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Hello everyone,
At a moment when millions of families and small businesses are hanging by a thread, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wasted this week on political stunts instead of working with Democrats and the administration on a bipartisan COVID relief package. Colorado and the country can’t afford to wait any longer for relief. They need us to take action now, and I stand ready to work with anyone committed to reaching a solution that actually meets the challenges we face.
As the pandemic and economic crisis continue, Coloradans are battling one of the worst wildfire seasons in memory. The Cameron Peak fire is now the largest wildfire in our state’s history, and the East Troublesome fire has now burned more than 169,000 acres as it continues to grow. As always, my thoughts are with our firefighters, first responders, and everyone affected by these fires and the others burning across Colorado.
We will get through this difficult time by coming together and lending a hand to our fellow Coloradans in need. And if there is anything that I can do to help, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
If you want to learn more about our work this week, I’ve included some highlights below.
Stay safe,
Michael
AN UPDATE ON THE WILDFIRES
This is one of our worst wildfires seasons in memory. The Cameron Peak fire grew to the largest in our state’s history, burning over 200,000 acres. Thanks to our firefighters and first responders, it is now more than 55% contained. However, we now face a rapidly developing situation with the East Troublesome fire, which has increased in size more than six-fold since Wednesday night -- forcing Rocky Mountain National Park to close. Evacuations have begun in and around Grand Lake and Estes Park, and there are reports of significant damage to homes and property.
Although experts hope cooler temperatures and inbound moisture may help suppress the blaze, everyone should continue monitoring the situation and remain vigilant. Our office is in touch with local authorities and working to ensure our firefighters and first responders have the federal resources they need to combat these wildfires. For the latest, visit the Colorado Wildfire Information’s Facebook page.
(Photo by Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)
FIGHTING FOR REAL RELIEF DURING THE PANDEMIC
Since we passed the CARES Act in March, Mitch McConnell has been the biggest obstacle to passing another comprehensive relief package to help the country during the pandemic. Instead of using this week to pass a bipartisan package, McConnell wasted it by forcing votes on two proposals he knew would fail. They were woefully inadequate. His proposals failed to provide long-term support to our hardest-hit businesses, including restaurants, gyms, hotels, concert venues, and movie theaters. They short-changed efforts to support more testing and contact tracing and help nonprofits working on the front lines. They failed to meaningfully help families who are choosing this month between feeding their family and paying their rent. And they did nothing for state and local governments that need urgent support if they are to keep providing critical services to our communities.
The Majority Leader should stop the politics and work in good faith with Democrats and the administration to pass a comprehensive relief package that includes longer-term support for our hardest-hit businesses and nonprofits, expanded unemployment benefits, support for state and local governments, and a national testing and contact tracing strategy to tackle this public health crisis and safely keep our economy open. I will continue to work with anyone who wants to pass a real relief package.
GETTING OUT THE VOTE
A bright spot this week was the historic surge of voter turnout in Colorado. As of today, nearly 1.4 million Coloradans have already voted -- nearly half of everyone who voted in 2016. At this pace, we’re on track to shatter our state’s turnout record -- but only if we make sure everyone we know registers and votes. If you or someone you know isn’t sure if they’re registered, or if their registration is up to date, they can check their status here. As of this week, Coloradans can also start casting their ballots at several in-person early voting sites across our state. However you prefer to vote -- and whomever you intend to support -- make a specific plan to vote and make your voice heard.
I shared that message in a Facebook Live discussion on Wednesday night with 10 for 10, a great organization of young Black men focused on community service and civic engagement in Denver. We discussed how we should view our dysfunctional political system, not as a reason to stay home and sit the election out, but as a reason to step up, vote, and make the system better. We also talked about how it’s important not only to vote in the election, but to hold elected officials accountable after the election to deliver on their promises. And even though I’m not on the ballot this year, I asked them to hold me accountable as well. They didn’t hesitate to take me up on that commitment.
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