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Demanding Information on the U.S. Forest Service Reorganization
What’s happening: In March, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) announced a “sweeping restructuring” that included the consolidation of all research operations to a single organization based in Fort Collins. While we are glad to see Colorado become a hub for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, many important details about how our forests will be managed remain up in the air, including how this reorganization will affect staffing, the Forest Service’s ability to conduct safe and effective public lands management, and the agency’s multiple-use mission.
What I believe: The USFS manages 16 million acres in Colorado, including the nation’s most-visited national forest, the White River National Forest. These headwater forests provide water to 19 other states, support Colorado’s $18 billion outdoor recreation economy, and are critical range and wildlife habitat. Additionally, several Colorado communities have expressed concerns that the USFS reorganization may reduce staff retention, delay hazardous fuels reduction work, and disrupt permitting, contracts, and agreements for ski resorts, guides and outfitters, and other businesses. As Colorado enters what is likely to be a severe fire season, we must demand answers to these critical questions.
What I’m doing: On Wednesday, I led the Colorado Democratic delegation in demanding information about the reorganization. I have always been a strong advocate for the National Forest System, wildland fire risk reduction, healthy forests and watersheds, access to outdoor recreation, and the USFS workforce, and I will not stop until Colorado and the West receive the clarity we deserve.
2. Celebrating Colorado Health Care Wins
What’s happening: This month, Colorado was chosen as one of 10 states to participate in the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Medicaid Demonstration Program. CCBHCs offer comprehensive behavioral health care to anyone who requests care for mental health or substance use, regardless of their ability to pay, place of residence, or age. Colorado’s participation in this program will improve the quality of systems and broaden patient access throughout the state's behavioral health system.
What I believe: This opportunity will support Coloradans from the Front Range to the Western Slope. Colorado’s community clinics, advocates, and state partners have worked for years to build a more connected and accessible behavioral health system. By securing Colorado’s spot in this demonstration program and bringing a crucial boost in federal funding to our local clinics, we are tearing down barriers to care. We are ensuring that compassionate, 24/7 crisis treatment is stable, sustainable, and within reach for every Coloradan, regardless of their zip code or ability to pay.
What I’m doing: Last week, Senator John Hickenlooper and I celebrated Colorado being chosen to participate in the CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration Program as a result of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. I have been advocating for this program in Colorado for over a year, and I’m happy Coloradans will now have improved access to our state's behavioral health system.
3. Calling out Trump’s Reckless Attorney General Nomination
What’s happening: On Monday, President Trump formally nominated Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, his former personal lawyer, to permanently serve as Attorney General. In the two months Blanche has been acting Attorney General, he has attempted to create a $1.776 billion slush fund to reward Trump’s allies and individuals who have violated the law, including Tina Peters. He also pushed for a related agreement preventing the Department of Justice (DOJ) from bringing any action or pursuing any tax audit into previous returns filed by Trump, his family members, or affiliated companies, which remains in effect.
What I believe: The President's former personal lawyer has no business serving as Attorney General. There is every reason to believe Todd Blanche will continue to undermine the rule of law and the independence of the DOJ. He's already proven he's nothing more than a rubber stamp for the President — politicizing prosecutions and investigations amid unprecedented abuses of power. The Senate must reject his nomination.
4. IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK
- On Friday, I joined Senators Hickenlooper, Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) ahead of the four-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s disastrous Dobbs decision to reintroduce the Freedom to Travel for Health Care Act. This legislation would block anti-choice states and localities from limiting travel for abortion services and empower impacted individuals to bring civil action against those who restrict a woman’s right to cross state lines to receive legal reproductive care. This legislation will save lives, and we must ensure all Americans can make their own decisions about their bodies and their futures, no matter where they live. I will continue to fight for access to reproductive health care in Colorado and across the United States.
- On Thursday, I joined Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and 20 of our Senate colleagues to demand answers about the Trump Administration’s decision to remove the most recent version of the Federal Prosecution of Election Offenses manual from the DOJ’s website without explanation. This kind of conduct paves the way for politically-motivated legal actions by the administration in advance of the midterm elections. I have consistently fought against Republicans’ brazen efforts to undermine federal elections and will not back down.
- On Wednesday, I joined Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and 11 colleagues to introduce legislation holding claim sharks and other predatory actors accountable for exploiting veterans’ and survivors’ earned benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. We have an obligation to support the service members who risked their lives to protect our country, particularly by protecting them against exploitation. This legislation is an important step toward ensuring that all veterans can use the care and resources they have earned.
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