Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper urged the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works to update policy and provide authorizations to support five Colorado water projects across the state with a specific focus on improving water infrastructure in underserved communities.
“Colorado faces a future that’s going to be a lot hotter and a lot drier. That’s why I’ll continue working to invest in Colorado’s aging water infrastructure, provide support for vulnerable communities, and protect waterways that are vital to our communities and economy,” said Bennet.
“Investing in projects that manage flood risk and our water supplies is good for our waterways and even better for our communities,” said Hickenlooper. “These Colorado-grown projects drive federal resources to where they are needed most.”
If selected, the senators’ requests would be incorporated into the Water Resources Development Act, a bill passed every two years to authorize projects that address water management, flood control, ecosystem restoration, and long-term clean water priorities.
The project and policy requests Bennet and Hickenlooper submitted include:
|
LOCATION |
NAME OF PROJECT |
DESCRIPTION |
|
South Platte River |
Policy Updates |
Statutory updates to improve implementation of an ecosystem restoration project designed to reduce flood risk and create equitable access to a healthy environment for underserved communities in Denver. |
|
South Platte River / Mile High Flood District |
Policy Updates |
Policy updates to improve project implementation along a 5.7-mile corridor of the South Platte, providing flood risk protection, recreational amenities, and ecosystem benefits. |
|
El Paso County |
Environmental Infrastructure Authority |
Authority for the US Army Corps of Engineers to engage in projects to improve environmental infrastructure to address water supply and stormwater management needs. |
|
Colorado Springs |
Feasibility Study |
Feasibility study of a project to restore ecosystems along Monument and Fountain Creeks and to rehabilitate the Templeton Gap Levee in Colorado Springs, while benefiting disadvantaged communities located near these areas. |
|
Alamosa |
Alamosa Levee Repair Project |
Alamosa levee repair project to provide reconstruction of the Alamosa levee system, address environmental justice issues, and protect the Alamosa community. |
Earlier this year, Bennet celebrated federal investments in western water infrastructure that he helped secure in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act and reaffirmed his commitment to protect water conservation funds as Congress writes the next Farm Bill.