ICYMI: Hickenlooper Travels to Western Slope, Front Range to Talk Science, Workforce, Cost of Living Crisis, Health Care

In case you missed it, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper took to the road the past week to visit Boulder, Arvada, Golden, Montrose, Delta, Grand Junction, Adams County, and Denver, hitting on everything from Colorado's leadership in science, innovation, and workforce development, to pressing topics like the cost of living crisis and the fight for health care.

SCIENCE, INNOVATION, WORKFORCE

In Boulder, Hickenlooper toured the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Research's (LASP) space weather mission showcase at CU Boulder. He spoke with student researchers about the importance of fighting for science as the Trump admin continues its efforts to dismantle it.

Hickenlooper also met with leaders at Quantum Commons in Arvada, which he helped establish through funding in his CHIPS and Science Act. At the Commons, he saw Colorado's global leadership in quantum innovation and workforce development firsthand. The group celebrated Elevate Quantum's new partnership with Front Range Community College and CU Denver, pushing forward a quantum workforce pipeline.

Check out Hickenlooper's reaction at Quantum Commons

The Senator then travelled to Golden for a roundtable discussion at Colorado School of Mines with local officials, school leaders, students, and industry professionals on artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications. Hickenlooper focused on harnessing AI so it benefits everyone, while also preparing our workforce for the AI future. He specifically noted his VET AI Act to form guidelines for how to better test and verify the development of AI.

In Denver, Hickenlooper attended the Colorado FIRST robotics competition for high school students, showcasing the hard work and skills of Colorado's future innovators. Hickenlooper delivered opening remarks, encouraging the students and reminding all in attendance of the importance of STEM education.

As the only peer-reviewed scientist in the U.S. Senate, Hickenlooper continues to fight for science in the face of the Trump admin's attack on science, vocalizing the importance of science in our day-to-day lives and demanding full funding for research institutions like the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR).

In Delta, Hickenlooper toured the Delta Innovation Workspace, a hub for small businesses and workforce development. After the tour, the group talked about preparing the next generation for success in whatever career path they choose. As a former small business owner himself, Hickenlooper emphasized the importance of providing small businesses resources they need to flourish.

See Hickenlooper's thoughts here

With his position on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Hickenlooper has consistently led efforts to bolster workforce development and invest in Colorado's small businesses.

COST OF LIVING CRISIS

After one year of Trump's illegal tariffs slamming Coloradans and over one month since his illegal war with Iran sent gas, grocery, and living costs skyward, Coloradans are right in the thick of a cost of living crisis. Hickenlooper sat down with them to talk about their experiences and working on a path forward.

In Montrose, Hickenlooper met with local small business owners, farmers, and officials to discuss the impact of President Trump's illegal tariffs. The Senator heard from business owners whose margins are tight and some even say they're operating at a loss. A farmer also told Hickenlooper he was even considering not planting his crop this season.

WATCH Hickenlooper speak on tariffs with folks in Montrose

Hickenlooper noted the introduction of his Tariff Refund Act of 2026 to fully refund American small businesses for the Trump tariff-taxes they paid, a piece of his effort to refund Americans for tariffs paid. Hickenlooper has also called out their impacts on farmers as he continues to meet with them to hear their stories.

In Grand Junction, Hickenlooper toured a child care facility at the Confluence Center, where he spoke with community members, parents, and providers on the challenges facing child care after Trump's reckless cuts to child care in Colorado and misguided accusations of fraud. This Congress, Hickenlooper introduced the Child Care Modernization Act to increase the affordability and accessibility of child care all across the state.

WATCH coverage of the visit

Back in Denver, Hickenlooper visited Montbello's FreshLo Hub, a project that offers affordable housing, a community-run grocery store, and a small business hub to help address the growing cost-of-living crisis. He spoke with community organizers, small business owners, and residents about their experiences struggling to keep up with increasing costs and afford their housing.

FIGHT FOR HEALTH CARE

Coloradans are experiencing a health care crisis after Trump and MAGA Republicans' "Big Bad Betrayal Act" passed, cutting over $1 trillion from Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, doubling health care costs and putting rural health facilities at risk. 240,000 Coloradans are at risk of losing their coverage as well.

In Delta, Hickenlooper toured Delta Health and met with local and regional health professionals for a roundtable discussion on increased costs and challenges faced by rural hospitals. The group discussed limited access to resources and lack of funding, leading to increased costs and decreased services for patients.

Hickenlooper noted his efforts to bolster rural health care through his Rural Health Innovation Act and his efforts to make health care costs transparent for everyone via his Patients Deserve Price Tags Act.

In Adams County, Hickenlooper hosted a roundtable with local public health experts to discuss the recent funding cuts, the outbreaks of measles, the state of pandemic preparedness and vaccine coverage. The discussion made it clear that the Trump admin's cuts to the public health grants and reckless firing of vaccine experts are making us all less healthy and less prepared for the next pandemic.

Check out what they're saying:

CBS Denver: Hickenlooper Visits CU Science Lab

Boulder has long been a leader in climate related science, and Senator John Hickenlooper was in town today to check out all that cutting-edge research at CU Boulder.

Scientists all over the area from NASA and NOAA showed off their studies, that as the Trump administration plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research, or NCAR.

Hickenlooper talked about the work coming from right here in Colorado:

"You think about the costs and the risk when we begin to cut the budget around our ability to accurately describe and predict weather patterns when each farmer, each rancher are spending basically their entire family's life business, they're making those allocations of capital based on predictions that are coming right out of this facility."

Western Slope Now: Hickenlooper addresses costs, cuts in Montrose, Delta

U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper arrived on the Western Slope on Monday, April 6, for a two-day visit to discuss federal tariffs and the impact of health care funding cuts. During his first day in the region, the Senator held appearances and roundtable discussions in both Montrose and Delta.

Community members in Montrose and Delta counties used the meetings to address concerns regarding rising insurance premiums and manufacturing costs. Hickenlooper described the financial pressure on local businesses and residents as a critical situation. "It's an emergency, that people whether it's tariff costs for small manufacturers or whether it's the cost of insurance going up 50%," Hickenlooper said.

…The discussions also highlighted the impact of trade policies and rising costs for fertilizer and diesel fuel on the agricultural sector. Hickenlooper noted that these expenses are forcing some producers to consider leaving their fields unplanted. "There are a bunch of farmers and ranchers there," Hickenlooper said. "They're going to let their land lie fallow. That's not healthy for the country."

…Hickenlooper also criticized the impact of Medicare and Medicaid cuts. He acknowledged the reality of rising medical costs while questioning federal budget priorities regarding tax breaks. "It's outrageous that we would cut that much Medicaid, that much Medicare to create a giant set of tax breaks," Hickenlooper said. "But those rising costs are real and we've got to deal with them."

Beyond health care and trade, the Senator discussed supporting high school students who do not wish to attend college. He proposed a new apprenticeship system for students ages 16 to 18. Under the proposal, graduates could earn $25 an hour and receive college credits while gaining professional experience.

The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel: Hickenlooper holds childcare affordability roundtable in Grand Junction

U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper sat down for a roundtable Tuesday morning with Grand Valley parents and leaders to gather their perspectives on childcare, feedback that can inform his policy aims back in Washington.

After a tour of the Confluence Center of Colorado, 2596 Dos Rios Dr., to learn about some of its tenants (such as EUREKA! McConnell Science Museum and its STREAM Preschool program), Hickenlooper fielded comments from just under 20 people who either have kids enrolled in STREAM, oversee county or city services, or lead community organizations.

ABC Grand Junction: Hickenlooper discusses childcare funding concerns in Grand Junction

Senator Hickenlooper spoke with members of the community about one topic: the cost of child care in Colorado.

"I walked into their classrooms and these kids were alive and their faces sparkled with enthusiasm. They were clearly curious and asking questions. That's what we want to see everywhere," Hickenlooper said.

…The Trump administration notified Colorado early this year about funding restrictions for the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program, or CCAP.

"CCAP got a punch to the gut. And when the federal government has been pulling money back in every different direction, out of Colorado, and the president has been open in his disdain for the federal funding any kind of child care, any early childhood education, it's hard to switch the system, you know, right in the middle of everyone doing their jobs," Hickenlooper said.

…Hickenlooper said childcare funding needs more attention.

"We really need to come to a holistic, comprehensive solution. So, support from the federal government, support from counties, and local communities. The business community has to be at the table. This is an issue that is, again, foundational to our economy and our, you know, how we live our lives," Hickenlooper said.

ABC Denver: Hickenlooper visits Montbello FreshLo Hub, talks affordability and war with Iran

I met the Senator as he was checking out the Montbello FreshLo Hub.

…Hickenlooper told me places like these are so needed, especially as we reach affordability emergency status.

…"People are paying now more for their health care than they pay for their mortgage," Hickenlooper said. "The gasoline cost has gone up 50%, you know, food is going to go up dramatically. All the fertilizer that comes through the Strait of Hormuz, that's all up 40, 50%. I mean, think about farmers."

…When asked about how the war with Iran has contributed to affordability issues for Coloradans, Hickenlooper said it's continuing to drive prices up.

"Even if we reached a peaceful agreement tomorrow, we're still going to see prices increasing, because so many ships were unable to get through the strait for, you know, now it's been over a month, so that has a cost," Hickenlooper said.

Denver7 asked him about the lack of congressional approval for actions taken against Iran and what senators plan to do moving forward.

"There is specific legislation that passed years ago called the War Powers Act, and we have now, as Democrats, tried to introduce four different bills around the War Powers Act, and we can't get it through the Republicans. I think the Republicans are going to come around and they're going to recognize that this war is costing far more than what immediately meets the eye," Hickenlooper said. "They're saying it's a billion dollars a day.. And yet suddenly we're told, 'Oh no, we're going to need $200 billion to rebuild our stockpiles.' We don't have that money, so we're going to have to borrow that money. That means interest rates are probably going to go up. The Fed's probably going to raise interest rates. Mortgages are going to go up - still more expenses for working people at the end of the month."

Hickenlooper said the heightened affordability issues are happening during a time when Coloradans are also experiencing some of the worst drought conditions in decades.

"The lowest amount of snowfall Leadville ever had was 182 inches. That's in 100 years, that's the lowest they ever had. This year, it's 60 inches right? The average was 240 inches. So, I mean, we're in a position now where all the things we took for granted are being turned upside down," Hickenlooper said.

Hickenlooper said these issues combined equal higher costs for working people.

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