Dear Neighbor,

Earlier this week, I was proud to join Governor Polis and Senator Bennet to announce historic levels of federal funding that our office helped secure for four Colorado rail projects, including $66.4 million to help make Front Range Passenger Rail a reality! After years of working to secure these investments, I am excited that the Department of Transportation heeded our calls and is helping support countless new opportunities for our communities to connect, grow, and thrive. From Fort Collins to Denver to Pueblo, Coloradans' dream of connecting our Front Range communities through rail is one step closer—and I for one am truly excited about what is in store. 

It was a special honor and privilege to host my colleague in House Leadership, U.S. House Minority Whip, Katherine Clark, in Boulder for a roundtable discussion with local child care representatives on our plans to make child care affordable and accessible for families across the state. As a parent of two young children, I know firsthand that access to quality child care and early childhood education is invaluable.

These services don't just give our children the best possible start; they also open doors to economic opportunities for parents. I look forward to continuing to work together in the fight to ensure that every family and their children have the tools and opportunities to succeed.

Also recently, I hosted the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small in Longmont at a local farm, Gramma Grass & Livestock, to discuss local regenerative agriculture efforts and our work to support small farmers and ranchers. In Congress, I will continue my efforts to strengthen Colorado’s agriculture economy and lower produce costs for folks across the state. 

Keep reading for more exciting updates!

For 37 years, Fire Prevention Captain Linda Austin served Colorado's National Parks and Forests’ fire fighting services with unwavering dedication. She unfortunately lost her life to cancer following her retirement. Linda is the embodiment of the dedication shown by our Forest Service and Firefighting professionals, and this week I had the honor of presenting her family with the American flag flown over the Capitol in tribute to her remarkable legacy.

On Tuesday, we visited Colorado State University's Drone Center, an initiative for which we helped secure Community Project Funding to support the renovation of Christman Airfield—a vital hub for wildfire response and aviation research. Thank you to all the faculty and students who joined us to celebrate the school's innovation!

Read more about this news HERE.

Team Neguse hosted three mobile office hours across the 2nd District this week to assist folks with casework and any issues they are working to resolve with federal agencies. From securing your benefits with agencies like the Social Security Administration to ensuring you receive a passport request on time, Team Neguse is here to help and advocate for you. Be on the lookout for another mobile office hour near you!