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=3B240EDA-52E9-4B16-A047-CCF0F7961316,Bennet Office Holds Listening Sessions in Every Colorado County in 2018,2018-12-28,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Denver, CO Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet invited constituents to meet in person with members of his Colorado staff in all 64 counties this year. Constituents in Colorado, and across the country, sometimes need assistance when dealing with the IRS, Social Security Administration, VA, or other federal agencies. In 2018, Bennet's Colorado staff scheduled individual appointments to listen to constituent concerns, respond to questions, and help Coloradans navigate through government red tape. Standing up for Coloradans is at the heart of our commitment to the public, saidSenator Bennet. No matter what, constituents should always reach out to our office with any questions, concerns, opinions, and requests. Bennet's office held 80+ community office hours in 2018. During his second term, Bennet fielded questions during 20+ official town hall meetings across the state, in addition to accepting invitations from constituents to discuss topics of interest, including immigration, veteran issues, and agriculture. Constituent service will remain a top priority for Bennet and his team in 2019. Submit requestsonlineor call any of Bennet'sstatewide offices. Walk-ins are welcome. Appointments are recommended, but not required.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lamborn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2532,Merry Christmas from Congressman Lamborn and Family,2018-12-25,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Doug Lamborn,L000564,lamborn.house.gov,,,legacy,"Merry Christmas from Congressman Lamborn and Family f t # e Colorado Springs , December 25, 2018 Colorado Springs, CO - Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05) issued the following statement: ""The Christmas season is a time of year that's particularly filled with joy, hope, and love. As we enjoy Christmas Day, I want to take a moment to wish you a happy and safe holiday. I'm grateful for the honor to represent Colorado's Fifth Congressional District. I'm blessed to enjoy Christmas with my family, and I hope are as well."" ""For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."" Isaiah 9:6 f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lamborn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2517,Congressman Lamborn's Statement on Partial Shut Down of the Government,2018-12-22,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Doug Lamborn,L000564,lamborn.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Lamborn's Statement on Partial Shut Down of the Government f t # e Washington, December 22, 2018 Washington D.C. Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05) issued the following statement following the partial shutdown of the federal government: On Thursday, I voted to keep the government running and provide funding for our border security. On Friday, the Senate failed to act on that legislation. Securing our nation's borders should not be a partisan issue yet that's exactly what Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats have made it. Now, hundreds of thousands of Americans will be without pay until Congress can resolve this issue. That's at least one reason why I will not be receiving my salary until a solution is finalized. I'll continue fighting for what's right and working to protect the American people."" f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://degette.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/degette-statement-on-federal-government-shutdown,DeGette Statement on Federal Government Shutdown,2018-12-21,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Diana DeGette,D000197,degette.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Rep. Diana DeGette released the following statement after funding expired for nine federal departments and numerous agencies: Families in Colorado and across America should be enjoying the holiday season with their loved ones. Instead, this shutdown is forcing many to worry about their livelihoods during what should be a relaxing and celebratory time of year. More than 420,000 federal employees will be working without pay, including more than 41,000 federal law enforcement and correctional officers. Another 400,000 additional federal employees will be furloughed. Federal contractors, including people working in lower-wage service positions, are unable to do their jobs or get paid. All of this financial pain and disruption comes at a time of year when many Americans have extra expenses, adding to the needless damage done in this shutdown. While several federal departments and agencies have already had their funding bills passed and will continue to operate, the American people will still feel the pain of slashed services. Federal efforts to help Americans buy homes, support small businesses, provide assistance to low-income households, ensure consumer safety, and more will be significantly hampered. It's shameful that President Trump is willing to harm so many Americans in a desperate ploy to secure funding for his senseless and racist border wall. Even worse, he claims the shutdown will last for a very long time, creating even more misery for working families across Colorado and the country. After nearly two years as president, he still hasn't recognized the fallacy of his immigration policies and the need to work with Democrats in order to effectively serve the American people. I support border security, and my Democratic colleagues and I want to work with the President and our colleagues across the aisle to keep America safe. But I will never vote to support this wall a symbol of xenophobia and bigotry that our community whole-heartedly rejects. I will continue working to avoid a government shutdown in a manner that doesn't compromise our values. And you can be sure that when Democrats lead the House of Representatives in 2019, we will not entertain these outrageous shenanigans from the President and his allies in Congress.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lamborn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2515,Congressman Lamborn Sends Letter to Secretary Pompeo Regarding Golan Heights,2018-12-21,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Doug Lamborn,L000564,lamborn.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Lamborn Sends Letter to Secretary Pompeo Regarding Golan Heights f t # e Washington, December 21, 2018 Washington D.C. This afternoon, Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05) sent a letter with other Members of Congress urging Secretary Mike Pompeo to formally recognize Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights. He issued the following statement in response: Congressman Lamborn said:I am pleased to send this letter to Secretary Pompeo on the important recognition of Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights. President Trump made history when he recognized the reality of Jerusalem as the eternal capital of Israel and the Jewish people. It is time for us to continue this important work and recognize another reality that in 1981, Israel established sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Ambassador Nikki Haley corrected years of bad U.S. policy when she voted against the United Nations' annual resolution condemning Israeli presence in the region, and a statement from Congress about it is long overdue. With Iran's increasing influence in the region, it is more important than ever to ensure that Israel continues to defend the Golan from Iranian control. Thank you to Representative Scott Perry and my colleagues for working on this important letter with me. Congressman Perry, who co-led the letter, said: I commend the Trump Administration, Secretary Pompeo, and Ambassador Haley for their strong statement in the UN of Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights. I'm proud to send this letter to the Administration to continue the momentum on this important issue. At a time when Iran continues to expand its control in the region and has put its crosshairs on seizing the Golan Heights from Israel, it's a critical time for the US to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. I thank Congressman Doug Lamborn and my colleagues for their support and look forward to working with the Administration to formally recognize Israeli sovereignty. f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lamborn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2537,Congressman Lamborn's Statement on Secretary of Defense Mattis' Resignation Announcement,2018-12-21,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Doug Lamborn,L000564,lamborn.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Lamborn's Statement on Secretary of Defense Mattis' Resignation Announcement f t # e Washington, December 21, 2018 Washington D.C. - After Secretary of Defense James Mattis announced his upcoming resignation from his post, Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05) released the following statement: ""I was saddened to learn that General Mattis will resign from his post as Secretary of Defense at the end of February, but I am deeply grateful for his unparalleled service to his nation. Secretary Mattis arrived at the Pentagon to a hollowed-out military. Thanks in large measure to his sage advice and hard work, we have stabilized geopolitical hotspots, reoriented our nation towards great power competition, and begun the process of rebuilding and modernizing our military. Through his life of public service and stoic sacrifice, he has served our country with excellence. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors. Fair winds and followings seas, Marine.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gardner-backed-bipartisan-bill-allowing-families-to-answer-fafsa-questions-with-just-one-click-passes-senate,Gardner Backed Bipartisan Bill Allowing Families to Answer FAFSA Questions With Just One Click Passes Senate,2018-12-21,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Cory Gardner,G000562,www.gardner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC The UnitedStatesSenate passed bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO), LamarAlexander (R-TN),Patty Murray (D-WA),and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). This legislation will allowthenearly 20 million students that complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year to answerat least 11 and up to 22questionson the formwithjustone click. The bill will allow students to have the IRS securely send the Department of Education their federal tax information with oneclick.The bill will also help simplify the process for getting through income-driven repayment applications and the student aid verification process.Now that the Senate has passed the legislation, it will head to the U.S. House of Representatives. Ensuring students are able to complete theirFAFSAforms each year is crucial to continuing their education,said SenatorGardner.This bipartisan legislation makes the complex process easier for students and their parents so that no student has to miss out on educational opportunities because completing their forms was made more difficult than it needed to be. Theformerpresident of Southwest Community College in Memphis once told me he believes that he loses 1,500 students each semester because of the complexity of theFAFSA,saidAlexander.Over and over families have asked me, I've already given most of this information to the federal government when I paid my taxes, why do I have to do it againonce is enough.' This legislation will make completing the complicatedFAFSAmuch easier for studentsand familiesallowing them to answer up to 22 questionson the formwith one simple click, while securing the applicant's data. It is my hope that the U.S. House of Representatives swiftly passes this legislation. Our nation's outdated and overly complicated financial aid system is forcing students and student loan borrowers to jump through too many hoops to access federal financial aid, verify the tax returns they've already filled out, or get help if they're struggling to pay their student loans,said Murray.I'm pleased to work with my colleagues on this needed fix to federal financial aid, and I urge the House to pass this quickly so students and borrowers are able navigate their financial aid through a streamlined and efficient process. Putting prospective college students and their families through endless paperwork is more than an annoyance. Needlessly complicated forms like theFAFSAare a real obstacle to Rhode Island students continuing their education,said Whitehouse. I'm happy to join Sen.Alexander to introduce this legislation. It's a smart way to reduce the burden of theFAFSAwith a simple, secure online process. The Faster Access to Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) ActwillmakeFAFSAcompletion easierand more securefor nearly 20 million studentsby: Improvingand securingthe way individuals' IRS tax information is sent to the Department of Education. Turning a 7-click process into a single click process that answersat least 11 andup to 22 questions to transfer IRS tax filling data to the Department of Education. Allowing8 to 9 million moreFAFSAfilers to use their existing IRS tax filing information. Reducingthe burdensome verification processes for students and parents filing for aid. Automatingthe annual process for 7 million borrowers in income driven repayment to recertify their income and remain in their repayment plan. Background onFAFSA: Currently 54% ofFAFSAs are filed with information received from the IRS by parents or students using the Data Retrieval Tool to request and transfer tax information from the IRS to the Department of Education. The current process for students or parents to transfer tax information to theFAFSArequires the applicant to give direct permission to the IRS to send tax information to ED. This requires the applicant to jump fromFAFSAwebsite to IRS website and back to ED website which takes a total of 7 clicks. For 37% ofFAFSAs, either the student or the parent does not file taxes. The new process will allow the IRS to confirm that those students or parents have not filed. Background on Income Driven Repayment: Almost a third of borrowers in repayment on federal student loans are in an income-driven repayment program. These programs require that borrowers certify their income on an annual basis. If borrowers fail to complete this process, they are automatically reentered into standard 10 year repayment. Each year 19 percent ofborrowers in IDR fail to recertify their income on-time,resulting in payment spikes and interest capitalization for approximately 1.3 million borrowers. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gardner-leads-colleagues-in-condemning-the-anti-israel-anti-semitic-bds-movement,"Gardner Leads Colleagues in Condemning the Anti-Israel, Anti-Semitic BDS Movement",2018-12-21,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Cory Gardner,G000562,www.gardner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC In the wake of comments made by several incoming Democratic members of Congress, Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) sent a letter Thursday to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) with 14 of his colleagues, urging them to take action against the anti-Israel and anti-Semitic Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. We urge you to issue a joint statement publicly condemning BDS and to prioritize legislative efforts in the next session of Congress to counter this destructive trend, the Senators wrote. We note there were bipartisan legislative efforts, including the Combating BDS Act (S.170) and the Israel Anti-Boycott Act (S.720), which were introduced in the 115th Congress. NOTE: View letter here. The letter reads in full: Dear Leaders McConnell and Schumer: We write today to bring to your attention a disturbing development concerning the anti-Israel and anti-Semitic movement known as Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS). Regrettably, in recent days, future members of the U.S. House of Representatives have publicly expressed support for this extreme movement. We urge you to issue a joint statement publicly condemning BDS and to prioritize legislative efforts in the next session of Congress to counter this destructive trend. We note there were bipartisan legislative efforts, including the Combating BDS Act (S.170) and the Israel Anti-Boycott Act (S.720), which were introduced in the 115th Congress. Israel is our country's most steadfast ally in a highly volatile region of the world. The State of Israel has proven itself to be a resilient beacon of democratic values, despite facing existential threats daily since its founding in 1948. Working closely together, our two countries have worked to fight terrorism, to stop the spread of radical Islamist ideologies, and to prevent nuclear and chemical weapons proliferation by rogue regimes, such as Syria and the Islamic Republic of Iran. As then-President Barack Obama stated in his speech in Jerusalem on March 21, 2013: Israel has established a thriving democracy with a spirited civil society, proud political parties, a tireless free press, and a lively public debate lively may even be an understatement. And Israel has achieved this even as it has overcome relentless threats to its security through the courage of the Israel Defense Forces, and a citizenry that is resilient in the face of terror. Simply put, the BDS movement seeks to de-legitimize the State of Israel and its people. Senator Schumer, as you so eloquently stated on March 6, 2018: We must continue to stand firm against the profoundly biased campaign to delegitimize the State of Israel through [BDS]While Iran publicly executes its citizens, Turkey jails its journalists, scores of Arab nations punish homosexuality with imprisonment and torture, why does BDS single Israel out alone for condemnation? It is disheartening to see future members of Congress take a position on BDS that is not only highly biased, but contrary to fundamental facts and detrimental to U.S. national security interests. We therefore respectfully urge you to immediately condemn these comments and to show bipartisan support for our ally Israel. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gardner-markey-tout-successful-partnership-as-leaders-on-asia-policy-in-the-115th-congress,"Gardner, Markey Tout Successful Partnership as Leaders on Asia Policy in the 115th Congress",2018-12-21,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Cory Gardner,G000562,www.gardner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. - Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Ed Markey (D-MA),Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity, today reflected on the Subcommittee's work in the 115thCongress and celebrated their success in being the most productive Foreign Relations subcommittee and sending to be signed into law one of the most consequential legislative initiatives on Asia policy for generations. I want to thank Senator Markey for being such an incredible partner on this subcommittee,said Gardner. Together, we held the most hearings of any Foreign Relations subcommittee in the 115th Congress quite an achievement for the American people who sent us here to conduct vigorous oversight over our nation's foreign affairs. Through our partnership we were able to pass ARIA, landmark legislation to guide United States foreign policy in Asia that will ensure that the United States remains the leading Pacific power for generations to come. I look forward to continuing our important work together in the 116thCongress. I am proud of the work of the East Asia subcommittee, including our numerous hearings and discussion on the evolving challenges that Chinese policies and influence pose to the United States, to our allies and partners, and to the international system we built together to ensure stability, prosperity, and equality for all, said Markey. Passage of the Gardner-Markey Asia Reassurance Act was a capstone to our work, and will serve as an important guide for U.S. foreign policy in Asia. Senator Gardner has been a tremendous partner and friend on the subcommittee, and I look forward to continuing our work together. The Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurityheld 11 hearings in 2017-2018, themost hearings of any Foreign Relations subcommittee in the 115th Congress. In conjunction with these hearings, Senators Gardner and Ed Markey (D-MA) authored the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act (ARIA) -- landmark legislation that will strengthen our alliances and deter our adversaries in the Indo-Pacific for generations to come. To inform this legislation, the subcommittee conducted five hearings, examining a range of national security, economic, and rule of law challenges in the Indo-Pacific. The last hearing on May 15, 2018, featured State Department and Department of Defense officials. On June 21,2018, Secretary Pompeo and Secretary Mattis formally endorsed ARIA in a formal letter to the committee. ARIA passed both houses of Congress and is now on its way to the President's desk to be signed into law. The subcommittee held two specific hearings focused on North Korea, examining the shift from strategic patience policy of the Obama Administration to the maximum pressure and engagement policy of the Trump Administration. The subcommittee agreed that clearly much more work needs to be done to achieve complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearizing of the North Korean regime, as required by U.S. law. Additionally, Gardner and Markey held a hearing on cybersecurity policy, examining state-sponsored threats in cyberspace that represents a vital national security concern for the United States that needs to be seriously and immediately addressed. Finally, the subcommittee held a three-part series of hearings, titled The China Challenge that examined how the United States should respond to the challenge of a China that seeks to upend and supplant the U.S-led liberal world order. The first two hearings focused on security and economic aspects of China's authoritarian rise. The final hearing focused on democracy, human rights, and the rule of law -- values that have been fundamental to the conduct of U.S. foreign policy for generations. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lamborn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2514,Congressman Lamborn Votes to Fund the Government and Secure Our Borders,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Doug Lamborn,L000564,lamborn.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington D.C. -Today, Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05) voted for the continued resolution on the House floor, averting a government shutdown. An amendment by the House added $5.7 billion for the border wall and $8.7 billion in disaster relief. It passed by a vote of 217-185 with all Democrats voting in opposition. Congressman Lamborn issued the following statement. ""The immigration system in our country is broken. We've seen time and time again the dangers our society has faced as a result of rampant illegal immigration. Tonight, I voted to stand with President Trump andfulfill our promise to the American people to fully fund the wall and secure the border. And now it is time for the Senate to do their job.Securing the border should not be a partisan issue.Our country deserves a secure border and immigration laws that put the safety, security and prosperity of Americans first.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://tipton.house.gov/media/press-releases/tipton-backs-bill-improve-quality-life-alzheimer-s-patients,Tipton Backs Bill to Improve Quality of Life for Alzheimers Patients,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Scott Tipton,T000470,tipton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Scott Tipton (CO-03) voted to pass legislation that would help provide better treatment and care for Americans living with Alzheimer's Disease. S. 2076, the Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act passed the House with a bipartisan vote of 361-3. Tipton is a cosponsor of H.R. 4256, the House version of the bill. Alzheimer's Disease is a public health crisis. In addition to the enormous amount of suffering that this disease causes, the costs associated with caring for Americans with Alzheimer's are in the billions and only projected to increase, said Tipton. More must be done to improve the quality of life for those living with Alzheimer's and their caregivers, as well as reduce the financial toll that this disease has had on our economy. S. 2076 would create infrastructure for the prevention, treatment and care of Americans with Alzheimer's and related dementias. The bill would direct the Centers of Disease and Prevention (CDC) to establish: Centers of Excellence in Public Health Practice, to educate the public on Alzheimer's disease, promote effective caregiving methods and support health professionals, families and communities. Core Capacity and Enhanced Cooperative Agreements, to go to state health departments for the purpose of helping those states carry out Alzheimer's-related public health initiatives. Data Analysis and Reporting Cooperative Agreements, to guarantee that data on Alzheimer's disease is analyzed and released to the public in a timely manner. Background According to the Alzheimer's Association, 5.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's, and by 2050, that number is estimated to rise to nearly 14 million. In Colorado, 71,000 people are living with Alzheimer's. In 2017, the cost of care for Americans with Alzheimer's was $259 billion. Medicare and Medicaid paid approximately two thirds of the cost, or $175 billion. Nearly one in five Medicare dollars is currently goes towards health care costs associated with Alzheimer's or other dementias. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=613AF945-D45D-433A-A96B-5D9C84A49ACB,Bennet Statement on Public Lands Bill Failure,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today issued the following statement after the Senate failed to pass a public lands package: Coloradans deserve a Congress responsive to their priorities, but Washington has failed to pass significant public lands legislation for years. We must find a way to pass a lands package that includes LWCF and new wilderness and recreation designations in Colorado, including theSan Juan Mountains Wilderness Act. Congress' failure to act on the Land and Water Conservation Fund this year is unacceptable and shows just how broken this place is. We missed an opportunity today, and we should immediately move to permanently reauthorize and fully fund LWCF.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gardner-announces-9-million-grant-for-southwest-chief-rail-line,Gardner Announces $9 Million Grant for Southwest Chief Rail Line,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Cory Gardner,G000562,www.gardner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC -Today,Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, announced the Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a $9 million Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant to help with the installation of Positive Train Control (PTC) technology on the Dodge City, Kansas to Las Animas, Colorado section of the Southwest Chief. I'm proud to be a strong advocate for the Southwest Chief, which is so important to rural communities in Southeastern Colorado,said Gardner. I appreciate the work of our local communities to continually advocate for the Southwest Chief and I will continue my efforts at the federal level to provide all of the necessary support for their efforts. As a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, Gardner has strongly advocated for the Southwest Chief. In August, Gardner worked with a bipartisan group of his colleagues to successfully include anamendmentin appropriations legislation that would set aside resources for improvements on the Southwest Chief.Earlier this year, hequestionedAmtrak Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Scot Naparstek regarding the decision to withhold $3 million in matching funds it previously promised to provide as part of the successful Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grantannouncedin March 2018. In July, Gardner joined a bipartisan group of Senators in sending aletterto Amtrak President and CEO Richard Anderson raising concerns with Amtrak's consideration of providing bus service in lieu of passenger rail service for a portion of the Southwest Chief line, including in Colorado.The letter also urged Amtrak to apply for CRISI grant funding. ### Cory Gardner is a member of the U.S. Senate serving Colorado. He sits on the Energy & Natural Resources Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee, the Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee, and the Budget Committee, and is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gardner-calls-on-trump-administration-to-cancel-north-korea-meetings-increase-pressure-on-kim-jong-un,"Gardner Calls on Trump Administration to Cancel North Korea Meetings, Increase Pressure on Kim Jong Un",2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Cory Gardner,G000562,www.gardner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC -Today, Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) released the below statement followingreportsthat North Korea has no plans to denuclearize: Despite commitmentsKim Jong Unhas made and repeatedly violated, North Korea continues to defy the will of the international community,said Senator Gardner.Today, we are nowhere closer to the only goal we should have - the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the North Korean regime. Kim Jong Un continues to break his promises, and his actions suggest the potential summit is dead on arrival.Until Pyongyang takes concrete steps to denuclearizewe should further ramp up the sanctions and call for our global partners to join us in a maximum pressure campaign that will give Kim Jong Un two options:denuclearize or be further isolated from the world. ### Cory Gardner is a member of the U.S. Senate serving Colorado. He sits on the Energy & Natural Resources Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee, the Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee, and the Budget Committee, and is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gardner-thanks-colorado-law-enforcement-during-the-holidays,Gardner Thanks Colorado Law Enforcement During the Holidays,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Cory Gardner,G000562,www.gardner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) honored the sacrifices Colorado law enforcement officers make in order to keep Colorado communities safe. He also remembered the life of Sergeant Matthew Troy Moreno whose watch was ended on December 12th, 2018. Gardner spoke on the Senate floor Wednesday on the importance of taking the time to honor the heroism displayed by law enforcement officers across the state and the country to keep us all safe. NOTE: View Senator Gardner's floor remarkshereor by clicking on the photo above Remarks as delivered: Thank you, Mr. President. I come to the floor today to honor our men and women in law enforcement. As Members of Congress and their staffs head home this holiday season, we must remember the sacrifice of those who make our communities safe, those who make our safety possible. Across the United States this year 143 law enforcement officers have paid the ultimate price. In Colorado we honor 3 fallen officers. Deputy Sheriff Heath McDonald Gumm whose final act was to bravely pursue an armed suspect. We'll never forget the courage and bravery of his action. Deputy Sheriff MicahLee Flick who was killed in the line of duty in February of this year after serving in the El Paso County Sheriff's Office for 11 years. I'd also like to honor the memory of Sergeant Matthew Moreno who was killed in the line of duty in Los Animas County just last week. He was responding to reports of domestic violence when his cruiser, and that of another officer, crashed into a civilian vehicle headed in the opposite direction. Unfortunately the occupants of the other vehicle, including a one year old child, also lost their lives. The pain of losing loved ones this close to the holidays is unimaginable. Sergeant Moreno ends his watch after serving honorably for 5 years, survived by his loving family including his 3 beautiful children: Summer, Morgan, and Jared. He's been described as being a super hero to his kids, seems very fitting given the bravery that he showed throughout his career. He is also remembered for his sense of humor, his love for hunting and fishing, something almost all Coloradans can relate to. Our prayers are certainly with the family of Sergeant Moreno and with the families of those in the other vehicle. I'd also like to offer my sincere condolences to the entire Las Animas County Sheriff's department who have lost not just a fellow officer but a brother. Each one of the officers we lost this year was a neighbor, a loved family member, an extraordinary Coloradan who gave their life to protect their communities. Although the need is great, so few of us are blessed with the level of bravery and courage shown each and every day by the men and women in law enforcement. As we all enjoy the warmth of this holiday season, law enforcement officers around the country will stand guard in cold and uncertain streets, this includes the selfless men and women who serve right here in the U.S. Capitol who worked through the holiday to ensure every American visiting the nation's capital can do so safely. It's important that we keep them in our thoughts as we gather with family and friends this holiday season to celebrate. I would also like to take a moment to thank the families of these brave men and women whose sacrifices must not be forgotten. They endure time apart from their loved ones so that families, like millions across this country, will know peace and security during their holiday celebrations. When thinking about the brave men and women defending that thin blue line, I'm always reminded of the words of Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman who said, American law enforcement is the loyal and brave sheep dog always standing watch for the wolf that lurks in the dark. It's my hope that the thoughts and prayers we all offer to those wearing the blue uniform will offer them comfort as they carry out this solemn duty. I am thankful for their service and thankful to the families for their continued sacrifice. Also reminded of the words of Joe Rice, a former state legislator in Colorado that I served with, who during the holiday season, said this prayer, served in Iraq and Afghanistan and wrote how he prays for his fellow soldiers and their safety each and every day, this: For all those around the world in harm's way, we pray with you, please God, just not today. Each and every day, we echo that same prayer. Thank you to the men and women in blue. ### Cory Gardner is a member of the U.S. Senate serving Colorado. He sits on the Energy & Natural Resources Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee, the Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee, and the Budget Committee, and is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=4DFE5ACD-B44A-4549-917F-D094880F742F,Bennet Statement on Short-Term Funding Measure,2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today issued the following statement after voting to keep the government open. The Senate passed a short-term measure to extend government funding for seven weeks. A choice between shutting down our government over a border wall or passing another short-term budget is typical Washington. We continue to set a terrible example for how we govern ourselves in a democracy. Our disagreements should not be excuses for gridlock, but invitations to solve problems. That's the standard set by generations who came before us. We should learn from their example.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=8CD3E684-7655-46CC-A128-FB24B4994698,"Bennet, Gardner Demand Immediate Action on Veterans Affairs Wait Times",2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner today sent a letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie demanding immediate action to remedy wait times at Veterans Affairs Eastern Colorado Health Care System (ECHCS)facilities. The senators requested a report on how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will use existing and new authorities to address these unacceptable wait times. The troubling November 2018 numbers demonstrate that the VA needs to prioritize solutions for Colorado veterans,the senators wrote.As such, as MISSION is implemented, we request a report on how the VA intends to use existing authorities, as well as the new flexibility and tools provided in the MISSION Act, to expeditiously fix issues with wait times across ECHCS. A copy of the letter is available HERE and below: Dear Secretary Wilkie, We write today to demand immediate action on unacceptable wait times at VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System facilities. For the period ending on December 1, 2018, VA data show that 16.65 percent of medical appointments scheduled through the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System (ECHCS) have a wait time of over 30 days. These wait times are the worst in the nation. This includes 7,374 belated appointments at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, 1,201 at the PFC James Dunn Clinic in Pueblo, and 7,014 at the PFC Floyd K. Lindstrom Outpatient Clinic at Colorado Springs. The latest numbers are even worse than the 13.5 percent of over 30-day appointments that the Denver Post cited in a July 2017 article on ECHCS wait times. Unacceptably high rates persist after years of congressional action, an alarming inspector general report, and a $1.73 billion new facility designed to improve access to care across the Rocky Mountain region. The wait time issue is a disservice to Colorado veterans. With the passage of the VA Maintaining Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act in June 2018, Congress acted, with our support, to enhance the health care experience for our nation's veterans. This bipartisan legislation provides new capabilities to the VA with the goal of improving the timeliness of veterans' access to health care. The troubling November 2018 numbers demonstrate that the VA needs to prioritize solutions for Colorado veterans. As such, as MISSION is implemented, we request a report on how the VA intends to use existing authorities, as well as the new flexibility and tools provided in the MISSION Act, to expeditiously fix issues with wait times across ECHCS.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gardner-bennet-demand-immediate-action-be-taken-on-veterans-affairs-wait-times,"Gardner, Bennet Demand Immediate Action Be Taken on Veterans Affairs Wait Times",2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Cory Gardner,G000562,www.gardner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Colorado U.S. Senators Cory Gardner (R) and Michael Bennet (D) today sent a letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie demanding action be taken immediately to remedy wait times at Veterans Affairs Eastern Colorado Health Care System (ECHCS)facilities. The senators requested a report on how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will use existing and new authorities to address these unacceptable wait times. The troubling November 2018 numbers demonstrate that the VA needs to prioritize solutions for Colorado veterans,the Senators wrote.As such, as MISSION is implemented, we request a report on how the VA intends to use existing authorities, as well as the new flexibility and tools provided in the MISSION Act, to expeditiously fix issues with wait times across ECHCS. NOTE: View the letterhere. The letter reads in full Dear Secretary Wilkie, We write today to demand immediate action on unacceptable wait times at VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System facilities. For the period ending on December 1, 2018, VA data show that 16.65 percent of medical appointments scheduled through the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System (ECHCS) have a wait time of over 30 days. These wait times are the worst in the nation. This includes 7,374 belated appointments at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, 1,201 at the PFC James Dunn Clinic in Pueblo, and 7,014 at the PFC Floyd K. Lindstrom Outpatient Clinic at Colorado Springs. The latest numbers are even worse than the 13.5 percent of over 30-day appointments that the Denver Post cited in a July 2017 article on ECHCS wait times. Unacceptably high rates persist after years of congressional action, an alarming inspector general report, and a $1.73 billion new facility designed to improve access to care across the Rocky Mountain region. The wait time issue is a disservice to Colorado veterans. With the passage of the VA Maintaining Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act in June 2018, Congress acted, with our support, to enhance the health care experience for our nation's veterans. This bipartisan legislation provides new capabilities to the VA with the goal of improving the timeliness of veterans' access to health care. The troubling November 2018 numbers demonstrate that the VA needs to prioritize solutions for Colorado veterans. As such, as MISSION is implemented, we request a report on how the VA intends to use existing authorities, as well as the new flexibility and tools provided in the MISSION Act, to expeditiously fix issues with wait times across ECHCS. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gardner-releases-statement-on-chinas-human-rights-abuses,Gardner Releases Statement on Chinas Human Rights Abuses,2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Cory Gardner,G000562,www.gardner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Calls for the Trump Administration to Take Action Washington, DC -Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity,released the below statement today followingreportsthat products sold in the United States were manufactured inChinese forcedlabor campsin the Xinjiang Autonomous Province. On December 4, 2018,Gardnerheld ahearingin his subcommittee specificallyfocused on China's human rights abuses.The hearing was the first public instance wheretheU.S.State Departmentpublicly revealedthat over 2 millionUighurs andotherMuslim minorities are being detained inmodern-day concentration camps in Xinjiang. On December 12, 2018, Gardner condemned China's human rights abuses in apersonal meetingwith China's Ambassador to the United States, Cu Tiankai. China's actions in Xinjiang are unacceptable, barbaric, and an affront to basic civilized norms and human rights,said Senator Gardner.Iurge the Administration to take urgent action to help the Uighurs, including imposing sanctions on the Chinese authorities responsible for these abuses, and imposing an immediate import ban to ensure any products manufactured by forced labor in China never reach the United States. ### Cory Gardner is a member of the U.S. Senate serving Colorado. He sits on the Energy & Natural Resources Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee, the Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee, and the Budget Committee, and is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gardner-votes-for-criminal-justice-reform,Gardner Votes for Criminal Justice Reform,2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Cory Gardner,G000562,www.gardner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Will Continue to Push for Marijuana Reform through the States Act Washington, DC -Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) released the below statement following the Senate's passage of sweeping criminal justice reform legislation, the First Step Act: ""After years of bipartisan work, the Senate took a monumental step forward to reform our nation's criminal justice system,""said Senator Gardner.""Although I thought my amendment that would have ensured each state has the right to determine for itself the best approach to marijuana within its borders should have been included in this criminal justice reform package, I still supported the final measure because it will have a real impact on how we helppeople reenter society after they have served their sentence. The Senate proved Tuesday night that we can accomplish big goals if we work together on behalf of the American people,and I hope we can continue this bipartisan spirit of cooperation. I will continue to push for my bipartisan STATES Act to receive a vote in the Senate,but I'm proud of what we were able to accomplish on Tuesday."" Gardnerintroducedan amendment earlier this week toprotectstate decisions across the country with respect to regulating marijuana. You can watch his speech on the Senate floor about the amendmenthere. ### Cory Gardner is a member of the U.S. Senate serving Colorado. He sits on the Energy & Natural Resources Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee, the Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee, and the Budget Committee, and is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://degette.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/degette-leads-democratic-house-colleagues-in-opposition-to-epa-proposal,DeGette Leads Democratic House Colleagues in Opposition to EPA Proposal to Weaken Methane Standards,2018-12-18,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Diana DeGette,D000197,degette.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-01) led 68 of her fellow House Democrats in submitting technical comments opposing an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposal to weaken emissions standards for methane and other compounds. Methane is an especially potent greenhouse gas, and its emissions are also associated with public health problems such as asthma, reduced lung function, chronic respiratory damage, cancer, nervous system damage, and birth defects. The proposed rule disregards the current scientific understanding of methane pollution and suffers from inaccurate supporting evidence to justify the regulatory changes the EPA is seeking, DeGette and her colleagues wrote. It completely ignores the findings of a new scientific report, conducted by 24 authors representing 12 universities and two United States Government labs, that found methane emissions from the oil and gas industry in the United States were 60% higher than the amount of previous EPA greenhouse gas inventory estimates.[1] Using a lower, inaccurate baseline downplays the severity of the methane (and VOCs) emissions problem, artificially lowering the costs associated with weakening pollution standards for oil and gas operations. The EPA proposal would weaken current standards that require the oil and gas industry to use best available technology in their efforts to reduce methane emissions. According to the EPA's own research, the current standards will support jobs, allow the industry to capture more natural gas that can be sold to consumers, and protect public health in the process. Rep. DeGette and her colleagues submitted their technical comments as part of the rulemaking process the EPA is required to undertake for its proposal.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lamborn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2508,Congressman Lamborn's Statement on the Creation of U.S. Space Command,2018-12-18,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Doug Lamborn,L000564,lamborn.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington D.C.- Today,the Trump Administration announced it willcreatean 11thCombatant Command, U.S. Space Command. President Trump signed a one-page memorandum authorizing the Department of Defense to create the new command. This new command will oversee and organize space operations, accelerate technical advances, and find more effective ways to defend U.S. assets in space to include the constellations of satellites the U.S. military relies upon on for navigation, communications, and surveillance. Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05) issued the following statement regarding the announcement: ""I am very pleased to see thepresident moving forward with the decision to reestablish a U.S. Space Command.Like theadministration, we in Colorado Springs understand the seriousness and immediacy of the growing threats to our space assets.Establishing U.S. Space Command in Colorado Springs is the only serious option for providing the desired capability on the shortest, most cost-effective timeline, and is a natural long-term home for this exciting new organization.Colorado is the epicenter of the national security space enterprise and was home to the original Space Command for 17 years.Today, Colorado Springs is home to Air Force Space Command and the Joint Functional Component Command for Space, the two primary organizations from which a Space Command will be molded - including the expansive infrastructure on Peterson and Schriever Air Force Bases. Our state ranks first in the nation for its concentration of aerospace jobs and is the nation's largest aerospace economy on a per capita basis.I look forward to working closely with the Administration and my colleagues in Congress to ensure a quick and efficient transition."" Text of President Trump's memorandumHERE.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://perlmutter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2321,"Perlmutter Recaps Work on Behalf of Constituents, District in 2018 Year-End Report",2018-12-18,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Ed Perlmutter,P000593,perlmutter.house.gov,,,legacy,"Lakewood, Colo. U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) today released his annual end of year report for 2018, which details the office's work on behalf of the people of the 7th Congressional District and Colorado. The number one priority for me and my staff is to make sure we do the best job we can for the people of the 7th Congressional District. That means being accessible, responsive, and helpful in cutting through red tape at federal agencies, said Perlmutter. I look forward to continuing to serve the people of the 7th District and Colorado in 2019. In 2018, Perlmutter and his staff completed 684 constituent cases, securing more than $446,850 in owed benefits and savings for constituents. The office also hosted 32 events with 16,770 attendees, responded to nearly 60,000 calls, emails and letters, and signed three pieces of legislation into law. See below for additional year-end information. In addition, Perlmutter was recognized as Legislator of the Year' in 2018 by the Paralyzed Veterans of America - Mountain States Chapter for his work in ensuring the completion and opening of the new Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center in Aurora, Colo. Data from January 1 December 1, 2018 ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=B9F2B1E4-3CCF-42CE-8A7F-FF14DE56D5F8,Bennet Calls for Inclusion of San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act in End-of-Year Legislation,2018-12-18,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today wrote to Senate leadership urging them to include the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act in an end-of-year public lands package currently being negotiated. The San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act is the product of years of collaboration among local stakeholders in San Miguel, San Juan, and Ouray Counties, Bennet said. The bipartisan county commissions who represent these communities have been asking Congress to pass this bill for over a decade. It is time for Congress to do its job and move this bill across the finish line. The legislation, first introduced in 2009, would protect approximately 61,000 acres of land located in the heart of the San Juan Mountains in Southwest Colorado. It also would designate some of the state's most iconic peaks as wilderness areas, including two fourteeners: Mount Sneffels and Wilson Peak. A video of Bennet's testimony in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee hearing is HERE. A video of Bennet introducing the bill with a San Miguel County Commissioner is HERE. A copy of the letter is HERE and below: I write to urge you to include S. 2721, the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act in any end-of-year public lands package. The San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act is the product of years of collaboration among local stakeholders in San Miguel, San Juan, and Ouray Counties. The bipartisan county commissions who represent these communities have been asking Congress to pass this bill for over a decade. It is time for Congress to do its job and move this bill across the finish line. The San Juan Mountain Wilderness Act would designate around 31,000 acres of new or expanded wilderness and designate 21,675 acres as the Sheep Mountain Special Management Area. First introduced in 2009, the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act received bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress starting in 2010. It is widely supported in Southwest Colorado, including by local recreation advocates, sportsmen, mountain bike clubs, and the Telluride Ski Area. The only active hardrock mine in the area, Ouray Silver Mines, has provided support for the wilderness designations near its mine. The Governor of Colorado and five towns in the region also support the bill. Southwest Colorado cannot wait any longer for Washington to act. The time is now to pass this bill. Thank you for considering this request.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=BBF35565-FE4D-41CC-BC8C-F19AB570F99A,"Bennet, Bipartisan Senators Call on Administration to Respond to Allegations of Chinese Government Election Interference",2018-12-18,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today joined a group of bipartisan colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other national security leaders in the Trump administration to express concern about ongoing Chinese Communist Party (CCP) attempts to undermine democracy. The senators encouraged the administration to work closely with Taiwan to investigate the allegations of interference and respond if necessary. CCP attempts to erode democratic processes and norms around the world threaten U.S. partnerships and prosperity, the senators wrote. We write to express our support for efforts to counter interference of this nature and to state unequivocally that we stand shoulder to shoulder with democracies fighting attempts to undermine their sovereignty and freedomIn an era of growing authoritarian interference, we believe such allegations must be taken seriously if free societies are to continue to thrive, the senators continued. The letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chris Coons (D-DE), Cory Gardner (R-CO), and Ted Cruz (R-TX). A copy of the letter 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=F9259C60-8577-4641-821E-9B459F9A4320,"Ignored by EPA: Bennet, Casey Demand Answers On Methane Standards Rollback",2018-12-18,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Following the end of the comment period for a proposal to weaken methane standards, U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Bob Casey (D-PA) today sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler to raise the agency's failure to respond to their concerns and request a meeting to address the proposal. As the Senators from two states with robust standards to reduce methane emissions, we are concerned that more children will breathe harmful air pollution as a result of the rollbacks you are recommending, Bennet and Casey wrote. In addition, our states may have to impose additional measures in order to adhere to EPA's ozone standards due to methane pollution coming into Colorado and Pennsylvania from other states without similar methane standards. Ahead of the public comment period in October, Bennet led 21 Senate colleagues in urging the EPA to extend the public comment period for the rule and provide adequate justification for modifying the national standards. The senators asked specific questions regarding the modification's effects on the public health and the cost of the rule. The EPA has not responded, and the comment period ended yesterday. We are concerned by your failure to reply to our October letter and to take our questions seriously. We owe it to our constituents to obtain more clarity about the effect of the rollback on our respective states. Accordingly, we request a meeting with you within the next month to discuss our constituents' issues with you personally, the senators concluded. A copy of the letter is available HERE.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gardner-sends-bipartisan-letter-calling-for-response-to-allegations-of-chinese-government-election-interference,Gardner Sends Bipartisan Letter Calling for Response to Allegations of Chinese Government Election Interference,2018-12-18,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Cory Gardner,G000562,www.gardner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and the International Cybersecurity Policy,sent a letter with a group of bipartisan Senators to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other national security leaders in the Trump Administration expressing concern about continued attempts by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to undermine democracy.Specifically, the letterencouragesthe Administration to work closely with Taiwan to investigate the allegations of interference and respond if deemed necessary. CCP attempts to erode democratic processes and norms around the world threaten U.S. partnerships and prosperity,theSenators wrote. Allegations such as those surrounding Taiwan's recent elections must therefore be pursued with seriousness and urgency.We write to express our support for efforts to counter interference of this nature and to state unequivocally that we stand shoulder to shoulder with democracies fighting attempts to undermine their sovereignty and freedom. We encourage your departments to do all you can to support Taiwan in investigating these allegations and taking necessary action in response. It is not our intent, nor our role, to question the veracity or fairness of the electoral outcome. Rather, in an era of growing authoritarian interference, we believe such allegations must be taken seriously if free societies are to continue to thrive. If true, CCP interference in Taiwan's elections would be deeply concerning not only for Taiwan's future, but also for fellow democracies around the world where the CCP may choose to interfere. Gardner has prioritized the U.S.-Taiwan relationship during this time in the Senate, including enacting legislation into law, conducting three official visits to Taiwan, and frequent high-level meetings with Taiwan's leadership, including most recentlymeeting President Tsai Ing-Wenduring her transit through the United States in August 2018. In the 114thCongress, Gardner authored legislationto require theDepartment of State to develop a strategy to include Taiwan as an observer in INTERPOL,whichwas signed into lawby President Obama in March 2016. In the 115thCongress, heintroduced theTaiwan Security Actwith Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) in July 2017, a bill that would enhance the security relationshipbetween our two nations.In 2018, he worked with his Subcommittee rankingmember Senator Edward Markey (D-MA) to introduce theTaiwan International Participation Act of 2018 (TIPA), a bill aiming to ensure Taiwan's participation in appropriate international organizations,as well astheTaiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) ACTlegislationrequiring the U.S. government to engage with nations around the world to maintain and grow ties with Taiwan. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chris Coons (D-DE), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Ted Cruz (R-TX) also joined the letter. NOTE: View the letterhere. The letter reads in full Dear Secretaries Pompeo and Mnuchin, Directors Coats and Wray: We write with concern about allegations that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) interfered in Taiwan's recent elections. CCP attempts to erode democratic processes and norms around the world threaten U.S. partnerships and prosperity. Allegations such as those surrounding Taiwan's recent elections must therefore be pursued with seriousness and urgency. We appreciate the actions your departments are already taking to address CCP foreign interference. We encourage you to work closely with Taiwan authorities to thoroughly investigate these allegations and, if necessary, take swift action to deter future CCP interference in elections in Taiwan or elsewhere across the globe. In the lead-up to Taiwan's local elections on November 24, 2018, Taiwan authorities and independent observers alleged that the CCP used illegal funds and disinformation to influence the election results in favor of the CCP's strategic interests. It is not our intent, nor our role, to question the veracity or fairness of the electoral outcome. Rather, in an era of growing authoritarian interference, we believe such allegations must be taken seriously if free societies are to continue to thrive. If true, CCP interference in Taiwan's elections would be deeply concerning not only for Taiwan's future, but also for fellow democracies around the world where the CCP may choose to interfere. Taiwan authorities' statements suggest that illegal campaign contributions to pro-Beijing political candidates were one of the primary tools of alleged CCP interference. In October, Taiwan authorities announced that they were investigating 33 cases of alleged funding from China to political campaigns in Taiwan. If true, the donations would be in violation of Taiwan's Political Donations Act and the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area. Indeed, Taiwan investigators reportedly conducted raids on two illicit money exchanges funneling money to pro-Beijing election activities in Taiwan. Authorities are also investigating allegations that CCP-linked individuals tried to bribe or coerce voters. Taiwan authorities have also accused the CCP of using disinformation to shape public opinion of political candidates deemed unsympathetic to Beijing's interests. They allege the CCP spread false information through social media and messaging platforms, including Facebook, Line, and the online bulletin board, PTT. Some candidates have even claimed to possess evidence showing that these disinformation campaigns originated from mainland Chinese IP addresses. As Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) of State Scott Busby said last month in Taiwan, At a time of democratic backsliding and human rights abuses elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific region, Taiwan serves as an invaluable model to others. And given the challenges we all face, it is especially important that democracies like Taiwan and the United States stand together in promoting a brighter future, free of repression, censorship, and exploitation. In the spirit of DAS Busby's remarks, we write to express our support for efforts to counter interference of this nature and to state unequivocally that we stand shoulder to shoulder with democracies fighting attempts to undermine their sovereignty and freedom. We encourage your departments to do all you can to support Taiwan in investigating these allegations and taking necessary action in response. ### Cory Gardner is a member of the U.S. Senate serving Colorado. He sits on the Energy & Natural Resources Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee, the Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee, and the Budget Committee, and is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gardner-takes-to-senate-floor-to-fight-for-states-rights-and-protect-states-legal-marijuana-operations,Gardner Takes to Senate Floor to Fight for States Rights and Protect States Legal Marijuana Operations,2018-12-18,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Cory Gardner,G000562,www.gardner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Mr. President, I yield my time and will not give up this fight Washington, DC -Today, Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) spoke on the Senator floor after his legislation to protect the marijuana industry in states across the country was blocked from being voted on as an amendment to the First Step Act. NOTE: Clickhereor on the image above to view Gardner's remarks. Remarks as prepared for delivery: Thank you Mr. President, I thank the Senator from Iowa, Chairman Grassley. After much debate, disagreement, and compromise, the Senate this week is taking up a criminal justice reform package. The package shows the American people thatbipartisanship is alive. Leaders on both sides of the aisle as well as the White House should be commended for their admirable and persistent cooperation and determination. The package's goals are noble: it is right to help those that have paid their debt re-enter society with the best possible chance to be productive contributors; it is right to take steps to ensure that sentences are fair and appropriately tailored to the defendant; and it is right to calibrate the way we treat those in custody based on the risk they pose to society. But being from Colorado, it is hard to think about federal criminal justice reform without thinking about the biggest problem the federal criminal law creates for Colorado: the refusal to respect the will of Coloradans when it comes to marijuana. Every day, Coloradans of good faith follow Colorado law to a T, yet they are still criminals in the eyes of the federal government. Cancer patients using medical marijuana to control their pain and veterans who are using marijuana to alleviate the PTSD they suffer because they served their country federal law says they are criminals. The People do not think that. So the federal law should change. This disconnect doesn't just effect the industry's patrons, or even just its growers and retailers for that matter. It also makes criminals of those outside the industry. Plumbers, electricians, bankers, landlords and real estate service providers, employment and advertising agencies, insurance companies, HR services, and all of the everyday businesses that interact with the marijuana industry (like they do any other part of our economy) are affected by the federal law, too. That's because when they take money from a marijuana business federal law considers them money launderers putting them at risk for both criminal liability and civil asset forfeiture. The disconnect forces Colorado's $1.5 billion market into the pseudo-shadows, where business is in hard-to-track cash, inviting dangerous robberies and hindering law enforcement efforts to ensure that legal marijuana sales benefits legitimate businesses rather than illicit cartels. It also means that researchers can't test marijuana for medical efficacy or to help better understand impairment because those researchers fear of losing federal funding. All of this flies in the face of what the Colorado people have chosen for themselves. Indeed, it flies in the face of the 33 states that now have some form of legalized marijuana, including 10 that allow regulated adult use. This year alone, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Utah have passed laws establishing medical marijuana programs and Michigan and Vermont have passed laws permitting regulated adult use. And Wisconsin voters in 16 counties overwhelming passed advisory referenda supporting legalization. This isn't fluke. Recent polling from Quinnipiac shows more than 60% of the American people support legalized marijuana and 93% support medical marijuana. The American people have made up their minds: this is happening. Let's be clear: this isn't just happening in blue state California and Massachusetts or purple states like Colorado. It's happening in red states like Utah, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. And it's happening in swing states like Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Missouri. The bedrock principle of our government expressed in the Declaration of Independence is that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed. As the federal government continues to ignore the will of the People, the People lose respect for the law. The Congress must respond because one way or the other the People will have their say. That is why Sen. Warren and I are offering the STATES Act as an amendment to the criminal justice package before the Senate. The Act is simple and straight-forward. Within certain basic federal guardrails, conduct in compliance with state marijuana law will not violate the Controlled Substances Act. This legislation is the embodiment of the federalism our Founders envisioned. It allows each state to move if at all at its own pace. It lets states like Colorado be the laboratory of democracy the American people have come to expect. But most importantly, it lets Colorado be Colorado, South Carolina be South Carolina, and Florida be Florida and they all will have federal prosecutors backing up whatever decision they make with respect to marijuana. The people of Colorado have made their decision. I didn't vote for legalization in 2012, but I respect my state's decision. Its people know that what is right for the Colorado might not be what's right for the people of South Carolina or Florida. But their decision should be respected and supported by the federal government, just like the decisions in every other state. I am all for helping those that have paid their debt to society, but there are many for whom there should be no debt. That is why the STATES Act should be included in federal criminal justice reform. Let's close with this map, over 95% of the population of the United States lives in a state where they have legalized some form of marijuana. Every state in green is a state that has legalized some form of marijuana. By the year 2022, this industry will be over $20 billion, all of which can't be in the banking system because it's against federal law, and what happens when you force a $20 billion all cash economy I guess that's what we ought to be dealing with here today. This isn't just about banking, that's a side effect of the STATES Act, the STATES Act recognizes that federalist principle that a state can decide this issue for itself. This amendment at this time recognizes that you shouldn't go to federal prison for following state law. That in its essence is sentencing reform. If we had a chance to vote on this amendment today the amendment would be germane, it would be a 50 vote threshold, simple majority up or down, and I know that this bill - this amendment has the support from this body on both sides of the aisle to fix this conflict and allow the states to make their own decisions without the heavy hand of Washington telling them what to do. Mr. President, I yield my time and will not give up this fight. ### Cory Gardner is a member of the U.S. Senate serving Colorado. He sits on the Energy & Natural Resources Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee, the Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee, and the Budget Committee, and is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lamborn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2507,Supporting the Symbols and Traditions of Christmas,2018-12-17,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Doug Lamborn,L000564,lamborn.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. This year, Congressman Doug Lamborn's (CO-05) resolution to protect the symbols and traditions of Christmas in the name of religious liberty gained more support in the U.S. House of Representatives. The resolution is now supported by 56 cosponsors. It also disapproves of efforts to ban references to Christmas in the public arena. Congressman Lamborn issued the following statement regarding the resolution: For many Americans, Christmas is a time for remembrance and celebration. We reflect on Jesus' message of sacrificial love and ultimate peace.It is a season filled with gratitude and joy. Yet a vocal minority have made a concerted effort to ban any and all Christmas traditions and references from the public square. This is an attack on the religious expression rights given to us in the Constitution. That's why I introduced this resolution to defend the religious liberty of all Americans. It would protect the public expression of Christmas traditions like nativities, trees, and saying 'Merry Christmas.' I urge its passage.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gardner-introduces-states-rights-amendment-to-protect-marijuana-industry,Gardner Introduces States Rights Amendment to Protect Marijuana Industry,2018-12-17,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Cory Gardner,G000562,www.gardner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC -Today, Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) introduced an amendment to the First Step Act that, if adopted, would ensure that each state has the right to determine for itself the best approach to marijuana within its borders. The bill also extends these protections to Washington D.C, U.S. territories, and federally recognized tribes, and contains common-sense guardrails to ensure that states, territories, and tribes regulating marijuana do so safely. Saturday marked the 227thanniversary of the ratification of the 10thAmendment to the Constitution. It says that [t]he powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.' I can think of no better way to honor that milestone than to pass the bipartisan STATES Act, andI can think of no better legislation to attachtheSTATES Act to than the First Step Act,said Senator Gardner.While we are debatingcriminal justice reform,we need to address the threat of prosecution by the federal government for people in Colorado that are operating legal businesses under state law.And it's not just Colorado: 47 states now allow some form of legalized cannabis. This year Oklahoma, Utah, and Missouri changed their laws to join 30 other states that allow medical marijuana.Recent polls show around 65% of the country support legalization and 93% support medical marijuana. The people are speaking. The states are leading.It's timeforCongress toact toprotect states' rights. I call on my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to take up and pass this important amendment today. The Amendment mirrors the language of the bipartisanSTATES ActGardnerintroducedwith Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)in June and would: Amends the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) so that - as long as states and tribescomply with a few basic protections - its provisions no longer apply to any person acting in compliance with State or tribal laws relating to marijuanaactivities. Clearly states that compliant transactions are not trafficking and do not result in proceeds of an unlawful transaction. The following federal criminal provisions under the CSA continue to apply: Prohibitsendangering human life while manufacturingmarijuana. Prohibitsemployment of persons under age 18 in drug operations. Prohibits the distribution of marijuana at transportation safety facilities such as rest areas and truck stops. Prohibitsthe distribution or sale of marijuana to persons under the age of 21 other than for medical purposes. ### Cory Gardner is a member of the U.S. Senate serving Colorado. He sits on the Energy & Natural Resources Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee, the Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee, and the Budget Committee, and is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://degette.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/commemorate-the-clean-air-act-by-living-up-to-its-protections,Commemorate the Clean Air Act by living up to its protections,2018-12-15,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Diana DeGette,D000197,degette.house.gov,,,legacy,"This coming Monday, December 17 marks the 55th anniversary of the Clean Air Act. Coincidentally, it is also the end of the public comment period for the Trump administration's proposal to undermine that act and eviscerate Environmental Protection Agency safeguards to reduce methane and associated toxic air pollution from oil and gas production. The anniversary of the Clean Air Act, which passed the House of Representatives unanimously in 1963, should be a celebration of our united efforts to protect the greater good. Unfortunately, the Trump administration's rollback of public health and climate protections turns the anniversary into another example of the abuse of public office for special interests, at our expense. Despite what some want you to think, working together to protect public health and the environment is not a relic of the past. Just four years ago, Colorado state government worked together with oil and gas companies to protect Colorado's air and climate. We became the first state in the nation to enact rules to reduce methane pollution from oil and gas production and served as a national model for methane standards that the Obama administration adopted at the EPA. Colorado's and the federal government's methane safeguards are important because methane is a potent greenhouse gas, 86 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Methane is responsible for a quarter of the climate change impacts we are experiencing now. And when oil and gas operations release methane, as they do throughout production, they also emit hazardous volatile organic compounds such as benzene, a carcinogen. There are more than 50,000 active oil and gas operations in Colorado and 1.3 million nationwide. Thanks to Colorado's methane safeguards, we live where the Trump administration's attack on clean air won't impact us as directly as it will for those living in other regions that also produce oil and gas. But more methane emissions would still affect us. What happens to our neighbors affects us too, and no single state rule can protect us from the consequences of climate change. But we shouldn't just consider immediate effects. This rollback is just one part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to undermine or eliminate all federal initiatives to address climate change. They have announced their intention to roll back other EPA safeguards to cut methane pollution from oil and gas production. This September the Trump administration repealed an Interior Department rule that prevented methane waste from oil and gas production on public lands. More than 600,000 public comments were submitted, and 99.8 percent opposed repeal. And then there is President Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement making us theonlycountry in the world to do so or his gutting of the Clean Power Plan. This coming year, I will become the chair of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee on the Energy and Commerce Committee, with the authority to look into these dangerous actions by the Trump administration. We will follow the facts to get a better understanding of which officials within the administration were pushing to undermine protections, the potential influence of special interests, and whether important steps or points of view were ignored along the way. I will make sure that the American people know what we uncover and what we can do to reverse these actions. In the meantime, every American needs the methane pollution safeguards that Colorado worked hard to put in place. Our standards have been on the books for years, and the oil and gas industry continues to operate in Colorado. One of the world's largest oil companies, just moved its onshore oil and gas drilling headquarters to Denver and even cited Colorado's environmental ethic as one of the reasons Denver was such a good place to be headquartered. Each one of us must speak out in opposition to this dangerous effort by the Trump administration to weaken necessary methane pollution protections. I encourage the companies who had a seat at the table when Colorado crafted our rules and who have made pledges to cut methane to speak up as well.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=9433D3EB-E66A-40BA-9D85-815080050EF6,Bennet Statement on Federal Courts Affordable Care Act Ruling,2018-12-15,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"DENVER, CO Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today issued the following statement regarding a Texas federal district court ruling that the Affordable Care Act, and all its health care protections, are unconstitutional: For years, Republicans have tried to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. After trying and failing over 70 times to repeal the bill without offering a replacement, Republicans added a provision to last year's disastrous tax bill to sabotage the individual mandate, providing the argument used in the Texas court's ruling. The ACA is not perfect, but it has provided health care coverage to millions of Coloradans and Americans with preexisting conditions and coverage for essential health benefits. Republicans should abandon their efforts to attack the ACA and instead work with Democrats to fix its flaws, so that we can provide quality, affordable health care coverage to every American.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lamborn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2506,Congressman Lamborn Views Evidence of Iranian Weapon Proliferation,2018-12-14,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Doug Lamborn,L000564,lamborn.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. -Today, Congressman Lamborn led a Congressional Delegation to the Iranian Material Display at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling with Congressman Joe Wilson and Congressman Doug LaMalfa. The Iranian Material Display is a collection of Iranian-made weapons found in battlefields across the region, supplied to terrorist groups by the Iranian regime in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions 2216 and 2231. ""TheIranian Material Display at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling is vital proof of Iran's ongoing malicious and destabilizing strategy in the Middle East. Despite the fact that President Obama and his administration bent over backwards to accommodate the regime in Tehran, access to international markets only increased their support for terrorism abroad. Rather than spending new revenue on the Iranian people, the Ayatollahs squandered the wealth on fueling war throughout the region, leading to death and human misery from Syria to Afghanistan. The Iranian people know this, which is why protests have been continuing for a year now. They feature chants such as 'Not Gaza, Not Lebanon, I Give My Life for Iran.' This collection of weapons is incontrovertible proof of what many of us have been warning for years. I will continue doing everything I can to counter Iranian aggression, whether its financial sanctions, providing our troops with the best equipment, or helping to strengthen our allies."" Photographs HERE. Joint Chiefs of Staff article HERE.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://degette.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/colorado-congressional-delegation-members-urge-continued-cooperation-to,Colorado Congressional Delegation Members Urge Continued Cooperation to Resolve Eagle Project Commuter Rail Line Issues,2018-12-13,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Diana DeGette,D000197,degette.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Today, Representatives Diana DeGette (CO-01) and Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) along with Colorado Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) sent a letter to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD), and Denver Transit Partners (DTP) urging continued cooperation in finalizing a plan of action to fix ongoing issues with grade crossings on the Eagle Project's commuter rail lines by the December 15 deadline. In the letter, the lawmakers made clear that Coloradans cannot afford any further delays or loss of service, writing, The Eagle Project's success is critical for our constituents. Many stakeholders came together to support the project based on the economic and quality of life benefits it promises. They are counting on all parties to live up to their obligations and provide the service agreed to. The letter follows a November 15, 2018 letter from FRA to RTD raising several concerns with grade crossing warning signal timing, citing non-compliance with waivers previously issued by the administration, calling for an action plan to rectify these issues. DeGette, Perlmutter, Bennet and Gardner went on to write that they are encouraged by the cooperation of all parties to fix the crossing issues and urge a continued effort to complete a satisfactory action plan by the December 15 deadline. They pledged their commitment to helping facilitate this process in any way possible. The full text of the letter is below: December 12, 2018 The Honorable Ronald Batory David A. Genova Administrator General Manager and CEO Federal Railroad Administration Regional Transportation District 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE 1560 Broadway, Suite 700 Washington, DC 20590 Denver, CO 80202 John F. Thompson Executive Project Director Denver Transit Partners 5151 Fox Street Denver, CO 80216 Dear Administrator Batory, Mr. Genova, and Mr. Thompson: We write following the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) November 15 letter to Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) and Denver Transit Partners (DTP) regarding the ongoing issues with the grade crossings on the Eagle Project's commuter rail lines. We urge all parties to work together to ensure the action plan called for in the letter is completed by December 15 in a manner that ensures safety and meets all federal requirements, while facilitating continued progress on the Eagle Project. In the November 15 letter, FRA detailed a number of ways the current grade crossing warning signal timing is not in compliance with waivers previously issued by the Administration. It also noted in the two and half years since the initial waiver, no substantial progress has been made to correct the problem permanently. FRA has been clear the Eagle Project must show compliance with waiver conditions before the Administration can approve quiet zones for any part of the system or allow the Gold Line to begin revenue service demonstrations. Additionally, continued noncompliance could jeopardize the waiver conditions allowing the existing service on the A Line. We cannot afford any further delays or loss of service. The Eagle Project's success is critical for our constituents. Many stakeholders came together to support the project based on the economic and quality of life benefits it promises. They are counting on all parties to live up to their obligations and provide the service agreed to. We are encouraged all parties continue to cooperate, but efforts to resolve the grade crossing issues have so far proved insufficient. The action plan is a crucial step toward resolving these issues once and for all. We strongly urge all parties to fully commit to completing a satisfactory action plan by the December 15 deadline and work together to implement this action plan swiftly, and we stand ready to help facilitate this process in any way possible. Sincerely, Diana DeGette Michael F. Bennet Member of Congress United States Senator Cory Gardner Ed Perlmutter United States Senator Member of Congress",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://degette.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/degette-and-upton-mark-second-anniversary-of-21st-century-cures-act,DeGette and Upton Mark Second Anniversary of 21st Century Cures Act Becoming Law,2018-12-13,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Diana DeGette,D000197,degette.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC -- Representatives. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Fred Upton (R-MI) today released the following statement on the second anniversary of the21stCentury Cures Actbeing signed into law by President Barack Obama: 21stCentury Cures began with the spark of hope and continues today pushing medical research in new and innovative ways. We're already seeing the results in action: TheBeau Biden Cancer Moonshotis working to accelerate progress in cancer prevention and screening, theAll of Us Research Programhas more than 100,000 people signed up to help advance precision medicine and develop more effective ways to treat disease, theBrain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiativeis revolutionizing how we understand the human brain, and theRegenerative Medicine Innovation Projectis supporting clinical research on adult stem cells. 21stCentury Cures is also making needed reforms to our mental health system and at the Food and Drug Administration. We're now able to get drugs and devices to the market more efficiently helping to address drug prices. Finally, 21st Century Cures has played a pivotal role in addressing the opioid epidemic by funding the fight at the state level with more than $1 billion in grants to states in need. 21stCentury Cures was truly a bipartisan effort from start to finish. Today we can reflect on how far we have come, but also a reminder of all the work that remains. Patients and families are counting on us. Further background: The House Energy and Commerce Committee has held five hearings on the implementation of the21stCentury Cures Actincluding three this year. These hearings have focused on specifics sections of the bill includingmental health reforms, work being done by theFood and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health, and an update from theOffice of the National Coordinator.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://perlmutter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2311,Colorado Congressional Delegation Members Urge Continued Cooperation to Resolve Eagle Project Commuter Rail Line Issues,2018-12-13,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Ed Perlmutter,P000593,perlmutter.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Representatives Diana DeGette (CO-01) and Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) along with Colorado Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) sent a letter to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD), and Denver Transit Partners (DTP) urging continued cooperation in finalizing a plan of action to fix ongoing issues with grade crossings on the Eagle Project's commuter rail lines by the December 15 deadline. In the letter, the lawmakers made clear that Coloradans cannot afford any further delays or loss of service, writing, The Eagle Project's success is critical for our constituents. Many stakeholders came together to support the project based on the economic and quality of life benefits it promises. They are counting on all parties to live up to their obligations and provide the service agreed to. The letter follows a November 15, 2018 letter from FRA to RTD raising several concerns with grade crossing warning signal timing, citing non-compliance with waivers previously issued by the administration, calling for an action plan to rectify these issues. DeGette, Perlmutter, Bennet and Gardner went on to write that they are encouraged by the cooperation of all parties to fix the crossing issues and urge a continued effort to complete a satisfactory action plan by the December 15 deadline. They pledged their commitment to helping facilitate this process in any way possible. The full text of the letter is below: December 12, 2018 The Honorable Ronald Batory David A. Genova Administrator General Manager and CEO Federal Railroad Administration Regional Transportation District 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE 1560 Broadway, Suite 700 Washington, DC 20590 Denver, CO 80202 John F. Thompson Executive Project Director Denver Transit Partners 5151 Fox Street Denver, CO 80216 Dear Administrator Batory, Mr. Genova, and Mr. Thompson: We write following the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) November 15 letter to Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) and Denver Transit Partners (DTP) regarding the ongoing issues with the grade crossings on the Eagle Project's commuter rail lines. We urge all parties to work together to ensure the action plan called for in the letter is completed by December 15 in a manner that ensures safety and meets all federal requirements, while facilitating continued progress on the Eagle Project. In the November 15 letter, FRA detailed a number of ways the current grade crossing warning signal timing is not in compliance with waivers previously issued by the Administration. It also noted in the two and half years since the initial waiver, no substantial progress has been made to correct the problem permanently. FRA has been clear the Eagle Project must show compliance with waiver conditions before the Administration can approve quiet zones for any part of the system or allow the Gold Line to begin revenue service demonstrations. Additionally, continued noncompliance could jeopardize the waiver conditions allowing the existing service on the A Line. We cannot afford any further delays or loss of service. The Eagle Project's success is critical for our constituents. Many stakeholders came together to support the project based on the economic and quality of life benefits it promises. They are counting on all parties to live up to their obligations and provide the service agreed to. We are encouraged all parties continue to cooperate, but efforts to resolve the grade crossing issues have so far proved insufficient. The action plan is a crucial step toward resolving these issues once and for all. We strongly urge all parties to fully commit to completing a satisfactory action plan by the December 15 deadline and work together to implement this action plan swiftly, and we stand ready to help facilitate this process in any way possible. Sincerely, Diana DeGette Michael F. Bennet Member of Congress United States Senator Cory Gardner Ed Perlmutter United States Senator Member of Congress",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=83CC1E9E-A7A3-4C41-9D21-0415E89C3A96,Bennet Statement in Support of Yemen Resolution,2018-12-13,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today issued the following statement about his vote in support of a resolution to end U.S. military support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen: We are without a strategy to address the persistent conflict, humanitarian crisis, and threats to U.S. interests in Yemen. By passing this resolution, we are sending a strong, bipartisan statement that the Trump administration must take the required steps to formulate one. The tragic and extraordinarily complex situation in Yemen requires a political solution. The administration has failed to lead and must do more to push all regional interests to the negotiating table. It's also critical to stress how inadequate the President's response to the death of Jamal Khashoggi has been, in effect legitimizing his murder and failing to stand up for press freedom. The administration must hold Saudi Arabia accountable.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=853F6DB1-840F-4D79-856C-4828A0E0EC3E,Bennet Office to Hold Listening Sessions in San Juan and La Plata Counties,2018-12-13,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet invites residents from San Juan and La Plata Counties to meet with a member of his Colorado staff in the next week. John Whitney, Bennet's Western Slope Regional Director, will meet one-on-one with Coloradans in Silverton and Ignacio. The details for the listening sessions are available below. MEDIA GUIDANCE (San Juan County) For convenience, please feel free to copy and paste this text onto your website or in your print newspaper: Bennet Office Listens to San Juan County Do you need help dealing with the Department of Veterans Affairs, IRS, Social Security Administration, or another federal agency? Do you have a suggestion for Congress that will help your family or community? If so, then Senator Michael Bennet invites you to meet one-on-one with a representative from his office at the upcoming listening session. Listening Session Details San Juan County Friday, December 14, 3:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. San Juan County Courthouse County Commissioners Meeting Room 1557 Greene Street Silverton, CO 81433 To schedule an appointment, send an email to john_whitney@bennet.senate.gov. Please include a brief description of the issue you want to address, as this will help John assist you. If you are already working with someone in Bennet's office, please include that information in your email, as well. Those without email access can call 970-259-1710. Constituents do not need to wait for listening session dates to ask for help or share opinions. Please call any Bennet office at any time for assistance. MEDIA GUIDANCE (La Plata County) For convenience, please feel free to copy and paste this text onto your website or in your print newspaper: Bennet Office Listens to La Plata County Do you need help dealing with the Department of Veterans Affairs, IRS, Social Security Administration, or another federal agency? Do you have a suggestion for Congress that will help your family or community? If so, then Senator Michael Bennet invites you to meet one-on-one with a representative from his office at the upcoming listening session. Listening Session Details La Plata County Monday, December 17, 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Ignacio Public Library 470 Goddard Avenue Ignacio, CO 81137 To schedule an appointment, send an email to john_whitney@bennet.senate.gov. Please include a brief description of the issue you want to address, as this will help John assist you. If you are already working with someone in Bennet's office, please include that information in your email, as well. Those without email access can call 970-259-1710. Constituents do not need to wait for listening session dates to ask for help or share opinions. Please call any Bennet office at any time for assistance.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gardner-backed-legislation-to-combat-sexual-harassment-in-congress-passes-senate,Gardner-backed Legislation to Combat Sexual Harassment in Congress Passes Senate,2018-12-13,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Cory Gardner,G000562,www.gardner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC -Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) released a statement following the Senate's passage of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act, sweeping legislation that will overhaul the way Congress deals with sexual harassment. In December 2017, Gardner, along with a bipartisan group of his colleagues,introducedthe Congressional Harassment Reform Act to begin the process of reforming how sexual harassment is dealt with in Congress. The final legislation that passed this week was a result of those negotiations that began more than a year ago. It is about time Congress acted to reform the way sexual harassment is handled,said Senator Gardner.As I said last year when I first began working on this issue, sexual harassment and workplace misconduct have no place in America, and certainly have no place in the United States Congress. Taxpayers should never be on the hook for misconduct and every Member must be held personally liable for their own actions. I'm proud I was able to play a role in reforming this process and bringing more transparency and accountability to Congress. ### Cory Gardner is a member of the U.S. Senate serving Colorado. He sits on the Energy & Natural Resources Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee, the Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee, and the Budget Committee, and is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://perlmutter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2307,Perlmutter Statement on Agreement with Leader Pelosi,2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Ed Perlmutter,P000593,perlmutter.house.gov,,,legacy,"Perlmutter Statement on Agreement with Leader Pelosi f t # e Washington, D.C.-, December 12, 2018 Washington, D.C. U.S. Representative Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) issued the following statement on an agreement with Leader Nancy Pelosi regarding term limits for senior leadership in the Democratic Caucus and his vote for Speaker in the 116th Congress: I have pushed for new leadership because I want to see generational change in the Democratic Caucus. I am now convinced that generational change has started and will continue to accelerate. Therefore, I will support Nancy Pelosi for Speaker. I do so for the following reasons: We elected a new generation of leaders with the election of Ben Ray Lujan, Hakeem Jeffries and Cheri Bustos; We've opened our rules and procedures to give all members more say in legislation presented and passed in the House and have developed new policies that strengthen integrity in government; A number of us presented a proposal concerning term limits for senior leadership and Nancy Pelosi has agreed to abide by the proposal; Opportunities for leadership development will be available for those who aspire to senior caucus or committee positions to assure smoother transitions, if and when the time requires; and, After numerous conversations with Nancy Pelosi on a whole array of subjects, I am confident that she is the best person to lead a very diverse and ambitious caucus while contending with the difficult challenges facing the country. An important conversation was started here and going forward I feel confident our leaders will work to share their knowledge, experience and skill with those who aspire to leadership for the sake of our caucus, our party and our country. ### f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://tipton.house.gov/media/press-releases/tipton-votes-send-farm-bill-president-s-desk,Tipton Votes to Send Farm Bill to Presidents Desk,2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Scott Tipton,T000470,tipton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Scott Tipton (CO-03) voted today in favor of H.R. 2, the House-Senate Conference Report to the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018, otherwise known as the Farm Bill. The House agreed to the report with a bipartisan vote of 369-47. The final 2018 Farm Bill maintains and strengthens critical safety nets for U.S. farmers who work to provide healthy, affordable food for families across the country and the world, said Tipton. The bill also includes important provisions to protect and restore threatened habitats, help prevent catastrophic wildfires across the West and create more economic opportunities for the Third Congressional District through the production of industrial hemp. The final 2018 Farm Bill contains a Tipton-backed provision (H.R. 3543) that will streamline the approval process for vegetation management projects to protect and restore the habitat of sage-grouse and mule deer. The current vegetation management process has not allowed Western states to effectively keep up with the rapid growth of invasive species in sagebrush habitat, which has had a detrimental effect on both the sage grouse and mule deer populations, said Tipton. The 2018 Farm Bill will remove the bureaucratic red-tape that has prevented land managers from acting quickly in the past. The Farm Bill also contains several provisions to help the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) proactively manage National Forests and prevent catastrophic wildfires. The bill will allow the USFS to establish a pilot program for clearing overgrown vegetation around power lines and other utility infrastructure, as well as allow for the removal of trees that have become hazardous fuel due to disease and insect infestation. Additionally, the bill removes industrial hemp from the definition of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act, a provision Tipton has fought for as a cosponsor of the Industrial Hemp Farming Act (H.R. 3530). Industrial hemp has become an economic driver in the Third District but concerns over the Controlled Substances Act have prevented the crop from reaching its full potential, Tipton added. The 2018 Farm Bill will provide hemp farmers with the certainty they need to invest in the crop well into the future. The final report also includes Tipton's bill, the West Fork Fires Station Act (H.R. 4609), which will permit the USFS to transfer 3.61 acres of land to Dolores County, Colorado for the purposes of building a fire station. Additional information on the 2018 Farm Bill: Maintains existing crop insurance program; Provides $100 million per year for the Specialty Crop Research Initiative; Expands high-speed internet in rural communities by providing new grants that will go to areas in most need; Expands eligible land for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP); Prioritizes opioid response in rural loan and grant programs # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=0E207645-8D3C-4DE5-ABCD-64CFBE521CBF,"Following Congressional Passage, Colorado Leaders Show Support for Farm Bill",2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Congress sent the 2018 Farm Bill to the President for his signature. Upon Senate passage yesterday, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet delivered remarks on the Senate floor (video here). He also praised the bill's passage, highlighting the more than 25 Bennet-led priorities secured in the bill for Colorado. As a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Bennet held two dozen listening sessions across Colorado to receive input when crafting the bill. Those farmers, ranchers, local leaders, and others provided the following statements of support: Dr. Dale McCall, President of Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, said: During the past two years, Senator Bennet has taken time to listen to and learn from Colorado's farmers and ranchers. He and his staff organized farm bill listening sessions across the state, and in September, welcomed our farmer and rancher members into his office to discuss the latest issues impacting production agriculture and rural communities. We are thankful for his leadership on the Senate Agriculture Committee through the Farm Bill process, especially on conservation, rural development, energy, and farm and ranch stress matters. We trust President Trump will sign this bill into law so producers will have time to make plans for the 2019 business year. Time is short for farmers to make the significant adjustments needed in their quest just to break even. Don Brown, Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture, said: The passage of the 2018 Farm Bill is more than a success for U.S. farm and ranch families; it's a powerful win for all Americans. This country relies on a strong, abundant supply of the food, fiber, and fuel provided by America's agricultural community. The programs within the 2018 Farm Bill provide true value to the people of Colorado, including expanding the Conservation Reserve Program acreage and legalizing hemp to help create more consistent programs as a U.S. crop. In particular, adjusting the Agriculture Risk Coverage/Price Loss Coverage program provides a vital safety net for producers. Dave Eckhardt, President of Colorado Corn Growers Association, said: Colorado Corn Growers Association is pleased the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 has passed out of the Senate. The 2018 Farm Bill is not only important to farmers, but to every American. Agriculture is dealing with depressed prices and significant natural disasters have taken their toll on the bottom line of farming operations across country. Passage of the 2018 Farm Bill will help producers plan for the next five years. Brad Erker, Executive Director of the Colorado Association of Wheat Growers, said: Colorado Association of Wheat Growers is happy to see the Farm Bill finally pass. From extreme weather conditions impacting production to a trade war impacting sales, the safety net programs provided by the Farm Bill help provide some stability to farmers dealing with low commodity prices and encourages them to keep conservation practices a part of their operations. Jim Ehrlich, Executive Director of the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee, said: We are pleased with the results of the Farm Bill conference report and hopeful that congress will move forward quickly to pass the bill. We are grateful to Senator Bennet for his work in representing Colorado farmers, ranchers and consumers as a member of the agriculture committee. Most people do not know that over 75% of the Farm Bill cost is actually for nutrition programs that benefit many people. The new Farm Bill continues to make great investments for specialty crop producers in the research arena, including fullyfunding the Specialty Crop Research Initiative at $80 million annually, andreauthorizing the Specialty Crop Block Grant program. The potato industry has truly benefited from these programs. In addition, the bill provides important trade promotion funding through the Market Access Program and Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops program. Twenty percent of the U. S. potato crop is exported annually so a healthy trade environment is vital to the industry. There are other provisions in the bill that will have potential positive impacts on the valley as a whole, including making hemp legal nationally and eligible for crop insurance, and enhancements to the conservation title. In my opinion it represents a job well done by congress and how congress should function. Dave Carter, Executive Director of the National Bison Association, said: Last year, we discovered that the compensation values offered under the USDA Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) for bison losses were unreasonably low. Senator Bennet not only led the effort on behalf of bison producers to assure that USDA adjusted the LIP payment levels for 2017 to reflect actual market prices, but successfully enlisted his colleagues to include provisions in the new Farm Bill to make sure that future payment protection for bison losses are equitable with those for other livestock sectors. Senator Bennet's work in making sure that drought monitoring capabilities are expanded under the new Farm Bill will benefit all areas of livestock production, including bison. We commend Senator Bennet for making sure that all sectors of agriculture benefit under the new Farm Bill. Mike Hogue, President of Colorado Cattlement's Association, said:""On behalf of beef cattle producers in Colorado, we support the hard work toward and the outcomes of the 2019 Farm Bill. The bi-partisan legislation will continue the meaningful work of ranches and farms in conserving our natural resources while opening up the world to our high quality foods, like beef. Furthermore, CCA is pleased with funding that will go toward protecting our livestock from foreign animal diseases through additional research and preparedness. These points and others contained in the 2019 Farm Bill support the global approach to food security and stewardship."" Don Shawcroft, President of the Colorado Farm Bureau, said: The passage of the 2018 Farm Bill is welcome news for Colorado farmers and ranchers. Not only will it ensure the safety net for producers, maintain and expand environmental stewardship programs, promote international trade and provide needed support to disadvantaged families, it removes future uncertainty for an industry struggling amongst low commodity prices. Hemp Legalization Don Coram, Colorado State Senator and hemp producer, said: As the sponsor of establishing hemp regulations in 2013 and actually becoming a hemp grower in 2017, I am thrilled that Colorado is leading the nation in this burgeoning new industry. The lack of clarity for hemp in federal law has long stalled the hemp industry from taking off. I appreciate Senator Bennet's work on behalf of Colorado hemp growers to fully legalize the cultivation of industrial hemp. Colorado's hemp industry will certainly benefit from this provision. Corbett Hefner, Vice President of Research and Development for Power Zone Agriculture, said: As an innovator developing hemp fiber-specific manufacturing technology, Power Zone is thrilled to see clarification at the federal level on industrial hemp in this Farm Bill. Thanks to this key step, we can take our business to the next level in rural Colorado and across the nation. Natural Resources Thomas Davidson, Summit County Commissioner, said: Big thanks to Senator Bennet for working with us on the language for the Flexible Partnerships Act in this Farm Bill. This is an important new tool for Summit County and other communities in Colorado that are struggling to create affordable housing. It will open up new opportunities for housing projects in places that have Forest Service administrative sites, and the projects will take place in partnership with local community leaders. Dolores County Commissioners said: Dolores County, the citizens of the area, as well as surrounding emergency service providers, all recognize the immediate need for the fire station. We appreciate Sen. Bennet's and Rep. Tipton's leadership to include the West Fork Fire Station Act in the final 2018 Farm Bill. Pat O'ToolePresident of Family Farm Alliance, Board of Directors for Western Agriculture and Conservation Alliance, and Board of Directors for Partners for Conservationsaid: ""We appreciate Senator Bennett's support and recognition of the critical role played by the Farm Bill for the production of food and fiber, and for conservation of natural resources and wildlife. The Farm Bill anticipates the crucial role of water and watersheds for our future. Water is the determining factor for both production and conservation."" Erik Glenn, Executive Director of Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust, said: Senator Bennet's leadership in developing a new Farm Bill will have lasting positive impacts on Colorado and its many agricultural producers. Innovations in the conservation title that were led by Senator Bennet and his staff will vastly improve many of the conservation programs producers across Colorado utilize to make improvements and advancements in their stewardship. Andy Mueller, General Manager of the Colorado River District, said: The critical drought resiliency provisions included in this bill will help to ensure Colorado's farmers and ranchers can adapt to a changing climate while continuing to provide food and fiber to the nation. We appreciate the commitment that Senators Bennet and Gardner have shown to our farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Bob Broscheid, Director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, said: Colorado's wildlife and agriculture will both benefit from the 2018 Farm Bill; it's a win-win. A long list of Colorado's wildlife and recreation depends on working agricultural landscapes for food and cover, and the farm bill has several provisions that provide substantial incentives for farmers and ranchers to invest in practices that maintain wildlife habitat, as well as voluntary public access programs. Private lands are critical to Colorado's quality of life, and this farm bill will provide the funding needed to ensure continued conservation of our soil, water, and wildlife. Suzanne O'Neill, Executive Director of Colorado Wildlife Federation, said: Colorado Wildlife Federation applauds Senator Bennet on his work to ensure that the final 2018 Farm Bill includes strong provisions for conservation and wildlife. Thanks to his efforts, this bill includes robust funding to help farmers and ranchers create wildlife habitat on working lands, as well as key provisions to conserve grasslands and reward ranchers for grazing practices that promote soil health, wildlife habitat and drought resilience. Young Farmers Kate Greenberg, Western Program Director for the National Young Farmers Coalition, said: Passage of this Farm Bill will give young farmers in Colorado tools to stand tall in the face of a changing climate. Young farmers and ranchers across the country demanded that this Farm Bill invest in the next generation, and leaders like Senator Bennet helped make this a Farm Bill for the future. But the work isn't over. We had hoped to see Senator Bennet's micro-EQIP' proposal in the final bill, but we remain committed to working with USDA and Senator Bennet to create on-ramps for young farmers to critical conservation programs. Nutrition Zoila Gomez, Lead Coordinator at San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition's Cooking Matters, said: The reauthorization of the Farm Bill only strengthens our commitment in The San Luis Valley and across the state to continue to educate and motivate our participants to make healthy and physical activity choices within a limited budget through the Cooking Matters Campaign by Share Our Strength.We are grateful for all of those who advocated and voted for the Farm Bill.The impact the Cooking Matters Campaign is making in the lives of parents, caregivers and kids in the San Luis Valley and across the state through its programming is overwhelming.We see changes in their approach to nutrition, healthy eating, physical activity, and budgeting. Inan era of social media, people do love learning about nutrition,cooking healthy meals and dining together.The passing of the Farm Billallows us to continue to bring together more people and move on with our mission.From the Farm Bill to a Cooking Matters class it is clear that we all matter. Happy news for many of us indeed. Gabriel Guillaume, CEO of LiveWell Colorado, said: LiveWell Colorado applauds Senator Bennet's leadership and the bipartisan effort to craft a 2018 Farm Bill that shows we do not have to compromise between supporting our farmers and our under-resourced residents, and instead demonstrates they go hand in hand in building a healthy, resilient food system.This bill does what it should do lays a strong foundation for healthy food access by maintaining the integrity of SNAP, enhances ourability toprovide healthy foods to low-income families through a robust Nutrition Incentive Program, and provides support for our farmers and ranchers through programs such as the Local Agriculture Market Program. We thank our many local and national partners as well as our federal delegation for their tireless efforts to get this passed.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=93C278E1-BEC0-4FF0-98A8-DC5DA4CF7451,Bennet Cosponsors New Bill to Protect Peoples Personal Data Online,2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today joined 14 Senators, led by Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), in introducing new legislation to protect people's personal data online. The Data Care Act would require websites, apps, and other online providers to take responsible steps to safeguard personal information and stop the misuse of users' data. It's long past time we rethink how our personal data is collected, stored, and shared online, Bennet said. Websites and apps that profit from our data should be held accountable for how they use it. The Data Care Act will ensure internet companies use our online data as we expect them to: in our best interest. Internet companies collect vast amounts of data about their users, including search and web history, physical location, and sensitive personal information. Unlike doctors, lawyers, and bankers, these services have no legal obligation to protect or properly use that data. Instead, they are bound only by their own lengthy and complex terms of service that leave users in vulnerable position of agreeing to share their personal data without fully understanding how it will be used. The Data Care Act shifts the paradigm by establishing reasonable duties for online providers to protect users' personal data and prohibit them from using that data to users' detriment. Specifically, it establishes: Duty of CareOnline providers must reasonably secure individual identifying data and promptly inform users of data breaches that involve sensitive information; Duty of LoyaltyOnline providers may not use individual identifying data in ways that harm users; Duty of ConfidentialityOnline providers must ensure that the duties of care and loyalty extend to third parties when disclosing, selling, or sharing individual identifying data; Federal and State EnforcementA violation of these duties will be treated as a violation of an FTC rule and will be subject to a civil enforcement action. States may also bring civil enforcement actions, but the FTC can intervene. Limited Rulemaking AuthorityFTC is granted rulemaking authority to implement the Act. Free Press Action welcomes the important contributions the Data Care Act makes to a growing list of good ideas on privacy in the Senate. The bill shifts away from a notice and choice framework alone, where internet users bear all the responsibility and risk of protecting themselves, with few remedies for violations. Instead it moves towards putting the duty on companies and other data collectors where it belongs, to actually prevent such harmful exploitation and honor people's rights. It also does the right thing by empowering the FTC to make rules and impose penalties, and lets state attorneys general enforce the new protections too. We thank Senator Schatz and all the co-sponsors for putting so many ideas on the table, pushing the debate towards even more comprehensive laws, said Sandra Fulton, Government Relations Director for Free Press Action. In addition to Bennet and Schatz, the Data Care Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Patty Murray (D-WA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Doug Jones (D-AL), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Dick Durbin (D-IL).",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gardner-meets-with-chinas-ambassador-to-the-united-states,Gardner Meets with Chinas Ambassador to the United States,2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Cory Gardner,G000562,www.gardner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Reiterates U.S. Concerns with China's Economic, Security, and Human Rights Violations Washington, DC- Today, Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity, released the below statement following his meeting withthe Ambassador of the People's Republic of China (PRC) to the United States, Cui Tiankai: I held a meeting today with Ambassador Cui to have an open andfrank exchangeon how to move forward in bilateral relations between our nations,said Senator Gardner.I explained to Ambassador Cui that while it has always been the preference of the United States to have cordial and constructive ties with China, a range of Chinese behavior in recent years has fallen outside of international norms and now threatens to upend the US-led liberal world order that resulted in decades of peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.We discussed actions such asChina'sillegalmilitarization of the South China Sea,China's worseninghuman rights record, anddiscriminatory trade practices that have disadvantaged American companies and displaced American workers. I reiterated theneed to resolve our two country's economic differences in a timely manner, consistent with the principlesand timeframeslaid out by President Trump and President Xi at therecentG20 Summitin Argentina,which would includeChinatakingconcrete steps to addressthebilateraltrade imbalanceand ceasing discriminatory behaviors against American companies, such asforced technology transfer, intellectual property violations, and other market access restrictions. I alsoexpressed toAmbassador Cui that the United Statesexpects China to take additional steps toachieve complete, verifiable, irreversible denuclearization of North Korea, including more rigorous enforcement of multilateral sanctions against Pyongyang.I reiterated to Ambassador Cui that I welcome additional dialogue between our nations to peacefully resolve all outstanding disagreements, but Beijing must take the initiative and urgently change course. Iwill continue to use my position as Chairman of the Senate Foreign RelationsEast Asia and PacificSubcommittee to hold China accountablefor its behavior. In 2018,Gardner haschaireda series of hearingsin his subcommitteefocused on China, titledThe China Challenge, which discussedeconomic,security,andhuman rights concerns.Gardner traveled toChina in Augustof2015and metwith a range of PRC officials, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi.In September 2015, Gardnermet withPresident Xi Jinping in the Senate, during President Xi's visit to the United States. ### Cory Gardner is a member of the U.S. Senate serving Colorado. He sits on the Energy & Natural Resources Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee, the Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee, and the Budget Committee, and is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://degette.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bipartisan-bill-to-prevent-maternal-deaths-passes-us-house,Bipartisan Bill to Prevent Maternal Deaths Passes U.S. House,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Diana DeGette,D000197,degette.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. U.S. Representatives Diana DeGette's (D-CO) and Jaime Herrera Beutler's (R-WA) bipartisan bill to prevent maternal deaths passed the U.S. House by unanimous voice vote today. H.R.1318, the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act, would establish and support state Maternal Mortality Review Committees to review every pregnancy-related or pregnancy-associated death, and based on those findings, develop recommendations for how to prevent future mothers' deaths. Today marks an important day in addressing our country's maternal mortality crisis, as this is the strongest step Congress has taken to date to reverse it. By providing states with resources to investigate every maternal death, we can begin to tackle this troubling trend and take appropriate steps to prevent such tragedies in the future. As moms and lawmakers, this is personal to us, and it was an honor to join with our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to lead this life-saving measure successfully through the House. We must improve our understanding of why mothers are dying in pregnancy, during childbirth and post-partum so we can then unleash every possible resource to protect women in this critical season of life. We hope the Senate will take swift action to pass this critical legislation so we can send it to the President's desk, the lawmakers said. AMCHP thanks Rep. Herrera Beutler and Rep. DeGette for their leadership in introducing the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act and being tireless advocates for its passage into law. Once all states have adequate resources to expertly review maternal deaths, we can achieve greater success in both honoring the lives of mothers lost and equipping our nation to prevent future deaths during pregnancy or in the year following childbirth, Jonathan Webb, CEO,Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) said. The Preventing Maternal Deaths Act had 190 cosponsors when it passed the House. There is a companion bill in the U.S. Senate sponsored by Senators Heidi Heitkamp and Shelly Moore Capito. There's still time for the Senate to pass this bill and send it to the president's desk before the end of the year. The rise of maternal mortality in the U.S.: The U.S. has the highest rate of maternal mortality in the developed world, and the rate continues to rise. Between 700-900 women die in the U.S. every year from pregnancy-related and pregnancy-associated deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 60% of maternal deaths are preventable. Maternal mortality in the news:",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://degette.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressional-diabetes-caucus-chairs-hail-fda-insulin-guidance,Congressional Diabetes Caucus Chairs Hail FDA Insulin Guidance,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Diana DeGette,D000197,degette.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC-- Congressional Diabetes Caucus co-chairs Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Tom Reed (R-NY) issued the following statement after the FDA finalized guidance treating insulin as a biologic product: ""The FDA has taken an important step to bring new insulin producers to market and address the dramatic insulin price increases. Insulin remains essential for millions of diabetes patients, and it must remain accessible and affordable for every one of them. As we have investigated issues surrounding insulin prices, we specifically called for this action, and we commend FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb for his attention and follow-through."" Background: Over the last year and half, Rep. DeGette and Rep. Reed have led the charge to lower insulin prices, which have doubled since 2012. There are no biosimilar insulins on the market because the FDA did not have a clear regulatory pathway for approving biosimilars. To address this issue, Reps. DeGette and Reed sent a letter to FDA on September 20, 2017, urging the agency to finalize a piece of guidance which would provide biosimilar insulin makers with an approval pathway. Reps. DeGette and Reed also reiterated this call in their insulin inquiry report published on November 1, adding that this pathway should be streamlined and would help inject competition in the highly-concentrated insulin market. Today, the agency finalized that guidance, giving biosimilar insulin makers a clear way to get cheaper insulin formulations to market. This action will help bring competition into the insulin market, providing patients with cheaper/effective insulin alternatives and potentially helping bring down insulin prices",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lamborn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2505,Federal Funding for Alternatives to Fetal Tissue Research,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Doug Lamborn,L000564,lamborn.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.- Yesterday, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) stated that the National Institute of Health (NIH) would seek ethical alternatives to fetal tissue research. According to HHS, NIH is seeking models that ""closely mimic and can be used to accurately model human embryonic development or other aspects of human biology and that do not rely on the use of human fetal tissue obtained from elective abortions."" This comes from NIH after Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05) and 75 Members of Congress sent a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar asking to immediately stop approving research applications that require aborted fetal tissue. It also asked HHS to create a timeline for reviewing all currently-funded research to ensure that ethical research methods are used. Congressman Doug Lamborn issued the following statement regarding the announcement: ""Buying aborted babies' body parts in order to further scientific research raises serious legal and ethical concerns. Funding this research should have no place at the highest levels of government. I stand with those who cannot speak out for themselves in opposing this practice. I'm encouraged that the NIH is taking a step in the right direction to completely stop funding fetal tissue research by encouraging research that is innovative and ethical.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=44D87FFF-CD45-4707-94F2-8C3041D19AC2,Bennet Praises 2018 Farm Bill and Calls for Continued Bipartisan Support,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and Ranking Member of theSubcommitteeon Conservation, Forestry, and Natural Resources, today praised the release of the final text of the 2018 Farm Bill conference report and called for continued bipartisan support in Congress to send the bill to the President's desk. We committed to passing a Farm Bill this year, and that's exactly what we intend to do, Bennet said. We appreciate the conference committee's hard work to reach a bipartisan bill that legalizes hemp, conserves land and water, combats climate change, and bolsters economic security in rural communities. The finish line is in sight. Now Congress needs to do what's right for Colorado and send this bill to the President's desk.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=97988940-D4D1-4E28-8E3D-D3E377CD725E,Bennet Statement on Senate Passage of Final 2018 Farm Bill,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, and Natural Resources, today applauded Senate passage of the 2018 Farm Bill conference report. More than 25 Bennet-led priorities were included in the final Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. The farmers and ranchers of Colorado wrote enormous parts of this legislation, and what passed today is a reflection of their priorities. Over the course of two dozen listening sessions, their recommendations have improved how we manage our forests, have strengthened our farm safety net, and will help us address climate change. In the Senate Agriculture Committee, we don't have partisan differenceswe have regional differences that we resolve. That's because farmers and ranchers don't have the luxury of pretending politics is the only thing that matters. They're focused on handing the next generation more opportunity. That's what this bill does. It has been gratifying to work with other members of the Agriculture Committee. After two years of negotiation and hard-fought compromise, we are steps away from having this critical bill become law. A summary of the Bennet-led priorities in the final 2018 Farm Bill is available HERE. The following highlights in the Farm Bill are significant for Colorado. The bill: Expands economic opportunity, especially in rural communities, by legalizing hemp and increasing access to broadband. Strengthens risk management, maintains crop insurance, contains innovative forest health tools, and fully funds conservation programs. Protects the integrity of SNAP and expands access to healthy foods. Provides tools to farmers and ranchers to adapt to climate change and reduce carbon pollution.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=C908BC35-F32C-4401-8C17-83477E4DFD22,Bennet Floor Speech: Farm Bill Looks Past Politics to Help Future Generations of Farmers and Ranchers,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"VIDEO: Download a video of Bennet's floor remarks Washington, D.C. Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, and Natural Resources, today delivered remarks following Senate passage of the 2018 Farm Bill conference report. A summary of the more than 25 Bennet-led priorities in the final 2018 Farm Bill is available HERE. Bennet's remarks as delivered are available to DOWNLOAD, watch on YOUTUBE, and read below. A few months ago, I had the chance to go up to the Colorado-Wyoming border to spend a night at the Ladder Ranch. It's a beautiful property, situated in the Little Snake River Valley. If you were designing a postcard for the American West, you'd struggle to do better than this place. The ranch is owned by Pat and Sharon O'Toole. It's been with the family for six generations, dating all the way back to 1881. To give you a sense of how long ago that was, at the time, the state of Colorado was just five years old. The Ottoman Empire was still around. Our world has transformed since then. But the Ladder Ranch has endured through the Depression, the Dust Bowl, through two World Wars, and the transformation in our economy. And, of course, that didn't just happen by chance. It happened because the family looked ahead and made hard choices to deliver that ranch from generation to generation. Pat and Sharon are continuing that legacy today, and they're joined on the ranch by their daughters and their son and a whole bunch of grandkids. I'm sharing the story of Ladder Ranch, because in many ways, it's the story of farmers and ranchers across my state and across the country of people applying their ingenuity and common sense to hand more opportunity to the next generation. And one of the privileges of representing a state like Colorado is that I've had the opportunity to learn about places like Ladder Ranch and the legacy every one of our farms and ranches represent. When I joined the Senate Agriculture Committee, the truth is that I had no idea how hard it can be for our farmers and ranchers. Like many people, I had very little appreciation for where our food comes from, and knowing that, if you're in agriculture, you can do everything right and still fall behind because of forces beyond your control. And today, our farmers and ranchers are facing tremendous uncertainty. They've got persistent drought and threats of wildfire, which are going worse due to climate change. They've got low commodity prices and challenges with finding people that can work because of our immigration debate here in Washington. And now, on top of all of that, they've got the confusion of the existing trade policies of the United States. Two weeks ago, the USDA announced that farm incomes are projected to drop 12 percent this year. When you add it all up all the uncertainty up, the policy up, the politics up farm incomes are going to be down 12 percent this year. All of this acts like a weight on our farmers and ranchers, making it even harder for them to pass on the legacy of their work to the next generation. Earlier this year, our Ag Commissioner in Colorado, Don Brown, who is himself one of the most successful farmers in our state, said, You're only 22 once. And by that he meant, there's an entire generation out there deciding whether or not to pursue a career on the family farm or ranch. And they're looking at all this uncertainty, and a lot of them are deciding that it's not worth it. That's why the average age of farmers is what it is in the United States. We owe it to our farmers and ranchers to provide consistency where we can, and to help preserve the legacy of American agriculture for years to come. By passing the 2018 Farm Bill, that's exactly what we've done. This bill means more certainty for America's producers. In this volatile environment, this bill maintains crop insurance and makes risk management tools more effective. Most important to Colorado, this bill helps our farmers and ranchers diversify their operations. For the first time in over 50 years, because of this Farm Bill, this bill fully legalizes hemp. The Majority Leader was out here earlier. I want to congratulate him on his work to do that. In Colorado, our hemp growers have operated under a cloud of uncertainty for years. Our farmers worried about maintaining access to their water. They couldn't buy crop insurance or transport seeds. Some ran into red tape opening a bank account or even applying for federal grants. Despite these challenges, hemp cultivation in my state grew six-fold over the last four years. And again, it's interesting that the Majority Leader has wanted this as well, because the climate in Kentucky and the climate in Colorado have almost nothing in common, but hemp grows in Kentucky, and it grows in Colorado. And we see hemp as an opportunity to diversify our farms and manufacture high-margin products for the American people. Now, Coloradans will be able grow and manufacture hemp without a cloud of uncertainty hanging over them. The bill also helps farmers and ranchers hand more opportunity to the next generation. It increases funding for conservation easements and makes it easier for people to secure them. It invests in America's farm economy to drive innovation in agriculture to keep up our competitiveness in the 21st century. It doubles funding to help communities in places like my state to deal with forest health and protect our watersheds better. Working with Senator Daines from Montana, we increase funding for wildlife habitat and provide more opportunities for hunting and fishing on private lands. Working with Senator Bozeman from Arkansas to give rural communities new ways to improve housing and infrastructure. The bill also provides new resources to help farmers and ranchers adapt to major challenges like climate change. For example, it creates tools for farmers and ranchers to sequester carbon, to improve soil health, and become more resilient to drought. And we increase resources in this bill for renewable energy and energy efficiency for rural businesses. All in all, this 2018 Farm Bill is an excellent piece of legislation. And a lot of credit lies in the approach we took in the Agriculture Committee. It should be like this for all our committees. We don't have partisan differences. If we have differences, we have regional differences, and we work them out. And that's why that Committee, which I'm proud to serve on, is one of the only functioning committees in the Senate. We passed a five-year Farm Bill the last time there was a Farm Bill, not a six-month one, not a six-day one, but a five-year Farm Bill. And this is another one, because Republicans and Democrats both know that we've got to support our farmers and ranchers, not create even more uncertainty for them. The other privilege of being on that committee is that I spend a lot of time in my state in counties where it's unlikely that I'm ever going to win 10 or 20 percent of the vote. But I keep going back and back, not because I think I'll win, but because I think that, as a country, we've got to find a way to bring ourselves together and solve problems. Our farmers and ranchers are a model for that. They're applying their ingenuity to challenges like climate and drought every single day. They don't have the luxury and I would say we don't have the luxury of pretending that politics is the only thing that matters. They're focused on delivering their farm or ranch to the next generation and handing them more opportunity, not less. To them, that's all that matters. And that's the ethic we should be applying to our national politics.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/bipartisan-farm-bill-passes-senate-with-gardners-support,Bipartisan Farm Bill Passes Senate with Gardners Support,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Cory Gardner,G000562,www.gardner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Several Gardner-led Provisions Included in Final Legislation NOTE: View Senator Gardner's video remarkshere. Washington, DC Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) today voted in favor of the bipartisan Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Farm Bill). This legislation renews the federal government's agricultural programs, including crop insurance, farm credit, and conservation policies. The legislation also expands trade assistance and promotion efforts, provides assistance to rural communities to expand rural broadband and addiction treatment for opioids, and renews the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). As a fifth generation Coloradan from a small town on the Eastern Plains where agriculture is a way of life, I know how important it is that Congress has reached a bipartisan agreement on the Farm Bill,said Gardner. As a result of low commodity prices, our agriculture community has been struggling for the past few years and this has had a profound impact on my own community and rural communities across the state and country. The Farm Bill provides long-term certainty to farmers and ranchers throughout Colorado and even includes provisions that will specifically help Colorado farmers and ranchers. Several provisions I worked on include providing farmers and ranchers relief from drought, using technology to better implement dryland farming practices, providing resources to combat deadly diseases that wipe out hop fields, and making industrial hemp legal to make sure Colorado farmers are free to use their land how they see fit. All of these initiatives will help Colorado's agriculture community and this is another example of how Congress can work together in a bipartisan manner to help the American people. Gardner was able to secure several important provisions in the Farm Bill that will help Colorado's agriculture community: Gardner-Bennet Amendment to strengthen drought and water conservation policy that will provide additional resources for Colorado producers having to deal with drought. Gardner amendment that authorizes research and extension grants in order to utilize data and technology for more precise management of dryland farming agriculture systems. Gardner-Bennet Amendment that combats diseasesharming hop plants. HEMP Farming provision removes industrial hemp from the Controlled Substances Act, which will create jobs and get the government out of the way for Colorado's farmers. NOTE: View Senator Gardner's video remarkshere. ### Cory Gardner is a member of the U.S. Senate serving Colorado. He sits on the Energy & Natural Resources Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee, the Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee, and the Budget Committee, and is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://degette.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/colorado-lawmakers-object-to-dhs-proposal-to-expand-public-charge,Colorado Lawmakers Object to DHS Proposal to Expand Public Charge Definition,2018-12-10,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Diana DeGette,D000197,degette.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) today led Colorado U.S. Representatives Diana DeGette, Ed Perlmutter, and Jared Polis, and Representatives-elect Joe Neguse and Jason Crow, in sending a letter to the Department of Homeland Security to object to the proposed rule expanding the definition of public charge under U.S. immigration law. The proposed rule would make permanent residence unavailable to individuals who rely on housing, health care, and food assistance, have a serious health condition, or earn a low income, among other factors. The proposed rule would lead to worse health outcomes, increased housing instability, and reduced productivity and educational achievement throughout our communities,the lawmakers wrote.This would have negative, lasting effects in Colorado on both immigrant and non-immigrants alikeWith such far-reaching implications for children and families across Colorado and our nation, we strongly oppose this proposed rule and urge DHS to withdraw the proposal. According to the letter, under current federal immigration law, the government may deny lawful permanent resident status to individuals determined likely to become primarily dependent on government-funded cash assistance or long-term care. DHS proposes to make permanent residence unavailable to individuals determined likely to use an expanded list of benefits, including non-cash assistance programs like Medicaid, food stamps (SNAP), federal housing assistance, and Medicare Part D subsidies. DHS asks for comment on adding the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to the list of public benefits. DHS also proposes several negative factors potentially penalizing applicants for being under 18 or over 65, having a serious health condition, being unemployed at the time of application, or earning a low income. The lawmakers outlined how the proposed rule could affect Colorado. According to the Colorado Fiscal Institute, the proposed rule could have achilling effecton more than 323,000 Coloradans, including 143,000 children, who rely on public assistance programs targeted by the rule. The Colorado Health Instituteestimates75,000 Coloradans, nearly two-thirds of whom are children, could lose health insurance due todisenrollment. According to one estimate, Colorado could lose $417 million in economic activity and more than 2,800 jobs. Finally, the rule could force immigrants to forgo critical food, housing, and health assistance for their families out of fear it might jeopardize their immigration status. Nearly two dozen Colorado organizations oppose the rule, including the Center for Health Progress, Colorado Center on Law and Policy, Colorado Children's Campaign, and Hunger Free Colorado. A copy of the letter is available here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://perlmutter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2304,Colorado Lawmakers Object to DHS Proposal to Expand Public Charge Definition,2018-12-10,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Ed Perlmutter,P000593,perlmutter.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) today led Colorado U.S. Representatives Diana DeGette, Ed Perlmutter, and Jared Polis, and Representatives-elect Joe Neguse and Jason Crow, in sending a letter to the Department of Homeland Security to object to the proposed rule expanding the definition of public charge under U.S. immigration law. The proposed rule would make permanent residence unavailable to individuals who rely on housing, health care, and food assistance, have a serious health condition, or earn a low income, among other factors. The proposed rule would lead to worse health outcomes, increased housing instability, and reduced productivity and educational achievement throughout our communities,the lawmakers wrote.This would have negative, lasting effects in Colorado on both immigrant and non-immigrants alikeWith such far-reaching implications for children and families across Colorado and our nation, we strongly oppose this proposed rule and urge DHS to withdraw the proposal. According to the letter, under current federal immigration law, the government may deny lawful permanent resident status to individuals determined likely to become primarily dependent on government-funded cash assistance or long-term care. DHS proposes to make permanent residence unavailable to individuals determined likely to use an expanded list of benefits, including non-cash assistance programs like Medicaid, food stamps (SNAP), federal housing assistance, and Medicare Part D subsidies. DHS asks for comment on adding the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to the list of public benefits. DHS also proposes several negative factors potentially penalizing applicants for being under 18 or over 65, having a serious health condition, being unemployed at the time of application, or earning a low income. The lawmakers outlined how the proposed rule could affect Colorado. According to the Colorado Fiscal Institute, the proposed rule could have achilling effecton more than 323,000 Coloradans, including 143,000 children, who rely on public assistance programs targeted by the rule. The Colorado Health Instituteestimates75,000 Coloradans, nearly two-thirds of whom are children, could lose health insurance due todisenrollment. According to one estimate, Colorado could lose $417 million in economic activity and more than 2,800 jobs. Finally, the rule could force immigrants to forgo critical food, housing, and health assistance for their families out of fear it might jeopardize their immigration status. Nearly two dozen Colorado organizations oppose the rule, including the Center for Health Progress, Colorado Center on Law and Policy, Colorado Children's Campaign, and Hunger Free Colorado. A copy of the letter 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=7EE4CC4F-0FE5-43AD-8B6F-9C5A75D6DAA2,Colorado Lawmakers Object to DHS Proposal to Expand Public Charge Definition,2018-12-10,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) today led Colorado U.S. Representatives Diana DeGette, Ed Perlmutter, and Jared Polis, and Representatives-elect Joe Neguse and Jason Crow, in sending a letter to the Department of Homeland Security to object to the proposed rule expanding the definition of public charge under U.S. immigration law. The proposed rule would make permanent residence unavailable to individuals who rely on housing, health care, and food assistance, have a serious health condition, or earn a low income, among other factors. The proposed rule would lead to worse health outcomes, increased housing instability, and reduced productivity and educational achievement throughout our communities,the lawmakers wrote.This would have negative, lasting effects in Colorado on both immigrant and non-immigrants alikeWith such far-reaching implications for children and families across Colorado and our nation, we strongly oppose this proposed rule and urge DHS to withdraw the proposal. According to the letter, under current federal immigration law, the government may deny lawful permanent resident status to individuals determined likely to become primarily dependent on government-funded cash assistance or long-term care. DHS proposes to make permanent residence unavailable to individuals determined likely to use an expanded list of benefits, including non-cash assistance programs like Medicaid, food stamps (SNAP), federal housing assistance, and Medicare Part D subsidies. DHS asks for comment on adding the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to the list of public benefits. DHS also proposes several negative factors potentially penalizing applicants for being under 18 or over 65, having a serious health condition, being unemployed at the time of application, or earning a low income. The lawmakers outlined how the proposed rule could affect Colorado. According to the Colorado Fiscal Institute, the proposed rule could have achilling effecton more than 323,000 Coloradans, including 143,000 children, who rely on public assistance programs targeted by the rule. The Colorado Health Instituteestimates75,000 Coloradans, nearly two-thirds of whom are children, could lose health insurance due todisenrollment. According to one estimate, Colorado could lose $417 million in economic activity and more than 2,800 jobs. Finally, the rule could force immigrants to forgo critical food, housing, and health assistance for their families out of fear it might jeopardize their immigration status. Nearly two dozen Colorado organizations oppose the rule, including the Center for Health Progress, Colorado Center on Law and Policy, Colorado Children's Campaign, and Hunger Free Colorado. A copy of the letter is available HERE.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://tipton.house.gov/media/in-the-news/cory-gardner-scott-tipton-bring-new-good-samaritan-bill-address-abandoned-mines,"Cory Gardner, Scott Tipton bring new good Samaritan bill to address abandoned mines and stoke solution for $50B problem",2018-12-07,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Scott Tipton,T000470,tipton.house.gov,,,legacy,"Colorado's U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner and U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton on Thursday introduced the latest version of a so-called good Samaritan bill to address abandoned, leaking mines in the U.S. with hopes of breaking roughly two decades of congressional gridlock on the topic. With just weeks left before the end of the year, the legislation offered by the two Republicans has a near-impossible path toward passage, but is meant to set the table for broader conversations in 2019. The bill would let environmental and conservation groups prove the good Samaritan concept by working with the Environmental Protection Agency to clean up 15 abandoned mines, most of which are leaking toxic waste. The measure is called good Samaritan legislation because those good-will groups would be exempt from strict clean-water standards that typically come with addressing historic mining sites, Those rules currently keep do-gooder groups from completing remediation work. Across Colorado and the West we have needed a permanent solution to the dangerous problem of abandoned mines, Gardner said in a written statement. The opportunity to clean up the environment around these sites is crucial and this pilot program will finally allow for the long overdue process to begin. Gardner said he understands changes to the bill might be necessary and that he looks forward to working with my colleagues and stakeholders to evaluate their feedback. A sign of likely future holdup is lack of a Democratic sponsor on the legislation namely Colorado's Democratic U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, who has also been pushing for a good Samaritan bill. Bennet and Gardner worked on a draft version of a similar bill in 2016. Abandoned mines across Colorado and the West need to be cleaned up, Bennet told The Colorado Sun in a statement. We are willing to work with anyone to pass good Samaritan legislation with appropriate environmental safeguards. We have a strong history of working together in our delegation and have made a lot of progress on a bipartisan and comprehensive solution to address this issue. We should restart the conversation in that spirit. Also, environmental groups are leery of this type of legislation because they worry it could create more pollution and would not do enough to solve the enormously complex issue of abandoned mines. There are estimated to be hundreds of thousands of abandoned mines across the U.S.,23,000 of which are in Colorado alone. The American West is littered with approximately 500,000 abandoned mines that shackle taxpayers with an Environmental Protection Agency-estimated $50 billion in costs, Lauren Pagel, policy director for the environmental group Earthworks, said in a statement Thursday. Good Samaritans, no matter their intentions, lack the resources to dent a problem of this scale. And this bill does nothing to address disasters like Gold King. The 2015 Gold King mine spill in southwest Colorado rekindled interest in good Samaritan legislation. However, Congress has been unable to reach an agreement on how to clean up abandoned mines without sacrificing environmental protections. Groups like Earthworks want to see changes made to the nation's 1872 Mining Law, specifically some kind of mechanism where current mining companies can pay into a fund dedicated toward abandoned mine cleanup. Gardner and Tipton's bill would bar any mining companies from working on sites they previously owned or operated. It would, however, allow those companies to clean up other abandoned mines. The legislation bars so-called re-mining or resuming mining activity at a site that's being cleaned up though it would allow groups to reprocess waste at a site to defray the cost of cleanup and help the EPA pay for overseeing the program. Environmental groups also fear that good Samaritan legislation would allow companies to mine for profit without facing environmental regulations. The re-mining and cleanup-cost offset provisions in the new bill aim to address those anxieties. There are many Good Samaritan groups that have the technical expertise, financial ability and desire to conduct successful remediation at abandoned mines, but they are discouraged from taking on projects due to current regulations, Tipton said in a statement. Conservation group Trout Unlimited, which has been working with Gardner on the bill, has endorsed the legislation, as has the mining industry. The bill's formal name is the Good Samaritan Remediation of Orphaned Hardrock Mines Act of 2018.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=0347FBA4-2F0C-41EC-A3D6-5EDD1F1318E9,Bennet Cosponsors First Step Act to Reform Criminal Justice System,2018-12-07,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"DENVER, CO Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today cosponsored the First Step Act, bipartisan legislation with more than 30 Senate cosponsors to reform the American criminal justice system. This bill is the result of principled bipartisan compromiseregrettably a rare sight in today's Senatethat has earned broad support from both the law enforcement community and criminal justice reform advocates, Bennet said. These reforms are a first step in a longer effort to reduce mass incarceration and restore faith in our justice system. Leader McConnell should schedule a vote on the Senate floor before the end of the year. The First Step Act aims to reduce federal recidivism and crime, prepare inmates to successfully reenter society, and enhance prison security and officer safety. It also eases mandatory minimum sentences under federal law and makes retroactive the reforms enacted by the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, reducing the disparity between crack and powder cocaine sentences at the federal level. The bill is supported by the Trump administration, law enforcement groups, 172 former federal prosecutors including a former director of the FBI, the National Governor's Association, and a broad coalition of progressive, conservative, and faith groups. The bill has also been endorsed by the oft-divergent editorial boards of the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, as well as by the editorial boards of USA Today, Bloomberg and the Houston Chronicle. More information on the legislation is available here:",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://degette.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/degette-colleagues-release-draft-legislation-to-modernize-fda-regulation,"DeGette, Colleagues Release Draft Legislation to Modernize FDA Regulation of Diagnostic Tests",2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Diana DeGette,D000197,degette.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO), a senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, joined fellow committee member, Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN), and U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT), members of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), in releasing draft legislation to establish a framework for overseeing in vitro clinical tests (IVCTs), such as test kits and laboratory developed tests (LDTs), at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This Congress, the lawmakers have worked with the stakeholder community and FDA to define parameters for IVCT oversight. Safety and accuracy are rightly our top priorities when establishing a new regulatory framework for the approval and regulation of LDTs and IVCTs. I am grateful for the committed partnership of Rep. Bucshon, the Energy and Commerce Committee and our Senate colleagues by working together to forge this bipartisan and bicameral proposal. Rep. Diana DeGette Advanced diagnostics are transforming the way we provide care for patients in the 21stcentury, giving rise to precision medicine and enabling physicians to provide more individualized treatments for patients. Unfortunately, the regulatory framework for diagnostic testing has become outdated and is still stuck in the 20thcentury. Our goal with this draft legislation is to ensure patients can get the most appropriate treatment for their disease by creating a new regulatory framework that is risk based, creates a level-playing field, allows for leading edge development to thrive, and assures doctors and patients that their test results are valid and clinically meaningful. Dr. Larry Bucshon In the age of precision medicine, diagnostic and genetic tests are increasingly part of routine medical care,Bennet said. Without safety measures in place, these tests threaten patient safety and the potential of innovative diagnostics to transform health care. We'll continue working to develop a regulatory framework that results in better government and keeps pace with developing technologies. While I am disappointedthis bill will not pass this year, I am hopefulthat my colleagues will prioritize this legislation in the 116thCongress,said Senator Hatch.Americans deserve the assurance that the tests which are utilized in making vital, sometimes life-or-death, decisions, are both accurate and reliable. This bill establishes a sensible, risk-based approach towards regulation of IVCTs that protects innovation in an ever-changing sector of healthcare. Background on In Vitro Clinical Tests: In vitro clinical tests (IVCTs) are used to analyze human samples, such as blood or tissue. The test results are often used to make diagnosis or treatment decisions. For example, at-home glucose tests can be used to monitor diabetes based on blood sugar levels. One subset of IVCTs are Laboratory Developed Tests (LDTs) that are administered and interpreted by physicians, pathologists, or other clinical professionals in a health care facility. Another subset of IVCTs are related to personalized and precision medicine, such as genetic tests. Health care professionals then use companion diagnostics to determine the optimal drug or treatment at the right dose and time for a specific patient. Under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is required to ensure quality laboratory operations for LDTs. However, CMS is not required to ensure analytical and clinical validityin other words, safety and effectivenessfor any IVCTs. Several IVCTs have voluntarily pursued FDA approval under the existing device regulation framework, but current device regulation is not practical for many of the clinical laboratories that develop IVCTs. In order to ensure patient safety and accurate and reliable testing, there is a need for a regulatory pathway for IVCTs. FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb hascalledfor comprehensive legislation for IVCT oversight. Summary of the Verifying Accurate, Leading-edge IVCT Development (VALID) Act: The draft legislation would establish a risk-based approach to IVCT regulation, prioritizing FDA resources for the highest-risk tests that expose patients to serious or irreversible harm. The legislation also would establish a precertification program for lower-risk tests that are not otherwise required to go through premarket review. Precertification would allow FDA to establish standard validity requirements, while also lowering the burden on labs and developers and protecting continued innovation. High-risk tests, such as novel tests, would be required to undergo premarket review to verify analytical and clinical validity. FDA could require that any test undergo premarket review after providing the developer an opportunity to address issues identified by the agency. Discussion Draft Found Here",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://degette.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/degette-demands-info-on-epa-enforcement-actions-that-undermine-its,DeGette Demands Info on EPA Enforcement Actions That Undermine its Ability to Protect Human Health and the Environment,2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Diana DeGette,D000197,degette.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Oversight and Investigations Ranking Member Diana DeGette (D-CO) joined fellow Democratic leaders on the Energy and Commerce Committee, Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), and Environment Subcommittee Ranking Member Paul Tonko (D-NY), in sending aletterto Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler today requesting documents and information about the agency's lack of enforcement for programs aimed at addressing climate change and protecting public health and the environment. EPA documents and press reports over the past year indicate several disturbing trends, including a decline in the number of enforcement cases initiated; a reduction in enforcement staff; an overreliance on state enforcement programs; and an increased political review of potential or pending enforcement actions. We are writing to request information on a series of actions by the Trump Administration regarding the EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA),the lawmakers wrote.We are deeply concerned that these actions undermine key enforcement programs and severely limit EPA's ability to address climate change and protect public health and the environment. According tomultiplereports, the Trump EPA has initiated far fewer civil and criminal enforcement cases against polluters for violating environmental laws, including a 20 percent reduction in civil cases initiated against polluters and a 30 percent cut in criminal enforcement cases. The Committee Democrats also pointed to reports that over 1,600 workersleftEPA during the first 18 months of the Administration, bringing the agency's staffing levels to an historic low. We are concerned that historically low staffing levels, combined with a series of recent actions taken by EPA management, undermine the agency's enforcement capability,the three Democratic Committee leaders continued in their letter to Wheeler. EPA also recently announced a series ofpoliciesthat require political appointees to review enforcement activities, a move that the Committee Democratic leaders believe could undermine enforcement of important public health and environmental protections. The Trump EPA has also implemented new policies that the Committee leaders are concerned could undercut its ability to ensure states are, in fact, following a consistent minimum level of protection. Today's letter follows alettersent earlier this month by the three Democratic Committee leaders to EPA requesting documents and information about the agency's decision to roll back policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions to address climate change. The letter to EPA, including the specific list of information that the Democratic Committee leaders are requesting, is availablehere.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://tipton.house.gov/media/press-releases/tipton-and-gardner-introduce-crucial-orphan-hardrock-mine-cleanup-legislation,Tipton and Gardner Introduce Crucial Orphan Hardrock Mine Cleanup Legislation,2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Scott Tipton,T000470,tipton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Scott Tipton (CO-03) and Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) introduced today the Good Samaritan Remediation of Orphan Hardrock Mines Act of 2018, legislation that will authorize the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a pilot program that promotes the cleanup of orphan hardrock mines. Abandoned mines are environmental hazards and also present danger to unaware recreationist on federal land all across the United States, especially the western part of the country. With the number of abandoned mines estimated to be as high as 500,000, Good Samaritans are needed to take necessary actions to clean up some of these sites. The assumption of long-term liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (CWA) has hindered prior cleanup of these sites. Tipton and Gardner's legislation creates a pilot program that will allow qualifying Good Samaritans to clean up the sites without the assumption of long-term liability. The Gold King Mine spill was a reminder felt across the Third Congressional District and State of Colorado that when it comes to cleaning up abandoned mine sites, the status quo is unacceptable. There are many Good Samaritan groups that have the technical expertise, financial ability, and desire to conduct successful remediation at abandoned mines, but they are discouraged from taking on projects due to current regulations,said Tipton. The Good Samaritan Remediation of Orphan Hardrock Mines Act of 2018 will set up a pilot project to allow Good Samaritans to clean up abandoned mine sites, improving water quality and providing our communities with a valuable service, all while maintaining strong permitting and environmental controls. For years I have been working on legislation to allow for the cleanup of orphan mine sites by Good Samaritans,said Gardner.Across Colorado and the West we have needed a permanent solution to the dangerous problem of abandoned mines. The opportunity to clean up the environment around these sites is crucial and this pilot program with finally allow for the long overdue process to begin. I understand changes may be necessary to get this bill across the finish line, and I look forward to working with my colleagues and stakeholders to evaluate their feedback. I want to thank Senator Gardnerand Congressman Tiptonfortheirleadership. Abandoned mines represent the single greatest and least addressed threat to our nation's waters. We look forward to working with anyone who wants to make our waters cleaner and our lands healthier and build strong, bipartisan support to pass Good Samaritan legislation,said Chris Wood, President and CEO of Trout Unlimited. Today's thorough federal and state regulations require that land reclamation and restoration be a key component of every mining project - but that wasn't always the case. As a result, legacy mine sites have remained abandoned for decades or centuries,said Hal Quinn, NMA's President and CEO.While our industry, environmental groups and others have the expertise and desire to rehabilitate these lands, current laws are preventing environmental progress. Senator Gardner and Congressman Tipton's legislation would change that. These bills are vital to clearing the obstacles that are impeding remediation efforts at abandoned legacy mine sites that continue to impact land and water resources. Good Samaritans should be supported in their efforts to clean up these sites without fear of incurring additional legal liability. This is common sense legislation that Congress has discussed for years. Now is the time for action. AEMA applauds Senator Gardnerand Congressman Tiptonfor introducing the Good Samaritan Remediation of Orphan Hardrock Mines Act of 2018 providing the mining industry, NGOs and others the necessary liability protection to act as true Good Samaritans to remediate historic pre-regulation abandoned mine lands,said Executive Director Laura Skaer.Our members are hopeful that their congressional colleagues will join themin supporting this pragmatic approach. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=79375AE4-F1AD-4C6C-88B7-CE3BB66BD51C,Bennet Office to Hold Listening Session in Alamosa County,2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet invites residents from Alamosa County to meet with a member of his Colorado staff in December. Erin Minks, Bennet's San Luis Valley Regional Representative, will meet one-on-one with Coloradans in Mosca. The details for the listening session are available below. MEDIA GUIDANCE For convenience, please feel free to copy and paste this text onto your website or in your print newspaper: Bennet Office Listens to Alamosa County Do you need help dealing with the Department of Veterans Affairs, IRS, Social Security Administration, or another federal agency? Do you have a suggestion for Congress that will help your family or community? If so, then Senator Michael Bennet invites you to meet one-on-one with a representative from his office at the upcoming listening session. Listening Session Details Alamosa County Tuesday, December 18, 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Mosca Pit Stop 5305 State Highway 17 Mosca, CO 81146 To schedule an appointment, send an email to erin_minks@bennet.senate.gov. Please include a brief description of the issue you want to address, as this will help Erin assist you. If you are already working with someone in Bennet's office, please include that information in your email, as well. Those without email access can call 719-587-0096. Constituents do not need to wait for listening session dates to ask for help or share opinions. Please call any Bennet office at any time for assistance.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=8AEA2914-8F66-47FE-B746-B715544363FF,"Bennet, Gardner Announce Major Infrastructure Grants for Colorado, Including $20 million for North I-25",2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner today announced that the North Front Range Transportation & Air Quality Council has been awarded a $20 million Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant from the Department of Transportation (DOT) for its North I-25 Segment 6 improvement project. Additionally, the senators announced that the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will receive a $20 million BUILD grant for its vehicle-to-everything (V2X) project, which seeks to bolster the connectivity of transportation infrastructure through the deployment of fiber across highways in Colorado. And the City of Glenwood Springs will receive a $7 million BUILD grant for its project to modernize infrastructure along the City's South Midland Avenue, including a new waterline and broadband infrastructure. Colorado's roads require significant investment to keep pace with our state's continuous growth, Bennet said. This $47 million will assist with state and local efforts to modernize our state's infrastructure. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Northern Colorado communities, this $20 million for North I-25 will build on past TIGER grants to decrease congestion in one of the state's busiest corridors. With its $20 million grant, CDOT will be able to invest in new connectivity infrastructure as Colorado prepares for emerging vehicle technologies. Finally, this well-deserved $7 million grant will allow the City of Glenwood Springs to make significant improvements to the road and broadband infrastructure along the Roaring Fork River, enhancing the safety and quality of life for its residents. We strongly advocated to the Department of Transportation how important this infrastructure funding would be for Colorado and I-25, and I'm thrilled to announce it will be coming soon to help support these important projects, Gardner said. As Colorado continues to grow we need to ensure our infrastructure is prepared to handle it. Going forward, I will continue to work with my colleagues and the Administration to help address infrastructure needs across our state. I-25 Grant The $20 million BUILD grant will help with widening a segment of North I-25 between SH 402 and SH 56/Little Thompson Bridge through the addition of an express tolled lane in each direction. CDOT has estimated that in 2040, the I-25 Corridor will see a 60 percent increase in daily vehicle traffic. Work on the Issue Bennet-Gardner letter to DOT regarding North I-25 is available HERE. Bennet-Gardner letter to DOT regarding V2X 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=AED130D0-1F11-4A9F-8351-4376C7B1A26F,"Senators Bennet, Hatch & Reps. Bucshon, DeGette Release Draft Legislation to Modernize FDA Regulation of Diagnostic Tests",2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT), members of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), with U.S. Representatives Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN) and Diana DeGette (D-CO), members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, today released draft legislation to establish a framework for overseeing in vitro clinical tests (IVCTs), such as test kits and laboratory developed tests (LDTs), at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This Congress, the lawmakers have worked with the stakeholder community and FDA to define parameters for IVCT oversight. In the age of precision medicine, diagnostic and genetic tests are increasingly part of routine medical care, Bennet said. Without safety measures in place, these tests threaten patient safety and the potential of innovative diagnostics to transform health care. We'll continue working to develop a regulatory framework that results in better government and keeps pace with developing technologies. While I am disappointed this bill will not pass this year, I am hopeful that my colleagues will prioritize this legislation in the 116th Congress, Hatch said. Americans deserve the assurance that the tests which are utilized in making vital, sometimes life-or-death, decisions, are both accurate and reliable. This bill establishes a sensible, risk-based approach towards regulation of IVCTs that protects innovation in an ever-changing sector of healthcare. Advanced diagnostics are transforming the way we provide care for patients in the 21st century, giving rise to precision medicine and enabling physicians to provide more individualized treatments for patients, Bucshon said. Unfortunately, the regulatory framework for diagnostic testing has become outdated and is still stuck in the 20th century. Our goal with this draft legislation is to ensure patients can get the most appropriate treatment for their disease by creating a new regulatory framework that is risk based, creates a level-playing field, allows for leading edge development to thrive, and assures doctors and patients that their test results are valid and clinically meaningful. Safety and accuracy are rightly our top priorities when establishing a new regulatory framework for the approval and regulation of LDTs and IVCTs, DeGette said. I am grateful for the committed partnership of Rep. Bucshon, the Energy and Commerce Committee and our Senate colleagues by working together to forge this bipartisan and bicameral proposal. Background on In Vitro Clinical Tests In vitro clinical tests (IVCTs) are used to analyze human samples, such as blood or tissue. The test results are often used to make diagnosis or treatment decisions. For example, at-home glucose tests can be used to monitor diabetes based on blood sugar levels. One subset of IVCTs are Laboratory Developed Tests (LDTs) that are administered and interpreted by physicians, pathologists, or other clinical professionals in a health care facility. Another subset of IVCTs are related to personalized and precision medicine, such as genetic tests. Health care professionals then use companion diagnostics to determine the optimal drug or treatment at the right dose and time for a specific patient. Under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is required to ensure quality laboratory operations for LDTs. However, CMS is not required to ensure analytical and clinical validityin other words, safety and effectivenessfor any IVCTs. Several IVCTs have voluntarily pursued FDA approval under the existing device regulation framework, but current device regulation is not practical for many of the clinical laboratories that develop IVCTs. In order to ensure patient safety and accurate and reliable testing, there is a need for a regulatory pathway for IVCTs. FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb has called for comprehensive legislation for IVCT oversight. Summary of the Verifying Accurate, Leading-edge IVCT Development (VALID) Act The draft legislation would establish a risk-based approach to IVCT regulation, prioritizing FDA resources for the highest-risk tests that expose patients to serious or irreversible harm. The legislation also would establish a precertification program for lower-risk tests that are not otherwise required to go through premarket review. Precertification would allow FDA to establish standard validity requirements, while also lowering the burden on labs and developers and protecting continued innovation. High-risk tests, such as novel tests, would be required to undergo premarket review to verify analytical and clinical validity. FDA could require that any test undergo premarket review after providing the developer an opportunity to address issues identified by the agency. A copy of the discussion draft is available HERE.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gardner-awarded-by-major-science-organization-for-record-of-advancing-science-policy,Gardner Awarded by Major Science Organization for Record of Advancing Science Policy,2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Cory Gardner,G000562,www.gardner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC-SenatorCoryGardner (R-CO) has been awardedby the American Geophysical Union(AGU)theirprestigious honor, the Presidential Citation, for his work on science policy.TheAGU is an international non-profitwith membership stemming across the globe with 60,000 members in 137 countries working on an array of geophysical endeavors from climate change and natural hazards to space and planetary systems. It is a true honor to receive the American Geophysical Union's Presidential Citation for my bipartisan work on science policy,said Gardner.Throughout my time in Congress, I have worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance important science-related policy initiatives, including landmark legislation with Senator Peters The American Innovation and Competitiveness Act. Solutions for our most serious issues, such as climate change, will require bipartisan action and resolve, and I look forward to continuing to work with the American Geophysical Union to tackle and promote research on issues like climate change, natural hazards, and space.I thank the leadership and their 60,000 members across the globe for this great honor. Senators Gary Peters and Cory Gardner were selected for their bipartisan efforts to pass the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act of 2017,said the AGU.The legislation strengthens our nation's STEM education pipeline, increases the number of women and underrepresented minorities within STEM fields, andsets robust authorization levels for the National Science Foundation, while avoiding congressional interference in the allocation to NSF's directorates, including Geosciences. During such politically contentious times as these, when progress is dead-locked by deep divisions, the bipartisan approach taken to pass this important legislation is notable. This year, The American Geophysical Union's Presidential Citation was awarded to both SenatorsGardnerand Gary Peters (D-MI) for their bipartisan work together on science policy. Past award winnersinclude, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME), and several world renowned scientists.Thisawardwasalsoacknowledged by theUniversity Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR)which is headquartered in Colorado,who congratulated both Senator's for winning the AGU award for their bipartisan work in support of science. Gardner's record on science: Gardnerhas long been recognized a leader in his party on science and federal research policy. Hehas fought for legislation reducing emissions through clean energy policies and technologies. Gardnerreceivedthe Consortium of Social Science Associations' Distinguished Service Award. He provided thekeynote addressat the annual ARPA-E convention, where he emphasized the importance of bipartisanship and common ground in science policy. NOTE: View Gardner's remarks on receiving the AGU awardhere. ### Cory Gardner is a member of the U.S. Senate serving Colorado. He sits on the Energy & Natural Resources Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee, the Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee, and the Budget Committee, and is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gardner-bennet-announce-major-infrastructure-grants-for-colorado-including-20-million-for-north-i-25,"Gardner, Bennet Announce Major Infrastructure Grants for Colorado, Including $20 million for North I-25",2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Cory Gardner,G000562,www.gardner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC -Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) today announced that the North Front Range Transportation & Air Quality Council has been awarded a $20 million Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant from the Department of Transportation (DOT) for its North I-25 Segment 6 improvement project. Additionally, the Senators announced that the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will be receiving a $20 million BUILD grant for its vehicle-to-everything (V2X) project, which seeks to bolster the connectivity of transportation infrastructure through the deployment of fiber across highways in Colorado, and the City of Glenwood Springs will be receiving a $7 million BUILD grant for its project to modernize infrastructure along the City's South Midland Avenue, including a new waterline and broadband infrastructure. We strongly advocated to the Department of Transportation how important this infrastructure funding would be for Colorado and I-25,and I'm thrilled to announce it will be coming soon to help support these important projects,said Senator Gardner.As Colorado continues to grow we need to ensure our infrastructure is prepared to handle it. Going forward, I will continue to work with my colleagues and the Administration to help address infrastructure needs across our state. Colorado's roads require significant investment to keep pace with our state's continuous growth,said Senator Bennet.This $47 million will assist with state and local efforts to modernize our state's infrastructure. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Northern Colorado communities, this $20 million for North I-25 will build on past TIGER grants to decrease congestion in one of the state's busiest corridors. With its $20 million grant, CDOT will be able to invest in new connectivity infrastructure as Colorado prepares for emerging vehicle technologies. Finally, this well-deserved $7 million grant will allow the City of Glenwood Springs to make significant improvements to the road and broadband infrastructure along the Roaring Fork River, enhancing the safety and quality of life for its residents. I-25 Grant The $20 million BUILD grant will help with widening a segment of North I-25 between SH 402 and SH 56/Little Thompson Bridge through the addition of an express tolled lane in each direction. CDOT has estimated that in 2040, the I-25 Corridor will see a 60 percent increase in daily vehicle traffic. Work on the issue ViewhereGardner/Bennet letter to DOTregardingNorth I-25 ViewhereGardner/Bennet letter to DOTregardingV2X ViewhereGardner letter to DOTregardingthe Sound Midland reconstruction and rural broadband project ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gardner-tipton-introduce-crucial-orphan-hardrock-mine-cleanup-legislation,"Gardner, Tipton Introduce Crucial Orphan Hardrock Mine Cleanup Legislation",2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Cory Gardner,G000562,www.gardner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO)and Representative Scott Tipton (CO-3)introduced today the Good Samaritan Remediation of Orphan Hardrock Mines Act of 2018, legislation that will authorize the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a pilot program that promotes the cleanup of orphan hardrock mines. Abandoned mines are environmental hazards and also present danger to unaware recreationists on federal land all across the United States, especially the western part of the country. With the number of abandoned mines estimated to be as high as 500,000, Good Samaritans are needed to take necessary actions to clean up some of these sites. The assumption of long-term liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (CWA) has hindered prior cleanup of these sites. Gardner and Tipton's legislation creates a pilot program that will allow qualifying Good Samaritans to clean up the sites without the assumption of long-term liability. For years I have been working on legislation to allow for the cleanup of orphan mine sites by Good Samaritans,said Senator Gardner.Across Colorado and the West we have needed a permanent solution to the dangerous problem of abandoned mines. The opportunity to clean up the environment around these sites is crucial and this pilot program will finally allow for the long overdue process to begin. I understand changes may be necessary to get this bill across the finish line, and I look forward to working with my colleagues and stakeholders to evaluate their feedback. The Gold King Mine spill was a reminder felt across the Third Congressional District and State of Colorado that when it comes to cleaning up abandoned mine sites, the status quo is unacceptable. There are many Good Samaritan groups that have the technical expertise, financial ability, and desire to conduct successful remediation at abandoned mines, but they are discouraged from taking on projects due to current regulations,said Tipton. The Good Samaritan Remediation of Orphan Hardrock Mines Act of 2018 will set up a pilot project to allow Good Samaritans to clean up abandoned mine sites, improving water quality and providing our communities with a valuable service, all while maintaining strong permitting and environmental controls. I want to thank Senator Gardnerand Congressman Tiptonfortheirleadership. Abandoned mines represent the single greatest and least addressed threat to our nation's waters. We look forward to working with anyone who wants to make our waters cleaner and our lands healthier and build strong, bipartisan support to pass Good Samaritan legislation,said Chris Wood, President and CEO of Trout Unlimited. Today's thorough federal and state regulations require that land reclamation and restoration be a key component of every mining project - but that wasn't always the case. As a result, legacy mine sites have remained abandoned for decades or centuries,said Hal Quinn, NMA's President and CEO.While our industry, environmental groups and others have the expertise and desire to rehabilitate these lands, current laws are preventing environmental progress. Senator Gardner and Congressman Tipton's legislation would change that. These bills are vital to clearing the obstacles that are impeding remediation efforts at abandoned legacy mine sites that continue to impact land and water resources. Good Samaritans should be supported in their efforts to clean up these sites without fear of incurring additional legal liability. This is common sense legislation that Congress has discussed for years. Now is the time for action. AEMA applauds Senator Gardnerand Congressman Tiptonfor introducing the Good Samaritan Remediation of Orphaned Hardrock Mines Act of 2018 providing the mining industry, NGOs and others the necessary liability protection to act as true Good Samaritans to remediate historic pre-regulation abandoned mine lands,said Executive Director Laura Skaer.Our members are hopeful that their congressional colleagues will join themin supporting this pragmatic approach. NOTE: Read Senator Gardner's letters of support below Trout Unlimited National Mining Association (NMA) American Exploration & Mining Association (AEMA) Utah Mining Association (UMA) Nevada Mining Association Colorado Mining Association ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gardner-markey-comprehensive-asia-policy-measure-passes-senate,"Gardner, Markey Comprehensive Asia Policy Measure Passes Senate",2018-12-05,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Cory Gardner,G000562,www.gardner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC-The Senate passed S.2736, the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018 (ARIA) on Tuesday. This legislation, authored by Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Ed Markey (D-MA), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy along with Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Ben Cardin (D-MD), serves as a generational policy framework to enhance U.S. leadership in the Indo-Pacific region and to demonstrate a commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific andtherules-based international order. In the 115th Congress, Gardner and Markey heldfivehearings in their Subcommittee to inform ARIA. The hearing series, titled, American Leadership in the Asia-Pacific, included hearings onsecurity challenges,economic opportunities,promoting human rights and the rule oflaw,U.S.-China relations,andAdministration views. We've been working on ARIA, major bipartisan legislation, for nearly three years and it passed the Senateon Tuesday,said Senator Gardner.I urge swift action in the House of Representatives to send this legislation to the President's desk to be signed into law. ARIA provides the US a whole-of-government, long-term strategy in Asia that advances American national security interests, promotes American businesses and creates jobs through trade opportunities, and projects American values of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The United States has always been, and will always remain, a Pacific power, and this legislation ensures that the United States government will speak in one voice to reassure our allies and to deter our adversaries in the Indo-Pacific region. The rules-based international order is absolutely fundamental to global peace and security,said Senator Markey.But Asia, arguably the most consequential region for the United States, faces critical challenges such as nonproliferation, human rights, and respect for democratic values and needs the resources to match that importance. This legislation would do important work to address challenges in the Indo-Pacific by authorizing much-needed funds for the Department of State and USAID, including to promote democracy, and to strengthen civil society, the rule of law, transparency, and accountability. It would strengthen alliances and partnerships, promote resource conservation, pursue effective arms control and nonproliferation policies, commit the U.S. government to the full implementation of sanctions on North Korea and its enablers, and help ensure U.S. leadership in the region continues. I thank Senator Gardner for his partnership on this timely and important legislation. Read more on ARIA legislationhere. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=AF224F56-062D-4069-A634-C7C2CDF0A56F,"Following Delayed Payments to Veterans, Bennet Calls for Inspector General Investigation",2018-12-04,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today urged the Department of Veteran Affairs' (VA) Inspector General to launch an investigation into issues related to delayed Post 9/11 GI Bill payments to veterans. In November, Bennet responded to media reports of on-going problems with the VA's IT system, which resulted in veterans not receiving living stipend payments for education and housing expenses in a timely manner. According to reports, the payments of approximately 1,500 GI Bill students at Colorado State University have been affected. In a November 15 letter, Bennet wrote to VA Secretary Robert Wilkie requesting the department address the problem. Today, Bennet expressed concern about conflicting reports regarding the VA's commitment to make retroactive payments to veterans for missed or underpaid housing stipends. He requested the Inspector General investigate issues related to the delayed payments, including analysis of what led to the delays and of the VA's capability and willingness to ensure veterans receive housing allowance at levels provided under the Forever G.I. Bill. Such ambiguity about education benefits is a disservice to those who have served our country, Bennet wrote. I ask that you investigate the VA's capability and willingness to carry out the law. A copy of the letter is available HERE and below: The Honorable Michael J. Missal Inspector General Department of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Ave NW Washington, DC 20571 Dear Mr. Missal: I write to request an investigation into issues related to delayed payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to veterans receiving Post 9/11 G.I. Bill benefits. Specifically, I am concerned about conflicting reports regarding the VA's commitment to make retroactive payments to veterans for missed or underpaid housing stipends. Such ambiguity about education benefits is a disservice to those who have served our country. I ask that you investigate the VA's capability and willingness to carry out the law. This should include an analysis of whether veterans are receiving proper levels of housing allowance, as provided under the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Education Assistance Act (P.L. 115-48, the Forever GI Bill). Additionally, this should include an analysis of what led to the delays. Such information will be useful to continued congressional oversight of this critical issue. I thank you for your consideration of this time sensitive matter and I look forward to your response. Thank you for your work on behalf of our nation's veterans.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gardner-jones-introduce-legislation-to-ensure-veterans-are-repaid-their-full-gi-benefits,"Gardner, Jones Introduce Legislation to Ensure Veterans are Repaid their Full GI Benefits",2018-12-04,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Cory Gardner,G000562,www.gardner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC-Today,Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Doug Jones (D-AL)willintroduce theFix Immediately Outstanding Underpayments (IOUs) for Student VeteransAct, legislation that will force the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay student veterans money they are entitled to, but did not receive because of the VA's own error. When the VA failed to implement the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017, many student veterans did not receive the full benefits they are entitled to. Gardnersent a letterto VA Secretary Wilkie regarding the issue on October 29, 2018 demanding the VA fix the situation, but since that time the VA has sent mixed signals about their actual plan to provide retroactive payments to underpaid students. The Gardner-Jones legislation will set up a commission at the VA to ensure all monthly stipends are audited, and force the VA to pay back students who were underpaid. Additionally this legislation will ensure the VA does not take back money from students they overpaid through their error. The VA let these veterans down and this cannot be tolerated,said Gardner.First, the VA made a mistake and did not properly pay student veterans the money they are entitled to; and nowthe VA is failing in their responsibility again by not providing a plan to pay those students back quickly. Most problems Congress addresses are complicated anddo nothave one right' answer. This is not one of those issues. To me, it's pretty clear what the right thing to do is: Congress must act to ensure our student veterans receive every penny they are entitled to. When young men and women step up to serve our country in uniform, we make a solemn promise to have their backs when they come home,said Jones.We commit to provide them the tools needed to re-enter civilian life and to earn an education that will enable them to serve our communities in new ways. When I heard that thousands of veterans in Alabama and across the country were being underpaid or not paid at all for their GI Bill benefits and that the VA might not make them whole, I was appalled. While I'm glad the VA has since begun to reverse course, action from Congress is needed to make sure that these veterans receive what they're owed. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://buck.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/matthew-paris-eaton-high-school-student-wins-congressional-app-challenge,"Matthew Paris, Eaton High School Student, Wins Congressional App Challenge",2018-12-03,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Ken Buck,B001297,buck.house.gov,,,legacy,"For Immediate Release Contact:KyleHuwa, 202-225-4676 Washington, D.C. Today, Congressman Ken Buck (CO-04) announced the winner of the Congressional App Challenge for the 4thCongressional District. Matthew Paris, a student at Eaton High School, received top honors for his app, Home Safe. This application allows individuals to receive a call on their mobile phone when they need to exit a potentially problematic situation (learn more about the app here). I'm proud of Matthew's work on this app and I'm excited to see him use his coding skills in the future to contribute to our communities and our country, stated Congressman Ken Buck. Thank you to all the students who participated in the Congressional App Challenge this year. Congress conducts the Congressional App Challenge every year to encourage students around the country to develop their Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) skills. Students compete within their congressional districts, and then the winner from each district has the opportunity to showcase their app in the nation's capital. In the 4th District, entries were judged by professional programmers from the community. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://tipton.house.gov/media/in-the-news/big-step-continued-fight-against-opioid-addiction,COLUMN: A Big Step in the Continued Fight Against Opioid Addiction,2018-12-03,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Scott Tipton,T000470,tipton.house.gov,,,legacy,"In 2016 and 2017, the Department of Health and Human Services estimated that more than 130 Americans died each day from an opioid-related drug overdose. Today, opioid overdoses are the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. The fight against the opioid epidemic has received strong bipartisan support in Washington. In 2016, Congress passed and President Obama signed into law the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) and 21st Century Cures Act, both of which helped provide states with resources to expand opioid abuse and treatment efforts. In fact, since the 21st Century Cures Act became law, Colorado has received over $15 million in grant money to help meet the needs of our impacted communities. After CARA and the 21st Century Cures Act were signed into law, I continued to travel across Colorado's Third District to meet with the healthcare officials, law enforcement officers and first responders who are on the front lines of this fight and listen to their feedback. During these meetings it became apparent that while both bills were certainly a step in the right direction, there was more work to be done. The opioid crisis is a multifaceted issue, and no one approach will bring it to an end. We must advance policies that facilitate prevention education and effective treatment, ensure law enforcement has the tools it needs to respond to bad actors trying to bring dangerous opioids across U.S. borders, and support health care professionals in their work to decrease prescribed addiction. During the 115th Congress, we worked together to introduce a series of proposals to address opioid abuse from every angle. This past month, Congress passed, and President Trump signed into law a sweeping bipartisan package that includes more than 70 of the proposals that we introduced this Congress. The proposals included in the law, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, range from arming first responders with the overdose-reversing drug naloxone and providing law enforcement with more tools to help intercept deadly synthetic opioids at the border, to expanding Medicare coverage of substance abuse disorder treatments and services. Included in this groundbreaking package was a proposal that I helped introduce called the Alternatives to Opioids (ALTO) in the Emergency Department Act, which specifically addresses the complex issue of prescribed addiction. While there are many different reasons why an individual may become addicted to opioids, all too often, addiction begins with an injury and a prescription to treat the pain. The ALTO Act will help remedy this issue by providing hospitals across the country with the resources to promote non-opioid pain treatments in emergency rooms. The ALTO Act is based on a successful pilot program that was started by the Colorado Hospital Association and took place in 10 hospital emergency departments across our state. The program was so effective that the 10 participating sites were able to reduce the distribution of prescribed opioids by 36 percent over a six-month period. Now that this program will be replicated in hospital emergency departments across the nation, the impact will be profound. I am proud of the work that has been accomplished thus far to confront opioid addiction. The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act is a big step and I have no doubt that this package of bills will help save countless lives. However, the opioid crisis cannot be solved overnight, and the work is still far from done. In the 116th Congress, Republicans and Democrats alike must continue to listen to the impacted families, healthcare providers and law enforcement officials back home and work together to address this national crisis. I plan to continue these conversations back in Colorado's Third District and I encourage you to share any ideas, background or knowledge that you may have on this issue with us by calling my Washington, D.C. office at 202-225-4761 or writing to me atwww.tipton.house.gov.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://tipton.house.gov/media/in-the-news/post-offices-be-named-after-two-fallen-law-officers,Post offices to be named after two fallen law officers,2018-12-03,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Scott Tipton,T000470,tipton.house.gov,,,legacy,"The U.S. House of Representatives passed two measures this week honoring two fallen law enforcement officers Mesa County Deputy Derek Geer and Montrose Police Sgt. David Kinterknecht by naming two area post offices after them. The measures were introduced by U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton, who represents Colorado's 3rd Congressional District. The Grand Junction post office located at 241 N. Fourth St. will be named the ""Deputy Sheriff Derek Geer Post Office Building,"" while the Montrose office at 3025 Woodgate Road will be named the ""Sergeant David Kinterknecht Post Office."" Geer was killed Feb. 8, 2016, while trying to arrest then 17-year-old Austin Holzer, who was sentenced to 70 years in prison for murder earlier this year. Kinterknecht was shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence call. The suspect in that shooting, who also wounded two other officers, committed suicide. Kinterknecht, 41 when he was killed, had worked in the Montrose department for 10 years. In the nine years prior to that, he worked for the Telluride Marshal's Office, the San Miguel County Sheriff's Office and the Montrose County Sheriff's Office. He left behind a wife, two daughters, three stepsons and a sister. Geer, 40 at the time of his death, was a 16-year veteran of the Mesa County Sheriff's Office, though he spent 30 years in law enforcement. In that office, the U.S. Navy veteran also worked as a victim's advocate. He was a 1994 graduate of Central High School. He left behind a wife and two children. ""They put their lives on the line every day for their communities,"" Tipton said in a statement. ""Tragically, they were both taken far too soon, giving all in the line of duty. While we will never be able to repay either of these men for their selfless acts or fill the void left by their loss, naming post offices in their respective communities will honor their lives and ensure that their memories live on."" Both measures cleared the House on unanimous consent. They head to the Senate for final action.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=1EF079E2-23D8-416D-8552-8BC51FF5A2E0,"Bennet Office to Hold Listening Sessions in Archuleta, Dolores, and Montezuma Counties",2018-12-03,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet invites residents from Archuleta, Dolores, and Montezuma Counties to meet with a member of his Colorado staff in December. John Whitney, Bennet's Western Slope Regional Director, will meet one-on-one with Coloradans in Pagosa Springs, Dove Creek, and Cortez. The details for the listening sessions are available below. MEDIA GUIDANCE (Archuleta County) For convenience, please feel free to copy and paste this text onto your website or in your print newspaper: Bennet Office Listens to Archuleta County Do you need help dealing with the Department of Veterans Affairs, IRS, Social Security Administration, or another federal agency? Do you have a suggestion for Congress that will help your family or community? If so, then Senator Michael Bennet invites you to meet one-on-one with a representative from his office at the upcoming listening sessions. Listening Session Details Archuleta County Tuesday, December 11, 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Archuleta County Administration Offices Commissioners Meeting Room 398 Lewis Street Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 To schedule an appointment, send an email to john_whitney@bennet.senate.gov. Please include a brief description of the issue you want to address, as this will help John assist you. If you are already working with someone in Bennet's office, please include that information in your email, as well. Those without email access can call 970-259-1710. Constituents do not need to wait for listening session dates to ask for help or share opinions. Please call any Bennet office at any time for assistance. MEDIA GUIDANCE (Dolores County) For convenience, please feel free to copy and paste this text onto your website or in your print newspaper: Bennet Office Listens to Dolores County Do you need help dealing with the Department of Veterans Affairs, IRS, Social Security Administration, or another federal agency? Do you have a suggestion for Congress that will help your family or community? If so, then Senator Michael Bennet invites you to meet one-on-one with a representative from his office at the upcoming listening session. Listening Session Details Dolores County Thursday, December 13, 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Dolores County Courthouse Commissioners Board Room 409 N. Main Street Dove Creek, CO 81324 MEDIA GUIDANCE (Montezuma County) For convenience, please feel free to copy and paste this text onto your website or in your print newspaper: Bennet Office Listens to Montezuma County Do you need help dealing with the Department of Veterans Affairs, IRS, Social Security Administration, or another federal agency? Do you have a suggestion for Congress that will help your family or community? If so, then Senator Michael Bennet invites you to meet one-on-one with a representative from his office at the upcoming listening sessions. Listening Session Details Montezuma County Thursday, December 13, 2:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. Cortez City Hall Mesa Verde Room 123 Roger Smith Avenue Cortez, CO 81321 To schedule an appointment, send an email to john_whitney@bennet.senate.gov. Please include a brief description of the issue you want to address, as this will help John assist you. If you are already working with someone in Bennet's office, please include that information in your email, as well. Those without email access can call 970-259-1710. Constituents do not need to wait for listening session dates to ask for help or share opinions. Please call any Bennet office at any time for assistance.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lamborn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2500,Statement on the Passing of Former President George H.W. Bush,2018-12-01,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,CO,Doug Lamborn,L000564,lamborn.house.gov,,,legacy,"Statement on the Passing of Former President George H.W. Bush f t # e Washington, December 1, 2018 Colorado Springs, Colorado - Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05) released the following statement mourning the loss of former President George H.W. Bush: We will remember President George H.W. Bush for his commitment to truth and service to our country not only in his time with the Navy, CIA, and as Vice President but also as Commander in Chief. He was extremely accomplished, dedicated to his family, and an inspiration for us all. My prayers are with the Bush family at this time. f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lamborn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2501,Congressman Lamborn's Statement on the USMCA,2018-11-30,2018,2018-11,Republican,House,CO,Doug Lamborn,L000564,lamborn.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington D.C. -Today in Buenos Aires, President Trump, President Nieto of Mexico, and Prime Minister Trudeau of Canada signed the U.S-Canada-Mexico Agreement (USMCA), the trilateral trade agreement replacing NAFTA. For the first time, an American trade agreement is including sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) language. Congressman Lamborn (CO-05) issued the following statement: ""I am deeply disappointed that the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative bowed to Canada's wishes in including SOGI language for the first time in a trade deal. While the language has been modified to try to limit the force of the language, the fact that it included at all is unacceptable. This step is entirely out of sync with President Trump's good work in undoing troubling Obama-era regulations and policies. Congress should decide social policy, including issues of civil rights, protected classes, and workplace rights. Instead, unelected bureaucrats and foreign leaders are forcing SOGI policy on us. This is an assault on United States sovereignty and a dangerous precedent for future trade agreements."" Read Congressman Lamborn's op-ed on the trade agreementHERE.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://tipton.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-bills-rename-post-offices-after-fallen-western-colorado-law,House Passes Bills to Rename Post Offices After Fallen Western Colorado Law Enforcement Officers,2018-11-30,2018,2018-11,Republican,House,CO,Scott Tipton,T000470,tipton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. The House passed two of Congressman Scott Tipton's (CO-03) bills which would rename post offices after fallen law enforcement officers from Colorado's Third District. H.R. 6216, to rename a Montrose post office as the Sergeant David Kinterknecht Post Office and H.R. 6217, to rename a Grand Junction post office as the Deputy Sheriff Derek Geer Post Office Building passed the House by unanimous consent. Sergeant David Kinterknecht and Deputy Sheriff Derek Geer embodied heroism and service. They put their lives on the line every day for their communities. Tragically, they were both taken far too soon, giving all in the line of duty, said Tipton. While we will never be able to repay either of these men for their selfless acts or fill the void left by their loss, naming post offices in their respective communities will honor their lives and ensure that their memories live on. Click HERE to watch Tipton honor Sergeant David Kinterknecht and Deputy Sheriff Derek Geer on the House Floor. Sergeant David Kinterknecht of the Montrose Police Department was killed in the line of duty in 2009. Sergeant Kinterknecht served with the Montrose Police Department for ten years. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and three stepsons. Deputy Sheriff Derek Geer of the Mesa County Sheriff's Office was killed in the line of duty in 2016. Deputy Geer was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Mesa County Sheriff's Office for 15 years. He is survived by his wife and two children. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=2390213A-9D5F-4475-93A7-2C7C072D4E14,Bennet Office to Hold Listening Session in El Paso County,2018-11-30,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet invites residents from El Paso County to meet with a member of his Colorado staff in Monument. Jacqueline Armendariz, a representative from Bennet's office in this region, will meet one-on-one with Coloradans on December 7. The details for the listening session are available below. MEDIA GUIDANCE For convenience, please feel free to copy and paste this text onto your website or in your print newspaper: Bennet Office Listens to El Paso County Do you need help dealing with the Department of Veterans Affairs, IRS, Social Security Administration, or another federal agency? Do you have a suggestion for Congress that will help your family or community? If so, then Senator Michael Bennet invites you to meet one-on-one with a representative from his office at the upcoming listening session. Listening Session Details El Paso County Friday, December 7, 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Serranos Coffee Company 625 W. Highway 105 Monument, CO 80132 To schedule an appointment, send an email to Jacqueline_Armendariz@bennet.senate.gov. Please include a brief description of the issue you want to address, as this will help Jacqueline assist you. If you are already working with someone in Bennet's office, please include that information in your email, as well. Those without email access can call 719-328-1100. Constituents do not need to wait for listening session dates to ask for help or share opinions. Please call any Bennet office at any time for assistance.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=6DA57289-AA75-44BD-84FB-7BB574A00F2C,"Ahead of VP Pence visit to Mexico, Bennet, Menendez, Leahy & Kaine Encourage U.S. Commitment to Improving U.S.-Mexico Relations",2018-11-30,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) today sent a letter to Vice President Mike Pence encouraging him to use his visit to Mexico to reaffirm U.S. commitment to building a bilateral partnership that advances the prosperity and well-being of the people of both nations. The United States and Mexico share a bond deeper than just our close geography, the senators wrote. Our countries are bound by our shared culture, history, and decades of close cooperation on economic and security issues. However, this relationship and U.S. public standing in Mexico have suffered in the last two years due to the tremendous damage President Trump has caused to U.S.-Mexico relations. Citing the current events at the U.S.-Mexico border, the senators also highlighted the need for a collaborative response to the challenges posed by regional migration in a manner that meets domestic and international legal standards and ensures appropriate protections for vulnerable populations. On the eve of President-elect Lpez Obrador's inauguration, as Mexico prepares to embark on a new era, your visit provides a unique opportunity to reframe bilateral relations in a manner that upholds our two nations' shared democratic values and common commitment to prosperity and security, concluded the senators. The full text of the letter 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=70CEC126-D38D-4BBD-B96D-BD352A2E6C93,"Bennet, Gardner Introduce Cybersecurity Legislation to Protect Energy Grid",2018-11-29,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner this week introduced two pieces of legislation to protect the country's energy grid from cyber-attacks. The Enhancing State Energy Security Planning and Emergency Preparedness Act received a hearing today in the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. We have our work cut out for us to protect the electric grid across rural and urban America, and these bills are a good starting point, said Bennet. We've worked with Coloradans and national energy organizations to ensure the legislation provides the technical assistance they need to safeguard their communities from cyberattacks. Colorado and states across the country need to secure our energy grids and be better prepared against cyber-attacks that threaten our critical infrastructure, said Gardner. I've worked with Senator Bennet on these bipartisan pieces of legislation because we both know the risk cyber-attacks pose to our country and the need for leadership on these issues. This legislation will help shore up our electric grid's vulnerabilities. I look forward to working with my colleagues to gather more bipartisan support and see these bills signed into law. Enhancing State Energy Security Planning and Emergency Preparedness Act This bill authorizes the Department of Energy (DOE) to provide financial assistance tostatesto develop or revise a State Energy Security Plan. The bill outlines the contents of a State Security Plan, including the need for coordination and joint exercises with industry and federal stakeholders. It authorizes DOE $90 million annually for Fiscal Years 2018 2022 to offer financial and technical assistance tostatesas they develop and update their plans. A State Energy Security Plan will assessastate's existing circumstances and propose methods to strengthen the ability of astate to: Secure the energy infrastructure of the State against all physical and cybersecurity threats; Mitigate the risk of energy supply disruptions to thestate and enhance response to, and recovery from energy disruptions; and Ensure thestate has a reliable, secure, and resilient energy infrastructure. Enhancing Grid Security through Public-Private Partnerships Act This legislation would authorize the Department of Energy (DOE) to provide physical and cyber security assistance to electric utilities where the Secretary has substantial concerns and electric utilities with fewer available resourcesdue to size or region, and submit a report addressing physical and cyber security vulnerabilities in electricity distribution systems. Support from DOE would include providing tools for self-assessment, assisting with threat assessment and training, and increasing the sharing of best practices and data collection. Building on Cybersecurity Progress this Year In June, Bennet led an amendment with Gardner and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)theEnergy Jobs for Our Heroes Actto help veterans prepare for careers in cybersecurity and clean energyand secured it in the energy and water spending bill that was signed into law. In Bennet's capacity as a member of the SenateAgriculture Committee, he secured acyber and grid security bill, also supported by Gardner, in the 2018 Senate Farm Bill, to ensure cybersecurity and grid improvement projects are eligible for USDA Rural Utility Service loans. Stakeholder Support Colorado By making it easier for public utilities and private sector organizations to work together to secure our nation's grid, and providing funding to use the latest technology in the space, these bills will not only enhance the security of information technology (IT) networks supporting the electrical grid, but also the security of Industrial Control Systems, also referred to as Operational Technology (OT) networks,said Jim Orahood, Vice President of Ampex.These bills are necessary to allow for a strong electric utility infrastructure, while building a desperately needed partnership between government and industry. All critical infrastructure segmentsfinancial, healthcare, transportation, etc.are dependent on the electrical grid, said Vance Brown, CEO of National Cybersecurity Center. Considering the facts that the US electrical grid is vulnerable and has already been attacked, and it is owned and operated by multiple entities, it therefore makes sense that coordinated efforts be established to safeguard our way of life. We are thankful for Senators Bennet and Gardner for putting forth legislation to address this critical issue and help fund initiatives which we believe will make a difference. Senate Bill 5240 provides much needed assistance to electrical utilities that lack the tools, capabilities and training resources for conducting their own self-assessments to properly mitigate cybersecurity threats, said Taylor Vance of the Cyber Institute. Sharing of industry proven best practices, while collectively advancing the cybersecurity capabilities of all sizes of electric utilities, will especially unify and align the industry towards a more resilient infrastructure. National The National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO), representing all the state energy offices in the United States supports the Enhancing State Energy Security Planning Bill. We applaud Senator Gardner and Senator Bennet for introducing the bill and we encourage the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to approve the bill.Rapid Senate action and final passage of a bill after differences are resolved with HR 3050 would strengthen our country's energy security, enhance cyber security and improve energy emergency preparedness and response. Statement from the National Association of State Energy Officials",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gardner-bennet-introduce-cybersecurity-legislation-to-protect-energy-grid,"Gardner, Bennet Introduce Cybersecurity Legislation to Protect Energy Grid",2018-11-29,2018,2018-11,Republican,House,CO,Cory Gardner,G000562,www.gardner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC-U.S. Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO) and MichaelBennet (D-CO) this week introduced two pieces of legislation to protect the country's energy grid from cyber-attacks. TheEnhancing State Energy Security Planning and Emergency Preparedness Actreceived a hearingtodayin theSenate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and Senator Gardner spokeaboutitsimportance. You can watch his remarkshere. Colorado and states across the country need to secure our energy grids and be better prepared against cyber-attacks that threaten our critical infrastructure,said Gardner. I've worked with Senator Bennet on these bipartisan pieces of legislation because we both know the risk cyber-attacks pose to our country and the need for leadership on these issues. This legislation will help shore up our electric grid's vulnerabilities. I look forward to working with my colleagues to gather more bipartisan support and see these bills signed into law. We have our work cut out for us to protect the electric grid across rural and urban America, and these bills are a good starting point,said Bennet.We've worked with Coloradans and national energy organizations to ensure the legislation provides the technical assistance they need to safeguard their communities from cyberattacks. Enhancing State Energy Security Planning and Emergency Preparedness Act This bill authorizes the Department of Energy (DOE) to provide financial assistance tostatesto develop or revise a State Energy Security Plan. The bill outlines the contents of a State Security Plan, including the need for coordination and joint exercises with industry and federal stakeholders. It authorizes DOE $90 million annually for Fiscal Years 2018 2022 to offer financial and technical assistance tostatesas they develop and update their plans. A State Energy Security Plan will assessastate's existing circumstances and propose methods to strengthen the ability of astate to: Secure the energy infrastructure of the State against all physical and cybersecurity threats; Mitigate the risk of energy supply disruptions to thestate and enhance response to, and recovery from energy disruptions; and Ensure thestate has a reliable, secure, and resilient energy infrastructure. Enhancing Grid Security through Public-Private Partnerships Act This legislation would authorize the Department of Energy (DOE) to provide physical and cyber security assistance to electric utilities where the Secretary has substantial concerns and electric utilities with fewer available resourcesdue to size or region, and submit a report addressing physical and cyber security vulnerabilities in electricity distribution systems. Supportfrom DOE would include providing tools for self-assessment, assisting with threat assessment and training, and increasing the sharing of best practices and data collection. Building on Cybersecurity Progress this Year In June, Bennet led an amendment with Gardner and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)theEnergy Jobs for Our Heroes Actto help veterans prepare for careers in cybersecurity and clean energyand secured it in the energy and water spending bill that was signed into law. In Bennet's capacity as a member of the SenateAgriculture Committee, he secured acyber and grid security bill, also supported by Gardner, in the 2018 Senate Farm Bill, to ensure cybersecurity and grid improvement projects are eligible for USDA Rural Utility Service loans. Stakeholder Support Colorado By making it easierfor public utilities and private sector organizations to work together to secure our nation's grid, and providing funding to use the latest technology in the space, these bills will not only enhance the security of information technology (IT) networks supporting the electrical grid, but also the security of Industrial Control Systems, also referred to as Operational Technology (OT) networks,said Jim Orahood, Vice President of Ampex.These bills are necessary to allow for a strong electric utility infrastructure, while building a desperately needed partnership between government and industry. All critical infrastructure segmentsfinancial, healthcare, transportation, etc.are dependent on the electrical grid,said Vance Brown, CEO of National Cybersecurity Center.Considering the facts that the US electrical grid is vulnerable and has already been attacked, and it is owned and operated by multiple entities, it therefore makes sense that coordinated efforts be established to safeguard our way of life. We are thankful for Senators Bennet and Gardner for putting forth legislation to address this critical issue and help fund initiatives which we believe will make a difference. Senate Bill 5240 provides much needed assistance to electrical utilities that lack the tools, capabilities and training resources for conducting their own self-assessments to properly mitigate cybersecurity threats,said Taylor Vance of the Cyber Institute.Sharing of industry proven best practices, while collectively advancing the cybersecurity capabilities of all sizes of electric utilities, will especially unify and align the industry towards a more resilient infrastructure. National The National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO), representing all the state energy offices in the United States supports the Enhancing State Energy Security Planning Bill. We applaud Senator Gardner and Senator Bennet for introducing the bill and we encourage the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to approve the bill.Rapid Senate action and final passage of a bill after differences are resolved with HR 3050 would strengthen our country's energy security, enhance cyber security and improve energy emergency preparedness and response. Statement from the National Association of State EnergyOfficials ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gardner-holds-bipartisan-press-conference-to-rally-support-for-the-land-and-water-conservation-fund,Gardner Holds Bipartisan Press Conference to Rally Support for the Land and Water Conservation Fund,2018-11-29,2018,2018-11,Republican,House,CO,Cory Gardner,G000562,www.gardner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC-Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) held a press conference today with other Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) champions in the House and Senate to call for the reauthorization and full funding of America's most important conservation program before the end of the year. Gardner has been a leader on the bipartisan effort in Congress to fully fund and permanently reauthorize the LWCF and will continue to fight to save this vital conservation program. To view Gardner's remarks, click on the photo above orhere. Remarks as prepared for delivery: Thank you, thanks to all of you for being out here today and I will note the westerners are not wearing coats right here. This is a warm day so thank you very much for the opportunity to be here and our effort today is simply this. We are trying to make the lame duck a little less lame and to make sure that we get some productivity on LWCF, moving it forward. If you look at the great bipartisan support that we have for LWCF, the House of Representatives, the United States Senate, Republicans and Democrats coming together to reauthorize, fully fund the Land and Water Conservation program. One of the most important programs, the most important in my mind, conservation program this country has. The crown jewel of our conservation program efforts, at no cost to the taxpayer. We are proud of our forests, we are proud of our National Parks, we are proud of our National Monuments, we are proud of our public lands, and we are proud of the opportunity this Congress has to prove to the American people that we will stand up and fight for LWCF. We will stand up and fight for our public lands, we will stand up and fight for the people of Colorado, and Montana, and Pennsylvania, and North Carolina, and Washington, and across this country to make sure that we are doing everything we can to fight for the best of our public ideas, which is our public lands. It was 1893 when Katharine Lee Bates climbed up Pikes Peak. Katharine Lee Bates climbed up Pikes Peak and looked around, and she wrote that famous line, purple mountain majesties. It's because of funds and programs like the Land and Water Conservation Fund that we have been able to preserve those incredible purple mountain majesties, the peaks that we love, the forest lands that we publicly own together. The opportunities to keep them together for public use, public enjoyment, through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. There was a great story in the Denver Post, just a couple of days ago, that talked about the thousands and thousands of acres are inaccessible, held by the public, but inaccessible to the public, and programs like the Land and Water Conservation fund can be used to make sure that we have access to those great programs. So it's an honor to be here, in the bipartisan delegation of Republicans, Senators, Democrats, House Members. The opportunities to make sure that we get this program done before the end of the year. This is what we are going to do, we are going to make this happen, and together, we can all be proud of the fact that we stood up for, we fought for, we saved the Land and Water Conservation Fund. ### Cory Gardner is a member of the U.S. Senate serving Colorado. He sits on the Energy & Natural Resources Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee, the Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee, and the Budget Committee, and is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=1AA6F47A-8740-49C0-9A9F-C80D665C70DC,Bennet Office to Hold Listening Session in Routt County,2018-11-28,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet invites residents from Routt County to meet with a member of his Colorado staff in Steamboat Springs. Alyssa Logan, a representative from Bennet's office in this region, will meet one-on-one with Coloradans on December 19. The details for the listening session are available below. MEDIA GUIDANCE For convenience, please feel free to copy and paste this text onto your website or in your print newspaper: Bennet Office Listens to Routt County Do you need help dealing with the Department of Veterans Affairs, IRS, Social Security Administration, or another federal agency? Do you have a suggestion for Congress that will help your family or community? If so, then Senator Michael Bennet invites you to meet one-on-one with a representative from his office at the upcoming listening session. Listening Session Details Routt County Wednesday, December 19, 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Bud Werner Memorial Library 1289 Lincoln Avenue Steamboat Springs, CO 80487 To schedule an appointment, send an email to Alyssa_Logan@bennet.senate.gov. Please include a brief description of the issue you want to address, as this will help Alyssa assist you. If you are already working with someone in Bennet's office, please include that information in your email, as well. Those without email access can call 970-241-6631. Constituents do not need to wait for listening session dates to ask for help or share opinions. Please call any Bennet office at any time for assistance.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=223F1222-91FB-4695-BCB4-21C475353980,Bennet Office to Hold Listening Sessions in Ouray & Hinsdale Counties,2018-11-28,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet invites residents from Ouray and Hinsdale counties to meet with a member of his Colorado staff in December. John Whitney, Bennet's Western Slope Regional Director, will meet one-on-one with Coloradans in Ouray and Lake City. The details for the listening sessions are available below. MEDIA GUIDANCE (Ouray County) For convenience, please feel free to copy and paste this text onto your website or in your print newspaper: Bennet Office Listens to Ouray County Do you need help dealing with the Department of Veterans Affairs, IRS, Social Security Administration, or another federal agency? Do you have a suggestion for Congress that will help your family or community? If so, then Senator Michael Bennet invites you to meet one-on-one with a representative from his office at the upcoming listening session Listening Session Details Ouray County Tuesday, December 4, 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Ouray Public Library 320 6th Avenue Ouray, CO 81427 MEDIA GUIDANCE (Hinsdale County) For convenience, please feel free to copy and paste this text onto your website or in your print newspaper: Bennet Office Listens to Hinsdale County Do you need help dealing with the Department of Veterans Affairs, IRS, Social Security Administration, or another federal agency? Do you have a suggestion for Congress that will help your family or community? If so, then Senator Michael Bennet invites you to meet one-on-one with a representative from his office at the upcoming listening sessions. Listening Session Details Hinsdale County Thursday, December 6, 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 230 N. Bluff Street Lake City Town Hall Multi-Purpose Room Lake City, CO 81235 To schedule an appointment, send an email to john_whitney@bennet.senate.gov. Please include a brief description of the issue you want to address, as this will help John assist you. If you are already working with someone in Bennet's office, please include that information in your email, as well. Those without email access can call 970-259-1710. Constituents do not need to wait for listening session dates to ask for help or share opinions. Please call any Bennet office at any time for assistance.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=7CBCC1A9-044E-4740-9C6A-01B7438D0D81,Bennet Unveils Plan to Tackle Eviction Crisis,2018-11-28,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today put forward a series of proposals to address the eviction crisis afflicting Colorado and the country. His plan is designed to: 1) better understand the contours and causes of the eviction crisis; 2) reduce preventable evictions; and 3) limit the human and taxpayer consequences of eviction when it occurs. Today in the United States, an unexpected illness, a car accident, or a family emergency can end with a family being evicted from their home and falling into a cycle of poverty that lasts for years, said Bennet. The costs are enormous for those evicted, but they are also detrimental for society. As a former school superintendent, I saw kids falling asleep in class because they didn't have a stable place to stay the night before. And I've heard from many hard-working Coloradans about how one misstep led to their lives falling apart. We need to turn national attention to this crisis and put in place policies that both prevent evictions and limit the damage when they occur. Over the last year, Bennet and his team have consulted with Colorado leaders, legal representatives, and national experts about the growing problem of affordable housing and eviction. In the coming weeks, Bennet will introduce legislation to implement his plan to curb evictions. In the months that follow, he will introduce additional, comprehensive housing affordability legislation to address the supply and demand issues that are driving the lack of affordable housing for Americans at all income levels. Colorado is engulfed in an eviction crisis, said Jack Regenbogen, Attorney and Policy Advocate at Colorado Center on Law and Policy. There are roughly 45,000 evictions filed in Colorado each year, and most tenants facing an eviction are left to navigate the complex legal system by themselves, without the assistance of an attorney. These evictions frequently destabilize families, disrupt communities, and uproot children from their schools. Colorado Center on Law and Policy is grateful to see Senator Michael Bennet take the lead on the federal level in offering solutions to this major problem, such as proposing increased funding for the Legal Services Corporation. Background Since 1970, the national median rent has increased by 70% in real terms. In 2016, 2.3 million eviction filings were made in courthouses across the United Statesa rate of four every minute. That same year, one in 50 renters was evicted from his or her home. This affordable housing crisis has crippled families' security and placed enormous costs on the nation's health care system, courts, schools, and local governments. In Colorado, five cities rank in the nation's 100 Top Evicting Areas by eviction rate (i.e. the number of evictions per 100 renters): Aurora (ranked #33, with a 5.52% eviction rate), Thornton (#48, 4.64%), Colorado Springs (#64, 4.19%), Westminster (#93, 3.16%), and Lakewood (#94, 3.15%). In Denver eviction cases, 90% of landlords are represented by lawyers, compared to just 2% of tenantsconsistent with nationwide trends. Bennet's Plan Last week, Bennet published an op-ed outlining significant steps Congress can take to prevent evictions and limit damage when they occur. A Fact Sheet outlining the following proposals in greater detail is available HERE. Improve Data and Analysis on Evictions Create a national database to standardize data and track evictions, in order to better inform policy decisions. Allocate $5 million to a comprehensive study to track evictions, analyze landlord-tenant law, and assess varying factors in urban, suburban, and rural areas. Reduce Preventable Evictions and Mitigate Eviction's Consequences Co-invest in state and local government programs: Encourage state and local governments to expand the use of community courts, which help both tenants and landlords avoid the high cost of eviction through a mediation-based process with social service representatives present. Establish an Emergency Assistance Innovation Fund to provide loans and financial counseling services to eviction-vulnerable tenants. Support increased legal representation for tenants: Increase funding for the Legal Services Corporation, a public-private partnership that provides legal services to low-income Americans. Expand eviction clinics at law schools nationwide by creating a competitive grant program. Develop a Civil Defender pilot program for law students to work with an eviction-focused legal services organization, thereby reducing their law school debt and earning practical experience.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=FB89877B-4399-48F3-8CE4-A37DFCDF6443,"Bennet, Gardner, Bipartisan Group Press for Extension of Secure Rural Schools Program",2018-11-28,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC -Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner, with a group of bipartisan senators, today sent a letter to Senate leadership calling for the reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program in any end-of-year legislation. Congress has an obligation to ensure counties with swaths of tax-exempt forestlands can adequately provide essential services for their residents. Without the certainty of these critical safety-net payments, schools, libraries, and jails are closing,wrote the senators. Schools that remain open will see a reduction of teachers. Roads go unpaved and become unsafe. Mental and physical health services are scaled back or even ended. Fewer and fewer law enforcement officers are forced to patrol larger and larger areas. The full text of the letter is available HERE and below: Dear Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Schumer: We strongly urge the inclusion of at least a one-year reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS), which enjoys tremendous bipartisan support, in any end-of-the-year legislation. Historically, the federal government shared with county governments 25 percent of timber harvest revenues from federal Forest Service lands and 50 percent of timber harvest revenues from federal Oregon and California Grant Lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). These payments constituted a significant source of funding for rural, forested counties. However, due to declining timber sales, Congress first passed SRS in 2000 to provide a measure of compensation for counties containing tracts of federally owned forestlands that is tax-exempt. Over the last nearly two decades, SRS has been a critical lifeline for over 775 counties in over 40 states across the country by helping fund more than 4,400 schools, road maintenance, law enforcement, and search and rescue operations. However, the most recent SRS reauthorization expired at the end of the last fiscal year, which means the last authorized payments to counties will go to participating states and counties in early calendar year 2019. Congress has an obligation to ensure counties with swaths of tax-exempt forestlands can adequately provide essential services for their residents. Without the certainty of these critical safety-net payments, schools, libraries, and jails are closing. Schools that remain open will see a reduction of teachers. Roads go unpaved and become unsafe. Mental and physical health services are scaled back or even ended. Fewer and fewer law enforcement officers are forced to patrol larger and larger areas. As we work to establish a permanent county payments solution, diversify rural economies, improve forest management and forest health, strengthen historic forest revenue sharing with local governments, and ensure that our forests provide a range of values such as clean water, jobs, and wood fiber for local economies, a short-term reauthorization of at least one year is critical to provide fiscal certainty for forested counties. In the interest of working together in a bipartisan way to support local rural communities, we ask that you include a reauthorization of Secure Rural schools in any end-of-the-year package. We appreciate your assistance with this matter. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gardner-bennet-bipartisan-group-of-senators-press-for-extension-of-secure-rural-schools-program,"Gardner, Bennet, Bipartisan Group of Senators Press for Extension of Secure Rural Schools Program",2018-11-28,2018,2018-11,Republican,House,CO,Cory Gardner,G000562,www.gardner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC-U.S. Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and a group of bipartisan Senators today sent a letter to Senate leadership calling for the reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program in any end-of-year legislation. Congress has an obligation to ensure counties with swaths of tax-exempt forestlands can adequately provide essential services for their residents. Without the certainty of these critical safety-net payments, schools, libraries, and jails are closing,wrote the Senators. Schools that remain open will see a reduction of teachers. Roads go unpaved and become unsafe. Mental and physical health services are scaled back or even ended. Fewer and fewer law enforcement officers are forced to patrol larger and larger areas. NOTE: View letterhere. The full text of the letter is below: Dear Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Schumer: We strongly urge the inclusion of at least a one-year reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS), which enjoys tremendous bipartisan support, in any end-of-the-year legislation. Historically, the federal government shared with county governments 25 percent of timber harvest revenues from federal Forest Service lands and 50 percent of timber harvest revenues from federal Oregon and California Grant Lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). These payments constituted a significant source of funding for rural, forested counties. However, due to declining timber sales, Congress first passed SRS in 2000 to provide a measure of compensation for counties containing tracts of federally owned forestlands that is tax-exempt. Over the last nearly two decades, SRS has been a critical lifeline for over 775 counties in over 40 states across the country by helping fund more than 4,400 schools, road maintenance, law enforcement, and search and rescue operations. However, the most recent SRS reauthorization expired at the end of the last fiscal year, which means the last authorized payments to counties will go to participating states and counties in early calendar year 2019. Congress has an obligation to ensure counties with swaths of tax-exempt forestlands can adequately provide essential services for their residents. Without the certainty of these critical safety-net payments, schools, libraries, and jails are closing. Schools that remain open will see a reduction of teachers. Roads go unpaved and become unsafe. Mental and physical health services are scaled back or even ended. Fewer and fewer law enforcement officers are forced to patrol larger and larger areas. As we work to establish a permanent county payments solution, diversify rural economies, improve forest management and forest health, strengthen historic forest revenue sharing with local governments, and ensure that our forests provide a range of values such as clean water, jobs, and wood fiber for local economies, a short-term reauthorization of at least one year is critical to provide fiscal certainty for forested counties. In the interest of working together in a bipartisan way to support local rural communities, we ask that you include a reauthorization of Secure Rural schools in any end-of-the-year package. We appreciate your assistance with this matter. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lamborn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2499,Congressman Lamborn Tapped as a Co-Chair of the Values Action Team,2018-11-27,2018,2018-11,Republican,House,CO,Doug Lamborn,L000564,lamborn.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington D.C.-Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05) will co-chair the House Values Action Team (VAT) for the 116th Congress. He has served as a member of the VAT during his entire tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives. He will formally assume the role in January at the start of the 116th Congress. Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler will continue to chair the VAT along with Congressmen Robert Aderholt and Jody Hice serving as two of the co-chairs. Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05) released the following statement: ""I'm humbled to co-chair such an important group that is dedicated to protecting and fighting for faith and values through the legislative process here in Congress. It is an honor to join the VAT leadership team as we continue to promote pro-life values, family issues, and freedom of religion."" Rep. Hartzler said:""I am pleased to welcome my friend and colleague, Doug Lamborn, to the VAT leadership team. Doug is a stalwart advocate for the unborn and a courageous champion for the men and women facing religious persecution and mistreatment. His experience serving the people of Colorado, both in the Colorado General Assembly and now as a skilled federal legislator, will reinforce VAT's advancement of faith, family, and freedom priorities."" VAT is a registered Congressional Member Organization with a membership of over 100 Members of the House. VAT Members of Congress partner with like-minded citizen groups to achieve common legislative and administrative goals safeguarding women and children, supporting the institution of marriage, and ensuring First Amendment freedoms for all Americans.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=C14D6C4D-99B4-459A-8532-DE7FBE2EF147,Bennet Statement on Central American Migrants at Tijuana-San Diego Border,2018-11-27,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet issued the following statement in response to the Central American migrants at the Tijuana-San Diego border: As a nation, we must uphold the rule of law and treat human beings with dignity. The situation at the southwest border makes evident the need for bipartisan action to address our broken immigration system, as we did in the Gang of Eight bill. We should work together to improve our asylum system to more quickly process applicants. Over the long term, we should work with countries in our hemisphere to help them stabilize their economies to promote opportunity for their citizens.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gardner-bipartisan-group-of-senators-introduced-legislation-to-help-improve-veterans-health-care,"Gardner, Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduced Legislation to Help Improve Veterans Health Care",2018-11-27,2018,2018-11,Republican,House,CO,Cory Gardner,G000562,www.gardner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC-U.S. Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO), along with Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA), Angus King (I-ME), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) introduced legislation Monday to help improve veterans' health care by increasing collaboration among federal agencies and authorizing the Department of Energy (DOE) to develop technologies that solve complex data challenges. This legislation will help provide world class care to our veterans by leveraging cutting-edge technologies at our National Labs,said Senator Gardner. The Department of Veterans Affairs and our National Labs are already collaborating successfully to benefit our veterans and I'm proud to lead this bipartisan effort with my colleagues to make sure this work continues. The VA and DOE have a good partnership when it comes to research and development; and, with the bipartisan Department of Energy Veterans' Health Initiative Act, we will see greater collaboration between the two agencies to solve complex data challenges and advance veterans' health care,said Senator Ernst. America's veterans have made immense sacrifices for our nation. Through their service they have earned not only our eternal gratitude, but also the best support that we can possibly provide,said Senator King. In order to live up to our duty, we must strive to improve the care they receive, taking steps like utilizing cutting-edge technology and increasing communication between government agencies. By improving our overall knowledge of the healthcare challenges facing our veterans, we can improve the quality of care they receive. We need to do everything we can to improve health care for our veterans,said Senator Heinrich. This is a great example of how our Department of Energy national laboratories like Los Alamos and Sandia can put their high performing computing capabilities to practical use solving complex, big data challenges. I'm hopeful that by using the national labs' advanced data analytics, this innovative program will identify patterns in the VA's data and help improve outcomes for significant veterans' health care challenges like suicide prevention. Background: The Department of Energy Veterans' Health Initiative Act is a companion bill to H.R. 6398 which passed the House unanimously on September 25, 2018. This legislation will build on the current interagency collaborative effortslike the Million Veterans Program Computational Health Analytics of Medical Precision to Improve Outcomes initiativeby authorizing a program within the DOE to develop technologies to help solve complex data challenges by analyzing data sets from federal agencies, higher education institutions, non-profits and the private industry.In addition, this bill authorizes a DOE research program to spur development to accommodate for large data sets. NOTE:The full legislation is availablehere. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://degette.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/degette-statement-on-tear-gas-incident-on-the-southern-border,DeGette Statement on Tear Gas Incident on the Southern Border,2018-11-26,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,CO,Diana DeGette,D000197,degette.house.gov,,,legacy,"Denver, CO Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) issued the following statement in response to incidents yesterday along the southern border: The actions by the Trump Administration and by federal agents along the border near San Diego are shocking and alarming. Any professional organization should be able to tell the difference between threatening crowds and unarmed men, women, and children seeking asylum and respond accordingly. I join my colleagues in demanding answers to how tear gas came to be fired across an international border at vulnerable crowds of civilians, and we must learn what policies and directives from senior officials are guiding the actions of personnel at the border. For years, I have joined many others in decrying our broken immigration system and warning of the consequences of its continued dysfunction. Now, the Trump Administration appears to be acting with such malice and incompetence that our worst fears may be coming to pass. The consequences in both human and economic terms will be enormous. Whether we are examining the militarization of our southern border, the refusal to admit asylum seekers coming here according to the law, or the orders to separate children from their parents, we must hold this administration accountable for every action it has taken. And ultimately, we must reform our system so that people come to the United States in accordance with our rules and priorities while treating people with the dignity and respect they deserve.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://tipton.house.gov/media/in-the-news/tipton-looks-tackle-disaster-assistance-opioid-crisis-fourth-term,"Tipton looks to tackle disaster assistance, opioid crisis in fourth term",2018-11-26,2018,2018-11,Republican,House,CO,Scott Tipton,T000470,tipton.house.gov,,,legacy,"Five days before Election Day, election forecast blogFiveThirtyEightpredicted incumbent U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton had a nearly 90 percent chance of winning the election and keeping his seat. Sure enough, the Republican was elected to represent Colorado's 3rd Congressional District for his fourth term by an 8 percent margin over his Democrat challenger Diane Mitsch Bush. Now, Tipton may faces a new challenge: He's returning to a Democrat-led House after a wave of districts nationwide went blue. Tipton, however, toldThe Durango Heraldhe is not concerned about the Democrats' leadership because he has been able to garner bipartisan support for the bills he has authored and passed, including his May 2018 Education and Energy Act. The act relocated new federal mineral and geothermal lease royalties back to the states to fund public education. These are good, common sense bills for not only our communities but for the West, and we hope to be able to continue to garner that support and work with our colleagues, Tipton said. These issues, many of them, they shouldn't be political. These are important for our communities, our families and our jobs. Tipton promised during his campaign to address key issues with taxes, jobs, public lands, benefits for veterans and more. He said he plans to focus on those issues during his two-year term as well as federal assistance for natural disasters. One big issue, obviously for our district, and we're now continuing to see in California, are wildfires, Tipton said. We see some opportunities to not only be able to create forest health to be able to prevent the catastrophic nature of wildfires going forward but to be able to create some jobs as well. And to make sure we're having provisions in place so that this natural disaster for the West is recognized by the federal government to be able to provide assistance. Tipton said he will work to pass legislation introduced in early September that will create a federal designation for areas affected by wildfires on federal land, ensuring disaster assistance in the form of aids and grants. Tipton said the flood damage he witnessed at the Durango North/Riverside KOA campground from the 416 Fire partly inspired the bill. Tipton also reinforced his support for several other environmental policy bills that would address the prevention and aftermath of wildfires, including the Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017, which passed the House last year and aims to remove restrictive regulations that prevent the U.S. Forest Service from allocating more time and money to wildfire prevention. The Farm Bill also includes reauthorization of the Landscape Scale Restoration Program, which Tipton said will allow the Forest Service to clean areas near public lands to prevent wildfires from breaking out. Other issues Tipton plans to tackle include legislation on opioid addiction prevention and treatment; legislation to improve benefits for veterans; small business deregulation; water rights and expansion of broadband into rural areas. Tipton previously included a provision he cosponsored with Colorado U.S. Sens. Cory Gardner, a Republican, and Michael Bennet, a Democrat, in the sweeping opioid bill signed into law by President Donald Trump in late October. Their ALTO Act established a permanent version of the Colorado Opioid Safety Collaborative Pilot, in which alternative painkillers were used and encouraged instead of opioids in hospitals. There's still a long road in front of everybody in our communities impacted by the opioid and heroin crisis, Tipton said. We're seeing some real movement now in that we're creating public awareness. To be able to get resources back to our community for mental health and for treatment, this will be a long-term initiative, one that will not be solely solved by the federal government. Tipton will continue to host roundtables with families affected by opioid addiction and with veterans in Colorado to get input from constituents. He will also continue to work on issues he addressed in his last term. He said he is grateful for the support he received during the election cycle throughout the district, especially from Pueblo and Huerfano counties. We're really appreciative of the support that we've received and look forward to continuing to work on priorities for the folks in our district, he said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=73899526-BBCE-4193-8164-0534E1C8B74A,Bennet Office to Hold Listening Sessions in San Miguel and Gunnison Counties,2018-11-26,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet invites residents from San Miguel and Gunnison Counties to meet with a member of his Colorado staff in December. John Whitney, Bennet's Western Slope Regional Director, will meet one-on-one with Coloradans in Telluride, Gunnison, and Crested Butte. The details for the listening sessions are available below. MEDIA GUIDANCE (San Miguel County) For convenience, please feel free to copy and paste this text onto your website or in your print newspaper: Bennet Office Listens to San Miguel County Do you need help dealing with the Department of Veterans Affairs, IRS, Social Security Administration, or another federal agency? Do you have a suggestion for Congress that will help your family or community? If so, then Senator Michael Bennet invites you to meet one-on-one with a representative from his office at the upcoming listening session. Listening Session Details DATE: Monday, December 3, 2:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. LOCATION: Wilkinson Public Library: Meeting Room Number 5 100 W. Pacific Ave Telluride, CO 81435 MEDIA GUIDANCE (Gunnison County) For convenience, please feel free to copy and paste this text onto your website or in your print newspaper: Bennet Office Listens to Gunnison County Do you need help dealing with the Department of Veterans Affairs, IRS, Social Security Administration, or another federal agency? Do you have a suggestion for Congress that will help your family or community? If so, then Senator Michael Bennet invites you to meet one-on-one with a representative from his office at the upcoming listening sessions. Listening Session Details Gunnison County Session 1 DATE: Wednesday, December 5, 9:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m. LOCATION: Gunnison County Courthouse: Board of County Commissioners Meeting 200 E. Virginia Ave Gunnison, CO 81230 Gunnison County Session 2 DATE: Wednesday, December 5, 3:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. LOCATION: Rumors Coffee and Tea House 414 Elk Ave Crested Butte, CO 81224 To schedule an appointment, send an email to john_whitney@bennet.senate.gov. Please include a brief description of the issue you want to address, as this will help John assist you. If you are already working with someone in Bennet's office, please include that information in your email, as well. Those without email access can call 970-259-1710. Constituents do not need to wait for listening session dates to ask for help or share opinions. Please call any Bennet office at any time for assistance.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=EC49F1BE-8690-4E8C-8631-7599AD5020A1,Bennet Office to Hold Listening Session in Elbert County,2018-11-26,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet invites residents from Elbert County to meet with a member of his Colorado staff in Elizabeth. Alexandra Alonso, the representative from Bennet's office in this region, will meet one-on-one with Coloradans on December 13. The details for the listening session are available below. MEDIA GUIDANCE For convenience, please feel free to copy and paste this text onto your website or in your print newspaper: Bennet Office Listens to Elbert County Do you need help dealing with the Department of Veterans Affairs, IRS, Social Security Administration, or another federal agency? Do you have a suggestion for Congress that will help your family or community? If so, then Senator Michael Bennet invites you to meet one-on-one with a representative from his office at the upcoming listening session. Listening Session Details DATE: Thursday, December 13, 1:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. LOCATION: Elizabeth Library of Pines & Plains 651 Beverly St. Elizabeth, CO 80107 To schedule an appointment, send an email to Alexandra_Alonso@bennet.senate.gov. Please include a brief description of the issue you want to address, as this will help Alexandra assist you. If you are already working with someone in Bennet's office, please include that information in your email, as well. Those without email access can call 303-455-7600. Constituents do not need to wait for listening session dates to ask for help or share opinions. Please call any Bennet office at any time for assistance.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gardner-statement-on-russian-aggression-toward-ukraine,Gardner Statement on Russian Aggression Toward Ukraine,2018-11-26,2018,2018-11,Republican,House,CO,Cory Gardner,G000562,www.gardner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC-Today, Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) released the below statement in response to Russian attacks on Ukrainian naval ships in the Sea of Azov. Russia's illegal and unprovoked aggression toward Ukraine cannot be tolerated and demands a serious response by the United States andacommunityof nations,said Senator Gardner.I urge the Administration to urgently outline a series of diplomatic, economic,and defense posture measures to deter the Kremlin, such as additional deployments of US and NATO assets in the European theater, sanctions against senior Russian officials and their families, and deep cuts to Russian diplomatic presence in the United States. I also renew my call on the State Department to designate Russia a state sponsor of terrorism under U.S.law. Putin's global campaign to test our resolve and undermine the United States and our allies cannot go unanswered. Senator Gardner has been an outspoken critic of Russia and President Putin. He is theauthorof S. 2780, a bill to require a determination on designation of the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism. Senator Gardner is amember of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission. The Helsinki Commission consists of 21 Commissioners, 18 from the United States Congress and one each from the Departments of State, Defense, and Commerce. Senator Gardner is also amember of the Senate NATO Observer Group, which has an expanded mission to closely monitor and inform Senators outside of national security committees about defense spending commitments of Alliance members, the process of upgrading military capabilities, theAlliance's counter-terrorism capability, NATO enlargement and the ability of NATO member states to address non-conventional warfare. ### Cory Gardner is a member of the U.S. Senate serving Colorado. He sits on the Energy & Natural Resources Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee, the Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee, and the Budget Committee, and is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=F6965943-767F-49A0-9717-32A753B6639D,Bennet Responds to Fourth National Climate Assessment,2018-11-23,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today responded to the National Climate Assessment (NCA), the fourth report released by the U.S. Global Change Research Program assessing the science of climate change and its impacts across the United States. The National Climate Assessment puts more facts behind what Coloradans have known for years, Bennet said. From persistent drought to reduced snowpack to raging wildfires, our state's farms, mountain towns, and cities all feel the effects of climate change. And those effects take a real toll on Colorado's economy. I'm glad to see the Trump administration is finally acknowledging the science behind our changing climatenow it's time they act on it. As a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the Senate Committee on Finance, Bennet is working to combat climate change on several fronts. He advocated for programs in the 2018 Farm Bill to address persistent drought, fix the Forest Service budget to mitigate wildfires, and promote carbon capture technologies. He also supports tax credits for renewable energy and energy efficiency and investment in research and development to continue to reduce the cost of clean energy. The fourth National Climate Assessment outlines a number of ways in which climate change is affecting the Southwest and Colorado. Some highlights are included below. Climate Change Findings in the Southwest Temperatures increased across almost all of the Southwest region from 1901 to 2016, with the greatest increases in western Colorado and southern California. Extreme heat episodes in much of the Southwest disproportionately threaten the health and well-being of individuals and populations who are especially vulnerable. Native Americans are among the most at risk from climate change. Climate change is altering ecosystems and their services through major vegetation shifts and increases in the area burned by wildfire. In parts of the region, hotter temperatures have already contributed to reductions of seasonal maximum snowpack and its water content over the past 3065 years, partially attributed to human-caused climate change. The increase in heat and reduction of snow under climate change have amplified recent hydrological droughts (severe shortages of water) in California, the Colorado River Basin, and the Rio Grande. Periods of low precipitation from natural variations in the climate system are the primary cause of major hydrological droughts in the Southwest region, with increasing temperatures from climate change amplifying recent hydrological droughts, particularly in California and the upper Colorado River Basin. Under the higher scenario (RCP8.5), climate models project an 8.6F (4.8C) increase in Southwest regional annual average temperature by 2100.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=D5016608-8D6B-4A7D-8B3F-71ACEE267294,Bennet Office to Hold Listening Session in Pueblo County,2018-11-21,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Denver, CO Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet invites residents from Pueblo County to meet with a member of his Colorado staff next month. Dwight Gardner, Bennet's Regional Director, will meet one-on-one with Coloradans in Beulah in December. The details for the listening session are available below. MEDIA GUIDANCE for Pueblo County For convenience, please feel free to copy and paste this text onto your website or in your print newspaper: Bennet Office Listens to Pueblo Do you need help with the Department of Veterans Affairs, IRS, Social Security Administration, or another federal agency? Do you have a suggestion for Congress that will help your family or community? If so, then Senator Michael Bennet invites you to meet one-on-one with a representative from his office at an upcoming listening session. DATE: Tuesday, December 4, 1:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. LOCATION: Beulah Community Center 5927 Pennsylvania Ave. Beulah, CO 81023 To schedule an appointment, send an email todwight_gardner@bennet.senate.gov. Please include a brief description of the issue you want to address, as this will help Dwight assist you. If you are already working with someone in Bennet's office, please include that information in your email. Those without email access can call Dwight at 719-542-7550. Constituents do not need to wait for listening session dates to ask for help or share opinions. Please call any of Bennet's offices in the state at any time for assistance.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=DB5808C3-2669-46D9-ADA6-8926C0C7A69C,"Bennet Office to Hold Listening Sessions in Weld, Larimer, and Boulder Counties",2018-11-21,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Denver, CO Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet invites residents from Weld, Larimer, and Boulder Counties to meet with a member of his Colorado staff this month. James Thompson, Bennet's Regional Director, will meet one-on-one with Coloradans in Greeley, Loveland, and Boulder in November. The details for the listening sessions are available below. MEDIA GUIDANCE for Weld County For convenience, please feel free to copy and paste this text onto your website or in your print newspaper: Bennet Office Listens to Weld County Do you need help with the Department of Veterans Affairs, IRS, Social Security Administration, or another federal agency? Do you have a suggestion for Congress that will help your family or community? If so, then Senator Michael Bennet invites you to meet one-on-one with a representative from his office at an upcoming listening session. DATE: Thursday, November 29, 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. LOCATION: Centennial Park Library Study Room 2227 23rdAve. Greeley, CO 80634 To schedule an appointment, send an email tojames_thompson@bennet.senate.gov. Please include a brief description of the issue you want to address, as this will help James assist you. If you are already working with someone in Bennet's office, please include that information in your email. Those without email access can call James at 970-224-2200. Constituents do not need to wait for listening session dates to ask for help or share opinions. Please call any of Bennet's offices in the state at any time for assistance. MEDIA GUIDANCE for Larimer County For convenience, please feel free to copy and paste this text onto your website or in your print newspaper: Bennet Office Listens to Larimer County Do you need help with the Department of Veterans Affairs, IRS, Social Security Administration, or another federal agency? Do you have a suggestion for Congress that will help your family or community? If so, then Senator Michael Bennet invites you to meet one-on-one with a representative from his office at the upcoming listening session. DATE: Thursday, November 29, 2:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. LOCATION: Loveland Public Library Chapin Peak Room 300 N. Adams Ave. Loveland, CO 80537 To schedule an appointment, send an email tojames_thompson@bennet.senate.gov. Please include a brief description of the issue you want to address, as this will help James assist you. If you are already working with someone in Bennet's office, please include that information in your email. Those without email access can call James at 970-224-2200. Constituents do not need to wait for listening session dates to ask for help or share opinions. Please call any of Bennet's offices in the state at any time for assistance. MEDIA GUIDANCE for Boulder County For convenience, please feel free to copy and paste this text onto your website or in your print newspaper: Bennet Office Listens to Boulder County Do you need help with the Department of Veterans Affairs, IRS, Social Security Administration, or another federal agency? Do you have a suggestion for Congress that will help your family or community? If so, then Senator Michael Bennet invites you to meet one-on-one with a representative from his office at the upcoming listening session. DATE: Friday, November 30, 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. LOCATION: Boulder Public Library Study Room #1 1001 Arapahoe Ave. Boulder, CO 80302 To schedule an appointment, send an email tojames_thompson@bennet.senate.gov. Please include a brief description of the issue you want to address, as this will help James assist you. If you are already working with someone in Bennet's office, please include that information in your email. Those without email access can call James at 970-224-2200. Constituents do not need to wait for listening session dates to ask for help or share opinions. Please call any of Bennet's offices in the state at any time for assistance.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-gardner-gives-thanks,Senator Gardner Gives Thanks,2018-11-21,2018,2018-11,Republican,House,CO,Cory Gardner,G000562,www.gardner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC-Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) today released the following statement celebrating Thanksgiving: Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the many blessings bestowed upon our great nation and with a grateful heart give thanks to God,said Senator Gardner.Aswe spend time with family and friends it is important to honor the men and women in uniform who defend our freedoms and sacrifice so much for this country who will not be home with their families this Thanksgiving. We are all fortunate to live in a democratic nation where we are free and have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I am grateful to serve the incredible people of Colorado andmy family and Iwish everyone across the state and the country a happy Thanksgiving. ### Cory Gardner is a member of the U.S. Senate serving Colorado. He sits on the Energy & Natural Resources Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee, the Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee, and the Budget Committee, and is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://degette.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/degette-condemns-epa-efforts-to-gut-climate-change-protections-demands,"DeGette Condemns EPA Efforts to Gut Climate Change Protections, Demands Information and Documents",2018-11-20,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,CO,Diana DeGette,D000197,degette.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Ranking Member Diana DeGette (D-CO), along Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), and Environment Subcommittee Ranking Member Paul Tonko (D-NY) sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler today requesting documents and information about the agency's decision to roll back policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions to address climate change. Despite dire warnings, the Trump EPA is attempting to dismantle three critical climate change initiatives with no regard for the associated climate and public health impacts. The actions include repealing the Clean Power Plan, which set limits on harmful carbon pollution from power plants, dismantling popular vehicle fuel efficiency and pollution standards, and rolling back the requirement that the oil and gas industry monitor and repair methane leaks. The tragic human and financial costs of unchecked climate change are high and increasing fast, and unfortunately the Administration's actions for the last two years are only exacerbating these conditions, DeGette, Pallone and Tonko wrote to Wheeler. Combined, the Administration's rollbacks willfully turn a blind eye to the dangers of climate change, putting American communities at risk and diverting EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment. The Democratic Energy and Commerce Committee leaders continued: We are requesting EPA provide us information that will help us understand how these decisions were made and how these actions will affect the environment and human health. In 2017 and 2018, the U.S. experienced 27 climate and weather disasters, resulting in the deaths of over 3,300 people and costs to the American public of more than one billion dollars each.The lawmakers also pointed to the devastating Camp fire in Northern California that has left more than 70 people dead and nearly 1,000 still missing. The letter also comes after a recent United Nations report warned of drastic environmental and public health consequences without rapid and far-reaching transitions in energy, land, urban and infrastructure, and industrial systems in order to limit global warming and temperature increases that could cause hundreds of millions of people to be exposed to water shortages, heat waves, and life-threatening flooding by 2050. The letter to EPA, including the specific list of information that the Democratic Committee leaders are requesting, is availablehere.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://tipton.house.gov/media/press-releases/tipton-encourages-coloradans-support-small-business-saturday,Tipton Encourages Coloradans to Support Small Business this Saturday,2018-11-20,2018,2018-11,Republican,House,CO,Scott Tipton,T000470,tipton.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Scott Tipton (CO-03) is encouraging communities across Colorado's Third Congressional District to participate in Small Business Saturday, which falls on November 24th this year. As a former small business owner and Co-Chairman of the Congressional Small Business Caucus, Tipton is dedicated to working on issues that strengthen the economy and allow small businesses and entrepreneurs to succeed. Small businesses are the driving force behind the American economy as they create the majority of new jobs and generate billions of dollars annually in revenue. Small Business Saturday is a good opportunity to show support for local businesses while getting a jump on holiday shopping, said Tipton. Much of what is done in Congress directly impacts the ability of small businesses to operate. We have been successful in implementing many important reforms to empower Main Street job creators, such as cutting bureaucratic red-tape and lowering taxes, and I will continue to work to strengthen local small business opportunities in the next Congress. Tipton is a cosponsor of a Congressional Resolution (H.Res. 1144) recognizing Saturday, November 24, 2018, as Small Business Saturday. For more information about Small Business Saturday, visit: https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/sba-initiatives/small-business-saturday",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=BA6648B8-6185-46FB-8681-E40F3C6E3E6F,"Bennet, Hickenlooper Secure $20.2 Million for Colorado Wildfire Recovery",2018-11-20,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,CO,Michael Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and Governor John Hickenlooper today secured $20.2 million in Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) funds for wildfire recovery projects in La Plata, Huerfano, Costilla, and Eagle counties. Through mitigation of post-fire flooding and watershed restoration, the projects will protect communities affected by the 416, Spring Creek, and Lake Christine Fires. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's announcement follows months of work coordinating between local officials and state and federal agencies to assemble these successful applications for federal funding. Colorado's 2018 wildfire season was one of the most destructive to date and requires a robust response,said Bennet.These EWP funds will help Coloradans prevent flooding and debris that threaten their property and communities. We'll continue working with Governor Hickenlooper and local officials to ensure they have the federal resources they need to recover from the wildfires. These funds will make Colorado communities more resilient as they recover from wildfires,said Hickenlooper.We are grateful to Senator Bennet and his office for accomplishing what few have been able to do: jumpstart the federal government into action. These funds are critical for our community and very time sensitive as we work to implement these urgent watershed restoration projects before winter,said Costilla County Administrator Ben Doon.We appreciate Senator Bennet's leadership in helping ensure we receive this funding to assist our recovery from the Spring Creek Fire."" The Emergency Watershed Protection Program will provide real relief and protection for citizens and neighborhoods that were affected by the flooding that followed the 416 Fire,said La Plata County Commissioner Gwen Lachelt.We are pleased to be able to help facilitate access to this funding and very much appreciate Sen. Bennet's and Gov. Hickenlooper's work to support La Plata County's efforts to secure funding for these essential life and safety projects. This is great news,said Eagle County Commissioner Kathy Chandler-Henry.This funding was far from certain, and we want to thank Senator Bennet and Governor Hickenlooper for their diligent efforts on our behalf. These federal dollars are needed for critical watershed restoration and flood mitigation in areas affected by the Lake Christine Fire. Last week, Bennet sent aletterurging USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey to approve the funds as soon as possible. In 2014, Bennet successfullysecured$110 million in funding to address the Colorado EWP project backlog that resulted from wildfires the previous year.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z