In case you missed it, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper traveled to Silverthorne, Vail, and Eagle last week to discuss top of mind issues with constituents and celebrate federal investments in affordable housing, water management, infrastructure, and fighting climate change. He also discussed outdoor recreation at Colorado’s inaugural Outdoor Festival in Denver.
In Silverthorne, Hickenlooper met with local leaders and discussed wildfires, increased cost of living in mountain communities, and outdoor recreation.
Hickenlooper spoke to county commissioners at the Colorado Counties Incorporated (CCI) conference and highlighted the federal investments improving Colorado’s aging infrastructure, climate resilience, housing availability, and workforce opportunities across the state. He also met with county commissioners from the Eastern Plains for an update on the local damage and clean-up efforts from the recent severe hailstorms in Yuma County and nearby communities.
Hickenlooper then headed to Eagle where he hosted a town hall to hear directly from Coloradans and discussed issues ranging from immigration and affordable housing to climate change.
In Denver, Hickenlooper spoke on a panel at the inaugural Outside Festival. He discussed the importance of outdoor recreation for Colorado and highlighted the efforts he’s leading to preserve our natural landscapes and expand access to outdoor rec opportunities.
Check out the headlines below:
Vail Daily: At town hall in Eagle, Hickenlooper faces questions about water, inflation, immigration
It seemed like most of the town of Eagle’s police force was present Wednesday at Sen. John Hickenlooper’s town hall at the Eagle County Building. It was soon apparent why they were there.
As the town hall kicked off, a trio of protesters, all from Ceasefire Now of the Roaring Fork Valley, began shouting at Hickenlooper, accusing him of enabling “genocide” in the war between Israel and Hamas. The protesters continued, despite calls from other audience members stating they wanted to ask questions of the senator.
Hickenlooper told the protesters he’s long advocated for a ceasefire on both sides of the Middle Eastern conflict, adding he favors a two-state solution between Palestinians and Israelis…
Working out immigration
During the question-and-answer period, a resident stated she’s been in the county undocumented for more than 20 years, and asked why it seems newcomers have more opportunity than those who are already here.
Hickenlooper replied that “the way people have been treated at the border is unacceptable,” and noted that Congressional Democrats and Republicans recently hammered out an immigration bill — one he said was short-circuited by former President Donald Trump.
But, Hickenlooper added, “If we started to deport people who have been here … our economy would grind to a halt. You’re noticed, and you’re appreciated, more than you might know.”…
Talking about Shoshone
After the town hall, Hickenlooper took a few minutes to talk about the process of purchasing the Shoshone water right on the Colorado River.
Hickenlooper said he and fellow Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet are “two of the leading voices” in trying to resolve what he called the “crisis” of supply and demand along the river.
Hickenlooper’s work on the river dates back to his two terms as Colorado’s governor, from 2011 to 2019. Work started during that time on the Colorado Water Plan. That plan “demonstrates the state is united” behind the Shoshone water right, Hickenlooper said.
Hickenlooper noted that when he first went to Washington in 2021, he worked to build a coalition of Western legislators similar to the Western Governors Association. He and Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis, a Republican, are co-chairs of that group.
Denver Gazette: First Outside Festival hopes to sell Colorado as the heart of trillion-dollar outdoor economy
Denver’s first Outside Festival is here.
But it didn’t start with the thousands of visitors and dozens of vendors expected this weekend to pack Civic Center Park for its concerts, films and activities.
The Outside Festival began in a conference room at the Denver Art Museum with a smaller event catering to outdoor recreation industry professionals to talk about one of the main reasons the festival even exists: to position Colorado and Denver as the leader of a booming corner of the economy in a just and sustainable way.
… Colorado’s advantages: politics, sustainability and diversity
Colorado’s progressive politics is a key part of making the state an epicenter for the outdoor industry, several state, city and tourism officials emphasized ahead the event.
But at the Outside Festival’s industry day “The Summit,” held in the Denver Art Museum on Friday, speakers also said there’s a need to push environmental policies with a bipartisan appeal.
The panel invited politicians from both sides of the aisle though a majority were Democrats, including Denver’s mayor, Sen. John Hickenlooper and Rep. Diana DeGette.
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