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Protecting Public Lands and Taxpayers from Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells
What’s happening: Until 2024, when the Biden administration added agency rules, oil and gas fiscal assurance requirements for drilling on public lands were minimal, leading companies to abandon wells instead of remediating the land after drilling. The Trump administration is now rolling back these essential protections for public lands and American taxpayers. In Colorado alone, there are nearly 1,400 orphaned wells, with almost a third of these wells on federal or Tribal lands. Additionally, the number of documented orphaned wells in the United States has more than doubled since 2020. These sites are not only a significant liability for taxpayers and a growing threat to water resources, air quality, wildlife habitat, and private lands, but also jeopardize public health, ecosystems, grazing lands, outdoor recreation sites, and cultural resources.
What I believe: For too long, taxpayers have footed the bill to clean up abandoned wells after companies walk away from their responsibilities. As the Trump administration moves to weaken the safeguards that hold companies accountable, Congress must protect taxpayers and the public lands that power Colorado’s outdoor economy.
What I’m doing: This week, Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.) and I led Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) to introduce the Stop Orphaned Wells Act, legislation that would prevent oil and gas companies from abandoning wells on public lands. We must ensure operators, rather than Colorado taxpayers, pay for these cleanups.
2. Celebrating Senate Passage of the Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act
What’s happening: For 90 years, Crystal Lake provided an essential water supply in the San Juan Mountains for the City of Ouray. In 2024, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) drained Crystal Lake after identifying structural concerns, leaving the reservoir unusable for water storage, outdoor recreation, or fishing.
What I’m doing: On Wednesday, I celebrated the Senate’s passage of my Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act. This bill transfers ownership of the Crystal Reservoir and the associated dam and water infrastructure from USFS to the City of Ouray, while protecting public access to the lake and nearby trails. This legislation is important to ensuring that the City of Ouray, local hot springs, and downstream agricultural producers can continue to access this water supply.
What I believe: The Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act is commonsense legislation that will protect Ouray’s water supply and a beloved recreation asset for future generations. Senate passage is a critical step forward, and I urge the House to pass it upon their return in November. Coloradans should get the water access they deserve.
3. Calling out Trump for Making Life too Expensive for American Families
What I’m doing: On Wednesday night, I took to the Senate floor to call out President Trump for making life more expensive for American families while enriching himself and spending taxpayer dollars on his own personal interests. I also challenged Washington to offer a real alternative to the economy Coloradans are facing by tackling real problems, like our broken health care, education, and immigration systems.
What I believe: There is no doubt that our country is facing an affordability crisis. Rising gas and grocery prices, higher borrowing costs, and growing pressure on farmers and ranchers are all evidence of an economy where too many Americans feel they cannot get ahead. We also have a president focused on enriching himself, settling political scores, and weaponizing the federal government against Colorado and his political enemies. We need to find a way to create confidence in the American people so we can build a politics that's not just about chaos and division, but about embracing the next generation. We have a responsibility and obligation to them, and to this country, to fulfill that promise and to live up to the example that our parents and grandparents set for us.
4. Recognizing National Voting Rights Month Ahead of Midterms
What I’m doing: I joined U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), U.S. Representative Marc Veasey (D-Texas), and 60 congressional colleagues to announce the introduction of a bicameral resolution recognizing September as National Voting Rights Month. The right to vote, and to participate fully in our democracy, must never be taken for granted.
What I believe: In September, we celebrate the fundamental right to vote, and the importance of free, fair, and secure elections. This right lies at the core of our democracy, but President Trump and his administration continue to attempt to undermine it for millions of Americans. We must continue our fight to defend Colorado’s gold standard election system against Trump’s baseless attacks and conspiracy theories.
5. IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK
- On Tuesday, Trump’s ban on nearly $1 billion worth of Canadian goods such as alcoholic beverages, dairy products, and motorcycles, took effect. Canada is Colorado’s second-largest export market, and that trade supports families, businesses, and workers across the state. Trump’s senseless decision will hurt Colorado businesses, raise costs, and put more pressure on families already struggling to afford the basics.
- Last week, the Supreme Court revived a controversial federal data system to confirm citizenship on state voter rolls. Trump has already tried to get his hands on Colorado voters’ information. Now he’s using lies to make it harder for Americans to exercise their right to vote. This system is known to flag eligible voters as potential noncitizens, creating new barriers for Americans who have every right to cast a ballot. We should be protecting the right to vote, not putting it at risk to solve a manufactured crisis.
- Last week, I joined U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IlI.) and a bipartisan group of 30 Senate colleagues to demand that the Trump administration issue an 18-month extension and redesignation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukrainians living in the United States as Vladimir Putin continues his unjustified war of aggression against their homeland. Ukraine was already grappling with a humanitarian catastrophe. Now, Putin is increasingly targeting population centers like Kyiv and civilian infrastructure, leaving many with limited or no access to heat, electricity, or medical services ahead of winter. Conditions in Ukraine clearly warrant the continuation of TPS status. Ukrainian TPS holders have long contributed to communities in Colorado and across the country, both culturally and economically, and I will continue to do everything I can to back Ukraine’s fight, including by passing my legislation to bolster intelligence-sharing and drone cooperation with Ukraine.
- Last week, I joined Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) to pass a resolution recognizing and celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place every year from September 15th to October 15th. The deep roots of the Hispanic community in Colorado are part of what makes our state great. This month, I’m reflecting on and celebrating the incredible contributions of the 1.3 million Hispanic Coloradans. Our work must continue to uplift Hispanic communities in Colorado and across the country.
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