Denver – Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, co-chair of the Congressional Olympic and Paralympic Caucus, toured the new United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs after it opened to the public on July 30 following years of work on what is now the first comprehensive Olympic museum in the United States, and the first to celebrate both Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
“It was excellent to tour the brand new United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs,” said Bennet. “This museum commemorates our country’s history in the Olympic and Paralympic games and celebrates the many athletes who have competed. This museum will boost local and national tourism for generations to come and adds to the flourishing sports industry in Colorado Springs.”
“The entire team appreciates Senator Bennet joining us for a tour of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum,” said Christopher Liedel, CEO of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum. “Our museum shares the incredible stories of American athletes at the Olympic and Paralympic games and aims to inspire the next generation. There’s no better home for this first-of-its-kind museum than Colorado Springs and we are honored to be the place where these stories come to life.”
The United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum project began as one of four City of Colorado Springs projects proposed following the passage of the 2013 Regional Tourism Act (RTA). In addition to celebrating American Olympians and Paralympians, the new museum contributes to the sports and fitness industry in Colorado Springs and will boost tourism for years to come.
In 2010, Bennet formed the Congressional Olympic and Paralympic Caucus with U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and former U.S. Senators Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.). In 2018, Bennet co-hosted a bipartisan congressional briefing where five Olympic medalists discussed their experiences with climate change, the impact it has had on winter sports, and the urgent need for Congress to take action. Last month, Bennet urged the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to work to ensure members of Team USA and support staff are able to travel abroad for training and preparation for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games.