Legislative Committee – July 1, 2024: Federal update – Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments

Federal updates compiled by Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments – June 28, 2024

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Updates from federal delegation

Updates from federal delegation

SENATOR BENNET

ICYMI: Bennet Welcomes Nearly $209 Million in Federal Funding for Colorado

Funding Includes Grants from CHIPS and Science Act and DOT’s RAISE Grant Program

Denver — In case you missed it, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet welcomed nearly $209 million in federal funding for Colorado over the past ten days. This funding includes the following investments:

$75 million to Entegris

CHIPS and Science Act

Entegris, a company that creates critical tools used in semiconductor manufacturing, will receive up to $75 million from the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act. This funding will support their expansion in Colorado Springs and create hundreds of high-paying jobs.

$63 million to Colorado infrastructure projects

U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program

As part of $1.5 billion in RAISE grants awarded nationwide through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, $63 million will support six infrastructure projects across Colorado. See the full list of projects HERE.

$48 million for Colorado counties

U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI)’s Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT)

56 Colorado counties will receive nearly $48 million from DOI’s PILT, which provides payments for tax-exempt federal lands administered through DOI bureaus. This funding will help provide essential services for Colorado counties, including law enforcement, education, search and rescue, and more.

$20 million for new quantum lab at the University of Colorado Boulder

U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)

A $20 million award from NSF will support the construction of a new research facility at the University of Colorado Boulder to accelerate the development of critical quantum technology.

$3 million to rural Colorado small businesses and agricultural producers

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)

Nearly $3 million in funding from USDA’s REAP program will benefit 11 small businesses, family farms, and ranches to help Coloradans deploy clean energy.

Bennet Welcomes Landmark Agreement to Provide Community and Financial Assistance for Craig and Moffat County Through Energy Transition

Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet welcomed the agreement between Tri-State Generation and Transmission, the City of Craig, and Moffat County to provide up to $70 million in financial and other support between 2026 and 2038 for the economic transition resulting from the closure of Craig Station, a coal-fired power plant.

“For years, when I’ve visited Craig and other communities in Northwest Colorado, I’ve heard concerns about what coal mine and power plant closures will mean for their main streets and way of life. Communities like Craig need support to smooth the transition, long-term economic certainty, and resources to help them thrive. This agreement is a major step in the right direction. I’m grateful to have worked alongside leaders from Moffat County and Craig as they carve out a new path forward, and I’ll keep fighting to ensure energy communities that have powered our state for decades are able to prosper in the future,” said Bennet.

The settlement includes:

$22 million in direct assistance to Craig and Moffat County between 2026 and 2029 to create a community economic development trust fund;
Up to $48 million in other anticipated investments between 2028 and 2038 to fill the gap in lost property tax revenue following the closure of Craig Station; and
Water rights secured for Moffat County for its Lower Yampa River Augmentation Plan.

Bennet has long worked to support Northwest Colorado communities after hearing from local leaders in February 2020 about the challenges created by announced coal plant closures in Craig and Hayden. In August 2021, Bennet held a roundtable discussion in Craig with the Northwest Colorado Development Council, and county and municipal leaders from Moffat, Routt, and Rio Blanco counties, where he heard about the importance of getting ahead of the “fiscal cliff” due to the expected significant loss of revenue as part of their tax base. In May 2022, Bennet introduced the National Energy Community Transition Act, which included input from Northwest Colorado leaders. The bill would support economic development in communities that have relied on fossil fuel power generation, production, or extraction and are facing declines in tax revenue that sustains core public services, such as hospitals and schools. Bennet has also worked to help secure key projects for the community with federal support. He is particularly proud of how Moffat County repurposed an old KMart building into a new courthouse and county center. He secured $4.65 million for the courthouse through the Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations process.

Bennet, Marshall Hear from Colorado, Kansas Farmers Combating Drought During Agriculture Subcommittee Hearing in Burlington

Denver — U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Chair of the Subcommittee on Conservation, Climate, Forestry, and Natural Resources, and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Ranking Member, held a subcommittee field hearing in Burlington, Colorado.

“Today’s farmers and ranchers face a 1,200-year drought, a changing climate, and a future that keeps getting hotter and drier. Yet America’s agriculture conservation programs haven’t kept pace with a West that looks very different from the Dust Bowl era,” said Bennet. “I was grateful to hear today from experts, producers, and partners concerned for rural America’s future. America’s farmers need our agriculture conservation programs to be much more flexible and allow for innovation because the future of rural America depends on whether the next generation decides to continue operating their family farms and ranches.”

“Colorado and Kansas share much more than a border. For about ten of the last fifteen years, we’ve shared this drought – and I believe that water will be the defining issue of our states for not just the near future, but for generations ahead,” said Marshall. “Farmers and ranchers need federal assistance to maintain their livelihoods and to produce our nation’s food supply, but they need more flexibility. Unfortunately, bureaucracy in DC sometimes delays the process. I’m confident that we’ll come out of today’s field hearings with innovative solutions for farmers and ranchers in our corner of the country and beyond.”

During the hearing, the senators heard from Western producers and agricultural leaders – including Colorado Department of Agriculture Water Advisor Robert Sakata, Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg, Colorado State Senator Cleave Simpson, Colorado Farm Bureau President Carlyle Currier, Republican River Water Conservation District Director Don Brown, and Kansas Water Office Director Constance C. Owen – who highlighted the successes and limitations of existing federal drought tools and help inform new mechanisms to deal with persistent drought in the arid plains.

Colorado and Kansas producers are on the frontlines of a hotter, drier future, facing historic drought. Farmers and ranchers are a critical part of the solution; they help conserve water while producing food to feed the world.

SENATOR HICKENLOOPER

Hickenlooper Cosponsors Bill to Crack Down on AI Deepfakes, Protect Minors

96% of online AI “deepfake” videos feature non-consensual pornographic content

TAKE IT DOWN Act would criminalize non-consensual publication of sexually explicit AI “deepfake” images

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper joined a bipartisan group of Senate colleagues to introduce the Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks (TAKE IT DOWN) Act, which would criminalize the publication of non-consensual, intimate imagery (NCII), including AI-generated “deepfake pornography”, on social media and other online sites, and require social media companies to have procedures to remove content upon notification from a victim.

“AI innovation is going to change so much about our world, but it can’t come at the cost of our children’s privacy and safety,” said Hickenlooper. “We have a narrow window to get out in front of this technology. We can’t miss it.”

New generative artificial intelligence tools are able to create lifelike, but fake, imagery depicting real people, known as deepfakes. A 2019 report by Sensity found that non-consensual deepfake pornography accounted for 96% of the total deepfake videos online. Deepfakes have recently been used to target minors, including incidents where classmates used AI tools to create sexually explicit images of other classmates that they then shared on social media.

The TAKE IT DOWN Act protects Americans by making it unlawful for a person to knowingly publish sexually explicit deepfake images of an identifiable individual, and requiring social media companies and websites to remove the images.

Specifically, the TAKE IT DOWN Act would:

Criminalize the publication of NCII: The bill makes it unlawful for a person to knowingly publish NCII on social media and other online platforms. NCII is defined to include realistic, computer-generated pornographic images and videos that depict identifiable, real people. The bill also clarifies that a victim consenting to the creation of an authentic image does not mean that the victim has consented to its publication.
Protect good faith efforts to assist victims. The bill permits the good faith disclosure of NCII, such as to law enforcement, in narrow cases.
Require websites to take down NCII upon notice from the victim. Social media and other websites would be required to have in place procedures to remove NCII, pursuant to a valid request from a victim, within 48 hours. Websites must also make reasonable efforts to remove copies of the images. The FTC is charged with enforcement of this section.
Protect lawful speech. The bill is narrowly tailored to criminalize knowingly publishing NCII without barring lawful speech. The bill respects first amendment protections by requiring that computer-generated NCII meet a “reasonable person” test. Meaning, it must appear to realistically depict an individual.

Full text of the bill is available HERE.

SENATORS BENNET / HICKENLOOPER

Hickenlooper, Bennet, Colleagues Press USPS on How Consolidation Could Impact On-Time Delivery of Mail-In Ballots

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet along with 17 of their Senate colleagues sent a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy requesting information about how the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) plans to ensure the timely delivery of mail-in ballots throughout the 2024 election cycle and beyond.

“USPS serves an essential function in American elections. On a nonpartisan basis, it securely processes, transports, and delivers election mail, including ballots. In 2020, the Postal Service overcame a series of challenges, including the onset of a global pandemic, to fulfill this critical mission. Impressively, it delivered 97.9% of ballots within three days, even as a record number of Americans voted by mail. For the 2022 midterm elections, USPS maintained this standard of excellence and delivered 98.96% of ballots within three days,” wrote the senators.

The senators continued: “We applaud these achievements, but much has changed since 2022… We believe that the Postal Service remains well-equipped to securely deliver mail-in ballots. However, given the service disruptions already resulting from the DFA plan, we fear the same approach adopted by USPS in 2020 and 2022 may not be sufficient to guarantee on-time delivery results.”

Their request comes in light of USPS facility consolidations initiated under DeJoy, which have led to decreases in on-time delivery rates in communities where postal facilities have been consolidated. The USPS greenlit the downgrading of 56 of 59 selected postal facilities across the country – including in Colorado – but the consolidation process has been temporarily paused until after the 2024 election cycle. In April, Hickenlooper and Bennet wrote to DeJoy to express concerns about the recent proposals to consolidate the Grand Junction Processing and Distribution Center and the potential impacts on Colorado’s workforce and mail delivery systems.

Read the full text of the letter HERE.

Hickenlooper, Bennet Cheer Over $47M for Colorado’s Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILT)

PILT funding will help maintain critical community services in 56 Colorado counties

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet applauded the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) announcement of $47.8 million in Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) 2024 funding for 56 Colorado counties. Each year, DOI collects revenue from commercial activities on public lands, a portion of which is shared with states and counties.

“Our public lands, and the local communities surrounding them, make Colorado a standout place to live and visit. PILT works to sustain those communities by using tax revenue generated on public lands to help counties invest in essential services like firefighting and infrastructure,” said Hickenlooper.

“Without PILT, counties across Colorado cannot provide essential services such as law enforcement, education, search and rescue, road maintenance, and public health to their residents and many visitors to our beautiful public lands,” said Bennet. “These funds will provide Colorado communities certainty and show that the federal government continues to uphold its commitment to public lands counties.”

PILT payments are made for tax-exempt federal lands administered by the Department of Interior’s bureaus, including the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Park Service, as well as lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

In April 2023, Hickenlooper and Bennet called on the Senate Appropriations Committee to fully fund the PILT program for fiscal year 2024.

View a full list of funding recipients HERE.

Bennet, Hickenlooper, Colleagues Urge Biden Administration to Promote Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling

Denver — Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, alongside twelve of their Senate colleagues, urged the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to bolster and diversify the nation’s domestic supply of electric vehicle batteries and promote the emerging electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling industry.

“EV battery recycling can help bridge the gap in our domestic supply chain and reduce our dependence on foreign imports…” wrote Bennet, Hickenlooper, and the senators. “Used batteries contain valuable mineral resources and reclaiming them will help increase our manufacturing capacity.”

As the use of EVs accelerates, the demand for critical minerals needed to manufacture new batteries also grows. While China currently dominates the global supply of these minerals, battery recycling is an important tool for the United States to build a more resilient battery supply chain. In their letter, the senators urge DOE to promote battery recycling in the federal government by partnering with other agencies, improve battery use collection, and prioritize technologies to facilitate efficient recycling.

Bennet helped pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allocated more than $6 billion for advanced battery manufacturing, research, and development as well as the Inflation Reduction Act, which included long-term incentives for domestic battery and critical mineral production that he championed.

In addition to Bennet and Hickenlooper, U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) also signed the letter.

The letter is supported by: Ford, Stellantis, General Motors, Plug In America, Sierra Club, Battery Minerals and Technology Coalition, Umicore, the Rocky Mountain Institute, MEMA: The Vehicle Suppliers Association, Alliance for Automotive Innovation, Electric Drive Transportation Association, NRDC, LiCycle, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, American Council for an Energy Efficiency Economy (ACEEE), CALSTART, Clean Energy for America, Climate and Community Project, Conservation Law Foundation, Dream.ORG, Earthjustice, Earthworks, Ecology Center, Elders Climate Action, Electric Vehicle Association, Environmental Defense Fund, Environmental Law and Policy Center, GreenLatinos, Interfaith Power and Light, League of Conservation Voters, Public Citizen, Southern Environmental Law Center, ZETA, Advanced Energy United.

The text of the letter is available HERE and below.

Dear Secretary Granholm,

As the American transportation sector continues to electrify, we urge the Department of Energy (DOE) to take steps to bolster and diversify the nation’s domestic supply of electric vehicle (EV) batteries—including by promoting the emerging EV battery recycling industry. Specifically, we urge DOE to:

Work with the General Services Administration (GSA) to carry out Sec. 7231 through 7234 of the fiscal year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA; Public Law 117-263) and partner with other federal agencies to develop and implement plans for second-life applications of EV batteries.
Coordinate EV battery collection at the state and local level to strengthen the supply chain for battery recyclers.
Prioritize funding technologies that facilitate efficient battery recycling when implementing the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA; Public Law 117-18).

As you know, EV sales set a record in 2023, surpassing one million cars sold. As the adoption of EVs accelerates, so too will the consumption of the critical minerals and materials needed to construct new batteries: projections indicate that, by 2034, the U.S. will consume roughly 500,000 metric tons of lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and graphite, combined. The global supply of these minerals is currently dominated by China, which accounts for 60% of production and 85% of processing capacity. Bringing critical mineral production to the U.S. and our free trade partners is an important next step in the transition to EVs and other zero-emissions transportation. But mining alone will not fully meet increased mineral demand and risks significant environmental degradation and public health harms.

EV battery recycling can help bridge the gap in our domestic supply chain and reduce our dependence on foreign imports. Some estimates indicate that by 2027 more than 200,000 metric tons of American EV batteries could reach the end of their practical life. The supply of end-of life batteries is projected to increase rapidly in subsequent decades. Used batteries contain valuable mineral resources and reclaiming them will help increase our manufacturing capacity. For example, some early entrants into the recycling field have salvaged up to 95% of the critical minerals from an EV battery. These high-efficiency yields will allow the U.S. to build a more resilient battery supply chain.

Congress has taken bipartisan steps to support the EV battery recycling industry. The IIJA allocated more than $6 billion for advanced battery manufacturing, research, and development. This investment has supported several programs focused on recycling, such as the Battery Materials Processing Grants Program, which is essential to building U.S. capacity for processing recycled material outputs. The Department has already awarded $2.8 billion of this funding, supporting 15 projects across the country. We commend DOE’s work to date and encourage you to continue swift implementation to meet the growing demand for these technologies.

We also urge DOE to take additional steps to support the emerging battery recycling industry. Through coordination, harnessing federal purchasing power, and strengthening battery recycling incentives, the Department can ensure U.S. leadership in this industry. Specifically, we ask that the Department:

Promote Battery Recycling in the Federal Government. DOE has been working across the federal government to electrify and optimize the efficiency of the federal fleet. DOE should consider partnering with other agencies to develop plans for managing retired federal EVs, including repurposing batteries through second-life applications and mineral recycling. The Department should also coordinate with GSA as it implements the Strategic EV Management provisions of the FY 2023 NDAA.
Improve Used Battery Collection. DOE should leverage the IIJA’s Consumer Electronics Battery Recycling, Reprocessing, and Battery Collection program to ensure a functional supply chain by working with grant recipients to coordinate the distribution of collected batteries to recyclers at scale. DOE should also work with recipients to conduct public outreach and education campaigns to maximize the efficacy of battery collection programs. Finally, DOE should coordinate with the EPA on its Battery Collection Best Practices and Battery Labeling Guidelines, which the EPA is required to complete by 2026 under the IIJA.
Prioritize Technologies to Facilitate Efficient Recycling. DOE should continue to prioritize battery recycling as it implements the IIJA. Funding opportunities should focus on technologies that result in the highest yield of recycled minerals, reduce pollution from non-mineral components, and are the most energy efficient. DOE should also concentrate advanced manufacturing grants on battery designs that facilitate recycling to maximize circular management of resources.

We applaud DOE’s efforts to strengthen the emerging battery recycling industry in the U.S., which will further our transition to a zero-emission transportation sector, strengthen our energy security, and bolster American manufacturing. We appreciate your attention to this matter and request a briefing for our staff on DOE’s battery recycling programs by July 19, 2024.

Hickenlooper, Bennet Welcome Nearly $63 Million for Colorado Infrastructure Projects

Funding comes from RAISE Grant Program created by senators’ Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet welcomed nearly $63 million for six Colorado projects from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program. The investments are part of $1.5 billion in RAISE grants awarded nationwide through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Hickenlooper helped negotiate. The senators sent letters in support of all six projects awarded.

“From Akron to Towaoc to Greeley, our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is delivering the funding our communities need to update infrastructure that’s key to economic growth,” said Hickenlooper. “Improved roads, better trails, and expanded mobility hubs will help us build a safer, more connected Colorado.”

“Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this funding will support Colorado as we work to meet our state’s changing needs – from improving our roadways to strengthening local economies,” said Bennet. “I’m grateful that the Department of Transportation heard our calls to support these projects.”

RAISE grant program is a direct federal investment in road, rail, and transit projects. These grants support projects that are often more difficult to fund through traditional federal grant programs.

A full list of projects in Colorado is below.

Location	Project Name	Applicant	Amount Awarded	Description
Thornton	104th Ave (CO 44) Corridor Improvements	City of Thornton	$25,000,000	This project will fund the final design, right-of-way, and construction enhancements on 104th Avenue (State Highway 44) between Colorado Blvd to the South Platte River Bridge.
Greeley	Mobility Enhancements for Regional Growth and Equity (MERGE) Project	City of Greeley	$20,560,056	This project will fund the construction of a new regional mobility hub between two interchanges at 35th Avenue and 47th Avenue.
Pueblo	Pueblo County Connects, Trails & Transit – Phase 3	County of Pueblo	$8,836,514	This project will fund the planning and construction of a multi-use trail from Pueblo West to the City of Pueblo, expand access to mobility hubs, and plan and design a corridor to Water Works Park.
Brighton	I-270 & Vasquez Blvd Interchange Safety and Multimodal Improvements Project	Adams County	$4,800,000	This project will fund the design process for I-270 & Vasquez Blvd reconstruction. It will improve and implement new pedestrian and bicycle routes through and around I-270 and Vasquez Blvd.
Towaoc	Aneth Road Reconstruction – Planning and Design Project	Ute Mountain Ute Tribe	$2,574,000	This project will fund the planning and design for the reconstruction and paving of approximately 23 miles of Aneth Road (UMU 201) from US-491 to the Colorado/Utah State Line.
Akron	Northeast Long-Range Transportation Plan	Washington County	$1,178,500	This project will fund a Long-Range Transportation Plan for 17 local governments in Northeast Colorado, known as the Northeast Colorado Association of Local Governments.

SENATORS BENNET / HICKENLOOOPER, REPRESENTATIVE PETTERSEN

Pettersen Leads Push for Federal Officials to Urgently Address Working Conditions at FCI Englewood

WASHINGTON—U.S. Representatives Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) and Diana DeGette (D-CO), along with Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO), sent a letter to the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) about understaffing and unsustainable working conditions at the Federal Correctional Institute in Englewood.

In the letter, the lawmakers detailed ways in which employees at FCI Englewood — including health care professionals, rehabilitation programming staff, janitors, and cooks — are facing increasingly difficult conditions. The lawmakers urged BOP and OPM to immediately address the staffing shortage by providing a 25% retention bonus to all staff. Reps. Jason Crow (D-CO), Joe Neguse (D-CO) and Yadira Caraveo (D-CO) also signed onto the letter.

“We have received reports of significant safety concerns at the facility due to the staffing shortage, which is driven by employee attrition and an inability to recruit qualified personnel,” wrote Pettersen and the lawmakers. “Current employees are overworked and forced to take on additional responsibilities to ensure ongoing operations. According to the AFGE Local 709, employees have been asked more than 800 times to take two to three additional eight-hour shifts per week since the beginning of 2024, generally with little to no advance notice. This is unsustainable and leads to a burnt-out workforce and unsafe conditions.”

“The BOP can and must do better for our staff. We have had staff fall asleep driving home after forced overtime and wreck their vehicle. We have had staff sleeping in their cars because they cannot afford Denver rental rates. This is totally unacceptable. The culture of treating our staff as expendable while claiming we are their biggest resource is a slap in the face of all our hardworking men and women. We call on Director Peters to implement a 25% staff retention bonus for all staff at FCI Englewood and to request a special pay rate for the facility from the Office of Personnel Management,” said AFGE Local 709 President James Simmerman.

Since joining Congress, Rep. Pettersen has been a leading voice in working to address staffing shortages at federal prisons in Colorado. In 2023, she partnered with AFGE 1169, the local union representing the prison workforce in Fremont County, to get a retention incentive bonus of 25 percent for prison staff, including correctional officers and non-custody workers, at Federal Correctional Complex in Florence.

The full text of the letter can be found here and below.

Dear Director Peters and Director Ahuja,

We write to express our concerns about understaffing and unsustainable working conditions at the Federal Correctional Institute (FCI) in Englewood, Colorado. We respectfully request that the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) work in tandem to immediately authorize a 25% retention bonus to all staff to address the staffing crisis.

We have received reports of significant safety concerns at the facility due to the staffing shortage, which is driven by employee attrition and an inability to recruit qualified personnel. Current employees are overworked and forced to take on additional responsibilities to ensure ongoing operations. According to the AFGE Local 709, employees have been asked more than 800 times to take two to three additional eight-hour shifts per week since the beginning of 2024, generally with little to no advance notice. This is unsustainable and leads to a burnt-out workforce and unsafe conditions.

While we applaud the authorization of a 25% retention incentive for Correctional Officers and a 10% retention incentive for other law enforcement personnel at FCI Englewood, we remain concerned that this will not sufficiently meet the facility’s staffing needs or prevent workers from departing.

Notably, these incentives only apply to Correctional Officers and certain other eligible law enforcement staff, leaving out other critical parts of the facility also experiencing staff shortages. This unequal application of incentives has led to even lower morale among non- officer law enforcement staff, who are routinely tasked with performing officer duties and working officer posts when augmented from their regular duties.

We request that BOP continue its commitment to maintain “fully staffed institutions” and authorize a 25% retention incentive and a special pay rate for all employees at FCI Englewood.

Thank you in advance for your full and fair consideration.

REPRESENTATIVE LAMBORN

Congressman Lamborn Supports Appropriations Bills H.R. 8774, H.R. 8771, and H.R. 8752

Washington, D.C. – This week, Congressman Lamborn demonstrated his unwavering commitment to national security and defense, by voting to support H.R. 8774, H.R. 8771, and H.R. 8752.

“H.R. 8774, the Defense Appropriations Act, strengthens our national defense by refocusing the Department of Defense on ensuring military readiness to deter conflict and protect national security. I support this legislation for its alignment with American values and principles and my priorities as Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Subcommittee on Strategic Forces.

H.R. 8771, the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, underscores our dedication to national security and global stability. It supports allies like Israel, promotes peace, and strengthens alliances to defend freedom and democracy worldwide.

H.R. 8752, the Homeland Security Act, allocates funds to enhance defense and non-defense capabilities, addressing immediate security needs and preparing for future challenges. Its border security provisions reflect our proactive stance on national security. This Act is about safeguarding our families, communities, and national values through thoughtful and proactive measures.” said Congressman Lamborn

Bill Background:

Critical provisions of H.R. 8774 also emphasize:

Plus-up for the MACH-TB program on hypersonic testing up to $30,000,000 above PBR
Funding for Unified Data Library and important Space Weather systems
$10 million for Physics based digital mission operations for the purchase of integral software systems for multi domain operations.
Advancing military innovation and modernization efforts.
Enhancing support systems for our servicemembers and their families.
Streamlining the Pentagon’s civilian workforce to maximize efficiency.
Strengthening DOD’s capabilities in combating the opioid crisis.
Upholding our longstanding alliance with Israel.
Reinforcing the Department’s commitment to its primary responsibilities.

Critical features of H.R. 8771 include:

Providing $2.1 billion for United States national security interests in the Indo-Pacific, safeguarding against strategic challenges the People’s Republic of China (PRC) poses.
Strengthening our national security through targeted investments in defense and diplomatic initiatives.
Responsible allocation of taxpayer resources, reflecting fiscal discipline and strategic prioritization.
Upholding American values and principles by supporting democratic governance and human rights globally.

Other critical elements of H.R. 8752 also include:

Efforts to counter challenges posed by China.
Refocus the Department on its core responsibilities and avoid radical DEI policies.
Preventing dangerous criminals from endangering our communities.

Congressman Lamborn’s Statement Requesting to Establish an AFROTC Detachment at UCCS

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Lamborn (CO-05) released the following statement regarding the request for the Department of Defense (DoD) to establish an Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (AFROTC) detachment at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS).

“As a House Armed Services Committee member and the Strategic Forces Subcommittee Chairman, I am greatly concerned with the ongoing recruiting crisis and its effect on combat readiness. Ensuring that the United States has a capable, well-trained fighting force begins with attracting talented youth who have the potential to serve in the world’s strongest and most technologically advanced military. The recent passing of the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) has set several critical precedents in addressing recruiting and improving the quality of life for our Service Members, but more must still be done.

My district encompasses several strategic Army, Air Force, and Space Force bases that support centers of excellence, such as the United States Air Force Academy and U.S. Space Command. Establishing an AFROTC unit at UCCS is a common sense step amidst the ongoing recruitment crisis that would improve our ability to fight and win future wars.

With its strong military heritage and culture of service to the nation, Colorado Springs is a magnet for young people who are passionate about defending our country. I believe there is no better place than UCCS to expand the recruitment base of our armed forces. I urge the Department of Defense (DoD) to continue that legacy through establishing an AFROTC detachment at UCCS.” said Congressman Lamborn

REPRESENTATIVE PETTERSEN

Rep. Pettersen Visits Community Project Sites in Lake County, Hears from Local Officials and Business Leaders on Rural Healthcare and Housing Costs

U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) recently traveled across the high country of the 7th Congressional District to hear from constituents, community leaders, and elected officials about the challenges they face, and visit sites where she has recently delivered federal investments.

Earlier this year Pettersen secured $13.9 million in funding for 15 community projects, two of which are located in Lake County and will install infrastructure for an affordable housing development near downtown Leadville and provide surgical equipment for new outpatient specialists at St. Vincent Hospital.

At her first stop in Lake County, Pettersen visited the future site of one of these projects, an affordable housing development outside of downtown Leadville. Pettersen successfully secured $850,000 for the Leadville Housing Authority for this affordable housing development, which will be walkable to downtown, stores, schools and the library. The project is in early development stages. The Congresswoman visited the site alongside local leaders including County Commissioners Jeff Fiedler and Sarah Mudge, John McMurtry, the Executive Director of Lake County Community Fund, Leadville Mayor Dana Green, and Director of the Lake County Regional Housing Authority Jackie Whelihan.

Next, Pettersen visited St. Vincent Health, where she met with hospital staff to discuss her ongoing support for the facility and rural healthcare access. Rep. Pettersen secured $579,159 to purchase new surgical equipment for new outpatient Urology and Spine specialists. This funding is critical to bringing specialty care to patients in Lake County instead of forcing them to travel long distances for the care they need.

“All Colordans should have access to affordable housing and quality health care, regardless of where they live. Yet in many rural areas like Lake County, housing and specialty health care has become increasingly sparse.” said Pettersen. “I am proud to have partnered with the local community to secure federal funds for housing outside of downtown Leadville and St. Vincent Health. These two projects represent important investments in families and seniors in the high country, and it was wonderful to once again visit St. Vincent Health and downtown Leadville in person to see the impact these projects will have in Lake County.”

“Representative Pettersen’s visit to SVH was a great opportunity for dialogue. We are highly impressed by her commitment to the communities she serves. Her team is responsive. The engagement verifies that our concerns about the challenges facing rural healthcare are heard,” said Karen Onderdonk, Marketing and Business Development Director, St. Vincent Health.

Rep. Pettersen Visits Site of Future Silver Cliff Town Plaza Alongside Mayor Buck Wenzel

U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) recently traveled across the rural communities of the 7th Congressional District to hear from constituents, community leaders, and elected officials about the challenges they face.

She heard about workforce shortages, lack of affordable housing and childcare, the need for wildfire mitigation and about the urgency to address the skyrocketing cost of homeowners insurance because of wildfire risks.

At her stop in Custer County, Pettersen was joined by Silver Cliff Mayor Buck Wenzel and town officials in touring the future site of Silver Cliff’s town plaza. Earlier this year Pettersen secured $13.9 million in funding for 15 community projects, including $1.3 million for the Town of Silver Cliff to purchase and develop property in an undeveloped area to be used as a new town plaza.

“I’m so proud we were able to secure funding for the construction of Silver Cliff’s new town plaza,” said Pettersen. “This project represents a huge investment in our rural communities, and it would not have been possible without the dedication of Mayor Buck Wenzel, Custer County leaders and the entire community. Investments in our community spaces, especially in the more rural parts of our state, are critical for the continued growth and prosperity of our community. I look forward to seeing the project come to fruition.”

“It’s always an honor and a pleasure to be able to have face time and visit with our Congresswoman. Congresswoman Pettersen is sincere, honest and truly cares about the needs of our community,” said Mayor Buck Wenzel.

Rep. Pettersen also visited the Mt. Carmel Veterans group in Westcliffe, where she heard from Custer County veterans about the barriers they face to health care, behavioral health, transportation, and career services. The Congresswoman has been working with the Veterans Health Administration to establish a new VA clinic with primary care and mental healthcare in neighboring Fremont County.

Rep. Pettersen Visits Chaffee County, Hears from Coloradans in Buena Vista and Salida about Housing Costs and How She Can Continue to Deliver in Congress

U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) recently traveled across the 7th Congressional District to hear from constituents, community leaders, and elected officials about the challenges they face, and visit sites where she has recently delivered federal investments.

Earlier this year Pettersen secured $13.9 million in funding for 15 community projects, two of which are located in Chaffee County, a new affordable housing project and child care facility in Buena Vista as well as an affordable housing and solar power project in Salida.

“I’m so happy that we were able to secure funding for these critical projects, and seeing how much progress has been made towards their completion fills me with a lot of hope for the future,” said Pettersen. “We hear so much from rural areas about the workforce shortage, and the lack of affordable housing and child care. We are taking action and addressing these issues, and I know that these two projects will make a big impact on Chaffee County and help make the Colorado an even better place to live”

Rep. Pettersen’s first stop in Chaffee County was Midland Apartments in Buena Vista. Rep. Pettersen secured more than $1.2 million for the town of Buena Vista to develop Midland Apartments into 60 affordable housing units and 4,600 square feet of childcare space. She was joined by officials from Fading West, the site developer and builder, and local leaders including Chaffee County Commissioners Keith Baker and PT Wood, Buena Vista Mayor Libby Fay, and other town officials in touring the site, which broke ground earlier this year.

Rep. Pettersen’s next stop was the site of Jane’s Place in Salida, a 17-unit multi-family affordable housing and community program project currently under construction. She recently secured $300,000 to install a solar array on top of the facility. Rep. Pettersen supported this project to help meet the needs of the local workforce and families experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.

“What most impresses me about Congresswoman Pettersen is her knowledge of the folks in her district and our needs along with her willingness to put in the hard work to help solve those issues. She shows up for Chaffee County and Colorado, it is amazing to have a Representative in Washington who is actually working on the problems faced by regular people in their district,” said P.T. Wood, Chaffee County Commissioner.

Rep. Pettersen Visits Fremont County, Hears from Local Officials and Business Leaders on Workforce Shortages, Housing Costs, and Wildfire Mitigation

U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) recently visited Fremont County, touring sites where she has delivered federal investments, and making stops to visit local residents, business leaders, and elected officials and update them on the work she is doing in Congress.

“Meeting the needs of rural areas is one of my top priorities in Congress, and that means addressing the affordability and accessibility of housing, child care, and health care,” said Pettersen. “ I’m so proud to have secured federal funds for Fremont County that lower housing costs so families can stay in the communities they love. I know there is a lot of work to do, but we have made so much progress already, and I’m hopeful we will continue to deliver for Fremont County.”

During her first stop, Pettersen toured a future affordable housing development with the Upper Arkansas Council of Governments (UAACOG). In this year’s government funding package, Pettersen secured $255,000 for the purchase of six lots for the construction of new family homes. The project broke ground in late May 2024.

“The Upper Arkansas Council of Governments (UAACOG) would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to Congresswoman Pettersen and her team for their commitment to the needs of Colorado’s rural communities and her support for the Self-Help Housing Program. Thank you for helping us help make lives better,” said Heather Evans, Executive Director, Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments.

In Cañon City, Pettersen joined local Chamber of Commerce officials in Florence where she heard directly from Fremont County business owners about housing, transportation, and other policies to create economic opportunity in the region. With the cancellation of bus services between Cañon City and Colorado Springs, seniors in the area now struggle to attend medical appointments and access other essential health care services.

“We at the Royal Gorge Chamber Alliance appreciate how Rep. Pettersen has reached out to the 7th Congressional District communities. During her first term in office, she has visited Fremont County multiple times to get to know our local concerns,” said Bob Stovall, Government Affairs Chair, Royal Gorge Chamber Alliance.

Next, Pettersen met with Cañon City Board of Education and City Council members to discuss how we can support students by addressing workforce challenges in rural Colorado. Council and board members spoke to the high cost of housing and lack of affordable child care options in Fremont County, which are substantial obstacles to recruiting and retaining teachers.

Pettersen then traveled to the John Griffin Park, hearing updates from local and regional officials about upcoming efforts to reconnect the park’s braided channels to the Arkansas River, which were formerly a floodplain. After hearing from the community about the need to reconnect River channels so water flows to John Griffin Park, Pettersen has been leading efforts in Congress to invest $50,000,000 in the Park, through the Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA), a legislative package that enables the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to improve waterways in the United States. This will improve local water storage, protect against future natural disasters, and provide more trails for all to use.

Finally, Pettersen toured the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park now reopened for nearly ten years after a wildfire which devastated the area, destroying 48 of the park’s 52 structures. She heard from Cañon City Mayor Preston Troutman about the significant impact of local tax revenue from tourists visiting the Royal Gorge bridge and why preparing public spaces for future wildfires and other disasters is key to the region’s fiscal stability.

Rep. Pettersen Visits Park County, Hears from Seniors, Business Leaders, and Local Officials on How She Can Continue to Deliver for Coloradans in Congress

U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) recently visited Park County, making stops in Bailey, Alma, and Fairplay to meet with local residents, business leaders, and elected officials and update them on the work she is doing in Congress.

At her first stop in Bailey, Pettersen met with members of the Seniors Alliance of Platte Canyon where she heard about issues impacting Park County seniors including access to health care, housing, and broadband.

“Park County is one of the most naturally beautiful places in the country, and I feel honored to represent it in Congress, but like other areas of rural Colorado it is facing some serious problems that need addressing,” said Rep. Pettersen. “Access to affordable housing, health care, and child care are all recurring issues, and I look forward to continuing to work with local leaders to find solutions.”

Next, Pettersen joined members of the Platte Canyon Area Chamber of Commerce where she heard directly from business leaders about the challenges they are facing to hire a strong workforce because of the lack of quality childcare, affordable housing, and other necessary services. They also discussed the need for better access to mental health care as Park County ranks amongst the highest tier of counties for suicides statewide.

Pettersen then traveled to Alma where she met with Mayor Saam Golgoon and members of the Board of Trustees where she once again heard about workforce challenges and the skyrocketing housing costs as more people continue to move into Colorado’s mountain communities.

In Alma, Pettersen met with elected officials and community leaders to discuss their work to secure the necessary funding to restore their wastewater infrastructure and ensure the residents have access to clean and safe drinking water.

“I had a great visit and meeting with U.S. Rep Brittany Pettersen earlier today. Thank you to Representative Pettersen for her care of our small town and consistent engagement. I have served 16 years on the town council, and in my tenure, this is the first federal representative who has cultivated a working relationship with the Town of Alma. She is a true leader!” said Saam Golgoon, Mayor of Alma.

While in Alma, Pettersen also visited Paris Mill which produced gold, silver, and lead for decades, and is one of the last remaining mills of its era. The mill has been restored thanks to help from the Colorado National Heritage Areas Reauthorization Act which was introduced by Colorado’s United States. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper and signed into law by President Biden in December of 2022. Rep. Pettersen also toured the historic district of South Park City and learned about the Historical Foundation’s efforts at restoration and preservation of buildings and artifacts.

Finally, Pettersen ended the day in Fairplay where she met with Mayor Frank Just and other local leaders. They discussed workforce shortages and lack of affordable housing and childcare in the area. She also heard about the need for wildfire mitigation and addressing the skyrocketing cost of homeowners insurance due to wildfire risks.