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A Note from Me:
As communities across Colorado continue to battle devastating wildfires, our thoughts are with the families who have lost homes, those forced to evacuate, and everyone working tirelessly to protect lives. The Aspen Acres fire burning in Beulah is nearing 100,000-acres burned, and wildfire season is far from over.
Last week, I visited Beulah to see the devastation up close. While there, I was able to join local leaders for a briefing on the current status of the fire, and a tour of the evacuation and donation center. While the burn scar is a reminder that behind every acre burned are families, homes, livelihoods, and communities facing a difficult road ahead, the evacuation and donation center reinforced our state’s commitment to supporting one another during times of crisis.
My team and I are in touch with the United States Department of Agriculture, the State of Colorado, and local communities to prepare for potential flooding and support response and recovery efforts across the state.
I also would like to honor the three firefighters and the pilot who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep Colorado safe during this summer’s fires. I extend my deepest condolences to their families, crews, and loved ones. My thoughts are with the firefighters, law enforcement, and emergency responders still on the front lines, risking their lives to protect Coloradans.
I continue to stand ready to help Colorado communities to make sure they have what they need to recover and rebuild.
2. Supporting Colorado Public Lands
What’s happening: This week, my Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection (GORP) Act, received a committee hearing for the first time. The legislation would protect the Gunnison Basin landscape, a place that is quintessentially Colorado with ranching and world-class outdoor recreation, through a variety of public lands designations. Additionally, on Thursday, the Senate Natural Resources Committee passed my legislation to allow the City of Ouray to repair the dam at Crystal Reservoir. This bill would restore a critical water supply for downstream agricultural users and wildland firefighters, while keeping a locally beloved gem of Red Mountain Pass public for residents, outdoor enthusiasts, and visitors to enjoy.
What I believe: Public lands make Colorado Colorado. They are the inheritance we will leave to our children and grandchildren, and we have a responsibility to protect them for future generations.
What I’m doing: This week, I testified at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining hearing in support of the GORP Act. I also celebrated the unanimous committee passage of the Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act with Senator John Hickenlooper and Congressman Jeff Hurd. Both pieces of legislation will ensure that Colorado public lands are protected, and I will continue to do everything in my power to further such efforts.
3. Demanding Transparency for Subpoenas of NYT Reporters
What’s happening: On July 11, the New York Times disclosed that U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton signed subpoenas for several Times journalists following publication of a story regarding a plane Qatar gifted President Trump. The U.S. Air Force then modified the plane to serve as President Trump’s new Air Force One but the Secret Service was concerned it lacked sufficient security measures, according to the Times. Following publication of the story, FBI Director Kash Patel and other senior officials reportedly discussed the issue at the White House. Within hours, the Department of Justice had issued the subpoenas — an unusually quick action given the protected nature of journalists’ work under the First Amendment.
What I believe: As a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I appreciate the importance of protecting sensitive national security information. But the First Amendment is not a glaring loophole; it is the foundation of our Constitution, and protecting journalists’ right to exercise it is vital to the functioning of our democracy. Moreover, the decision to issue subpoenas so quickly after the FBI director convened a meeting at the White House raises concerns about the independence of the Justice Department.
What I’m doing: On Wednesday July 15, I questioned Clayton about whether anyone in the Trump Administration directed him to issue the subpoenas. Clayton was appearing before the Intelligence Committee as part of his nomination to serve as the Director of National Intelligence, a role that requires independence and capacity to speak truth to power. Given the grave implications for our democracy when law enforcement is showing up at the doorstep of journalists in the middle of the night, I believe we must do everything possible to protect the freedom of the press and ensure that legal actions such as these are not used as a form of intimidation.
4. Holding Purchasers of Russian Oil Accountable
What’s happening: For over four years, the Ukrainian people have fought bravely against Vladimir Putin’s aggression, showing us what it looks like to fight and die for democracy, for their country, and for the West. I have fought relentlessly to ensure steadfast American support for them – by providing critical military and intelligence support to Ukraine, as well as imposing economic pressure on Putin to end his war. Earlier this week, after months of negotiations, the Trump Administration finally agreed to back bipartisan sanctions legislation that I am proud to support. This bill would impose sanctions on Putin’s inner circle and his enablers across Russian industry and financial institutions, the Russian shadow fleet, and firms providing certain goods and services to Russia’s defense industrial base.
What I believe: Only by demonstrating our firm resolve can the United States and our allies support Ukraine’s pursuit of a just and durable end to this war and successfully defend the principle of a Europe whole, free, and at peace. Backing Ukraine today will be our best deterrence against authoritarian ambitions tomorrow – whether in Europe, Asia, or beyond.
What I’m doing: On Tuesday, I joined Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and several of my bipartisan Senate colleagues to announce the revised text of legislation he and the late Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) negotiated with the White House to hold major purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas accountable for supporting Putin’s war. I have supported this legislation for over a year and believe that, amid Putin’s intransigence at the negotiating table and daily attacks on civilians across Ukraine, Congress must pass this bill to impose greater pressure on Putin to end his war. This is especially critical right now as Ukraine makes progress on the battlefield and increasingly takes the fight to Moscow, and as the Russian economy struggles under the weight of U.S. and allied measures. I will also continue fighting to advance my legislation to bolster drone and intelligence cooperation with Ukraine, as well as other bills I support to impose additional pressure on Putin.
5. IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK
- On Monday, Trump signed an executive order to shrink Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments. Once again, the President has demonstrated his disregard for the wishes of Tribal coalitions, western leaders, and the American people by removing protections for two crown jewels of our public lands. The ancestral lands and cultural sites at Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments are sacred to the Tribes of the Four Corners area who have lived in the area since time immemorial – including the Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute Indian Tribes in Colorado. I have been proud to support the Tribes’ effort to protect these landscapes for over a decade, and I will continue to fight this attack on our public lands every step of the way.
- This week, I joined my Senate Democratic colleagues in unanimously voting against advancing the annual defense bill as President Trump continues waging his reckless war with Iran. Congress passed a War Powers Resolution to end it but the President is ignoring that vote, forcing American taxpayers to foot the bill for his blunder. This cannot be business as usual, which is why I voted against the defense bill despite important measures I secured in it.
- At least ten people have died at the hands of ICE during enforcement actions since the start of Trump's second term. Instead of changing course to save lives, the administration doubled down on their cruel, inhumane policies. We cannot stand for it. DHS and ICE must be overhauled. I'll keep fighting to make sure our immigration enforcement reflects our values and respects the dignity of every person.
- On Tuesday, I welcomed the $5.8 million in Department of Energy grants for the Weatherization Assistance Program. For many Colorado families struggling with high energy costs, the Weatherization Assistance Program helps keep utility bills affordable by ensuring their homes are prepared for Colorado’s weather. This funding will boost residential energy efficiency across the state, improve energy security, and save hundreds of dollars for the Coloradan families that need it most. I am glad to see this funding go to Colorado and look forward to its implementation.
- On Monday, a federal judge called out Trump's "settlement" for what it really was: a shameless attempt to rubber stamp his $1.8 billion slush fund and grant his family audit immunity for past tax returns. This is blatant corruption, and the courts are seeing right through it.
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