Friends,   

Over the past three weeks, I’ve visited more than 30 cities and towns across our state––listening and learning from Coloradans who are doing their best to stay afloat and support their communities in these challenging times. I spent this week up in the mountains, from Basalt Aspen to El Jebel to Carbondale to Glenwood Springs to Edwards to Vail to Breckenridge to Dillon to Granby. 

We kept our distance, wore our masks, and discussed how Congress can help Coloradans safely reopen schools, keep their businesses afloat, and make sure their loved ones are healthy and safe. As I head back to Washington next week, these are the priorities I’ll be fighting for in the next relief package. 

I rounded up some of the highlights from the week for you and hope you’ll take a moment to read them, respond, and get in touch with our office. 

As we head into Labor Day Weekend, here’s your friendly reminder to wear your mask and practice social distancing to keep Colorado safe. 

Best,
Michael 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________ 

                                                  RECOVERY EFFORTS FROM COLORADO WILDFIRES

 

The firefighters, first responders, National Guard members, and community leaders responding to the wildfires across our state have been nothing short of inspirational. 

I visited Glenwood Canyon on Thursday with local, state, and federal leaders to discuss the critical role that the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program will play to help protect watersheds, private property, infrastructure, and water supply. 

                                        

                                                                       (Glenwood Springs, Colorado)

We also announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service approved the first tranche of Emergency Watershed Protection funds for $5 million worth of projects in Colorado for wildfire recovery. This comes after we called on the USDA earlier this week to quickly approve the resources we need.

On Friday, Congressman Joe Neguse and I met with the Incident Command Team of the Williams Fork Fire to learn how we can help with recovery efforts. 

I’ve seen a lot of wildfires and disasters in the last decade that I’ve served in the Senate, and Coloradans always pull together to build back even stronger than before. I know this time will be no different.

For the most up-to-date information about the wildfires, please follow the Facebook pages for the Pine Gulch Fire, the Grizzly Creek Fire, the Cameron Peak Fire, and the Williams Fork Fire to stay safe. For real-time air quality monitoring, you can visit Purple Air’s website. 


                                                  MEETING WITH COLORADANS ACROSS THE STATE

 
This week, I heard from farmers, business owners, community leaders, parents, students, and educators about the challenges they’re facing to overcome these uncertain times and the incredible work they are leading in their communities.

In Denver, I toured the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment State Testing Labs with Scientific Director Emily Travanty to see the important work the lab technicians are doing to strengthen our state’s COVID-19 response and keep Coloradans safe. I’ll continue to fight for funding to support our public health infrastructure, including our State Laboratory in Denver.

                                               

                                                                                 (Denver, CO)

In Aspen, I joined an important conversation hosted by the Aspen Institute with small business leaders in the Roaring Fork Valley, like Heather’s Savory Pies owners Rene and Heather Lujan and Sopris Liquor & Wine owner Kiko Peña, who shared their greatest concerns about keeping their small businesses afloat in the face of COVID-19—especially as we approach the unpredictable winter months. We must do more to support local businesses. That’s why I’m fighting to pass the RESTART Act to support small businesses through this year and into 2021. 

I also met with local leaders from Pitkin County to hear about how the pandemic is affecting communities and their efforts to prepare for kids to safely return to classrooms, the winter outdoor recreation season, and a vaccine strategy for COVID-19.

In El Jebel, I listened to representatives from Eagle County, Pitkin County, Basalt, the White River National Forest, and Crown Mountain Park and Recreation District describe their vision for the El Jebel Flexible Partnership project. This parcel has the potential to create a large number of affordable housing units and more open space and parkland for outdoor recreation. 

                                   
                                                                                (El Jebel, Colorado)

In Carbondale, I met with Voces Unidas de las Montañas to hear from local leaders on DACA, the 2020 Census, and COVID-19. It was one of the most powerful conversations in my 11 years as a Senator on the West Slope with Latino leaders. I’ll keep fighting in Congress for comprehensive immigration reform that protects Dreamers and creates a path to citizenship, while also securing our border.

                                 
                                                                      (Carbondale, Colorado) 

In Glenwood Springs, I visited Glenwood Canyon with local, state, and federal leaders to discuss the critical role that the EWP program will play to help protect watersheds, private property, infrastructure, and water supply. I’m deeply grateful to NRCS for joining us and quickly approving funds to mitigate damage in Colorado communities affected by wildfires. I’m committed to continue collaborating with stakeholders at every level to secure additional federal resources for wildfire recovery.

I also heard from health, business, and education leaders, along with the Mayor of Glenwood Springs Jonathan Godes and other elected officials, in Garfield County about the challenges they’re facing due to COVID-19 and the need for more federal support.

In Edwards, I met with Eagle County’s Early Head Start program manager, Leigh Carlson-Hernandez, child care leaders, and parents to learn more about childcare in mountain towns and the challenges they are facing due to COVID-19. A parent should never have to choose whether to work or to stay home to take care of their children––especially now. I’ll continue to listen and learn from the observations and experiences of parents across Colorado to see how I can offer my support.

                             
                                                                           (Edwards, Colorado)


In Vail, Congressman Joe Neguse and I saw firsthand how the $60.7 million grant we secured from the U.S. Department of Transportation for Vail Pass will improve safety, create new wildlife crossings, and decrease the number of closures for residents and tourists who use  I-70 to access outdoor recreation and mountain communities.

In Breckenridge, Congressman Joe Neguse and I met with Mayor Eric Mamula, State Representative Julie McCluskie, and other local leaders in Summit County to hear about how COVID-19 has affected their economy, how they are planning for ski season, and how the federal government can help moving forward. 

In Summit County, Congressman Joe Neguse, Congressman Jason Crow, and I had a great hike near the Eisenhower Tunnel where we discussed the CORE Act. Thanks to Congressman Neguse and Congressman Crow, and all of the local support we have in Colorado, our bill passed the House twice––most recently as an amendment to the national defense bill. The Senate should recognize how important the CORE Act is to Colorado and pass it this year.

                         
                                                                      (Summit County, Colorado)

In Granby, Congressman Neguse and I met with the Incident Command Team working hard to combat the Williams Fork Fire. 

Thank you to everyone I met during the past three weeks for sharing your stories. I’ll keep fighting for you, your families, and your businesses in Washington. 
 
                                                  THE 2020 CENSUS DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 30

With everything happening this year from the pandemic to the protests for racial justice to the election, the 2020 Census may be the last thing on your mind. But it is one of the most important developments this year. 

We have until September 30 to accurately count every Coloradan in the Census. If we don’t, we could lose our fair share of federal resources and representation for a decade.

Here are three actions you can take right now:

1. If you haven’t yet responded to the 2020 Census, it is not too late. You can fill out the Census online through this link or by calling 844-330-2020. You have until September 30. Earlier this year, the Census Bureau decided to cut short the count by a month. I wrote to the Bureau urging them to maintain their original response deadline of October 31, and I will continue to push for more time in the days ahead.

2. Encourage your friends and neighbors to respond if they haven’t already. Call, text, or post on social media. Share information from local groups like Together We Count, Servicios De La Raza, Boomers Leading Change, and the local Catholic Charities or Boys and Girls Club.

3. Fight misinformation with facts. There is a lot of misinformation about the 2020 Census that may keep Coloradans from participating. All of us have to push back with the facts: You don’t have to be a citizen to respond; the information you provide to the Census is strictly confidential; and finally, no personal details you share will be given to law enforcement at any level.

Thanks,

Michael

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