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Continuing to Push for a Farm Bill that Works for Coloradans
What’s happening: This week, the Senate Agriculture Committee advanced a partisan Farm Bill. I had hoped we would return to a bipartisan process rather than come back to the same Farm Bill the Committee considered in August. Unfortunately, that did not happen.
What I believe: This Farm Bill falls short on key Colorado priorities and does not meaningfully confront the broader economic pressures facing farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. Farmers and ranchers want certainty, strong markets, and a safety net they can rely on. The question we need to ask is whether this bill makes it more likely they can stay in business five years from now. At a time when Colorado producers face rising costs, shrinking export opportunities, extreme drought, worsening wildfires, and growing pressure just to make a living, I do not believe this bill does enough. On top of that, it does little for families struggling to afford groceries and leaves Colorado paying the price.
What I’m doing: On Wednesday, I voted against advancing this Farm Bill. I have offered amendments to address some of the bill’s shortcomings, and will continue pushing for changes to make it better. I remain ready to work with Chairman Boozman on a bipartisan bill that meets the moment and serves farmers, ranchers, and families in Colorado and across the country.
2. Protecting a Colorado Landmark and Ute Cultural Site
What’s happening: This week, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing where they discussed my bipartisan bill to block the gravel quarry expansion threatening the Glenwood hot springs, an iconic Colorado landmark and Ute cultural site.
What I believe: Putting Glenwood Springs’ economy and the hot springs at risk would be shortsighted and irresponsible. We have an obligation to protect Glenwood’s future, the quality of life for local residents, and the cultural resources of the Ute Tribes.
What I’m doing: On Wednesday, I testified at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing in support of my bipartisan Glenwood Hot Springs Protection Act. I am hopeful that the Committee will now mark up this important legislation, which will get us one step closer to ensuring this one-of-a-kind resource is protected.
3. Working to Clean-up the Lincoln Park Superfund Site
What’s happening: The Cotter / Lincoln Park Superfund site is a 2,600-acre decommissioned uranium, vanadium, and molybdenum processing mill near Cañon City that discharged liquid waste containing radionuclides and heavy metals into 11 largely unlined waste ponds for nearly 20 years. In 1984, the mill was designated a Superfund site because the contamination posed a risk to human health and the surrounding environment. Yet, four decades later, this site has barely advanced through the Superfund process. Progress has been impeded by multiple ownership changes, as remediation plans need to be restructured after each liability switch.
What I believe: This uncertainty has left many residents frustrated and concerned about the future of the site. Many community members have spent decades advocating for site remediation, and they deserve clear answers about when they can expect meaningful progress. The Environmental Protection Agency must continue developing detailed plans for testing at the site, execute existing testing plans, and provide clear timelines to the community as the Superfund process moves forward.
What I’m doing: On Monday, Representative Brittney Pettersen (D-Colo.) and I pushed to advance the cleanup of the Cotter / Lincoln Park Superfund Site. Local community members deserve certainty, and I will continue to do everything I can to advance these cleanup efforts.
4. IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK
- On Tuesday, during a Senate Finance Committee hearing, I held the Department of Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary nominee Chris Klomp accountable for the Trump administration's rampant vaccine misinformation. When the President lies about measles vaccine safety and sends Dr. Oz to clean up the mess on TV, that's an operational failure. Colorado families deserve better than this administration's chaos, and I will continue to fight against this deadly misinformation agenda.
- This week, I celebrated my bipartisan Supporting Early-Childhood Educators’ Deductions (SEED) Act becoming law. Now, early childhood educators can claim the same tax deduction available to elementary and secondary school teachers. As the former Superintendent of Denver Public Schools, I know firsthand how often educators dip into their own pockets to provide school supplies for their students. This law ends an unfair double standard and ensures that those who teach our youngest kids are not left behind.
- On Monday, the Supreme Court shut down President Trump's blatant scheme to undermine our elections and make it harder for Americans to vote. We've spent years building a safe and secure system that Coloradans trust, and this ruling ensures that Trump can't take that away.
- This week, the House finally passed our Russia sanctions bill, which will put more pressure on Vladimir Putin to end his war of aggression against Ukraine. We must build on this momentum and do more to support Ukraine, including by passing my legislation to ensure continued intelligence support and bolster drone cooperation with Ukraine.
- Last week, I visited Mexico City to advance U.S.-Mexico intelligence, security, and trade cooperation. My time there reaffirmed my commitment to a mutually beneficial U.S.-Mexico relationship, which is crucial to ensuring security and prosperity on both sides of the border. We must continue working together to address shared challenges, such as cartel drug trafficking, violence, and human smuggling. While we have made progress reducing unauthorized crossings at the border, a sustainable solution requires comprehensive immigration reform that I have fought for for years. We must also build upon our economic ties, which are crucial for Colorado farmers, ranchers, businesses, and workers.
- On Thursday, I reintroduced the New Essential Education Discoveries (NEED) Act, which would drive evidence-based improvements and innovations for our schools by making strategic investments in education research and development. As a former school superintendent, I know our teachers are doing everything they can to help students succeed. As social media and a nationwide mental health crisis reshape how students learn and engage in school, educators need better tools to meet this moment. Congress can help by investing in cutting-edge education research. This bipartisan bill would help schools, educators, and policymakers make data driven decisions that strengthen education today and in the years ahead.
- On Wednesday, I introduced a Senate resolution recognizing the first anniversary of the tragic Evergreen High School shooting. This resolution honors the two wounded victims; expresses gratitude to law enforcement, faculty, educators, first responders, and neighbors who worked to keep students safe during this shooting; and recognizes the loss of life and the trauma this community now carries. We owe it to them – and all Coloradans – to build a future where no child is afraid to walk into a classroom, and no parent has to worry when they send their kid to school. As we mark the first anniversary of this tragic event, I will continue doing all I can to protect our communities from senseless acts of gun violence.
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