In December 2009, with security deteriorating in the region, President Obama announced a new way forward - one that signals to the Afghan and Pakistani governments that they must step up to meet their commitments and that our own military commitment to Afghanistan is not open-ended. Although there are no easy or risk-free choices, the President has made a reasoned case for a strategy to refocus our attention on rooting out Al Qaeda, stabilizing the region, and beginning to transition our forces out of Afghanistan.

As a former state legislator and friend once told me, "Mark, if you eat, you're in agriculture." Truer words were never spoken, and I have always kept them in mind. From orchards on the Western Slope to dairies in Morgan County, our farms and ranches are a critical part of Colorado's economy and identity.

American families are facing tremendous challenges today - from skyrocketing health care costs to job losses, and they're impatient with politics and with good reason. Coloradans have told me that they want me to fight for them in Washington, D.C., not as a member of one political party or another, but as an independent thinker who will do what is best for the state, even if it means sometimes diverging from my political party. We have to find solutions to major problems we face - our country depends on it. Only by bridging the partisan divide will we be able to make real progress.

In the decades following World War II, hundreds of thousands of Americans went to work to help build our nation's nuclear arsenal. Their service made it possible for us to win the Cold War. And like veterans of "hot" wars, they sacrificed for our freedom. Many of these workers were exposed to dangerous substances on the job - often without their knowledge. Among them were thousands of Coloradans who worked at the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site, many of whom now suffer from beryllium disease, cancer, or other serious illnesses.

The warming of the earth's climate system is happening. The vast majority of scientists, as well as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, support this unequivocal conclusion. Sea temperatures are rising, glaciers are melting, and air temperatures worldwide are increasing. Scientists, a majority of the public, industry, and state and local officials now agree that climate change is a challenge our society must address. Here in Colorado, we are already witnessing the impacts of climate change with increased threats from drought, wildfire, and bark beetle infestation. We need to take swift but responsible action before we see major negative effects - not only to our climate, but our national security, and our economy.

A quality education is the most important gift we can give our children. It is the key to a prosperous future and a strong economy. And that's why guaranteeing an excellent education that gives every student a chance to succeed has been one of my priorities for as long as I've been in public service. I know that by working together, we can ensure our young people are leaving school prepared to secure good-paying jobs in the global economy, particularly growing fields like the burgeoning clean energy economy.

Promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency is about much more than being good stewards of our natural resources. It's about protecting our nation's security and strengthening our economy. Today, we rely heavily on oil, which means that we are at the mercy of unstable and unfriendly governments in South America, Africa and the Middle East. And it means that a natural disaster like Hurricane Katrina could turn into a national energy crisis if the supply of oil were disrupted, forcing gas and heating prices to rise out of control.

Looking forward, the long-term health of the U.S. economy will require us to return to basic fundamentals - principles that Coloradans have lived by for generations. Our government must adopt a smart fiscal policy that is focused on balancing the federal budget and reducing the federal deficit. If we expect our nation's hardworking families to balance their checkbooks, then we should expect the same of our government.

As I visit communities across our state, Coloradans consistently tell me that one of their top concerns is the rising cost of health care. Families and small businesses are being crushed by skyrocketing costs, and - if they have health insurance at all - they're struggling to keep up with co-pays and deductibles. Too many Coloradans are skipping doctors' appointments altogether because they can't afford the payments. Others are frustrated by health insurance plans that cut back on coverage or drop people for getting sick.

On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed into law the historic Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148). Democratic and Republican presidents for the last 100 years have attempted to achieve comprehensive health insurance reform, and I am humbled to have been part of the effort to finally make it a reality.

Having grown up in the West, I have a deep appreciation for our outdoor heritage. As a kid I learned how to shoot a rifle, and as an instructor and later executive director of Colorado Outward Bound, I developed a great respect for Colorado's wildlife and habitat. Gun-ownership, hunting and fishing are all a part of the way of life in the West, and as a Member of Congress I support the role that sportsmen and women play in promoting responsible wildlife management and conservation of our great outdoors.

Immigration is a central feature of our history and our success as a country. We are a nation of immigrants - people from around the world have come here to find better lives for themselves and their families. In Colorado, immigrants came to farm, to build railroads, and to work as miners. Their contributions have had a lasting impact on our state's economy and cultural heritage.

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee and now the Senate Armed Services Committee, I have fought to ensure that our brave service members from Colorado and across the country have the resources they need to do their jobs. In Iraq, our troops have performed extraordinarily well under difficult conditions, and I am very proud of their efforts. But like most Americans, I am frustrated by the last Administration's failed policies, and I believe that now it's time to bring our service members home.

My first priority is to fight as hard as I can to turn our economy around quickly and responsibly. Years of deceptive lending practices, arrogant and risky behavior by large financial institutions, and negligent oversight have taken their toll on the economy. And it is the people who played by the rules who are hurting the worst. Despite the fact that the worst of the economic recession appears to be over, many Colorado families continue to struggle with job loss and home foreclosure. Economic recovery won't feel real until people can get back on the job. That's why I am working with my colleagues in both parties to create jobs, balance the budget and help restore economic prosperity.

As a native Westerner, I am passionate about preserving our natural environment and quality of life. For generations, my family has hiked, skied and rafted many of Colorado's wild lands and rivers. I have a deep attachment to the West, its landscapes and way of life, and that is one of the primary reasons I sought public office.

Across Colorado, universities, federal laboratories, and private companies are advancing the cutting edge of science and technology, and educating future generations of researchers, CEOs and teachers. These groups are not only delivering Nobel Prizes to Colorado, but they are also bringing investment dollars and good-paying jobs as well. As the state continues to build and recruit businesses, Colorado is drawing upon some of the brightest minds and best entrepreneurs in the nation. Their work expands our understanding of the world around us and keeps our state at the forefront of economic development and innovation.

I believe that federal taxes should be as simple, low, and as fair as possible so that Colorado families and small business owners can use their hard-earned money to save, invest, and expand their opportunities. Tax policy should help spur job growth, and the tax burden should be manageable for individual taxpayers and businesses. In addition, good, sound tax policy must help reduce the federal debt in the long run.

The attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, united our country as we confronted the international security challenge posed by extremist Islamic terrorist groups like al Qaeda. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I have a seat at the table as we make important decisions about how to secure our nation. And I am firmly committed to helping Colorado and our nation win the fight against the forces of terrorism.

My father served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and I have a deep respect for those who have served our country in uniform. From my father's experience, I know how important it is that we honor our promise to provide veterans with health care, education, and other benefits. If you have served our country and risked your life for our freedom, we owe you a debt of gratitude that matches your sacrifice - and that includes comprehensive health care and benefits.