Colorado

Good Neighbor Forestry Act of 2009 Would Expand Program in Colorado to Western States to Improve Forest Health

May 21, 2009 -- Washington, DC - Mark Udall and Michael Bennet, U.S. Senators from Colorado, are working to protect the health and safety of Colorado's forests by pushing for continued cooperation between state and federal forestry agencies and efficient use of resources through the Good Neighbor Forestry Act of 2009.    » read more »

May 22, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter has directed that U.S. and Colorado flags at federal and state facilities be lowered to half-staff this coming Memorial Day (until noon).

"On behalf of the people of Colorado, it is my privilege to honor the brave military men and women of Colorado who made the ultimate sacrifice while defending America's freedoms," Gov. Ritter said. "Their service and our memories of them have become woven into the fabric that makes Colorado and this nation so great, and they will not be forgotten."

"While we can never repay the debt they are owed, we must make every effort to do so," Gov. Ritter said. "We can make sure their families are cared for while they are away, and we can provide jobs for them when they come home.    » read more »

May 22, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today praised the federal Environmental Protection Agency for recommending reconsideration of the recently issued air permit for the proposed Desert Rock Energy Facility in the Four Corners region.

In a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, Gov. Ritter also asked for a thorough and thoughtful review of air emission controls for the existing nearby Four Corners Power Plant and the Navajo Generating Station.    » read more »

New laws will increase graduation rates, help secure federal education funding

May 21, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today signed into law a comprehensive package of education-reform measures, including bills to help reduce the dropout rate, allow students to simultaneously earn a high school diploma and a college associate's degree, and give Colorado a better chance of landing federal "Race to the Top" funds.

"In my first State of the State Address, I set out aggressive and bold objectives for education, including cutting Colorado's dropout rate and achievement gap in half over the next 10 years and doubling the number of college degrees earned by Colorado residents," Gov. Ritter said.    » read more »

Udall, Bennet Push to Prioritize Funding for Wildfire Prevention Programs in Mountain Pine Beetle Afflicted Regions of Colorado

May 20, 2009 -- Washington, DC - With the dry, summer season fast approaching, Mark Udall and Michael Bennet, U.S. Senators for Colorado, today announced their push for resources to prevent severe wildfires and protect Colorado communities and water supplies, especially in areas affected by the mountain pine beetle epidemic.

Udall and Bennet are pushing for special funding priority for Federal Land Management Agencies-the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the National Parks Service- to boost wildfire prevention programs, especially in areas hard-hit by the mountain pine beetle epidemic.    » read more »

Without Legislation, Medicare Contracts Could Be Withdrawn from San Luis Valley's Colorado Choice Health Plans and Rocky Mountain Health Plans - Limit Services Available to Seniors

May 19, 2009 -- Washington, DC - Senator Michael Bennet, Colorado, today announced his push to ensure continued health care coverage for seniors in Colorado's rural communities. Currently, Rocky Mountain Health Plans and San Luis Valley's Colorado Choice Plans are at risk of losing their Medicare Cost Contract plans, which ensure Medicare coverage, at the end of 2009.

In an effort to ensure health care access for Colorado's Medicare beneficiaries living in rural areas, Bennet today joined lawmakers in introducing legislation that would extend Medicare Cost Contracts for an additional three years.    » read more »

Bennet Votes for Bill To Protect Colorado Families, Rein in Unfair and Abusive Credit Card Company Practices

May 19, 2009 -- Washington, DC - Michael Bennet, U.S. Senator for Colorado, gave the following statement today after voting in favor of legislation in the Senate that would rein in unfair and abusive credit card company practices.

In April, Bennet cast the deciding vote in the Senate Banking Committee to send the legislation out of committee. Bennet spoke on the Senate floor last week to highlight stories of Coloradans affected by arbitrary credit card rate hikes, excessive fees and predatory practices, demonstrating a real need for the legislation. The bill passed the Senate 90 to 5.    » read more »

May 19, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today applauded the Obama administration for establishing new automobile emission and efficiency standards that will begin to take effect in 2012.

"President Obama's historic agreement to reduce automobile emissions and increase fuel efficiency will help transition America to a clean energy economy and a new energy future," Gov. Ritter said.

"These new standards will help break our dependence on foreign oil, reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, benefit consumers, and provide much-needed economic certainty and stability to the auto-manufacturing industry.    » read more »

Letter to Secretary Geithner Urges Help for Region’s Banks to Fill Demand Left by Closure of New Frontier Bank

May 19, 2009 -- Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Mark Udall and Michael Bennet and Congresswoman Betsy Markey are seeking help for Northern Colorado farmers and small business owners affected by the closure of New Frontier Bank through the Treasury Department’s Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).    » read more »

May 15, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today issued the following comments on the U.S. Air Force's announcement that Lackland Air Force base in Texas has been selected as the preferred alternative to locate the Cyber 24th Air Force. The announcement was made as part of the Air Force's Environmental Impact Analysis Process. A final decision by the Air Force Secretary is expected upon completion of the EIAP.    » read more »

May 15, 2009 -- LAKEWOOD -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today visited hundreds of students at Foothills Elementary School to sign into law three major New Energy Economy bills, including one that will help schools invest in solar panels, wind turbines and hybrid or electric buses.

House Bill 1312, sponsored by Rep. Andy Kerr and Sens. Gail Schwartz and Chris Romer, creates an innovative "Renewables for Schools" loan program to help schools afford clean-energy projects and electric or hybrid buses so they can reduce utility costs and invest those savings back where they belong -- in the classroom. In January, with the help of the Governor's Energy Office, Foothills Elementary installed a 9.5 kilowatt solar system on its roof.    » read more »

May 14, 2009 -- In honor of National Food Allergy Awareness Week, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today signed into law a bill that will help teachers and parents better respond to students with severe food allergies. Senate Bill 226, sponsored by Sen. Paula Sandoval and Rep. Sara Gagliardi, will help schools provide quicker responses to incidents of anaphylaxis and other food allergy emergencies.

About 84 percent of Colorado schools enroll children with a known food allergy, and the numbers are increasing. "As the number of students with food allergies continues to grow, we must help teachers and parents create safe, responsive school environments," Gov. Ritter said. "This measure takes the appropriate steps to ensure every child feels safe."    » read more »

May 13, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today urged the leaders of two powerful congressional committees to retain the Intangible Drilling Costs tax deduction to help exploration and production of clean-burning natural gas, which is a key part of Colorado's New Energy Economy.

In a letter to leaders of the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means committees, Gov. Ritter encouraged them to maintain the deduction. "The current economic climate is driving significant cutbacks in drilling activity across the nation, and repeal or significant limitation of the existing deduction for intangible drilling costs would create an additional disincentive for new exploration and development," Gov. Ritter wrote.    » read more »

05/11/2009 -- WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that it has paid more than $400 million in compensation and medical benefits to Colorado residents under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA). The act was created to assist those individuals who became ill as a result of working in the atomic weapons industry.

Survivors of such individuals may also be eligible for benefits. Since the implementation of the act, the Labor Department has paid 50,574 claimants more than $4.7 billion in compensation and medical benefits nationwide.    » read more »

New laws increase bicycle safety, help military and improve school funding

May 11, 2009 -- COLORADO SPRINGS -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today signed into law seven bills during a town hall meeting with El Paso County state Reps. Dennis Apuan and Mike Merrifield and Sen. John Morse, including measures to improve bicycle safety and help National Guard citizen-soldiers afford college.    » read more »