Colorado

State Senators:

John Hickenlooper (D)

Term Start: January 3, 2021

Full Name: John Wright Hickenlooper Jr.
Date of Birth: February 7, 1952
Birthplace: Narberth, Pennsylvania, U.S.

Early Life and Education: John Hickenlooper was born in Narberth, Pennsylvania, and raised in nearby suburban Philadelphia. He attended The Haverford School and later went on to Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1974 and a Master of Science degree in Geology in 1980.

Personal Life: John Hickenlooper is married to Robin Pringle, and they have one son. Hickenlooper is known for his approachable and down-to-earth personality, often sharing his experiences as a small business owner and public servant. He continues to reside in Colorado, where he remains actively engaged with his constituents and state affairs.

Early Career: Before entering politics, Hickenlooper had a diverse career. After earning his geology degree, he worked as a geologist for Buckhorn Petroleum in Colorado. However, after being laid off, he transitioned to the brewing industry. In 1988, Hickenlooper co-founded the Wynkoop Brewing Company, one of the first brewpubs in the United States, which contributed to the revitalization of downtown Denver.

Political Career:

Mayor of Denver (2003-2011): Hickenlooper’s political career began when he was elected Mayor of Denver in 2003. He was re-elected in 2007. As mayor, he focused on urban development, transportation, and environmental initiatives, playing a significant role in the city’s economic growth and infrastructure improvements. He’s known for addressing budget deficits without major service cuts and for initiating a ten-year plan to end homelessness. Established the Denver Scholarship Foundation and won re-election with 88% of the vote in 2007.
Governor of Colorado (2011-2019): In 2010, Hickenlooper was elected Governor of Colorado and was re-elected in 2014. He implemented universal background checks and banned high-capacity magazines after the 2012 Aurora shooting. He expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, significantly reducing the uninsured rate in Colorado. Lastly, he initially opposed marijuana legalization, but later supported it as governor. He also worked on initiatives to promote renewable energy and address climate change.
U.S. Senate (2021-present): Elected in 2020, defeating incumbent Republican Cory Gardner. Focuses on issues such as economic development, healthcare, environmental protection, and infrastructure.

Committee Assignments:

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP)
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship

Legislative Achievements:

Climate Action: Hickenlooper is a strong advocate for addressing climate change. He supports policies to reduce carbon emissions, promote renewable energy, and invest in green technology. As governor, he helped implement the Colorado Climate Action Plan.
Economic Development: Hickenlooper focuses on policies that promote economic growth and job creation. He supports infrastructure investment, small business development, and measures to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship.
Healthcare: Hickenlooper advocates for expanding access to affordable healthcare. He supports strengthening the Affordable Care Act (ACA), reducing prescription drug costs, and improving mental health services.
Education: Hickenlooper supports increasing funding for education, improving teacher salaries, and expanding access to early childhood education and vocational training programs.
Bipartisanship: Known for his pragmatic approach, Hickenlooper often works across party lines to pass legislation. He emphasizes collaboration and finding common ground on key issues.

Senator Hickenlooper is known for his dedication to climate action, economic development, healthcare, education, and bipartisanship. His background in geology, entrepreneurship, and public service, along with his extensive experience as Mayor of Denver and Governor of Colorado, shape his legislative priorities. He continues to advocate for policies that benefit Coloradans and the nation.

Committees

Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee plays a vital role in shaping policies that impact economic development, technological innovation, transportation systems, and scientific advancements within a country or region.

Energy and Natural Resources: Committee plays a role in shaping national policies related to energy security, environmental protection, and the sustainable management of natural resources.

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee addresses issues related to health care, education, employment, and retirement policies.

Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Committee plays a crucial role in advocating for the needs of small businesses, promoting entrepreneurship, and creating an environment conducive to small business success and economic growth.

Voting patterns

Senator Hickenlooper has a voting record that reflects his commitment to progressive values, environmental protection, and economic development.

Key Voting Patterns:

Climate Action:

Environmental Protection: Hickenlooper supports aggressive measures to combat climate change. He has voted for legislation that promotes renewable energy, reduces carbon emissions, and invests in green technology. He supports rejoining the Paris Agreement and implementing policies to achieve net-zero emissions.
Public Lands and Conservation: Hickenlooper advocates for the protection and conservation of public lands. He has supported measures that enhance conservation efforts and ensure sustainable use of natural resources.

Economic Development:

Infrastructure Investment: Hickenlooper supports significant investments in infrastructure to promote economic growth. He has voted for legislation like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which aims to modernize transportation, broadband, and public utilities.
Small Business Support: Hickenlooper advocates for policies that support small businesses and entrepreneurship. He supports measures to provide tax relief, reduce regulatory burdens, and increase access to capital for small businesses.

Healthcare:

Affordable Care Act (ACA): Hickenlooper is a strong supporter of the ACA and has voted to protect and expand it. He advocates for measures to lower prescription drug costs, expand Medicaid, and improve access to mental health services.
Public Health Initiatives: Hickenlooper supports increased funding for public health initiatives, including mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and preventive care.

Education:

Funding and Support: Hickenlooper supports increasing funding for education at all levels. He has voted for measures to improve teacher salaries, expand access to early childhood education, and increase funding for vocational training programs.
Higher Education: Hickenlooper advocates for making higher education more affordable and accessible. He supports policies that reduce student loan debt and increase funding for scholarships and grants.

Social Justice:

Civil Rights: Hickenlooper is a strong advocate for civil rights and social justice. He supports legislation to address systemic racism, protect LGBTQ+ rights, and promote gender equality.
Criminal Justice Reform: Hickenlooper supports criminal justice reform measures aimed at reducing mass incarceration, addressing police brutality, and promoting fair sentencing practices.

Bipartisanship:

Collaborative Approach: Known for his pragmatic approach, Hickenlooper often works across party lines to pass legislation. He emphasizes collaboration and finding common ground on key issues.

Overall, Senator Hickenlooper’s voting patterns demonstrate his commitment to environmental protection, healthcare access, economic development, and judicial integrity, aligning with the progressive values of his constituents in Colorado.

Full Name: Michael Farrand Bennet
Date of Birth: November 28, 1964
Birthplace: New Delhi, India

Early Life and Education: Michael Bennet was born in New Delhi, India, where his father, Douglas J. Bennet, was serving as an aide to the U.S. ambassador. Bennet’s family returned to the United States, and he grew up in Washington, D.C. He attended the St. Albans School, a private preparatory school. Bennet went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Wesleyan University in 1987 and later received his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School in 1993.

Personal Life: Michael Bennet is married to Susan Daggett, an environmental attorney, and they have three daughters. The family resides in Denver, Colorado. Bennet is known for his dedication to public service and his efforts to improve the lives of his constituents through thoughtful and pragmatic legislation.

Early Career: Michael Bennet is married to Susan Daggett, an environmental attorney, and they have three daughters. The family resides in Denver, Colorado. Bennet is known for his dedication to public service and his efforts to improve the lives of his constituents through thoughtful and pragmatic legislation.

Michael Bennet (D)

Term Start: January 21, 2009

Political Career:

U.S. Senate: Appointed in January 2009 to fill the seat vacated by Ken Salazar; won election to a full term in 2010, and re-elected in 2016 and 2022.

Committee Assignments:

Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Committee on Finance
Committee on Rules and Administration
Select Committee on Intelligence

Political Positions and Legislative Work:

Education: Helped author the Every Student Succeeds Act, which replaced No Child Left Behind, focusing on modernizing teacher hiring and increasing funding flexibility.
Healthcare: Advocated for the Affordable Care Act; supports efforts to expand healthcare access and lower prescription drug costs.
Environment: Strong advocate for renewable energy and environmental protection; supported the extension of wind and solar tax credits and measures to reduce methane emissions.
Economy: Championed the 2014 Farm Bill to support farmers and ranchers, streamline programs, and conserve natural resources.
Immigration: Member of the “Gang of Eight,” working on comprehensive immigration reform to secure the border and create a pathway to citizenship.
Judiciary: Played a key role in confirming several judges to the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado and the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Senator Michael Bennet is known for his pragmatic approach and bipartisan efforts in addressing key issues such as education reform, healthcare access, and environmental protection

Committees

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: This committee deals with agricultural economics, research, production, and forestry.

Finance: Committee plays a crucial role in shaping the economic direction of a country or region by influencing fiscal and monetary policies that impact individuals, businesses, and governments.

Rules and Administration: Committee ensures that the Senate functions smoothly and efficiently by overseeing its rules, administration, elections, and public access

Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance between national security needs and the protection of civil liberties by ensuring that intelligence operations are conducted lawfully and effectively.

Voting patterns

Senator Bennet has shown a consistent pattern of voting aligned with his priorities on economic development, environmental protection, and healthcare.

Key Voting Patterns:

Education:

Funding and Support: Bennet supports increasing funding for education at all levels. He has voted for measures to improve teacher salaries, expand access to early childhood education, and increase funding for vocational training programs.
Higher Education: Bennet advocates for making higher education more affordable and accessible. He supports policies that reduce student loan debt and increase funding for scholarships and grants.

Healthcare:

Affordable Care Act (ACA): Bennet is a strong supporter of the ACA and has voted to protect and expand it. He advocates for measures to lower prescription drug costs, expand Medicaid, and improve access to mental health services.
Public Health Initiatives: Bennet supports increased funding for public health initiatives, including mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and preventive care.

Economic Policies:

Tax Reform: Bennet supports progressive tax policies aimed at reducing income inequality. He has voted for measures to increase taxes on the wealthy and large corporations while providing tax relief for middle- and low-income families.
Job Creation and Infrastructure: Bennet supports significant investments in infrastructure to promote economic growth. He has voted for legislation to modernize transportation, broadband, and public utilities, which he believes will create jobs and stimulate the economy.

Environmental Protection:

Climate Action: Bennet supports aggressive measures to combat climate change. He has voted for legislation that promotes renewable energy, reduces carbon emissions, and invests in green technology. He supports rejoining the Paris Agreement and implementing policies to achieve net-zero emissions.
Conservation: Bennet advocates for the protection and conservation of public lands. He has supported measures that enhance conservation efforts and ensure sustainable use of natural resources.

Social Justice:

Civil Rights: Bennet is a strong advocate for civil rights and social justice. He supports legislation to address systemic racism, protect LGBTQ+ rights, and promote gender equality.
Criminal Justice Reform: Bennet supports criminal justice reform measures aimed at reducing mass incarceration, addressing police brutality, and promoting fair sentencing practices.

Immigration:

Comprehensive Reform: Bennet advocates for comprehensive immigration reform that includes a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, protections for DACA recipients, and measures to improve the immigration system.
Border Security: While supporting humane treatment of migrants and refugees, Bennet also emphasizes the importance of secure borders and effective immigration enforcement.

Overall, Senator Bennet’s voting patterns demonstrate his commitment to environmental sustainability, healthcare access, economic growth, and the protection of democratic processes.