Legislative Activity

The Disaster Relief for Farmworkers Act of 2025 establishes a new federal program to provide emergency financial assistance to farmworkers following covered disasters, including natural events and health crises. The Secretary of Agriculture will distribute grants through eligible farmworker organizations to help workers recover from income loss and support community resilience efforts. This act ensures that direct aid reaches migrant and seasonal farmworkers who have recently worked in agriculture.

The PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends critical federal research funding for preterm labor and the care of low birthweight infants through fiscal year 2029. It mandates the establishment of an interagency working group to coordinate efforts related to prematurity. Furthermore, the bill requires a comprehensive study by the National Academies on the financial costs, causes, prevention, and support opportunities related to preterm births.

This resolution honors the life and legacy of Clela Rorex, the Boulder County Clerk who courageously issued the first marriage license to a same-sex couple in the United States in 1975. It recognizes her pioneering action as a significant advancement for civil rights, despite facing intense backlash. The resolution also officially designates March 26, 2025, as Clela Rorex Day to commemorate her enduring advocacy.

The American Family Act fundamentally restructures the Child Tax Credit by replacing the annual lump sum with advance monthly payments for qualifying children. This legislation establishes a new refundable monthly credit of up to $360 per child, alongside a separate $500 non-refundable credit for other dependents. These advance payments are subject to income phase-outs and will reconcile with the final tax return. The old annual Child Tax Credit is terminated for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The Mental and Physical Health Care Comorbidities Act of 2025 establishes a five-year demonstration program under Medicare to test innovative, collaborative treatment models for patients suffering from both mental and physical health issues, particularly when complicated by social needs. Eligible hospitals will receive funding to implement integrated care plans and address social determinants of health for vulnerable populations. The program requires participating hospitals to join a learning collaborative to share best practices, with a final report due to Congress detailing outcomes, cost savings, and recommendations for future policy changes.

The Hot Foods Act of 2025 amends the rules for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to generally allow beneficiaries to purchase hot, ready-to-eat foods. This legislation removes the previous general ban on buying such items with SNAP benefits. However, retailers participating in SNAP will now face a limit, as hot, ready-to-eat food sales cannot exceed 50% of their total gross sales.

The GREEN Appraisals Act of 2025 ensures that the energy efficiency and renewable energy features of a home are accurately reflected in property appraisals for federally backed mortgages. This requires creditors to inform borrowers of their right to provide or request an energy report for the appraiser to consider. Qualified appraisers must take this energy information into account when determining market value, and agencies must develop rules to standardize this process.

The "Watershed Protection and Forest Recovery Act of 2025" enables the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Forest Service, to implement emergency measures on National Forest System lands to protect watersheds and restore forest health after natural disasters. It allows agreements with state, local, and tribal governments for rapid implementation of protection measures, waives matching requirements, and streamlines NEPA compliance for these emergency actions. The Act also clarifies liability for sponsors carrying out these measures and updates related sections of existing agricultural legislation.

The Agricultural Access to Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Mental Health Care Act of 2025 mandates a comprehensive study on the accessibility of mental health and substance use disorder services for farmers and ranchers. This study will identify current barriers to care, examine successful state and local programs, and recommend strategies to improve access for agricultural communities. The goal is to ensure that those working in agriculture can effectively receive necessary treatment and support.

The MATE Improvement Act updates federal requirements for controlled substance prescribing training by expanding the list of professional organizations and educational bodies whose standards must be considered. This ensures that training curricula for various prescribers, including doctors, dentists, and nurses, incorporate the latest guidelines from a broader range of medical and specialty associations. These changes aim to enhance the quality and scope of required education for prescribing controlled substances.

This resolution formally recognizes that the Russian Federation initiated the war against Ukraine through an unprovoked, full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, following previous escalations in 2014.

The Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act focuses on land conservation and management in Colorado. It expands wilderness areas, protects wildlife corridors, and addresses land use issues within the White River National Forest, Rocky Mountain National Park, and the San Juan Mountains region. The bill also withdraws the Thompson Divide area from mineral and geothermal leasing while establishing the Curecanti National Recreation Area. This legislation aims to balance wilderness preservation, recreational use, wildlife protection, and responsible energy development, while also safeguarding existing land uses and tribal rights.

This resolution celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Denver International Airport. It recognizes the airport's contributions and importance to the city. The anniversary will be recognized on February 28, 2025.

The Edward J. Dwight, Jr. Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025 directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Edward J. Dwight, Jr., the first African-American astronaut candidate, in recognition of his achievements and contributions to art and Black history. The Act instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to create the gold medal. It also allows for the production and sale of bronze duplicates to the public and specifies that these medals are national and numismatic items.

The "Protect the West Act of 2025" establishes an Outdoor and Watershed Restoration Fund to provide grants and support restoration projects on federal and non-federal lands, with the goal of improving forest health, watershed function, and wildlife habitat. It creates a Restoration Fund Advisory Council to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on fund distribution and project prioritization. The act also establishes a Restoration and Resilience Partnership Program to implement restoration projects in designated areas, and it allocates significant funding for these initiatives, emphasizing job creation, community involvement, and ecological integrity.

The Gold King Mine Spill Compensation Act of 2025 provides compensation to individuals and businesses who suffered damages from the 2015 Gold King Mine spill and whose claims were previously denied or not fully compensated by the EPA. This Act allows the EPA Administrator to investigate and settle these claims, using Colorado state laws to calculate damages, and establishes a process for claimants to challenge the Administrator's decision in court. The bill also allocates $3.3 million for claim payments. Acceptance of payment under this act releases the United States from any further liability related to the Gold King Mine spill.

The "High Rise Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act of 2025" incentivizes the installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems in high-rise residential buildings by classifying these retrofits as 15-year property for depreciation purposes under the Internal Revenue Code. This classification allows for an accelerated depreciation schedule, providing a tax benefit to building owners who invest in these life-saving systems. The bill defines specific criteria for eligible sprinkler systems, including adherence to National Fire Protection Association standards and installation in buildings with occupiable floors more than 75 feet above fire department access. These provisions aim to encourage widespread adoption of fire sprinkler systems, enhancing safety for residents in high-rise buildings.

The "Bolts Ditch Act" amends a previous act to expand the list of entities eligible to perform maintenance on Bolts Ditch and its headgate within Colorado's Holy Cross Wilderness. Specifically, it adds the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District, a Colorado Special District, and the Upper Eagle Regional Water Authority to the list of eligible maintainers. This aims to ensure the upkeep of this important water infrastructure.

The "Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act" amends Public Law 87-590, modifying the repayment terms for the Arkansas Valley Conduit in Colorado. It stipulates that repayments will be without interest and only cover construction funding from non-federal sources. The repayment period for project facilities is extended to 100 years.

The Tim Hart Wildland Firefighter Classification and Pay Parity Act aims to reform and enhance the pay, benefits, and overall support for Federal wildland firefighters. This includes establishing special base rates of pay, incident response premium pay, and rest and recuperation leave. The bill also addresses health concerns by creating a database for tracking chronic diseases, establishing a mental health program, and providing mental health leave. Additionally, it enhances retirement benefits, ensures pay parity with structural firefighters, and establishes a casualty assistance program to support firefighters and their families in times of need.