url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at 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,,,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. In the letter to President Obama, Bennet and Hickenlooper wrote: ""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."" Bennet 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. Throughout 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. Full Text of the Letter is Below: The Honorable Barack Obama President The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President: We 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. In 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. We 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. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/opportunity-accomplish-things-dc,Column: An opportunity to get things done,2014-12-18,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,CO,Scott Tipton,T000470,tipton.house.gov,,,legacy,"As we’ve traveled tens of thousands of miles in our district over the past four years, I’ve found that some of the best ideas to solve our nation’s challenges originate with those who are working every day to make America stronger. The perspectives of farmers, oil field workers, small business owners, firefighters and police officers, builders, doctors and nurses, teachers, manufacturers and countless others provide expertise and common sense that is far too often absent in Washington. Some of these ideas have become the basis for the legislation I introduced, and will continue to be a driving force behind the work we will do in the next Congress. During the 113th Congress we were able to pass one such homegrown solution into law. The Hydropower and Rural Jobs Act (H.R. 678) reduces the time and cost of small hydropower projects by clearing red tape that would have required duplicative regulatory paperwork. It has already led to numerous projects being built throughout the 3rd District and is helping to create opportunities and economic growth here at home. In addition to this law, we passed legislation through the House with bipartisan support to address issues that impact Colorado and communities across the nation. These bills would: Protect private water rights from uncompensated federal takings (H.R. 3189); Put into place an all-of-the-above domestic energy plan that responsibly develops our natural resources to meet the needs of the American people without eliminating a single environmental safeguard already in place (H.R. 1394); And promote healthy forest management and prevent catastrophic wildfire through increased local control over hazardous fuels mitigation projects on public lands (H.R. 818). We will have an opportunity in the 114th Congress to get these and other efforts across the finish line with a Senate that will allow the legislative process to work. I also look forward to working with the Senate to address pressing national issues including healthcare, immigration reform and the national debt. To meet these challenges my goal is to advance policies, whether Republican or Democrat in origin, that will get results for the American people and improve our nation for future generations. When it comes to healthcare that means taking a hard look at the many failures in Obamacare, and replacing it with a solution that truly creates an affordable and accessible healthcare system for all Americans. There are redeemable portions of the current law that I believe should be included in replacement legislation such as coverage for pre-existing conditions. With the Senate we will work to pass a market-based solution that puts patients first, takes bureaucrats out of healthcare decisions that should be made between doctors and their patients, drives down costs, and reduces the size of big government. To fix our nation’s immigration system, we need to pass legislation through both chambers that takes a step-by-step approach beginning with enhanced, verifiable border security and a strengthened guest worker program before any other action is taken. Going it alone on immigration as the President is doing isn’t solving the problem; it’s prolonging it and widening the partisan divide. The national debt is now over $18 trillion and is not sustainable. Each year the hole is getting deeper and the next generation’s burden is getting heavier. We must continue to fight to restore fiscal accountability in Washington, cutting waste and abuse of taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars, and work in the House and Senate to pass a long-term budget, rather than patches that don’t fully address the severity of our nation’s spending crisis. In the 114th Congress I’m looking forward to serving on the Committee on Financial Services where we will now have a greater impact on issues that affect small community banks and their ability to work with local businesses to provide access to capital. This directly impacts the health of Main Street and countless jobs throughout the 3rd District because getting a loan to upgrade equipment, make it through a tough time or hire new employees is essential to the survival of many small businesses and the prosperity of virtually all of them. On top of these goals, I will also continue to focus on public lands, natural resources and agriculture issues through my work on the Western Caucus. As the co-founder of the Congressional Small Business Caucus, I will continue to champion small business issues. I’m committed to listening to the ideas and concerns of the people of the 3rd District and will continue to be accessible and available to them as we strive to represent their interests. Together we will work to advance Colorado-grown, commonsense solutions in Washington.",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,,,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. The 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. I 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."" Unlike 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. ""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. Reps. 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. For more information contact: Ashley Hause (Perlmutter) at Ashley.Hause@mail.house.gov or (303) 274-7944 Saat Alety (Royce) at Saat.Alety@mail.house.gov or (202) 225-4111 ###",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,,,legacy,"Perlmutter Reacts to Temporary Agreement to Restart Construction of the VA Hospital f t # e Lakewood, CO, December 17, 2014 U.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: I'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. ### f t # 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,,,legacy,"Polis Praises Steps to Normalize U.S.-Cuba Relations f t # e Washington, December 17, 2014 Representative Jared Polis (CO-02) today made the following statement in response to President Barack Obama’s announcement that the US would be taking steps to improve relations with Cuba: “Today’s 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.” Earlier 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,,,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. This 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. It'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. # # #",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,,,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. ""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."" Bennet 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. Bennet 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. Colorado 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. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/bennet-tipton-celebrate-final-passage-hermosa-creek-bill,"Bennet, Tipton Celebrate Final Passage of Hermosa Creek Bill",2014-12-15,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,CO,Scott Tipton,T000470,tipton.house.gov,,,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. The 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. “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.” “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.” The 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. The 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. Supporters 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. “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.” “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.” “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.” “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.” “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. “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.” “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.” “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.” “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.” “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.” “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=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,,,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: Assessment 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. Training: 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. Treatment: 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. Counseling 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. Bennet'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. # # #",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,,,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. ""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. ""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. The 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. It 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. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/house-passes-budget-measure-cuts-irs-epa-funding-and-sets-stage-immigration-vote-114th,"House Passes Budget Measure that Cuts IRS, EPA Funding and Sets Stage for Immigration Vote in 114th Congress",2014-12-12,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,CO,Scott Tipton,T000470,tipton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON—Today, the House passed legislation to fund the federal government through September 30, 2015, while still allowing the 114th Congress to take action on the President’s executive orders on immigration by funding the Department of Homeland Security through a continuing resolution that expires on February 27, 2015. Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) voted in support of the measure that cuts funding to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by over $300 million and reduces funding to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the lowest levels since 1989. “Today’s budget legislation, while not perfect, reduces spending at a level below the Ryan-Murray budget caps, cuts funding to the IRS and EPA, rescinds  numerous harmful administrative actions and addresses several issues of critical importance for Colorado’s 3rd District,” said Tipton. “I will work with my colleagues in the 114th Congress to advance solutions that further reduce federal spending and shrink the size of government, address immigration reform and healthcare, encourage economic growth in the private sector, and rein in excessive executive action by the President. We look forward to working with a Senate that will actually take up legislation that is passed through the House.” The Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (H.R. 83) includes funding for the Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILT) program. PILT is vital for many Colorado counties because it reimburses local governments for losses in tax revenues due to the presence of large expanses of un-taxable federal lands, ensuring funding for infrastructure, law enforcement, education and other essential operations. H.R. 83 also prohibits the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) from using funds to issue a proposed rule to list the Greater Sage Grouse or a final rule to list the Gunnison Sage Grouse under the Endangered Species Act, and includes funds to help with local preservation efforts. Prior to the vote, Tipton received assurances from House leadership that in the first quarter of next year, the House will take up legislation to address long-term forest management and extend funding for Secure Rural Schools (SRS). “Among the issues addressed in today’s bill of vital importance to the 3rd District are the funding of PILT, prohibiting USFWS from listing the sage grouse under the Endangered Species Act, and stopping the EPA’s unilateral regulation of water storage and delivery systems for farm and ranch businesses,” said Tipton. “Additionally, House Leadership has assured me that in the new Congress we will move on a long-term forest management solution that will include tools to improve forest health, prevent wildfire, and ensure that schools, emergency services and local infrastructure are funded through an extension of Secure Rural Schools. These things would have already been addressed had the Senate taken action on the numerous House-passed forest management bills, including legislation that I helped write—the Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act (H.R. 1526).” Tipton has been a vocal advocate in Congress for scientifically-supported, locally-tailored species preservation efforts like those currently underway in Colorado for the Gunnison and Greater sage grouse. Such efforts have the flexibility to account for the specific ecological and geographic conditions of a region; ensuring more effective, targeted species preservation can take place. A broad federal ESA listing would disrupt these efforts in favor of a less-effective, one-size-fits all approach that would implement uniform restrictions and requirements over an expansive range regardless of the local topographic and ecological conditions. Highlights of H.R. 83 courtesy of the House Whip’s Office: ·         Fully funds 11 of the 12 regular Appropriations bills through September 30, 2015, and funds the Department of Homeland Security under a Continuing Resolution (CR) until February 27, 2015  ·         Obamacare: No new funding for Obamacare; prohibits funds for Obamacare Risk Corridors; Requires HHS and Treasury to report to Congress on improper payments of Obamacare tax subsidies;  cuts the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) by $10 million Cuts EPA $60 million (fifth consecutive year of cuts, totaling a 21% reduction since FY10, and a decrease in 2,000 positions – 1989 levels) Prohibits regulation of farm ponds and irrigation ditches Prohibits listing the sage grouse on the Endangered Species List Protects Second Amendment rights and prohibits EPA to regulations of lead content in ammunition or fishing tackle IRS: Cuts IRS funding $345.6 million ($1.5 billion below the president’s request and below FY08 levels); prohibits IRS targeting organizations based on their ideological beliefs or for exercising their First Amendment rights; prohibits the White House ordering review of tax-exempt status; Prohibits IRS funds for inappropriate videos and conferences Provides $2.5 billion for processing VA disability claims to end the backlog and rescinds $41 million in performance bonuses at the VA   #  #  #",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,,,legacy,"Perlmuttter Statement on Omnibus Bill f t # e Washington, DC, December 12, 2014 U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) issued the following statement after the government funding bill passed the House of Representatives: ""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. The 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. This 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."" ### f t # 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,,,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. The 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. 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 would direct the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to routinely report to Congress on cost savings realized to date. ""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."" Carper ""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."" A 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://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,,,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. The 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. ""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."" ""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."" The 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. The 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. Supporters 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. ""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."" ""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."" ""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."" ""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."" ""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. ""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."" ""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."" ""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."" ""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."" ""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."" ""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,,,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. # # #",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,,,legacy,"U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-01) offered the following statement following her vote opposing H.R. 5806: “I 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. “Unfortunately, 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. “I 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.”",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,,,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: “The American public is sick of back-room deals made in order to perform Congress’s 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.”",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,,,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. ""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."" The 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. Click 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,,,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."" The 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. Unlike 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. Specifically, 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. Reps. Royce and Perlmutter, members of the House Financial Services Committee, urge the President to sign this bill into law without delay. ###",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,,,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: “In 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. “This vote comes on the heels of President Obama’s announcement of an additional $1 billion for early education, and reinforces the administration’s 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. “ Last 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,,,legacy,"Representative Jared Polis (CO-02) today voted against the so-called “CROmnibus” 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.  “This spending bill is a perfect example of why Congress has such a low approval rating,” said Rep. Polis. “Members 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. “ “I voted against the ‘CROmnibus’ 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.”” Rep. 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: Sponsored an amendment to reduce federal spending on research and development for fossil fuels to the President’s requested amount. Sponsored an amendment to cut $120 million in unrequested and wasteful funding dedicated to upgrading the M1 Abrams Tank. Sponsored an amendment to defund the mid-life nuclear refueling overhaul of the aircraft carrier, the George Washington – potentially saving as much as $7 billion in taxpayer funds. Sponsored an amendment to bring H.R. 15 – a bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill – to the House floor for a vote. 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. Cosponsored Delegate Eleanor Holmes-Norton’s 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’s 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,,,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.  ""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.""  The 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. 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,,,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. ""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."" ""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."" From 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. The 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. # # #",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,,,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 http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/tipton-urges-stronger-sanctions-iran,Tipton Calls for Stronger Sanctions on Iran,2014-12-10,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,CO,Scott Tipton,T000470,tipton.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) spoke on the House floor this week on the need for stronger sanctions on Iran in order to advance negotiations over that country’s nuclear program. “This past week, negotiations with Iran over the country’s nuclear program were extended another seven months after no agreement was reached yet again. This extension carried with it no additional or strengthened economic sanctions on Iran. Now, disturbingly, we have heard that the Administration has considered sanctions against Israel—our ally. “Stronger sanctions are needed regarding Iran—not our ally Israel—to increase pressure, advance negotiations and achieve a favorable outcome for the U.S. and all our allies. There is no room for error and the Administration cannot balk and miss the chance to get a strong agreement in place.  “A nuclear Iran would pose an incredible threat to the Middle East and to the United States. The security of our allies, including Israel, our ally, and the stability of the region is at stake. “H.R. 850, the Nuclear Iran Prevention Act of 2013, of which I am a cosponsor, passed the House of Representatives 400-20. The bill would strengthen, update, and replace previous sanctions on Iran, and close loopholes.  Despite the broad bipartisan support, the Senate has done nothing on this bill. “The Senate needs to take it up, and increase pressure on Iran to reach an agreement. Stronger sanctions must be put into place. We cannot afford to wait.”",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,,,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’s 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. “Our political system is already overwhelmed by money from special interests and the superrich, even with our current campaign contribution limits,” said Congressman Jared Polis. “There 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  drowned out by mega-donors.” “It 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,” said Congressman Deutch. “Americans 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.” “I find it unconscionable that House Republicans have sought to bury this incredibly damaging provision among a 1,600 page spending bill,” 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."" “Almost $4 billion was spent on the 2014 midterms, making them the most expensive in our nation’s history,” said Congresswoman Donna Edwards. “Now, 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.  We cannot allow outside money to dominate our elections, to do so would be both undemocratic and unfair to ordinary citizens.” “The American political system is already drowning in special interest money,” said Congressman McGovern.  “The last thing Congress should do is make the problem worse.  But that’s exactly what this backroom deal would do.  It’s outrageous.” “It 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,,,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. ###",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,,,legacy,"Rep. Perlmutter Statement on Civilian Board of Contract Appeals Ruling on VA Hospital f t # e Washington, DC, December 9, 2014 U.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: There 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. Click here to see past press releases and statements from Rep. Perlmutter regarding the VA hospital. ### f t # 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,,,legacy,"Polis Issues Statement Condemning U.S. Torture Practices, Calls for Increased Oversight of Intelligence Community f t # e Washington, December 9, 2014 Representative Jared Polis (CO-02) today made the following statement in response to the release of the Senate CIA torture report: “The 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. “This 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’t 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,,,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. “Congress should not try to subvert the will of [the] states by passing a blanket online gaming ban,” the Representatives wrote. “Closing down state-legal online gaming services would only drive consumers to wager with offshore operators – who can behave unscrupulously with virtually no oversight by any government – 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.” “It 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,” the Representatives continued. Four states have some legal and regulated forms of Internet gambling, and several additional state legislatures are considering internet gambling bills this year. A 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,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Today, Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Louise Slaughter (D-NY), co-Chairs of the House Pro-Choice Caucus, criticized an attempt to attack women’s health by attaching an ideological policy rider to a funding bill that must pass before December 11th to avoid a government shutdown.  The rider would double down on the Supreme Court’s controversial Hobby Lobby decision by allowing corporations to exercise a “conscience clause” to deny certain types of health coverage mandated under the Affordable Care Act to their employees. In a letter to Speaker John Boehner, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers and Ranking Member Nita Lowey, DeGette and Slaughter expressed their dismay that some Members would risk shutting down the entire federal government over an ideological objection to women’s health coverage. Read the letter below: Dear Speaker Boehner, Leader Pelosi, Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Lowey, Recent 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’s health. As co-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.  The legislative proposals that we understand have been discussed would effectively undo the preventive services benefits of the Affordable Care Act and allow a private right of action for any individual or corporation that feels it has experienced a violation of ""conscience” as a result of providing any health care service to which they have an objection. This broad language goes far beyond other related proposals previously rejected in the Senate and would severely restrict access to necessary health care services, especially for women. This kind of political maneuvering – using must-pass legislation to accomplish a “wish list” of one faction of Congress and risking a government shutdown - 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. Sincerely, Louise M. Slaughter Member of Congress   Diana DeGette Member 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,,,legacy,"Rep. Perlmutter Statement on Orion's Successful Experimental Flight Test f t # e Lakewood, CO, December 5, 2014 U.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: The 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."" ### f t # 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,,,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."" ###",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,,,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. ""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."" 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 would direct the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to routinely report to Congress on cost savings realized to date. A 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 http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/hermosa-creek-bill-passes-house,Hermosa Creek Bill Passes House,2014-12-04,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,CO,Scott Tipton,T000470,tipton.house.gov,,,legacy,"Hermosa Creek Bill Passes House WASHINGTON—Today, the Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives as part of a legislative package (HR. 4435). “The Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act is well on the way to becoming law,” said Congressman Scott Tipton. “This is a victory for the people of Southwest Colorado, who worked together to provide momentum for this effort to ensure that the region remains protected and that multiple use of the land continues for future generations.” The language, which was agreed upon by Congressman Tipton, Senator Michael Bennet and community stakeholders in November, includes wilderness protections and multiple use access for existing activities like grazing and snowmobiling in designated areas. A Senate vote is expected to follow soon. Learn more about the bill and community support for it HERE.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/tipton-votes-block-executive-orders-immigration,Tipton Votes to Block Executive Orders on Immigration,2014-12-04,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,CO,Scott Tipton,T000470,tipton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON—Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) issued this statement following a vote in the House today (H.R. 5759) to block the President’s overreaching executive orders on immigration. “It’s unfortunate that the President acted against his own best advice, overstepped his Constitutional authority, and issued executive orders on immigration. The President admitted on many occasions that he did not have the authority to act unilaterally on immigration, and yet did it anyway, instead of working with Congress to truly address the challenges in America’s broken immigration system. “Today’s vote is the first of what will be a number of efforts over the coming months to stop his overreach. It’s my hope that we will advance a step-by-step immigration solution in the 114th Congress that begins with enhanced, verifiable border security and a strengthened guest worker program. We must confront the realities of the broken system and the challenges it presents—the President’s executive orders accomplish neither. ”",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,,,legacy,"Rep. Perlmutter Statement on Tax Extenders f t # e Washington, DC, December 4, 2014 U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) released the following statement about the tax extender package that passed in the U.S. House of Representatives: The 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."" ### f t # 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,,,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. During 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. Not 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. Too 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. In 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. ###",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,,,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’ benefits applications are reviewed accurately and expeditiously.  During 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. “Too 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.” “Not 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.” In 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.",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,,,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. We 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,,,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. ""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."" The 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. The 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. # # #",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,,,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. ""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."" Bennet 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. # # #",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,,,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. The 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. ""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."" ""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."" The 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. Specifically, 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. # # #",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,,,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. This 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. This 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. The 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. Colorado 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. Since 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. ###",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,,,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. Bennet 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. ""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."" ""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."" ""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."" ""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."" The 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. A 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. The 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,,,legacy,"DENVER, Colo. -- Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet issued the following statement regarding the 150th Anniversary of the Sand Creek Massacre: ""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."" Representatives 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. ###",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,,,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. ""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."" Bennet 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. The 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. The 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. 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. Supporters 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. ""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."" ""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."" ""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."" # # #",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,,,legacy,"Perlmutter Statment On Iran Nuclear Negotiations f t # e Washington, DC, December 1, 2014 U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) released the following statement about the Iran nuclear negotiations: ""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."" ### f t # 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,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – 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. “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,” DeGette wrote in the letter. She added that Browns Canyon “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.” Rep. 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. With 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. Full text of Rep. DeGette’s letter to the president is available below:   November 26, 2014 President Barack Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Mr. President: I 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. Over 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. As you may know, both of Colorado’s 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. I 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. Coloradoans want to preserve their history, their special quality of life, and their opportunities. I 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. Colorado’s beautiful lands are one of our state’s greatest resources. They not only provide clean air, clean water and critical wildlife habitat, they help drive tourism as our state’s 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. Sincerely, Diana DeGette Member of Congress   ###",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,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-01) offered the following statement after President Obama announced several Immigration Accountability Executive actions: “I 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’s policy will have a real, but only temporary, effect for less than half of the current undocumented population. “As 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’s announcement coming from my colleagues, I would remind them that all it takes to supersede President Obama’s announced action is to pass legislation dealing with our immigration problems. The ball remains in the Republican leaders’ court.”   ###",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,,,legacy,"Rep. Perlmutter Reacts to President Obama's Executive Action on Immigration f t # e Washington, DC, November 21, 2014 U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) released the following statement in response to President Obama's executive order on immigration: President 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. Tonight'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. ### f t # 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,,,legacy,"LAKEWOOD, CO – More than 100 people attended the first-ever Senior Resource Fair on Friday, November 21st, hosted by Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07).  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.  Representatives 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’s Wellness Team, Meals on Wheels, Jefferson County District Attorney’s office, Audio Information Network, and many others.  In 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.  Several “Ignite Sessions” 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’s. The Senior Resource Fair, held at Rep. Perlmutter’s district office, was created after listening to constituents’ needs and in response to the aging demographic in the district. ###",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,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) released the following statement in response to President Obama’s executive order on immigration: “President 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. Tonight’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.” ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20141206063301/http://coffman.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/president-obama-s-executive-action-on-immigration,President Obamas Executive Action on Immigration,2014-11-21,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,CO,Mike Coffman,C001077,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"(Washington, D.C.) The trend of this White House politicizing immigration continues. President Obama wants a partisan political wedge issue, not meaningful, sensible, compassionate immigration reform. The president's unilateral actions will make it harder for congress to fix the immigration system, and the worst part is - that seems to be exactly his intention. Shutting down the government is not an option.  I will be looking into what other options are available that would force the President to negotiate with Congress on immigration reform next year. I support a step-by-step approach that starts with securing our borders.  I've introduced legislation that will allow the young undocumented adults, who grew up here and graduated from high school here, to have an opportunity to serve in the military and to earn a path to citizenship from their military service.",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,,,legacy,"Washington, DC -- Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet issued the following statement on the ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran: ""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. ""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."" # # #",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,,,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. The 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. ""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."" ""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."" Bennet 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. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/tipton-helps-advance-measure-encourage-us-manufacturing,Tipton Helps Advance Measure to Encourage U.S. Manufacturing,2014-11-20,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,CO,Scott Tipton,T000470,tipton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON—Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) voted today to advance legislation to cut red tape at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that is causing costly delays and impeding the construction of new manufacturing facilities in the United States. The Promoting New Manufacturing Act (H.R. 4795), which passed the House with bipartisan support, seeks to reduce permitting delays in the preconstruction permitting process at the EPA, as well as increase transparency in that process. “American manufacturing is the cornerstone of economic recovery and has a vital impact on the 3rd District and State of Colorado,” said Tipton. “By eliminating unnecessary delays at the EPA, domestic manufacturers will be able get faster permit approval to responsibly move forward with construction of new facilities, that once opened, will provide new jobs and opportunities here at home and across the nation. Any steps that can be taken to encourage economic growth and increased manufacturing must be a priority for Washington, and I urge our colleagues over in the Senate to quickly act on this needed manufacturing legislation.” Tipton has worked with manufacturers across the 3rd District including EVRAZ, GCC, Rocla, and UTC Aerospace Systems in Pueblo and Lewis Engineering, CAPCO, Leitner-Poma and Ross Reels on the West Slope, to identify issues and ways the federal government can work to foster economic growth and increased manufacturing. Additionally, Tipton has held numerous manufacturing roundtables and job fairs in the district, and championed pro-growth policies in the House Committee on Small Business and in the Congressional Small Business Caucus of which he is a co-founder. Background courtesy of the Committee on Energy and Commerce: H.R. 4795 would: Create a dashboard to provide increased transparency regarding the timing for permitting. This will provide the public with access to information regarding the number of permits issued annually and timelines for final preconstruction permit decisions.  Reduce permitting delays by ensuring EPA provides timely guidance about how to comply with new or revised air quality standards affecting the permit applications.  Promote more efficient processing of permits by requiring the EPA provide to Congress annually a report on the actions being taken by the agency to expedite the permitting process.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/tipton-statement-president%E2%80%99s-overreach-immigration,Tipton Statement on Presidents Executive Orders on Immigration,2014-11-20,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,CO,Scott Tipton,T000470,tipton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON—Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) issued this statement in response to the President’s announcement of executive orders on immigration. “When Democrats controlled both the House and Senate, the President took no action on immigration. He even admitted time and again that he did not have the authority to act unilaterally. Now he’s rushing to implement overreaching executive orders to politicize the issue rather than fix the problems with the system. This is a disservice to the American people and sends the wrong message to those who are in line going through the immigration process legally. “The House is working on a framework for a solution to actually address the problems within the nation’s immigration system. As I have been advocating for years, that solution begins with enhanced, verifiable border security and a strengthened guest worker program before any other action is taken. “The President’s negligence on immigration reform and his empty promises led to a humanitarian crisis this year as children and others were making a treacherous journey from Central America to cross into the United States illegally. But instead of working with us to address the realities of our nation’s broken immigration system and prevent this from happening again, the President has decided to act alone, ignore the problems, and in doing so, prolong them. “Enough is enough, Mr. President. “I’m working closely with my colleagues in Congress to hold the President accountable, ensure the law of the land is enforced, and advance a solution that will fix the problems within the current immigration system—not brush them aside, as the President is doing.”",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,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC — Representative Jared Polis (CO-02) released the following statement applauding President Barack Obama’s announcement that he will take executive action on immigration reform:   “The 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.   “It 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.   “I look forward to the President’s 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.”",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,,,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: ""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. ""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. ""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. ""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."" Bennet 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. Bennet'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. # # #",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,,,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. The 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). ""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."" ""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)."" ""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. ""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."" ""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."" The 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. Climate 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. FEMA 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. While 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: FEMA should update building standards for floodplain management, including additional flood-proofing for resilience to sea-level rise and extreme weather events. USDA 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. In 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. Click here to download the full report. # # #",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,,,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. The 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. ""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."" The 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. However, 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. Last 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. ###",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,,,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. ""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."" The 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. The 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. # # #",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,,,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."" Cronin, 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. ""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."" Mutual 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. Following 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. Today'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. # # #",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,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-01) issued the following statement after voting against H.R. 5682: “We shouldn’t let politics interfere with scientific review of major projects, but unfortunately, House Republican leadership did just that with today’s 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.”     ###",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,,,legacy,"Representative Jared Polis (CO-02) today made the following statement lauding the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) proposal to improve and expand the federal E-Rate program: “Access 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. “Chairman Wheeler’s 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."" Last 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,,,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. The 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. ""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."" The 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. The 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. Access 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. ###",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,,,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 “wedge” 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. Representative 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. “I 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” said Rep. Polis. “Arapaho National Forest is visited by millions of people every year, and the inclusion of this ‘wedge’ will ensure its natural beauty will be preserved and enjoyed by generations to come.” This 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://web.archive.org/web/20141115042233/http://coffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/supporting-the-keystone-xl-pipeline,Supporting the Keystone XL Pipeline,2014-11-14,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,CO,Mike Coffman,C001077,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"(Washington, D.C.) Today, I voted in favor of, and the House passed, H.R. 5682, a bill that if enacted will immediately allow TransCanada to construct the Keystone XL pipeline.  I hope that the Senate will take up this important bipartisan legislation next week and that the President will immediately sign it into law.  By approving Keystone XL now, we can improve our economy, bolster our national security, and reassert our standing in the world as nations can rely on us rather than depend on despotic rulers for their energy supply.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/local-communities-bennet-tipton-reach-agreement-hermosa-creek-bill-%E2%80%93-senate-committee,"Local Communities, Bennet, Tipton Reach Agreement on Hermosa Creek Bill Senate Committee Advances Bill to Full Senate",2014-11-13,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,CO,Scott Tipton,T000470,tipton.house.gov,,,legacy,"Bill Would Protect More Than 100,000 Acres in San Juan National Forest, Designate 38,000 acres of new Wilderness Washington, DC – 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. The 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. “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.” “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.” “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.” “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. “ “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.” “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.” “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.” “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.” The 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. Supporters 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. Additional Supporters: “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 “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 “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 “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://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,,,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. The 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. ""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."" ""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."" ""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."" ""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. "" ""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."" ""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."" ""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."" ""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."" The 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. Supporters 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. Additional Supporters: ""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 ""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 ""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 ""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 http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/tipton-statement-gunnison-sage-grouse-listing,Tipton Statement on Gunnison Sage Grouse Listing,2014-11-12,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,CO,Scott Tipton,T000470,tipton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) issued this statement in response to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listing the Gunnison Sage Grouse as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) despite strong bipartisan and local opposition. “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service disregarded science and the wellbeing of the Gunnison Sage Grouse today. They decided to ignore the scientific experts, and in true Washington-knows-best fashion, listen to the bureaucracy instead, jeopardizing locally-tailored species preservation efforts already successfully underway in Colorado. This is not a political issue, but an occasion where people from diverse backgrounds and all sides of the political spectrum have worked together to put into place local plans of action to preserve the species based on extensive scientific data—and they’re working. In addition to implementing a wide range of voluntary conservation efforts, these stakeholders have done everything the federal government has asked to ensure the recovery of this species. “I support the State of Colorado’s announced decision to challenge the listing in court, and am hopeful that it is successful for the sake of the health and prosperity of the grouse, and for the sake of the communities that will be severely impacted by this ill-advised federal overreach.” Tipton has been a vocal advocate in Congress for scientifically-supported locally-tailored species preservation efforts like those currently underway in Colorado. Such efforts have the flexibility to account for the specific ecological and geographic conditions of a region; ensuring more effective, targeted species preservation can take place. A broad federal ESA listing would disrupt these efforts in favor of a less-effective, one-size-fits all approach that would implement uniform restrictions and requirements over an expansive range regardless of the local topographic and ecological conditions. Tipton has co-sponsored legislation (The Sage Grouse Protection and Conservation Act) to prevent the Greater and Gunnison sage grouse from being listed under the Endangered Species Act for 10 years, and instead requires states to develop conservation management plans to meet the unique needs of the Sage grouse in each state. He has also sought to update and create greater transparency in the outdated ESA listing process.",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,,,legacy,"Perlmutter Honors Veterans and Military Families   LAKEWOOD, CO – Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) released the following statement in honor of Veterans Day and Military Families Appreciation Month: ""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. Ensuring 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 why I remain committed to building a new VA hospital to serve veterans across the Rocky Mountain region and improving transparency and accountability within the VA.  This 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."" ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20141112234937/http://coffman.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/man-fights-va-says-half-of-his-father-s-insurance-benefits-went-to-employee,"Man fights VA, says half of his fathers insurance benefits went to employee",2014-11-12,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,CO,Mike Coffman,C001077,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"DENVER ��� Wade Barton still gets emotional every time he visits his father���s grave at Fort Logan National Cemetery west of Denver. ���I wish things were better off than they were,��? Barton said looking over his father���s tombstone. His father died almost two years ago, but his son���s battle��against the Department of Veterans Affairs rages on. Barton is fighting the office over his dad���s life insurance policy. He���s upset because half of the money went to a VA social worker who helped with his father���s care. ���My dad told me that money was to be used after he died for burial services and whatever else needed to be handled,��? Barton said. He wants to know why half of the $10,000 policy was given to an employee, which he believes is against federal regulations that prohibit employees from getting gifts from veterans over $20 a year. Documents obtained by FOX31 Denver show the VA employee, Jim Sellers, met with Barton���s father on at least seven occasions while he was getting care at the VA hospital. Barton said he doesn���t believe his father intended to leave Sellers half of the life insurance money and demanded the local VA office investigate. The VA Office of Inspector General looked into the matter in April and found there was ���insufficient evidence to pursue further investigation,��? according to a letter the VA sent Barton in April. Sellers is listed as a friend on the life insurance document, which was signed in 2009 at the VA medical facility in Denver. The VA said Sellers was not in the room at the time the document was signed and did not help Barton���s father with the paperwork. US Rep. Mike Coffman, who is the leading member of the House Subcommittee for VA Oversight and Investigation, doesn���t believe Barton got a true investigation by the OIG. ���Clearly there is no question, on the surface, that there appears to be very significant wrong doing,��? Coffman told FOX31 Denver Investigative Reporter Tak Landrock. Coffman asked for a second investigation by the OIG and got it. The second investigation found no criminal wrongdoing, but this time the agency that investigates governmental department said Sellers may have exercised questionable judgment in accepting the proceeds in his role as a VA employee. The OIG said it would leave it up to the VA to decide if any administrative action is warranted. Sellers refused to speak with FOX31 Denver after repeated requests for an interview. In a written statement to FOX31 Denver a VA spokesman wrote, ���The veteran was fully alert, cognizant and not influenced by any other person.��? It goes on to say, ���The veteran was within his rights to name whomever he desired to receive the proceeds from his VA Life insurance policy.��? Coffman disagrees with the VA���s stance on this issue�� and is ordering the OIG to dig deeper. ���We could argue that maybe the mental state of that patient was that he was cognizant to make that decision, but it doesn���t matter because if we look at regulations they are fairly clear that this should not have occurred,��? Coffman said. Coffman thinks there is a cover-up to protect Sellers, but he also wants to know if there a systemic problem at VA centers across the county. ���This may not be an isolated incident; this may be a pattern that goes across the nation in VA facilities. Where you have a system that has figured out that people that are in a position of trust, over elderly veterans, that they essentially manipulate them,��?��Coffman said. For Barton he will continue to fight and is hoping justice will prevail.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20141113221517/http://coffman.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/honor-those-who-serve,Honor those who serve,2014-11-12,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,CO,Mike Coffman,C001077,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"While honoring members of the armed services with special ceremonies on Veterans Day, the nation should also take time to reflect on its decision more than 40 years ago to field an all-volunteer military. It certainly made sense at the time for war-weary Americans trying to quit the Vietnam conflict. And there's no appetite to revive the draft now, after more than a dozen years of fighting in Afghanistan and with more military ""advisers"" returning to Iraq. This country has used conscription since its birth, when it was employed on a limited basis to fill militia ranks during the Revolutionary War. The first national drafts occurred during the Civil War, but only about 2 percent of Union troops were draftees, and some prospective conscripts paid others to take their place. President Woodrow Wilson took a different approach during World War I, instituting a more aggressive draft when an enlistment goal of a million soldiers fell short by more than 900,000. Some 24 million men registered for the draft in 1918, and almost three million were inducted into the armed services. Anticipating America's entry into World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, creating the first peacetime draft. By the end of the war, nearly 10 million draftees had served. Another 1.5 million American conscripts served in the Korean War, and two million served in Vietnam before President Richard M. Nixon finally fulfilled a campaign promise by ending the draft in 1972. Rep. Charles Rangel (D., N.Y.), who believes Iraq wouldn't have been invaded if President George W. Bush and members of Congress ""thought that their kids . . . would be placed in harm's way,"" has tried since 2006 to get the draft reinstated or to require some public service by all young men and women. His idea has gone nowhere. Meanwhile, in a rare show of bipartisanship, Reps. Peter DeFazio (D., Ore.) and Mike Coffman (R., Colo.) have tried to defund the Selective Service System to save $24 million a year. They question the need for registration if no one is ever drafted. It's a good point. In a time of seemingly perpetual war, mothballing the Selective Service seems at odds with reality. But it would reflect polls consistently showing opposition to the draft. Most people don't seem to care that an all-volunteer military places the burden of service on a minority of Americans. That makes it even more important to make sure that those who serve, or have served, are honored for their sacrifice not just on Veterans Day, but every day.",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,,,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. The 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. ""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."" The 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. However, 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. The 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). Last 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. ###",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,,,legacy,"Perlmutter Honors Veterans and Military Families f t # e Lakewood, CO, November 11, 2014 Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) released the following statement in honor of Veterans Day and Military Families Appreciation Month: ""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. Ensuring 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. This 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."" ### f t # 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,,,legacy,"Denver, CO - Senator Michael Bennet released the following statement today in honor of Veterans Day: On 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 http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/tipton-statement-veterans-day,Tipton Statement for Veterans Day,2014-11-10,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,CO,Scott Tipton,T000470,tipton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) issued this statement in honor of Veterans Day. “On Veterans Day we celebrate and honor a truly special group of men and women. Through their service, America’s veterans have preserved the freedom and independence we enjoy and have made the American Dream possible. We want to thank all of our veterans and their families, who share in their sacrifice, and pay tribute to the important impact they have had through their service and continue to have as valued members of their communities. We are grateful for them and for our active duty service members every day.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20141107220827/http://coffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/coffman-urges-the-president-to-increase-wildfire-prevention-funding,Coffman Urges the President to Increase Wildfire Prevention Funding,2014-11-07,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,CO,Mike Coffman,C001077,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"(Washington, D.C.) On October 21, U.S. Representative Mike Coffman (R-CO) sent a letter to the President pressing him to increase funding for the Western Watershed Enhancement Partnership in his Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Request. The Western Watershed Enhancement Partnership was formed last year when the Departments of Agriculture and Interior established a framework to partner with local entities to reduce the risks of wildfire upon Western communities and their water supplies.  In July 2014, under this arrangement, the Departments of Agriculture and Interior announced $187,500 to Colorado in order to fund forestry work around the Colorado-Big Thompson and Fryingpan-Arkansas projects.  These projects use diversions, tunnels, pipes, dams and reservoirs to carry water under the Continental Divide to the Front Range of Colorado. The funding will be used to thin forests and clear hazardous fuels around a reservoir above Estes Park and for forest thinning around Turquoise Reservoir and the water collection system in the surrounding watershed.  This will help to prevent and mitigate the devastating effects that future fires can have on our water resources and the communities that depend upon them. “Colorado is a state blessed with many natural resources, but some of the most important are our forest lands and watersheds,” Coffman wrote in the letter.  “These are vital resources for the economy and quality of life for many of our families and businesses.  We must take all necessary steps to protect our forests and our watersheds on public lands from catastrophic wildfires and invasive species.” The Bureau of Reclamation funds the Partnership through its WaterSMART program.  The Department of the Interior committed $152,000 to the Partnership during its first year, and followed up by committing an additional $187,500 in July 2014.  Coffman’s goal is to see the funding for the Partnership doubled for Fiscal Year 2016 to protect watersheds and forests from the dangers of wild fires, drought and invasive species. “I greatly appreciate Congressman Coffman’s leadership in protecting our forests,” expressed Mayor Steve Hogan of Aurora, Colorado.  “Healthy forest lands and watersheds are critical to protecting Aurora’s water supply.  I look forward to working with Congressman Coffman and others to secure the necessary funding for this critical program.” The Front Range of Colorado’s municipal water supplies suffered greatly as a result of flooding, erosion and sediment deposition after the 1996 Buffalo Creek Fire, the 2000 Bobcat Fire, the 2002 Hayman and Schoonover fires, and the 2012 Waldo Canyon fire. The Buffalo Creek fire and the subsequent debris flows from flash floods deposited mud, ash and decomposed granite in Strontia Springs Reservoir, requiring significant rehabilitation efforts. Moreover, the storage capacity of the Reservoir was reduced by 15 percent in the months following the fire.  The Hayman Fire burned 138,000 acres of forest, and destroyed 133 homes and 466 outbuildings at an estimated cost of $238 million. The Waldo Canyon fire burned the watershed above Colorado Springs, resulting in the death of two individuals, the loss of 346 homes, over $450 million in insurance claims, and significant damage – as a result of post-fire storms – to utility infrastructure. “If we are to avoid more of these devastating wildfires, more funding for wildfire prevention is needed,” wrote Coffman.  “Doing so will bolster the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior’s abilities to protect our natural resources and our communities.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20141107222054/http://coffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-rep-mike-coffman-wins-as-a-problem-solver,U.S. REP. MIKE COFFMAN WINS AS A PROBLEM SOLVER,2014-11-06,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,CO,Mike Coffman,C001077,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"(Washington, D.C.) No Labels – a national movement of Democrats, Republicans and independents dedicated to a new politics of problem solving – this morning congratulated U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO) on his election victory, along with 60 other National Strategic Agenda supporters. The group emphasized that running on a message of problem solving was effective for candidates across the nation and the political spectrum. “It’s clear that ending partisan gridlock has the support of America’s voters,” said No Labels Executive Director Margaret Kimbrell. “Coffman was among the 60 Problem Solvers who won their elections last night. These election results mark a new era in politics, one where candidates like Coffman who promise to be collaborative and work on solving problems — not just on getting re-elected — will do well at the ballot box.” “Problem solvers are going to set the tone in the 114th Congress,” predicted No Labels Co-Chairman Jon Huntsman. “With the end of the divisive nature of an election season comes a fresh start and real opportunities to solve some of the nation’s most pressing problems. We’re looking forward to working with members of Congress like Coffman as part of a growing, bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus to take on the issues that we know have consensus — like immigration and tax reform.” Bill Galston, No Labels Co-Founder, said “Problem solving is a positive message that doesn’t require candidates to tear each other down or to check their principles at the door of the political arena. It’s a winning message for all candidates, like Coffman, because it really can unite us above differences of partisanship and ideology.” Elected officials who support development of No Labels’ National Strategic Agenda received the Problem Solver Seal of Approval; most recipients chose to use it as a credential as they sought re-election. The National Strategic Agenda will be built on four widely agreed-upon goals (based on a nationwide survey): •      Create 25 million new jobs over the next 10 years; •      Balance the federal budget by 2030; •      Secure Medicare and Social Security for another 75 years; and •      Make America energy secure by 2024. At the time of this release, 60 National Strategic Agenda supporters won their races. Seven races are still too close to call.",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,,,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. ""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."" The 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. Bennet wrote to Education Secretary Arne Duncan in support of the Northwest Colorado BOCES grant application. The i3 program is aimed at developing innovative approaches to improve student achievement and replicating effective strategies across the country. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20141024024824/http://coffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/new-geriatric-research-education-and-clinic-approved,New Geriatric Research Education and Clinic Approved,2014-10-23,2014,2014-10,Republican,House,CO,Mike Coffman,C001077,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"(Washington, D.C.) Today, the office of Congressman Mike Coffman (CO-6) announced that the Veterans Administration has approved the Eastern Colorado Health Care System (ECHCS) for the establishment of a new Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) at the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora Colorado.  “The Director of the Center for Aging at CU Anschutz, Dr. Robert Schwartz credits Coffman and fellow Colorado Congressman Ed Perlmutter for help bringing the new research and treatment center to Aurora.” Denver Post (10/23/14) VA Hospital at Anschutz in Aurora Lands Geriatric Research Center “I am pleased that our community will continue to lead in the important area of geriatric health, said Coffman.  “As a member of the Veteran’s Affairs Committee and as a veteran myself, I am particularly pleased that this effort will focus on supporting our older veterans,” he continued.  Each GRECC contains a research component, an education component, and a clinical component. Currently there are 19 GRECCs which compete for research grants to conduct research on aging and the diseases commonly associated with it, to research how care is best delivered to elders, and to determine the efficacy of rehabilitation. The GRECCs also work with clinical staff in VA medical centers to demonstrate new or improved care for elderly veterans. This new center is expected to include twelve new full time VA employees hired as researchers, clinical educators and administrative staff dedicated to improving the lives of elderly veterans.   Placing the GRECC at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus will allow its staff to collaborate with geriatric researchers at the University’s medical school. This collocation was a key factor in the success of the application.   This is the first new GRECC in more than 15 years. Congressman Coffman provided a letter of support for the application and the new center is part of his ongoing efforts to improve lives of veterans.  The VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System was chosen over two other national finalist hospitals.  Schwartz credits much of that to the overwhelming support of local groups and legislators including U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman and U.S. Rep Ed Perlmutter, as well as support from the campus Dean of Medicine.  http://www.denverpost.com/aurora/ci_26771190/va-hospital-at-anschutz-aurora-lands-geriatric-research",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20141024030131/http://coffman.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/va-hospital-at-anschutz-in-aurora-lands-geriatric-research-center,VA hospital at Anschutz in Aurora lands geriatric research center,2014-10-23,2014,2014-10,Republican,House,CO,Mike Coffman,C001077,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"Once it's up and running, the new Veteran's Affairs building at the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora will include a research and treatment center entirely devoted to the care of aging veterans. The VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System building that is currently under construction at Anschutz will establish the first Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center in the country in more than 15 years. The centers were started by the VA in the late 1970s. Since the late '80s, the VA hasn't opened a new facility devoted to research and education for aging veterans. Dr. Robert Schwartz, director of the Center on Aging at the Anschutz Medical Campus and head of the Division of Geriatric Medicine at the School of Medicine, headed an application last December for a center after the VA headquarters in Washington D.C. opened a national review for one new location in 2013. ""GRECCs haven't been competed for in 15 to 20 years,"" Schwartz said. ""This brings in not just collaborative research opportunities, but also a collaborative education and clinical opportunities."" The research and education center is slated to be 6,000 square feet of lab space and 800 square feet of office space inside the 59,000-square-foot research building in the new VA facility. The most recent estimate for when VA's doors will open is May 2015. The Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center will include a team of 12 researchers and grant writers who will conduct work on two specialized fields of geriatrics never done in the VA system before: gender-related healthcare and the consequences of obesity in aging adults. ""If you look at the population overall, there's going to be a doubling of the people 65 and older between 2010 and 2030,"" Schwartz said. ""That's a real opportunity to develop new research and clinical methods to take care of them in a resource-wise way."" The VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System was chosen over two other national finalist hospitals. Schwartz credits much of that to the overwhelming support of local groups and legislators including U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman and U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter, as well as support from the campus Dean of Medicine. ""I'm pleased the Department of Veterans Affairs selected the Division of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine for its new Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center,"" Perlmutter said in a statement. ""The center will leverage the expertise of CU's School of Medicine to create new and innovative ways to care for the demands of an aging veteran population."" Schwartz found out that the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System was awarded the research center and clinic within the last few months. The VA will support the salaries of the 12 employees for three years, and then grant dollars will fund the subsequent research. ""Our group was especially excited with the two proposed research (themes) for the GRECC,"" said Steve Rylant, president of the United Veterans Committee of Colorado, which is based in Aurora. ""Not only are these apparently distinct research concentrations ... but certainly areas of clinical importance for aging veterans now and into the future.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20141024031248/http://coffman.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/read-the-threatening-emails-sent-to-a-va-whistleblower-after-he-appeared-on,Read the Threatening Emails Sent to a VA Whistleblower After He Appeared on TV,2014-10-22,2014,2014-10,Republican,House,CO,Mike Coffman,C001077,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"The Department of Veterans Affairs last month tried to force one of its employees to sign a non-disclosure agreement and threatened disciplinary action, after the employee appeared on television to criticize the VA for failing in its mission to deliver health care to veterans. Scott Davis is a program specialist at the VA’s Health Eligibility Center in Atlanta, and more recently is a whistleblower who has testified in Congress about the VA’s numerous failures. Davis has also been on several TV and radio shows to discuss the VA’s failures over the last few months. After appearing on Fox News on September 2, Davis was emailed just minutes later by William Lamm, who asked Davis to appear at an Administrative Investigation Board meeting scheduled for September 4. Lamm said Davis would be asked to sign a copy of a “notice” at that meeting. Davis told TheBlaze that he isn’t sure what the Board meeting would cover, but based on the notice, it appeared to be an attempt to start an internal VA investigation into Davis’s actions. The notice Davis was asked to sign said employees must testify “freely and honestly in cases respecting employment and disciplinary matters,” and also said issues discussed as part of the investigation cannot be talked about outside the VA. “VA Directive 0700 requires you to refrain from disclosing any information developed in the course of the investigation, including the substance of your testimony, with others, if so directed by the Convening Authority or by a member of the administrative investigative board,” it reads. “This is to protect the integrity and fairness of the investigative process.” Davis replied in an email on September 3 that the White House Office of Special Counsel is already investigating his whistleblower case, and said the VA has already determined that the OSC investigation must be concluded before the VA itself takes any action against Davis. “Therefore, I will have to decline your invitation to meet tomorrow,” Davis wrote. “Mr. Lamm, I respectfully ask that you please stop contacting me about this matter.” Later that day, Lamm wrote back that Davis had no choice but to attend the meeting, and reminded him that the notice Davis was required to sign says refusing to testify on disciplinary matters “may be ground for disciplinary action.” “Mr. Davis, with all due respect, the notification that was sent to you and to your representative to appear before the Administrative Investigation Board was not an invitation to which you can decline,” Lamm wrote. Lamm backed off his demand later in the day, in an email that said the VA wants to cooperate with the OSC, and that the OSC would not be able to have an “Agent” attend the planned hearing. Davis told TheBlaze that this veiled threat seemed empty, as the OSC told him personally that it does not employ any such “Agents.” Still, the exchange prompted Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.) to write VA Secretary Robert McDonald about the VA’s effort to silence Davis. “Mr. Davis recently indicated to my staff that he is receiving threatening emails regarding disciplinary action against him,” Coffman wrote. “He indicated he is being harassed and investigated and that human resource officials have demanded that he sign a document, without a VA or OMB identification control number, purporting to be a Notice of Witness Obligations, Protections and Privacy.” “Please be assured that retaliation against VA employees that have provided whistleblower information to Congress will not be tolerated,” Coffman added. “I request a response and explanation within five working days.” Davis and House aides said they are not aware of a response from McDonald, more than a month after Coffman’s letter was sent. In the meantime, Davis is continuing to blow the whistle on the failure of the VA to clean up the mess after the health care scandal broke earlier this year. He’s also tweeting updates at his Twitter profile, @ScottDavis_WB. Most recently, Davis has warned that the VA appears to be preparing to jettison thousands of old veterans’ claims for healthcare that were never processed. Davis said the VA has been sending letters to people who filed these unanswered claims, and appears to be preparing to argue that it can freely drop any outstanding claim unless veterans write back. The trouble is, Davis said, is that the VA is getting a response rate of about 8 percent, and said the VA appears to be looking for an easy way to justify ditching these old claims. Davis added that eliminating potentially hundreds of thousands of old claims would let the VA boast about improving its performance rate for veterans seeking medical help, when really it would only be trashing claims it never answered. “By deleting the record, you’re deleting your true turnaround time,” he told TheBlaze.",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,,,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. ""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. ""We request that you take prompt action to finalize the proposed settlement agreement."" The 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. Local leaders from Mesa County and Garfield County also support the settlement. Here is the full letter: Secretary Jewell, We 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. Today, 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. This 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. We request that you take prompt action to finalize the proposed settlement agreement. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely,",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,,,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. The 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. ""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."" ""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."" Last week, Bennet and Udall urged USDA to expedite the implementation of this program. The 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. Spring 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 http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/weekly-update-congressman-scott-tipton,Weekly Update from Congressman Scott Tipton,2014-10-20,2014,2014-10,Republican,House,CO,Scott Tipton,T000470,tipton.house.gov,,,legacy,"*To see other recent newsletters and to subscribe to receive updates from Congressman Tipton click HERE. Dear Friend, I want to give you a quick update from the road this week on some of the things we’ve been working on as we travel through the 3rd District. The spread of Ebola in West Africa, and now the cases here in the U.S. are cause for serious concern. Just this week the House Energy and Commerce Committee held an oversight hearing on the government’s response to the outbreak so far, and on what needs to be done to contain it in West Africa and prevent it from spreading in the U.S. Based on the testimony in that hearing and on additional information I have seen, I believe that there are commonsense steps that can and should be taken now to contain the spread, including visa/travel restrictions on West Africa and more stringent screening and quarantines. I will continue to closely monitor this situation, and work with my colleagues to ensure that resources are available and responsible actions are being taken to stop the spread of Ebola. We have also been working this week to continue to address two key issues that have a significant impact on the 3rd District and the Western U.S.  I joined a number of my colleagues in a letter to ask House leaders to provide certainty for counties by including funding for PILT and SRS in the upcoming FY2015 budget. Counties rely on PILT and SRS to help fund public safety, education and infrastructure. Learn more about why PILT and SRS are necessary HERE. We sent a letter this week to Interior Secretary Sally Jewell expressing concerns over the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s self-imposed, superficial listing deadline for the Greater Sage Grouse that could jeopardize existing state and local preservation efforts and impact the bird’s overall wellbeing. As I’ve said many times before, the best way to preserve the species is through scientifically supported locally-tailored species preservation efforts like those currently underway in Colorado. Such efforts have the flexibility to account for the specific ecological and geographic conditions of a region; ensuring more effective, targeted species preservation can take place. A broad federal ESA listing would disrupt these efforts in favor of a less-effective, one-size-fits-all approach that would implement the same restrictions and requirements over a range of 186 million acres in eleven western states regardless of unique local conditions. Additionally, I’m proud to report that we received recognitions this week from the American Farm Bureau Federation and National Association of Manufacturers for our pro-growth work in Congress to get the economy moving and restore opportunities for Americans to get back to work and prosper. Restoring American economic prosperity is critical for this and the next generation’s future. This month I spoke to students at Bayfield and Pueblo West high schools, as well as visited with students we had nominated to U.S. Service Academies who are now attending the U.S. Air Force Academy. Listening to these students’ questions and concerns, and engaging with them on their ideas for the future was inspiring—the students of the 3rd District are truly among the very best and brightest anywhere. It confirmed why it is so important to correct our nation’s course and restore the economic strength and promise that has provided previous generations with the American Dream. Our children and grandchildren deserve every chance at success, and I am committed to continuing to work in Washington to do all I can to fight for commonsense policies that get government out of the way, allow the private sector to work, and give the next generation the opportunity to forge their path and achieve their goals. It is truly an honor to serve the people of the 3rd District. As always, I appreciate your feedback and ideas and invite you to reach out to me anytime. You can call my office or send an email HERE. Sincerely, Scott   In Case You Missed It Grand Junction Daily Sentinel: Feds asked to extend comments on Western cuckoo: Representatives from several Western states, including U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Colo., are asking the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to continue taking comment on the status of the Western yellow-billed cuckoo and its habitat through Dec. 14. (UPDATE: The comment period has been extended for 60 days.) Read more. Tipton stresses importance of rural broadband access: Congressman Tipton underscored that rural broadband access is critical for education and economic development during an event to mark the near completion of a long-awaited project to bring broadband access to Silverton from Durango. Read more. Tipton welcomes Small Business Administration's call for EPA to withdraw ‘Waters of the U.S.’ rule: SBA Advocacy stated that “the Agencies improperly certified the rule. Advocacy believes that the rule will have direct effects on small businesses and that these effects will have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small businesses,” and “Advocacy recommends that the Agencies withdraw the proposed rule and conduct a panel [to examine impacts] prior to re-proposing the rule.” Read more. Elk Creek Elementary School in New Castle named National Blue Ribbon School: Congressman Tipton commended the teachers, students and staff of Elk Creek Elementary School in New Castle for being named a 2014 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. Only 337 public and private schools across the nation received the honor this year, which according to the Department is awarded to schools “for their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups, demonstrating that all students can achieve to high levels.” Read more. Cortez Journal: Tipton honored by state Farm Bureau: On Friday, Oct. 10, Tipton was honored on the Phyllis and Sidney Snyder ranch near Lewis by the Colorado Farm Bureau for his tireless work in the 113th Congress on behalf of agriculture issues that impact farmers. He was presented with an American Farm Bureau Federation’s Friend of Farm Bureau Award. Read more.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20141024031314/http://coffman.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/delay-for-butler-va-project-prompts-groans-from-american-legion,Delay for Butler VA project prompts groans from American Legion,2014-10-20,2014,2014-10,Republican,House,CO,Mike Coffman,C001077,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"Work may not resume on an outpatient health center for the Veterans Affairs Butler Healthcare System until 2015, nearly two years after crews broke ground, an official said. For the 2.4 million-member American Legion, which has been critical of construction delays and cost overruns plaguing the VA, the Butler project is the latest sign of a troubled system. “Every day a medical center is not completely done, it's a day a veteran may or may not be receiving care,” said Ed Lilley, the Legion's assistant director for health care, veterans affairs and rehabilitation. An April 2013 Government Accountability Office report determined that costs increased for the VA's four largest, most recent projects — in Aurora, Colo., Orlando, New Orleans and Las Vegas — from 59 percent to 144 percent. The average overrun was nearly $366 million. Delays ranged from 14 to 74 months, averaging 35 months, the report found. The American Legion is so concerned, its executive committee in May urged more congressional and legislative oversight and that the VA consider using the Army Corps of Engineers to complete projects on time and on budget. “Veterans are frustrated and concerned with the VA's construction processes and the continued delays and cost overruns and unsure whether VA's improvements will ensure VA major construction in the future will be within schedule and budget,” its resolution stated. The VA established a construction review council in April 2012 to oversee development and execution of building programs, the GAO report said. Legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman of Colorado, which passed the House on Sept. 16, would require the VA to hire a medical equipment planner as part of a project's architectural and engineering team and use the Corps of Engineers as a special project manager. It is awaiting action in the Senate. “It is the sense of Congress that the management of the major medical center construction projects of the Department of Veterans Affairs has been an abysmal failure,” the measure reads. VA spokeswoman Genevieve Billia said her agency doesn't support the legislation as written. Creating a special project manager “would be problematic in the management and supervision of these projects,” she said. The Army Corps has assisted on 70 VA construction projects since 2008, she added. The Las Vegas project is done and the Orlando project should be almost done by the end of the year, Billia said. The New Orleans project has a February 2016 completion date. The Colorado project is 58 percent finished. Work continues despite the contractor filing a lawsuit seeking to drop out, she said. The VA likely won't award a contract for the Butler facility until 2015, Billia said. The General Services Administration now reviews all potential leases. Once the GSA finishes its review, the VA could select a site for the outpatient center and award a development contract within three months, Billia said. Westar Development Co. beat out five other companies in May 2012 to build the $75 million outpatient center, which it would have rented to the VA for 20 years while receiving an average $7.6 million annually. The project collapsed when the VA Inspector General's Office became concerned that Westar had misrepresented itself, including a claim that it was veteran-owned when it isn't, and that it may have had ties to a businessman sentenced on federal charges of racketeering, bribery and fraud unrelated to the Butler project. Westar officials denied any wrongdoing. Jefferson resident Stan Schubert, a Marine who served in Vietnam, said Friday that fellow veterans at a Marine Corps League meeting he's attending in Fort Indiantown Gap have been asking about the Butler project. “It's the talk of the town,” Schubert, 72, said. “People are wondering what's going on, when it's going to be built, where it's going to be built. It's very important.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/tipton-recognized-efforts-increase-us-manufacturing,Tipton Recognized for Efforts to Increase U.S. Manufacturing,2014-10-17,2014,2014-10,Republican,House,CO,Scott Tipton,T000470,tipton.house.gov,,,legacy,"(In August, Tipton (center) toured Rocla Concrete Tie, Inc. in Pueblo, which manufactures concrete railroad ties for multiple transport uses.) PUEBLO, CO—Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) has received the Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). The award was given acknowledge Tipton’s work in Congress on behalf of issues that impact manufacturers across the 3rd Congressional District and nation. “One of the most direct ways we can stimulate economic growth and recovery in this nation is through increased American manufacturing,” said Tipton. “We have worked in Congress to increase trade opportunities for American goods and to advance policies that encourage and incentivize manufacturing here at home. From Pueblo to Grand Junction and throughout the district we have visited with manufacturers with incredibly diverse and cutting-edge capabilities that provide good paying jobs and opportunities in our communities. I want to see those types of opportunities expand, and am proud to continue to stand with manufacturers and small businesses for commonsense policies that put Americans back to work.” Tipton has worked with manufacturers across the 3rd District including EVRAZ, GCC, Rocla, and UTC Aerospace Systems in Pueblo and Lewis Engineering, CAPCO, Leitner-Poma and Ross Reels on the West Slope, to identify issues and ways the federal government can work to foster economic growth and increased U.S. manufacturing. Additionally, Tipton has held numerous manufacturing roundtables and job fairs in the district, and championed pro-growth policies in the House Committee on Small Business to expand opportunities for U.S. manufactured goods in the global marketplace. “Manufacturers in Colorado and throughout the United States are making a comeback, creating jobs, making more products and making them better than ever before,” said NAM Senior Vice President of Policy and Government Relations Aric Newhouse. “However, manufacturers are often disproportionately impacted by decisions made by policymakers in Washington. The NAM is proud to stand with lawmakers like Rep. Scott Tipton who understand what is at stake and seek to implement policies that will foster innovation, growth and competitiveness.” Background courtesy of NAM: Key Votes included in the Voting Record are selected by small, medium and large manufacturing executives who serve on the NAM’s Key Vote Advisory Committee. Additional information on the NAM Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence can be found HERE. The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/tipton-takes-fish-and-wildlife-task-over-greater-sage-grouse,Tipton Takes Fish and Wildlife to Task over Greater Sage Grouse,2014-10-16,2014,2014-10,Republican,House,CO,Scott Tipton,T000470,tipton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) and a number of his Western colleagues blasted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for shirking sound science and transparency as the agency rushes to meet a self-imposed, superficial listing deadline that could jeopardize the wellbeing of the Greater Sage Grouse. In a letter to Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, Tipton and his colleagues wrote: “We write to express concerns with the lack of transparency of your Department’s evaluation and use of ‘best available scientific and commercial data’ and lack of coordination with and assurances to affected states and other stakeholders relating to their extensive ongoing conservation efforts to avoid a listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of the Greater Sage Grouse.  “With less than a year to go before the Department’s self-imposed September 2015 settlement deadline to determine whether to list the Greater Sage Grouse under the ESA, it appears that the Department is blatantly ignoring or downplaying significant flaws and gaps in its own sage grouse data and science, and failing to incorporate recent data that suggests sage grouse populations are stable and not declining.  This undermines the Obama Administration’s pledge to ‘ensure the public trust and establish a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration.’ “We are also concerned that, at the same time, the Department has set in motion a process to mandate, through revisions to 98 resource management plans, mitigation requirements which have not been deemed necessary or helpful to sage grouse that would devastate state and local economies and severely impact private property owners’ activities in portions of eleven western states.  It is much more important that best available science and data, rather than mega-settlement deadlines negotiated behind closed-doors, guide this important ESA issue.” The letter raises concerns over an upcoming workshop between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on October 22-23 in Fort Collins to “collect information from scientific experts” on various questions regarding genetic differences of sage grouse. “Without question,  the American public deserves and expects the Department and FWS to foster an open and transparent process on how it receives, evaluates and incorporates sage grouse data, and determines what is or isn’t “best available,” as ESA requires.  Reversing itself in 2010, the FWS found that listing several populations of sage grouse found in portions of eleven states ‘may be warranted,’ allegedly due to population declines.  However, rather than focus on actual sage grouse population data, the workshop apparently will consist of discussions of mere “individual opinions” and queries of individual professional experience and opinion rather than sound science regarding sage grouse genetics, according to the invitation… “In addition, the FWS recently confirmed that the few invited must meet rigid, somewhat exclusionary criteria to participate at the Fort Collins October workshop.  As a result, participants will be comprised almost entirely of federal employees, federal grantees, or individuals who helped draft, were connected with, or have some interest in either the NTT or the COT reports or with FWS’ research… “Adding insult to injury, the public would not be allowed to observe or obtain any information relating to this ‘workshop’ until well after the BLM and U.S. Forest Service finalize their resource management plan revisions and the FWS finalizes its listing decision.  This runs counter to data transparency and ensuring use of best science that would benefit both the Greater Sage Grouse and millions of people in the affected area.” The letter also asks Jewell to respond to 17 questions about the workshop’s function, structure and intent with regard to the overall listing decision for the Greater Sage Grouse. View the full letter pdf HERE. Tipton has been a vocal advocate in Congress for scientifically supported locally-tailored species preservation efforts like those currently underway in Colorado. Such efforts have the flexibility to account for the specific ecological and geographic conditions of a region; ensuring more effective, targeted species preservation can take place. A broad federal ESA listing would disrupt these efforts in favor of a less-effective, one-size-fits all approach that would implement the same restrictions and requirements over a range of 186 million acres in eleven western states regardless of the local topographic and ecological conditions.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20141017024853/http://coffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/coffman-urges-president-to-take-concrete-steps-on-ebola-outbreak,Coffman urges President to take concrete steps on Ebola outbreak,2014-10-16,2014,2014-10,Republican,House,CO,Mike Coffman,C001077,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"(Washington, D.C.) Congressman Mike Coffman and a bipartisan group of lawmakers have called on the Obama administration to take concrete steps to address the Ebola outbreak. Last week, the lawmakers sent a letter to the President, suggesting additional steps that include increased screening for people arriving from affected West African nations, possible quarantines during the dormancy period for individuals who have been to affected areas, and a travel ban from affected West African countries until the epidemic has been defeated.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20141017030122/http://coffman.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/america-may-never-have-a-draft-again-but-we-re-still-punishing-low-income,America may never have a draft again. But were still punishing low-income men for not registering,2014-10-16,2014,2014-10,Republican,House,CO,Mike Coffman,C001077,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"The last time Danieldevel Davis got out of prison it was 2012 and he was 38. “I ain’t going back into no man’s prison again,” he vowed. He’d been locked up for six years, which was the longest he’d ever lived in one place. Davis grew up in foster homes, dropped out of school in the 11th grade and then hit the revolving door: streets, juvenile detention, streets, prison. He’s never possessed a driver’s license. He’s never had a bill in his name. “I’ve never had anything in my name,” he says. So, this is what happened when Davis went to fill out his financial aid paperwork at a Virginia Beach technical college. “Have you registered for the Selective Service?” the financial aid officer asked. “What do you mean?” Davis said. “Did you register to be drafted?” “Huh?” This may be a nation with an all-volunteer military, one that ended conscription more than 40 years ago, but federal law still requires men ages 18 to 25 to register for a draft that does not exist. There are few exemptions and no second chances. Davis never registered with the Selective Service System and so learned that he was looking at potentially lifelong consequences. No access to federal student loans or grants. No federal job training money or certain government jobs. And, in Virginia, no driver’s license. “I didn’t know I had to register and now I can’t get anything,” Davis says. “I can’t do nothing.” The odds of this country returning to a draft are almost zero, but the price for failure to register is high and is largely born by the men who can ill afford to pay it: high school dropouts, disconnected inner city residents, ex-offenders and immigrants — legal and unauthorized — who do not know that failure to register can jeopardize citizenship. In other words, those precisely in need of the type of job training, education and citizenship opportunities that could help move them from the margins to the mainstream. In California, the Selective Service System estimates, men who failed to register were denied access to more than $99 million in federal and state financial aid and job training benefits between 2007 and April of this year. Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Massachusetts saw $35 million in combined lost benefits between 2011 and spring 2014. “Why are we setting up these barriers?” says Regina Tyler, director of Virginia State University’s Upward Bound program and the Education Opportunity Center, which helps adults return to school. “Why are we attaching them to financial aid? We don’t have a draft, so what is the point?” The point, supporters of registration long have argued, is that almost-zero odds of conscription are not zero odds. “You can never say never,” says Lawrence G. Romo,  director of the Selective Service System. “We are a deterrent. We want to make sure our adversaries understand that if we had an extreme national emergency, we would have the draft.” A fair and equitable draft, which would include alternatives to military service, requires 100 percent compliance, he argues. “We need to have some type of penalty in order to help us get that compliance.” The agency grants few exceptions, but, Romo emphasizes, it is ultimately up to the financial aid officer or the workforce specialist – the agency dispensing the benefit  – to decide whether someone “knowingly and willfully” violated the law and therefore should be denied. “The door may have closed, but the window may still be pried open,” agency spokesman Matthew Tittmann puts it. A majority of men do register – 2.5 million in 2013 alone. The agency casts a huge, largely effective dragnet in high schools, motor vehicle departments, post offices and elsewhere. The average compliance rate nationally among 19-year-olds who registered last year was 89 percent. So, how many run into the sanctions as Davis did? There’s no good way to track, but the Selective Service System estimates it’s in the tens of thousands every year.  Men such as Davis also make up part of a larger group of suspected violators  of the law whose names the agency turns over every year to the Department of Justice, which hasn’t prosecuted anyone for the offense since 1986. The potential for punishment is there, however: A fine of up to $250,000 and/or up to five years in prison. The federal sanctions are just the half of it. According to the Selective Service System, 32 states now have made registration a prerequisite to a variety of benefits, from state financial aid to state jobs to tuition breaks. Tennessee requires males who failed to register to pay out-of-state tuition to attend the University of Tennessee system – even if they are state residents and citizens. Selective Service registration raises two separate but related issues, the larger of which is whether it is necessary in the absence of a declared war or national emergency, and if so, whether it is discriminatory in an age of expanded roles for women in military combat. (Short and hotly-debated answers: Maybe and yes. Neither of which will be decided by the Selective Service agency itself.) But the concerns of Davis and men like him are more immediate: how to move forward when his education path is blocked. Davis is working part-time as a janitor for $7.50 an hour and cannot pay for school without help. “The job part I understand because I put myself in this position, that’s the bed I laid in,” he says. “But as far as the Selective Service goes, I don’t feel as though I should be punished. I am someone trying to rehabilitate myself and go to school.” By far, the agency’s most successful tool to enforce compliance lies in the issuance of state driver’s licenses. Forty states, the District of Columbia and four U.S. territories now tie issuance or renewal of driver’s licenses to Selective Service registration. Most of those have moved to an automatic registration. Other have opt-in or opt-out provisions. Agency spokesman, Mr Tittmann, indicated that Selective Service strongly favors state laws for automatic registration when getting a driver’s license because it helps those most in need of the benefits linked to registration – young men out the mainstream, the disadvantaged, minorities, and immigrants. “This is absolutely unfair,” Rep. Mike Coffman, a veteran of both Iraq wars, says of the sanctions. Coffman, a Republican from Colorado, is among the most outspoken critics of the system. Earlier this year, he co-sponsored a bipartisan bill that would abolish the $23 million agency, suspending registration – and sanctions — except by executive order in a time of national emergency. “The Selective Service is a bureaucracy that needs to die because it no longer serves a viable purpose,” he said in an e-mail. “Even during the height of the War in Iraq and Afghanistan the Department of Defense never considered using the draft.” Says Romo, “You have 435 congressmen and so you have 435 opinions on the Selective Service.” One of them, he notes, belongs to Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel of New York, who earlier this year introduced two bills related to the draft. The first would require women to register with the Selective Service. The second calls for all citizens and residents between 18 and 25 to perform two years of military or community service and would reinstate the draft only when a clear threat to the nation is present and Congress formally has declared war or the president proclaims a national emergency. Rangel has long argued that the burden of fighting war has fallen unfairly on the shoulders of a few, and that a more-inclusive draft “would compel everyone in the nation to stop and think about who we sent to wars, how we fight – and why we fight them at all.” But, Rangel says, until the day comes that the United States is engaged in a declared war and the nation’s security is violated — or Congress passes his National Service Act — there is no reason for the Selective Service System. “Having people penalized for not registering is a fraud,” he said. Rangel emphasized that registration is current law and should be followed, but said he now intends to introduce a  draft-related bill — one abolishing the service. Romo argues that if the system were abolished, the nation would lose time it could not afford in reactivating it in the event of national emergency. “It would take a minimum of two or three years to get the system going,” he said. It’s about readiness, he says, “and the Selective Service is a very inexpensive insurance policy.” The agency, he says, is engaged in constant public outreach, particularly to those most in danger of falling through the cracks. That includes education sessions in inner-city neighborhoods, the Bureau of Prisons, halfway houses and groups working with immigrants and minorities. “We are trying to ensure that a man does not ace himself out of potential opportunities down the road because he was ignorant of the fact he had to register,” Romo says. Until a few days ago, Davis did not realize that in the phrase “knowingly and willfully” lies his hope. He thinks he can prove to a financial aid officer that he did not deliberately evade his duty. He’s calling his former probation officer to get his juvenile and adult criminal records and is trying to figure out how to get his school records. Davis is building his case.",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,,,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. ""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."" CoBank'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. CoBank 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. Earlier 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. # # #",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,,,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. ""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."" CoBank'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. CoBank 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. Earlier 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. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/tipton-working-ensure-pilt-and-srs-included-2015-budget,Tipton Working to Ensure PILT and SRS Included in 2015 Budget,2014-10-15,2014,2014-10,Republican,House,CO,Scott Tipton,T000470,tipton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON— Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) joined with a number of his bipartisan House colleagues today in urging House leaders to provide certainty for counties by including funding for Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILT) and Secure Rural Schools (SRS) in the upcoming FY 2015 budget. The members underscored the importance of PILT and SRS funding for many rural county budgets that are already strained to deliver vital services to residents. The House is expected to vote on a measure to fund the government for FY 2015 before the end of the year. The text of the letter from Tipton and his colleagues to Speaker of the House John Boehner and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi follows: Dear Speaker Boehner and Minority Leader Pelosi, As the 113th Congress comes to an end, we urge you to work in a bi-partisan, bi-cameral fashion to secure funding for the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) and Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS) programs for fiscal year 2015.  Without full funding of these programs, counties throughout our districts and across the nation will be unable to provide our constituents with essential services such as education, law enforcement, and road maintenance.  While it must be our ultimate goal to enact a long-term, sustainable solution to eliminate the ongoing uncertainty our counties face, an extension and full-funding of these programs is essential to address immediate needs. PILT provides payments to local governments in 49 states and nearly 1,900 counties to offset foregone revenue due to tax-exempt federal lands within their jurisdictions.  Current authorization for full PILT funding expired on September 30, 2014. Without congressional action, we risk severely crippling these counties’ ability to operate. Equally important is the funding that more than 700 forest counties and school districts receive through SRS.  These payments honor the over 100 year old contract between the federal government and counties housing the 193 million acres of federal forest land.  Due to extremely low productivity on our forests over the past two decades, these funds are more critical to counties’ well-being than ever.  SRS expired last year and must be authorized to avoid economic catastrophe in rural and timber communities across the nation. PILT and SRS allow the federal government to meet its long-standing obligations to counties with federal land.  It is imperative that we fulfill this duty.  We thank you for your consideration of this request and stand ready to work with you going forward. See a pdf 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=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,,,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. Loss 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. ""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."" Producers 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. Local FSA offices can provide affected farmers and ranchers with additional information: Bent County Farm Service Agency 760 Bent Ave. Las Animas, CO 81054-1730 (719) 456-0120 Otero County Farm Service Agency (Also serves Crowley County) 200 S. 10th St. Rocky Ford, CO 81067-1714 (719) 254-7672, ext. 2 Kiowa County Farm Service Agency 409 E. Lowell Eads, CO 81036 (719) 438-5851 Las Animas Farm Service Agency 3590 E. Main St. Trinidad, CO 81082 (719) 846-3681 Pueblo County Farm Service Agency 200 South Santa Fe Ave., 4th Floor Pueblo, CO 81003 (719) 543-8386 # # #",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,,,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. The 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. ""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. ""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."" The 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. The 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. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20141017031112/http://coffman.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/denver-va-medical-center-says-operating-rooms-open-for-limited-surgeries,Denver VA Medical Center says operating rooms open for limited surgeries after contamination issues,2014-10-14,2014,2014-10,Republican,House,CO,Mike Coffman,C001077,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"After staff members told 7NEWS that the surgical unit at Denver's Veterans Affairs Medical Center would be closed again this week due to contamination issues, VAMC Public Information Officer Dan Warvi, provided an update, saying the hospital's operating rooms are open for limited procedures, and that disposable surgical tools would be used. Warvi released the following statement to 7NEWS: ""We have been performing surgical procedures with disposable instrumentation, and now have completed enough resurfacing and sterilization processes to resume doing procedures with our stainless steel instrumentation. We have surgeries scheduled for tomorrow and the remainder of the week. I would ask that you emphasize on-air and on your web page that any Veteran who has a surgical procedure scheduled for tomorrow should go to the Denver VA."" Just two weeks ago, the hospital revealed that ""trace mineral deposits"" on surgical equipment forced the hospital's seven operating rooms within its surgical unit to shut down. It's an issue that could have grave consequences for patients such as Daniel King, who suffers from papillary thyroid cancer. ""And if (I) don't get surgery soon, I'm going to be inoperable - Stage 4,"" said King, a U.S. Army veteran. ""I signed up for Vietnam when people didn't say, 'Thank you for your service.' They spit on us and called us 'baby killers' and every name in the book when we had to go through the airport in uniform. It's a whole different culture now. But, we're still being spit on by the government."" The Denver VA is trucking in sterile instruments from Ft. Carson, but only for critical surgeries. King called the VA issues a ""culture of slackerism."" Monday, Colorado Republican Congressman Mike Coffman, also criticized the culture of big bonuses and no accountability within the VA. ""Where everybody gets a bonus,"" said Coffman. ""Where nobody's ever fired. Where nobody's ever disciplined. Where we do have patient safety problems. We still have a long way to go, to be able to fix this broken system."" Coffman vowed reform is coming from Washington, including a choice option for patients waiting too long to be seen. ""So they can go outside the VA system, their choice, and have that choice provider reimbursed under the Medicare rates for whatever services they receive,"" said Coffman. King hopes it isn't too little, too late. ""There are literally thousands of veterans that are going without surgery that need it,"" he said. ""Lately it just seems to be coming unglued.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/farm-bureau-recognizes-tipton-work-agriculture-issues,Farm Bureau Recognizes Tipton for Standing Up for Farmers and Ranchers,2014-10-10,2014,2014-10,Republican,House,CO,Scott Tipton,T000470,tipton.house.gov,,,legacy,"CORTEZ, CO—Today, the Colorado Farm Bureau (CFB) recognized Congressman Scott Tipton’s (R-CO) work in the 113th Congress on behalf of agriculture issues that impact farmers and ranchers across the 3rd Congressional District with the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Friend of Farm Bureau Award. “I’m proud to stand with the farmers and ranchers that do the incredible, hard work of growing our nation’s crops and are responsible for producing the world’s highest quality food supply,” said Tipton. “The impact that the agriculture community has on our nation’s economy is tremendous, with over 175,000 jobs and $41 billion in output here in Colorado alone. From removing unnecessary regulatory burdens, to helping write the Farm Bill in the House Agriculture Committee, agriculture issues have been a priority for me in Congress and I will continue to work to advance policies to ensure that American agriculture producers are able thrive and grow.” “Representative Tipton is no stranger to agriculture and rural Colorado. He has worked tirelessly to protect private property rights of Colorado's farmers and ranchers from government overreach through his positions on the House Agriculture Committee and House Natural Resources Committee,” said CFB president Don Shawcroft, ""He has fought for tax reform to allow farms and ranches to be passed from one generation to the next and worked to halt needless regulations in Washington, DC from negatively impacting at home."" Tipton serves on the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committees and as chairman of the House Small Business Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy and Trade. Background courtesy of Farm Bureau Colorado: The Friend of Farm Bureau award is given at the end of each Congress to members of Congress whose voting records align with the American Farm Bureau Federation’s priority issues established by the Board of Directors, the number of bills that a member sponsored or their leadership role on Farm Bureau priority issues, and how accessible and responsive that member was to Farm Bureau members and leaders. Learn more about the Colorado Farm Bureau HERE.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z