09/17/press-releases-id-04e11383-19c3-40d8-a01e-0dabe04ff206/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper Welcome Over $600,000 to Prevent Veteran Suicides in Colorado", "2024-09-17", "2024", "2024-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper welcomed $642,629 from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for Colorado suicide prevention services for veterans. The VA awarded two organizations \u2013 the Healing Warriors Program in the Eastern Plains and the Front Range and the Valley-Wide Health Systems in Southern Colorado \u2013 as part of VA\u2019s National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide.\n\n\u201cOur country\u2019s veterans have sacrificed so much to keep us safe, and we must do more to ensure they have access to the mental health care they\u2019ve earned,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cI\u2019m grateful Colorado will benefit from this investment, which will save lives and expand urgently needed support to veterans nationwide.\u201d\n\n\u201cOver six thousand veterans die by suicide each year. We won\u2019t stand by as our veterans suffer in silence after serving their country,\u201d said Hickenlooper. \u201cThese grants will save lives.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/09/13/press-releases-id-9db7e940-8b36-46a3-8ab5-11b2b209252a/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper Welcome $28.6 Million from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Improve Road Safety in Colorado", "2024-09-13", "2024", "2024-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "The County of Gunnison is awarded funds to implement safety improvements along State Highway (SH) 135 to address pressing safety issues. SH 135 is a rural 2-lane highway that serves as the main travel corridor for public bus services throughout Gunnison Valley. Gunnison County\u2019s traffic fatality rate is nearly three times higher than the State of Colorado and US rates. The safety problems include high vehicle speeds, turning vehicle conflicts, a lack of roadway departure countermeasures, poor driver lines of sight, and lack of safe crossing infrastructure. The project will boost safety for all roadway users, mitigate traffic congestion, improve the accessibility of bus transit, foster connections to affordable housing and job opportunities, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Improvements include adding center- and edge-line rumble strips, extending guardrails, speed-limit modifications, sidewalk enhancements, installation of roundabouts, a pedestrian underpass, transit bus pullouts, and upgrades to Gunnison Valley\u2019s emergency service provider capabilities.\n\nThis award will be used by City and County of Denver to conduct temporary activities in the downtown area where 20% of fatal and serious injury crashes occur. Improvements include hardened centerlines, painted/pre-cast concrete pedestrian refuges, bike corral bumpouts for daylighting, re-timing of pedestrian countdown signals to increase walk times at key intersections to/from high ridership transit stops, increased signal visibility, and protected left turns.\n\nThis award will be used by the City of Fort Collins to conduct two supplemental planning and one demonstration activity. They will conduct an audit of align standards and policies to identify those that do not with City\u2019s Action Plan. A study will look at a four- to six-lane, 45 to 55 mph arterial with bike lanes that is a high priority project under the City\u2019s Action Plan and develop concepts to mitigate speed related risks and reduce severe crashes involving vulnerable road users. A demonstration project will occur on a street near a college, evaluating modifications to reduce the motor vehicle use and create safer and more predictable travel for those who require access to the street.\n\nThis award will be used by the City of Pueblo to revise their Roadway Classification Design Standards and Policies and conduct an additional safety analysis and expanded data collection and evaluation of a corridor, using integrated data from the in-progress Action Plan.\n\nThis award will be used by the City of Loveland to update and consolidate their comprehensive safety action plan, evaluate and enhance safety planning for active transportation, conduct public engagement, deploy a temporary lane reduction on a major road, install at least one small roundabout, and deploy new traffic camera technology that may allow the automated collection of near-miss data.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/09/12/press-releases-id-7f72cc19-6774-420d-afe1-b845edfd6097/", "Bennet, Brown, Bicameral Colleagues Introduce Bill to Support Fossil Fuel Workers Amid Clean Energy Transition", "2024-09-12", "2024", "2024-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet joined U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) alongside 20 of their Senate and House colleagues to reintroduce the American Energy Worker Opportunity Act. This bicameral legislation provides critical resources and training opportunities to assist and empower workers whose jobs are affected by the energy industry\u2019s move toward cleaner sources. U.S. Representative Greg Casar (D-Texas) introduced companion legislation in the House.\n\n\u201cWorkers in Colorado and across our nation\u2019s energy communities have powered our economy for decades. As our country transitions to a 21st century, clean energy economy, we must ensure these workers are at the forefront of our approach\u201d said Bennet. \u201cThis legislation would provide critical wage replacement and health benefits to energy workers and invest in training and education programs to help them find new, good-paying jobs.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe have a responsibility to protect our planet from the climate crisis \u2014 while also protecting America\u2019s fossil fuel workers from being left behind in the transition to a clean energy economy,\u201d said Casar. \u201cWe don\u2019t have to choose between the planet and workers. We can do right by fossil fuel workers and their families, while also accelerating our fight against the climate crisis.\u201d\n\nThe American Energy Worker Opportunity Act would create a worker transition program with wage replacement or supplements, health care benefits, education and training funds, and an additional education benefit for children of laid-off workers.\n\nSpecifically, the legislation would:\n\nProvide fossil fuel workers with a wage replacement or supplement in addition to assistance to maintain health benefits and contribute to retirement;\n\nProvide worker education and training, up to and including a four-year degree;\n\nCreate educational grants for the children of dislocated fossil fuel workers; and\n\nRequire agencies to prioritize the hiring of fossil fuel workers into clean energy jobs when disbursing new energy grants.\n\n\u201cUnion workers have always been at the heart of the energy production that\u2019s fueled this country, and must continue to be as we move towards a clean energy economy. That\u2019s why the AFL-CIO is fighting hard to ensure that fundamental labor rights and good union jobs are central to every clean energy project and facility across the country,\u201d said Liz Shuler, president, AFL-CIO. \u201cThe American Energy Worker Opportunity Act would take important steps to make that vision a reality by delivering good pay, essential skills training, the right to organize, and a pathway into a good union job for energy workers. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners in Congress to address the climate crisis and secure good union jobs for all.\u201d\n\nIn addition to Bennet, Brown and Casar, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Ct.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and twelve members of the U.S. House of Representatives also sponsored the legislation.\n\nThis legislation is also endorsed by the AFL-CIO, BlueGreen Alliance, National Wildlife Foundation, Natural Resource Defense Council, United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), United Utility Workers of America (UWUA), Sierra Club, Texas AFL-CIO, and Texas Climate Jobs Project.\n\nIn May 2022, Bennet introduced the National Energy Community Transition Act to support economic development and diversification in communities that have historically relied on fossil fuel-related power generation, production, or extraction and now face significant declines in tax revenue that sustain core public services, such as hospitals and schools. That bill and the bill released today would complement each other by supporting workers and their families, as well as their surrounding communities, in the transition away from fossil fuels towards new economic opportunities.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/09/10/press-releases-id-e31e1a55-5593-44c5-9c2d-bc463675e343/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper, Boebert Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Complete the Arkansas Valley Conduit", "2024-09-10", "2024", "2024-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper introduced the Finish the AVC Act to ensure the affordability and completion of the Arkansas Valley Conduit (AVC). Bipartisan companion legislation in the House of Representatives was introduced by Colorado U.S. Representative Lauren Boebert. The legislation would remove interest payments on all non-federal cost share funds and extend the repayment period from 50 to 100 years. This bill helps make sure that underserved communities of Southeastern Colorado can access clean drinking water and repay the federal government. The project cost estimate more than doubled from the 2019 estimate of $640 million to $1.3 billion due to increased inflation and labor costs.\n\n\u201cThis bill will ensure the federal government makes good on its promise to Southeastern Coloradans to deliver a safe and reliable water supply,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cWe have invested over $300 million to build the Arkansas Valley Conduit over the past decade and now we must ensure increased costs don\u2019t stop this project in its tracks.\u201d\n\n\u201cWater has been the lifeblood of Colorado\u2019s Arkansas River Valley since long before JFK promised to deliver them clean drinking water,\u201d said Hickenlooper. \u201cSixty years later, our bill will help Southeastern Colorado communities harness their resources to get the job done.\u201d\n\n\u201cSoutheastern Coloradans need access to a clean, sustainable water supply that every family can depend on, which is what the Finish The AVC Act will deliver,\u201d said Boebert. \u201cI\u2019m proud to introduce this legislation with our Senators to help our rural communities in Colorado see this critical project through to completion.\u201d\n\nThe Arkansas Valley Conduit is the final component of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project, a water diversion and storage project in the lower Arkansas Valley, which Congress approved in 1962. Once constructed, the Conduit will deliver clean drinking water from the Pueblo Reservoir to more than 50,000 families, producers and municipalities throughout 39 communities in the Arkansas River Valley. Currently, these Southeast communities rely entirely on groundwater, with several facing water contamination from naturally-occurring radioactive elements.\n\n\u201cWater is one of our most precious resources in Colorado and we are committed to helping every Coloradan access clean drinking water, said Colorado Governor Jared Polis. \u201cThis project will support access in the Arkansas valley and I thank Senator Bennet for his leadership on this issue.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis is another very important step for the people of the Lower Arkansas Valley who have struggled to get the Arkansas Valley Conduit moving ahead for more than 60 years,\u201d said Bill Long, President, Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District. \u201cNow that the AVC is finally under construction and given the current estimated cost of the AVC project, this legislation is absolutely necessary to make this dream a reality. We are grateful for our entire congressional delegation stepping up to make it happen.\u201d\n\nBennet and Hickenlooper have long fought for federal funding for the AVC. Both senators helped deliver $250 million in funding for the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for the AVC, including $90 million earlier this year, $100 million in 2023 and $60 million in 2022. Both senators also secured over $60 million in annual appropriations spending bills since 2010, including $10.1 million in Fiscal Year 2024 and $10.1 million in Fiscal Year 2023. Following Bennet and Hickenlooper\u2019s call to the Senate Appropriations Committee Leadership this April to increase funds for the project, the Committee included $13 million for the AVC in their Fiscal Year 2025 Energy and Water bill.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/09/05/press-releases-id-04133e9c-37b0-4610-bb53-79897f255e88/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper Welcome up to $1.1 Billion from Inflation Reduction Act for Rural Electric Cooperatives in Colorado", "2024-09-05", "2024", "2024-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper welcomed $7.3 billion from the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s (USDA) Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program to help rural energy and utility providers bring affordable, reliable clean energy to their communities across the country. The announcement includes up to $1.16 billion for three providers in Colorado. Bennet helped secure nearly $13 billion in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to support rural clean energy initiatives through USDA, including the New ERA program.\n\n\u201cOur rural electric cooperatives are central to our nation\u2019s ability to transition to a clean energy economy,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cThis funding will enable the critical work of helping modernize co-op energy infrastructure across rural Colorado to lower energy costs for families, farms, ranches and small businesses, and to drive opportunity in rural communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Inflation Reduction Act isn\u2019t just about clean energy, it\u2019s also about reducing electric costs for Coloradans and helping rural communities take power generation into their own hands. Cheaper, cleaner, more reliable electricity for rural Coloradans is a win-win-win,\u201d said Hickenlooper.\n\nThe New ERA program is a $9.7 billion program created in the IRA that helps rural electric cooperatives transition to clean, affordable, and reliable energy. It is part of the largest investment in rural electrification since the New Deal. This funding includes investments for three of Colorado\u2019s rural electric cooperatives:\n\nUp to $679 million to Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association to procure renewable energy including solar, wind, and battery storage and to support the retirement of coal-fired power generation while maintaining energy reliability;\n\n$261 million to United Power to offset the cost of its transition to a strategic, clean energy portfolio; and\n\n$225 million to CORE Electric Cooperative to procure renewable energy sources including wind, solar, and batteries through several power purchase agreements.\n\n\u201cThis Empowering Rural America New ERA investment will be used for CORE Electric Cooperative to procure approximately 550 megawatts of new wind and solar renewable energy. It will also allow CORE to invest in energy reliability through roughly 100 megawatts of energy storage,\u201d said Pam Feuerstein, CEO, CORE Electric Cooperative. \u201cThese efforts are estimated to provide more than 1.9 million MWh of GHG-free energy annually, create new short and long-term jobs, reduce costs for member-owners, and help meet Colorado\u2019s clean energy goals.\u201d\n\n\u201cNew ERA represents the largest investment in rural electric cooperatives and the communities they serve since the Rural Electrification Act of 1936,\u201d said Duane Highley, CEO, Tri-State. \u201cWe couldn\u2019t be more excited by this opportunity to leverage New ERA to serve our cooperative\u2019s members and support our communities through unparalleled investments that achieve significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions while maintaining the reliable, affordable electricity rural communities count on.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Empowering Rural America New ERA investment will have an immediate positive impact on all United Power members who have experienced increased costs for food, property taxes, insurance, and all utilities over the past few years,\u201d said Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO, United Power. \u201cWe are excited to start receiving the funds so we can promote how USDA\u2019s support of our power supply\u2019s decarbonization as laid out in Our Cooperative Roadmap will benefit the communities, we serve for generations to come.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/09/05/press-releases-id-156c3e46-c374-48b6-9e55-ee0c4b1e2aa4/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper Welcome Nearly $100 Million for Colorado Airports", "2024-09-05", "2024", "2024-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "This project reconstructs 3,700 feet of the existing paved Taxiway A pavement that has reached the end of its useful life.\n\nThis project expands the existing terminal by 19,728 square feet. This grant funds new gates, passenger hold rooms, and TSA passenger screening and baggage claim areas. This expansion will facilitate the movement of passengers and baggage to bring the airport into conformity with current standards.\n\nThis project rehabilitates 10,000 feet of the existing paved Taxiway A to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and to minimize foreign object debris to extend its useful life and reconstructs the existing lighting on Taxiway A that has reached the end of its useful life.\n\nThis project constructs a new 1,300 foot paved Taxiway O to bring the airport into conformity with current standards and reconstructs 970 feet of the existing paved Taxiway D pavement that has reached the end of its useful life.\n\nThis project rehabilitates 5,250 feet of the existing paved Taxiway C to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement to extend its useful life and rehabilitates 4,000 feet of the existing paved Taxiway D to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement to extend its useful life.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/08/22/press-releases-id-cd7124c8-7080-401a-b754-13d7eb2bf2ab/", "Bennet, Risch, Wasserman Schultz, Salazar to Introduce Legislation to Promote Democracy in Venezuela", "2024-08-22", "2024", "2024-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), alongside U.S. Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) and Maria Salazar (R-Fla.), announced their intent to introduce the Venezuela Advancing Liberty, Opportunity, and Rights Act (VALOR Act) when Congress reconvenes in September. This legislation establishes U.S. policy in support of a transition to democratic order in Venezuela.\n\n\u201cMaduro and his corrupt, illegitimate regime have wreaked havoc on Venezuela and its people. This bipartisan legislation affirms the United States\u2019 support for the Venezuelan people\u2019s fight to restore the rule of law and democracy in their country when they elected President-elect Edmundo Gonz\u00e1lez on July 28. I\u2019ll keep working with Senator Risch and my colleagues to demonstrate that the United States of America stands with them,\u201d said Bennet.\n\n\u201cThe Maduro regime continues to violate internationally recognized human rights and threaten regional and international peace with impunity. It is past time the United States take the lead in establishing clear and resolute policies to support a credible transition to democratic order in Venezuela,\u201d said Risch. \u201cThe VALOR Act will do just that by seeking international cooperation for a peaceful transition to democracy in Venezuela and maintaining sanctions until there has been substantive and measurable progress. I\u2019m grateful to Senator Bennet for working with me on this effort.\u201d\n\n\u201cVenezuelans courageously took to the ballot box to seek true, legitimate representation after a lost decade under Maduro,\u201d said Wasserman Schultz. \u201cDespite violent repression, overwhelming majorities repudiated Maduro and chose President-elect Edmundo Gonz\u00e1lez. But this brutal regime refuses to face reality, despite clear evidence proving Maduro\u2019s loss. The Biden-Harris Administration successfully forced Maduro to hold this election. Now, the United States must ensure consequences for Maduro\u2019s attempt to overturn the will of the voters and support a democratic future for all Venezuelans.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmerica cannot wait any longer as Maduro finalizes his theft of Venezuela\u2019s election,\u201d said Salazar. \u201cThe United States must send the message that Maduro\u2019s time in Miraflores is up, and that Edmundo Gonz\u00e1lez will take his rightful office in January. No more money for the Chavistas and their repressive apparatus.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, this legislation:\n\nEstablishes democratic benchmarks guiding the removal of sanctions on the Maduro regime and any non-democratic successor;\n\nCodifies financial sanctions on the Venezuelan Central Bank, Petr\u00f3leos de Venezuela, S.A., and Venezuelan cryptocurrency;\n\nRequires the U.S. to block participation of any non-democratic government of Venezuela at the Organization of American States (OAS), Inter-American Development Bank, and International Momentary Fund;\n\nAuthorizes a $5 million U.S. contribution to create an OAS Emergency Fund to deploy human rights monitors and electoral observers;\n\nAuthorizes nongovernmental organizations to support humanitarian, democracy building, education, environmental protection, and non-commercial development projects in Venezuela directly benefiting the Venezuelan people;\n\nBlocks U.S. foreign assistance to any country providing assistance, including financial assistance (except humanitarian aid), to the Maduro regime or any non-democratic successor;\n\nRequires the president to develop an economic assistance plan to a democratically governed Venezuela and creates a \u201ccoordinating official\u201d within the State Department to oversee development and implementation of such a plan; and\n\nRequires the president to submit a report to Congress outlining barriers and policy objectives on trade and investment between the U.S. and a democratically governed Venezuela.\n\nIn addition to Bennet and Risch, U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) also sponsored the legislation.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:32Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/08/14/press-releases-id-7b9d8ee1-9d75-4819-a508-f65a55190f5c/", "Bennet, Neguse Lead Letter Urging IRS to Exempt TABOR Refunds from Taxes", "2024-08-14", "2024", "2024-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 Today, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and Colorado U.S. Representative Joe Neguse led the entirety of Colorado\u2019s federal delegation in a letter to Internal Revenue System (IRS) Commissioner Danny Werfel urging the agency to refrain from taxing Colorado Taxpayer\u2019s Bill of Rights (TABOR) refunds. In 2023, the Colorado General Assembly enacted a bill making TABOR payments flat-rate refunds for one additional year. The IRS is currently considering this refund method for potential taxability. State lawmakers adjusted the refund mechanisms in the most recent 2024 legislative session to comport with IRS guidance on taxability.\n\nThe letter was joined by Senator John Hickenlooper and Representatives Boebert, Caraveo, Crow, DeGette, Lamborn, Lopez, and Pettersen.\n\n\u201cWe understand that the IRS is considering treating the flat $800 and $1,600 TABOR payments issued by the state for fiscal year 2022-2023 as federal taxable income,\u201d wrote the Colorado lawmakers. \u201cAs you know, our offices strongly disagree with such an interpretation. Moreover, we are particularly concerned that if such guidance were to apply to the tax year in question, Colorado Department of Revenue officials may be unable to successfully and appropriately prepare for this change, and that taxpayers would thereby be left scrambling to determine whether they had unanticipated tax liabilities.\u201d\n\n\u201cI appreciate Assistant Democratic Leader Neguse, Senator Bennet and the Colorado delegation for their support in ensuring that Coloradans\u2019 TABOR refunds are not taxed and keeping more money in the pocket of hardworking Coloradans,\u201d added Governor Jared Polis. \u201cI urge the federal government to maintain the decades of precedence that tax refunds are not taxed.\u201d\n\nThe TABOR Amendment was approved by voters in 1992, and since that time, the State of Colorado has refunded excess revenue generated by the state to the taxpayers.\n\nRead the full letter HERE and below.\n\nDear Commissioner Werfel:\n\nWe write to once again urge the Internal Revenue Service (\u201cIRS\u201d) not to treat the State of Colorado\u2019s Taxpayer\u2019s Bill of Rights (\u201cTABOR\u201d) refunds as taxable income. While we appreciate you and your agency\u2019s continued communication with our offices, we request that this be resolved in a timely manner to avoid further confusion for taxpayers in our state.\n\nWe understand that the IRS is considering treating the flat $800 and $1,600 TABOR payments issued by the state for fiscal year 2022-2023 as federal taxable income. As you know, our offices strongly disagree with such an interpretation. Moreover, we are particularly concerned that if such guidance were to apply to the tax year in question, Colorado Department of Revenue officials may be unable to successfully and appropriately prepare for this change, and that taxpayers would thereby be left scrambling to determine whether they had unanticipated tax liabilities.\n\nAs you are well aware, the IRS has never considered TABOR refund payments as taxable income since the state constitutional amendment was ratified by Colorado voters in 1992\u2014over thirty years ago. A change this significant would take considerable time and resources from the state to ensure regulatory stability and to appropriately inform the public of how these changes may affect them. It would also have a significant impact on taxpayers \u2013 especially low-income taxpayers \u2013 who may have new unanticipated tax obligations as a result of this policy interpretation. Moreover, the Colorado General Assembly has adjusted the refund mechanisms to comport with IRS guidance on taxability so that this question is fully resolved going forward.\n\nWith that in mind, we ask that the IRS treat the current flat TABOR refund payments for tax year 2024 as not taxable. We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:32Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/08/08/press-releases-id-71b9900d-c04a-4548-9ec8-c9281bb5655a/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper Celebrate Unanimous Senate Passage of Biannual Water Bill", "2024-08-08", "2024", "2024-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper celebrated the unanimous Senate passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA 2024), which includes Colorado projects to manage flood risk and promote healthy waterways.\n\n\u201cAs Colorado faces a hotter and drier future, we must ensure our water infrastructure can meet our state\u2019s changing needs,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cI\u2019m grateful for the Senate passage of this important package, which will help protect Colorado\u2019s vital waterways and resources for the next generation.\u201d\n\n\u201cWater is always on our mind in Colorado. More erratic weather that brings both longer droughts and stronger floods is taxing our infrastructure,\u201d said Hickenlooper. \u201cThese new investments will help communities future-proof.\u201d\n\nWRDA is passed every two years to authorize projects that address water management, flood control, ecosystem restoration, and long-term clean water priorities.\n\nThe bill includes the following Colorado projects:\n\n$20 million authorized for El Paso County to address water supply and stormwater management.\n\nA feasibility study of a project to restore ecosystems along Monument and Fountain Creeks and to rehabilitate the Templeton Gap Levee in Colorado Springs.\n\nA U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and U.S. Government Accountability Office study to help speed the completion of two projects to promote healthy waterways along the South Platte River and neighboring water systems in the Denver area.\n\nA boost in the federal share for assistance from USACE for Continuing Authorities Programs (CAPs) to allow USACE to participate in smaller-scale projects to reduce flood damages and restore aquatic ecosystems.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:32Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/08/07/press-releases-id-03d5e070-71a5-4b3e-a5e9-f38708bc8f1a/", "Bennet, Marshall Urge Secretary Vilsack to Improve Drought Response for Western Producers", "2024-08-07", "2024", "2024-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall sent a letter urging Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to adapt the USDA\u2019s drought mitigation programs to provide sufficient resources to western farmers and ranchers. The letter details testimony and recommendations given by Colorado and Kansas producers, water experts, and state officials from the June field hearing in Burlington, Colorado. The field hearing, titled Hearing on the High Plains: Combating Drought with Innovation, focused on solving the unique challenges historic drought is creating for western producers.\n\n\u201cColorado and Kansas producers told us they cannot survive the current levels of drought unless we make serious changes to how we address it,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cTheir field hearing testimonies were invaluable, and now we need the assistance from our USDA programs and upcoming Farm Bill to reflect the unique challenges they are facing.\u201d\n\n\u201cThrough our field hearings and testimonies, we heard the problems and complications loud and clear- it\u2019s now time to focus on solutions,\u201d said Marshall. \u201cWe hope the USDA will take the next steps and make improvements and investments to help our Kansas and Colorado producers. We recognize that these won\u2019t solve all our water issues in the West, but it\u2019s a good start.\u201d\n\nThe letter specifically addresses multiple USDA programs that could be improved including The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), The Watershed and Flood Prevention Program (PL-566). In addition, the letter recommends increased investment in water conservation research and the scaling of innovative and voluntary water conservation approaches, like the creation of a voluntary groundwater conservation pilot program mirrored after Senator Bennet\u2019s Voluntary Groundwater Conservation Act.\n\nSenators Bennet and Marshall, Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee\u2019s Conservation, Climate, Forestry and Natural Resources Subcommittee, hosted the hearing on June 26, 2024. More on the Subcommittee hearing in Burlington, CO can be found here.\n\nThe text of the letter is available HERE and below.\n\nDear Secretary Vilsack:\n\nOn Wednesday, June 26, 2024, we hosted a Field Hearing on the High Plains in the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry\u2019s Subcommittee on Conservation, Climate, Forestry and Natural Resources. We write today to share what we heard from the producers, partners and state officials who testified at the Field Hearing, titled, Hearing on the High Plains: Combating Drought with Innovation.\n\nDroughts in Colorado and Kansas are increasing in frequency and intensity. Agriculture in our states is on the frontlines of the effects of long-term drought and producers should be part of the solution to help conserve water while producing food to feed the world.\n\nWe heard directly from witnesses about the issues they face with certain U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs and the changes they would like to see to federal responses to drought. They include:\n\nThe Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Current CRP rental rates are largely based on soil productivity and should instead be based on erodibility indexes. This financial compensation structure leads to enrollment of the more productive soils and provides little or no incentive for those who have poorer soils to enroll. Additionally, producers would like to see the overall annual payment cap increased to at least $125,000 per individual or entity.\n\nWithin CRP, the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) has been used to address water conservation efforts. However, both states are facing headwinds with the CREP program.\n\nThe Republican River Water Conservation District (RRWCD) Dryland-farmable CREP: Last year, the RRWCD\u2019s entered into the nation\u2019s first Dryland-farmable CREP agreement with the State of Colorado and the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Unfortunately, no applications have been received by the local FSA due to administrative restrictions or contradictory requirements in the agreement, including:\n\nThe requirement to plant cover crops the first year of production and implement a rigid crop rotation in which cover crops shall be produced as many as 30% of the 14-15 contract years; and\n\nProducers applying up to half an acre foot of water in the first year of their contract to establish wildlife habitat surrounding the 130-acre crop circle. This allows a producer to use almost 95.5% of the 65 acre-feet of the water applied to the entire crop circle, when in fact they believe the objective of the contract is to conserve the Ogallala Aquifer.\n\nThe Rio Grande Water Conservation District CREP: This agreement has struggled to enroll acres for multiple reasons, including:\n\nThe agency has historically discouraged alfalfa as an eligible crop. Continuous cropping alfalfa fields need to be made directly eligible for participation in this program;\n\nInadequately designed revegetation programs that do not meet the actual circumstances existing on the ground. The agency should increase the number of years where limited irrigation could occur and allow for more water to be applied than is currently permitted. Only with a right to apply more water over a longer period of time is there a realistic opportunity to ensure that a permanent natural cover can be created on land that has often been disturbed and managed as irrigated farm ground for close to 100 years; and\n\nNo flexibility to choose the type of cover crop to be used in highly unique growing environments, like the San Luis Valley. Choosing seed mix that is predominately gathered from the local species should be encouraged to increase the chance of a successful revegetation and increase producer confidence in the program.\n\nThe proposed Rattlesnake Creek Basin Dryland CREP: According to testimony from witnesses, this proposed CREP is stalled with Farm Service Agency staff at headquarters. We would appreciate an update on the proposal status at your earliest convenience.\n\nThe Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)\n\nThe USDA must implement the EQIP water management entity provision that allowed the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to enter contracts with entities such as irrigation districts, ditch companies, and groundwater management districts to implement voluntary regional-scale water conservation and efficiency improvements. Despite this authorization, NRCS has not widely utilized this new authority within western states, partly due to limited NRCS guidance on how best to implement these provisions in line with the statute and limited financial and technical resources.\n\nThe Watershed and Flood Prevention Program (PL-566)\n\nThe NRCS has the ability to address aging water infrastructure challenges through the PL-566 program. The PL-566 Watershed Program is increasingly utilized to address several western water challenges, from efforts to modernize water systems to enhance the resilience of aquatic ecosystems. However, as currently structured, the PL-566 Watershed Program struggles to meet increasing demand and to address unique western water challenges. The program needs to be modernized to increase the pace and scale of multi-benefit watershed resilience projects in western states.\n\nResearch and Data\n\nAs Colorado and Kansas family farmers and ranchers face persistent drought, higher costs, extreme weather, and increased global competition, it is more important than ever to invest in cutting-edge research to spur agricultural breakthroughs, including practices to conserve water and cut greenhouse gas emissions. We urge the Department to consider the following measures:\n\nAllocate additional resources for localized research, development and application of drought-resistant technologies and practices for the arid West; and\n\nQuality climate data has become increasingly sparse and is essential in helping producers, water managers, and others in the High Plains region make decisions. Support and investment in state weather and environmental networks like the Kansas Mesonet (Mesonet, 2024) or Colorado\u2019s COlorado AGricultural Meteorological nETwork (CoAgMET, 2024), which is important to not only sustain historical standardized data collection but also build an enhanced spatial and temporal database. These provide significant additional meteorological and climatological phenomena beyond historical temperature and precipitation data to decision makers to assist with irrigation planning, understanding crop stress, soil moisture availability, fire weather risk, and ground truthing insurance payouts for resulting losses of both crops and livestock.\n\nScaling Innovative, Voluntary Water Conservation Approaches\n\nThe Department has a unique opportunity to implement innovative approaches to water conservation and drought resilience. In particular, we encourage the agency to implement the following items:\n\nA voluntary groundwater conservation pilot program. Witnesses expressed support for voluntary conservation easements that help reduce groundwater pumping while allowing producers to continue farming. Opportunities exist to implement a pilot in the Ogallala aquifer region through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program; and\n\nSupport the Conservation Innovation Grants program, as well as local and state programs that incentivize sustainable practices and incorporate the lessons-learned into conservation practice standards or other programs at the agency.\n\nThe federal government has to do more to ensure that family farmers and ranchers in our states can adapt to drought conditions that plague the Great Plains and Western United States. We look forward to hearing from you and welcome the chance to work together on ways to support America\u2019s family farmers and ranchers.\n\nSincerely,\n\nMichael F. Bennet Roger Marshall, M.D.\n\nU.S. Senator U.S. Senator", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:32Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/08/05/press-releases-id-6f248839-8b10-423b-9bb4-9c9ea9d165cc/", "Bennet, Tillis, Sinema, Paul, 15 Colleagues Call on FDA to Rely on Scientific Evidence for MDMA-Assisted Therapy to Treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder", "2024-08-05", "2024", "2024-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), and Rand Paul (R-Ky.), alongside 15 of their Senate colleagues, urged U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert Califf to remain firmly anchored in scientific evidence and data as the FDA considers approval of MDMA-Assisted Therapy (MDMA-AT) to treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). MDMA-AT could help address the mental and behavioral crisis, especially among American veterans.\n\n\u201cExisting treatments and medicines for PTSD, the last of which FDA approved nearly 25 years ago, have not decreased the frequency of suicide within the veteran community. As a nation, we cannot allow our veterans to continue to suffer in silence and must identify treatments proven to drastically decrease the adverse effects of PTSD,\u201d wrote Bennet, Tillis, Sinema and Paul.\n\nEvery year, 6,000 U.S. veterans die by suicide \u2013 and untreated mental health challenges, including PTSD, put veterans at heightened risk of homelessness, addiction, and depression. Breakthrough therapies and scientific advancements such as MDMA-AT offer new hope for those suffering from PTSD, but more research is needed to ensure these treatments are safe and effective.\n\n\u201cThe potential for groundbreaking advancements in PTSD treatment is within reach, and we owe it to our veterans and other affected populations to review these potentially transformative therapies based on robust clinical and scientific evidence,\u201d continue the senators. \u201cThe rigorous, evidence-based review process by the FDA will be critical in making informed decisions that could offer a new lease on life for many individuals, including veterans, affected by this condition.\u201d\n\nIn addition to Bennet, Tillis, Sinema and Paul, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-N.M.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) also signed onto this letter.\n\nThe text of the letter is available HERE and below.\n\nDear Commissioner Califf:\n\nWe write to you today regarding the U.S. Food and Drug Administration\u2019s (FDA) consideration of MDMA-Assisted Therapy (MDMA-AT) as a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) treatment. Existing treatments and medicines for PTSD, the last of which FDA approved nearly 25 years ago, have not decreased the frequency of suicide within the veteran community. As a nation, we cannot allow our veterans to continue to suffer in silence and must identify treatments proven to drastically decrease the adverse effects of PTSD.\n\nUntreated PTSD can lead to negative consequences, such as homelessness, addiction, depression, and suicide. Our country has a severe veteran suicide and PTSD crisis where 6,000 veterans die by suicide each year, with over 150,000 suicides since 9/11. Advancements in scientific research offer new hope for those suffering from PTSD; MDMA-AT is one of the most promising and available options to provide reprieve for veterans\u2019 endless PTSD cycle, which the FDA recognized in 2017 when they designated MDMA-AT as a Breakthrough Therapy.\n\nSeven years have passed, and with several innovative therapies currently under review and more on the horizon, the FDA should remain firmly anchored in scientific evidence and data when evaluating new treatments. The potential for groundbreaking advancements in PTSD treatment is within reach, and we owe it to our veterans and other affected populations to review these potentially transformative therapies based on robust clinical and scientific evidence. The FDA is internationally recognized as the gold standard for drug safety and efficacy review, and we urge the Agency to continue upholding this rigorous standard of safety, quality, and effectiveness, especially for therapies targeting conditions like PTSD, which is alarmingly prevalent among our nation\u2019s veterans.\n\nGiven the substantial burden of PTSD and the current treatment limitations, the possibility of new, more effective therapies is particularly meaningful. One such promising therapy under consideration is MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT). If comprehensive evidence demonstrates that MDMA-AT is both effective and safe when administered in appropriate settings, it is our responsibility to ensure that this treatment option is made available to those who could benefit from it. The rigorous, evidence-based review process by the FDA will be critical in making informed decisions that could offer a new lease on life for many individuals, including veterans, affected by this condition.\n\nWe appreciate your consideration on this critical issue.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:32Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/08/02/press-releases-id-0b2f0f5b-bda7-4290-a812-178911362113/", "Bennet, Colleagues Introduce Resolution Recognizing Edmundo Gonz\u00e1lez Urrutia as Venezuela\u2019s President-Elect", "2024-08-02", "2024", "2024-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet joined U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) to introduce a resolution recognizing Edmundo Gonz\u00e1lez Urrutia as the President-elect of Venezuela. Yesterday, after the Senators introduced their resolution, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also recognized Gonz\u00e1lez Urrutia as the winner of Venezuela\u2019s election and called for negotiations to ensure a peaceful transfer of power.\n\n\u201cEdmundo Gonz\u00e1lez is the duly-democratically elected president of Venezuela. The Venezuelan people have long sought to restore the rule of law and democracy in their country, and the United States of America stands with them,\u201d said Bennet.\n\n\u201cThe Venezuelan people\u2019s desire for freedom and democracy is admirable. The recent electoral process, which narco-dictator Maduro fraudulently claims he won, has been a testament to the tenacity of the Venezuelan spirit. The United States, along with democracies worldwide, can\u2019t legitimize Maduro nor be complicit by remaining on the sidelines with an illegitimate narco-regime. The time has come for us to recognize the duly-democratically elected president of Venezuela, Edmundo Gonz\u00e1lez Urrutia,\u201d said Rubio.\n\n\u201cThis resolution demonstrates across the political spectrum in the U.S. Senate what we and most of the democratic world recognize as obvious\u2014that Edmundo Gonz\u00e1lez won Sunday\u2019s election by a fair and commanding margin. The meticulously compiled and transparent release of more than 80 percent of all Venezuelan election results by credible election monitors confirms this as well. The Venezuelan people have suffered greatly in recent years and voted accordingly for change. I urge respect for the Venezuelan voters\u2019 choice and ensuring peaceful democratic transfer of power,\u201d said Durbin.\n\n\u201cEvil dictator, Nicolas Maduro, emboldened by the appeasement of the Biden-Harris administration, is attempting to steal yet another election from the people of Venezuela, meeting their calls for freedom with oppression and violence. Democracy in Venezuela is at stake and the security of our hemisphere is in danger. The United States cannot be silent or complicit in Maduro\u2019s tyranny. The Venezuelan people have made their voices heard when they chose Edmundo Gonz\u00e1lez as their rightful leader and now the United States, and every freedom-loving nation, must stand with them,\u201d said Scott.\n\n\u201cElections matter, and the will of the Venezuelan people must be respected. The results of the election are clear \u2013 Edmundo Gonz\u00e1lez Urrutia has won a resounding victory and is the legitimate president-elect of Venezuela. The opposition\u2019s efforts, led by Mar\u00eda Corina Machado, were instrumental in ensuring that we understand how the election unfolded. The democracies of the world are rallying in support of the Venezuelan people and in condemnation of what is a brazen and fraudulent attempt by the Maduro regime to steal the outcome. The only acceptable outcome is a peaceful transition of power to the new, duly elected presidential administration,\u201d said Kaine.\n\n\u201cThis is a critical moment for our hemisphere. Do we have another 25 years of tyranny and repression just three hours from America? Do we allow the Russians, Chinese Communist Party, and drug cartels to use Venezuela as ground zero planning harm to the U.S. and allies in the hemisphere? We need to change course. It starts by recognizing President-elect Edmundo Gonzalez. Hasta el final!\u201d said Cassidy.\n\nThe Venezuelan people saw this election as an opportunity to peacefully exercise their sacred right to vote and demand a return to democracy. Despite the Maduro regime\u2019s continued attempt to maintain its illegitimate grip on power through coercion and violence, the Venezuelan people voted, in a landslide, for Gonz\u00e1lez Urrutia. Earlier this week, Bennet joined 15 members of Congress \u2013 including Rubio, Cassidy, and Scott \u2013 in denouncing the deeply flawed election results announced by Maduro-controlled election authorities.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:32Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/08/01/press-releases-id-121d154a-d878-46ad-a792-a0fa7f42e54d/", "Bennet, Heinrich, Merkley, Caraveo, Vasquez Welcome $400 Million to Combat Historic Western Drought", "2024-08-01", "2024", "2024-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) and U.S. Representatives Yadira Caraveo (D-Colo.) and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) welcomed the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s (USDA) announcement of $400 million to address drought through investments at the irrigation district scale in 12 states across the American West.\n\n\u201cFamily farmers, water users, and communities across the American West are facing the effects of a 1200-year drought and a changing climate. This is a five-alarm fire, and Washington ought to treat it that way,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cWith this investment, the Biden administration answered our call to bring resources to bear that will help producers innovate and become more resilient to drought. I\u2019m grateful for Secretary Vilsack\u2019s leadership in delivering this relief for Colorado and the West.\u201d\n\n\u201cNew Mexicans are on the front lines of increasingly extreme weather events driven by climate change, including prolonged drought and long-term aridification. We need better tools to stay prepared,\u201d said Heinrich, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees USDA. \u201cI applaud the USDA for heeding our calls to invest in new, innovative resources for our agricultural producers and communities to strengthen water security and climate resilience.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs climate chaos fuels long-term drought in Oregon and across the American West, the federal government must use all the resources at its disposal to address this ongoing crisis,\u201d said Merkley. \u201cMy colleagues and I urged the administration to take action earlier this year, and I applaud the USDA for creating this new program to fund innovative water solutions. This is a much-needed step forward to build a stronger, more resilient future for the West\u2019s economy and environment.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m very excited the bicameral effort I helped lead in April urging USDA for Western drought investments paid off. This new Water Savings Commodity Program and federal investments will be life changing for Colorado \u2014 giving our communities the resources and protections they need,\u201d said Caraveo.\n\n\u201cNew Mexicans understand the critical impact that long-term droughts have on our communities and agricultural industries. After calling on the USDA for additional resources, I\u2019m now proud to welcome this $400 million investment to address droughts and improve water conservation efforts,\u201d said Vasquez. \u201cThis funding will help ensure a more sustainable, resilient future for the American West.\u201d\n\nProducers who participate in USDA\u2019s Water Saving Commodity Program will receive payments for voluntarily reducing water consumption while maintaining commodity production. This funding will help conserve up to 50,000 acre-feet in water use across 250,000 acres of irrigated land in production, while expanding and creating new, sustainable market opportunities. The new program, coupled with investments from the Western Water Framework, will support innovative measures for water conservation while building resilience for long-term agricultural production in Colorado and the West.\n\nThe Palisade Irrigation District was selected for the innovative funding opportunity in Colorado.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:32Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/08/01/press-releases-id-3fd9f35e-5b25-49e7-a2bf-4af12edde895/", "Bennet, Colleagues Celebrate Unanimous, Bipartisan Senate Passage of Legislation to Clean Up Abandoned Mines", "2024-08-01", "2024", "2024-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, alongside U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), applauded the Senate\u2019s unanimous and bipartisan passage of the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act.\n\n\u201cThousands of abandoned mines in Colorado and across the American West threaten our watersheds and pollute our ecosystems,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cI\u2019m grateful for the strong bipartisan support to pass this legislation to make it easier for our state, local governments, and nonprofits to clean up these mines, help reduce pollution, and improve water quality.\u201d\n\n\u201cGood Samaritan organizations are ready to help clean up abandoned mines that are threatening our communities and polluting the land, water, fish, and wildlife we rely on. I\u2019m proud of the work we have done to advance our commonsense, bipartisan legislation to create a path for these groups to clean up sites in New Mexico and across our country,\u201d said Heinrich. \u201cEfforts to get this done started well before I came to Congress. It\u2019s been an honor to get it across the finish line in the Senate, and I won\u2019t stop working on this until it\u2019s law.\u201d\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s Senate passage of our Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act puts us one step closer to cutting the red tape that has prevented good faith actors from cleaning up long-abandoned hardrock mines,\u201d said Risch. \u201cI urge the House of Representatives to take up and pass this commonsense legislation to allow Good Samaritans to conduct this important remediation work.\u201d\n\nThere are thousands of abandoned hardrock mines across the country that pose environmental hazards. Organizations that have no legal or financial responsibility to an abandoned mine want to volunteer to remediate some of these sites. Unfortunately, liability rules would leave these \u2018Good Samaritans\u2019 legally responsible for all the pre-existing pollution from a mine, even though they had no involvement with the mine prior to cleaning it up.\n\nThe Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act creates a pilot permitting program to enable not-for-profit cleanup efforts to move forward, while ensuring Good Samaritans have the skills and resources to comply with federal oversight. This pilot program is designed for lower risk projects that will improve water and soil quality or otherwise protect human health.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:32Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/07/31/press-releases-id-41cf09ec-b185-4963-91a1-350430a98dfb/", "ICYMI: On Senate Floor, Bennet Delivers Impassioned Speech Ahead of Senate Child Tax Credit Vote", "2024-07-31", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet delivered a speech on the Senate floor emphasizing the importance of the Child Tax Credit to cut child poverty ahead of Thursday\u2019s vote on the Wyden-Smith Tax Relief for American Workers and Families Act.\n\n\u201cWe\u2019re the first generation of Americans, the people in this Senate, that are actually leaving less opportunity, not more, to our kids and our grandkids. That has never happened before in American history\u2026 finally, we have a bill in front of us that doesn\u2019t just cut taxes for the biggest corporations and the wealthiest people in the country, but actually cuts taxes for working people,\u201d said Bennet.\n\nThe Wyden-Smith Tax Relief for American Workers and Families Act would raise the cap on the child tax credit for low-income families and make them eligible for a full $2,000 credit, help reduce housing costs by increasing the supply of affordable housing, and raise the tax deduction small businesses can take on research and development. The House passed the bill on a bipartisan basis on January 31st with 357 votes in favor, 70 votes opposed.\n\nVideo of Bennet\u2019s remarks is available HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/07/30/press-releases-id-5d99a9ae-21cc-4e5a-a61a-b461dd217870/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper Celebrate Coloradans Competing in 2024 Summer Olympic Games", "2024-07-30", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet, co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Olympic and Paralympic Caucus, and John Hickenlooper, alongside five of their Senate colleagues, introduced a bipartisan resolution in support of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams competing in the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France.\n\n\u201cTeam USA exemplifies rigorous competition, fair play, and the pursuit of dreams,\u201d wrote Bennet, Hickenlooper, and the senators. \u201cThe people of the United States stand united in respect, admiration, and pride for the athletes of Team USA and their athletic accomplishments, sportsmanship, grace under pressure, goodwill toward other competitors, and commitment to excellence.\u201d\n\nColorado Springs is home to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) as well as the Colorado Springs Olympic & Paralympic Training Center. Of the more than 590 athletes who will represent the United States in this year\u2019s Olympics, 28 are from Colorado.\n\n\u201cOn behalf of Team USA and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, we sincerely thank Senators Blackburn, Hickenlooper, Klobuchar, and Lankford for introducing this resolution. The support of the U.S. Senate as our team heads to Paris means the world to our dedicated athletes and coaches. We also appreciate the Senate\u2019s commitment to partnering with us as we prepare for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. We wholeheartedly support this resolution and eagerly anticipate its swift passage,\u201d said Sarah Hirshland, CEO, USOPC.\n\nThe resolution is supported by the USOPC.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/07/30/press-releases-id-5f45e559-5eea-41d0-b73f-83d01fe24b1e/", "Bennet Statement on Senate Passage of Kids Online Safety Act", "2024-07-30", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet issued the following statement on his support and Senate passage of the Kids Online Safety Act:\n\n\u201cOur children and teenagers\u2019 mental health is at an all-time low, and addictive social media platforms are driving it even lower. That\u2019s why I voted for The Kids Online Safety Act \u2013 the first significant bill protecting children online since the advent of the internet.\n\n\u201cThis bill takes significant steps in safeguarding our children\u2019s mental health and privacy, but we must do more to hold tech companies accountable for their platforms\u2019 harmful effects.\n\n\u201cCongress must also pass the Digital Platform Commission Act to establish a commission to regulate social media platforms. Without a permanent regulatory body, misinformation, data harvesting, and business practices that harm American children will undoubtedly continue.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/07/30/press-releases-id-a069f670-5dcb-4cb1-b6c6-0389a5c75a38/", "Bennet, Cornyn Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Boost Innovation in Education", "2024-07-30", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced the New Essential Education Discoveries (NEED) Act to help schools and colleges make advancements in teaching and learning. The legislation would create a national center that advances high-risk, high-reward education research projects, similar to the model employed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).\n\n\u201cAs a former school superintendent, I know our teachers are doing everything they can to overcome today\u2019s educational challenges \u2013 especially as COVID, social media, and nationwide mental health crisis have made their jobs more difficult than ever. They need new tools to overcome these obstacles and educate the next generation of Americans, and Congress can help by investing in cutting-edge education research,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cThis bipartisan bill will help schools, educators, and policy makers meet today\u2019s education challenges and make necessary, data-based adjustments in the future.\u201d\n\n\u201cWith the opportunities and challenges of technology like artificial intelligence, we have a responsibility to develop and disseminate cutting-edge practices to bridge gaps in students\u2019 academic readiness,\u201d said Cornyn. \u201cThis legislation invests in education, STEM instruction, and innovative learning methods to help equip our future workforce with the resources and skills necessary to maintain America\u2019s preeminence in the world.\u201d\n\nThe NEED Act would create a National Center for Advanced Development in Education (NCADE) dedicated to developing and disseminating cutting-edge practices and tools \u2013 such as voice recognition software to assess emerging readiness gaps and dyslexia, and digital learning platforms \u2013 to help students recover lost learning time from the pandemic.\n\nSpecifically, the legislation would:\n\nMake robust investments to establish, staff, and operate NCADE;\n\nRequire the Advanced Development Commissioner to appoint an advisory panel to guide the development and implementation of NCADE projects; and\n\nConduct and disseminate the results of periodic evaluations of the effectiveness of NCADE in achieving its mission of expanding education R&D and improving teaching and learning.\n\nThe NEED Act would also improve Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS) and help states better track students\u2019 progress through K-12 and into the workforce while protecting the privacy of students\u2019 education records. This data will help policymakers understand and address opportunity and achievement gaps across the country.\n\n\u201cToo many students across Colorado, particularly those from under-served communities, are falling behind. We need to invest in cutting-edge research to identify innovative solutions to serve these students. We also need stronger state data infrastructure so that we can measure outcomes and invest in programs that work,\u201d said Katie Zaback, Vice President of Policy, Colorado Succeeds. \u201cThe NEED Act will address both of these needs. A new National Center for Advanced Development in Education can unlock new insights, and modernized statewide longitudinal data systems will strengthen the infrastructure that serves as the backbone for effective research and ongoing improvement.\u201d\n\n\u201cRelative to many other countries, the United States spends too little on educational research and development. If we want educational policymakers and leaders to make decisions based on evidence, we need much more research on the kinds of innovations that make a difference in all children\u2019s outcomes. Senator Bennet\u2019s New Essential Education Discoveries (NEED) Act will provide the resources needed to accelerate innovation in teaching and learning and help close opportunity gaps,\u201d said William Penuel, Distinguished Professor, School of Education at the University of Colorado Boulder and Director, National Center for Research in Policy and Practice.\n\n\u201cWe have come upon an opportune moment to combine learning sciences, new and advancing technologies, and big, bold ideas to build more equitable, effective, and engaging learning opportunities for students while supporting our K-12 teachers in their important work. I thank Senator Bennet for his leadership and sponsorship of the New Essential Education Discoveries (NEED) Act, which recognizes the importance of supporting innovative, cutting-edge projects for teaching and learning just as we value innovations in health, energy, and defense,\u201d said Sidney D\u2019Mello, Professor, Institute of Cognitive Science at the University of Colorado Boulder, and Principal Investigator, National Science Foundation National AI institute for Student-AI Teaming.\n\n\u201cThe NEED Act recognizes that we must address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on student outcomes, as well as restore America\u2019s standing as a world leader in innovative education,\u201d said Jean-Claude Brizard, President and CEO, Digital Promise. \u201cIt would create a DARPA-inspired National Center for Advanced Development in Education (NCADE) dedicated to developing cutting-edge practices and tools, as well as make a considerable investment in statewide longitudinal data systems. Through Digital Promise\u2019s networks like the League of Innovative Schools, we\u2019ve seen what can be achieved with forward-thinking initiatives in Colorado districts like Adams 12 Five Star Schools and Trinidad School District. The NEED Act will help propel the U.S. education system into the future and enable schools to make significant advances in teaching and learning.\u201d\n\n\u201cFrom defense to transportation, nearly every sector other than education has its own version of an Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA),\u201d said Dan Correa, CEO, Federation of American Scientists. \u201cIn the age of rapid developments in emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence, this is a huge missed opportunity for education. It\u2019s time to make an ARPA for education a reality, and the NEED Act will do that. This important legislation will also strengthen and modernize statewide longitudinal data systems, which provide the foundation for robust R&D.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe NEED Act would develop and enhance our education data infrastructure, providing a roadmap for decision-makers on how to give underserved students the high-quality education they need and deserve. This is especially urgent as the pandemic intensified the already pervasive racial and socio-economic disparities embedded in our nation\u2019s schools,\u201d said Denise Forte, President and CEO, The Education Trust. \u201cThe bill also invests in promising education research and development to put data in action to make our school systems more equitable. We urge Congress to pass this important piece of legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur nation\u2019s model of schooling looks much the same today as it did a century ago, which makes it impossible to help each student reach their full potential,\u201d said Joel Rose, Co-Founder and CEO, New Classrooms. \u201cThe NEED Act will provide a much needed federal investment in education to develop high-reward transformative solutions and bold innovative learning models that produce dramatic breakthroughs for students and teachers.\u201d\n\nThis bill is supported by nearly 70 organizations, including: Advanced Education Research and Development Fund (AERDF), Alliance for Learning Innovation, American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), American Educational Research Association, American Federation of Teachers, American Psychological Association Services, Coalition for Community Schools, Colorado League of Charter Schools, Colorado Succeeds, Committee for Children, Digital Promise Global, ExcelinEd in Action, Federation of American Scientists, White House Office of Management and Budget, Lehigh University, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Center for Learning Disabilities, New Classrooms, The Education Trust, Transcend, University of Colorado \u2013 Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, Anschutz Campuses, and University of Denver.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/07/30/press-releases-id-f4aaf63b-06f1-42c8-be12-993dabbe40b4/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper Welcome $9.7 Million from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for Colorado Airports", "2024-07-30", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper celebrated $9.7 million in funding from the Federal Aviation Administration\u2019s (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP) for seven airports in Colorado. These investments are made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has provided over $400 million to airports across the state.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m grateful DOT is supporting Colorado\u2019s airports as they work to meet our state\u2019s changing needs,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cThese dollars will help improve safety and capacity so our airports can better connect our communities and fuel our economy.\u201d\n\n\u201cColorado\u2019s airports are a lifeline to rural communities,\u201d said Hickenlooper. \u201cOur Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is repairing roads and runways at airports across the state to keep those communities connected.\u201d\n\nThis funding includes:\n\n$6,366,686 for Denver International Airport to repair existing paved taxiway;\n\n$1,200,000 for the Yampa Valley Airport for a new Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting vehicle and equipment to enhance passenger safety;\n\n$615,834 for the Wray Municipal Airport to construct a new taxiway in line with current safety standards;\n\n$583,377 for the Telluride Regional Airport to construct apron pavement, where airplanes park and unload passengers;\n\n$513,559 for the Greeley-Weld County Airport Authority to repair apron pavement;\n\n$365,574 for the Cortez Municipal Airport to reconstruct a terminal access road; and\n\n$134,347 for the Monte Vista Municipal Airport to extend paved taxiway in line with current safety standards", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/07/29/press-releases-id-91165a10-d5cf-468c-979b-c6854a53c1c6/", "Bennet, Bipartisan, Bicameral Colleagues Condemn the Maduro Regime\u2019s Sham Presidential Election", "2024-07-29", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, alongside 15 members of Congress, released the following statement regarding Venezuela\u2019s announced election results:\n\n\u201cTo no one\u2019s surprise, dictator Nicol\u00e1s Maduro has once again stolen a presidential election. However, what the narco-regime will never steal is the Venezuelan people\u2019s desire to return to democracy and live in freedom after decades of tyranny. We must prioritize uniting the free world in rejecting these sham election results and securing the release of the more than 300 Venezuelans that remain arbitrarily detained in torture centers as political prisoners,\u201d said Bennet and the lawmakers. \u201cThe Maduro dictatorship is experiencing an internal fracture, and members of the dictatorship know their status quo, which is filled with incompetence, is no longer sustainable. There is massive discontent in the streets of Venezuela, and everyday citizens have stood in support of opposition leaders Mar\u00eda Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez. Let there be no doubt: the countries and international organizations backing this fraud of unimaginable proportions must be held accountable, as should members of the narco-regime and its \u2018National Electoral Council\u2019.\u201d\n\nIn 2019, Bennet urged the Trump administration to designate Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to ensure that Venezuelan nationals present in the United States were not forced to return to their home country at this time given the deteriorating situation caused by the illegitimate regime of Nicol\u00e1s Maduro. Last year, Bennet called on the Biden administration to extend the eligibility date for TPS for Venezuelan nationals, given widespread violence, political persecution, food and medicine shortages, and other systemic collapses in Venezuela.\n\nIn addition to Bennet, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives also signed this letter.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/07/26/press-releases-id-1c83366c-69cb-48a6-97ed-7b4e4f2f395c/", "Bennet, Colleagues Call for Expedited Medical Evacuations of Children from Gaza", "2024-07-26", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, alongside 13 of his Senate colleagues, urged Ambassador of Israel to the United States Michael Herzog and Ambassador of Egypt to the United States Motaz Zahran to ensure Palestinian children who are critically ill or injured can leave Gaza safely to seek medical treatment, and increase access to life-saving medical treatments in Gaza.\n\n\u201cWhile people disagree about the war in Gaza, everyone should agree that no government should prevent injured children access to potentially life-saving medical care. Rather, governments should be doing everything possible to assist in this situation,\u201d said Bennet and the senators.\n\n\u201cWe have called on our own government to do its part in facilitating safe passage for these children. Our goal is to cooperate with your governments, consistent with your security concerns, to maximize safe passage and increase access to life-saving medical treatment for children in need. We understand some progress has been made, with a number of children in need of cancer treatment being moved out of Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing, in cooperation with the World Health Organization,\u201d continued the senators. \u201cWe are encouraged by this development as a very positive first step. We must all treat the welfare of children in Gaza as an urgent humanitarian priority and work together to prevent further suffering.\u201d\n\nThe senators also requested meetings with the Ambassadors to discuss the facilitation of safe passage for more children and their accompanying parent or caregiver to ensure their access to necessary medical treatment.\n\nBennet previously urged the Biden administration to continue working with allies and partners to expedite the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza by increasing access points for aid into Gaza, distributing adequate fuel to hospitals, and ensuring the safe delivery of humanitarian aid.\n\nBennet also traveled to the West Bank, Israel, and Jordan earlier this year. In meetings with Israeli, Palestinian, and Jordanian leaders, he underscored that degrading Hamas\u2019 military capabilities, fighting for release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, and protecting and delivering aid to Palestinian civilians cannot be mutually exclusive.\n\nIn addition to Bennet, U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) also signed the letter.\n\nThe text of the letter is available HERE and below.\n\nDear Ambassador Herzog and Ambassador Zahran,\n\nWe write to convey our shared concern with the situation facing critically ill and injured Palestinian children whose medical and surgical needs can only be met with safe passage out of Gaza to neighboring countries where treatment is available.\n\nWhile people disagree about the war in Gaza, everyone should agree that no government should prevent injured children access to potentially life-saving medical care. Rather, governments should be doing everything possible to assist in this situation.\n\nWe have called on our own government to do its part in facilitating safe passage for these children. Our goal is to cooperate with your governments, consistent with your security concerns, to maximize safe passage and increase access to life-saving medical treatment for children in need. We understand some progress has been made, with a number of children in need of cancer treatment being moved out of Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing, in cooperation with the World Health Organization. We are encouraged by this development as a very positive first step. We must all treat the welfare of children in Gaza as an urgent humanitarian priority and work together to prevent further suffering.\n\nWe request an opportunity to meet with you for further discussion of how we can work together to facilitate safe passage for more children and their accompanying parent or caregiver to have access to the medical treatment they desperately need and is available if passage is allowed.\n\nThank you for your consideration.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/07/22/press-releases-id-e76b3c67-99ed-432a-a012-b779e8e8d06f/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper Welcome Nearly $330 Million in Climate Pollution Reduction Grants for Colorado", "2024-07-22", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2013 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper welcomed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s (EPA) announcement that Colorado will receive nearly $330 million in Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and accelerate America\u2019s clean energy transition.\n\n\u201cThe Inflation Reduction Act made the largest investment to confront climate change in history, and Colorado is uniquely positioned to benefit from it and lead the transition to a clean energy economy,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cWith nearly $330 million for Colorado, these Climate Pollution Reduction Grants will reduce greenhouse gas pollution by helping decarbonize homes and businesses, and addressing methane pollution from landfills, mines and other sources. I\u2019m pleased the EPA is working with local leaders to ensure these investments reach every corner of our state.\u201d\n\n\u201cColorado is already tackling climate change head-on, but to reach our climate goals, we\u2019ll need to continue investing in cleaner technologies and decarbonization efforts,\u201d said Hickenlooper. \u201cWe passed the historic Inflation Reduction Act to do just that. And now it\u2019s delivering millions to Colorado to help businesses and local governments measure \u2014 and cut \u2014 their carbon emissions!\u201d\n\nEPA\u2019s CPRG program provides funding for states, local governments, Tribes, and territories to develop and implement ambitious plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution.\n\nThe funding announced includes nearly $200 million for the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) to reduce emissions from residential and commercial building sectors and increase energy and resource efficiency within the Denver Metropolitan Area, and over $129 million for the Colorado Energy Office to invest in methane emissions monitoring and reporting, support the decarbonization of large commercial buildings, and collaborate with local governments to increase their capacity to engage with climate-focused work.\n\n\u201cOur guiding mission is ensuring all people in Colorado have clean air to breathe, clean water to drink and the opportunity to live healthy lives,\u201d said KC Becker, Regional Administrator, EPA. \u201cThese grants \u2014 unprecedented in their funding \u2014 bring us and Coloradans closer to achieving these goals. With nearly $330 million coming to Colorado, pollution that has overwhelmed communities across the state can be addressed through the selectees\u2019 thoughtful, targeted projects. The Colorado Energy Office will be aiming to reduce emissions from landfills and coal mines, while the Denver Regional Council of Governments will be focused on decarbonizing local homes and commercial buildings across the Denver Metropolitan area\u2014collectively benefitting millions of Coloradans across the state and economic sectors.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of not just the entire DRCOG team, but the unwavering support from our member government partners, as well as over 90 program supporters across industry, labor, government and the broader community,\u201d said Jeff Baker, Commissioner, Arapahoe County and Board Chair, DRCOG. \u201cThe region\u2019s Metro Vision Plan calls for healthy, inclusive and livable communities, and this federal grant will enable us to take bold, visionary steps to reduce climate pollution and protect the health and well-being of our residents. We are grateful for the support and look forward to working with our partners to achieve these ambitious goals.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are proud of all the work we have done to position ourselves as a national leader in addressing climate change through economy-wide emissions reductions,\u201d said Will Toor, Executive Director, Colorado Energy Office. \u201cLocal and Tribal government actions are crucial to this effort, and this funding will ensure that they can adopt and implement key policies to help us achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. This money will also help large building owners reduce their energy usage and associated emissions. We are grateful to the EPA for this award and for recognizing the great work happening across the state to protect the environment, improve air quality and save Coloradans money.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/07/21/press-releases-id-889d802b-e607-4619-aa63-62bf95410553/", "Bennet Statement on Biden Announcement", "2024-07-21", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet released the following statement:\n\n\u201cAmerica is a better, stronger country because of President Biden\u2019s decades of public service and dedication to the American Dream.\n\n\u201cFour years ago, President Biden was the only person in the country who could beat Donald Trump. He overcame Trump\u2019s chaos and contempt for our nation\u2019s long-held commitment to pluralism, civil rights, and the rule of law. He rejected Ronald Reagan\u2019s failed trickle-down economics, and championed working American families.\n\n\u201cPresident Biden deserves all honor for his record in office. In one of his first acts, he expanded the Child Tax Credit \u2013 the largest investment in children and working families in generations. He passed the most significant infrastructure bill since President Eisenhower to rebuild our roads, bridges, and airports, and brought home America\u2019s semiconductor industry \u2013 creating thousands of high-paying jobs. He took on Big Pharma to curb drug prices and won, and passed the most significant climate bill in world history. President Biden not only restored our fractured alliances but made them stronger. He reinvigorated democracy around the world, and made America safer in the process.\n\n\u201cPresident Biden embodies the decency, integrity, and leadership to which all of us in public service should aspire.\n\n\u201cToday, we owe President Biden a debt of gratitude that we may never be able to repay. We may not know what comes next, but by passing the torch to a new standard bearer, President Biden has again given us the chance to beat Donald Trump and give our children the future they deserve. Thank you, President Biden.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/07/17/press-releases-id-80036ce3-b81d-4003-bdaf-890ceb00446c/", "Bennet, Colleagues Urge Department of Transportation to Act Swiftly to Reduce Methane Emissions", "2024-07-17", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2013 Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet joined U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), U.S. Representative Scott Peters (D-Calif.), and bicameral colleagues to call on the U.S. Department of Transportation\u2019s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to finalize a strong Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair Rule.\n\n\u201cThe rule is urgently needed to improve community safety and reduce methane emissions from millions of miles of pipelines across the United States, and we are concerned to see further delays in the projected finalization schedule,\u201d wrote Bennet and the lawmakers. \u201cWe urge the Department of Transportation and PHMSA to finalize, as soon as possible, the proposed protective standards to improve public safety and cut methane pollution from gas pipelines.\u201d\n\nBennet voted for the bipartisan Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety (PIPES) Act of 2020, which requires PHMSA to establish this rule that would reduce methane pollution and protect public safety. The rule strengthens protective standards for the use of advanced leak detection technologies and faster leak repairs on U.S. natural gas pipelines.\n\nBennet has consistently worked to limit methane emissions at the federal level, following Colorado\u2019s lead. In June 2023, Bennet joined 14 Senators to urge the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strengthen a proposed rule to reduce methane emissions from oil and gas production and to swiftly implement key provisions of the Methane Emission Reduction Program. In February 2023, Bennet joined bicameral colleagues in urging the EPA to support more robust standards for methane emissions and pollution from oil and natural gas operations. Bennet also led a group of Western Senators in a letter urging the Bureau of Land Management to eliminate routine venting and flaring from oil and gas operations on public and Tribal lands, which Colorado has already banned on state lands.\n\n\u201cStrong safeguards are needed to protect public safety and the environment from pipeline leaks which cause methane pollution, accelerate climate change and put communities at risk. PHMSA must act rapidly to finalize strong standards for gas pipeline leak detection and repair as quickly as possible. We applaud Sen. Heinrich, Rep. Peters and the over 30 other members of Congress who signed onto this letter for their support of finalizing this urgently needed action,\u201d said Erin Murphy, Senior Attorney, Energy Markets & Utility Regulation, Environmental Defense Fund.\n\nThis letter is also supported by: the Environmental Defense Fund, Pipeline Safety Trust, League of Conservation Voters, Evangelical Environmental Network, Earthworks, Sierra Club, and Western Organization of Resource Councils.\n\nIn addition to Bennet, Heinrich, and Peters, U.S. Senators Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-N.M.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and 29 members of the U.S. Representatives also signed this letter.\n\nThe text of the letter is available HERE and below:\n\nDear Secretary Buttigieg:\n\nWe are writing to urge swift and strong finalization of the proposed rule, \u201cPipeline Safety: Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair,\u201d from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The rule is urgently needed to improve community safety and reduce methane emissions from millions of miles of pipelines across the United States, and we are concerned to see further delays in the projected finalization schedule. The White House Methane Action Plan has already identified the Advanced Leak Detection & Repair rulemaking as a key priority, and the White House again prioritized these much-needed standards in its December 2023 Methane Plan Update.\n\nThe proposed rulemaking includes the use of advanced leak detection technologies, strengthened surveying and reporting, and faster leak repairs for U.S. gas pipelines, underground gas storage facilities, and liquefied natural gas facilities. Natural gas is composed primarily of methane, and any leakage or operational releases from natural gas pipelines threaten the safety of nearby communities and contribute to the climate crisis by increasing harmful methane emissions.\n\nThis rulemaking is already far behind schedule. Congress directed PHMSA in the bipartisan PIPES Act of 2020 to finalize advanced leak detection standards by the end of 2021. After the proposed rule was released in May 2023, the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (GPAC) was expected to complete its review of the proposed rule in December 2023, but the process was extended to provide for an additional meeting in March 2024. Now that GPAC has completed review of the rule, PHMSA should act promptly to finalize the rule, consistent with the agency\u2019s authority to set minimum pipeline standards designed to meet the need for pipeline safety and environmental protection.\n\nWe urge the Department of Transportation and PHMSA to finalize, as soon as possible, the proposed protective standards to improve public safety and cut methane pollution from gas pipelines. We look forward to working with you and your Department to achieve these objectives.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/07/17/press-releases-id-b6cd45c2-fc46-40d2-933a-f37bb6398272/", "Bennet, Pettersen, Bipartisan, Bicameral Colleagues Urge Appropriations Committees to Fund Water Infrastructure Projects", "2024-07-17", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen, alongside U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and U.S. Representative Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.), led a bipartisan, bicameral letter to the leaders of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees over concerns with the federal financing of our nation\u2019s water infrastructure.\n\n\u201cThe Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds have been critical to expand access to clean water, modernize aging water infrastructure, and safeguard our public health,\u201d wrote Bennet, Pettersen, and the lawmakers. \u201cIf funding shortfalls and diversions continue, a major lifeline of our federal water infrastructure funding will run dry at a time when costs for infrastructure, design, and planning are skyrocketing.\u201d\n\nThe Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) have been the principal financing programs for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater projects for nearly three decades. However, more than $3.7 billion dollars has been redirected from these projects since 2021. States are now experiencing significant shortfalls in funding for important water infrastructure projects. In the letter, the lawmakers urge the committees to provide a more sustainable funding source for critical water projects.\n\n\u201cRobust funding through the annual appropriations bills are essential for SRF borrowers to maintain their access to financing for critical infrastructure and ensure clean water for years to come.\u201d said Keith McLaughlin, Executive Director, Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority.\n\n\u201cThe Colorado Water Congress has long supported legislation and appropriations processes to fund our nation\u2019s clean water and drinking water infrastructure,\u201d said Chane Polo, Deputy Director, Colorado Water Congress. \u201cIt is our policy to support efforts that maximize the ability of water funding entities, including the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority, to finance water projects. SRFs provide more communities with access to affordable financing for water infrastructure that protects public health needs.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe changes to the amounts of revolving fund financing available to states have had a direct impact on Ca\u00f1on City,\u201d said Leo Evans, Director, Ca\u00f1on City Water Public Works. \u201cWhen we first started working with the state, we were in line for $5M in principal forgiveness through the program paired with a $5M low-interest loan. We went to work and based the next three years of capital planning and budgeting on those figures. When we reached the next stage of the application process, we were informed that the principal forgiveness amounts available to us had been reduced to a maximum of $1M. That change has thrown a lot of our capital planning up in the air and left the city with uncertainty on how best to proceed with our planned improvements. Restoring the program funding back to the original levels envisioned in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law would help Ca\u00f1on City ensure that we can bring the benefits of this program to our community.\u201d\n\nIn addition to Bennet, Pettersen, Cramer, and Armstrong, U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and U.S. Representatives Yadira Caraveo (D-Colo.), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii), Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.), Summer Lee (D-Pa.), and Becca Balint (D-Vt.) also signed this letter.\n\nThe letter is also supported by: the Colorado Water Congress, Colorado Rural Water Association, Colorado Water Utility Council (CWUC), Metro Water Recovery, National Governors Association (NGA), American Water Works Association (AWWA), Council of Infrastructure Financing Authorities (CIFA), National Association of Counties (NACo), National Special Districts Coalition (NSDC), Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA), Association of Clean Water Administrators (ACWA), Clean Water Action, Water Environment Federation, Water & Wastewater Equipment Manufacturers Association, Western States Water Council, American Rivers, National Water Resources Association, Alliance for Water Efficiency, River Network, National Municipal Stormwater Alliance, National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), Association of Clean Water Administrators, Green Infrastructure Leadership Exchange, American Public Works Association, Freshwater Future, Environmental Policy Innovation Center (EPIC), Clean Water Construction Coalition, Western Recycled Water Coalition, Natural Resources Defense Council, Distribution Contractors Association.\n\nThe text of the letter is available HERE and below:\n\nDear Chair Murray, Vice Chair Collins, Chair Cole, Ranking Member DeLauro, Chair Merkley, Ranking Member Murkowski, Chair Simpson, and Ranking Member Pingree:\n\nWe write concerning current state allocations for the Clean Water and the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRF), which were reduced as a result of redirecting funds to the Community Project Funding and Congressionally Directed Spending (CPF/CDS) process. The CPF/CDS process is part of federal aging water infrastructure financing programs; however, if broader SRF resources continue to be diverted to CPF/CDS, states will experience significant shortfalls in funding water infrastructure projects.\n\nAs you develop the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, we urge the Committee to take two steps. First, increase funding for SRFs to account for CPF/CDS. Second, provide a more sustainable funding source for critical water projects through the CPF/CDS process, particularly one that does not siphon funds from essential projects reliant on SRF financing.\n\nThe SRFs have been the principal water financing programs for more than three decades, supporting water infrastructure projects \u2013 such as drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater projects \u2013 through low-cost loans and limited grants to underserved communities to cities and towns across our nation. These funds have been critical to expand access to clean water, modernize aging water infrastructure, and safeguard our public health. After Congress resumed the CPF/CDS process in the 117th Congress, annual Appropriations Acts reduced funding for state SRFs by more than $3.7 billion in FY22, FY23, and FY24 to fund CPF/CDS.\n\nIn FY22 and FY23, 56% of funds for both SRFs in aggregate were diverted to CPF/CDS (not including supplemental appropriations in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)); meaning that during this time, only 44% of SRF funds supported low-cost loans and limited grants for water infrastructure projects. In FY24, Congress provided a total of $2,764,962,000 for the SRFs. Of this amount, 51.3% or $1,419,312,172 was dedicated to CPF/CDS. If funding shortfalls and diversions continue, a major lifeline of our federal water infrastructure funding will run dry at a time when costs for infrastructure, design, and planning are skyrocketing.\n\nCongress made a concerted effort to invest in our aging water infrastructure through the BIL. The law seeded $43 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, funding a critical boost for dire repairs. However significant, this historic one-time infusion will eventually run out. SRFs pay dividends for our water infrastructure and are necessary to further BIL investments. For these reasons, we urge the Committee to invest in sustainable funding sources for SRFs.\n\nWe are grateful for the Committee\u2019s commitment to fund our nation\u2019s clean water and drinking water infrastructure through the annual Appropriations process, but we are increasingly concerned about SRFs\u2019 solvency in years to come. Through the FY25 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, we urge the Committee to ensure the longevity of SRFs by fully funding the programs and to provide a more sustainable funding source for CPF/CDS.\n\nThank you for your consideration of this request.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/07/16/press-releases-id-bc0ddf57-b347-4536-8357-8bc11412371b/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper Welcome Over $16 Million to Expand Apprenticeship Programs in Colorado", "2024-07-16", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper welcomed over $16 million from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) for Colorado organizations working to train skilled workers and close critical workforce gaps.\n\n\u201cI hear all the time from veterans and single parents in Colorado who want to provide for themselves and their families, but who haven\u2019t been given the tools to earn a living wage. Thankfully, Colorado has companies that want to hire them and excellent programs like these to train them,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cI\u2019m grateful for these investments which will help connect Coloradans with sustainable careers and create economic mobility for workers of every background.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur outdated education model leaves talented students in the lurch while critical industries struggle to hire enough skilled workers,\u201d said Hickenlooper. \u201cIn Colorado, we know apprenticeships are the onramp students desperately need; now the rest of the country can follow our lead.\u201d\n\nThis funding was announced as part of over $244 million in federal grants for apprenticeship programs across the country \u2013 the largest combined federal investment in apprenticeships in U.S. history. The funding will be allocated through two federal grant programs \u2013 the Apprenticeship Building America initiative and the State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula.\n\nThis funding includes:\n\n$6,000,000 for the Arapahoe/Douglas Workforce Development Board in Centennial;\n\n$4,000,000 for Careerwise Colorado in Denver;\n\n$3,843,966 for Activate Work Inc. in Denver;\n\n$1,662,779 for Vail Valley Works Inc. in Edwards; and\n\n$839,094 for the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.\n\n\u201cThe Arapahoe/Douglas Workforce Development Board and Arapahoe/Douglas Works! are honored to receive this grant, which enables the Colorado Apprenticeship HUB to expand its work of bringing high-quality registered apprenticeship opportunities to more residents across the state. This funding allows us to develop innovative opportunities responsive to industry needs and supportive of economic growth,\u201d said Peter Hancock, Chair, Arapahoe/Douglas Workforce Development Board.\n\n\u201cWe are delighted and honored to be a recipient of the Apprenticeship Building America grant. A leader in building IT apprenticeships for Colorado tech employers, ActivateWork catalyzes prosperity for Coloradans while helping fill critical talent shortages. We believe there is no surer or shorter pathway to economic mobility than apprenticeship,\u201d said Helen Hayes, Founder and CEO, ActivateWork.\n\n\u201cWe are deeply honored and excited to receive this substantial support from the Biden-Harris administration. This investment will significantly advance our mission to create more robust and accessible apprenticeship pathways, providing young people with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed in the workforce and pursue their American dream,\u201d said Noel Ginsburg, CEO and founder, CareerWise.\n\n\u201cThe Apprenticeship Building America grant will help strengthen our youth apprenticeship program in Eagle County. This vital talent pipeline development program in our rural resort region will strengthen the workforce by offering hands-on experience, fostering local talent, and ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled professionals ready to support and grow the local economy. It will further expand the collaboration between the school district and local industry partners, increasing opportunities for both our students and our business community,\u201d said Chris Romer, President and CEO, Vail Valley Partnership.\n\n\u201cWe are very excited to see continued investment from USDOL in Colorado\u2019s talent development ecosystem. Apprenticeships play a critical role in connecting Coloradans of all ages with in-demand career paths, and the Colorado Workforce Development Council is excited to partner with Apprenticeship Colorado in the execution of this grant award,\u201d said Lee Wheeler-Berliner, Managing Director, Colorado Workforce Development Council.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/07/11/press-releases-id-c684c52f-4f45-4231-9bab-44a9ccc3516a/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper, Crow Urge VA Rocky Mountain Network to Address Patient Care Concerns", "2024-07-11", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper joined Colorado U.S. Representative Jason Crow to urge the Veterans Affairs Rocky Mountain Network (VISN 19) to urgently address issues affecting veteran patient care within the Veterans Affairs Eastern Colorado Health Care System (VA ECHCS) network and Rocky Mountain Regional VA (RMR VA) Medical Center.\n\nThe lawmakers\u2019 letter follows reports from the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA OIG) that revealed multiple leadership issues at the RMR VA Medical Center, an extended pause in surgeries resulting in the loss of staff, a culture of fear created by key leaders at the facility, and oversight failures.\n\n\u201cAs problems persist within the ECHCS, we are increasingly concerned about the quality of care Colorado veterans receive, a lack of adherence to the required medical and employee procedures, and how recent leadership changes have impeded the system\u2019s effectiveness,\u201d wrote Bennet, Hickenlooper, and Crow.\n\nIn their letter, the lawmakers express concern about issues related to veteran patient care, including quality issues with VA ECHCS, budget cuts, and hiring freezes. Additionally, they point to over 500 surgery cancellations at RMR VA beginning in March, after unidentified residues were found on reusable surgical equipment. The lawmakers call for immediate action, timely responses to their questions, and active oversight of RMR VA by the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure the health and safety of Colorado veterans.\n\n\u201cWe share the goal of providing veterans across the country with timely, quality, and consistent health care. The continuous appointment delays and ongoing quality issues at ECHCS undermine this objective,\u201d the lawmakers concluded.\n\nThe text of the letter is available HERE and below.\n\nDear Mrs. Kumar-Giebel and Dr. Bray-Hall:\n\nWe write to express our concern regarding veteran patient care within the Eastern Colorado Health Care System (ECHCS) and at the Rocky Mountain Regional Medical Center. In a report released in June, the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA OIG) found a \u201clack of resident supervision, an ineffective teaching environment for residents, and patient harm,\u201d in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Rocky Mountain VA. In addition to the VA OIG findings, there are reports of unidentified residues found on reusable surgical equipment, which has led to over 500 canceled surgeries at the Rocky Mountain VA. Further, our offices have received information from VA employees who highlight ongoing problems related to leadership turnover, budget cuts, and hiring freezes. As problems persist within the ECHCS, we are increasingly concerned about the quality of care Colorado veterans receive, a lack of adherence to the required medical and employee procedures, and how recent leadership changes have impeded the system\u2019s effectiveness.\n\nWhile we appreciate the VA OIG\u2019s recent recommendations intended to address issues in the ECHCS between April 2022 and August 2023, it is paramount that you address more recent events at the Rocky Mountain VA. These concerns must be taken seriously and require active oversight by the Department of Veterans Affairs. In light of these issues, we request answers to the following questions and a briefing with our offices in order to identify long-term solutions to improve veteran care in Colorado:\n\nPatient Safety\n\nDoes the Rocky Mountain VA track occurrences of patient safety issues? If yes, please provide the number of safety issues that have occurred and how you\u2019ve addressed them. If not, please explain why these issues are not monitored.\n\nUnidentified residue and resulting delayed care\n\nDoes the Rocky Mountain VA follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008) to ensure consistency of sterilization practices? If the Rocky Mountain VA does not follow CDC guidelines, please provide the details of the process you follow and confirm adherence.\n\nWhen did the Rocky Mountain VA first become aware of the unidentified residue in its surgical units? When did the Rocky Mountain VA first begin canceling surgeries as a result of this residue?\n\nHas the Rocky Mountain VA conducted a full investigation into the cleanliness and sterilization of all medical equipment?\n\nHow many days, weeks, or months are veterans\u2019 surgeries delayed as a result of this investigation?\n\nHow much advance notice have veterans received before their surgeries are canceled?\n\nHave these surgical pauses delayed any additional medical services within the Rocky Mountain VA Hospital?\n\nWhere are veterans being referred for care in lieu of treatment at the Rocky Mountain VA? Is the VA reimbursing veterans for additional travel incurred to receive surgery at other hospitals?\n\nWhat continuing education requirements are there for sterile processing technicians within the Veterans Health Administration; and when is the last time your sterile processing curriculum and training were updated?\n\nGiven recent instances of sterile processing issues in Georgia in 2021, Indiana in April 2024, and now Colorado in March 2024, will the Department of Veterans Affairs require sterile processing training and curriculum to be updated on an annual basis?\n\nStaff shortages and organizational culture\n\nHow do ongoing staff shortages affect the Rocky Mountain VA\u2019s ability to provide timely and quality health care to veterans, including mental and dental care?\n\nHow many surgical and non-surgical divisions within the Rocky Mountain VA are currently understaffed?\n\nWhat is your timeline to address these staffing shortages and is there a timeline to lift the hiring freeze?\n\nWhat is your timeline to replace interim directors in the organization with permanent positions?\n\nVeterans across the ECHCS have reported waiting many months for their first face-toface appointment with a VHA provider. What is the average wait time for a veteran to be seen by their provider upon requesting an appointment? Please provide information for the following visits:\n\n1st Dental\n\n1st Mental Health\n\n1st Primary Care Visit\n\n1st Sleep Care\n\n1st Social Work\n\nWhat is the staff size of a Physician Aligned Care Team (PACT) and how many patients do PACTs have?\n\nWhat steps has the Rocky Mountain VA taken to address pervasive organizational \u201ccultural\u201d problems that disincentivize the ability to identify and resolve problems in procedures, staffing, and medical care?", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/07/10/press-releases-id-28b79749-17d1-49ef-ba79-97c73ef4baf5/", "Bennet, Wyden, Crapo Introduce Bill to Improve Unemployment Insurance Programs", "2024-07-10", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet alongside U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and nine of their Senate colleagues introduced the Unemployment Insurance Integrity and Accessibility Act to improve the nation\u2019s unemployment insurance system.\n\n\u201cToo many Americans struggle to access essential unemployment benefits as they navigate a patchwork of outdated state systems,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cOur bipartisan bill strengthens unemployment systems across the country to help American workers stay afloat during difficult times.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Covid-19 pandemic showed that unemployment insurance systems were too often unable to keep up with the needs of American workers and too vulnerable to fraud,\u201d said Wyden and Crapo. \u201cThis bipartisan bill will go a long way to making the UI system more accessible to workers who need it and protecting taxpayer dollars by recouping and preventing fraud.\u201d\n\nThe COVID-19 pandemic revealed that states\u2019 Unemployment Insurance (UI) programs were both difficult for workers to access and vulnerable to fraud. The Unemployment Insurance Integrity and Accessibility Act would prevent future UI fraud and help ensure those who defrauded the system during the pandemic are brought to justice. It would also provide relief for claimants who were overpaid and cannot afford repayment or face other hardships, and take steps to make UI systems more accessible to eligible workers.\n\nSpecifically, the legislation addressing fraud and overpayment, strengthening program integrity, and investing in up-to-date technology, including by:\n\nExtending the federal statute of limitations for pandemic unemployment insurance fraud to 10 years (from 5 years under current law);\n\nRequiring states to crossmatch unemployment compensation claims against the National Directory of New Hires (NDNH) to prevent claimants from collecting UI if they are working;\n\nRequiring states to utilize systems such as the State Information Data Exchange (SIDES) to allow electronic transmission of accurate claim information between employers and states;\n\nRequiring states to use crossmatching systems such as the Integrity Data Hub (IDH) to identify potentially fraudulent unemployment claims;\n\nRequiring states to crossmatch unemployment compensation claims against the Social Security Administration\u2019s prisoner database to prevent fraud;\n\nImplementing new access and technology requirements for online claim filing systems and in-person alternatives;\n\nRequiring states to provide guidance to employers to facilitate their eligible workers\u2019 access to benefits; and\n\nProviding for oversight of federal investments into the administration of UI programs.\n\nIn October 2023, Bennet and Wyden introduced the Unemployment Insurance Modernization and Recession Readiness Act to update and expand unemployment insurance to better meet the needs of the modern workforce and more effectively respond during times of economic crisis.\n\nIn addition to Bennet, Wyden and Crapo, U.S. Senators James Lankford (R-Okla.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) also sponsored the bill.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/07/09/press-releases-id-c8da1d5b-f4e6-41a1-b95a-68e6f1beaf1b/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper Welcome Nearly $52 Million to Modernize Colorado Public Bus Systems", "2024-07-09", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper welcomed nearly $52 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to improve and modernize bus systems across the state. The funding includes nine grants from DOT\u2019s Bus and Bus Facilities Grant Program and the Low or No Emission Grant Program, with funding made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The senators sent letters in support of three of the projects awarded.\n\n\u201cWith funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, these investments will help Colorado communities make necessary improvements to their bus systems to cut emissions and better meet the needs of Coloradans who rely on public transit,\u201d said Bennet.\n\n\u201cReliable rides and cleaner air \u2013 that\u2019s what the historic investments from our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are delivering for Coloradans!\u201d said Hickenlooper.\n\n\u201cToday, 117 communities, including Colorado, are receiving the good news that their transit buses are being modernized and their commutes improved through President Biden\u2019s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,\u201d said DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg. \u201cThe Biden-Harris Administration is helping agencies across 47 states replace old buses running on dirty, expensive fuels by delivering modern and zero-emission buses, manufactured by American workers, that will connect more people to where they need to go.\u201d\n\nDOT\u2019s Bus and Bus Facilities Grant Program helps states replace, rehabilitate, and purchase buses and related equipment to construct bus-related facilities and modify low or no-emission vehicles and facilities. The Low or No Emission Grant Program provides funding to state and local governments for the purchase of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses, including the acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities.\n\nA full list of projects awarded is below.\n\nBus and Bus Facilities Grant Program", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/07/03/press-releases-id-44b9606f-b2b1-4af6-a2d2-71b7733ec967/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper Statement on Dolores Canyons National Monument Proposal", "2024-07-03", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper released the following statement on the proposal to designate the Northern Dolores Canyons region as a national monument:\n\n\u201cFor decades, Coloradans have worked to find a sensible way to protect the Dolores River. Over the last several months, we have spent time in the Northern Dolores Basin and had many conversations about its future.\n\n\u201cBased on these conversations, it is clear that Coloradans care deeply about this landscape and many want it permanently protected. We also recognize there are legitimate questions and the need for further discussion.\n\n\u201cWe are committed to continuing to work with local leaders, public land users, affected counties, and Tribes to determine the best path. No matter the tool we use to permanently protect the Dolores, we will follow these principles:\n\nManagement: The Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service should continue to manage the federal lands in the northern Dolores landscape as they do now.\n\nFees: No one should be charged an entrance fee to access designated lands.\n\nGrazing: Grazing should continue and be managed pursuant to existing laws and regulations.\n\nMotorized Travel/ATVs: The Rimrocker Trail should remain open to motorized and other recreational uses.\n\nMountain Biking: Mountain biking should continue with opportunities to pursue new trail development.\n\nMining: Any designation should protect all valid existing rights.\n\nHunting/Fishing: Any designation should allow hunting and fishing to continue.\n\nWater: Any designation should protect existing water rights and should not create a federal reserved water right.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/07/02/press-releases-id-b4baf34d-4a80-4835-a53a-c733c6e4f8fd/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper Celebrate Over $40 Million in Federal Funding for Colorado\u2019s Tech Hub Elevate Quantum", "2024-07-02", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper welcomed the Department of Commerce\u2019s announcement that Colorado\u2019s Elevate Quantum has been awarded $40.5 million in federal funding to support the nation\u2019s leading quantum ecosystem.\n\nThis historic investment from the CHIPS and Science Act\u2019s Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hubs) grant program will also unlock $74 million in state funding and an estimated $1 billion in private capital to solidify the Mountain West as a global leader in quantum technologies.\n\n\u201cColorado is at the forefront of our country\u2019s quantum revolution,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cWe passed the bipartisan CHIPS & Science Act to revive our advanced manufacturing capacity and renew our commitment to cutting-edge research and development in areas like quantum technologies. Today\u2019s announcement underscores the global leadership of Colorado\u2019s quantum industry and the Rocky Mountain region\u2019s role in strengthening our country\u2019s advantage in next-generation technologies. This funding makes it clear that Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West are at the core of America\u2019s quantum future.\u201d\n\n\u201cColorado is the Silicon Valley of the quantum era, and Elevate Quantum is going to lead us there,\u201d said Hickenlooper. \u201cQuantum is going to revolutionize medical drug discovery, supercharge artificial intelligence, strengthen U.S. cybersecurity, and support our transition to clean energy. This is Colorado\u2019s next great success story.\u201d\n\nIn October 2023, the Department of Commerce designated Elevate Quantum as one of only two Tech Hubs focused on advancing quantum technologies. Elevate Quantum is a coalition of over 120 organizations across the Rocky Mountain West, including private companies, startups, workforce development organizations, and universities such as the University of Colorado and Colorado School of Mines. The Elevate Quantum Tech Hub is based in Boulder, and includes partnerships with organizations across Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming.\n\nWith a $40.5 million dollar award from the Biden Administration, Elevate Quantum is able to create over 10,000 new jobs in the quantum industry, train 30,000 new workers, and support over 50 new quantum startups over the next decade. Their work will drive drug discovery, discover sources of critical minerals, provide secure encrypted communications, and enhance the capabilities of space-based navigation systems and Earth observation satellites.\n\nIn August, Bennet led every member of the Colorado congressional delegation in a letter to U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo that detailed the state\u2019s cutting-edge economy and longstanding support for innovation. In May, Bennet, Hickenlooper and U.S. Representative Joe Neguse published an op-ed in the Colorado Sun to emphasize the global importance of quantum computing and push for federal funding for Colorado\u2019s Elevate Quantum.\n\n\u201cI have no doubt this Tech Hub\u2019s designation and Phase 2 funding decision will be seen as a critical milestone to ensure US leadership in Quantum. Elevate Quantum could not be more honored to be selected as a driving force for this critical race, and we applaud and thank all of our partners, consortium members, and the EDA for making this happen,\u201d said Zachary Yerushalmi, CEO, Elevate Quantum. \u201cThe Mountain West represents the largest regional coalition of quantum organizations in the US, and this funding cements our status as the capital of quantum that will build a thriving future for all Americans.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis decision shows that America is serious about being a leader in quantum technology. Colorado is the center of the quantum technology ecosystem and we are thrilled that the Biden Administration is supporting our work to produce the best minds, research, and innovation in the country. Our region has always played a critical role in developing advanced technology and we\u2019re proud to be supporting these efforts through $74 million worth of tax credits. I want to thank Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper, and Congressman Neguse for their hard work in bringing these funds to Colorado. The additional federal dollars will accelerate our work and we are thrilled about what the future holds!\u201d said Colorado Governor Jared Polis.\n\nMore information on the award is available HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/06/28/press-releases-id-0110f203-9a69-4996-b648-de28c0f79514/", "Bennet Welcomes Landmark Agreement to Provide Community and Financial Assistance for Craig and Moffat County Through Energy Transition", "2024-06-28", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet welcomed the agreement between Tri-State Generation and Transmission, the City of Craig, and Moffat County to provide up to $70 million in financial and other support between 2026 and 2038 for the economic transition resulting from the closure of Craig Station, a coal-fired power plant.\n\n\u201cFor years, when I\u2019ve visited Craig and other communities in Northwest Colorado, I\u2019ve heard concerns about what coal mine and power plant closures will mean for their main streets and way of life. Communities like Craig need support to smooth the transition, long-term economic certainty, and resources to help them thrive. This agreement is a major step in the right direction. I\u2019m grateful to have worked alongside leaders from Moffat County and Craig as they carve out a new path forward, and I\u2019ll keep fighting to ensure energy communities that have powered our state for decades are able to prosper in the future,\u201d said Bennet.\n\nThe settlement includes:\n\n$22 million in direct assistance to Craig and Moffat County between 2026 and 2029 to create a community economic development trust fund;\n\nUp to $48 million in other anticipated investments between 2028 and 2038 to fill the gap in lost property tax revenue following the closure of Craig Station; and\n\nWater rights secured for Moffat County for its Lower Yampa River Augmentation Plan.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:24:47Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/06/28/press-releases-id-2a14f57a-f23f-42d1-9ffb-2f4ebc915b35/", "Bennet Welcomes Nearly $209 Million in Federal Funding for Colorado", "2024-06-28", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 In case you missed it, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet welcomed nearly $209 million in federal funding for Colorado over the past ten days. This funding includes the following investments:\n\n$75 million to Entegris\n\nCHIPS and Science Act\n\nEntegris, a company that creates critical tools used in semiconductor manufacturing, will receive up to $75 million from the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act. This funding will support their expansion in Colorado Springs and create hundreds of high-paying jobs.\n\n$63 million to Colorado infrastructure projects\n\nU.S. Department of Transportation\u2019s (DOT) Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program\n\nAs part of $1.5 billion in RAISE grants awarded nationwide through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, $63 million will support six infrastructure projects across Colorado. See the full list of projects HERE.\n\n$48 million for Colorado counties\n\nU.S. Department of the Interior (DOI)\u2019s Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT)\n\n56 Colorado counties will receive nearly $48 million from DOI\u2019s PILT, which provides payments for tax-exempt federal lands administered through DOI bureaus. This funding will help provide essential services for Colorado counties, including law enforcement, education, search and rescue, and more.\n\n$20 million for new quantum lab at the University of Colorado Boulder\n\nU.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)\n\nA $20 million award from NSF will support the construction of a new research facility at the University of Colorado Boulder to accelerate the development of critical quantum technology.\n\n$3 million to rural Colorado small businesses and agricultural producers\n\nU.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)\n\nNearly $3 million in funding from USDA\u2019s REAP program will benefit 11 small businesses, family farms, and ranches to help Coloradans deploy clean energy.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:24:47Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/06/28/press-releases-id-9e09aa88-208c-4510-b1ff-b45171dd31f4/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper, Colleagues Urge USPS to Ensure On-Time Delivery of Mail-In Ballots", "2024-06-28", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, alongside 17 of their Senate colleagues, called on U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster Louis DeJoy to ensure the timely delivery of mail-in ballots throughout the 2024 election cycle and beyond.\n\n\u201cUSPS serves an essential function in American elections. On a nonpartisan basis, it securely processes, transports, and delivers election mail, including ballots,\u201d wrote Bennet, Hickenlooper, and the senators. \u201cWe believe that the Postal Service remains well-equipped to securely deliver mail-in ballots. However, given the service disruptions already resulting from the DFA plan, we fear the same approach adopted by USPS in 2020 and 2022 may not be sufficient to guarantee on-time delivery results.\u201d\n\nFollowing recent USPS facility consolidations, many communities across the country have faced unreliable and untimely delivery, particularly in rural areas.\n\nBennet and Hickenlooper have repeatedly called on USPS to improve mail service for Coloradans. Last month, alongside Colorado lawmakers, the senators reiterated their calls to the USPS to improve mail delivery service for Colorado\u2019s mountain communities. In May, the senators urged USPS to eliminate fees to access their mail for Coloradans whose physical addresses were not eligible for home delivery. In April, USPS delayed proposed changes to the Grand Junction Processing and Distribution Center following a letter from the senators. Last year, Bennet and Hickenlooper invited DeJoy to tour a mail facility in Colorado to see the ongoing service and delivery challenges that Coloradans face.\n\nIn addition to Bennet and Hickenlooper, U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Bob Casey Jr. (D-Pa.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Angus King (Maine), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) also signed the letter.\n\nThe text of the letter is available HERE and below.\n\nDear Postmaster General DeJoy:\n\nThe United States Postal Service (USPS) did an exceptional job delivering ballots by mail in the 2020 and 2022 elections. Since 2022, however, USPS\u2019s implementation of its Delivering for America (DFA) plan has led to significant delivery issues nationwide. To ensure our constituents receive the highest possible level of mail-in ballot service this election season, we request information about the Postal Service\u2019s policies and plans to prepare for the 2024 election cycle.\n\nUSPS serves an essential function in American elections. On a nonpartisan basis, it securely processes, transports, and delivers election mail, including ballots. In 2020, the Postal Service overcame a series of challenges, including the onset of a global pandemic, to fulfill this critical mission. Impressively, it delivered 97.9% of ballots within three days, even as a record number of Americans voted by mail. For the 2022 midterm elections, USPS maintained this standard of excellence and delivered 98.96% of ballots within three days.\n\nThe Postal Service took extraordinary steps to achieve these results. For months before each election, it engaged in direct outreach with and offered support to thousands of election officials across the country to guarantee the secure and timely delivery of ballots. USPS also implemented special procedures to expand ground operations, including by scheduling supplemental collections and deliveries, creating special pick-ups, and extending facility operating hours. Furthermore, in the days leading up to each election, it automatically processed ballots as Priority Mail Express and deployed local turnarounds, which allowed ballots mailed to the same locality to forgo broader USPS processing.\n\nWe applaud these achievements, but much has changed since 2022. Last summer, USPS began a series of Mail Processing Facility Reviews (MPFR) to consolidate the national postal network around Regional Processing and Distribution Centers (RP&DC). Through this process, USPS has greenlit the downgrading of 56 of 59 selected postal facilities across the country\u2014including in Vermont, Oregon, Minnesota, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Nevada, New Hampshire, Maine, California, Washington, and Georgia. The prospect of such consolidations is particularly concerning for Americans in rural communities, who must already navigate limited postal access.\n\nIn July 2023, USPS completed its first regional consolidation in Richmond, Virginia. A report from the USPS Inspector General found that the consolidation led to \u201ca decrease in service performance for the Richmond region that continued four months after launch.\u201d Prior to July 2023, the area\u2019s on-time delivery rate was 89.7%, only 2.1% below the national average. Virginia\u2019s on-time delivery rate is now down to 71.75% for Fiscal Year 2024, 15.25% below the national average. Earlier this year, these delays led some local election officials to direct area residents to forego USPS entirely and instead place primary election ballots in designated drop boxes.\n\nUSPS continued the MPFR process for several months, despite this evidence of consolidation related service disruptions. In February 2024, for example, USPS consolidated Oregon\u2019s postal operations around an RP&DC in Portland. Despite USPS assurances that the consolidation would minimally affect residents, mail delays have already been reported in Southern Oregon. This area has a higher proportion of seniors and veterans compared to the national average, a group that heavily depends on USPS for medication, bill payments, and ballots, and cannot afford to experience any delays in service.\n\nWe are encouraged that, in the face of strong bipartisan opposition, USPS has now paused the MPFR process until after the 2024 election. However, as you indicated in your recent letter to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, that pause is set to expire in January 2025. Further, despite repeated requests from stakeholders and Members of Congress, the Postal Service has failed to provide evidence that these consolidations will not degrade service nationally, as they have done in Virginia and Oregon.\n\nWe believe that the Postal Service remains well-equipped to securely deliver mail-in ballots. However, given the service disruptions already resulting from the DFA plan, we fear the same approach adopted by USPS in 2020 and 2022 may not be sufficient to guarantee on-time delivery results. To ensure effective postal operations for the upcoming election, we request responses to the following questions by July 24, 2024:\n\n1. Has USPS conducted any studies evaluating the DFA plan\u2019s short- and long-term impact on election mail operations? If so, please provide us with a copy of such studies. If not, why not?\n\n2. During the MPFR pause, will the Postal Service commit to providing evidence that the consolidation will not result in further degradation of service for customers?\n\n3. Please describe any efforts the Postal Service has taken or plans to take to engage in direct outreach and offer support to election officials for the 2024 election, as it did during the 2020 and 2022 election cycles.\n\n4. Since 2022, has USPS developed new election mail strategies to account for continued implementation of the DFA plan?\n\n5. In the upcoming election, how does the Postal Service intend to improve service for the communities where it has already proceeded with postal consolidations?", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:24:47Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/06/26/press-releases-id-3be34849-83dd-4ec5-b623-afe603b49896/", "Bennet, Marshall Hear from Colorado, Kansas Farmers Combating Drought During Agriculture Subcommittee Hearing in Burlington", "2024-06-26", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Chair of the Subcommittee on Conservation, Climate, Forestry, and Natural Resources, and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Ranking Member, held a subcommittee field hearing in Burlington, Colorado.\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s farmers and ranchers face a 1,200-year drought, a changing climate, and a future that keeps getting hotter and drier. Yet America\u2019s agriculture conservation programs haven\u2019t kept pace with a West that looks very different from the Dust Bowl era,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cI was grateful to hear today from experts, producers, and partners concerned for rural America\u2019s future. America\u2019s farmers need our agriculture conservation programs to be much more flexible and allow for innovation because the future of rural America depends on whether the next generation decides to continue operating their family farms and ranches.\u201d\n\n\u201cColorado and Kansas share much more than a border. For about ten of the last fifteen years, we\u2019ve shared this drought \u2013 and I believe that water will be the defining issue of our states for not just the near future, but for generations ahead,\u201d said Marshall. \u201cFarmers and ranchers need federal assistance to maintain their livelihoods and to produce our nation\u2019s food supply, but they need more flexibility. Unfortunately, bureaucracy in DC sometimes delays the process. I\u2019m confident that we\u2019ll come out of today\u2019s field hearings with innovative solutions for farmers and ranchers in our corner of the country and beyond.\u201d\n\nDuring the hearing, the senators heard from Western producers and agricultural leaders \u2013 including Colorado Department of Agriculture Water Advisor Robert Sakata, Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg, Colorado State Senator Cleave Simpson, Colorado Farm Bureau President Carlyle Currier, Republican River Water Conservation District Director Don Brown, and Kansas Water Office Director Constance C. Owen \u2013 who highlighted the successes and limitations of existing federal drought tools and help inform new mechanisms to deal with persistent drought in the arid plains.\n\nColorado and Kansas producers are on the frontlines of a hotter, drier future, facing historic drought. Farmers and ranchers are a critical part of the solution; they help conserve water while producing food to feed the world.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:24:47Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/06/25/press-releases-id-28a67b01-dfcf-4ec8-9c41-decdc5a781c4/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper, Colleagues Urge Biden Administration to Promote Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling", "2024-06-25", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, alongside twelve of their Senate colleagues, urged the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to bolster and diversify the nation\u2019s domestic supply of electric vehicle batteries and promote the emerging electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling industry.\n\n\u201cEV battery recycling can help bridge the gap in our domestic supply chain and reduce our dependence on foreign imports\u2026\u201d wrote Bennet, Hickenlooper, and the senators. \u201cUsed batteries contain valuable mineral resources and reclaiming them will help increase our manufacturing capacity.\u201d\n\nAs the use of EVs accelerates, the demand for critical minerals needed to manufacture new batteries also grows. While China currently dominates the global supply of these minerals, battery recycling is an important tool for the United States to build a more resilient battery supply chain. In their letter, the senators urge DOE to promote battery recycling in the federal government by partnering with other agencies, improve battery use collection, and prioritize technologies to facilitate efficient recycling.\n\nBennet helped pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allocated more than $6 billion for advanced battery manufacturing, research, and development as well as the Inflation Reduction Act, which included long-term incentives for domestic battery and critical mineral production that he championed.\n\nIn addition to Bennet and Hickenlooper, U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) also signed the letter.\n\nThe letter is supported by: Ford, Stellantis, General Motors, Plug In America, Sierra Club, Battery Minerals and Technology Coalition, Umicore, the Rocky Mountain Institute, MEMA: The Vehicle Suppliers Association, Alliance for Automotive Innovation, Electric Drive Transportation Association, NRDC, LiCycle, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, American Council for an Energy Efficiency Economy (ACEEE), CALSTART, Clean Energy for America, Climate and Community Project, Conservation Law Foundation, Dream.ORG, Earthjustice, Earthworks, Ecology Center, Elders Climate Action, Electric Vehicle Association, Environmental Defense Fund, Environmental Law and Policy Center, GreenLatinos, Interfaith Power and Light, League of Conservation Voters, Public Citizen, Southern Environmental Law Center, ZETA, Advanced Energy United.\n\nThe text of the letter is available HERE and below.\n\nDear Secretary Granholm,\n\nAs the American transportation sector continues to electrify, we urge the Department of Energy (DOE) to take steps to bolster and diversify the nation\u2019s domestic supply of electric vehicle (EV) batteries\u2014including by promoting the emerging EV battery recycling industry. Specifically, we urge DOE to:\n\nWork with the General Services Administration (GSA) to carry out Sec. 7231 through 7234 of the fiscal year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA; Public Law 117-263) and partner with other federal agencies to develop and implement plans for second-life applications of EV batteries.\n\nCoordinate EV battery collection at the state and local level to strengthen the supply chain for battery recyclers.\n\nPrioritize funding technologies that facilitate efficient battery recycling when implementing the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA; Public Law 117-18).\n\nAs you know, EV sales set a record in 2023, surpassing one million cars sold. As the adoption of EVs accelerates, so too will the consumption of the critical minerals and materials needed to construct new batteries: projections indicate that, by 2034, the U.S. will consume roughly 500,000 metric tons of lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and graphite, combined. The global supply of these minerals is currently dominated by China, which accounts for 60% of production and 85% of processing capacity. Bringing critical mineral production to the U.S. and our free trade partners is an important next step in the transition to EVs and other zero-emissions transportation. But mining alone will not fully meet increased mineral demand and risks significant environmental degradation and public health harms.\n\nEV battery recycling can help bridge the gap in our domestic supply chain and reduce our dependence on foreign imports. Some estimates indicate that by 2027 more than 200,000 metric tons of American EV batteries could reach the end of their practical life. The supply of end-of life batteries is projected to increase rapidly in subsequent decades. Used batteries contain valuable mineral resources and reclaiming them will help increase our manufacturing capacity. For example, some early entrants into the recycling field have salvaged up to 95% of the critical minerals from an EV battery. These high-efficiency yields will allow the U.S. to build a more resilient battery supply chain.\n\nCongress has taken bipartisan steps to support the EV battery recycling industry. The IIJA allocated more than $6 billion for advanced battery manufacturing, research, and development. This investment has supported several programs focused on recycling, such as the Battery Materials Processing Grants Program, which is essential to building U.S. capacity for processing recycled material outputs. The Department has already awarded $2.8 billion of this funding, supporting 15 projects across the country. We commend DOE\u2019s work to date and encourage you to continue swift implementation to meet the growing demand for these technologies.\n\nWe also urge DOE to take additional steps to support the emerging battery recycling industry. Through coordination, harnessing federal purchasing power, and strengthening battery recycling incentives, the Department can ensure U.S. leadership in this industry. Specifically, we ask that the Department:\n\nPromote Battery Recycling in the Federal Government. DOE has been working across the federal government to electrify and optimize the efficiency of the federal fleet. DOE should consider partnering with other agencies to develop plans for managing retired federal EVs, including repurposing batteries through second-life applications and mineral recycling. The Department should also coordinate with GSA as it implements the Strategic EV Management provisions of the FY 2023 NDAA.\n\nImprove Used Battery Collection. DOE should leverage the IIJA\u2019s Consumer Electronics Battery Recycling, Reprocessing, and Battery Collection program to ensure a functional supply chain by working with grant recipients to coordinate the distribution of collected batteries to recyclers at scale. DOE should also work with recipients to conduct public outreach and education campaigns to maximize the efficacy of battery collection programs. Finally, DOE should coordinate with the EPA on its Battery Collection Best Practices and Battery Labeling Guidelines, which the EPA is required to complete by 2026 under the IIJA.\n\nPrioritize Technologies to Facilitate Efficient Recycling. DOE should continue to prioritize battery recycling as it implements the IIJA. Funding opportunities should focus on technologies that result in the highest yield of recycled minerals, reduce pollution from non-mineral components, and are the most energy efficient. DOE should also concentrate advanced manufacturing grants on battery designs that facilitate recycling to maximize circular management of resources.\n\nWe applaud DOE\u2019s efforts to strengthen the emerging battery recycling industry in the U.S., which will further our transition to a zero-emission transportation sector, strengthen our energy security, and bolster American manufacturing. We appreciate your attention to this matter and request a briefing for our staff on DOE\u2019s battery recycling programs by July 19, 2024.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:24:47Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/06/24/press-releases-id-a4b9cb9d-3b2d-457e-a528-a0e6ddec1840/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper Welcome Nearly $63 Million for Colorado Infrastructure Projects", "2024-06-24", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper welcomed nearly $63 million for six Colorado projects from the U.S. Department of Transportation\u2019s (DOT) Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program. The investments are part of $1.5 billion in RAISE grants awarded nationwide through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The senators sent letters in support of all six projects awarded.\n\n\u201cThanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this funding will support Colorado as we work to meet our state\u2019s changing needs \u2013 from improving our roadways to strengthening local economies,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cI\u2019m grateful that the Department of Transportation heard our calls to support these projects.\u201d\n\n\u201cFrom Akron to Towaoc to Greeley, our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is delivering the funding our communities need to update infrastructure that\u2019s key to economic growth,\u201d said Hickenlooper. \u201cImproved roads, better trails, and expanded mobility hubs will help us build a safer, more connected Colorado.\u201d\n\nThe RAISE grant program is a direct federal investment in road, rail, and transit projects. These grants support projects that are often more difficult to fund through traditional federal grant programs.\n\nA full list of projects in Colorado is below.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:11:47Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/06/20/press-releases-id-a66032d2-91d7-4c52-bda6-1c42fd417632/", "Bennet, Kaine Reintroduce Medicare-X Choice Act to Achieve Universal Health Care", "2024-06-20", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013\u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) announced the reintroduction of their legislation, the Medicare-X Choice Act, which would create a public option by expanding on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicare. The Medicare Exchange (Medicare-X) plan would offer families, individuals, and small businesses affordable health insurance, decrease the number of uninsured Americans, control the cost of health care, and increase competition in the health insurance market.\n\nBennet and Kaine\u2019s bill would help achieve universal health care by making coverage more affordable and accessible.\n\n\u201cOur health care system repeatedly falls short of giving working Americans the care they need, especially in rural communities,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cMedicare-X is the best way to cover everyone regardless of where they live, reduce health costs, and improve the quality of available health insurance. We have a responsibility to create the best health care system possible and achieve universal coverage in our country. We can do that through Medicare-X.\u201d\n\n\u201cEverywhere I go in Virginia, I hear about how essential access to quality and affordable care is to the health and well-being of our communities. While landmark legislation like the Affordable Care Act helped us make major strides in helping Virginians get covered, there\u2019s still work to do,\u201d said Kaine. \u201cThis legislation will help more Virginians, including those living in rural communities, get the care they need at a price they can afford.\u201d\n\nThe ACA expanded health insurance coverage to an additional 20 million Americans, established critical protections for patients with pre-existing conditions, and standardized essential health benefits for all qualified health plans. However, many Americans still face high health care costs and limited options for affordable health insurance.\n\nThe bill would work within the Medicare framework to establish a Medicare Exchange public option plan in every county in America for individuals and small businesses, providing an additional, affordable option in all communities. It would also build on the ACA and permanently expand premium and cost-sharing support to make all exchange options even more affordable.\n\nUnder Medicare-X, the public option would initially be available on the individual exchange in areas where there is a shortage of insurers or higher health care costs due to less competition\u2014including rural communities in Colorado and Virginia. By 2029, the Medicare Exchange plan would expand to every ZIP code in the country and be added as another option on the Small Business Health Options Program Marketplace.\n\nMedicare-X would expand Medicare\u2019s network of doctors and providers and guarantee the essential health benefits established in the ACA, such as maternity care and mental health services. Medicare Exchange plans would expand benefits and provide all primary care services without cost-sharing requirements for plan holders.\n\nAdditionally, it would ensure access to affordable prescription drugs by empowering the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate drug prices for Medicare Exchange plans.\n\nFinally, Medicare-X would create $10.9 billion in savings for households due to lower premiums and overall health care costs, $43.1 billion in savings in small-group markets due to lower overall health spending, and $20.3 billion in savings for the federal government due to lower premium tax credits as a result of lower provider payment rates and prescription drug price negotiation.\n\nThe legislation includes several policies to make coverage affordable for more Americans:\n\nTo better support rural hospitals and providers and increase access to health care for Americans living in rural communities, the proposal would allow for payment adjustments of up to 150% of Medicare fee-for-service rates.\n\nOn top of the essential health benefits required for qualified health plans under the ACA, Medicare Exchange plans would expand on those benefits and provide primary care services with no cost-sharing for plan holders.\n\nThe bill makes permanent increased tax premium subsidies for Americans living below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). This proposal permanently expands eligibility for the ACA\u2019s premium tax credit to families above 400% of the FPL.\n\nThis proposal codifies the fix to a glitch in the ACA that prevented family members of people who are insured through the health care exchange from receiving a tax credit.\n\nThis legislation would direct the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to study the effect of covering services such as long-term services and support; home- and community-based services; assistive and enabling technologies; and vision, hearing, and dental services. The study would examine the effects on benefits and the costs to beneficiaries. It would also review the implications in the health market and provide recommendations to Congress on potential inclusion of these benefits under Medicare plans.\n\nThis plan would help drive down costs across the entire health care industry by providing additional resources to the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to take appropriate antitrust enforcement actions and address the root causes of consolidation in the health care market.\n\nThe bill text is available HERE. A summary is available HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:24:47Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/06/18/press-releases-id-710333e0-17cc-4f9b-be3f-9d7ac4abf2f0/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Extend Colorado River Conservation Program", "2024-06-18", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, alongside U.S. Senators Mitt Romney (R-Utah), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), introduced the Colorado River Basin System Conservation Extension Act. The bipartisan legislation extends the System Conservation Pilot Program, a 4-year pilot program to test voluntary water conservation measures to manage severe drought in the Colorado River Basin.\n\n\u201cAs drought wreaks havoc on the Colorado River system, Colorado and Upper Basin states are doing their part and stepping up to conserve real water,\u201d said Bennet.\n\n\u201cWe need to work together to address the Colorado River crisis, and conservation is one part of the puzzle,\u201d said Hickenlooper. \u201cLet\u2019s finish the pilot program and figure out what works best for Colorado\u2019s communities and our farmers.\u201d\n\n\u201cOver the last several years, the Upper Basin System Conservation Pilot Program has proven successful in increasing water efficiency and mitigating the impacts of historic drought,\u201d said Romney. \u201cReauthorizing this important program will encourage water conservation in Lake Powell and other bodies of water in the Upper Colorado River Basin.\u201d\n\n\u201cWyoming, along with other Colorado River Basin states, have worked together to conserve water in the Colorado River system. Programs like the System Conservation Pilot Project are critical to helping address drought issues across these states,\u201d said Barrasso. \u201cOur bipartisan legislation extends this program and provides our farmers and ranchers with resources to conserve water in the Colorado River and the lakes they depend on.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe west continues to lead the nation in our cutting-edge water conservation and management practices,\u201d said Lummis. \u201cOur ability to maintain that reputation hinges on preserving proven policies that mitigate drought threats, and I am excited to partner with my colleagues to protect Wyoming communities and ranchers from droughts by continuing this successful program.\u201d\n\nThe legislation extends the current pilot program through 2026 as Colorado River Basin states, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and stakeholders continue discussions on potential long-term water management once operational rules expire in 2026. The pilot program will help the Upper Basin examine water management strategies to help water users manage an uncertain water supply amid drought conditions.\n\nBennet cosponsored the Colorado River Basin Conservation Act, which reauthorized the System Conservation Pilot Program through 2024. Last year, the System Conservation Pilot Program received $125 million, made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, to enable the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, in partnership with the Upper Colorado River Commission, to implement the System Conservation Pilot Program.\n\n\u201cExtending the System Conservation Pilot Program presents an opportunity to enhance the viability of places on which people, birds, and all living things depend,\u201d said Jennifer Pitt, Colorado River Program Director, National Audubon Society. \u201cWe thank the sponsors of this bipartisan bill for moving quickly to reauthorize the program for continued progress and application of lessons learned. As climate change destabilizes the Colorado River system, investments in solutions like the SCPP are critical. Audubon is eager to continue working with the Basin States and the federal government on long-term, resilient solutions for the river.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Nature Conservancy applauds the bill sponsors for working to extend the System Conservation Pilot Program (SCPP) as the Colorado River Basin learns to adapt to a hotter and drier future. Our communities, water users, tribal nations, and wildlife all need more flexible tools to manage the River we all depend on in a way that builds resilience for the region. As we continue to test and learn from conservation programs like SCPP, we need continuity in the program while facilitating additional learning about long-term conservation programs,\u201d said Taylor Hawes, Colorado River Program Director, The Nature Conservancy.\n\n\u201cThe Upper Basin System Conservation Pilot Program provides an invaluable opportunity to build resilience to long-term drought and climate change through water conservation efforts in a manner that respects existing water rights administration and provides decision makers with additional breathing room to identify and agree on long-term solutions to address challenges facing the Colorado River Basin and all that rely on it,\u201d said Alex Funk, Director of Water Resources, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. \u201cWe thank the bill sponsors for extending this critical program to preserve momentum around the deployment of innovative, voluntary approaches to water conservation that will provide multiple benefits for Colorado River water users, communities, and fish and wildlife.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:24:47Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/06/18/press-releases-id-80a5f9fc-40e3-419f-84d0-35a93c3f0785/", "Bennet, Fischer Celebrate Senate Passage of Resolution Promoting Mental Health Awareness for Farmers and Agriculture Producers", "2024-06-18", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) celebrated Senate passage of their resolution designating May 29th as \u201cMental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day.\u201d According to the National Rural Health Association, the suicide rate among farmers is 3.5 times higher than that of the general population.\n\n\u201cUnprecedented challenges are taking a toll on the mental health of Colorado\u2019s farmers, ranchers, and farm workers \u2014 including severe drought and increased costs. I\u2019m grateful to stand with Senator Fischer and my Senate colleagues to raise awareness about mental health and to work to expand access to care for Americans in every community,\u201d said Bennet.\n\n\u201cFrom unpredictable weather to volatile markets and trade agreements, the livelihood of Nebraska\u2019s agricultural producers and workforce depend on several factors beyond their control. This uncertainty, paired with extreme stress, leads to higher levels of anxiety and depression. Our resolution recognizes those unique challenges and supports the farmers, ranchers, and workers who perform the essential work of producing high quality food, fuel, and fiber,\u201d said Fischer.\n\nBennet has advocated in Congress to increase awareness and support for mental health care among farming communities, including by introducing the Farmer\u2019s First Act of 2023. This bipartisan bill would help connect farmers with valuable mental health resources and increase funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN).\n\n\u201cThe National Rural Health Association (NRHA) appreciates Senator Fischer\u2019s and Senator Bennet\u2019s strong commitment to uplifting the mental health of agricultural workers. NRHA is proud to support the Senators\u2019 resolution to designate May 29th as Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day. We join the Senators in recognizing the importance of those working in the agriculture industry, improving their mental health, and reducing stigma around mental health,\u201d said Alan Morgan, Chief Executive Officer, National Rural Health Association.\n\nThis resolution is also supported by The National Rural Health Association, Nebraska Rural Health Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, Nebraska Farm Bureau, Nebraska Farmers Union, and National Farmers Union.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:24:47Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/06/14/press-releases-id-36b4a4d3-cb60-48d8-aa26-d70d3a97b610/", "Bennet, Padilla, Salinas, Lofgren Introduce Bill to Provide Disaster Relief for Farm Workers", "2024-06-14", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) alongside U.S. Representatives Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.) and Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) introduced the Disaster Relief for Farm Workers Act. This bicameral legislation would provide emergency assistance grants to America\u2019s farm workers following natural or climate disasters that affect their ability to earn a living.\n\n\u201cAgriculture is the backbone of Colorado\u2019s economy and central to our Western way of life, but as climate-fueled disasters become increasingly common, our state\u2019s farm workers are paying the price,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cThe people that grow America\u2019s fruits, vegetables, and other crops deserve assistance \u2013 especially after emergencies like drought, wildfires, or other natural disasters. This legislation recognizes their crucial role in our economy.\u201d\n\n\u201cCalifornia\u2019s farm workers labor under extreme conditions to help put food on the table for hundreds of millions of Americans,\u201d said Padilla. \u201cBut as farm workers in Pajaro learned last year after extreme flooding, and those across the country know too well, natural disasters can devastate agricultural communities. We must protect the beating heart of our nation\u2019s food supply by providing critical emergency assistance to these essential workers.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs the daughter of a former farmworker, I am proud to introduce this bill to deliver much-needed disaster relief for the hardworking men and women who grow and harvest our food,\u201d said Salinas. \u201cClimate change is only getting worse, and unexpected disasters can strike at any time. Yet despite their critical importance to our food system and economy, America\u2019s farmworkers currently do not receive direct federal support when they are forced to miss out on work and lose wages as a result. This legislation would finally right that wrong and ensure that, rain or shine, our farmworkers and their families can continue to pay the bills and put food on the table.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhen extreme weather occurs, farmworkers across the United States continue to help feed the nation. And yet, these essential workers and their families face great uncertainty when unexpected disasters cause them to lose work and income. In my congressional district, after severe flooding in early 2023, hundreds of farmworkers in the Pajaro community faced displacement and lost wages. They and all farmworkers deserve better. That\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to be co-leading the Disaster Relief for Farm Workers Act with Rep. Salinas and Sens. Padilla and Bennet. Our bill ensures America\u2019s indispensable farmworkers can receive disaster relief funding they need and have earned,\u201d said Lofgren.\n\nAn estimated 2.4 million farm workers wake up before sunrise every day to work on our nation\u2019s family farms and ranches, tend to animals, harvest fruits and vegetables, and feed families across the country. Yet climate-related threats including rising temperatures and increasingly severe natural disasters particularly affect farm workers. However, existing federal disaster relief programs insufficiently compensate farm workers when they lose wages as a result of conditions out of their control.\n\nThe Disaster Relief for Farm Workers Act follows the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Equity Commission\u2019s recommendations to provide disaster relief funding for farm workers. Specifically, the bill makes grants available to eligible organizations to provide emergency relief to farm workers affected by a disaster and ensures USDA develops and executes a promotional plan prior to and throughout the distribution of the relief grants to increase awareness of the assistance available.\n\n\u201cFarm workers have long been excluded from federal disaster relief programs, even as they have been disproportionately impacted by extreme weather such as fires, flooding, and other natural disasters,\u201d said Teresa Romero, President, United Farm Workers (UFW). \u201cThe same way the federal government provides support to farm owners who lose crops, the federal government should provide support to farm workers who lose work. The Disaster Relief for Farm Workers Act will ensure that farm workers and their families can put food on the table when they are unable to work due to conditions beyond their control.\u201d\n\n\u201cFrom rising temperatures to wildfires to flooding conditions, farm worker communities face unprecedented consequences due to climate change yet do not receive any federal relief for climate change-related disasters,\u201d said Erica Lomeli Corcoran, Interim CEO, UFW Foundation. \u201cThis is why the UFW Foundation is supporting the introduction of the Disaster Relief for Farm Workers Act. This legislation would provide funds to aid farm workers who are directly impacted by climate disasters, ensuring that they do not lose their livelihood due to conditions beyond their control. We saw that farm workers are incredibly essential to this country\u2019s health and wellbeing during the COVID pandemic. It\u2019s time to offer them protections when facing future pandemics and natural disasters.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe thank Senator Bennet for supporting agriculture workers. Providing emergency assistance to the essential workers responsible for feeding America helps create a more stable workforce in our food supply,\u201d said Alex S\u00e1nchez, President and CEO, Voces Unidas de las Monta\u00f1as.\n\nThe bill is also supported by Earthjustice, National Farm Worker Ministry, Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste (PCUN), the Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs (AFOP), California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation, Columbia Legal Services, United Migrant Opportunity Services, and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:11:47Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/06/12/press-releases-id-74c5b33f-ca04-44ac-ae10-f7d95fd4f558/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper, Polis Celebrate Biden Administration Approval of Colorado\u2019s $826 Million Plan to Extend High-Speed Internet Across the State", "2024-06-12", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper alongside Colorado Governor Jared Polis welcomed the National Telecommunications and Information Administration\u2019s (NTIA) approval of Colorado\u2019s proposal to extend high-speed internet across the state. Colorado plans to achieve this goal using $826 million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law\u2019s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.\n\n\u201cAffordable, high-speed broadband is essential for modern American life. Colorado helps lead the way on successful implementation of the BEAD Program, which will bridge the digital divide for communities across Colorado \u2014 especially our rural areas, low-income neighborhoods, and communities of color,\u201d said Bennet.\n\n\u201cOur Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the largest investment in high-speed and affordable broadband ever, is closing the digital divide for Tribes and small business owners in rural communities across Colorado,\u201d said Hickenlooper. \u201cWe\u2019re ready to finish what we\u2019ve started.\u201d\n\n\u201cColorado is excited to expand reliable, high-speed broadband across our state and this approval of our plans for BEAD funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will accelerate those efforts,\u201d said Polis. \u201cI was pleased to be the first governor in the nation to support this law and I thank the Biden administration for their partnership. We look forward to seeing even more Colorado households get access to the internet they need to thrive.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:24:47Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/06/04/press-releases-id-6456efbb-b8ee-42ed-84e5-c47129574382/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper, Pettersen, Neguse Keep Up Push to Hire More Postal Workers, Improve Mail Service for Mountain Communities", "2024-06-04", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper alongside U.S. Representatives Brittany Pettersen and Joe Neguse reiterated their calls to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to improve mail delivery service for Colorado\u2019s mountain communities. Following a USPS Office of the Inspector General (OIG) audit of mail service in Colorado\u2019s mountain towns that revealed staffing problems, disorganized and inefficient mail processing, and delivery delays, the lawmakers raised their concerns to USPS in December 2023.\n\n\u201c[T]he USPS workforce in Colorado is under-staffed and often under-resourced. The report concluded that the lack of sufficient staffing at Colorado mail facilities is the biggest barrier to consistent and reliable mail service in Colorado. As a result, Colorado constituents have lost trust in the USPS to deliver timely prescription medications, financial documents, and mail-in ballots, among other deliveries,\u201d wrote the lawmakers.\n\n\u201c[W]e urge you to address the personnel recruitment and retention challenges identified in the audit and enable pay increases to hire and retain postal workers,\u201d continued the lawmakers. \u201cPay increases for postal workers in Colorado would immediately strengthen USPS recruitment and retention and lead to more consistent, on-time delivery and improved mail operations across our state.\u201d\n\nBennet, Hickenlooper, Pettersen, and Neguse have repeatedly called on USPS to improve mail service for Coloradans. In May, Bennet, Hickenlooper, and Neguse urged USPS to eliminate fees to access their mail for Coloradans whose physical addresses were not eligible for home delivery. In April, Bennet and Hickenlooper successfully pushed USPS to delay proposed changes to USPS\u2019 Grand Junction Processing and Distribution Center. Last year, Bennet and Hickenlooper invited DeJoy to tour a mail facility in Colorado to see the ongoing service and delivery challenges that Coloradans face.\n\nThe text of the letter is available HERE and below.\n\nDear Postmaster General DeJoy and Deputy Postmaster General Tulino:\n\nWe write to follow up on concerns we raised in our December 21, 2023 letter to you, following last year\u2019s United States Postal Service (USPS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) report on delivery and customer service issues in Colorado. Specifically, we urge you to address the personnel recruitment and retention challenges identified in the audit and enable pay increases to hire and retain postal workers. We believe this is necessary due to increased competition in the job market and the high cost of living, especially in Colorado mountain communities.\n\nAccording to the USPS OIG report, the USPS workforce in Colorado is under-staffed and often under-resourced. The report concluded that the lack of sufficient staffing at Colorado mail facilities is the biggest barrier to consistent and reliable mail service in Colorado. As a result, Colorado constituents have lost trust in the USPS to deliver timely prescription medications, financial documents, and mail-in ballots, among other deliveries. The high cost of housing in our state further exacerbates recruitment and retention challenges with low pay for postal workers. The median price of a single-family home in the seven county Denver Metro Area is $600,000, and can be more than double that price in some mountain towns, where postal facilities are unable to hire and retain enough workers for basic mail processing and delivery that Coloradans expect.\n\nThe USPS OIG made ten recommendations to the USPS Colorado/Wyoming District Office (District), and the District agreed to implement seven of the recommendations with a target date to complete them by April 30, 2024. Notably, two of the three recommendations that the District disagreed with involve staffing and personnel challenges that undermine the entire mail operation in Colorado. The District referred these recommendations to the Office of the Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO) for further consideration.\n\nAs the USPS considers prescriptive measures to address our concerns, we ask that you resolve the issues as soon as possible. Pay increases for postal workers in Colorado would immediately strengthen USPS recruitment and retention and lead to more consistent, on-time delivery and improved mail operations across our state.\n\nWe remain committed to working with you to identify solutions to provide better service to our constituents. We urge USPS leadership to provide the same level of attention to the staffing and personnel issues as the other recommendations in the USPS OIG report that will enable Coloradans to regain trust in this vital institution.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:24:47Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/06/04/press-releases-id-bbea8d92-d464-4f4a-a953-472603a792ce/", "Bennet, Colleagues Push to Cut Red Tape for Colorado Cannabis Small Businesses", "2024-06-04", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, alongside nine of his Senate colleagues, sent a letter to U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations leaders urging them to allow legal cannabis small businesses to access programs and resources from the Small Business Administration (SBA).\n\n\u201cSBA loan programs would be especially helpful to cannabis small businesses because they would fill gaps left by the private sector and could expand the availability of capital for many entrepreneurs\u2013 including for our minority, women, and veteran business owners,\u201d wrote Bennet and the senators. \u201cAccess to SBA loan and entrepreneurship programs would support a rapidly growing industry that creates jobs, supports small businesses, and raise revenues in states that have chosen to legalize cannabis.\u201d\n\nLast year, Colorado collected over $274 million in tax revenue from legal cannabis businesses. However, current federal policy prohibits these businesses from being able to access small business loans and entrepreneurial development programs available to all other legal businesses.\n\nBennet has repeatedly advocated for the support of cannabis small businesses, including by introducing the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act and the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act to provide legally-operating cannabis businesses access to critical banking services\n\nIn addition to Bennet, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) also signed the letter.\n\nThe text of the letter is available HERE and below.\n\nDear Chairman Van Hollen and Ranking Member Haggerty:\n\nAs you begin drafting the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Financial Services and General Government Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, we respectfully request that you include bill language prohibiting the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) from denying loan applications for the 7(a) Loan Guarantee Program, Disaster Assistance Program, Microloan Program, and 504/Certified Development Company Loan Program to legally operating cannabis small businesses in states that have legalized cannabis sale and use. We also request that you include bill language prohibiting SBA from excluding such state-legal cannabis businesses from participating in or benefiting from SBA\u2019s entrepreneurial development programs.\n\nOver the years, there has been a clear shift in public opinion supporting legalization of cannabis in the United States. Most recently, Delaware, Ohio, and Minnesota joined a long list of states and the District of Columbia that have legalized both the medicinal and recreational sale and use of cannabis. In 2022, states collected nearly $3 billion in tax revenue from legal cannabis sales, and that number is expected to grow as more states are poised to legalize cannabis this year. However, SBA\u2019s current policy excludes from its loan and entrepreneurial development programs all small businesses with \u201cdirect\u201d or \u201cindirect\u201d products or services that aid the use, growth, enhancement, or other development of cannabis. Consequently, small businesses in states with some form of legal cannabis must choose between remaining eligible for SBA financing and support and participating in or doing business with a rapidly-growing and legal industry.\n\nThe SBA\u2019s loan programs provide financial assistance in the form of loans and loan guarantees to small businesses that cannot easily access capital. These include the 7(a) Loan Guarantee Program, Disaster Assistance Program, Microloan Program, and 504/Certified Development Company Loan Program. Currently, most banks are reluctant to serve even state-legal cannabis businesses due to conflicts with federal law, meaning that these legally operating small businesses often are forced to operate using only cash, potentially jeopardizing public safety in in order to do business. SBA loan programs would be especially helpful to cannabis small businesses because they would fill gaps left by the private sector and could expand the availability of capital for many entrepreneurs\u2013 including for our minority, women, and veteran business owners. Likewise, SBA\u2019s entrepreneurial development programs provide critical training, counseling, and technical assistance to small businesses across the country \u2013 resources desperately needed by entrepreneurs in the new and burgeoning state-legal cannabis industry. Access to SBA loan and entrepreneurship programs would support a rapidly growing industry that creates jobs, supports small businesses, and raise revenues in states that have chosen to legalize cannabis.\n\nWe strongly support SBA making all of its programs open and available to all state-legal cannabis small businesses. We, therefore, ask the Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government to include bill language in your forthcoming legislation to help extend SBA loan and entrepreneurship programs to cannabis small businesses legally operating in states that allow the sale and use of cannabis for medicinal or recreational purposes.\n\nThank you for your leadership in crafting this important appropriations bill, and for your consideration of this request.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:24:47Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/05/30/press-releases-id-228e153a-2605-45f4-8b5a-b69728b69c9d/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper Welcome Additional $90 Million from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for Ark Valley Conduit", "2024-05-30", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper welcomed the announcement from the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) that $90 million in new funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law would be made available to expedite construction of the Arkansas Valley Conduit (AVC).\n\n\u201cSince joining the Senate, I\u2019ve pushed for greater investments and passed legislation to ensure the federal government keeps its word and finishes the Arkansas Valley Conduit,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cThis announcement brings us one step closer, but I\u2019ll keep working with the Bureau of Reclamation and the 39 communities across Southeast Colorado to finish this project and deliver a safe and reliable water supply for every Coloradan.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe broke ground on the Arkansas Valley Conduit to finally deliver clean drinking water to Southeast Colorado. Now, more Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments like this one will speed up the timeline,\u201d said Hickenlooper.\n\nThe AVC is a planned 130-mile water-delivery system from the Pueblo Reservoir to communities throughout the Arkansas River Valley in Southeast Colorado. This funding will help expedite the construction timeline. The AVC is the final phase of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project, which Congress authorized in 1962.\n\nBennet and Hickenlooper have consistently and successfully advocated for increased funding for the AVC. In January, Bennet and Hickenlooper wrote to President Biden to urge him to prioritize funding for the AVC in his Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) budget. The senators also called on Senate Appropriations leaders to provide more funding for the project in the FY25 appropriations bill. In January 2023, Bennet and Hickenlooper urged BOR to allocate additional resources through annual appropriations and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:12:30Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/05/24/press-releases-id-82aa5514-0d5a-4ea4-a4db-3be393189f90/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper, Colleagues Push to Increase Funding for Federal Pell Grant Program", "2024-05-24", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, alongside 42 of their Senate colleagues, sent a letter to U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations leaders encouraging them to increase funding for the Pell Grant program in the fiscal year 2025 (FY25) government funding bills.\n\n\u201c[W]e remain concerned that the value of the Pell Grant has steadily declined since it was first created \u2013 now covering the lowest share of the cost of attendance in its 50-year history. Increasing the maximum award would provide a substantial investment toward reversing this decades-long decline,\u201d continued the senators.\n\nAs more students face food and housing insecurity, the senators call on Senate leaders to include sufficient funding in the upcoming government funding bills to increase maximum awards, expand eligibility, and extend more awards to historically underrepresented students.\n\n\u201cThe Pell Grant is the cornerstone of federal student aid, and currently helps over 6 million students pursue higher education in the United States,\u201d wrote Bennet, Hickenlooper, and the senators. \u201cWith a continued investment in the Pell Grant, we can better extend educational opportunity to more students from low- and moderate- income families, who will be critical to meeting the demand for a highly educated-workforce.\u201d\n\nA former school superintendent, Bennet has repeatedly worked to make college more affordable \u2013 including earlier this year by pushing the U.S. Department of Education to address issues in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and ensure that every student receives the Pell Grants for which they are eligible.\n\nThe text of the letter is available HERE and below.\n\nDear Chair Baldwin and Ranking Member Capito:\n\nAs you begin your work on Fiscal Year 2025 (FY 2025) appropriations, we urge the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) Subcommittee to make sure the discretionary allocation for the Pell Grant effectively meets the needs of students, protects all Pell Grant program reserves, and expands eligibility to students who have been historically excluded or previously cut out from being eligible for the Pell Grant. We respectfully request you provide a discretionary increase to the award as Congress works toward doubling the Pell Grant for students.\n\nWe appreciate the LHHS Subcommittee\u2019s work to increase the Pell Grant maximum award in recent years. But we remain concerned that the value of the Pell Grant has steadily declined since it was first created \u2013 now covering the lowest share of the cost of attendance in its 50-year history. Increasing the maximum award would provide a substantial investment toward reversing this decades-long decline.\n\nThe need for Congress to provide robust investment in the Pell Grant program is clear. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, students are still struggling just to meet their basic needs as they pursue higher education. Recently, for example, the Center for Community College Student Engagement (CCCSE) reported that 29 percent of the students they surveyed were food insecure, and 14 percent were housing insecure. Especially at a time of expected shortfalls in the Pell Grant program, it is critically important that the Subcommittee continues to protect all Pell Grant reserves from any reallocation, raid, or rescission that would hasten any shortfalls in the program. Pell Grant funds should be retained in the program to increase the maximum award, reverse prior eligibility cuts, and provide new opportunities to provide higher education to historically underrepresented students.\n\nThe Pell Grant is the cornerstone of federal student aid, and currently helps over 6 million students pursue higher education in the United States. With a continued investment in the Pell Grant, we can better extend educational opportunity to more students from low- and moderate- income families, who will be critical to meeting the demand for a highly educated-workforce.\n\nThank you for your continued commitment to the Pell Grant. We appreciate your consideration of these requests.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:12:30Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/05/23/press-releases-id-1bad3b6e-b289-4c8d-a6c6-0319c3e1d321/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper Laud Committee Passage of Colorado Priorities in Biennial Water Bill", "2024-05-23", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper celebrated bipartisan committee passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). The senators worked to include Colorado priorities and water infrastructure investments as part of the biennial legislation that addresses nationwide water management, flood control, ecosystem restoration, and long-term clean water projects.\n\n\u201cAs Colorado communities face a hotter and drier future, we need to continue to invest in our water infrastructure. I\u2019m grateful that these projects received bipartisan support in today\u2019s Senate Committee vote. I\u2019ll keep working to move these projects and funding through Congress so we can protect Colorado\u2019s vital waterways and resources for the next generation,\u201d said Bennet.\n\n\u201cFloods and droughts alike strain Colorado\u2019s water infrastructure,\u201d said Hickenlooper. \u201cThese investments will equip our communities to build stronger, more reliable waterways and healthier ecosystems.\u201d\n\nThis legislation includes important funding and new authorities for Colorado, including:\n\n$20 million for El Paso County to help address a variety of water supply and stormwater management needs;\n\nAuthorization for the Templeton Gap Levee, Mountain and Fountain Creeks Study on the ecosystem restoration of a 7-mile stretch of Monument and Fountain Creeks and the rehabilitation of the 2-mile-long Templeton Gap levee in Colorado Springs, which will promote water quality and mitigate flood risk;\n\nSouth Platte River Projects Study from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Government Accountability Office to speed up the completion of two projects to promote healthy waterways along the South Platte River and neighboring Denver water systems;\n\nIncreasing federal support from $10 million to $15 million for the majority of USACE\u2019s Continuing Authorities Programs (CAPs) \u2013 smaller-scale projects to reduce flood damages and restore aquatic ecosystems; and\n\nReauthorizing the National Dam Safety Program to continue the repair and removal of potentially hazardous dams.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:12:30Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/05/22/press-releases-id-e9ad34cd-5862-4f62-b2be-9b6860920b23/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper, Neguse Call on USPS to Eliminate Fees for Eligible Steamboat Springs Residents to Access Their Mail", "2024-05-22", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper alongside U.S. Representative Joe Neguse urged U.S. Postal Service (USPS) leaders to eliminate P.O. box fees for eligible Coloradans. A substantial number of Steamboat Springs residents currently pay rental fees for P.O. boxes despite qualifying for fee waivers since their physical addresses are not eligible for home delivery.\n\n\u201cMany Steamboat Springs residents pay over one hundred dollars annually to receive mail in their P.O. boxes, even though USPS does not deliver mail or parcels to the residents\u2019 homes. Meanwhile, other Steamboat Springs residents and those living outside of town receive home delivery at no charge,\u201d wrote Bennet, Hickenlooper, and Neguse.\n\n\u201cIn November 2023, after nearly a year of internal study and deliberation, USPS announced that eligible residents who previously paid for P.O. Boxes would no longer be charged a fee, and USPS would provide refunds for up to 24 months of previously paid fees to those residents,\u201d continued the lawmakers. \u201cUnfortunately, nearly six months later, eligible residents still report paying P.O. Box fees, and have not been provided with an estimated date by which they can expect an update or a refund.\u201d\n\nBennet and Hickenlooper have consistently pushed USPS to improve mail service for Colorado\u2019s mountain communities. In March, Bennet joined 20 Senate colleagues urging USPS to stop any changes that could result in job losses and further degrade mail delivery performance for Colorado and 34 other states. In April, Bennet and Hickenlooper again pushed back on USPS\u2019 proposal. Earlier this month, USPS announced it would temporarily pause these network changes and therefore, USPS will not be moving mail processing operations from the Grand Junction Mail Processing Facility this year following the senators\u2019 calls.\n\nThe text of the letter is available HERE and below.\n\nDear Dr. Colin and Mr. Smith,\n\nWe write to urge the United States Postal Service (USPS), Colorado-Wyoming District Office to expedite the process determining eligibility for residents in the City of Steamboat Springs, Colorado who do not receive USPS home delivery to receive a post office box (P.O. Box) at no charge. We also request USPS issue refunds to eligible residents and provide an update to our offices on your progress in a timely manner.\n\nMany Steamboat Springs residents pay over one hundred dollars annually to receive mail in their P.O. boxes, even though USPS does not deliver mail or parcels to the residents\u2019 homes. Meanwhile, other Steamboat Springs residents and those living outside of town receive home delivery at no charge. In November 2023, after nearly a year of internal study and deliberation, USPS announced that eligible residents who previously paid for P.O. Boxes would no longer be charged a fee, and USPS would provide refunds for up to 24 months of previously paid fees to those residents. Unfortunately, nearly six months later, eligible residents still report paying P.O. Box fees, and have not been provided with an estimated date by which they can expect an update or a refund.\n\nWe applaud USPS employees\u2019 hard work and dedication to delivering mail and parcels to local residents, while implementing substantial changes to the post office\u2019s systems. We recognize local residents must complete and return Postal Service Form (PS) 1093 for USPS to determine eligibility, which the USPS is working to process. We also understand USPS is considering new delivery routes for Steamboat Springs, which requires a requisite level of planning before implementation. Nevertheless, eligible local residents, many of whom have already submitted a completed PS Form 1093, are rightfully growing increasingly frustrated that USPS has not yet issued an update on these efforts and continues to charge them for P.O. box rentals.\n\nThank you for your attention to this important matter. We look forward to hearing from the Colorado-Wyoming District Office with an update on the timeline for the completion of these initiatives, and request that the USPS implement these changes as soon as practical.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:12:30Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/05/21/press-releases-id-876390fe-9468-4925-9eb8-8672d6b586f2/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper, Careveo Welcome Over $8 Million to Address Pollution, Revitalize Colorado Communities", "2024-05-21", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper alongside Colorado U.S. Representative Yadira Caraveo welcomed over $8 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help clean polluted and abandoned properties in Colorado. The investments were awarded through EPA\u2019s Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MAC) Grant Programs and Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grant Programs which received funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.\n\n\u201cIn the wealthiest nation in the world, every family should be able to live in a clean environment,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cThis funding will rightfully support Colorado communities disproportionately affected by contamination. These grants will help Colorado communities safely clean up polluted sites, protect their health, and rebuild in a way that creates jobs and economic opportunity.\u201d\n\n\u201cContaminated properties \u2013 like abandoned buildings with polluted soil \u2013 stifle development because of the environmental and health risks to surrounding communities,\u201d said Hickenlooper. \u201cThese Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grants will help safely revitalize these sites and open the door for more community investments.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs the first Representative for the 8th district, I\u2019m fighting for every corner of the Front Range and Northern Colorado to get their fair share of federal funding,\u201d said Caraveo. \u201cToday, we took a significant step in the right direction with major federal investments in Greeley, Northglenn, and Kersey. The more than $4.3 million federal grant announced by the EPA this morning will go toward cleaning up toxic sites and laying the groundwork for economic renewal at sites that have been abandoned or left in disrepair, positioning our communities for future economic success.\u201d\n\n\u201cEPA\u2019s Brownfields grants are helping community leaders revitalize downtown areas through the transformation of blighted properties,\u201d said KC Becker, Regional Administrator, EPA. \u201cToday\u2019s funding will help reclaim contaminated buildings, soil, water and outdoor spaces and create new economic opportunities in Greeley and Kersey.\u201d\n\nSince 1995, EPA\u2019s Brownfields Program has provided nearly $2.7 billion to assess and clean up contaminated properties. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocated $1.5 billion for the Program and has helped increase yearly investments by nearly 400 percent.\n\nThe grants will make the following investments across Colorado:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:12:30Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/05/20/press-releases-id-85d1a267-802d-42e9-8b7c-543a185838db/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper, Neguse Introduce Bill to Honor Edward J. Dwight, Jr. with Congressional Gold Medal", "2024-05-20", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, and U.S. Representative Joe Neguse introduced the Edward J. Dwight, Jr. Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023 to honor the life and legacy of Ed Dwight Jr. days before he made history at 90-years-old as the oldest person on Earth to travel to space upon Blue Origin\u2019s New Shepard spacecraft.\n\nDwight first made history in 1961 when President John F. Kennedy invited him to join the U.S. Air Force\u2019s astronaut training program as the country\u2019s first African American astronaut candidate. However, he was never granted the opportunity to fly to space due to racism within the program. After completing his military service, Dwight moved to Denver, where he became an IBM engineer. He later opened a restaurant and worked as a real estate developer before pursuing his passion for sculpting full-time. Today, Dwight\u2019s sculptures are collected by museums, institutions, and art enthusiasts around the world, including the Smithsonian. The Congressional Gold Medal would recognize Dwight\u2019s historic service, example of excellence despite adversity, and contributions to art and Black history.\n\n\u201cEd Dwight is one of our country\u2019s greatest living legends,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cDespite racism and prejudice, Ed never stopped reaching higher and became a trailblazer in the worlds of art, science, aviation, and now, space travel. His successes are Colorado\u2019s successes. It is a privilege to one day recognize Ed\u2019s place in American history with the highest honor bestowed by the United States Congress.\u201d\n\n\u201cColorado\u2019s Ed Dwight made history in 1961 when he was the first African American considered to be an astronaut,\u201d said Hickenlooper. \u201cYesterday he made history again as the oldest person to go to space!\u201d\n\n\u201cWhile serving our country in the United States Air Force, Ed Dwight Jr. broke barriers by becoming the first African American to enter a training program from which NASA selected potential astronauts. In the years since his time in service, he\u2019s continued to make his mark on our nation\u2014producing notable sculptures of historic Black Americans that are now landmarks in communities across the country, including the city of Denver. As he fulfills his life-long dream and rocket into space, I am honored to be leading an effort with Senator Bennet to award Ed with a Congressional Gold Medal,\u201d said Neguse.\n\n\u201cEd Dwight, the first Black astronaut candidate deserves to receive the Congressional Gold Metal,\u201d said Patricia Duncan, Colorado activist and author. \u201cSenator Bennet\u2019s bill will honor a man who lived out [his] lifelong dream by going up in space as [Ed] continues to be a mentor to Astronaut Victor J. Glover who will be going to the moon in the future. [This bill] awards a humble man receiving all the recognition [he has] earned and deserves.\u201d\n\n\u201cI would like to sincerely thank Senator Bennet for recognizing and acknowledging my father, Ed Dwight\u2019s contributions to Colorado, our culture, and the country as a whole,\u201d said Tamara Rhone, Ed Dwight\u2019s daughter. \u201cIt means so much to me and my family as I know he appreciates that he is not forgotten in this journey to be a positive example for others to follow.\u201d\n\nIn 2020, U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations General Jay Raymond presented Dwight with the Commander\u2019s Public Service Award and inducted him as an honorary member of the Space Force, for his contributions to the United States, space, and history.\n\nThe text of the bill is available HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:12:30Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/05/17/press-releases-id-ac5d2e00-25f3-4c5f-8249-566b29dfe120/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper, Colleagues Push for Critical Funding for Student Aid", "2024-05-17", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Denver \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper joined 23 of their Senate colleagues to urge the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee to include critical funding for the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) in the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) government funding bill. Full funding for FSA would help address longstanding concerns with the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).\n\n\u201cFSA\u2019s responsibilities have increased to protect students and borrowers, but its federal funding has remained stagnant. The lack of adequate resources creates more barriers for students to start and continue their education,\u201d wrote Bennet, Hickenlooper, and the senators. \u201cWe believe this funding request is needed to provide FSA with the resources it needs to fulfill its goal of ensuring that all eligible students and families can access federal student grants, loans, and work-study funds to pursue education and training beyond high school.\u201d\n\nFSA is the largest provider of student financial aid in the nation, serving over 46 million people and overseeing a $1.6 trillion student loan program. It is tasked with making major improvements to student financial aid services, including an overhaul of FAFSA. However, implementation of the FAFSA overhaul has been plagued by delays and glitches in processing, exacerbated by insufficient funding for FSA.\n\nA former superintendent of Denver Public Schools, Bennet has consistently pushed the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) to simplify the FAFSA form to make it easier for students to apply for federal financial aid. In 2014, Bennet introduced the Financial Aid Simplification and Transparency (FAST) Act to reduce the number of FAFSA questions and simplify the process. Several of the bill\u2019s measures passed in the 2020 FAFSA Simplification Act. Last year, Bennet led a letter to DOE urging officials to provide specific guidance to farm families ahead of implementation of the new FAFSA form. He also joined several bipartisan colleagues to urge DOE to provide clear guidance and communication to students, families, educators, college access counselors, and schools leading up to and after the release of the new form. In February, Bennet joined 108 colleagues to urge DOE to address delays and operational issues with the new form. In March, Bennet urged U.S. Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to address delays and operational issues with the new form. Earlier that month, Bennet and Senate colleagues called on DOE to specifically address an error that prevents students with family members without a Social Security number from filling out the form.\n\nIn addition to Bennet and Hickenlooper, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-N.M.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) also signed the letter.\n\nThe text of the letter is available HERE and below.\n\nDear Chair Baldwin and Ranking Member Capito,\n\nAs the subcommittee considers the Fiscal Year 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill, we request you provide $2.7 billion \u2013 consistent with the President\u2019s budget \u2013 to fund the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) within the Department of Education.\n\nFSA is the largest provider of student financial aid in the nation, serving over 46 million people and overseeing a $1.6 trillion student loan program. FSA is responsible for managing the financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act, which includes work-study, grant funding, and loan funds for students seeking college or a career and technical education. Fully funding the President\u2019s request for FSA this fiscal year \u2013 a $625 million increase from the FY 2023 levels \u2013 is particularly critical given that FSA\u2019s FY 2023 and FY 2024 funding was stagnant compared to previous years, severely undermining FSA\u2019s ability to implement critical programs.\n\nFSA is tasked with currently making major improvements to student financial aid services, including an overhaul of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as Congressionally-required through the Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education Act (FUTURE Act) and the FAFSA Simplification Act. Combined, these two bills will expand access to federal aid and address longstanding concerns over the complexity of the application process, assuming Congress appropriates sufficient funds to FSA to complete the overhaul. The student aid application and award process have been widely critiqued for their length, complexity, and lack of transparency for students and their families. However, implementation has been plagued by delays and glitches in processing. Additional resources are necessary to fix the problems and ensure that these laws are fully implemented, making federal student aid more accessible for more than 17 million students.\n\nAt the same time, FSA is charged with overseeing the return to repayment for student loan borrowers whose payments were paused during the pandemic \u2013 an unprecedented undertaking. It is critical that FSA have sufficient resources to reach these borrowers and ensure that they enroll in a repayment plan that meets their needs and do not fall into delinquency or default.\n\nFurther, FSA is working to implement a series of necessary reforms to fix aspects of the student loan system that have failed borrowers. These reforms include making long overdue improvements to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, including the transition of PSLF to FSA under the unified servicing system; increasing accountability efforts for student loan servicers; processing debt relief applications for defrauded borrowers and borrowers with a total and permanent disability; enrolling borrowers into the new and transformative income driven repayment plan, the Saving on a Valuable Education plan, that could cut borrowers\u2019 monthly payments in half; and developing and implementing President Biden\u2019s plans to provide student debt relief.\n\nFSA\u2019s responsibilities have increased to protect students and borrowers, but its federal funding has remained stagnant. The lack of adequate resources creates more barriers for students to start and continue their education. We believe this funding request is needed to provide FSA with the resources it needs to fulfill its goal of ensuring that all eligible students and families can access federal student grants, loans, and work-study funds to pursue education and training beyond high school. Thank you for your time and consideration of this request and your continued support in the strengthening of FSA.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:12:30Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/05/17/press-releases-id-de0686f1-b6e4-4cde-ba0e-330c1b86f544/", "Bennet, Hickenlooper, 136 Colleagues Urge Biden Administration to Expand Access to IRS Free Tax Filing Option", "2024-05-17", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet, chair of the Senate Finance Committee\u2019s Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight, and John Hickenlooper joined 136 of their Senate and House colleagues in a letter to U.S. Department of the Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Daniel Werfel applauding the successful pilot of the Direct File program and urging them to expand access to more Americans.\n\n\u201cThe Direct File pilot has been a clear and resounding success,\u201d wrote Bennet, Hickenlooper and the lawmakers. \u201cWe now call on you to make Direct File a permanent program and to expand its functionality and scope, eventually making it available to most taxpayers, further increasing its impact.\u201d\n\nIn 2022, Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act and invested approximately $80 billion to modernize the IRS, improve customer service, cut the tax return backlog, and improve the agency\u2019s tax evasion enforcement. In May 2023, the Biden administration announced they would launch a Direct File pilot in 2024.\n\nOver 140,000 Americans across 12 states used the IRS Direct File pilot this tax filing season, saving taxpayers more than $90 million in refunds and an estimated $5.6 million in preparation fees. In a survey, 90 percent of users rated their experience as \u201cExcellent\u201d or \u201cAbove Average,\u201d and 90 percent of survey respondents who used customer service similarly found the experience \u201cExcellent\u201d or \u201cAbove Average.\u201d\n\nThe text of the letter is available HERE and below.\n\nDear Secretary Yellen and Commissioner Werfel,\n\nWith the 2024 tax filing season at its end, we write to commend you on the historic and resoundingly successful launch of Direct File, the first free, public, electronic federal tax filing tool in U.S. history. Taxpayers want and deserve a free and easy filing option, and thanks to this year\u2019s pilot, taxpayers used Direct File to claim over $90 million in tax refunds and save $5.6 million in estimated filing fees, with 90 percent of surveyed users rating their experience positively and 86 percent saying their experience with the tool increased their trust in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). We applaud your leadership and Direct File\u2019s incredible success this year, and we call on you to make Direct File a permanent program, expanding it and improving it further next year and in the years to come.\n\nIn May 2023, the IRS and Treasury Department announced plans to pilot a Direct File tool in 2024, noting that the pilot would allow \u201cthe IRS to test functionality for some taxpayers, evaluate success, and use lessons learned to inform the growth of the tool.\u201d At the time, many of us wrote to you in support of Direct File. This filing season, the tool launched as a phased, limited-scope rollout in line with tech industry best practices.\n\nThe Direct File pilot has been a clear and resounding success. Over 140,000 taxpayers used the tool across the 12 pilot states, with a survey of 11,000 users finding that 90 percent ranked their experience with Direct File as \u201cExcellent\u201d or \u201cAbove Average,\u201d and 90 percent of survey respondents who used customer service similarly found the experience \u201cExcellent\u201d or \u201cAbove Average.\u201d Other surveys found 96 percent of users were satisfied with integrated state filing, 82 to 87 percent would recommend Direct File, and 74 to 93 percent prefer it to the previous filing method they used.\n\nIndividual users also raved about the time and money they saved and the quality of the service they received:\n\n\u2022 \u201cI don\u2019t want to call myself a dummy, but this is taxes for dummies right here,\u201d said the first Direct File user, an HR specialist in Texas who saved nearly $400 in tax prep fees. \u201cI just see it being helpful for so many millions of people.\u201d\n\n\u2022 \u201cIt was the fastest I\u2019ve ever done my taxes,\u201d said one taxpayer in California. \u201cI didn\u2019t have to worry about someone upselling me.\u201d\n\n\u2022 \u201cThere were no random ads, like \u2018What am I clicking on?\u2019\u201d said another taxpayer in Texas, who saved the $80 she typically spends to file her taxes.\n\n\u2022 \u201cI finished this and I was like, wait, I?m done? That was so easy,\u201d reported a New York filer. \u201cIt?s not just that you?re saving, you know, 80 bucks on TurboTax or whatever. It?s so much less of a stressful thing.\u201d\n\n\u2022 \u201cIt was one of the greatest experiences I have had doing [my taxes],\u201d said an Arizonan.\n\n\u2022 \u201cIt was the most convenient way I\u2019ve ever filed my taxes,\u201d said a taxpayer in Washington State. \u201cI got to be honest, it surprised me how simple it was.\u201d\n\n\u2022 \u201cIt was a walk in the park,\u201d said another Californian, who \u201cbasically did my taxes on my lunch break\u201d and saved $100 that he would have otherwise spent to file his taxes.\n\nThe IRS\u2019s delivery of this new, wildly successful filing tool less than 18 months after receiving significant new funds from the Inflation Reduction Act demonstrates the huge returns from investing in the IRS and in government technology in general. As the Atlantic wrote: \u201cThat Direct File exists at all is shocking. That it\u2019s pretty good is borderline miraculous\u2026 It\u2019s a glimpse of a world where government tech benefits millions of Americans.\u201d\n\nDirect File\u2019s success is even more notable given the failures of the U.S. tax filing system to date. The average American spends $150 and nine hours to file their taxes each year. Free File \u2013 the IRS\u2019s partnership with private tax preparation companies to offer free online filing \u2013 has fallen far short of expectations, reaching only 2% of taxpayers while 70% qualify. Meanwhile, Intuit (the owner of TurboTax) and H&R Block have misled taxpayers into paying for tax preparation services they are supposed to receive for free, according to the Federal Trade Commission. A recent analysis also found paid preparers targeting low-income Black and Brown communities, often making costly errors and marketing predatory payday lending products. This broken filing system blocks millions of families from accessing critical tax benefits enacted by Congress like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC).\n\nWe now call on you to make Direct File a permanent program and to expand its functionality and scope, eventually making it available to most taxpayers, further increasing its impact.\n\nSpecifically, we hope Direct File will support additional sources of income, integrate with more states, offer more flexible identity verification procedures, and accommodate additional tax benefits, with a focus on refundable credits available to low- and middle-income families. Direct File should also continue streamlining the filing process by using taxpayer data that the IRS already has. As Secretary Yellen recently said: \u201cIf [taxpayers] like [Direct File], it would be\n\nvery natural to continue to build on it\u2026 One day we hope, for example, information that taxpayers receive \u2013 W-2s and other things \u2013 could be used to pre-populate the program, making it even more usable and friendly.\u201d The pilot has already shown the value of this approach, with an April 8th update to Direct File that allowed users to import previous-year adjusted gross income data required to validate their current year returns.\n\nSuch expansions will turbocharge Direct File\u2019s usefulness. In fact, a recent report by the Economic Security Project finds that a fully-fledged Direct File \u2013 including the functionality referenced by Secretary Yellen \u2013 could save taxpayers $11 billion per year, while also delivering up to $12 billion a year in unclaimed benefits, generating over $100 of value for taxpayers for every dollar spent.\n\nAgain, we congratulate you on the success of the Direct File pilot and stand ready to work with you on making the program permanent and expanding it. We believe that the IRS can offer free and easy tax filing to every American taxpayer who wants it \u2014 and that, with Direct File, it will. We also applaud your broader efforts to invest funding that we passed in the Inflation Reduction Act to improve taxpayer services and to ensure the wealthy and large corporations pay what they owe, and we will continue to fight to protect the funding that makes this progress possible.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:12:30Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/05/16/press-releases-id-c2816f44-af3a-43fb-b4eb-c7adac8b0ff7/", "Bennet, 16 Colleagues Push Senate Leaders to Increase Funding to Secure the Border, Combat Drug-Trafficking", "2024-05-16", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet joined U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), alongside 14 of their colleagues, to urge U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations leaders to combat illicit drug and weapons trafficking and increase border security funding in the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) government funding bill.\n\n\u201cWe ask you to build upon past bipartisan investments to ensure that law enforcement officers at our Nation\u2019s borders are equipped to combat the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs. We also ask you to provide robust funding to support the law enforcement agencies that are investigating smuggling and trafficking crimes and working to disrupt the transnational criminal networks that threaten our country and our communities,\u201d wrote the senators.\n\nData indicates that most of the fentanyl entering the U.S. is trafficked through official ports of entry. Between February 2023 and February 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized 1.3 billion doses of fentanyl at official ports of entry. In their letter, the senators push for increased funding for CBP to hire additional agents and purchase more surveillance technology for official ports of entry along the southern border. The senators also request additional funding for U.S. law enforcement to investigate trafficking crimes and transnational organizations, including Mexican cartels.\n\n\u201cWe have long supported increased funding and new policies to address the complex challenges at our borders. To respond to the deadly and growing plague of fentanyl entering the United States, we urge you to support strong investments in border security measures and investigations of transnational criminal organizations,\u201d concluded the senators. \u201cThese efforts will enhance operations along our borders and enable law enforcement officers to keep our Nation safe.\u201d\n\nIn addition to Bennet, Casey, and Heinrich, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Angus King (I-Maine), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) also signed the letter.\n\nThe text of the letter is available HERE and below.\n\nDear Chair Murray and Vice Chair Collins:\n\nAs you develop the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Homeland Security Appropriations bill, the FY 2025 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, and the FY 2025 Financial Services and General Government bill, we write to respectfully request your continued support for robust funding for border security and drug interdiction initiatives. We ask you to build upon past bipartisan investments to ensure that law enforcement officers at our Nation\u2019s borders are equipped to combat the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs. We also ask you to provide robust funding to support the law enforcement agencies that are investigating smuggling and trafficking crimes and working to disrupt the transnational criminal networks that threaten our country and our communities.\n\nSubstance use disorder and overdose deaths are public health crises in the United States that are being severely exacerbated by the widespread availability of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that between October 2022 and October 2023, over 111,000 people died of a drug overdose, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl involved in the vast majority of these deaths. A key factor in this crisis is that, due to its widespread availability and low cost, fentanyl is being mixed with other illicit drugs to increase their potency, often without the knowledge of the user. These include illegal pills, mass-produced by cartels, made to look like legitimate prescription opioids like OxyContin and Xanax. In 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration seized more than 78 million fentanyl-laced fake pills and estimated that 70 percent contained a lethal dose of fentanyl, up from 60 percent in 2022 and 40 percent in 2021.\n\nThe proliferation of fentanyl and associated overdose deaths are being driven in part by trafficking activities at our borders. Data indicates that most of the fentanyl entering the U.S. is trafficked through official ports of entry, and between February 2023 and February 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized 1.3 billion doses of fentanyl at official ports of entry. It is imperative that officers at ports of entry are equipped with sufficient resources to continue fighting against fentanyl while also managing the flow of lawful trade and travel.\n\nAs you develop the FY 2025 Homeland Security Appropriations bill, we urge you to prioritize all funding streams for the Department of Homeland Security that will improve general operations and drug interdiction capabilities along the U.S. border and at ports of entry, particularly funding for CBP\u2019s Office of Field Operations for personnel and technology at ports of entry. This includes funding to support personnel costs, such as hiring additional CBP officers and support staff, expanding training programs for employees, and increasing wages and bonuses for employees. This also includes funding for advanced technology at ports of entry, such as for continued procurement and deployment of non-intrusive inspection systems that scan vehicles to provide detailed images of their interiors, for continued development of anomaly detection algorithms that can analyze these images, and for all other technology needs associated with this effort.\n\nTo meaningfully address fentanyl trafficking at our borders, we must also address the illegal trafficking of firearms and currency, which flow out of our country to enrich and empower dangerous transnational criminal organizations. We ask you to include robust funding for CBP\u2019s Office of Field Operations for outbound inspections projects at ports of entry to ensure that law enforcement officers at the border can thoroughly and safely inspect vehicles leaving the U.S. and seize illegal contraband. We must ensure that CBP has sufficient funding for non-intrusive inspection technology for outbound inspections, along with funding for infrastructure projects such as dedicated outbound inspection lanes and traffic calming measures to keep CBP officers safe from approaching vehicles when they conduct outbound inspections. We also ask you to support CBP in setting up a formal outbound inspections program within the Office of Field Operations headquarters by providing any funding that is necessary for this effort.\n\nIn addition to providing increased resources to law enforcement officers at our Nation\u2019s borders, we must also support and expand broader governmental efforts to investigate trafficking crimes and transnational criminal organizations, along with the illicit financial networks that sustain them. We ask you to support funding for personnel for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the arm of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement that focuses on transnational criminal organizations, along with any other funding needs of HSI related to their recent Strategy for Combatting Illicit Opioids. We also ask you to support these investigative efforts as you develop the FY 2025 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill by making strong investments into the Department of Justice programs and agencies that conduct these investigations, such as the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces Program, which conducts long-term investigations of transnational criminal organizations at the enterprise level. Finally, as you develop the FY 2025 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill, we ask you to support robust funding for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program, which provides funding to law enforcement agencies operating in critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States.\n\nWe have long supported increased funding and new policies to address the complex challenges at our borders. To respond to the deadly and growing plague of fentanyl entering the United States, we urge you to support strong investments in border security measures and investigations of transnational criminal organizations. These efforts will enhance operations along our borders and enable law enforcement officers to keep our Nation safe. Thank you for your attention to our request and these critical funding needs.\n\nThank you for your consideration.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:12:30Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2024/05/15/press-releases-id-4448dbf6-02e8-4515-8f6a-4043df30c264/", "Bennet, Casten Introduce Bill to Ensure Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy Investments Factor Into Home Appraisal Process", "2024-05-15", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "Senate", "CO", "Michael F. Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", "bennet", "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and U.S. Representative Sean Casten (D-Ill.) introduced the Getting Renewable and Energy Efficient Neighborhoods (GREEN) Appraisals Act, legislation to encourage energy-efficient and clean energy features to be considered as part of the residential home buying and appraisal process.\n\n\u201cBy cutting energy costs and reducing emissions, energy-efficient and clean energy home upgrades play an important role in our country\u2019s transition to a clean energy economy,\u201d said Bennet. \u201cThis bill will help ensure property appraisals reflect the complete value of homes in Colorado and across the nation by accounting for energy-efficient and clean energy investments.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhen you put a solar panel on your roof or install a heat pump, you add value to your home that must be properly reflected in appraisals,\u201d said Casten. \u201cThis legislation both incentivizes homeowners to reduce their energy costs and helps in the fight against the climate crisis.\u201d\n\nThe GREEN Appraisals Act helps home appraisals accurately reflect the value of clean energy and energy-efficient features of a property, standardizes the value of energy-efficient features across the housing market, encourages sustainable building practices, and supports green jobs in the housing industry. Specifically, energy appraisals will need to consider the energy efficiency characteristics of the property, any renewable energy-related features, estimated energy savings, the energy consumption for the property compared to similar properties, and whether such characteristics are relevant to the market value of the property. It also requires additional educational requirements and training for appraisers in order for them to qualify to provide accurate green appraisal reports.\n\nThe bill also directs the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), and Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) to require lenders, when making the disclosures under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), to notify home loan borrowers they have a right to request an energy report, as well as a right to provide an energy report to the lender or a qualified appraiser, which must take the energy report into consideration when developing an opinion of value for a home.\n\nThis legislation is endorsed by Pearl Certification, Building Performance Association, Appraisal Institute, American Society of Appraisers, National Consumer Law Center (on behalf of its low-income clients), and Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:01:11Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 123, "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": "Senate", "p1": "CO", "p2": "2024"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=CO&year=2024", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 123, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=CO&year=2024&party=Democrat", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=CO&year=2024", "results": [{"value": "Senate", "label": "Senate", "count": 123, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=CO&year=2024", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=CO&year=2024", "results": [{"value": "CO", "label": "CO", "count": 123, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&year=2024", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=CO&year=2024", "results": [{"value": "2024", "label": "2024", "count": 123, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=CO", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2024-05-15,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ebennet~2Esenate~2Egov~2F2024~2F05~2F15~2Fpress-releases-id-4448dbf6-02e8-4515-8f6a-4043df30c264~2F", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=CO&year=2024&_next=2024-05-15%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ebennet~2Esenate~2Egov~2F2024~2F05~2F15~2Fpress-releases-id-4448dbf6-02e8-4515-8f6a-4043df30c264~2F&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 186.60434195771813, "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"}