Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet issued the following statement following the announcement that U.S. Highway 36, which was heavily damaged from last month’s floods, will reopen on Monday, November 4, roughly one month ahead of schedule.
“This announcement is a symbol of the resiliency and strength of Coloradans. Since flooding began, crews from the Colorado Department of Transportation and the National Guard have worked around-the-clock to rebuild as quickly as possible. Opening the highway nearly a month ahead of time is a testament to their hard work. We are all indebted to their selflessness and service.
“Opening this highway also provides much-needed access to many communities, including Estes Park, bringing relief to both businesses that have been hit hard by the floods and the federal shutdown, and residents who have had to go to great lengths just to get into and out of their towns.”
Bennet has fought since the flooding began to ensure that Coloradans have every resource needed to save lives and rebuild. He was a key part of the Colorado delegation-wide effort that successfully lifted the cap on the amount of emergency transportation resources Colorado could access to rebuild damaged infrastructure. He, along with the rest of the Colorado delegation, also urged the President to quickly declare an emergency when flooding began to ensure that emergency funding was available for response and recovery efforts. And he recently joined the delegation in asking FEMA to support Governor Hickenlooper’s request to add additional counties to those eligible for individual and public assistance.