{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Democrat\", state = \"CO\" and year = 2014 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=C9BD5587-9EA0-C401-94A3-112A05207815", "Bennet, Hickenlooper Urge President to Take Action on Browns Canyon", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington D.C. - Colorado Senator Michael Bennet and Governor John Hickenlooper sent a letter to President Obama asking him to designate Brown's Canyon as a National Monument under the Antiquities Act to protect the invaluable economic and natural resource for Chaffee County and the State. They urged the President to protect current uses, including grazing rights, if he takes action. The Antiquities Act of 1906 allows the President to preserve valuable and historic sites as national monuments and has been used by 16 presidents.\nIn the letter to President Obama, Bennet and Hickenlooper wrote:\n \n\"We appreciate that the Administration recently sent several officials to Salida, Colorado, to gauge support for the proposal. Based on the sentiments expressed at the meeting, coupled with impressive attendance, it is clear that the local community and Coloradans across the state support an Antiquities Act designation.  We would like to add our voices to the community's sentiment, and hope we can work with the Administration and the state of Colorado as a cooperating agency, to construct a management plan for the area that protects the values of this incredible area while preserving existing uses within the Monument.\"\n \nBennet was a cosponsor of The Browns Canyon National Monument and Wilderness Act of 2013, originally introduced by Colorado U.S. Senator Mark Udall, to designate 22,000 acres along the Arkansas River as a national monument to preserve the pristine wilderness area and ensure recreational access for years to come. The Arkansas River is particularly popular for whitewater rafters, representing almost 40 percent of all rafting in Colorado. According to a recent study by the Colorado River Outfitters Association, commercial rafting brought in roughly $141 million for the state in 2013, $55 million alone coming from rafting on the Arkansas River.\nThroughout his time in the Senate, Bennet has been a leader in preserving Colorado's open spaces.  His bill to protect more than 100,000 acres of Hermosa Creek Watershed in the San Juan National Forest was recently signed into law after years of community-driven efforts.  He also fought to secure the designation of Chimney Rock in southwestern Colorado as a national monument in 2012 and to preserve the Thompson Divide area on the Western Slope.\nFull Text of the Letter is Below:\nThe Honorable Barack Obama   President  The White House  1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW  Washington, DC 20500\nDear Mr. President:\nWe write to request that you use your authority under the Antiquities Act to designate Colorado's Browns Canyon as a National Monument.  We appreciate that the Administration recently sent several officials to Salida, Colorado, to gauge support for the proposal.  Based on the sentiments expressed at the meeting, coupled with impressive attendance, it is clear that the local community and Coloradans across the state support an Antiquities Act designation.  We would like to add our voices to the community's sentiment, and hope we can work with the Administration and the state of Colorado as a cooperating agency, to construct a management plan for the area that protects the values of this incredible area while preserving existing uses within the Monument.  A Browns Canyon National Monument would ensure permanent protection and commemoration of a rare and ecologically valuable landscape.  The designation would serve to both highlight and protect this valuable resource.\nIn addition to recreation and tourism as key economic drivers in the Upper Arkansas Valley and the Browns Canyon area, the valley's rich agricultural heritage is equally essential to its unique character.  A management plan for the monument should ensure that these values - as identified and supported in the \"Browns Canyon National Monument and Wilderness Act of 2013\" - are protected and maintained. We would like to ensure that the partnership between the state and federal government on managing recreation in the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area is maintained in any final management plan. Our conversations with local ranchers have also identified key management practices that would protect the community's agricultural tradition, such as providing for the transferability of existing permits to future generations and landowners; using the best available science to determine livestock allocations; continuing reasonable and historic motorized access for maintenance and improvements of permit areas, water rights and relevant structures; and promoting weed control to prevent the spread of invasive species within and surrounding the Monument.  We expect that such practices would be permitted within the Browns Canyon National Monument.\nWe support a Browns Canyon National Monument that boosts the local economy and protects the landscape while providing long-term certainty for existing uses.  We encourage you to move swiftly to designate such a Monument.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://perlmutter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1132", "Perlmutters Bipartisan Credit Union Share Insurance Fund Parity Act Signed Into Law", "2014-12-18", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "perlmutter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, H.R. 3468, the Credit Union Share Insurance Fund Parity Act, was signed into law by President Obama. The bipartisan legislation, introduced by U.S. Reps. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) and Ed Royce (CA-39), extends insurance coverage to Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts (IOLTAs), and \"other similar escrow accounts\" held in trust at credit unions that are otherwise fully insured at FDIC insured banks up to $250,000.\r\r\tThe legislation creates parity between certain accounts held at credit unions and FDIC insured banks. Under the Perlmutter-Royce bill, if a credit union were ever to fail and needed to be resolved, then the client funds held in an escrow account would be insured and thus protected, regardless if the beneficiary is a member of the credit union or not.\r\r\tI applaud the President for signing this legislation into law because it is critical in ensuring IOLTA's full value in light of any potential credit union failure,\" said Rep. Perlmutter. \"Importantly, the interest earned on Lawyer Trust Accounts goes to grants improving access to civil justice and legal services for the poor.\"\r\r\tUnlike FDIC coverage, the current regulatory opinion of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) is that funds held by credit union members on behalf of those who are not federally-insured credit union members will not be insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund. This has created a disparity in coverage when examining IOLTAs.\r\r\t\"The Credit Union Share Insurance Fund Parity Act strengthens national credit unions' commitment to IOLTAs and the legal services they help fund for local communities,\" said Rep. Royce. \"I applaud the President for supporting our efforts to deliver regulatory relief to our nation's credit unions that currently serve over 100 million members.\r\r\tReps. Perlmutter and Royce introduced the legislation in November 2013. It passed the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously on May 6, 2014 and the Senate on December 12, 2014.\r\r\tFor more information contact:\r\r\tAshley Hause (Perlmutter) at Ashley.Hause@mail.house.gov or (303) 274-7944\r\r\tSaat Alety (Royce) at Saat.Alety@mail.house.gov or (202) 225-4111\r \r\r\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://perlmutter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1131", "Perlmutter Reacts to Temporary Agreement to Restart Construction of the VA Hospital", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "perlmutter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Perlmutter Reacts to Temporary Agreement to Restart Construction of the VA Hospital \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Lakewood, CO,\r\n        December 17, 2014\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      \r\tU.S. Representative Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) issued the following statement on the agreement between the VA and KT to restart construction of the VA hospital in Aurora, CO:\r\r\tI'm thankful the VA and KT have come to an agreement in principle to restart construction of the VA hospital in Aurora. Since last week, I've said my number one priority is signing a short-term agreement to get workers back on the job as quickly as possible. Today's agreement will get workers back on the job Monday, December 22, it will provide KT immediate payment for past costs, and allows construction to continue while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers transitions staff to the project to negotiate the long term contract and complete this hospital as quickly and efficiently as possible for our veterans. I stand ready to work with the Congressional delegation on any and all options needed to fund the completion of this hospital.\r\r\t###\r\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397714", "Polis Praises Steps to Normalize U.S.-Cuba Relations", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jared Polis", "P000598", "polis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Polis Praises Steps to Normalize U.S.-Cuba Relations \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        December 17, 2014\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Representative Jared Polis (CO-02) today made the following statement in response to President Barack Obama\u2019s announcement that the US would be taking steps to improve relations with Cuba: \n\u201cToday\u2019s announcement by the President marks a long overdue step towards ending our misguided and ineffective policies towards Cuba. I am pleased that President Obama has heeded the calls of myself and other Members of Congress who wrote him this month urging fundamental changes in U.S. policy towards Cuba. There are still significant human rights violations in Cuba that need to be addressed, but this move will allow us to take proactive steps towards pro-democracy changes, rather than continuing with failed punitive policies. I look forward to the day when we have a normalized economic and political relationship with Cuba.\u201d\nEarlier this month, Rep. Polis joined thirty-five other Members of Congress in sending a letter to the President urging him to improve and update the US relationship with Cuba.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=E42C615C-1415-3924-496E-DAF5AEB9E581", "Bennet Statement on Temporary Agreement to Continue Construction of VA Hospital", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Aurora, CO - Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today issued the following statement on the temporary agreement between the VA and Kiewit Turner to resume construction of the VA medical center in Aurora.  The VA and KT announced today that workers would return to the jobsite to resume construction while negotiations continue.\n \nThis project has been terribly mismanaged by the VA from the start.  To make problems worse, the VA insisted on dragging out wasteful litigation when mediation could have moved the project along.  Today we've seen some progress, but there is a long way to go.  We're glad this interim agreement will put workers back on the job as early as Monday.  And the Army Corps of Engineers involvement is encouraging.  Now it's imperative that KT and the Army Corps work quickly and urgently to determine the construction timeline and the final costs to complete the project.\nIt's still not clear how the VA plans to identify the additional funding to complete a permanent deal and it does not appear to be easy.  Our congressional delegation is ready to provide whatever assistance possible to support the completion of this project and ensure that our veterans finally have the top-notch facility they deserve.  We'll continue to explore all options including reprogramming funds within the VA, providing the VA the authority it needs to make additional transfers, or any other means possible.\n \n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=5872E6F1-9D3A-FCE2-99CB-D418D4380B90", "Bennet: Tax Extenders Bill Provides No Certainty to Colorados Wind Energy Industry", "2014-12-16", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC - Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet denounced the tax extenders package passed by the Senate tonight for providing little to no certainty for Colorado's wind energy industry, which relies on the wind production tax credit (PTC) that expired at the end of 2013. Bennet voted against the measure.\n\"This two-week extenders bill represents another low point in the world of dysfunctional Washington politics. Our inability to pass long-term reforms to our regulatory and tax codes is holding back our economy,\" Bennet said. \"This bill does little to help families and businesses in Colorado, particularly our wind energy industry. Waiting until now to extend the wind PTC - and only for two weeks - generates nothing but more uncertainty for these businesses that employ thousands of Coloradans. This tax credit has been an economic driver for Colorado's diverse energy industry, but Congress continues to inflict more economic damage by not giving businesses predictability to plan for the future.\"\nBennet worked with Republican Senator Charles Grassley from Iowa and Washington Democrat Maria Cantwell to secure a wind PTC amendment in the tax extenders bill that passed the Senate Finance Committee earlier this year. The amendment would have extended the credit through 2015.\nBennet has led efforts in Congress to extend the wind energy PTC. In 2012, he led eight of the nine members of the Colorado Congressional delegation in a bipartisan letter calling for an extension of the tax credit and introduced two bipartisan amendments with Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), and cosponsored by Senator Mark Udall, to extend the PTC. He also partnered with Senators Grassley and Udall that year to introduce the American Energy and Job Promotion Act, a bipartisan bill to extend the PTC for wind and several other renewable energy technologies. Bennet successfully led a bipartisan group of senators urging the Senate Finance Committee to include an extension of the PTC in the 2012 tax extenders bill the committee considered.\nColorado generates the sixth highest percentage of power from wind of any state in the nation. It is home to several major wind energy developers and wind turbine manufacturing facilities, employing upwards of 5,000 workers statewide. Nationally, a permanent expiration of the wind production tax credit could cost as many as 37,000 jobs, according to the American Wind Energy Association.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=3C00A393-E063-67CF-4F8C-F47A0F2402AF", "Bennets Bill to Investigate Potential Connection Between Military Mental Health Issues, Discharges Headed to Presidents Desk", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington DC - Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet's bill to learn more about mental health issues in the military and their connection to certain types of discharges will head to the President's desk as a part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2014, which was passed by the Senate Friday. \"We have heard from veterans in Colorado who believe that some service members are receiving less than honorable discharges for behavior that could be related to mental trauma from combat,\" Bennet said. \"Clearly, we can't have a system that punishes service members for injuries sustained in service and this bill will help us understand whether this is happening  and what we need to do to change it\" Bennet's bill stems from concerns brought to him by Colorado veterans, including some members of his Veterans Working Group, who believe some service members may be receiving less than Honorable discharges due to behavior related to mental trauma, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Frequently, a less than Honorable discharge can result in a loss of some veterans benefits for the service member. Bennet's bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to explore whether service members are being discharged for conduct related to PTSD or other mental health issues. The report would seek information about protocols, training, counseling, and treatments that are in place. The bill instructs GAO to conduct an inquiry surrounding questions in four categories:\n \nAssessment Process: The GAO will report back on how each branch of the military is considering the effects of mental and physical trauma related to PTSD and other behavioral health issues for service members who are being considered for discharge due to misconduct. The investigation will also look into how the Department of Defense is monitoring compliance with these assessment processes.\nTraining: The inquiry will seek information on training available to staff, including commanders, junior officers, and noncommissioned officers, on the symptoms of mental and physical trauma in service members and how to identify them.\nTreatment: The bill requests data on whether and how often service members discharged for misconduct receive treatment for mental or physical trauma related to PTSD or other behavioral health issues. It also seeks data on how many of these service members receive discharges that disqualify them from receiving VA health care or disability benefits.\nCounseling as Related to Benefits: Finally, the GAO will seek information on whether or not service members are counseled on the loss of VA health care and disability benefits prior to accepting a Chapter 10 discharge instead of a trial by court martial.\n \nBennet's bill follows his panel on veterans suicide, which he created to take a comprehensive look at mental health issues affecting veterans. The panel detailed eleven recommendations to prevent veterans suicide and specifically called for continued work to make sure our country is dedicating the resources we need to fully understand PTSD, TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), and other mental health injuries.  On the issue of service members who were less than Honorably discharged, the panel acknowledged an inability to reach consensus and a need for more information. This suicide panel was formed in response to a recommendation from Senator Bennet's Veterans Working Group and a report Bennet commissioned in 2011 on how to better serve veterans and military families. The report included recommendations on ways to make Colorado the best state for service members, veterans, and their families to live and work. Among its recommendations was a greater focus on mental health issues.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=E04F5B13-F389-2A5D-4256-93A122539D2B", "PILT Fully Funded in Government Funding Bill", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC - The Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, which last year provided Colorado counties with $34.5 million to carry out vital services like fire and police protection, school construction, and road maintenance, received $372 million in the government funding bill, which passed Congress this weekend.  The bill, which provides funding for a majority of the federal government for the remainder of the fiscal year, also contains funding for Golden's National Renewable Energy Lab, the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), the Forest Legacy Program, and the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program.\n\"While the Senate's work to barely avert a government shutdown over the weekend is certainly nothing to be proud of, this bill contains some crucial funding for Colorado priorities,\" Senator Michael Bennet said. \"Resources for PILT will give Colorado communities a bit more certainty through the rest of the fiscal year to provide essential services like schools, fire protection, and road maintenance. Funding for the LWCF and the Forest Legacy program will help ensure crucial conservation projects can move forward. And EWP resources will be critical to watershed restoration projects to help minimize future flooding in areas that have been devastated by wildfires and previous floods.\n\"We're disappointed the bill included several policy riders on matters unrelated to appropriations, particularly those affecting the Greater and Gunnison sage-grouse. Colorado communities continue to make a strong, science-based case that local conservation efforts are working, can continue to get better and these birds don't need protection under the Endangered Species Act. However, thanks to this rider, Colorado communities will now be plagued with uncertainty through at least next September. Despite this ill-advised Congressional involvement, Colorado communities and the agencies will continue to work on their collaborative and locally-based conservation approaches to protect the birds and avoid future listings. They should ignore the confusing signals being sent by politicians in Washington and continue to focus on their impressive work on the ground to come together to work for a long term solution,\" Bennet added.\nThe bill includes $372 million for PILT, in addition to the $70 million included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Bennet has been a strong advocate for fully funding the PILT program as this bill will achieve for this year. He actively pushed essential Senate committees to prioritize PILT funding, and in 2012 the led the fight with Senator Mark Udall in support of PILT and Secure Rural Schools funding. He also cosponsored a Udall bill to permanently fund and authorize the PILT program.\nIt also contains $306 million for the Land and Water Conservation Fund and $53 million for the Forest Legacy Program. The Emergency Watershed Protection program was funded at $78.6 million.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://perlmutter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1129", "Perlmuttter Statement on Omnibus Bill", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "perlmutter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Perlmuttter Statement on Omnibus Bill \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, DC,\r\n        December 12, 2014\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n       \r\r\t U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) issued the following statement after the government funding bill passed the House of Representatives:\r\r\t\"I voted to support the Omnibus bill because it funds good jobs for my constituents in the aerospace industry, education, research and development, the National Renewable Energy Lab, and the new Denver Patent Office.\r\r\tThe government funding bill provides certainty for our country while making investments in economic growth and opportunity domestically. It also makes a significant investment in our fight against terrorists abroad, including ISIS.\r\r\tThis is not a perfect deal. There are provisions I find objectionable that have no business being included in a government funding bill, including a provision allowing individuals to influence elections. But, in the end, I decided voting for this measure is in the best interests of my constituents, Colorado, and the country.\"\r\r\t###\r\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=1CDAB3DD-1810-948A-0C08-5CDF7A263A8B", "Bipartisan Bill to Consolidate Federal IT Infrastructure, Save Taxpayer Dollars Heads to Presidents Desk", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC - The Senate today passed a bipartisan bill to help reduce waste and government inefficiency by consolidating the total number of federal data centers and making those data centers more efficient.\nThe Federal Data Center Consolidation Act, introduced last year by Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tom Coburn (R-OK), and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), and cosponsored by Homeland Security and Government Affairs Chairman Tom Carper (D-DE), was included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), an annual bill authorizing funding for the Pentagon.\nThe bill sets hard deadlines and requires federal agencies that have yet to act on consolidation initiatives to conduct inventories and implement consolidation strategies. In addition, the law would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to verify agency data center inventories, and would direct the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to routinely report to Congress on cost savings realized to date.\n\"This bill is one step toward a smarter, more efficient use of taxpayer dollars,\" Bennet said. \"Too many federal agencies have failed to meet their consolidation goals. We can now hold them accountable and provide a better way to manage the federal government's IT infrastructure.\"\nCarper\n\"With our nation $18 trillion in debt, there's no excuse to keep wasting millions on unnecessary federal data centers - some of which are utilizing a fraction of their capacity,\" said Ayotte. \"This common sense measure will save taxpayer dollars by improving consolidation efforts and increasing the efficiency of data centers across the federal government.\"\nA number of studies have shown a relatively low utilization rate of the current IT infrastructure, resulting in an enormous amount of wasted space and energy - and unnecessary costs. In 2010, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) instructed federal agencies to develop consolidation plans under the administration's Federal Data Center Consolidation Initiative (FDCCI), which could save up to $3 billion by 2015, according to the GAO, with additional savings beyond that date. However, the GAO also found that a number of agencies have been slow to implement these plans - or, in some cases, to inventory the total number of data centers they currently manage.  The GAO has publicly endorsed the legislation, saying it is vital to ensure that agencies close down unnecessary data centers by the target deadline. The senators have worked closely with OMB and GAO to ensure that this bill will help strengthen the initiative and achieve meaningful savings. The bill is also supported by the Professional Services Council and the Information Technology Industry Council.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=69536B8B-118B-D844-A086-147316D675DA", "Bennet, Tipton Celebrate Final Passage of Hermosa Creek Bill", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC - Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and U.S. Representative Scott Tipton today celebrated the Senate's passage of their bipartisan bill to protect more than 100,000 acres of the Hermosa Creek Watershed, an area in the San Juan National Forest north of Durango.\nThe Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act would establish a management plan for the watershed based on recommendations from the Hermosa Creek River Protection Workgroup, which included local water officials, conservationists, sportsmen, mountain bikers, off-road-vehicle users, outfitters, property owners, grazing permit holders, and other interested citizens.  Bennet introduced the bill last year with Senator Mark Udall (D-CO), while Representative Scott Tipton (R-CO) introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives.\n\"Folks in Southwest Colorado can finally claim victory. Everyone in the local communities - from sportsmen, to snowmobilers, to conservationists, to the mining  industry - can celebrate their hard work to come together and implement their shared vision for one of Colorado's natural treasures,\" Bennet said. \"This bill was written by them, and it protects this land for many of its historic uses, including fishing for cutthroat trout, backcountry hunting, camping, mountain biking and motorcycle riding on world class trails, and snowmobiling through fresh powder on Molas Pass. The cooperation, compromise, and hard work put into this bill over a number of years by a diverse group of Coloradans should serve as a model for Washington. I was proud to work with Congressman Tipton to get this important measure across the finish line.\"\n\"The people of Southwest Colorado who have dedicated so much time and effort as a community to help craft and support this legislation that will protect the Hermosa Creek Watershed and the multiple uses of that land, have reason to celebrate today,\" said Congressman Scott Tipton. \"I'm pleased to have been able to work with the community and Senator Bennet to get this locally-driven legislation to the President's desk.\"\nThe bill would designate approximately 70,650 acres of the San Juan Nation Forest land as the Hermosa Creek Special Management Area. Much of the land would remain open to all historic uses of the forest under the bill, including mountain biking, motorized recreation, and selective timber harvesting. Grazing will continue to be allowed in the entire watershed.  In accordance with the consensus recommendations of the Hermosa Creek Workgroup, roughly 38,000 acres of the watershed would be set aside as wilderness, to be managed in accordance with the Wilderness Act of 1964.  No roads or mineral development are permitted in wilderness areas; while hunting, fishing, horseback riding and non-mechanized recreation are allowed.\nThe bill also provides for the conveyance of approximately 82 acres of BLM land to La Plata County for its use as a possible future multi-events center site to complement the potential development of a new county fairgrounds on an adjacent parcel of county-owned property.\nSupporters of the bill include the La Plata County Commission, the San Juan County Commission, the City of Durango,  Town of Silverton, The Wilderness Society, Trout Unlimited, Southwestern Water Conservation District, San Juan Citizen's Alliance, International Mountain Bicycling Association, Conservation Colorado, Colorado Snowmobile Association, Durango Mountain Resort, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, the Durango Chamber of Commerce, Region 9 Economic Development District of Southwest Colorado, Trails 2000, Silverton Snowmobile Club, Four Corners Back County Horsemen, American Rivers, Bull Moose Sportsmen Alliance, Mercury Payment Systems, American Motorcycle Association, Jo Grant Mining Company, Inc., and the Colorado Off Highway Vehicle Coalition, in addition to numerous other business and sportsmen groups.\n\"As the mayor of Durango, I feel that Congress has given an amazing Christmas present to the state of Colorado by passing the Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act,\" said Sweetie Marbury, Mayor of Durango. \"We salute Senator Bennet, Senator Udall and Congressman Tipton for their work to carry this through Congress. This gift will last for generations.\"\n\"Like a trail through the mountains, the path of the Hermosa Watershed Protection Act has had ups and downs, with obstacles to overcome along the way. Now we have reached our destination,\" said Julie Westendorff, La Plata County Commissioner. \"The bill's passage illustrates that a community can work together and with its lawmakers to create a solution that works for all of us. Hermosa Creek's waters fortify the Animas River, giving us water to drink, irrigation for crops, a top-notch fishery, and a recreational treasure enjoyed by all of us. As a La Plata County Commissioner, I appreciate the work of those in our community and Senator Bennet and Congressman Tipton to push, pull, and fight to bring home to Southwest Colorado a bill that will help keep the Hermosa Creek flowing clean into the future.\"\n\"The Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act is the product of years of community work and cooperation to create a piece of legislation that honors the diverse values of our mountain communities,\" said Pete McKay, San Juan County Commissioner. \"I think this bill reflects a common sense compromise that works for everyone. I would like to thank our local partners for all the hard work that made this bill possible and I am so very pleased that Congress has approved this legislation before the end of the year.\"\n\"Starting soon after the Wilderness Act was passed in 1964, the community has made five attempts to guarantee permanent protection of the Hermosa Watershed. Looks like we finally got'er done,\" said Ed Zink, 3rd generation rancher and water user, outfitter in Hermosa Creek, board member of Animas Consolidated Ditch Company, Board Member of Animas Water Company, Owner of Mountain Bike Specialists and Founder of Iron Horse Bicycle Classic. \"I bet all those old pioneer cowboys whose names are carved in old aspen trees will be smiling around the campfire tonight cause we finally brought the herd home on this one. An old cowboy with two good dogs couldn't have done any better keeping the strays together and getting them to good water. Good clean water never goes out of style. We have collectively taken an important step to ensure good clean water flows from the Hermosa Watershed. This time we've done our civic duty in making our community a better place for future generations. The Hermosa landscape in now protected in a way that it can also be used by everyone. Protection of the whole Hermosa Watershed is a shining example of working together to both protect and utilize our natural gems.\"\n\"This bill represents a true balance between all the diverse uses of the Hermosa Creek watershed - Congressman Tipton and Senator Bennet deserve our thanks for honoring the community consensus,\" said Steve Fearn, Member of the Southwestern Water Conservation District Board.\n\"We are thrilled that our Congressional representatives - working with the Durango community - have been able to protect the Hermosa Creek Watershed through this legislation,\" said Matt Taylor, president of Mercury Payment Systems. \"We at Mercury and the entire community of Durango are passionate about keeping Southwest Colorado a great place to live and work. This legislation does that, and I'd like to thank Senator Bennet and Representative Tipton for their bipartisan work in this area.\"\n\"The Hermosa Creek Watershed legislation releases a Wilderness Study Area on Molas Pass that was very important to the snowmobile community,\" said Scott Jones, Vice President Colorado Snowmobile Association and authorized representative of the Trail Preservation Alliance and Colorado Off Highway Vehicle Coalition. \"The Molas Pass area is a significant riding area for the snowmobile community and a large economic driver for the winter economy of the Town of Silverton community. These riding opportunities and important economic benefits would have been lost without this legislation. Additionally, the legislation creates a 70,000 acre special management area where motorized recreation is protected and preserved in perpetuity. Our deepest gratitude to Congressman Tipton and Senator Bennet's offices and everyone that worked so hard to make this legislation a reality.\"\n\"Trails 2000 volunteers build and maintain multi-use trails in Southwest Colorado. The Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act's Special Management Area designation will allow mountain bikers to continue to ride the Hermosa Creek areas quintessential mountain biking trails including the Colorado Trail and the Hermosa Creek trail,\" said Mary R. Monroe Brown, Director of Trails 2000. \"Senator Bennet and Congressman Tipton's staff understood the recreational characteristics of the area and made sure to represent the various constituents in an inclusive manner.\"\n\"Today's vote to provide durable protections to the Hermosa Creek watershed represents an incredible effort by hundreds of local citizens who came together to create a legacy that supports a diversity of community interests, enhances our economy, protects a unique wild landscape, and demonstrates that citizens can work together for the betterment of all,\" said Jimbo Buickerood, Public Lands Coordinator for the San Juan Citizens Alliance. \"We are exceedingly grateful to Senator Bennet and Congressman Tipton who carried forth the community's intentions and efforts in Congress.\"\n\"After four decades of analysis, discussion, and debate, the old-growth forests, cutthroat trout streams, and stunning landscape of the Hermosa Creek watershed is preserved forever,\" said Jeff Widen, Senior Public Lands Advocate. \"What a fitting tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act. Thank you Senator Bennet and Congressman Tipton - and all those in our community - for working so hard to make this a reality.\"\n\"The Hermosa Creek watershed is a treasure for our local recreation-driven community,\" said Ty Churchwell, Backcountry Coordinator for Trout Unlimited in Durango. \"For sportsmen, Hermosa Creek offers incredible hunting and fishing opportunities just minutes from Durango. Sportsmen take special pleasure in knowing that our beloved native cutthroat trout and big game in southwest Colorado now have a protected home in America's newest wilderness area. We thank Senator Bennet and Representative Tipton for their leadership in bringing local stakeholders together and getting this bill across the finish line. This is a historic conservation achievement.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=8C206BCD-7529-A131-5AFB-05A5E7C31A33", "Bennet, Merkley Press SEC to Finalize Crowdfunding Rules", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) called on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to finalize its crowdfunding rules that will allow small businesses and start-ups to raise capital online and through social media. Bennet and Merkley were lead sponsors along with former Republican Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown on the bipartisan CROWDFUND Act, which was passed on April 5, 2012, as part of the JOBS Act, which allows small businesses to raise start-up capital on the internet. In a letter to SEC Chair Mary Jo White, the senators wrote, \"The law directed the SEC to promulgate the necessary rules within 270 days of the enactment of the Act. The proposed rules, however, were not published for public comment until over 500 days later, on October 13, 2013. The comment period for the proposed rules closed on February 14, 2014. Despite the fact that finalizing the rules has been a stated Commission priority for all of 2014, the rules governing this crucial new source of financing have still not been finalized.\" The crowdfunding provisions signed into law provide an alternative to the process for small businesses to raise capital. They allow companies to raise up to $1,000,000 annually through internet websites registered with the SEC. The law requires the SEC to implement basic marketplace protections for the retail investors seeking to take advantage of this new marketplace. Websites seeking to list companies must register with the regulators and provide investors the basic information about the companies they list.  Crowdfunding companies themselves must provide basic disclosures to investors and regulators. Full Text of the Letter: December 11, 2014 Re:  SEC Rule Proposal on Regulation Crowdfunding (File No. S7-09-13-Release Nos. 33-94-70, 34-70741) Dear Chair White: We write to urge the Securities and Exchange Commission (\"the Commission\") to work expeditiously to finalize Regulation Crowdfunding.  The crowdfunding language in Title III of the JOBS Act secured 65 bipartisan votes in the Senate (\"the Act\").  The Act's intent was to facilitate a trustworthy marketplace where entrepreneurs and small businesses could raise capital from small-dollar investors through online platforms, while protecting ordinary investors from fraud and the risks of large losses.   The Act allows individuals to invest in small businesses and start- ups through online platforms designated either broker-dealers or funding portals.  The developers of these innovative platforms are ready to provide crowdfunding services, and small businesses and entrepreneurs are eager to use crowdfunding to raise money and create jobs.  In crafting the crowdfunding language, we sought to create a streamlined process so that small businesses and funding portals had the requisite flexibility to raise capital from retail investors while providing robust investor protections.  These protections should provide individuals the necessary information to make informed investment decisions and ensure that the crowdfunding marketplace can be sustained over the long-term. The law directed the SEC to promulgate the necessary rules within 270 days of the enactment of the Act.  The proposed rules, however, were not published for public comment until over 500 days later, on October 13, 2013.  The comment period for the proposed rules closed on February 14, 2014.  Despite the fact that finalizing the rules has been a stated Commission priority for all of 2014, the rules governing this crucial new source of financing have still not been finalized.   Given the heavy workload that the Commission still has before it has finalized the reforms of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, we are concerned that  completing regulations for Title III of the JOBS Act may remain continuously delayed.  We firmly believe the Commission needs to execute all of its statutory mandates in a timely manner. We want to reiterate the importance of the Act and its strong bipartisan support.  We hope that the Commission will work to finalize Regulation Crowdfunding as expeditiously as possible.  Thank you for your attention to this matter.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://degette.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/degette-statement-on-hr-5806", "DeGette Statement on H.R. 5806", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Diana DeGette", "D000197", "degette.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-01) offered the following statement following her vote opposing H.R. 5806:\n\u201cI have long supported tax incentives for charitable giving. H.R. 5806 includes several provisions that make it easier for individuals and businesses to give to charities of their choosing, and I have supported these in the past. Charitable organizations and those who give to them deserve the certainty of permanent tax provisions instead of short-term extensions, which are particularly ineffective when passed retroactively.\n\u201cUnfortunately, the House Republican leadership is using a double standard on budget matters by voting on tax measures that increase the deficit but refusing to consider funding for unemployment insurance and other important programs unless the costs are fully offset. This is a dangerous precedent that could open the door to adding $500 billion to the national debt if all tax extenders are made permanent.\n\u201cI hope we will have the opportunity in the next Congress to vote on balanced tax reform legislation that simplifies the tax code and puts our government in a stronger fiscal position.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://degette.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/degette-statement-on-omnibus-appropriations-bill", "DeGette Statement on Omnibus Appropriations Bill", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Diana DeGette", "D000197", "degette.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-01) offered the following statement opposing the omnibus appropriations legislation that includes numerous policy provisions that are unrelated to the need to fund government operations through next September:\n\u201cThe American public is sick of back-room deals made in order to perform Congress\u2019s most fundamental job: keeping the government open and operating. I cannot support an omnibus appropriations bill that includes policy riders rolling back reforms to the banking system and allowing a ten-fold increase in campaign donations to political parties. Special treatment for the wealthy and influential should not be the price of avoiding a shutdown. The American people deserve better, and time is quickly running out for this Congress to deliver.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://perlmutter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1127", "Colorado Congressional Delegation Sends Letter Urging VA, KT to Negotiate a Path Forward for VA Hospital", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "perlmutter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today the Colorado Congressional delegation sent a joint letter to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Kiewit Corporation, and Turner Construction, urging immediate negotiations to determine a path forward to continue construction of the VA hospital in Aurora. The letter, co-signed by the entire Congressional delegation, laid out the need for a short and long-term solution and the importance of the construction project for the veterans of the Rocky Mountain region and the State of Colorado.\r\r\t\"The veterans of the Rocky Mountain West have waited more than a decade for this hospital, and 1,400 construction workers are being sent home right before the holidays with their jobs in jeopardy as this project sits idle,\" the delegation wrote. \"Given the size, scope, and importance of this construction project to our veterans and the State of Colorado, we urge in the strongest terms possible, for immediate negotiations between the VA and KT resulting in a new contract modification to allow continued construction for 60 days.\"\r\r\tThe letter is in response to a Civilian Board of Contract Appeals ruling that determined the VA was in material breach of the contract. Kiewit Turner has since responded to this ruling by stopping all work on the project. The letter urges both parties to consider the long-term consequences of any action and for immediate negotiations to result in a new contract modification negotiated by the Army Corps of Engineers.\r\r\tClick here for the full delegation letter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://perlmutter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1128", "Senate Passes Royce-Perlmutter Credit Union Share Insurance Fund Parity Act", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "perlmutter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, the U.S. Senatepassed the Credit Union Share Insurance Fund Parity Act, H.R. 3468, by unanimous consent. The legislation, originally introduced by U.S. Representative Ed Royce (R-CA) last November, passed the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously on May 6, 2014. \"The Credit Union Share Insurance Fund Parity Act strengthens national credit unions' commitment to IOLTAs and the legal services they help fund for local communities,\" said Rep. Royce. \"The universal support for this bill in both chambers of Congress speaks to the merits of establishingparity for the treatment of IOLTAs and other similar accounts regardless of whether they are kept at a bank or a credit union. \"Prior to being elected to Congress, I practiced law for 30 years and in that time I established many Lawyer Trust Accounts for clients. This legislation is critical to ensuring an IOLTA's full value in light of any potential credit union failure,\" said cosponsor U.S. Representative Ed Perlmutter (D-CO). \"More importantly, the interest earned on Lawyer Trust Accounts goes to grants improving access to civil justice and legal services for the poor.\"\r\r\tThe Credit Union Share Insurance Fund Parity Act expands federal deposit insurance to includeInterest on Lawyer Trust Accounts(IOLTAs) and similar escrow accounts housed within credit unions.\r\r\tUnlike FDIC coverage, the current regulatory opinion of the National Credit Union Administration is that funds held by credit union members on behalf of those who are not federally-insured credit union members will not be insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund. This has created a disparity in coverage when examining IOLTAs.\r\r\tSpecifically, the bill amends the Federal Credit Union Act to require that pass-through share insurance coverage be provided when a credit union member holds funds on behalf of a nonmember in an IOLTA or other similar account.\r\r\tReps. Royce and Perlmutter, members of the House Financial Services Committee, urge the President to sign this bill into law without delay.\r \r\r\r\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397709", "Polis Lauds FCC Vote to Increase Funding for E-Rate", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jared Polis", "P000598", "polis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Representative Jared Polis (CO-02) today released the following statement lauding the FCC vote to increase funding for the E-Rate Program, expanding internet access to low-income and rural schools and libraries:\n\u201cIn order to succeed in the 21st century economy, our students need access to the tools that power the 21st century economy. At a time when so much of Washington is broken, it is encouraging to see that some progress can be made, particularly in an area as critical as expanding the speed of internet access to schools and libraries. \n\u201cThis vote comes on the heels of President Obama\u2019s announcement of an additional $1 billion for early education, and reinforces the administration\u2019s commitment to providing opportunities for all children to succeed no matter what their zip code. I am thrilled that E-Rate will be receiving this infusion of $1.5 billion and I will continue to work tirelessly to support innovative programs and ideas that improve the quality of education for all students. \u201c\nLast December, Rep. Polis led a bipartisan letter to the FCC arguing for swift action to improve and modernize the E-Rate program. You can find the full text of the letter here. Colorado received $22.6 million through the E-Rate program in 2013.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397710", "Polis Votes Against CROmnibus Spending Bill", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jared Polis", "P000598", "polis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Representative Jared Polis (CO-02) today voted against the so-called \u201cCROmnibus\u201d spending bill which passed the House of Representatives this evening. The bill was brought under a closed rule and no amendments were permitted to be brought up on the floor prior to the vote.\u00a0 \r\n\u201cThis spending bill is a perfect example of why Congress has such a low approval rating,\u201d said Rep. Polis. \u201cMembers were shown this 1600 page bill for the first time less than 48 hours before voting on it. Those of us who took the time to read the legislation found that it was swollen with pork, back-room policy riders, and misplaced spending priorities. \u201c\r\n\u201cI voted against the \u2018CROmnibus\u2019 because it does nothing to address our out of control deficit spending, funds wasteful defense projects at levels millions of dollars higher than the Defense Department or Administration requested, and includes policy riders that shred our campaign finance laws, trample on the will of DC voters, and increases subsidies for multi-national oil and gas companies.\u201d\u201d\r\nRep. Polis sponsored or cosponsored a number of amendments at a Rules Committee hearing on Wednesday evening to try and rein in spending or eliminate harmful policy riders. These include:\r\n \r\n    Sponsored an amendment to reduce federal spending on research and development for fossil fuels to the President\u2019s requested amount. \r\n \r\n \r\n    Sponsored an amendment to cut $120 million in unrequested and wasteful funding dedicated to upgrading the M1 Abrams Tank. \r\n \r\n \r\n    Sponsored an amendment to defund the mid-life nuclear refueling overhaul of the aircraft carrier, the George Washington \u2013 potentially saving as much as $7 billion in taxpayer funds. \r\n \r\n \r\n    Sponsored an amendment to bring H.R. 15 \u2013 a bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill \u2013 to the House floor for a vote. \r\n \r\n \r\n    Cosponsored an amendment with Representatives Ted Deutch, Jim McGovern, Alcee Hastings, Donna Edwards, and John Sarbanes striking a rider buried on page 1,599 of the bill that would eviscerate limits on political contributions to political parties. \r\n \r\n \r\n    Cosponsored Delegate Eleanor Holmes-Norton\u2019s amendment to strike a backroom deal that added a provision to the bill in an attempt to override the will of D.C. voters by canceling the district\u2019s new marijuana law.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397712", "Colorado Congressional Delegation Sends Letter Urging VA, KT to Negotiate a Path Forward for VA Hospital", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jared Polis", "P000598", "polis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today the Colorado Congressional delegation sent a joint letter to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Kiewit Corporation, and Turner Construction, urging immediate negotiations to determine a path forward to continue construction of the VA hospital in Aurora.\u00a0 The letter, co-signed by the entire Congressional delegation, laid out the need for a short and long-term solution and the importance of the construction project for the veterans of the Rocky Mountain region and the State of Colorado.\u00a0 \n\"The veterans of the Rocky Mountain West have waited more than a decade for this hospital, and 1,400 construction workers are being sent home right before the holidays with their jobs in jeopardy as this project sits idle,\" the delegation wrote.\u00a0 \"Given the size, scope, and importance of this construction project to our veterans and the State of Colorado, we urge in the strongest terms possible, for immediate negotiations between the VA and KT resulting in a new contract modification to allow continued construction for 60 days.\"\u00a0 \nThe letter is in response to a Civilian Board of Contract Appeals ruling that determined the VA was in material breach of the contract.\u00a0 Kiewit Turner has since responded to this ruling by stopping all work on the project.\u00a0 \u00a0The letter urges both parties to consider the long-term consequences of any action and for immediate negotiations to result in a new contract modification negotiated by the Army Corps of Engineers. The full text of the letter, with signatures, is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=0F2ACDF6-F8AA-1769-DA3D-A0C30AA8B184", "Following Combined Delegation Efforts, EPA Prioritizes Cleanup of Pueblo Smelter Site", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Pueblo, CO - Today, following the combined efforts from Colorado Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall and Congressman Scott Tipton, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that it will add the former Colorado Smelter site in Pueblo to the National Priorities List through the agency's Superfund program.  Superfund is a federal program that investigates and cleans up the most complex, uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites.  Bennet, Udall, and Tipton worked closely with Governor John Hickenlooper and Pueblo elected officials to urge the EPA to include the site, and sent a letter in March urging the EPA to help with cleanup efforts as the community lacked the necessary resources.\n\"The addition of the smelter site to the Superfund list is an important step forward for ensuring the health and safety of residents and is a huge win for the community,\" Bennet said. \"The listing will provide Pueblo with the necessary resources to expedite cleanup efforts, prevent the spread of contamination, and help maintain property values and quality of life. We look forward to working with the EPA and local officials to move this project forward.\"\n\"I am proud the EPA has heeded my and the local community's calls to swiftly clean up the Colorado Smelting Company property as part of the agency's Superfund program,\" Udall said. \"This decision will ensure the necessary steps are taken to confront the site's contamination and protect Pueblo residents' health and safety.\"\nFrom 1883 to 1908 the Colorado Smelting Company contaminated parts of Pueblo with lead, arsenic, and other heavy metals, and recent soil tests have confirmed that the contamination has spread to surrounding neighborhoods. In some neighborhoods, contamination levels were found to be three times higher than average. A listing under the EPA Superfund program will help clean up the abandoned hazardous waste site.\nThe EPA proposed the project be added to the National Priorities List in May, following the delegation letter, and then conducted a 60 day public comment period. The Superfund program, established in 1980, benefits communities affected by hazardous waste sites by reducing threats to human health, protecting ecological systems, improving economic conditions and quality of life.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=4535DFCE-2887-E295-B55A-D2003DB077F2", "Bennet Pays Tribute to Senator Udall and His Service to Colorado", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet paid tribute to Senator Mark Udall and his service to Coloradans. In a speech on the Senate floor, Bennet recalled his work with Udall on a number of issues from the conservation of Colorado's pristine landscapes to the fight against climate change and the promotion of renewable energy industries in our state in addition to his fierce advocacy to secure the resources needed to help Colorado recover from wildfires and floods. He urged his Senate colleagues to look to Udall as an example of the leadership needed to break the gridlock in Washington and move the country forward.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397708", "Polis Fights Against Massive Erosion of Campaign Finance Limits Included in Omnibus Bill", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jared Polis", "P000598", "polis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Representative Jared Polis (CO-02) joined Representatives Ted Deutch (FL-21), Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20), Donna Edwards (MD-04), Jim McGovern (MA-02), and John Sarbanes (MD-03) in submtting an amendment to the House Rules Committee striking language included in the Omnibus Appropriations bill that drastically increases how much money America\u2019s wealthiest donors can give to political party committees. If Division N, Section 101 of H.R. 83 were to become law, a single individual could donate over $777,000 a year or $1.5 million per federal election cycle to the three Democratic and Republican party committees, directly undermining the McCain-Feingold reforms passed by Congress in the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002.\u00a0\u201cOur political system is already overwhelmed by money from special interests and the superrich, even with our current campaign contribution limits,\u201d said Congressman Jared Polis. \u201cThere is no conceivable reason that we should be increasing contribution limits by 1000% when the voices of so many hard-working Americans across the nation are already being \u00a0drowned out by mega-donors.\u201d \u201cIt is downright appalling that congressional negotiators, without public debate or even fair warning, tucked language into the Omnibus Appropriations bill that gives more influence to wealthy donors and special interests who have more than plenty already,\u201d said Congressman Deutch. \u201cAmericans overwhelmingly want their leaders to fight efforts to gut laws limiting the influence of big money in politics. They do not want Congress to be complicit in the dismantling of our campaign finance system.\u201d \u201cI find it unconscionable that House Republicans have sought to bury this incredibly damaging provision among a 1,600 page spending bill,\u201d said Congressman Alcee Hastings. \"We must limit the power of wealthy political donors and special interests in our elections, not render ineffective laws that were rightfully enacted to place checks on their influence.\" \u201cAlmost $4 billion was spent on the 2014 midterms, making them the most expensive in our nation\u2019s history,\u201d said Congresswoman Donna Edwards. \u201cNow, under a deadline to keep the federal government open and at a time when our political system is already overwhelmed by outside money, we cannot allow even more access for the superrich at the expense of working families. I urge the Rules Committee and colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this amendment and join the overwhelming majority of Americans who want their voices heard over the roar of big corporations and special interests. \u00a0We cannot allow outside money to dominate our elections, to do so would be both undemocratic and unfair to ordinary citizens.\u201d \u201cThe American political system is already drowning in special interest money,\u201d said Congressman McGovern. \u00a0\u201cThe last thing Congress should do is make the problem worse. \u00a0But that\u2019s exactly what this backroom deal would do. \u00a0It\u2019s outrageous.\u201d \u201cIt is breathtakingly cynical to give even more power to the wealthy and well-connected on the heels of an election that ushered in a new, dangerous era of big money politics,\" said Congressman Sarbanes. \"Everyday Americans want Congress to listen to their concerns, not just big money donors and special interests.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=CDBD2F22-8E0B-ED8B-00E0-20AC5C222E44", "Bennet, Hatch Propose a Streamlined Pathway for Approval of Antibiotics", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) today introduced a bill to create a new drug approval pathway to streamline access and encourage innovation and development of potentially lifesaving antibiotic drugs for patients, particularly Veterans who have encountered antibiotic-resistant bacteria while overseas. \"Antibiotic-resistant bacteria pose serious and unique challenges to health care professionals,\" Bennet said. \"This bill will allow new antibiotics that show promise combating these bacteria to reach patients more quickly and save lives. It will also encourage bioscience companies to invest in innovative research to develop these lifesaving drugs.\" \"By addressing antibiotic-resistant bacteria, we can make major strides in preventing a significant number of illnesses and deaths in the United States,\" Senator Hatch said. \"I am excited to build on the progress we have made. The PATH Act is needed to spur the innovation of new antibiotics and give patients with unmet medical needs access to important antibiotics faster.\" \"Superbugs\"-or bacteria that are substantially resistant or unresponsive to any existing and available antibiotic-are an increasingly urgent public health threat, both at home and abroad. While antibiotic resistance continues to cost tens of thousands of lives in the United States each year, less than ten new antibiotics have made it to market since 2000. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria is also a significant concern to our troops, affecting more than a third of returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, according to the Department of Defense.  In an effort to address some of the significant regulatory obstacles facing antibiotic development and hindering patient and veteran access, the Promise for Antibiotics and Therapeutics for Health (PATH) Act would permit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to accelerate an antibacterial drug's approval for an identifiable, limited patient population upon determining that the drug treats a serious or life-threatening condition and addresses an unmet need. In addition, the bill requires a drug's label to include special designation from FDA indicating their intended use in limited, high-risk populations approved under this pathway. The bill also calls for further guidance and potential expansion to other appropriate therapeutic areas.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://perlmutter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1126", "Rep. Perlmutter Statement on Civilian Board of Contract Appeals Ruling on VA Hospital", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "perlmutter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Perlmutter Statement on Civilian Board of Contract Appeals Ruling on VA Hospital \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, DC,\r\n        December 9, 2014\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n       \r\r\tU.S. Representative Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) issued the following statement on the ruling against the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding construction of the VA hospital in Aurora:\r\r\tThere has been a serious dispute between the VA and the prime contractor for too long. The original design called for a $1 billion state-of-the-art medical center but the contract was for $600 million, and the project was never redesigned to fit the budget. The Civilian Board of Contract Appeals has ruled that the VA is in the wrong. Now it is time for the VA and Kiewit/Turner to come to the negotiating table to work out this dispute so veterans will have the state-of-the-art facility they have long deserved.\r\r\tClick here to see past press releases and statements from Rep. Perlmutter regarding the VA hospital.\r\r\t###\r\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397705", "Polis Issues Statement Condemning U.S. Torture Practices, Calls for Increased Oversight of Intelligence Community", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jared Polis", "P000598", "polis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Polis Issues Statement Condemning U.S. Torture Practices, Calls for Increased Oversight of Intelligence Community \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        December 9, 2014\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Representative Jared Polis (CO-02) today made the following statement in response to the release of the Senate CIA torture report: \r\n\u201cThe release of the Senate CIA torture report today reveals a dark and shameful chapter in American history. Under the guise of patriotism, the CIA conducted wholly un-American behavior that failed to secure our nation, but did much damage to our credibility and standing at home and abroad. The activities described in the report demonstrated a flagrant and frightening disregard for domestic and international law, offering a glimpse into the mindset of an agency that clearly believes it can play by a different set of rules. \r\n\u201cThis report is a good first step towards bringing much needed accountability to our intelligence community, but it alone is not enough to change the culture that led to these lasting and continuous violations of international law and American values. I am calling for the House and Senate Intelligence Committees to double down on their oversight of the intelligence community to ensure that these types of activities never happen again and that those who work at the CIA and other intelligence agencies don\u2019t trample on the very constitution they seek to protect.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397707", "Polis, Cohen Urge Budget Negotiators to Take Online Gaming Ban Off the Table", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jared Polis", "P000598", "polis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Representatives Jared Polis (CO-02) and Steve Cohen (TN-09) sent a letter to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Appropriations committees urging them to refrain from including any provisions that would ban or severely restrict online gaming in the omnibus budget bill. \n\u201cCongress should not try to subvert the will of [the] states by passing a blanket online gaming ban,\u201d the Representatives wrote. \u201cClosing down state-legal online gaming services would only drive consumers to wager with offshore operators \u2013 who can behave unscrupulously with virtually no oversight by any government \u2013 and deprive our economy of billions of dollars in revenue. Instead, Congress should focus on creating a regulatory and licensing framework that eliminates the contradictions in our present federal gambling laws.\u201d\n\u201cIt would be particularly objectionable to attempt to pass such a controversial measure by attaching it behind closed doors to a mandatory government funding bill that will likely come to the floor without opportunity for amendment,\u201d the Representatives continued.\nFour states have some legal and regulated forms of Internet gambling, and several additional state legislatures are considering internet gambling bills this year. \nA signed copy of the letter is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://degette.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/house-pro-choice-caucus-co-chairs-call-out-attempt-to-use-must-pass", "House Pro-Choice Caucus co-Chairs Call Out Attempt to Use Must-Pass Funding Measure to Attack Womens Health", "2014-12-08", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Diana DeGette", "D000197", "degette.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO) and\u00a0Louise Slaughter (D-NY), co-Chairs of the House Pro-Choice Caucus, criticized an attempt to attack women\u2019s health by attaching an ideological policy rider to a funding bill that must pass before December 11th to avoid a government shutdown. \u00a0The rider would double down on the Supreme Court\u2019s controversial Hobby Lobby decision by allowing corporations to exercise a \u201cconscience clause\u201d to deny certain types of health coverage mandated under the Affordable Care Act to their employees.\nIn a letter to Speaker John Boehner, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers and Ranking Member Nita Lowey, DeGette and\u00a0Slaughter expressed their dismay that some Members would risk shutting down the entire federal government over an ideological objection to women\u2019s health coverage.\nRead the letter below:\nDear Speaker Boehner, Leader Pelosi, Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Lowey,\nRecent news reports have indicated that several colleagues in the House of Representatives hope to use forthcoming appropriations legislation as a vehicle for language that would severely compromise women\u2019s health. As\u00a0co-chairs of the House Pro-Choice Caucus, we write to express our strong opposition to subverting the legislative process in order to promote ideological platforms.\u00a0\nThe legislative proposals\u00a0that\u00a0we understand have been discussed would effectively undo the preventive services benefits of the Affordable Care Act and allow\u00a0a private right of action for any individual or corporation that feels\u00a0it has\u00a0experienced a violation of \"conscience\u201d\u00a0as a result of providing any\u00a0health care\u00a0service\u00a0to which they have an objection. This broad language goes far beyond other related proposals previously rejected in\u00a0the Senate and would severely restrict access to necessary health care services, especially for women.\nThis kind of political maneuvering\u00a0\u2013\u00a0using must-pass legislation to accomplish a\u00a0\u201cwish list\u201d of one faction of Congress\u00a0and risking a government shutdown\u00a0- is precisely the kind of behavior the American people detest. We urge you in the strongest possible terms to keep any appropriations legislation considered before the close of the 113th Congress free from ideological policy riders.\nSincerely,\nLouise M. Slaughter\nMember of Congress\n\u00a0\nDiana DeGette\nMember of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://perlmutter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1125", "Rep. Perlmutter Statement on Orion's Successful Experimental Flight Test", "2014-12-05", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "perlmutter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Perlmutter Statement on Orion's Successful Experimental Flight Test \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Lakewood, CO,\r\n        December 5, 2014\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n       \r\r\tU.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) released the following statement after NASA's Orion project completed its successful experimental flight test on December 5, 2014:\r\r\tThe Orion project is an amazing achievement in the next generation of spaceflight but also for Colorado, with two of our own companies  Lockheed Martin and United Launch Alliance  leading the charge. A big thank you to everyone who made this project possible and for taking NASA's unmanned space program into the next frontier.\"\r\r\t###\r  \r\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=EE63DB8A-B906-A8A8-D116-7E42A2EEFABD", "Bennet Statement on Orion Spacecraft Launch", "2014-12-05", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Denver, CO - Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet issued the following statement in commemoration of the Orion Spacecraft Launch: \"The launch of the Orion spacecraft today is a historic step forward for our nation, which will once again carry astronauts into space.  The technology and innovations developed here in Colorado by Colorado-based companies like Lockheed Martin and United Launch Alliance are allowing us to lead the world into the next frontier and into the deepest space ever explored.  Congratulations to all of the Colorado innovators who have been working for the last several years to make this day a reality.\"\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=FD1A3EEA-3F0A-E3CC-6CFE-F196A37D1554", "Houses Passes Bennets Bipartisan Bill to Consolidate Federal IT Infrastructure, Save Taxpayer Dollars", "2014-12-05", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC - The House of Representatives passed Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet's bipartisan bill to expedite the consolidation of federal data centers that could save up to $3 billion in taxpayer dollars. The Federal Data Center Consolidation Act, cosponsored by Senators Tom Coburn (R-OK), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), and Homeland Security and Government Affairs Chairman Tom Carper (D-DE), was included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), an annual bill authorizing funding for the Pentagon.\n\"This bill is an important step toward a smarter, more efficient way to operate government and save taxpayer dollars,\" Bennet said. \"It will also help reduce energy consumption and costs going forward. These are ambitious yet achievable goals. We're glad to see the House has passed this bill and that the Senate is expected to debate it next week.\"\nThe bill sets hard deadlines and requires federal agencies that have yet to act on consolidation initiatives to conduct inventories and implement consolidation strategies. In addition, the law would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to verify agency data center inventories, and would direct the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to routinely report to Congress on cost savings realized to date.\nA number of studies have shown a relatively low utilization rate of the current IT infrastructure, resulting in an enormous amount of wasted space and energy - and unnecessary costs. In 2010, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) instructed federal agencies to develop consolidation plans under the administration's Federal Data Center Consolidation Initiative (FDCCI), which could save up to $3 billion by 2015, according to the GAO, with additional savings beyond that date. However, the GAO also found that a number of agencies have been slow to implement these plans - or, in some cases, to inventory the total number of data centers they currently manage.  The GAO has publicly endorsed the legislation, saying it is vital to ensure that agencies close down unnecessary data centers by the target deadline. The senators have worked closely with OMB and GAO to ensure that this bill will help strengthen the initiative and achieve meaningful savings. The bill is also supported by the Professional Services Council and the Information Technology Industry Council.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://perlmutter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1123", "Rep. Perlmutter Statement on Tax Extenders", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "perlmutter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Perlmutter Statement on Tax Extenders \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, DC,\r\n        December 4, 2014\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n       \r\r\tU.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) released the following statement about the tax extender package that passed in the U.S. House of Representatives:\r\r\tThe tax extenders package included several provisions important to Colorado families and local businesses including, the Research & Development Credit, a deduction for teachers for classroom expenses, and an extension of the wind energy production tax credit. However, passing retroactive tax legislation is no way to run a government or a business. Just like it is time for comprehensive immigration reform; it is also time for comprehensive tax reform. Congress must work harder to ensure businesses and families have certainty and predictability for the long-term.\"\r\r\t###\r\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://perlmutter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1124", "Reps. Perlmutter, Polis Successfully Include Important Amendment for Rocky Flats Workers in National Defense Authorization Act", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "perlmutter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) and U.S. Rep. Jared Polis (CO-02) applaud the inclusion of an important amendment in the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (NDAA). The bi-partisan amendment, also co-authored with Rep. Ed Whitfield (KY-01) and spearheaded in the Senate by Senator Mark Udall, will create an independent advisory board to increase transparency and ensure Cold War Patriots' benefits applications are reviewed accurately and expeditiously. \r\r\t\r\r\tDuring the Cold War, approximately 600,000 workers were employed at more than 380 U.S. atomic weapons program facilities throughout the country. Many of these Cold War Patriots were unknowingly exposed to radioactive and toxic substances at work. As a direct result of their work for the U.S. government, some atomic weapons program workers have developed cancers and other diseases. Unfortunately, due to bureaucratic hurdles and delays, many Cold War Patriots still have not received the benefits they deserve to care for the illnesses they contracted as a result of their work. This includes the workers of Rocky Flats, a former nuclear trigger production facility located in Jefferson County, part of Rep. Perlmutter's 7th Congressional District.\r\r\t\r\r\tNot only do we owe our Cold War Patriots a great debt of gratitude for their service to our country, we have a duty to ensure these nuclear weapons workers are given the benefits they deserve to care for their work-related illnesses, said Rep. Perlmutter. This advisory board is an important step in adding transparency and accountability to decisions made affecting workers' compensation and access to benefits.\r\r\t\r\r\tToo many men and women who dedicated years of their life serving their country during the Cold War have faced inexcusable delays in getting medical treatment and benefits, said Rep. Polis. I am thrilled that the amendment I offered with Reps. Perlmutter and Whitfield to eliminate this uncertainty and improve transparency for our Cold War patriots was included in the final NDAA text. I will continue to fight tirelessly to ensure that this amendment becomes law so we can eliminate the red tape and bureaucracy that has frustrated these employees, and me, for too long. \r\r\t\r\r\tIn 2000, Congress acted to provide health care and benefits to these workers by passing the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA). Unfortunately, implementation of EEOICPA was plagued by delays. The amendment would create an independent advisory board under Part E of the program providing compensation and medical benefits for workers exposed to toxic substances. The advisory board would review the Site Exposure Matrix and other methods currently used by Department of Labor claims examiners to determine causation of medical ailments. The advisory board was recently recommended by the Government Accountability Office and the Institute of Medicine. \r\r\t\r\r\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397703", "Polis, Perlmutter Successfully Include Important Amendment for Rocky Flats Workers in National Defense Authorization Act", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jared Polis", "P000598", "polis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Jared Polis (CO-02) and U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) applaud the inclusion of an important amendment in the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (NDAA). The bi-partisan amendment, also co-authored with Rep. Ed Whitfield (KY-01) and spearheaded in the Senate by Senator Mark Udall, will create an independent advisory board to increase transparency and ensure Cold War Patriots\u2019 benefits applications are reviewed accurately and expeditiously.\u00a0 \r\nDuring the Cold War, approximately 600,000 workers were employed at more than 380 U.S. atomic weapons program facilities throughout the country. Many of these Cold War Patriots were unknowingly exposed to radioactive and toxic substances at work. As a direct result of their work for the U.S. government, some atomic weapons program workers have developed cancers and other diseases. Unfortunately, due to bureaucratic hurdles and delays, many Cold War Patriots still have not received the benefits they deserve to care for the illnesses they contracted as a result of their work. This includes the workers of Rocky Flats, a former nuclear trigger production facility located in Jefferson County, part of Rep. Perlmutter\u2019s 7th Congressional District.\r\n\u201cToo many men and women who dedicated years of their life serving\r\ntheir country during the Cold War have faced inexcusable delays in\r\ngetting medical treatment and benefits,\u201d said Rep. Polis. \u201cI am\r\nthrilled that the amendment I offered with Reps. Perlmutter and\r\nWhitfield to eliminate this uncertainty and improve transparency for our\r\nCold War patriots was included in the final NDAA text. I will continue\r\nto fight tirelessly to ensure that this amendment becomes law so we can\r\neliminate the red tape and bureaucracy that has frustrated these\r\nemployees, and me, for too long.\u201d\r\n\u201cNot only do we owe our Cold War Patriots a great debt of gratitude for their service to our country, we have a duty to ensure these nuclear weapons workers are given the benefits they deserve to care for their work-related illnesses,\u201d said Rep. Perlmutter. \u201cThis advisory board is an important step in adding transparency and accountability to decisions made affecting workers\u2019 compensation and access to benefits.\u201d\r\nIn 2000, Congress acted to provide health care and benefits to these workers by passing the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA).\u00a0\u00a0 Unfortunately, implementation of EEOICPA was plagued by delays. The amendment would create an independent advisory board under Part E of the program providing compensation and medical benefits for workers exposed to toxic substances. The advisory board would review the Site Exposure Matrix and other methods currently used by Department of Labor claims examiners to determine causation of medical ailments. \u00a0The advisory board was recently recommended by the Government Accountability Office and the Institute of Medicine.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=1B544003-4F32-26F0-4DD3-6B5E1801ED3B", "Bennet Presses NRCS on Efficient Implementation of Farm Bill Conservation Programs", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet received a commitment from Jason Weller, chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, that the agency will work with Colorado's farmers and ranchers to ensure conservation programs are being implemented efficiently and not creating additional burdens. In a Senate Agriculture hearing, Bennet raised concerns he's heard from rural Colorado communities that new conservation programs like the Agricultural Land Easement program are not being implemented as Congress intended.\n \nWe have heard very severe concerns in Colorado about NRCS' implementation of the new Agricultural Land Easement program. Farmers and ranchers in Colorado rightly believe that they had a huge hand in writing these provisions to begin with because they did. Now they have the sense that their will and the will of this committee is being diluted by legal interpretation and bureaucracy at USDA.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=5E01DCFC-8BDC-C223-BB01-E40A5E7DF289", "Bennet-Backed Bill to Better Understand Sudden Unexpected Deaths of Children Heading to Presidents Desk", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. -- A bill cosponsored by Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet to help medical personnel better understand and respond to sudden unexpected deaths of children has passed both the House and the Senate and will head to the President's desk today.  The bill establishes uniform protocols for collecting information on infant and child deaths and provides for better training for law enforcement and medical personnel.\n\"The unexpected death of a child is an unimaginably painful loss that has affected far too many families,\" Bennet said. \"This bill will not only raise awareness of sudden unexpected deaths of children for law enforcement and medical personnel, but also help gather the research and understanding we need to prevent these tragedies in the future.\"\nThe Sudden Unexpected Death Data Enhancement and Awareness Act will help address the more than 25,000 stillbirths and sudden, unexpected deaths of infants and children that occur every year. It requires the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish uniform protocols for death scene investigations and autopsies surrounding sudden, unexpected deaths of infants and children. It also supports better training for medical personnel that respond to these types of incidents.\nThe bill also requires the CDC to set national reporting standards for state health departments to follow to help disseminate consistent information to law enforcement, medical researchers, and health care providers.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=BD87F091-FAC7-DC46-81BC-5A255BBB63A2", "Bennet: Full Funding of PILT Needed for Long-Term Certainty", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. -- Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today urged Congress to find the resources needed to fully fund the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. Bennet welcomed the inclusion of $70 million included in the National Defense Authorization Act for PILT but called on Congress to provide more certainty to communities that rely on these resources to provide essential services. The House passed the defense bill earlier today.\n\"Funding PILT at only a fraction of full funding is a small start, but it is nowhere close to enough. The PILT program supports critical services like schools, fire protection, and road maintenance in communities throughout Colorado. These resources are a lifeline for communities facing shrinking budgets,\" Bennet said. \"Washington has enough self-manufactured crises to deal with.  We should not allow PILT funding to become yet another uncertainty we face every year. We need a long-term solution that gives communities confidence they will receive the payments the federal government owes them.\"\nBennet has been a strong advocate for fully funding the PILT program. He actively pushed essential Senate committees to prioritize PILT funding, and in 2012 the led the fight with Senator Mark Udall in support of PILT and Secure Rural Schools funding. He also cosponsored a Udall bill to permanently fund and authorize the PILT program.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=E5469178-EA0E-EB30-68FF-69470B4FF164", "Bennet, Hatch Introduce Bill to Cut Red Tape, Boost Innovation in Health IT", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC -- U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) today introduced a bill to cut red tape at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and help boost innovation in health IT.\nThe Medical Electronic Data Technology Enhancement for Consumers' Health (MEDTECH) Act would exempt low-risk medical software and mobile apps from FDA regulation and provide greater certainty regarding what software will be regulated by the agency to protect consumers.\n\"New and innovative technology is helping our health care providers better take care of their patients, and it's putting tools into the hands of families that help them manage their own health,\" Bennet said. \"Some of these tools, whether a new app to track your calorie intake or an activity tracker to help you while you exercise, are low risk and don't require in-depth oversight by the government. This bill provides certainty for innovators in the life sciences and the FDA as to which devices and software should be monitored to keep consumers safe.\"\n\"Advances in technology have allowed us to continuously improve the efficiency and quality of healthcare,\" Hatch added. \"This bill will give innovators the certainty they need about health IT regulation to continue pioneering medical software for consumers and health care professionals. I'm proud to offer this important piece of legislation alongside Senator Bennet.\"\nThe MEDTECH Act takes a risk-based approach and builds upon a Food and Drug Administration Safety Innovation Act Workgroup report released earlier this year. The report was commissioned by Bennet and Hatch through an amendment to the 2012 FDA reform law.\nSpecifically, the bill limits and clarifies the FDA's role regarding regulation of administrative and financial software, wellness and lifestyle products, certain aspects of electronic health records, and software that aids health care providers in developing treatment recommendations for their patients. As the rate of innovation rapidly increases in the medical technology field, this bill provides greater clarity to ensure that businesses understand the rules of the road and safe and effective products reach consumers as soon as possible.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://perlmutter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1121", "Rep. Perlmutter Introduces Bi-Partisan Legislation to Reduce Burden on Fixed Income Tenants", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "perlmutter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) and Rep. Steve Stivers (OH-15) introduced H.R. 5776, the Tenant Income Verification Relief Act to allow tenants on a fixed income have their income certified and/or verified once every three years rather than annually. This bi-partisan legislation will help streamline and reduce the burdens placed on tenants for purposes of determining their eligibility for certain Federal assistance housing programs, including seniors and other individuals and families who consistently maintain a fixed income.\r\n\r\nThis legislation will help lighten the regulatory requirements placed on housing authorities and their tenants while still ensuring accountability, said Rep. Perlmutter. As a result, housing authorities will be able to use their funds more efficiently while providing more opportunities for low-income tenants.\r\n\r\nThis bill is a great first step towards ensuring our nation's low-income families have safe places to live while simultaneously reducing administrative burdens families face yearly and creating better opportunities for housing authorities to use their time and resources more efficiently, said Rep. Stivers.\r\n\r\nThe legislation amends The Housing Act of 1937 and applies to both public housing authorities and the voucher program. The legislation could also incentivize more privately-owned housing operators to accept vouchers, since the stock of public housing continues to face fiscal pressures providing tenants more flexibility and choice.\r\n\r\nColorado NAHRO continues to support responsible reforms that will help reduce administrative burdens on local housing authorities, said Tami Fischer, president of the Colorado chapter of NAHRO. This bill will help us assist our clients in a more cost effective manner in order to deal with the consistent decline in Federal funding.\r\n\r\nSince assuming office in 2007, Rep. Perlmutter has served on the House Financial Services Committee which has jurisdiction over many issues including housing programs such as Public Housing and all HUD programs. In October 2014, Rep. Perlmutter was recognized as Legislator of the Year for his significant contributions and support for affordable housing by the Colorado chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO).Rep. Perlmutter has also supported other federal housing programs, including: Low-Income Housing Tax Credits; New Markets Tax Credits; Community Development Block Grants (CDBG); HOME Investment Partnership Funds; and efforts to fund the Housing Trust Fund. \r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=02BEC118-912F-9CFE-695A-C738CBFA4665", "Bennet Chairs Hearing on Benefits of Natural Gas, Highlights Bipartisan Bill to Create Tax Parity for LNG", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC -- Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today held a hearing of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure to highlight the benefits of natural gas as a transportation fuel and to explore how the tax code can spur increased use of natural gas in the sector.\nBennet also used the hearing to emphasize the need to reauthorize expired alternative fuel tax credits and the importance of passing his bipartisan LNG parity bill. This legislation will allow liquefied natural gas (LNG) to compete fairly with diesel fuel by requiring that LNG be taxed based on its energy content rather than strictly on a per gallon basis.\n\"Our country has undergone a dramatic change in our domestic energy picture over the last decade. Thanks to new innovations in drilling, our domestic production of natural gas has quadrupled,\" Bennet said. \"And Colorado has led the way in demonstrating we can produce natural gas safely and in a way that protects drinking water, air quality, and adjacent communities.\"\n\"Now we have a huge opportunity to grow this market and increase the use of natural gas as a transportation fuel. Specifically, we can level the playing field on fuel taxes so natural gas isn't taxed at a higher rate than diesel,\" Bennet added. \"Senators Burr and Hatch worked with me on a bill to do just that that passed this committee. Passing this bill, along with other needed energy legislation, will demonstrate that Congress understands the growing natural gas vehicle industry and its positive effect on our economy, national security, and our environment.\"\n\"NGVAmerica commends Senator Bennet and his efforts to accelerate the use of natural gas vehicles,\" said Matthew Godlewski, President of NGVAmerica. \"The Congress has long recognized the importance of fuel diversity in the American economy and has sought to encourage this diversity through tax policy. The U.S. now leads the world in natural gas production but ranks only fifteenth in total NGVs in operation. Senator Bennet's efforts will help reduce our reliance on imported oil, lead to fewer tailpipe emissions, and create American jobs.\"\n\"We commend the Senators for their dogged determination in resolving this inequity,\" said Lem Smith, Director of Federal and State Relations at Encana Corporation. \"Natural gas provides great promise for U.S. Energy independence and its versatility relative to use as a transportation fuel increases this opportunity for Colorado and our Nation, and a permanent fix to this problem is an issue of parity.\"\nThe current tax system can result in thousands of dollars of additional cost for companies choosing to utilize LNG. For example if a diesel truck travels 100,000 miles at 5 miles per gallon it consumes 20,000 gallons of diesel fuel. However, an identical LNG truck would require 34,000 gallons of LNG to travel the same distance. The current tax system would result in the LNG truck paying an additional $3,402 in taxes because of the 14,000 gallons more of fuel.\nA study commissioned by the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council shows that increased international demand for LNG positively affects the nation's economy, particularly in Colorado. Colorado's natural gas production has risen by almost 45 percent resulting in large numbers of job growth particularly for small and midsize businesses in the state.\nThe full hearing can be viewed here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=0A0F93ED-43B0-3FE7-887A-AB6526F4A5F8", "Bennet Commemorates 150th Anniversary of Sand Creek Massacre", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "DENVER, Colo. -- Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet issued the following statement regarding the 150th Anniversary of the Sand Creek Massacre:\n \n\"The Sand Creek Massacre represents a dark and shameful moment in the nation's history. The 150th anniversary is not only a good time to remember those that were lost that day, but also a time to rededicate our energy towards building a world for the next generation without these acts of senseless and horrifying violence. As we move forward as a community and as Coloradans we must continue looking for ways to honor our unique backgrounds, heritages, and contributions and work together to build a more shared, just future.\"\n \nRepresentatives from Bennet's office attended a ceremony at the state capital today and attended a commemoration ceremony at the Sand Creek Massacre Historical Site to present a letter to those in attendance, along with the Indian Tribes, last Saturday on the 150th Anniversary, November 29th. Bennet also sponsored legislation with Senator Mark Udall to authorize the Secretary of Interior to make improvements at the Sand Creek Massacre visitor center located in Eads, Colorado.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=B45A1B7C-A520-43CA-B8DC-D9ACF45B7B75", "Hermosa Creek Bill Included in Defense Authorization Act", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The bipartisan, bicameral bill to protect the Hermosa Creek watershed has been included in the National Defense Authorization Act, one of the few remaining bills Congress is expected to debate this year. Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet first introduced the Hermosa Creek bill in 2012 based on recommendations from the Hermosa Creek River Protection Workgroup, which included local water officials, conservationists, sportsmen, mountain bikers, off-road-vehicle users, outfitters, property owners, grazing permit holders, and other interested citizens. Senator Mark Udall is a co-sponsor of the bill.\n\"We are one step closer to a big victory for folks in Southwest Colorado who have worked together to get this done,\" Bennet said. \"The Hermosa Creek watershed is one of our state's treasures and deserves protection. It's stunning scenic beauty, wilderness and pristine water quality are treasured by many Coloradans. This bill provides for a great diversity of uses, from fishing for native Colorado River cutthroat trout to backcountry hunting and family camping, and from mountain biking and motorcycle riding on world class trails to snowmobiling through fresh powder on Molas Pass. The cooperation, compromise, and hard work put into this bill over a number of years by a diverse group of Coloradans should serve as a model for Washington.\"\nBennet reintroduced the bill last year alongside a companion bill in the House of Representatives introduced by Rep. Scott Tipton. Last November, Bennet and Tipton both testified before the Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining in support of the bill.\nThe bill would protect more than 100,000 acres of the Hermosa Creek Watershed, an area in the San Juan National Forest north of Durango. It would establish a management plan for the watershed based on recommendations from the Workgroup, which included local water officials, conservationists, sportsmen, mountain bikers, off-road-vehicle users, outfitters, property owners, grazing permit holders, and other interested citizens.\nThe bill would designate approximately 70,650 acres of the San Juan Nation Forest land as the Hermosa Creek Special Management Area. Much of the land would remain open to all historic uses of the forest under the bill, including mountain biking, motorized recreation, and selective timber harvesting.  Grazing will continue to be allowed in the entire watershed. The bill will also maintain historic snowmobile usage on Molas Pass.\nIn accordance with the consensus recommendations of the Hermosa Creek Workgroup, roughly 38,000 acres of the watershed would be set aside as wilderness, to be managed in accordance with the Wilderness Act of 1964.  No roads or mineral development are permitted in wilderness areas; while hunting, fishing, horseback riding and non-mechanized recreation are allowed.\nSupporters of the bill include the City of Durango, the La Plata County Commission, the San Juan County Commission, The Wilderness Society, Southwestern Water Conservation District, San Juan Citizen's Alliance, International Mountain Bicycling Association, Conservation Colorado, Colorado Snowmobile Association, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, the Durango Chamber of Commerce, Trails 2000, Four Corners Back County Horsemen, Bull Moose Sportsmen Alliance, American Motorcycle Association, Jo Grant Mining Company, Inc., and the Colorado Off Highway Vehicle Coalition, in addition to numerous other business and sportsmen groups.\n\"I look forward to a successful passage of this new version of the Hermosa Creek bill as it represents years of community work and support to find a way forward that represents the values of our community,\" Durango Mayor Sweetie Marbury said. \"I thank Senator Bennet, Senator Udall and Congressman Tipton for their tireless work to move this legislation forward on our behalf.\"\n\"The Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act represents a great model for legislation. It started as an agreement among local stakeholders, people actually affected by the bill, and I hope it successfully concludes through bipartisan cooperation on Capitol Hill before the end of the year,\" Julie Westendorff, chair of the La Plata County Commission, said. \"Water is one of La Plata County and Southwest Colorado's most precious resources. The Hermosa Creek bill ensures that clean water will feed the Animas River for our farmers, ranchers, fisheries and recreation and help fortify our water security into the future. We thank Senator Bennet and his staff and Congressman Tipton and his staff for their diligence and commitment to keeping the Hermosa Creek bill a reflection of what our community worked for and supported.\"\n\"The Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act is the product of years of community work and cooperation to create a piece of legislation that honors the diverse values of our mountain communities,\" Pete McKay, San Juan County Commissioner, said. \"I think this new version of the bill reflects our partnerships and ability to come to a common sense compromise that works for everyone. This bill has something for everyone in our community including our snowmobilers who depend on Molas Pass for their wintertime riding which will be preserved in this bill and help Silverton's winter economy prosper. I hope Congress can come together to enact this legislation before the end of the year.\"\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://perlmutter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1353", "Perlmutter Statment On Iran Nuclear Negotiations", "2014-12-01", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "perlmutter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Perlmutter Statment On Iran Nuclear Negotiations \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, DC,\r\n        December 1, 2014\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) released the following statement about the Iran nuclear negotiations:\r\n\"The goal has always been clear, Iran must abandon its pursuit of building a nuclear weapon.  The continued delay makes me question Iran's intentions towards seeking a deal.  If the Iranian's do not show a willingness to negotiate in good faith and accelerate the process to meet their obligations, then Congress must take the appropriate steps to enforce additional sanctions.  I've long hoped diplomatic efforts would lead to a lasting agreement and though these are difficult negotiations we should not allow Iran to run out the clock and string us and the international community along indefinitely.\" \r\n###\r\n\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://degette.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/degette-urges-president-obama-to-protect-browns-canyon", "DeGette Urges President Obama to Protect Browns Canyon", "2014-11-26", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Diana DeGette", "D000197", "degette.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-01) urged President Obama to consider designating Browns Canyon as a National Monument and closely examine community support for protecting the area. Rep. DeGette expressed her support in a letter to the President as the 113th Congress draws to a close.\n\u201cBrowns Canyon has been a top priority for protection in Colorado for decades, and a National Monument designation would receive broad local support, offer permanent environmental benefits, and help the local economy,\u201d DeGette wrote in the letter. She added that Browns Canyon \u201cstands out for its unique geologic features, its important wildlife habitats, and the broad recognition that this area is best served by maintaining its pristine condition.\u201d\nRep. DeGette has been the primary sponsor of the Colorado Wilderness Act since 1999. In that time, she has worked with partners across Colorado to identify suitable areas for wilderness designation and build necessary support from local communities for such a change. Browns Canyon has always been a part of Colorado Wilderness Act proposals and has stood out with its strong local support.\nWith her letter to President Obama, Rep. DeGette joined Colorado Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall, who have both urged President Obama to use his authority under the Antiquities Act to designate Browns Canyon as a National Monument.\nFull text of Rep. DeGette\u2019s letter to the president is available below:\n\u00a0\nNovember 26, 2014\nPresident Barack Obama  \n\tThe White House  \n\t1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW  \n\tWashington, D.C. 20500\nDear Mr. President:\nI write to encourage your Administration to consider Browns Canyon, located in Chaffee County, Colorado, for designation as a National Monument by your authority under the Antiquities Act of 1906. Browns Canyon has been a top priority for protection in Colorado for decades, and a National Monument designation would receive broad local support, offer permanent environmental benefits, and help the local economy.\nOver the past 15 years, I have worked to pass the Colorado Wilderness Act with partners from across the state, and one of my highest priority areas for wilderness designation in that legislation has been Browns Canyon. This area stands out for its unique geologic features, its important wildlife habitats, and the broad recognition that this area is best served by maintaining its pristine condition. Surrounding communities have benefitted tremendously from the fishing and rafting activities nearby on the Upper Arkansas River, and the unique topography in Browns Canyon offers challenging hiking and stunning views.\nAs you may know, both of Colorado\u2019s Senators support National Monument designation for Browns Canyon and have developed legislation to do so. Like Senators Udall and Bennet, I remain committed to legislative action to protect wild areas across Colorado, but the time has come for your administration to hear from Chaffee County stakeholders and consider a National Monument designation. In the short and medium term, Congress will most likely fail to act legislatively, but citizens in the nearby area and across Colorado cannot wait. A National Monument designation will provide environmental and economic certainty and security that Colorado needs.\nI have heard many different opinions as I have traveled the state to build support for new Colorado wilderness areas, but those opinions are often rooted in a set of shared statewide values.\u00a0Coloradoans want to preserve their history, their special quality of life, and their opportunities.\u00a0I believe designation of Browns Canyon as a National Monument would do just that, and I look forward to working with the Administration and my colleagues in Congress to make this happen.\nColorado\u2019s beautiful lands are one of our state\u2019s greatest resources. They not only provide clean air, clean water and critical wildlife habitat, they help drive tourism as our state\u2019s number one economic engine. It is critically important we protect our remaining wild areas so that future generations have access to the same benefits we enjoy today.\nSincerely,\nDiana DeGette  \n\tMember of Congress\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://degette.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/degette-statement-on-president-obama-s-immigration-accountability", "DeGette Statement on President Obamas Immigration Accountability Executive Action", "2014-11-21", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Diana DeGette", "D000197", "degette.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-01) offered the following statement after President Obama announced several Immigration Accountability Executive actions:\n\u201cI am disappointed that the effort to finally reform our immigration system has come to the point where temporary measures dealing with a fraction of the problem carry so much weight. The President\u2019s policy will have a real, but only temporary, effect for less than half of the current undocumented population.\n\u201cAs has been true for years, the way to deal with this problem on an enduring level is for Congress to act; the Senate passed a bill more than 500 days ago, but House Republican leaders persist in their refusal to bring any proposal to a vote. And for every hysterical reaction to tonight\u2019s announcement coming from my colleagues, I would remind them that all it takes to supersede President Obama\u2019s announced action is to pass legislation dealing with our immigration problems. The ball remains in the Republican leaders\u2019 court.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://perlmutter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1116", "Rep. Perlmutter Reacts to President Obamas Executive Action on Immigration", "2014-11-21", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "perlmutter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Perlmutter Reacts to President Obama's Executive Action on Immigration \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, DC,\r\n        November 21, 2014\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n       \r\r\tU.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) released the following statement in response to President Obama's executive order on immigration:\r\r\tPresident Obama's executive order will help provide temporary relief to millions of individuals, families and businesses. The President is using his authority under the law and showing leadership on this critical issue. I've pushed for comprehensive immigration reform since my first day in office in 2007 because we must ensure everyone has an opportunity to contribute to society and achieve the American Dream.\r\r\tTonight's announcement comes as no surprise. More than 500 days have gone by since the Senate passed the bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill yet House Republicans refuse to even debate the issue. In the face of legislative inaction, the President was forced to move our country forward. The President's executive order is a step in the right direction but it is not enough. Congress must act to completely and permanently fix our broken immigration system.\r\r\t###\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141205204504/http://perlmutter.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1439:rep-perlmutter-hosts-first-ever-senior-resource-fair&catid=33:press-releases&Itemid=102", "Rep. Perlmutter Hosts First-Ever Senior Resource Fair", "2014-11-21", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "LAKEWOOD, CO \u2013 More than 100 people attended the first-ever Senior Resource Fair on Friday, November 21st, hosted by Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07).\u00a0 The goal of the event was to provide information about the Medicare Part D enrollment program and other resources to seniors in the 7th Congressional District.\u00a0\n\n\tRepresentatives were on hand from Jefferson County Health and Human Services, Centura Health LINKS, Metro Community Provider Network, Social Security, Colorado VNA Hospice and Palliative Care, Aging Well Project, GSA\u2019s Wellness Team, Meals on Wheels, Jefferson County District Attorney\u2019s office, Audio Information Network, and many others.\u00a0\n\n\tIn total more than 20 organizations participated in the event and helped provide valuable information for seniors, family members and caregivers on a range of senior care issues.\u00a0 Several \u201cIgnite Sessions\u201d were also offered on specific issue areas, such as warning signs of scams, how to detect a stroke, blood pressure check and top ten signs of Alzheimer\u2019s.\n\n\tThe Senior Resource Fair, held at Rep. Perlmutter\u2019s district office, was created after listening to constituents\u2019 needs and in response to the aging demographic in the district.\n\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141205204510/http://perlmutter.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1438:rep-perlmutter-reacts-to-president-obama-s-executive-action-on-immigration&catid=33:press-releases&Itemid=102", "Rep. Perlmutter Reacts to President Obamas Executive Action on Immigration", "2014-11-21", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON D.C. \u2013 U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) released the following statement in response to President Obama\u2019s executive order on immigration:\n\n\t\u201cPresident Obama\u2019s executive order will help provide temporary relief to millions of individuals, families and businesses.\u00a0 The President is using his authority under the law and showing leadership on this critical issue. \u00a0I\u2019ve pushed for comprehensive immigration reform since my first day in office in 2007 because we must ensure everyone has an opportunity to contribute to society and achieve the American Dream.\n\n\tTonight\u2019s announcement comes as no surprise.\u00a0 More than 500 days have gone by since the Senate passed the bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill yet House Republicans refuse to even debate the issue. \u00a0In the face of legislative inaction, the President was forced to move our country forward. The President\u2019s executive order is a step in the right direction but it is not enough.\u00a0 Congress must act to completely and permanently fix our broken immigration system.\u201d\n\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=00079D57-4929-7011-85AE-DF2641F4AD4E", "Bennet Statement on Iran Nuclear Negotiations", "2014-11-21", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC -- Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet issued the following statement on the ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran:\n\"Any potential deal resulting from the ongoing negotiations must prevent Iran from ever becoming a nuclear-armed state. It should limit Iran's use of certain technologies, and include a strong international verification regime to ensure Iran cannot use any break out' or covertly sneak out' tactic to complete such a weapon. Relief from sanctions should be contingent on Iran holding up its end of the bargain.\n\"The current negotiations with Iran represent a historic shift in Iran's relations with the United States and the West. We are hopeful that a deal can be reached and that Congress will be sufficiently consulted throughout this process.\"\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=C0FC0E20-2911-5665-04BD-C3DD51791E5C", "Bennet, Udall Applaud Senate Passage of Bill to Help Four Corners Residents Access Colorado TV News, Emergency Information", "2014-11-21", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall applauded the Senate's passage of a bill that includes a provision to help Four Corners residents access Colorado TV news, weather, sports, and emergency information.\nThe Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act Reauthorization (STELAR) Act will allow satellite providers and local broadcasters to petition the FCC to allow residents of so-called \"orphan counties,\" which receive broadcasts from stations in other states, to receive broadcasts from local, in-state TV stations. La Plata and Montezuma counties in Colorado are considered orphan counties that receive television broadcasts from Albuquerque, New Mexico.\n\"Coloradans in La Plata and Montezuma counties have waited a long time for the opportunity to access local Colorado broadcasts,\" Bennet said. \"The current system doesn't make sense for Southwest Colorado, but this bill will finally give folks a path forward to fix this problem. The President should quickly sign this bill.\"\n\"I was proud to champion provisions in the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Reauthorization Act to give the people of Durango and Cortez access to the news, weather and emergency information most relevant to them. I am gratified the U.S. Senate heeded my calls and passed this common-sense solution today,\" Udall said. \"I urge the president to sign this bill as soon as possible and finally help deliver Colorado TV to Four Corners residents.\"\nBennet and Udall have been longtime proponents of improving communications infrastructure and connectivity throughout Colorado. They previously introduced legislation aimed at bringing Colorado TV to the Four Corners region.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397701", "Polis Applauds Presidents Bold Action on Immigration Reform", "2014-11-20", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jared Polis", "P000598", "polis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 Representative Jared Polis (CO-02) released the following statement applauding President Barack Obama\u2019s announcement that he will take executive action on immigration reform:\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cThe President displayed strong leadership Thursday evening as he announced new executive action that shifts the prosecutorial focus to locking up and deporting real criminals, keeping America safe and strong, rather than tearing apart families who love this country.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cIt has been more than 500 days since the Senate overwhelmingly passed bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform that secures our borders, restores the rule of law, creates millions of jobs, and would reduce the deficit by nearly $1 trillion. I have moved dozens of times to bring up HR 15, the bipartisan House companion bill, on the House floor, but each time my request has been rejected by House Republicans. Like many, I would prefer Congress to act on immigration reform and address our broken system in a comprehensive way, but the Republican leadership has time and time again been unable or unwilling to break the stranglehold of the extreme anti-immigrant wing of their party.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cI look forward to the President\u2019s executive action being implemented and hope that the millions of people living in the shadows, who in many cases remember no other home, can rest a little easier knowing that we will now be going after real criminals, not people simply trying to raise a family and make an honest living. While this is an important step forward, I will continue working tirelessly to bring up comprehensive immigration reform in the House that will secure our border, strengthen our economy, and keep families together.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=441391B6-BA51-D5DC-474C-95A47D6D49E0", "Presidents Executive Action a Result of Congressional Inaction to Fix Broken Immigration System", "2014-11-20", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC -- Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet released the following statement on the President's decision to use his executive authority to fix portions of our broken immigration system:\n\"It has been more than 500 days since the Senate passed a bipartisan bill to fix our broken immigration system with overwhelming support.  Unfortunately, the House of Representatives has not acted on the Senate bill or any other alternative of its own.  In an effort to fix the system where he can, the President is using is executive authority to help millions of families in Colorado and throughout the country stay together and provide a boost to the economy.\n\"These changes are wonderful news for many families and employers in our state and will alleviate an extraordinary amount of anxiety and fear they face every day.  Yet they are temporary measures and do not replace the need for Congress to act.  A bill from Congress would offer a more complete and long-term fix to our immigration system that helps even more Colorado families that are at risk of separation, supports our state's agriculture, tourism, and high-tech industries, updates our antiquated visa system, and upgrades our interior and border security.\n\"This executive action is in line with actions taken by many other presidents, including Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, and Dwight Eisenhower.  While there will be critics of the President's use of his lawful authority, the best path forward is for Congress to pass a bill.\n\"During this year, next year, or in the future, I stand ready and willing to work with any Republican, Democrat, or Independent to produce a bill that will fix our immigration system.  We simply cannot let this languish any longer.\"\nBennet is a member of the bipartisan \"Group of 8\" that introduced the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013 last April following several months of discussions and negotiations with a diverse group of stakeholders. The bill secures our borders, includes a path to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants, makes reforms to an outdated visa system to ensure businesses have access to the workers they need, and includes important worker protections. The Senate passed the bill last June.\nBennet's work on the bill was informed by a statewide conversation on immigration he led that produced a set of principles called the Colorado Compact. Hundreds of statewide leaders spanning the political, business, law enforcement, agricultural, civic, and religious spectrums signed the Compact.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=44FD1189-0DF9-022B-3734-4D81A01D28D3", "GAO Report: Climate Change Will Lead to Higher Costs, More Risk from Flood and Crop Insurance", "2014-11-20", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Climate change will increase costs to taxpayers for the federal flood and crop insurance programs according to a report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) requested by lawmakers in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. If left unchecked, climate change and related increases in the frequency and severity of extreme weather, will likely greatly increase insured and uninsured financial losses across the country.\nThe reportwas requested by Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Tom Udall (D-NM), and Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR).\n\"Colorado can't wait any longer for Washington to address climate change. Unchecked carbon pollution represents a material threat to our state's economy -- from our world class ski areas to our $40 billion agricultural industry,\" Bennet said. \"This report underscores the profound economic costs of inaction.  In this case, those costs stem from dramatically higher payouts on crop and floor insurance claims when natural disasters hit. Washington's failure to act now will leave our kids and grandkids with even tougher decisions - on both climate and our debt and deficit.\"\n\"Iowans have experienced just the sort of intense wind and rain storms, severe flooding, and extreme drought that are predicted to increase with future climate change, a threat we must combat much more boldly,\" said Senator Harkin. \"I'm pleased this report proposes USDA and FEMA adopt stronger reforms designed to reduce potentially huge future crop and property losses which would also save taxpayer dollars. I especially endorse GAO urging USDA to use crop insurance to promote resiliency through soil and water conservation practices, already supported by the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).\"\n\"From rising sea levels and coastal erosion to devastating floods caused by historic storms, there is no doubt that climate change is having a tangible impact on Rhode Island communities.  Today's GAO report is another glaring reminder that we must do more to address the effects of climate change, including how it is affecting the federal crop and flood insurance programs.  Climate change threatens not only our environment, but our economy as well,\" said Senator Reed.\n\"New Mexicans are already seeing the impacts of climate change pollution in the form of severe droughts and floods and more frequent wildfires,\" Udall said. \"The costs of inaction on global warming are real - causing water shortages, hurting farmers and ranchers and driving up insurance rates. I don't need further evidence to urge Congress that we need to take action to reduce the impact of global warming, but I hope this report is a stark wake-up call to others.\"\n\"Climate change is loading the dice in favor of severe weather, and that puts property and crops at risk all over the country,\" said Whitehouse.  \"In Rhode Island in 2010, we experienced historic flooding that cost the state over $200 million in damage to our homes, businesses, and infrastructure.  We need to prepare for catastrophes like the 2010 floods and account for the costs severe weather could impose on important federal programs like flood and crop insurance.  It's time to wake up to the effects of climate change, including the effects on our nation's finances.\"\nThe report finds that between 2007 and 2013, the risk to taxpayers through the federal flood and crop insurance programs has increased 8 percent to $1.4 trillion and is likely to increase dramatically in the future.\nClimate disruptions to agriculture, including drought, flooding, and elevated temperatures, have also increased over the last 40 years and are expected to increase in frequency and severity over the next 25 years. At the U.S. Department of Agriculture, costs to taxpayers for the federal crop insurance program have increased 68 percent since 2007, and actual costs for subsidies and losses have more than doubled since 2001, reaching $7.6 billion in 2012. The expected rise in temperatures and the intensity of precipitation extremes could increase substantially the risk to taxpayers through the federal crop insurance program.\nFEMA is already $24 billion in debt due to extreme weather events like Superstorm Sandy that wreaked havoc along the Eastern seaboard. Additionally, the GAO in 2006 labeled the National Flood Insurance Program as \"high risk\" for long-term insolvency. According to GAO, hurricane-related fiscal losses due to increased storm severity and climate change could increase up to 50 percent by 2040 and 110 percent by 2100.\nWhile public insurers have begun to incorporate climate change adaptations into their planning, the GAO has made two recommendations for FEMA and USDA to better manage the risk to taxpayers:  \tFEMA should update building standards for floodplain management, including additional flood-proofing for resilience to sea-level rise and extreme weather events.  \tUSDA should incorporate climate change resilient agricultural practices into their \"good farming practices\" guidance, such as conservation tillage, water conservation, and modified crop planting dates to sustain long-term production in a changing climate.\nIn addition to the guidance from the GAO to help address the sustainability of the insurance programs, the lawmakers believe Congress must act to address the underlying problem - climate change - to tackle the immediate and long-term risks to taxpayers.\nClick here to download the full report.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=0282237B-8439-95F9-0AF7-891F300534AC", "Bennet, HELP Committee Pass Bill to Speed Development of Ebola Treatments", "2014-11-19", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington D.C. -- Today,  the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee passed a bill cosponsored by Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet to speed the development of treatments and vaccines for Ebola.  The bipartisan measure was led by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), chairman of the HELP Committee, and Ranking Member Lamar Alexander (R-TN).  Bennet is also a member of the HELP Committee.\nThe bill would add Ebola to FDA's priority review \"voucher\" program, a program at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designed to encourage the development of new drugs for neglected tropical diseases.  Currently Ebola is not listed as a qualifying tropical disease.\n\"The Ebola epidemic is not just a West African problem.  It is a global issue that requires our focus and attention,\" Bennet said. \"By prioritizing the development of Ebola treatments to stop the spread of the disease we can harness the innovative minds of the nation's medical community and help reduce illness and death.\"\nThe bill would add Ebola to FDA's priority review voucher program, which Congress first authorized in 2007 to promote the development of new treatments and vaccines for neglected tropical diseases.  Under the program, a developer of a treatment for a qualifying tropical disease receives a voucher for FDA priority review to be used with a second product of its choice, or this voucher can be sold.\nHowever, Ebola is not considered a qualifying disease under current law, so developers of Ebola treatments and vaccines currently do not qualify for the program.  This bill would change that and immediately add Ebola to the program - a step that should be taken given that we need our full arsenal of tools at work.\nLast month, Bennet wrote a letter to the Departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services requesting information on what steps are being taken by these agencies and what Coloradans can do to ensure the state is adequately prepared for any possible scenario that may arise.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=4680BF55-5580-E73E-1869-18BD2BE2035F", "HELP Committee Passes Bennet-Backed Bill to Better Understand Sudden Unexpected Deaths of Children", "2014-11-19", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee advanced a bill cosponsored by Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet to help medical personnel better understand and respond to sudden unexpected deaths of children. The bill establishes uniform protocols for collecting information on infant and child deaths and provides for better training for law enforcement and medical personnel.\n\"Too many families in Colorado have had to endure the unimaginable pain of losing a child and not knowing why,\" Bennet said. \"We can and should do more to help prevent these tragedies in the future. This bill will help medical personnel and researchers gather better data to ensure more families don't have to suffer this type of pain.\"\nThe Sudden Unexpected Death Data Enhancement and Awareness Act will help address the more than 25,000 stillbirths and sudden, unexpected deaths of infants and children that occur every year. It requires the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish uniform protocols for death scene investigations and autopsies surrounding sudden, unexpected deaths of infants and children. It also supports better training for medical personnel that respond to these types of incidents.\nThe bill also requires the CDC to set national reporting standards for state health departments to follow to help disseminate consistent information to law enforcement, medical researchers, and health care providers.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=D491F3EB-0241-CAE5-6473-F781CC4C9BF4", "Longmont Leader Testifies at Senate Finance Committee Hearing on Tax Relief after Natural Disasters", "2014-11-19", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, Longmont resident Sean Cronin testified before the Senate Committee on Finance, Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight's hearing entitled \"Tax Relief after Disaster: How Individuals, Small Businesses, and Communities Recover.\"\nCronin, the Executive Director for the St. Vrain and Left Hand Water Conservancy District, was introduced by Finance Committee member Colorado Senator Michael Bennet and discussed the important role the National Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2014 will play in easing the burden on mutual ditch and reservoir companies rebuilding from 2013 flooding.  Cronin has over 19 years of experience in water resource planning and policy and guided the St. Vrain and Left Hand Water conservancy District's recovery efforts following unprecedented 2013 flooding.\n\"Our agricultural community was hit hard by the floods and we need to ensure that it has every resource available to rebuild,\" Bennet said.  \"There are several changes we can make to help, including updating a law that is hindering farmers' and ranchers' ability to finance water irrigation infrastructure repairs.  We are grateful that Director Cronin came and shared his expertise on behalf of Colorado's ditch and reservoir companies and we will continue working on bills to strengthen and streamline recovery efforts.\"\nMutual ditch and reservoir companies install, operate, and maintain critical water infrastructure necessary for agricultural production - Colorado's fourth largest industry.  Current law dictates that these companies must receive 85 percent of their income from shareholder assessments in order to maintain a tax exempt designation.  Unfortunately, aging water infrastructure and 2013's devastating floods have made it extremely difficult for ditch and irrigation companies to afford to maintain and rebuild infrastructure without receiving income from other sources like land sales or federal disaster relief funding.  The National Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2014 would allow companies operating in disaster areas to raise money from other sources and still maintain their tax exempt status.\nFollowing major disasters such as floods, hurricanes and tornadoes that result in devastating financial losses and infrastructure destruction, the federal government can provide recovery assistance in the form of targeted tax relief. Local experiences with disaster tax relief provisions show that these tools have been effective in relieving financial burdens on individuals, businesses, and municipalities and have helped speed recovery efforts.\nToday's hearing examined current and past law as well as recent proposals for providing tax relief for natural disaster victims. It specifically focused on the effectiveness of various forms of tax relief, the pros and cons of temporary and permanent relief provisions, challenges faced by families, businesses, and municipalities, and ways to improve the tax code to better help taxpayers confront major disasters.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://degette.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/degette-statement-on-keystone-xl-pipeline-vote", "DeGette Statement on Keystone XL Pipeline Vote", "2014-11-17", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Diana DeGette", "D000197", "degette.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-01) issued the following statement after voting against H.R. 5682:\n\u201cWe shouldn\u2019t let politics interfere with scientific review of major projects, but unfortunately, House Republican leadership did just that with today\u2019s vote. The Keystone XL pipeline proposal is undergoing review at the State Department, and this environmental review should be allowed to proceed without Congress getting involved. We should respect the well-established process we have to make sure a project is in the best interest of the country.\u201d\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397700", "Polis Lauds FCC Proposal to Increase High-Speed Broadband Access for Low Income Students", "2014-11-17", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jared Polis", "P000598", "polis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Representative Jared Polis (CO-02) today made the following statement lauding the Federal Communication Commission\u2019s (FCC) proposal to improve and expand the federal E-Rate program: \n\u201cAccess to high-speed broadband is a necessity for our schools and libraries to prepare students to succeed in the 21st century economy. Unfortunately, inequities in access to broadband increase the digital divide -- preventing our most at-risk students from taking full advantage of new technologies and learning tools, and hindering their success in the modern workforce.\n\u201cChairman Wheeler\u2019s proposal addresses the critical need to expand broadband to reach more schools and libraries. I applaud Chairman Wheeler and urge all FCC members to support this move so that more students in Colorado and across the country will be able to take advantage of personalized learning opportunities and succeed in next-generation jobs.\"\nLast December, Rep. Polis led a bipartisan letter to the FCC arguing for swift action to improve and modernize the E-Rate program. You can find the full text of the letter here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=83E779DC-5504-93C3-DD8E-1DC6DA7159FA", "Bill to Improve Child Care for Colorado Families Heads to President's Desk with Bennet Provision", "2014-11-17", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A provision sponsored by U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and Republican Senator Johnny Isakson from Georgia to promote a more coordinated system of early learning and care programs is on its way to the President's desk as a part of the reauthorization of the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act.\nThe bill reauthorizing the CCDBG program is designed to improve the quality of early learning and care programs and increase access to child care by providing funding for care to low-income families, allowing parents to work or attend school.  In addition to provisions to strengthen program quality, the act includes measures to require background checks for child care providers receiving CCDBG funds, require that programs receiving CCDBG funds pass a state inspection, and ensure that inspection results are available to parents.\n \n\"We know the important and influential role early childhood education and care has on a child's success,\" Bennet said. \"This bill helps to ensure that all kids can benefit from these essential early childhood learning programs and that parents have access to quality child care so that they can work to support their families. We devised our amendment with Senator Isakson to find ways to make states and programs operate smarter and more efficiently.   By coordinating federal, state and local resources, we'll help cut down on unnecessary work and promote a more integrated system while ensuring that we're actually meeting the needs of children and families.\"\n \nThe Bennet-Isakson amendment helps states identify where funding streams can better complement each other, promoting a more integrated system of early learning and care programs.  It also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide guidance and information on best practices regarding the use of funding combined by states.  It was cosponsored by Senators Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Mark Kirk (R-IL).  Greater coordination among these funding streams will help ensure that resources are being used to their maximum potential and that programs are responsive to the needs of families.\nThe bill also includes a provision aimed at encouraging public-private partnerships to leverage existing service delivery systems and increase the supply and quality of child care services. This provision expressly highlights the implementation of shared services alliance models, like the innovative model employed by Colorado-based Merage Foundation's Early Learning Ventures, as a potential method for achieving these goals.\nAccess to quality, affordable childcare is essential for working families, particularly for low-income families. Childcare is the largest household expense for dual income households and in 2012-2013 increased up to eight times the rate of family income.  Studies show that access to quality childcare not only increases women's participation in the labor force and positively effects children, but also that every dollar invested in high-quality early education provides a greater savings in increased graduation rates and reduced rates of violent crime and teen pregnancy.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397699", "Polis Grand County Land Protection Bill Approved by House", "2014-11-14", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jared Polis", "P000598", "polis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Arapaho National Forest Boundary Adjustment Act of 2014, sponsored by Representative Jared Polis (CO-02), passed the U.S. House of Representatives by unanimous voice vote yesterday. The bill protects a \u201cwedge\u201d of land in Grand County, located between Rocky Mountain National Park and Arapaho National Forest, by incorporating the parcel into the Arapaho National Forest. The bill also authorizes the federal government to acquire land within the designated area by donation or exchange from willing sellers. \r\nRepresentative Polis testified at a House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation hearing in support of the bill on September 9, 2014. The House Committee on Natural Resources later passed the legislation by unanimous consent on September 18, 2014. \r\n\u201cI am thrilled that the House has recognized the tremendous benefits of incorporating this new parcel into the Arapaho National Forest, including preventing development which could impact the adjoining Colorado River headwaters\u201d said Rep. Polis. \u201cArapaho National Forest is visited by millions of people every year, and the inclusion of this \u2018wedge\u2019 will ensure its natural beauty will be preserved and enjoyed by generations to come.\u201d\r\nThis bill is supported by the Grand County Board of County Commissioners, the Town of Grand Lake, the Headwaters Trails Alliance, and Conservation Colorado, along with all of the affected private landowners.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=60D1F8DB-003E-AF4D-38D7-159BA9DF8140", "Local Communities, Bennet, Tipton Reach Agreement on Hermosa Creek Bill; Senate Committee Advances Bill to Full Senate", "2014-11-13", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Local communities in Southwest Colorado, along with Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and U.S. Representative Scott Tipton, have struck an agreement on a bill to protect the Hermosa Creek watershed.  The new version of the bill was passed with bipartisan support by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today.  Senator Mark Udall, a cosponsor of the bill and member of the committee, spoke and voted in favor of the bill.  Passage in committee sets up the bill for consideration by the full Senate. Bennet and Tipton are working together to find a path forward to pass the bill into law before the end of the year.\nThe bill would protect more than 100,000 acres of the Hermosa Creek Watershed, an area in the San Juan National Forest north of Durango. It would establish a management plan for the watershed based on recommendations from the Hermosa Creek River Protection Workgroup, which included local water officials, conservationists, sportsmen, mountain bikers, off-road-vehicle users, outfitters, property owners, grazing permit holders, and other interested citizens.\n\"The Hermosa Creek watershed represents some of the best that Colorado has to offer.  Whether it's stunning vistas, the solitude of wilderness, backcountry trout fishing, or opportunities for motorized recreation - this area is one of our state's treasures.  Communities in Southwest Colorado have proven they can work together and find common ground to protect this remarkable place,\" Bennet said. \"This bipartisan bill represents consensus among these communities to balance the land's competing uses and will provide certainty for how the land will be managed in the future.  Congress should quickly pass this bill to provide a much-deserved victory to Southwest Colorado.\"\n\"As we worked through the legislative process some of the language in the initial draft of the Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act needed to be clarified to ensure that the community's goals would be carried out, without the risk of misinterpretation by federal agencies once the bill became law,\" said Tipton. \"We are now able to move forward a version of the bill that has the best chance of advancing through both the House and Senate thanks to the hard work and willingness of local stakeholders to come together and compromise. The agreed upon language we have today ensures the community's original goals remain intact, including wilderness protections and multiple use access for existing activities like grazing and snowmobiling in designated areas. This would be a win for the region and we strongly urge our colleagues in Congress to support it.\"\n\"Hermosa Creek is at the heart of southwestern Colorado's stunning beauty and boundless opportunities for outdoor recreation. That's why I'm proud we're moving forward to protect this special place,\" Udall said. \"This well-crafted, bipartisan and truly homegrown Colorado bill will protect more than 100,000 acres of pristine land, while carefully preserving existing uses, including water, grazing and recreation.\"\n\"I look forward to a successful passage of this new version of the Hermosa Creek bill as it represents years of community work and support to find a way forward that represents the values of our community,\" Durango Mayor Sweetie Marbury said. \"I thank Senator Bennet, Senator Udall and Congressman Tipton for their tireless work to move this legislation forward on our behalf. \"\n\"The Hermosa Creek Watershed legislation provides for the  release of the Wilderness Study Area on Molas Pass  between Silverton and Durango.  This release is a big win for the snowmobile community, as the Molas Pass area is an important riding area for the snowmobile community and a large economic driver for the Winter economy of the Town of Silverton community,\" Scott Jones, vice president of the Colorado Snowmobile Association, said. \"These riding opportunities and important economic benefits would have been lost without this legislation. Our deepest gratitude to Congressman Tipton and Senator Bennet's  offices and everyone that worked so hard to make this legislation a reality.\"\n\"I am proud to lend my support to the bipartisan Hermosa Creek bill,\" Governor John Hickenlooper said. \"Today's vote is a great step forward for the communities in Southwest Colorado that worked tirelessly to achieve consensus on the legislation. I hope that Congress can enact this homegrown Colorado solution before the end of this Congress.\"\n\"The Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act represents a great model for legislation. It started as an agreement among local stakeholders, people actually affected by the bill, and I hope it successfully concludes through bipartisan cooperation on Capitol Hill before the end of the year,\" Julie Westendorff, chair of the La Plata County Commission, said. \"Water is one of La Plata County and Southwest Colorado's most precious resources. The Hermosa Creek bill ensures that clean water will feed the Animas River for our farmers, ranchers, fisheries and recreation and help fortify our water security into the future. We thank Senator Bennet and his staff and Congressman Tipton and his staff for their diligence and commitment to keeping the Hermosa Creek bill a reflection of what our community worked for and supported.\"\n\"The Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act is the product of years of community work and cooperation to create a piece of legislation that honors the diverse values of our mountain communities,\" Pete McKay, San Juan County Commissioner, said. \"I think this new version of the bill reflects our partnerships and ability to come to a common sense compromise that works for everyone. This bill has something for everyone in our community including our snowmobilers who depend on Molas Pass for their wintertime riding which will be preserved in this bill and help Silverton's winter economy prosper. I hope Congress can come together to enact this legislation before the end of the year.\"\nThe bill would designate approximately 70,650 acres of the San Juan Nation Forest land as the Hermosa Creek Special Management Area. Much of the land would remain open to all historic uses of the forest under the bill, including mountain biking, motorized recreation, and selective timber harvesting.  Grazing will continue to be allowed in the entire watershed.\nIn accordance with the consensus recommendations of the Hermosa Creek Workgroup, roughly 38,000 acres of the watershed would be set aside as wilderness, to be managed in accordance with the Wilderness Act of 1964.  No roads or mineral development are permitted in wilderness areas; while hunting, fishing, horseback riding and non-mechanized recreation are allowed.\nSupporters of the bill include the City of Durango, the La Plata County Commission, the San Juan County Commission, the Durango Chamber of Commerce, the Wilderness Society, Trails 2000, Four Corners Back County Horsemen, Jo Grant Mining Company, Inc., and the Colorado Off Highway Vehicle Coalition, in addition to numerous other business and sportsmen groups.\nAdditional Supporters:\n\"We are grateful to Rep. Tipton and Senator Bennet for listening to our community and responding to our feedback asking for support of the community-consensus language in the Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act. The compromise our Congressmen have reached is a good example of democracy at its best. I encourage Rep. Tipton and Senator Bennet to continue working together in this bipartisan effort to pass the Hermosa Creek bill.\"  - Mike Hurst, Carver Brewing Company\n\"We want to thank Rep. Tipton and Senator Bennet for finding a compromise on the Hermosa Creek bill and being responsive to our community needs. We sincerely hope they are able to continue working together to get the Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act passed by the end of the year.\"  - Tim Wheeler, Durango Coffee Company\n\"Thank you so much to Rep. Tipton and Senator Bennet for their work on the Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act.  That area is very important to not only us but our customers and our community as well.  Great work on finding a compromise that supports all parties involved.\"  - Miles Venzara, Pine Need Mountaineering\n\"Both locals and tourists from around the world come to Durango for our incredible access to mountains, forests, and desert ecosystems. Hermosa Creek is a truly exceptional area and a real asset to our community due to its multi-use nature; horsemen, hikers, bikers, hunters and anglers, and off-road vehicles all enjoy the trails in the Hermosa watershed, and we thank Rep. Tipton and Senator Bennet in their ongoing efforts to protect it. Preserving Hermosa Creek and our access to it is a priority for our business and local community - we encourage Rep. Tipton and Senator Bennet to continue moving the Hermosa Creek bill forward together.\"  - Ken Fagerlin, Backcountry Experience", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141112190920/http://perlmutter.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1436:veterans-and-military-families&catid=33:press-releases&Itemid=102", "Perlmutter Honors Veterans and Military Families", "2014-11-12", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Perlmutter Honors Veterans and Military Families\t\t \n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\tLAKEWOOD, CO \u2013 Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) released the following statement in honor of Veterans Day and Military Families Appreciation Month:\n\n\t\"I am both humbled and inspired by the men and women of the U.S. military whose service and sacrifice work to preserve freedom and ensure our national security.\u00a0 I also want to honor and recognize the families of our military men and women for their sacrifice and courage. Today and everyday it\u2019s important to pay tribute to our veterans, active duty personnel and their families.\n\n\tEnsuring all veterans and their families receive the support, benefits and resources they need and deserve remains one of my highest priorities.\u00a0We must honor our soldiers by providing them with the best medical care possible and securing their hard earned benefits upon returning home.\u00a0 That is why\u00a0I remain committed to building a new VA hospital to serve veterans across the Rocky Mountain region and improving transparency and accountability within the VA.\u00a0\n\n\tThis Veterans Day, I would like to extend my deepest thanks and appreciation to all our veterans and their families for their continued service to our community and to our country.\"\n\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=C938593F-8C2D-E9B5-523F-3E0DB662F658", "Bennet, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Speed Development of Ebola Treatments", "2014-11-12", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today joined Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Ranking Member Lamar Alexander (R-TN) to introduce a bill to speed the development of treatments and vaccines for Ebola.\nThe bipartisan bill would add Ebola to FDA's priority review \"voucher\" program, a program at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designed to encourage the development of new drugs for neglected tropical diseases.  Currently Ebola is not listed as a qualifying tropical disease.\n\"The growing Ebola epidemic in West Africa requires our attention,\" Bennet said. \"This bill will encourage Colorado's innovative bioscience community to continue their work on treatments to combat the spread of this disease. With an increased focus on fighting Ebola, medical personnel will be able to reverse the spread in Africa and ensure outbreaks don't occur elsewhere.\"\nThe bill would add Ebola to FDA's priority review voucher program, which Congress first authorized in 2007 to promote the development of new treatments and vaccines for neglected tropical diseases.  Under the program, a developer of a treatment for a qualifying tropical disease receives a voucher for FDA priority review to be used with a second product of its choice, or this voucher can be sold.\nHowever, Ebola is not considered a qualifying disease under current law, so developers of Ebola treatments and vaccines currently do not qualify for the program. This bill would change that and immediately add Ebola to the program - a step that should be taken given that we need our full arsenal of tools at work.\nThe bill is also cosponsored by Senators Richard Burr (R-NC), Robert Casey (D-PA), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Al Franken (D-MN), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).\nLast month, Bennet wrote a letter to the Departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services requesting information on what steps are being taken by these agencies and what Coloradans can do to ensure the state is adequately prepared for any possible scenario that may arise.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://perlmutter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1112", "Perlmutter Honors Veterans and Military Families", "2014-11-11", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "perlmutter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Perlmutter Honors Veterans and Military Families \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Lakewood, CO,\r\n        November 11, 2014\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n       \r\r\tToday, U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) released the following statement in honor of Veterans Day and Military Families Appreciation Month:\r\r\t\"I am both humbled and inspired by the men and women of the U.S. military whose service and sacrifice work to preserve freedom and ensure our national security. I also want to honor and recognize the families of our military men and women for their sacrifice and courage. Today and everyday it's important to pay tribute to our veterans, active duty personnel and their families.\r\r\tEnsuring all veterans and their families receive the support, benefits and resources they need and deserve remains one of my highest priorities.We must honor our soldiers by providing them with the best medical care possible and securing their hard earned benefits upon returning home. That is whyI remain committed to building a new VA hospital to serve veterans across the Rocky Mountain region and improving transparency and accountability within the VA.\r\r\tThis Veterans Day, I would like to extend my deepest thanks and appreciation to all our veterans and their families for their continued service to our community and to our country.\"\r\r\t###\r\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=896311BA-4F15-4763-C1FF-A899D08504AA", "Bennet Statement in Honor of Veterans Day", "2014-11-11", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Denver, CO -  Senator Michael Bennet released the following statement today in honor of Veterans Day:\n \nOn Veterans Day, we take time to honor the invaluable contributions our veterans have made to this country and reaffirm our commitment to these heroes and their families. From the Greatest Generation storming the shores of Normandy and Iwo Jima, to today's generation of veterans serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom their courage and commitment to their county has never wavered. We must continue our work to ensure the efficient delivery of the benefits they have earned by answering the call to service and ensure that they are welcomed home with respect and opportunity. As Coloradans, we share a special commitment to our service members and strive to make our state the best place in the country for veterans to live and work. Happy Veterans Day to the best and bravest of our citizens in Colorado and across the nation.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=7842EBF5-9658-2989-1686-A17A0F7B7F73", "Northwest Colorado Schools Win $2.9 Million for Teacher Development", "2014-11-06", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet announced that Northwest Colorado Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) won a $2,914,997 grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Investing in Innovation (i3) grant program to provide teachers with strong professional development assistance through its innovative System for Educator Effectiveness Development (SEED) project.\n\"Teachers in small schools and rural communities often face unique challenges to ensure they have the best tools and resources to educate our kids,\" Bennet said. \"The Northwest Colorado BOCES is working to meet those challenges and leading the country with innovative solutions to teacher professional development to ensure that their teachers are well-prepared and have access to new technologies and effective support in their careers. This grant is a smart investment in our rural teachers who are responsible for preparing our kids for the 21st century global economy.\"\nThe SEED project provides K-12 teachers in Northwest Colorado with dynamic, blended learning professional development that is linked to its teacher evaluation system. Teachers gain access to an interactive online bank of resources and Teacher Learning Communities to aid in their continued development.\nBennet wrote to Education Secretary Arne Duncan in support of the Northwest Colorado BOCES grant application.\nThe i3 program is aimed at developing innovative approaches to improve student achievement and replicating effective strategies across the country.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=5BEDD965-A066-C6C1-00C6-AFE0BDBF65F1", "Hickenlooper, Udall, Bennet, Tipton Press Interior Secretary to Approve Balanced Resolution to Long-Running Roan Plateau Dispute", "2014-10-22", "2014", "2014-10", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Governor John Hickenlooper, U.S. Senators Mark Udall and Michael Bennet, and Congressman Scott Tipton pressed U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell today to approve a collaborative, balanced settlement to the long-running dispute over the future of the Roan Plateau. Hickenlooper, Udall, Bennet and Tipton said the settlement -- worked out by conservationists, the energy industry and community stakeholders -- offers \"a unique opportunity\" to allow for responsible development of the plateau's natural resources and protection of sensitive wildlife habitat.\n\"This agreement represents the collaboration of the oil and gas industry, environmental organizations, many local governments, the state of Colorado and our respective offices,\" Hickenlooper, Udall, Bennet and Tipton wrote. \"While the settlement requires a temporary drawback of state and federal funds, collaborators and the state of Colorado have committed to ensuring that local governments will not ultimately lose any resources they realized through the initial lease sale that prompted the litigation. With this last important condition, the local governments in question support the proposed agreement.\n\"We request that you take prompt action to finalize the proposed settlement agreement.\"\nThe battle over how to balance the development and protection of the Roan Plateau, home to both wildlife and natural gas reserves, has gone on for more than a decade. The settlement, which Hickenlooper, Udall, Bennet and Tipton support, would balance those competing interests by safeguarding the most ecologically sensitive parts of the Roan Plateau and allowing for the orderly development of the area's natural gas resources.\nLocal leaders from Mesa County and Garfield County also support the settlement.\nHere is the full letter:\n \nSecretary Jewell,\nWe are writing to request your assistance in finalizing a legal settlement to govern Western Colorado's Roan Plateau. The land underlying the Plateau contains significant natural gas resources, while the Plateau also contains important habitat for elk, mule deer, and native Colorado cutthroat trout. These oftentimes competing resources have made the Roan a center of controversy for well over a decade.\nToday, a unique opportunity exists to resolve that controversy. As you know, parties to the ongoing Roan lawsuit have proposed a settlement to protect the most ecologically sensitive parts of the Roan, while providing for the orderly development of the area's natural gas resources. This proposed settlement would resolve the ongoing lawsuit and end the uncertainty that has plagued the local communities and industry.\nThis agreement represents the collaboration of the oil and gas industry, environmental organizations, many local governments, the state of Colorado and our respective offices. While the settlement requires a temporary drawback of state and federal funds, collaborators and the state of Colorado have committed to ensuring that local governments will not ultimately lose any resources they realized through the initial lease sale that prompted the litigation. With this last important condition, the local governments in question support the proposed agreement.\nWe request that you take prompt action to finalize the proposed settlement agreement. Thank you for your consideration.\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=85DB4BA6-52D1-0016-86EF-2332381D50AD", "Bennet, Udall: New Farm Bill Program Will Help Colorado Producers Affected by Severe Weather", "2014-10-21", "2014", "2014-10", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall today welcomed Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack's announcement that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will implement a new Farm Bill initiative aimed at helping farmers and ranchers affected by severe weather, including drought.\nThe Actual Production History (APH) Yield Exclusion would provide farmers an option to exclude low yields in their APH in cases of significantly lower yields due to drought or other natural disasters.\n\"From severe drought to devastating floods, Colorado's farmers have been dealt a difficult hand over the past several years,\" Bennet said. \"The APH initiative we included in the Farm Bill will help protect our producers when these natural disasters take their toll. Our producers are a resilient group of folks, and this program will help them in the worst of circumstances. We know Colorado farmers have been anxiously waiting for this program to be implemented, and we are glad to see it moving forward.\"\n\"I am thankful Secretary Vilsack heeded my calls to implement this important reform to our nation's farm safety-net system,\" Udall said. \"Colorado farmers and ranchers face unprecedented challenges with severe droughts, wildfires and other natural disasters. Our farmers need to have access to the best available science, research and risk management tools, in order to continue feeding our country, which is why I fought hard to pass a comprehensive, bipartisan Farm Bill. I am gratified to see this program moving forward and I will continue to push the USDA to swiftly implement the 2014 Farm Bill changes.  Our farmers and ranchers have waited long enough.\"\nLast week, Bennet and Udall urged USDA to expedite the implementation of this program.\nThe APH Yield Exclusion allows farmers to exclude yields in exceptionally bad years (such as a year in which a natural disaster or other extreme weather occurs) from their production history when calculating yields used to establish their crop insurance coverage. The level of insurance coverage available to a farmer is based on the farmer's average recent yields.  In the past, a year of particularly low yields that occurred due to severe weather beyond the farmer's control would reduce the level of insurance coverage available to the farmer in future years. By excluding unusually bad years, farmers will not have to worry that a natural disaster will reduce their insurance coverage for years to come.\nSpring crops eligible for APH Yield Exclusion include corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, grain sorghum, rice, barley, canola, sunflowers, peanuts, and popcorn. Nearly three-fourths of all acres and liability in the federal crop insurance program will be eligible for APH Yield Exclusion.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=BB233352-53FA-BBCC-C434-9A4F39A7AEEE", "CoBank Receives $250 Million Loan Guarantee to Improve Rural Electric Infrastructure", "2014-10-16", "2014", "2014-10", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Denver, CO - Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet announced that CoBank, headquartered in Greenwood Village, will receive a $250 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to improve the delivery of electric power to rural communities. The investment will support CoBank's efforts to help rural communities in Colorado and throughout the country deliver reliable and affordable electricity to their residents and businesses.\n\"Rural communities throughout Colorado and throughout the country are ready to get to work on much-needed infrastructure improvements to meet their 21st century needs, and local officials are looking for new ways to make sure they have the right financing and resources to complete them,\" Bennet said. \"Having a partner like CoBank that is ready to invest in these communities and support their efforts to provide reliable electricity will help boost economic growth.\"\nCoBank's loan guarantee is part of a $1.4 billion investment USDA is making to improve the delivery of electricity to rural communities in 21 states.\nCoBank is a national cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water, and communications providers in all 50 states.\nEarlier this year, Bennet introduced the Partnership to Build America Act with Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO). The Bennet-Blunt proposal establishes a $50 billion infrastructure fund that can potentially support hundreds of billions in loan guarantees and financing authority for state and local governments. The fund would finance transportation, energy, communications, water, and education infrastructure projects.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=C7DC8E3C-D7CB-5BB4-5126-1A7B5F82D824", "CoBank Receives $250 Million Loan Guarantee to Improve Rural Electric Infrastructure", "2014-10-16", "2014", "2014-10", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Denver, CO - Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet announced that CoBank, headquartered in Greenwood Village, will receive a $250 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to improve the delivery of electric power to rural communities. The investment will support CoBank's efforts to help rural communities in Colorado and throughout the country deliver reliable and affordable electricity to their residents and businesses.\n\"Rural communities throughout Colorado and throughout the country are ready to get to work on much-needed infrastructure improvements to meet their 21st century needs, and local officials are looking for new ways to make sure they have the right financing and resources to complete them,\" Bennet said. \"Having a partner like CoBank that is ready to invest in these communities and support their efforts to provide reliable electricity will help boost economic growth.\"\nCoBank's loan guarantee is part of a $1.4 billion investment USDA is making to improve the delivery of electricity to rural communities in 21 states.\nCoBank is a national cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water, and communications providers in all 50 states.\nEarlier this year, Bennet introduced the Partnership to Build America Act with Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO). The Bennet-Blunt proposal establishes a $50 billion infrastructure fund that can potentially support hundreds of billions in loan guarantees and financing authority for state and local governments. The fund would finance transportation, energy, communications, water, and education infrastructure projects.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=151915A8-13AD-910C-5343-189D96EAC5E9", "USDA Designates Six Colorado Counties Disaster Areas Due to Hailstorm Losses", "2014-10-15", "2014", "2014-10", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Denver, CO -- Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated six Colorado counties as disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by a hailstorm that occurred July 16, 2014.\nLoss assessment reports completed by the Colorado State Executive Director of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) triggered the secretarial disaster designations. The designations make farmers and ranchers in Otero, Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Las Animas, and Pueblo counties eligible for assistance from the Farm Service Agency.\n\"Colorado's farmers and ranchers know well how unexpected changes in weather can hamper their operations. Thankfully, we have a system in place to support these producers when weather events like last summer's hailstorm cause heavy damages,\" Bennet said. \"These designations will make crucial assistance available to producers still dealing with those losses.\"\nProducers in counties designated as primary or contiguous disaster areas are eligible to be considered for FSA emergency loans. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the disaster declaration to apply for assistance.\nLocal FSA offices can provide affected farmers and ranchers with additional information:\nBent County Farm Service Agency  760 Bent Ave.  Las Animas, CO 81054-1730   (719) 456-0120\nOtero County Farm Service Agency  (Also serves Crowley County)  200 S. 10th St.  Rocky Ford, CO 81067-1714  (719) 254-7672, ext. 2\nKiowa County Farm Service Agency  409 E. Lowell  Eads, CO 81036  (719) 438-5851\nLas Animas Farm Service Agency  3590 E. Main St.  Trinidad, CO 81082  (719) 846-3681\nPueblo County Farm Service Agency  200 South Santa Fe Ave., 4th Floor  Pueblo, CO 81003  (719) 543-8386\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=5DED986E-12E3-E064-C570-14F263D25AD7", "New $6 Million Grant to Train Colorado Workers for Ready to Fill Jobs in Advanced Manufacturing and IT", "2014-10-15", "2014", "2014-10", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - Colorado U.S. Senators Mark Udall and Michael Bennet welcomed a new grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to train Colorado long-term unemployed workers in Advance Manufacturing and Information Technology - two fields that are growing in Colorado.  The grant will serve communities in the Front Range and Western Slope including Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, Larimer, Mesa, and Weld counties.\nThe Technology Employment in Colorado Partnership (TEC-P), a coalition of workforce development boards, colleges, and employers in IT and advanced manufacturing, will use the funding for a three step process to put long term unemployed workers back on the job.  The steps include intensive coaching, on the job training with an earning component, and certification and credentials workers need to land a job in their targeted fields.\n\"Colorado's economy is growing and Main Street businesses across the state are helping us win the global economic race. It's important, though, that even as Colorado recovers, we don't leave anyone behind,\" Udall said. \"This competitive grant will help Colorado's long-term unemployed get back to work.\n\"Colorado is a national leader growing 21st century jobs, but we're still facing a skills gap.\" Bennet said.  \"This grant will help us train and match workers with the skills they need to fill openings in growing industries in Colorado.  We're fortunate to have a coalition like TEC-P that is bringing the public and private sectors together to meet or workforce needs.\"\nThe Denver Office of Economic Development will work with TEC-P to lead the administration of the grant.  TEC-P includes employers such as Iconergy, Live Consulting, Lifeloc Technologies, Lockheed Martin, IBM, Networks Unlimited, CAPCO, Denver Energy Group, Lewis Engineering, Spirea, and Wolf Robotics.  The Western Colorado manufacturing Alliance, Colorado Technology Association, and Manufacturer's Edge are industry associations that are participating as well as education partners Colorado Community College System, Community College of Aurora, Community College of Denver, Front Range Community College, Red Rocks Community College, and Western Colorado Community College.  Workforce partners include Colorado Urban Workforce Alliance, Arapahoe/Douglas Works!, Workforce Boulder County, American Job Center serving Jefferson, Clear Creek and Gilpin counties, Larimer County Workforce Center and Mesa County Workforce Center.\nThe grant is part of the Department of Labor's Ready to Work Partnership initiative to support and scale innovative collaborations between employers, nonprofit organizations and federal job training programs to help connect ready-to-work Americans with ready-to-be-filled jobs.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=449A9F0A-1C8F-3CC1-5434-43FC70F979C0", "Bennet, Bipartisan Group of Senators Fight to Ensure Health Care Policies Support Rural Communities", "2014-10-09", "2014", "2014-10", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) joined Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and John Thune (R-SD) and a group of 32 senators to convey concerns to the Administration that federal rules for health care facilities do not adequately consider the needs of rural communities.  In a letter to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Marilyn Tavenner, the senators pressed for details about whether and how the agency is incorporating rural health care experts earlier in the rule-drafting process. They also called for comprehensive information on the rulemaking process. Noting that recent policy decisions have not adequately reflected the reality of health delivery in rural areas, the senators called on CMS to work toward practices and standards that take rural health facilities into account during its initial rulemaking process. Such efforts would help make sure seniors, families, veterans, and others can access services they need in their communities, rather than forcing them to travel long distances for care.  In the letter to CMS Administrator Tavenner the senators wrote:  \"We remain concerned these policy decisions do not reflect the reality of providing care in rural communities, and we request additional details on these consultation efforts in advance of future rulemaking.  The proportion of elderly rural Americans continues to grow, and even small policy changes or incremental payment adjustments have a significant impact on access to care in rural areas. Medicare beneficiaries should be able to obtain care within their own communities when possible, and we are committed to ensuring federal policies recognize and incorporate the unique challenges rural providers face.\" Click here to view the full version of the letter.  The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) and the American Hospital Association (AHA) both support the senators' letter.\nBennet, Heitkamp, and Thune were joined in the letter by Senators Tim Johnson (D-SD), John Hoeven (R-ND), John Barrasso (R-WY), John Tester (D-MT), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Susan Collins (R-ME), David Vitter (R-LA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Dan Coats (R-IN), Richard Burr (R-NC), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Mike Johanns (R-NE), Mark Pryor (D-AR), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Cornyn (R-TX), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Mark Udall (D-CO), and Al Franken (D-MN).\n  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=FC06E8FB-427A-C584-D200-B69DC41B8659", "FDA Moves Forward on Bennet-Authored Track & Trace System for Prescription Drugs", "2014-10-09", "2014", "2014-10", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Denver, CO -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced draft guidance to help pharmacies, manufacturers, distributors and other stakeholders in the pharmaceutical drug industry understand licensing standards and requirements under a new uniform system to track all prescription drugs from manufacture to the drug store. Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet co-authored the Drug Quality and Security Act, which establishes the track-and-trace system to help secure the drug distribution supply chain.\n\"We're glad the FDA is moving forward to restore confidence in our drug supply chain and protect our families from potential health risks,\" Bennet said. \"We will carefully review the FDA's guidance to ensure it works for everyone along the supply chain. Coloradans deserve to know that their prescription drugs are safe and effective, and this new track and trace system will help us accomplish that.\"\nBennet helped write the drug supply chain security provisions of the Drug Quality and Security Act, which are based off a bill he introduced with Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) last year after working to find consensus for several years.\nUnder the prescription drug security provisions of the bill, the FDA will know who has handled which drugs and when they handled them, preventing counterfeit or stolen pharmaceuticals from being sold back into the system and allowing the FDA to respond to recalls and shortages more quickly and efficiently.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=8B5CC979-BB8C-A28A-32D8-A284F1FDE88E", "Early 2014 Deep Freeze Triggers USDA Disaster Designations for Eight Colorado Counties", "2014-10-08", "2014", "2014-10", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated eight Colorado counties as disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by severe freezes that occurred between December 4, 2013 and May 15, 2014.\nLoss assessment reports were completed last month, which triggered the secretarial disaster designations. The designations make farmers and ranchers in Delta, Garfield, Gunnison, Mesa, Montrose, Ouray, Pitkin, and San Miguel counties eligible for assistance from the Farm Service Agency.\n\"Unpredictable weather often provides a unique challenge for Colorado's farmers and ranchers. Deep freezes, persistent drought, and severe thunderstorms can wreak havoc on their operations throughout the state,\" Bennet said. \"Thankfully, we have a system in place to support these producers when they suffer heavy losses due to weather. These designations will make crucial assistance available to producers along the Western Slope.\"\nProducers in counties designated as primary or contiguous disaster areas are eligible to be considered for FSA emergency loans. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the disaster declaration to apply for assistance.\nLocal FSA offices can provide affected farmers and ranchers with additional information:\nDelta County Farm Service Agency  690 Industry Blvd  Delta, CO 81416-2812  (970) 874-5726\nMontrose County Farm Service Agency  (Also serving Gunnison and Ouray counties)  102 Par Pl  Montrose, CO 81401-4144  (970) 249-8407\nGarfield County Farm Service Agency  (Also serving Pitkin County)  258 Center Dr  Glenwood Springs, CO 81601  (970) 945-5494\nDolores County Farm Service Agency  (Also serving San Miguel County)  408 Main St  Dove Creek, CO 81324-0010  (970) 677-2229\nMesa County Farm Service Agency  2738 Crossroads Blvd  Grand Junction, CO 81506-3933  (970) 242-4511 ext 103", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397698", "Polis Lauds Corporate Pledge to Protect Student Data from Misuse", "2014-10-07", "2014", "2014-10", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jared Polis", "P000598", "polis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Representative Jared Polis (CO-02) today praised the signing of a pledge by major K-12 school service providers to safeguard student privacy by creating standards regarding the collection, maintenance, and use of student personal information. Earlier this year, Rep. Polis and Rep. Luke Messer (R-IN) called upon providers to take leadership in this important area, and convened a working group dedicated to this purpose.\r\n\u201cThe potential of using student data to drive effective instruction and personalize education is promising,\" said Rep. Polis. \"While there can be tremendous benefits from this data, we must ensure that there are appropriate safeguards to protect student privacy. I am pleased that these companies have taken an important step in making a commitment to parents, educators, and communities. This voluntary pledge can help address parents' legitimate concerns about privacy issues and help keep us on track towards new and exciting educational developments for all students.\u201d\r\nThe Pledge would make clear that school service providers are accountable to:\r\n \r\n    Not sell student information\r\n    Not behaviorally target advertising\r\n    Use data for authorized education purposes only\r\n    Not change privacy policies without notice and choice\r\n    Enforce strict limits on data retention\r\n    Support parental access to, and correction of errors in, their children\u2019s\u00a0 information\r\n    Provide comprehensive security standards\r\n    Be transparent about collection and use of data  \r\n \r\nThe Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) and the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) led this effort following requests from Rep. Polis to ensure student privacy was protected while not stifling innovation in education technology and personalized learning.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141010000830/http://perlmutter.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1430:rep-perlmutter-recognized-as-legislator-of-the-year-for-affordable-housing-efforts&catid=33:press-releases&Itemid=102", "Rep. Perlmutter Recognized as Legislator of the Year for Affordable Housing Efforts", "2014-10-07", "2014", "2014-10", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Perlmutter Recognized as \u201cLegislator of the Year\u201d for Affordable Housing Efforts\t\t \n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\tLAKEWOOD, CO \u2013 On October 6, 2014, Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) was recognized as \u201cLegislator of the Year\u201d for his significant contributions and support for affordable housing by the Colorado chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO).\u00a0 Since being elected to Congress in 2006, Rep. Perlmutter has served on the House Financial Services Committee which has jurisdiction over many issues including housing programs such as Public Housing and all HUD programs.\n\n\t\u201cI\u2019m honored to be recognized by NAHRO and many of their hardworking housing advocates,\u201d said Rep. Perlmutter.\u00a0 \u201cStable housing represents so much more than just four walls and a roof.\u00a0 Affordable housing provides opportunities for working families in Colorado to maintain a job, provide for their family, and have a place they can call home.\u201d\u00a0\n\n\tDuring his time in Congress, Rep. Perlmutter has worked to help secure a \"Sustainable Community Initiative\" grant worth $4.5 million for DRCOG to develop the Metro Denver region\u2019s long-range plan for growth and development. Part of this plan is to ensure families have affordable housing along transportation lines such as the Westline and Northline.\n\n\t\u201cCongressman Perlmutter is a resilient advocate for critical funding of affordable housing, transit, sustainability and community development initiatives to create a better Colorado,\u201d said Tami Fischer, executive director and CEO of Metro West Housing Solutions, and president of NAHRO\u2019s Colorado chapter.\n\n\tIn addition, Rep. Perlmutter has supported other federal programs, including: Low-Income Housing Tax Credits; New Markets Tax Credits; Community Development Block Grants (CDBG); HOME Investment Partnership Funds; efforts to fund the Housing Trust Fund; and Self-Sufficiency Programs to help constituents succeed on their own.\u00a0 In light of the recent budget constraints, Congressman Perlmutter has also been pushing HUD to lighten up the regulatory requirements placed on housing authorities while still ensuring accountability.\u00a0\n\n\tThe event also comes during Housing America Month.\u00a0 Housing America was created in 2007 and designated October as the annual month for NAHRO and its members to collectively raise awareness of the need and importance of safe, decent and affordable housing in quality communities.\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141010001155/http://perlmutter.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1431:perlmutter-statement-on-today-s-scotus-decision&catid=33:press-releases&Itemid=102", "Perlmutter Statement on Todays SCOTUS Decision", "2014-10-07", "2014", "2014-10", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Perlmutter Statement on Today\u2019s SCOTUS Decision\t\t \n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\tLAKEWOOD, CO \u2013 Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) released this statement following the U.S. Supreme Court\u2019s decision not to review any of the same-sex marriage cases. The refusallegalizes same sex-marriage in five states, and clears the way for same-sex marriage in six more states, including Colorado:\n\n\t\u201cToday\u2019s news is a significant victory for marriage equality.\u00a0 I am pleased to see county clerks across the state will soon issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples providing the opportunity for all couples in Colorado the freedom to marry the person they love.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=FEED9CD1-B512-FDA8-9424-5DFD15DE71D0", "Bennet: Expanded Access to Farm Loans Benefits Colorados Beginning, Family Farmers", "2014-10-07", "2014", "2014-10", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today applauded the announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that it will expand eligibility and increase lending limits for USDA microloans to help more beginning and family farmers. Along with raising the borrowing limit for the microloan program from $35,000 to $50,000, USDA is also working to simplify the lending process, update the farming experience requirements, and expand the types of entities that are eligible.\nColorado's economy relies heavily on a thriving agricultural industry that is responsible for around $40 billion in economic activity every year, Bennet said. Much of that is thanks to our family farmers. These loans support these small farming operations and help new farmers get up and running. Expanding eligibility will also help even more folks that want to get into farming, such as our veterans transitioning to life outside the military. This is good for Colorado agriculture and good for the state's economy.\nThe microloan changes announced today will allow beginning, small and mid-sized farmers to access an additional $15,000 in loans using a simplified application process with up to seven years to repay. The changes become effective November 7.\nIn addition to farm related experience, other types of skills may be considered to meet the direct farming experience required for farm loan eligibility such as operation or management of a non-farm business, leadership positions while serving in the military, or advanced education in an agricultural field. Also, individuals who own farmland under a different legal entity operating the farm now may be eligible for loans administered by USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA). Producers will have an opportunity to share suggestions on the microloan process, and the definitions of farming experience and business structures through Dec. 8, 2014, the public open comment period.\nThese programs were made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill that Bennet helped craft and pass with input from Colorado producers. He fought to ensure it included Colorado priorities such as a strengthened crop insurance program, an improved conservation easement program, the reauthorization of the livestock disaster program, and an extension of the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. Bennet recently sponsored a bill to ensure farmers have safe and modern ditch and irrigation infrastructure and received the National Farmers Union Golden Triangle Award for the sixth time.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://degette.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/degette-response-to-supreme-court-declining-review-in-marriage-cases", "DeGette Response to Supreme Court Declining Review in Marriage Cases", "2014-10-06", "2014", "2014-10", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Diana DeGette", "D000197", "degette.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review several cases where lower courts overturned bans on same-sex marriage:\n\"Today marks another important step towards full equality: the Supreme Court declined to take up appeals from gay marriage opponents in five different states. This means that those five states \u2013 and others including Colorado \u2013 should soon overturn marriage bans. The Colorado Supreme Court should promptly accept this decision and let all loving couples choose to marry freely. And the day is soon coming that everyone in the nation will enjoy this basic right.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://perlmutter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1106", "Perlmutter Statement on Todays SCOTUS Decision", "2014-10-06", "2014", "2014-10", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "perlmutter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Perlmutter Statement on Today's SCOTUS Decision \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Lakewood, CO,\r\n        October 6, 2014\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n       \r\r\tRep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) released this statement following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision not to review any of the same-sex marriage cases. The refusallegalizes same sex-marriage in five states, and clears the way for same-sex marriage in six more states, including Colorado:\r\r\tToday's news is a significant victory for marriage equality. I am pleased to see county clerks across the state will soon issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples providing the opportunity for all couples in Colorado the freedom to marry the person they love.\r\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://perlmutter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1107", "Rep. Perlmutter Recognized as Legislator of the Year for Affordable Housing Efforts", "2014-10-06", "2014", "2014-10", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "perlmutter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "On October 6, 2014, Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) was recognized as Legislator of the Year for his significant contributions and support for affordable housing by the Colorado chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO). Since being elected to Congress in 2006, Rep. Perlmutter has served on the House Financial Services Committee which has jurisdiction over many issues including housing programs such as Public Housing and all HUD programs.\r\r\tI'm honored to be recognized by NAHRO and many of their hardworking housing advocates, said Rep. Perlmutter. Stable housing represents so much more than just four walls and a roof. Affordable housing provides opportunities for working families in Colorado to maintain a job, provide for their family, and have a place they can call home.\r\r\tDuring his time in Congress, Rep. Perlmutter has worked to help secure a \"Sustainable Community Initiative\" grant worth $4.5 million for DRCOG to develop the Metro Denver region's long-range plan for growth and development. Part of this plan is to ensure families have affordable housing along transportation lines such as the Westline and Northline.\r\r\tCongressman Perlmutter is a resilient advocate for critical funding of affordable housing, transit, sustainability and community development initiatives to create a better Colorado, said Tami Fischer, executive director and CEO of Metro West Housing Solutions, and president of NAHRO's Colorado chapter.\r\r\tIn addition, Rep. Perlmutter has supported other federal programs, including: Low-Income Housing Tax Credits; New Markets Tax Credits; Community Development Block Grants (CDBG); HOME Investment Partnership Funds; efforts to fund the Housing Trust Fund; and Self-Sufficiency Programs to help constituents succeed on their own. In light of the recent budget constraints, Congressman Perlmutter has also been pushing HUD to lighten up the regulatory requirements placed on housing authorities while still ensuring accountability.\r\r\tThe event also comes during Housing America Month. Housing America was created in 2007 and designated October as the annual month for NAHRO and its members to collectively raise awareness of the need and importance of safe, decent and affordable housing in quality communities.\r \r\r\r\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397674", "Polis Statement on SCOTUS Declining to Hear Same-Sex Marriage Cases", "2014-10-06", "2014", "2014-10", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jared Polis", "P000598", "polis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Representative Jared Polis (CO-02) today issued the following statement after the Supreme Court of the United States declined to hear any case on same-sex marriage:\r\n\u201cToday the Supreme Court has effectively expanded marriage for all loving couples to as many as thirty states, in all regions of our nation, including Colorado! The Colorado Attorney General has already ordered that LGBT couples in all 64 counties are allowed to get married!\r\n\u201cWhile the court\u2019s decision is a victory for tens of thousands of couples across the country who now have access to marriage equality, it also means there is still work to be done to ensure that no matter where you live, every American can marry the person they love and are making a life with.\r\n\"The majority of Americans already support expanding marriage equality nationwide and I remain confident that it is only a matter of time before we achieve this common-sense goal. I will continue to work to advance the rights of all Americans to marry who they love and offer my congratulations to all couples who will be able to legally marry as a result of the Court\u2019s decision!\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=34BF77D5-5D34-992E-8BFC-05554FF0F702", "Bennet Statement on Supreme Court Decision Declining Review of Same-Sex Marriage Cases", "2014-10-06", "2014", "2014-10", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Denver, CO - Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision not to review several cases that have overturned same-sex marriage bans:\n\"Today's move by the Supreme Court is a major step for Colorado's same-sex marriage advocates and a major step for equality.  Colorado will join the growing list of states with full marriage equality.  Marriage is a special right that same-sex couples deserve to enjoy, and they should have the same rights and opportunities that the law grants to Susan and me.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://degette.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/ranking-members-degette-pallone-and-waxman-outline-key-questions-on", "Ranking Members DeGette, Pallone, and Waxman Outline Key Questions on Ebola Outbreak", "2014-10-01", "2014", "2014-10", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Diana DeGette", "D000197", "degette.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON --\u00a0Today Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Ranking Member Diana DeGette, Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr., and full Committee Ranking Member Henry A. Waxman sent a letter to Chairmen Fred Upton, Joe Pitts, and Tim Murphy outlining the key-short term and long-term questions that should be addressed in hearings on Ebola.\u00a0 \u00a0Last month, these members urged Committee leaders to hold a hearing on the Ebola crisis.\nThe members wrote that the emergence of the first case of Ebola diagnosed in the U.S. \u201cshould not be a cause for panic, \u201cbut \u201cshould serve as a wake-up call regarding the need to address the ongoing public health disaster in Africa and to ensure that the domestic public health system is adequately prepared for Ebola cases or for other emerging public health issues.\u201d\nThe full text of the letter is available below and online here.\nOctober 1, 2014\nThe Honorable Fred Upton\nChairman\nCommittee on Energy and Commerce\n2125 Rayburn House Office Building\nWashington, D.C. 20515\n\u00a0\nThe Honorable Joe Pitts\nChairman\nSubcommittee on Health\n2125 Rayburn House Office Building\nWashington, D.C. 20515\n\u00a0\nThe Honorable Tim Murphy\nChairman\nSubcommittee on Oversight & Investigations\n2125 Rayburn House Office Building\nWashington, D.C. 20515\n\u00a0\nDear Chairman Upton, Chairman Pitts, and Chairman Murphy:\nOn September 4, 2014, we requested that the Committee hold a hearing on the Ebola outbreak.\u00a0 We were therefore glad to see your statement yesterday that the Committee will be holding hearings on Ebola in the coming weeks.\u00a0 We look forward to working with you in a bipartisan way on this important public health issue.\nYesterday\u2019s announcement about an Ebola case in the United States should not be cause for panic.\u00a0\u00a0 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal and local public health officials appear to be taking all of the appropriate steps to stop the disease and prevent its spread in our country.\u00a0 Still, there are many questions about the case in Dallas, including how the patient contracted the disease, why the Dallas hospital initially discharged the patient, and what measures are being taken to trace the patient\u2019s contacts.\u00a0 And the emergence of this case of Ebola should serve as a wake-up call regarding the need to address the ongoing public health disaster in Africa and to ensure that the domestic public health system is adequately prepared for Ebola cases or for other emerging public health issues.\nWe should address these issues in a thorough but time-sensitive and appropriate way.\u00a0\u00a0 Our investigation should also be focused to ensure that we are not unnecessarily diverting the time or resources of public health leaders at a critical time.\nWe believe we should address key short-term questions about the response to the crisis, including:\n1.Do CDC, USAID, other public health agencies, and U.S. military forces have adequate funding in place to address the immediate public health crisis in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea?\u00a0\u00a0 How long will this funding last?\n2.Are these agencies coordinating effectively with each other, with public health officials from affected countries, and with public health officials from other countries and non-governmental organizations providing assistance?\u00a0 What other factors may be slowing the pace of delivery of services in the affected countries, and what is needed to overcome these barriers?\n3.Are CDC and other federal, state, and local officials adequately funded to address the costs \u2013 such as tracing, isolating, and diagnosing all potentially affected contacts \u2013 of the Dallas patient or any future potential patients with Ebola in the U.S.?\n4.Are U.S. officials and officials in affecting countries adequately screening travelers to and from Africa to prevent importation of additional cases into the United States?\u00a0 Do Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials have needs for additional diagnostic or other tools to prevent individuals with Ebola from entering the U.S. undetected?\n5.Are hospitals and health providers adequately informed of CDC guidelines for assessing and treating potential Ebola patients who seek care?\u00a0\u00a0 Are they following these guidelines?\u00a0 Do they have the equipment and material to effectively isolate patients and handle Ebola-contaminated medical waste?\nWe should also ensure that we are addressing important long-term questions so that we can learn the lessons from this case and improve the public health system\u2019s response to the next outbreak or other public health emergency.\u00a0 These questions include:\n1.How have stagnant or declining budgets for U.S. public health agencies affected their ability to respond in this crisis?\u00a0\u00a0 What budgetary changes are needed to ensure that these agencies have the resources necessary to prevent, detect, and respond to global or domestic public health emergencies?\n2.Are there long-term plans in place to assist in rebuilding the public health systems of affected African countries and to address the secondary economic and humanitarian costs of the outbreak in these countries?\n3.Do the agencies involved in the development of treatments and vaccines for public health emergencies and biological threats \u2013 including the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) \u2013 have the funding necessary to accomplish their goals?\u00a0 Do these agencies have appropriate processes in place to establish priorities for high-risk diseases?\u00a0 Do they have the necessary statutory authority to respond to the need for vaccines and treatments during public health emergencies?\n4.Are federal regulations and policies related to hospitals and other medical facility emergency preparedness adequate to respond in the event of future emergencies?\u00a0 Are such regulations appropriately communicated to facilities and vendors involved in responding to such crises?\u00a0 Are additional tools necessary to improve the capacity of health providers and to ensure that they are following proper guidelines for infectious and emerging diseases like Ebola?\nOur investigation and hearings should be aimed at understanding immediate needs and applying lessons learned to prevent future outbreaks from reaching the magnitude of the current epidemic.\u00a0 We look forward to working with you to meet these goals.\nSincerely,\nHenry A. Waxman\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Frank Pallone, Jr.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 Diana DeGette\nRanking Member\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ranking Member\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 Ranking Member\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Subcommittee on Health\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=394744", "Polis, Schneider Lead Letter Calling for Expanded Access to Startup Business Investing Opportunities", "2014-09-30", "2014", "2014-09", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jared Polis", "P000598", "polis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Last week Representatives Jared Polis (CO-02) and Brad Schneider (IL-10) sent a letter signed by fifteen Members of Congress to US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairwoman Mary Jo White calling on her to expand the criteria for potential investors in startups and other small businesses beyond a purely financial metric. \r\nUnder federal securities law, \u201cindividual accredited investors\u201d are permitted to invest in an array of assets, including individual businesses, VC funds, PE funds, and private placements, which are not available to other individuals. To qualify as accredited under existing regulations, the SEC requires an individual to have an annual income over $200,000 ($300,000 for a married couple) or a net worth over $1 million, excluding a primary residence. \r\nCurrently, the definition does not account for those financially sophisticated investors who have the requisite financial experience and knowledge, but may not meet the SEC\u2019s financial thresholds. The SEC is currently reviewing proposals for altering the definition of an accredited investor, as it was required to do under the Dodd-Frank Act. \r\n\u201cUnder the Commission\u2019s current rules, many individual investors who do not meet the income or net worth thresholds, are equally or more financially sophisticated as those who do meet the current standards,\u201d wrote the Signatories. \u201cWe strongly urge you to adopt an additional accreditation standard based on an individual\u2019s professional experience and knowledge\u2026[to] allow more sophisticated individuals to provide greater investment capital and contribute to the growth and expansion of startups and small businesses and our economy as a whole .\u201d\r\nThe letter\u2019s proposal draws on many of the findings of a July 2013 Government Accountability Office study, Alternative Criteria for Qualifying As An Accredited Investor Should Be Considered, which examined market participants views on existing and possible alternative criteria for accredited investor status. The GAO report recommended that the SEC should consider alternative criteria for the accredited investor standard.\r\nThe full text of the letter and list of signatories is below:\r\nThe Honorable Mary Jo White, Chairwoman  \r\nU.S. Securities and Exchange Commission  \r\n100 F Street, N.E.  \r\nWashington, D.C. 20549 \r\nDear Chairwoman White,\r\nAs the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission) conducts its review of the definition of an individual accredited investor, we strongly urge you to adopt an additional accreditation standard that takes into account other relevant factors besides financial metrics to determine financial sophistication. Specifically we request that you consider the quality of an individual\u2019s experience and knowledge. \r\nUnder the Commission\u2019s current rules, many individual investors who do not meet the income or net worth thresholds, are equally or more financially sophisticated as those who do meet the current standards. In our view, those individuals with significant professional experience and knowledge should also be able to qualify as an accredited investor, based on the Commission\u2019s definition of sophistication: those \u201chaving sufficient knowledge and experience in financial and business matters to make them capable of evaluating the merits and risk of the prospective investment.\u201d As such, we strongly urge you to adopt an additional accreditation standard based on an individual\u2019s professional experience and knowledge. This standard could include, but should not be limited to, individuals who meet one of the following criteria: a) previous or current investors in an exempt offering under Regulation D; b) an advanced degree in business or finance or a chartered financial analyst credential or similar designation; c) work experience currently or formerly as a c-level executive at a company which, during the time of such employment, has sold shares or debt; or d) successful passage of the broker-dealer registration exam.\u00a0 \r\nWe are hopeful that the Commission will consider adopting an additional standard to the accredited investor definition based on an individual\u2019s experience and knowledge. This additional standard will allow more sophisticated individuals to provide greater investment capital and contribute to the growth and expansion of startups and small businesses and our economy as a whole.\r\nSincerely,\r\n\u00a0\r\nJared Polis\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bradley Schneider\r\nRon Kind\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Derek Kilmer\r\nJohn Delaney\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 David Scott\r\nCedric Richmond\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Scott Peters\r\nJuan Vargas\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bill Owens\r\nTony Cardenas\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John Carney\r\nSusan DelBene\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mike Quigley\r\nGerry Connolly", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397328", "Polis, Grijalva, Cicilline, Lofgren Call for  Executive Action to Protect LGBT Immigrants", "2014-09-30", "2014", "2014-09", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jared Polis", "P000598", "polis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "On Monday, Representatives Jared Polis (CO-02), Raul Grijalva (AZ-03), David Cicilline (RI-01), and Zoe Lofgren (CA-19) sent a letter signed by forty-four Members of Congress to President Barack Obama urging him to include protections for LGBT immigrants as he develops and implements new executive actions on immigration. \nThe Representatives recognized that the President alone cannot fix our nation\u2019s broken immigration system, but called on him to use the executive powers he does have to address the unique challenges faced by LGBT immigrants who currently face additional complications, including familial separation and gender-based violence in detention.\n\u201cBy exercising your power to implement administrative policies that take into account the uniquely dangerous and difficult circumstances facing LGBT immigrants, you have the ability to protect thousands of individuals immediately,\u201d the Representatives wrote. \u201c[I]t is imperative that you use the tools at your disposal to ensure that families stay together, that immigrants are not put in harm\u2019s way, and that LGBT people are not subjected, at the hands of the American government, to the dangers from which they have fled.\u201d\nThere are currently 267,000 LGBT immigrants living in the United States, many of whom came to this country to escape threats and extreme violence. Existing Department of Homeland Security prosecutorial discretion policies have failed to implement a meaningful balancing test that properly weighs strong equities against negative factors, making at-risk LGBT immigrants much less likely to qualify for protection. In addition, LGBT immigrants are routinely deported back to nations in which their sexual orientation or gender identity places their lives at risk.\nThe full text of the letter is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141003001047/http://perlmutter.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1428:rep-perlmutter-comments-on-h-r-5062-being-signed-into-law&catid=33:press-releases&Itemid=102", "Rep. Perlmutter Comments on H.R. 5062 Being Signed Into Law", "2014-09-29", "2014", "2014-09", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Perlmutter Comments on H.R. 5062 Being Signed Into Law\t\t \n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\tRep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) released the following statement after H.R. 5062, the Examination and Supervisory Privilege Parity Act of 2014, was signed into law today. The legislation clarifies the sharing of information between federal and state regulators that license, supervise or examine consumer financial products or services.\n\n\t\"This legislation provides greater assurances to consumer lenders and reduces regulatory burdens by resolving disparities between state and federal regulators. More importantly, the passage of this legislation shows what can be accomplished with bipartisanship, leadership and a commitment to getting things done.\"\n\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://perlmutter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1104", "Rep. Perlmutter Comments on H.R. 5062 Being Signed Into Law", "2014-09-26", "2014", "2014-09", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "perlmutter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Perlmutter Comments on H.R. 5062 Being Signed Into Law \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, DC,\r\n        September 26, 2014\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n       \r\r\tRep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) released the following statement after H.R. 5062, the Examination and Supervisory Privilege Parity Act of 2014, was signed into law today. The legislation clarifies the sharing of information between federal and state regulators that license, supervise or examine consumer financial products or services.\r\r\t\"This legislation provides greater assurances to consumer lenders and reduces regulatory burdens by resolving disparities between state and federal regulators. More importantly, the passage of this legislation shows what can be accomplished with bipartisanship, leadership and a commitment to getting things done.\"\r\r\t###\r\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141010000835/http://perlmutter.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1429:obama-signs-financial-regulatory-bill-meant-to-protect-data-confidentiality&catid=26:news-stories&Itemid=16", "Obama Signs Financial Regulatory Bill Meant to Protect Data Confidentiality", "2014-09-26", "2014", "2014-09", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Examination and Supervisory Privilege Parity Act of 2014 (H.R. 5062)\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tDevelopment: Obama signs measure meant to protect confidentiality of data shared by regulators; act calls for CFPB to coordinate with states.\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tTakeaway: Law provides assurances to lenders, reduces regulatory burden, sponsor says.\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tSept. 26 (BNA) -- President Barack Obama Sept. 26 signed a measure (H.R. 5062) meant to protect the confidentiality of financial data shared by regulators.\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tThe Examination and Supervisory Privilege Parity Act of 2014 requires the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to coordinate its supervisory activities with the supervisory activities of the state agencies that license, supervise or examine the offering of consumer financial products or services.\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tThe House approved the measure in July (13 PVLR 1359, 8/4/14). It cleared the Senate without amendment by unanimous consent in September.\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tSharing of Information\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tUnder H.R. 5062, the sharing of information with such regulators, authorities and agencies won't be construed as waiving, destroying or otherwise affecting any legal privilege claimed by nondepository entities under federal or state law. The legislation aims to resolve the disparity in 15 states where businesses aren't overseen by regulatory agencies but rather by a separate entity such as the attorney general's office, according to a statement by Reps. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.) and Andy Barr (R-Ky.), the bill's sponsors, issued upon House passage.\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tIn a statement provided to Bloomberg BNA after the signing, Perlmutter said the measure \u201cprovides greater assurances to consumer lenders and reduces regulatory burdens by resolving disparities between state and federal regulators.\u201d\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tTo contact the reporter on this story: Jeff Bater in Washington at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.\n \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tTo contact the editor responsible for this story: Joe Tinkelman at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.\n \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tFor More Information\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tH.R. 5062, as passed by Congress, is available at\u00a0http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113hr5062enr/pdf/BILLS-113hr5062enr.pdf", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=BBEF8762-6158-ED5D-45EE-EC563DAF3625", "Bennet Pledges to Closely Monitor Forest Service Permit Plan for Filming, Photography in Wilderness", "2014-09-26", "2014", "2014-09", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In light of the U.S. Forest Service's clarification of its plans to require permits for filming and photography in designated wilderness areas, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet pledged to closely monitor the agency's final ruling to ensure it respects access to public lands and adheres to the constitutional rights of Americans.\nWe all must be responsible stewards of our wilderness areas to ensure that they are protected for future generations, Bennet, chair of the Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, and Natural Resources, said. We also have a responsibility to ensure that our efforts to protect wilderness do not place undue burdens on or limit the constitutional rights of folks trying to enjoy the outdoors and create lasting memories.\nAny change to Forest Service policy, regarding photography or otherwise, should involve Coloradans from the start, Bennet added. We appreciate the Forest Service's efforts to clarify the scope of its photo policy and will be watching closely to ensure any final directive respects First Amendment rights and recognizes the importance of access to our public lands.\nThe Denver Post published an editorial this week calling the permit plan constitutionally dubious, gratuitous, and nearly unenforceable on any fair and consistent basis.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=CCDC05AC-8684-286D-93DF-FBDAFD5B334F", "CU Denver Wins $8.5 Million Five-Year Teacher Preparation Grant", "2014-09-26", "2014", "2014-09", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet announced that the University of Colorado Denver has won a five-year grant totaling $8,523,405 grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Teacher Quality Partnership Grant program. CU Denver will use the grant to fund its NxtGEN Teacher Preparation Program and recruit, prepare, and retain 340 teachers for urban and rural schools in Colorado. The grant will be distributed over a five-year period, beginning with $1.267 million this year.\nThrough this grant program, CU Denver's School of Education and Human Development (SEHD) program will help address teacher shortages in rural and urban areas. NxtGEN will create a new undergraduate urban teacher residency program with Denver Public Schools (DPS) and support an expansion of the 5th year licensure with rural school districts. CU Denver is partnering with Denver Public Schools, 28 high-need rural school districts represented by the San Luis Valley, South Central, and Santa Fe Boards of Cooperative Education Services, the Colorado Department of Higher Education, and the Colorado Department of Education.\nColorado is a leader in developing innovative teacher preparation programs, Bennet said. These programs will help ensure all of our kids receive a high-quality education. Our teachers and principals are key to preparing students for success, and we need to give them every tool and resource to help make that possible.\nWe are thrilled to receive the funding from the US Department of Education for a partnership between the University of Colorado Denver, School of Education and Human Development, Denver Public Schools, and 24 high-need rural districts, said Rebecca Kantor, Dean of the CU Denver School of Education and Human Development. The aim of NxtGEN is to create the next generation' of teacher education, one that strategically recruits local diverse talent and provides supported, clinically-intensive customized pathways to prepare highly qualified teachers in urban and rural school settings. In addition, NxtGEN will answer the call for universities and districts to collaborate in the transformation of induction support for the early years of teaching.\nCU Denver is one of two Colorado-based projects out of a total of 24 grantees selected by the Department of Education. The Public Education & Business Coalition, a partnership between the Colorado Boettcher Teacher Residency Program and Adams State University, is the other award in the state.\nThe Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) program aims to increase student achievement by improving the quality of new prospective teachers. The Department of Education awards grants to partnerships comprised of colleges and universities and high-needs schools that are developing model teacher preparation programs. TQP grants may also support school leadership programs to train superintendents, principals, early childhood education program directors, and other school leaders in high-need or rural schools.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=84AA1FAA-55F0-D53A-5CF3-206F75E1E29E", "Public Education & Business Coalition Wins $2.9 Million Teacher Preparation Grant", "2014-09-25", "2014", "2014-09", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet announced that the Public Education & Business Coalition (PEBC), which runs the Colorado Boettcher Teacher Residency Program, in partnership with Adams State University has won a five-year grant totaling $2,906,833 from the U.S. Department of Education's Teacher Quality Partnership Grant program, including $258,826 in the first year.\nThe Coalition will use the grant to train new STEM teachers for elementary and middle schools in rural Colorado. Fifteen of Colorado's rural school districts are partners in the project: Alamosa, North Conejos, Center, Monte Vista, Moffat 2, Sierra Grande, Centennial, Del Norte, Sangre de Cristo, Montezuma-Cortez, Dolores RE-2, Rocky Ford, East Otero, Crowley, and Huerfano.\nColorado is a leader in developing innovative teacher preparation programs, Bennet said. These programs will help ensure all of our kids receive a high-quality education. Our teachers and principals are key to preparing students for success, and we need to give them every tool and resource to help make that possible.\nPEBC is honored to receive this highly competitive funding to grow and expand the Boettcher Teacher Residency program for Colorado's rural school districts, said Rosann B. Ward, PEBC President. It is an opportunity for the education community to examine, evaluate and redefine quality teacher preparation, and how great teaching drives student success.\nWe are absolutely thrilled to get this grant, said Dr. David Svaldi, president of Adams State University. We look forward to working with our partners at PEBC to educate great STEM teachers and help the San Luis Valley and Colorado kids.\nThe Coalition is one of two Colorado-based projects out of a total of 24 grantees selected by the Department of Education. The University of Colorado Denver is the other award in the state.\nThe Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) program aims to increase student achievement by improving the quality of new prospective teachers. The Department of Education awards grants to partnerships comprised of colleges and universities and high-needs schools that are developing model teacher preparation programs. TQP grants may also support school leadership programs to train superintendents, principals, early childhood education program directors, and other school leaders in high-need or rural schools.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://degette.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/degette-joins-democratic-house-senate-leaders-to-release-new-report", "DeGette Joins Democratic House, Senate Leaders to Release New Report Identifying Hundreds of Tobacco, E-Cigarette Ads and Images in Magazines with High Teen Readership", "2014-09-24", "2014", "2014-09", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Diana DeGette", "D000197", "degette.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON --\u00a0Today, U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-01) joined Reps. Waxman, Dingell, Pallone, and Sens. Harkin, Rockefeller, Durbin, and Blumenthal to release a new report that found that hundreds of tobacco advertisements and images glorifying smoking and e-cigarettes appear in magazines with large teen readerships.\nThe report finds that \u201ctobacco companies continue to glamorize smoking in advertisements in magazines with large youth readership\u201d and that \u201cmagazines frequently contain alluring images of smokers in their editorial content.\u201d\u00a0\nThe report identified hundreds of advertisements, photos, and other images \u2013 many featuring alluring images of celebrities \u2013 glamorizing smoking and e-cigarette use.\u00a0 These advertisements and images appeared most frequently in Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone, US Weekly, People, and Time.\nAlong with the report, the members of Congress wrote to the magazine publishers urging them to act to help reduce teen tobacco use.\u00a0 The members wrote that \u201cwe hope you will reconsider your policies and voluntarily act to reduce cigarette, e-cigarette, and other tobacco product advertising and cut the number of editorial and news images of cigarette, e-cigarette, and other tobacco product in your policies.\u00a0 Eliminating them will help reduce teen smoking, which is a goal we should all share.\u201d\nRep. DeGette serves as the Ranking Member to the Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee. In addition, the report and letters were sent by Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Henry A. Waxman; Rep. John D. Dingell; Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr.; Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Tom Harkin; Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Chairman John D. Rockefeller IV; Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin; and Senator Richard Blumenthal.\nThe full report is available online here.\nThe letters to magazines are available here:\u00a0 Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone, US Weekly, People, and Time.\nA sample of the advertisements and images found in the magazines are available here:\u00a0 tobacco advertisements, e-cigarette advertisements, and magazine images.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://degette.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/denver-post-praises-bipartisan-path2cures-effort-0", "Denver Post Praises Bipartisan #Path2Cures Effort", "2014-09-23", "2014", "2014-09", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Diana DeGette", "D000197", "degette.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "When Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-01) and Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (MI-06) launched the 21st Century Cures initiative in April, DeGette noted that there is bipartisan agreement that \u201cAmerica can be \u2013 it must be \u2013 the health care innovation capital of the world.\u201d Through a series of hearings, roundtables, and white papers, the committee has spent the past several months soliciting ideas from patients, researchers, medical professionals, and advocates all across the country about how to achieve this goal and accelerate the discovery, development, and delivery cycle of new cures and treatments. As The Denver Post notes, 21st Century Cures is \u201can important collaboration \u2026 Not only could it accelerate biomedical breakthroughs, it could also ensure the United States retains its lead as the center of innovation \u2013 a lead that has eroded in recent years.\u201d\nRead the full Sunday editorial here:\n A (political) breakthrough on biomedical research \nBy The Denver Post Editorial Board\nSeptember 21, 2014\nFor those who have despaired of the two parties in Congress working together on behalf of important goals, brace yourselves for some good news: A powerful House Republican and Colorado's own Democratic Rep. Diana DeGette are joining in an ambitious effort to restructure funding and regulations around biomedical research to foster innovation and life-saving products.\nIt's an important collaboration called 21st Century Cures. Not only could it accelerate biomedical breakthroughs, it could also ensure the United States retains its lead as the center of innovation \u2014 a lead that has eroded in recent years.\nThe chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Fred Upton of Michigan, and DeGette have spent the past few months seeking advice from a broad spectrum of experts associated with biomedical research, from scientists to regulators to investors. And they intend to draft a bill by year's end to introduce in the next Congress.\n\"We've discovered there is quite a bit of consensus\" on what to do, DeGette told us. And that consensus includes those running government agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) \u2014 meaning they won't stand in the way.\nDeGette points to several problems that need attention:\n Reliable funding. Although funding for NIH was doubled in 2001, it has lost 25 percent of its buying power since because of budget freezes and cuts.\n\tThe obsolete structure of the federal agencies, which slows down approvals. As a result, a 21st Century white paper explains, \"the timelines, size, failure rates, and costs of conducting trials [for new therapies] are at all-time highs, with administrative and regulatory burdens often contributing to such increases.\" Indeed, the cost of developing a new drug now exceeds $1 billion.\n\tLack of a centralized registry for those engaged in biomedical research. \"If you had a registry \u2014 with informed consent for patients \u2014 then you could have one pipeline to get those big studies done,\" DeGette said. Large-scale genome trials could be done much more easily, she added.\n There are other issues, too, but suffice it to say the legislation will cover a lot of ground. But that's also why it is potentially such an important initiative that, if done properly, should attract wide, bipartisan support.\nAfter all, DeGette observed, \"Addressing disease is not a partisan issue.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=E631885B-7E4E-F694-551F-91A7695BBF6B", "Bipartisan Bill to Consolidate Federal IT Infrastructure, Save Up to $3 Billion Passes Senate", "2014-09-22", "2014", "2014-09", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The U.S. Senate last week passed a bipartisan bill to expedite the consolidation of federal data centers that could save up to $3 billion in taxpayer dollars. The bill sets hard deadlines and requires federal agencies that have yet to act on consolidation initiatives to conduct inventories and implement consolidation strategies. In addition, the law would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to verify agency data center inventories, and woulddirect the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to routinely report to Congress on cost savings realized to date.\nThe Federal Data Center Consolidation Act was introduced by U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tom Coburn (R-OK), and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) in October 2013. Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Chairman Tom Carper (D-DE) joined the effort and helped usher the bill through the committee last November.\nThis bill represents a smarter, more efficient way to operate government and save taxpayer dollars.It will also reduce the federal government's energy consumption across the country, Bennet said. OMB set ambitious but achievable goals that federal agencies are not on track to meet.We're proposing to hold them accountable in these efforts.\nThe Federal Data Center Consolidation Act builds upon OMB's efforts to reduce duplication in federal data centers. GAO has described this legislation as essential' to ensuring agencies make adequate progress in consolidating their data center inventories and saving taxpayers money, Dr. Coburn said. The bill is a crucial component in our efforts to reform the way the federal government acquires and manages IT.\nThe Administration's Federal Data Center Consolidation Initiative is an ambitious challenge that is worth meeting. While evidence shows a major shift in the way the federal government thinks about and pursues IT management in its operations, it's clear that some agencies have more work to do,Chairman Carper said.We need to salute the success stories and push those agencies that have fallen short to work harder. This measure is part of a larger effort to improve our federal government's IT management and will help agencies focus their efforts on consolidation, better manage their inventories, and ensure that the Administration's Consolidation Initiative is seen through to its conclusion. I want to thank Senators Coburn, Bennet, and Ayotte for their work on this important issue.\nWith over $17 trillion in debt, there's no excuse to continue to spend millions on wasteful and unnecessary federal data centers  some of which are utilizing only a fraction of their capacity, said Ayotte. I'm pleased that the Senate passed our bipartisan bill, which will save taxpayer dollars by speeding up consolidation and increasing the efficiency of data centers across government.\nA number of studies have shown a relatively low utilization rate of the current IT infrastructure, resulting in an enormous amount of wasted space and energy  and unnecessary costs. In 2010, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) instructed federal agenciesto develop consolidation plans under the administration's Federal Data Center Consolidation Initiative (FDCCI), which could save up to $3 billion by 2015,according to the GAO, with additional savings beyond that date. However, the GAO also found that a number of agencies have been slow to implement these plans  or, in some cases, to even inventory the total number of data centers they currently manage.\nThe GAO has publicly endorsed thelegislation, saying it is vital to ensure that agencies close down unnecessary data centers by the target deadline. The senators have worked closely with OMB and GAO to ensure that this bill will help strengthen the initiative and achieve meaningful savings.\nThe bill is also supported by theProfessional Services Counciland theInformation Technology Industry Council.\nThe lawmakers previously filed the bill as an amendment to theEnergy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013 and to the FY 2014 National Defense Authorization Act.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140926001840/http://perlmutter.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1422:perlmutter-statement-on-energy-and-jobs-bills&catid=33:press-releases&Itemid=102", "Perlmutter Statement on Energy and Jobs Bills", "2014-09-19", "2014", "2014-09", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Perlmutter Statement on Energy and Jobs Bills\t\t \n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\tWASHINGTON \u2013 Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) released the following statement after the House of Representatives voted on energy (H.R. 2) and jobs (H.R. 4) legislation:\n\n\t\u201cHouse Republicans repackaged so-called energy and jobs legislation which includes misguided policies overturning the EPA rulemaking process to special interests and threatening public health and longstanding clean air and water protections.\u00a0 While I\u2019ve supported certain provisions of this package previously, including targeted tax relief to small businesses, I can't support legislation that hurts middle class families or endangers safe and responsible energy production in the U.S.\n\n\tEarlier this week, House Republicans defeated my amendment to H.R. 2 to reinstate the Wind Energy Production Tax Credit.\u00a0 The Tax Credit unfortunately expired at the end of 2013 and would have helped to create more renewable energy-related jobs in Colorado.\u201d\n\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=7FBF4C51-79FB-FEDD-39B2-B99ACD080CED", "Bennet Welcomes FDA Revision of Spent Grains and Food Safety Regulations", "2014-09-19", "2014", "2014-09", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet welcomed revised regulations from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding spent brewers grains, water quality, and soil amendments. Bennet requested revisions to the regulations after hearing concerns from Colorado producers and brewers. He wrote Margaret Hamburg, Commissioner of the FDA, earlier this year and invited her to come out to the state to hear the concerns firsthand. Bennet also echoed the concerns of Colorado brewers to Commissioner Hamburg at a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pension Committee hearing in March.\nColorado brewers and producers are committed to providing a healthy food supply and reducing consumer risks, but this was a classic case of unintended consequences flowing from well-meaning policies, Bennet said. We're pleased that the FDA has listened to the voices of our agricultural community. We look forward to reviewing the revised rules and working to create a framework that both supports our farmers and ranchers and ensures food safety.\nThe originally proposed rules would have made it harder and more expensive for breweries to sell leftover grains as animal feed, sparking concerns from Colorado craft brewers. The state's fruit, vegetable, and organic producers expressed concerns about the water quality and compliance standards, as well as restrictions on the use of soil amendments. In today's announcement the FDA is proposing to revise the water quality testing provision to account for natural variations in water sources and adjust its approach to manure and compost used in crop production pending future research.\nThe proposed regulations will be implemented as a part of the 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act. The FDA will accept comments on the proposed revisions of the proposed rules for 75 days and final rules will be issued in 2015.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=C772FB44-F224-1F1B-0808-879F16C57AF9", "Senate Passes Bennet-Portman Measure to Strengthen DHS Cybersecurity Workforce", "2014-09-19", "2014", "2014-09", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC -As the risk of cyber threats continues to increase, the Senate last night took a step to bolster the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) cybersecurity workforce by passing a bipartisan provision written byU.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Rob Portman (R-OH). The Bennet-Portman provision creates a uniform classification system that will help agencies within DHS identify and address cybersecurity personnel shortages.\nIn today's age of innovation, new technologies  and new threats  develop on a daily basis. This breakneck pace means the federal workforce needs to be prepared to meet new challenges and fight new criminals who try to take advantage of any perceived weakness in our cybersecurity, Bennet said. This provision provides a uniform framework to ensure that DHS is adequately staffed with qualified people.\nI applaud the passage of this critical legislation because it will make it easier for the Department of Homeland Security to have world-class, highly-trained cybersecurity employees in place to secure a vast array of sensitive information and support the protection of our critical infrastructure, said Portman. This is an important first step and I hope the Senate will now pass our broader, government-wide version of this legislation.\nThe provision is based on a bill Bennet and Portman introduced in May to strengthen the cyber security workforces across the federal government.Earlier this year, Portman successfully secured a narrower version of the bill as an amendment during the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee's consideration of the Department of Homeland Security Workforce Recruitment and Retention Act, which the Senate passed last night.\nOver the past several decades, agencies across the federal government have responded to the increasing threats to federal IT systems and infrastructure by hiring personnel that fill each agency's individual needs. As cybersecurity needs have grown across the government, it has become increasingly clear that there is a need for a uniform system to better educate, recruit, train, develop, and retain a highly-qualified workforce. In 2011, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported on the significant challenges facing federal agencies to determine the size and composition of their cybersecurity workforce because of variations in how the work is defined.\nThe National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) together launched the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE), which is working to uniformly classify cybersecurity job functions. This new framework will help agencies assess their current workforce to identify skill shortages, and provide a comprehensive look at the cybersecurity workforce across the entire federal government.\nThe Bennet-Portman amendment will move the initiative forward by defining specific tasks, milestones, and timelines for agencies to follow, and directing agencies to assess where their cybersecurity workforces are weakest. The bipartisan proposal will help ensure that the necessary agencies are meeting key deadlines and reporting to Congress on time.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://degette.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/degette-statement-on-vote-to-train-and-equip-for-syrian-opposition", "DeGette Statement on Vote to Train and Equip for Syrian Opposition Groups", "2014-09-18", "2014", "2014-09", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Diana DeGette", "D000197", "degette.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-01) issued a statement supporting the House vote on the McKeon Amendment, which authorizes the Obama Administration to train and equip vetted Syrian opposition elements and requires frequent reporting on these activities. Rep. DeGette voted for the amendment, which passed 273 to 156.\n\u201cPresident Obama asked Congress to authorize specific actions to support Syrian groups who are struggling against both ISIL and the Assad regime. It was appropriate for the President to ask for this authority, and I support his request because he has explained the scope of these activities and how they fit into our national security strategy in the region.\n\u201cSeveral weeks ago, I had the chance to meet a key Syrian opposition leader. Based on information I received in that meeting and on U.S. military intelligence, I am convinced this effort can support our objective of weakening ISIL through a multinational strategy. The stringent reporting requirements in the authorization will ensure robust Congressional oversight.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://perlmutter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1103", "Perlmutter Statement on Energy and Jobs Bills", "2014-09-18", "2014", "2014-09", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Ed Perlmutter", "P000593", "perlmutter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Perlmutter Statement on Energy and Jobs Bills \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, DC,\r\n        September 18, 2014\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n       \r\r\tRep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) released the following statement after the House of Representatives voted on energy (H.R. 2) and jobs (H.R. 4) legislation:\r\r\tHouse Republicans repackaged so-called energy and jobs legislation which includes misguided policies overturning the EPA rulemaking process to special interests and threatening public health and longstanding clean air and water protections. While I've supported certain provisions of this package previously, including targeted tax relief to small businesses, I can't support legislation that hurts middle class families or endangers safe and responsible energy production in the U.S.\r\r\tEarlier this week, House Republicans defeated my amendment to H.R. 2 to reinstate the Wind Energy Production Tax Credit. The Tax Credit unfortunately expired at the end of 2013 and would have helped to create more renewable energy-related jobs in Colorado.\r\r\t###\r\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 504, "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 \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Democrat", "p1": "CO", "p2": "2014"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CO&year=2014", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 504, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=CO&year=2014", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CO&year=2014", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 504, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CO&year=2014&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CO&year=2014", "results": [{"value": "CO", "label": "CO", "count": 504, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&year=2014", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CO&year=2014", "results": [{"value": "2014", "label": "2014", "count": 504, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CO", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2014-09-18,https~3A~2F~2Fperlmutter~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fdocumentsingle~2Easpx~3FDocumentID~3D1103", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CO&year=2014&_next=2014-09-18%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fperlmutter~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fdocumentsingle~2Easpx~3FDocumentID~3D1103&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 209.8151701502502, "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"}