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Celebrating Passage of my Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act
What happened: Over six decades ago, President John F. Kennedy visited Pueblo and promised to build the Arkansas Valley Conduit (AVC). The Conduit is the final component of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project, a water diversion and storage project in the lower Arkansas Valley that Congress approved in 1962. In recent years, the cost of the project has nearly doubled, creating significant challenges for local communities.
Fighting for the Arkansas Valley Conduit: I have been fighting to complete the Arkansas Valley Conduit since I joined the Senate. I have delivered over $500 million in funding for the AVC, including from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and annual spending bills.
Good news: On Tuesday, December 16, I was pleased to pass my Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act unanimously in the Senate. This bill, which I led with Senator Hickenlooper, will ensure underserved communities in Southeastern Colorado have access to clean drinking water. Our Finish the AVC Act will soon head to the President’s desk to be signed into law. Once constructed, the Arkansas Valley Conduit will deliver clean drinking water from the Pueblo Reservoir to more than 50,000 families, producers, and municipalities throughout 39 communities in the Lower Arkansas River Valley.
2. Standing Up for Colorado in 2025
From fighting to make health care more affordable for Coloradans to standing up for our public lands, we’ve accomplished so much in 2025. Here are some highlights from the past year:
- I fought to protect Colorado’s treasured public lands after Republicans attempted to sell them off. To celebrate Colorado Public Lands Day in May, I advanced the CORE Act, the GORP Act, and the Dolores River National Conservation Area and Special Management Area Act – which together would protect over 1.5 million acres of iconic Colorado landscapes. In June, I helped stop Senator Mike Lee’s disastrous attempt to sell over 3 million acres of public land.
- In April, I led Senate Democrats in reintroducing the American Family Act. This bill would permanently expand the Child Tax Credit, one of the most effective tools to reduce poverty and cut hunger for working families.
- In July, I introduced the bicameral Keep Kids Covered Act to provide continuous health care coverage for kids in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program up to age 6 as Republicans slashed funding for these vital programs.
- In December, I blocked a slate of 88 Trump nominations from moving forward due to Republicans’ procedural violation of including a nominee who was not eligible for advancement in the package. That nominee was Sara Carter Bailey, a former Fox News contributor nominated to be our country’s Drug Czar. I will not allow unqualified nominees, Senate Republicans, or the President to undermine the rule of law or national security.
In 2026, I will continue my work to fight back against the Trump Administration, protect our public lands, and make our state an even better place to live and raise a family.
3. Speaking with Coloradans Across the State
Seeing Coloradans at work in their communities
The best part of my job is traveling across our state to speak directly with Coloradans at work in their local communities. From celebrating the reintroduction of my bipartisan GORP Act with local leaders on the Gunnison River and visiting Pagosa Springs to see firsthand the devastation from unprecedented flooding, to unveiling the world's largest hyperloop testing track in Pueblo, I was glad to visit Coloradans all over our state in 2025. I look forward to getting back on the road for more of these important visits next year.
Speaking with Coloradans at town halls across the state
This year, I was glad to speak with Coloradans at a record number of town halls across the state. From Durango to Greeley, I am grateful to all the constituents who showed up and made their voices heard on the issues they care about most. I look forward to having even more of these important conversations in the new year.
4. Thanking our Interns for their Hard Work
Speaking with our D.C. fall interns
My offices would not be the same without the hard work and dedication of our interns. I know Colorado is in good hands with this next generation of leaders.
5. Breaking Records for Cases Closed and Coloradans Helped
I often say that one of the most important actions my office can take is to pick up the phone, listen to Coloradans, and work to address their concerns. This year, our incredible constituent services team set a new record for cases closed, and Coloradans reached. In 2025, my office worked on more than 3,800 constituent service cases, took over 164,000 phone calls, and responded to more than 2,545,000 constituent letters.
6. Wishing you a Happy Holiday Season
Happy holidays from me, Susan, Halina, Caroline, Anne, Bandit, and Captain Flint
From passing my Finish the AVC Act to speaking with constituents across Colorado, there is much to celebrate about our work together in 2025. As we look forward to 2026, I will keep using every tool at my disposal to fight for our state. From my family to yours, we’re wishing every Coloradan warmth, health, and joy this holiday season.
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