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Hello everyone,
As we head into the 4th of July weekend to gather with family and friends –– for what might be the first time in many months –– I have been reflecting on how much we have overcome since the pandemic began. Long months of working from home, or in difficult frontline jobs, with kids learning remotely. Holidays, birthdays, and graduations spent apart from family. Many families have lost loved ones, or endured the anxiety of a parent or sibling fighting to recover from COVID-19. It has been a hard year.
But look how far we’ve come since last July. We now have several highly effective COVID-19 vaccines, and this week, Colorado met President Joe Biden’s goal to have 70% of adults vaccinated by July 4th — outpacing much of the country. Businesses are hiring, and the economy is set to grow at its fastest rate in a generation.
And while we have much further to go to overcome the pandemic and meet our other challenges as a country — from climate change to infrastructure to building an economy that grows for all — I’ve never been more optimistic about our future.
Susan, the girls, and I wish you all a safe and happy 4th of July Weekend.
Sincerely,
Michael
P.S. July is National Parks and Recreation Month! I hope everyone has a chance enjoy Colorado's extraordinary parks and public lands this holiday weekend.
CLAIMING YOUR EXPANDED CHILD TAX CREDIT PAYMENTS
No matter where I go in Colorado, I meet parents who are working incredibly hard — two or three jobs at a time — but they are still struggling to afford housing, health care, early childhood education, higher education, and child care. Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, starting July 15, families across Colorado will begin to receive Child Tax Credit payments of up to $300 per month per child. I’ve spent years fighting to expand the Child Tax Credit, which will boost the incomes of 96% of Colorado families to help cover the growing cost of raising kids.
Payments should automatically reach families who filed 2020 taxes by direct deposit or paper check. If you are not required to file taxes, use the IRS NonFiler Sign-Up Tool to ensure your family receives the monthly payments.To check your eligibility, file a 2020 tax return (if you haven't already), or to update your income, address, bank account, filing status, or number of qualifying children, visit IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021.
GETTING COLORADO VACCINATED
Colorado just met President Biden’s goal of getting 70% of our state's adult population vaccinated! If you haven’t already: get vaccinated! It’s the best way to protect yourself, your family, and your community. Encourage your friends and neighbors to get the vaccine if they are eligible. Every person who receives a vaccine brings us one step closer to ending this pandemic, and I’m confident we can come together to make that happen.
Find a vaccination site near you here.
INVESTING IN FOREST RESTORATION AND WILDFIRE RESILIENCE
Wildfires in Colorado and across the West are only growing more severe, and that’s why I was pleased to see President Joe Biden announce his administration’s plans to address this growing threat this week. As part of his plan, the president proposed a major investment in forest and wildfire resilience, which is in line with my bipartisan Outdoor Restoration Partnership Act.
This legislation would make a $60 billion investment in forest and watershed restoration to build climate resilience across the West. It will help us mitigate wildfires, restore fish and wildlife habitat, and expand outdoor access — while creating and sustaining millions of good-paying jobs in the process. It has broad support in Colorado, and I am working hard to pass it in the upcoming infrastructure bill.
CALLING FOR INVESTMENTS IN NATURAL INFRASTRUCTURE RESTORATION AND RESILIENCE
As conversations surrounding infrastructure continue in Washington, I joined U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and a group of our Democratic colleagues in urging Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to prioritize investments in natural infrastructure restoration, resilience, and reclamation in current negotiations. This will create millions of desperately needed jobs all across the country and make our communities safer and healthier.
One of our requests is $87 billion to bolster resilience to wildfire and drought and restore our public lands, which are integral to our state’s economy. I look forward to working with my colleagues and this administration to pass an infrastructure package that reflects these Colorado priorities.
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