Bennet, Rosen, Klobuchar, Merkley Create and Expand Grant and Loan Programs to Monitor Air Pollution from Wildfires

Jul 30, 2026 | Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet joined U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) to introduce a bill to help state, local, and Tribal government agencies monitor worsening air pollution caused by wildfires and make more informed public health decisions. The Wildfire Air Quality Sensor Expansion Act would direct the Environmental Protection Agency to create and expand new and existing grant and loan programs to allow agencies to purchase and operate portable air sensors, a low-cost technology to measure and detect harmful pollutants caused by wildfire smoke. Increasing access to air quality information is expected to help governments and communities make better public health and wildfire response decisions.

"Colorado is facing one of the most severe wildfire seasons to date, with Coloradans not only fearful of fire growth and destruction, but also the health risks that come with poor air quality," said Bennet. "We need legislation like the Wildfire Air Quality Sensor Expansion Act to ensure all Coloradans can keep themselves safe and informed during the wildfire seasons ahead."

"As wildfires continue to ravage Nevada and the West, it is important that we take every measure possible to protect our communities," said Rosen. "Air sensors provide a relatively easy, low-cost solution that can help protect Nevadans from harmful pollutants and support wildfire response almost immediately - which is why my bill will help make them more available. I will continue fighting to ensure that Nevadans have the federal resources they need to access clean air and stay safe from wildfires."

"In Minnesota, smoke from the recent wildfires in the Superior National Forest created hazy and unhealthy air quality conditions throughout the state," said Klobuchar. "I'm supporting this legislation to help areas impacted by wildfires measure air pollutants and keep our communities healthy and safe."

"When the 2020 Labor Day fires swept across Oregon, I drove over 600 miles and never once escaped the smoke that blanketed our state. Oregonians are facing yet another deadly fire season this year, and it is essential that our communities have all the necessary tools to respond to wildfires and smoke-related threats," said Merkley. "Our bill helps communities plan for and cope with hazardous air quality caused by wildfire smoke, which threatens public health, disrupts daily life, and shows just how devastating climate chaos-fueled fires can be."

Bennet has consistently fought for the support that Colorado communities need to combat wildfires. Earlier this month, Bennet and Senator John Hickenlooper joined Rosen and six Senate colleagues in urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to ensure that all communities receive the federal resources they need to respond to and prevent wildfires. Bennet and Hickenlooper also visited the Aspen Acres Fire burn scar in Beulah, Colorado, meeting with first responders and community members impacted by the devastating fire. In March 2026, Bennet urged U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz to prioritize proactive wildfire mitigation efforts in the West.

In December 2025, Bennet urged Schultz to address persistent staffing shortages and mounting setbacks to wildfire risk reduction efforts across the West and the country. In September 2025, Bennet welcomed over $26 million in funding to reduce wildfire risk and protect vulnerable communities across Colorado. In response to last year's Lee and Elk wildfires, Bennet urged President Donald Trump for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration and Public Assistance for Rio Blanco County. In May 2025, Bennet urged former U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to reconsider plans to gut FEMA ahead of the 2025 wildfire season. In March 2025, Bennet and John Curtis (R-Utah) reintroduced the Watershed Protection and Forestry Recovery Act and the Making Access to Cleanup Happen (MATCH) Act. These bipartisan bills improve and expedite emergency watershed recovery efforts by removing bureaucratic barriers that delay disaster response and empowering local partners to initiate forest and watershed recovery measures. In February 2025, Bennet reintroduced the Protect the West Act, legislation to combat intensifying wildfires and drought across the West. In January 2025, Bennet reintroduced the Cleaner Air Spaces Act to reduce the negative health effects caused by wildfire smoke in vulnerable communities. In February 2023, Bennet introduced the Protect the West Act to make a $60 billion investment in our forests to reduce wildfire risk, restore our watersheds, and protect our communities.

The text of the bill is available HERE.

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