This week I announced a series of listening sessions across Colorado on the reauthorization of the Farm Bill. The Farm Bill includes much needed drought assistance programs, renewable energy initiatives, trade issues and much more that benefit our Nation’s farmers and ranchers. Next year the Senate will begin work on it and Colorado farmers will be directly impacted by the programs included; for many it could mean the difference between success and failure. Colorado’s farmers deserve to have their voices heard as this work is going on in Washington.

Also this week, I co-sponsored the Renewable Schools Energy Act. The Act would provide zero interest bonds to public school districts to purchase renewable energy products. This legislation will help public school districts save money, increase educational opportunities, bring additional funds to the eligible states, and where applicable, help meet renewable portfolio standard requirements.

Recently, the Senate approved several appropriations bills that would fund important projects in our state, ranging from road construction projects across Colorado to millions of dollars to help prepare Fort Carson for its upcoming influx of 10,000 new troops starting next year.

The Senate also passed a bill very important to Colorado that I was proud to support: the Water Resources Development Act, called WRDA. I worked with my colleagues to complete the Fountain Creek Watershed study, which serves 11 percent of our state’s population. And I worked to get $13 million to help state and local governments continue restoration and responsible development to the South Platte River Valley, now a vibrant economic center.

Late last week, I worked to reauthorize the Voting Rights Act, which the President has now signed into law. The Voting Rights Act was a groundbreaking step forward for ensuring the equality of every American.

The Senate has now begun work on a second energy bill to open part of the Gulf of Mexico to expanded oil and gas development. I believe that Colorado and other states’ open spaces and recreational areas should benefit from part of the royalties garnered from these resources. To accomplish this, I introduced a bipartisan amendment with Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) to use a percentage of the revenues from these new leases to provide a permanent funding source for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

I look forward to spending the month of August in Colorado listening to the concerns and hopes of Colorado’s farmers and ranchers. I will also be visiting several of Colorado’s innovative businesses to listen to them about competing and thriving in an ever changing global economy. I look forward to hearing their successes and their challenges and continuing to push Congress to move our Nation toward energy independence through bio-fuels, wind energy and responsible oil and gas development. I hope to see you at one of my listening sessions or on the road soon.

Sincerely,

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