Congresswoman Pettersen Continues Fight to Support Those Impacted by Radiation & Toxic Waste at Rocky Flats

WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) today announced the introduction of bipartisan legislation that will uphold our nation's obligation to support and compensate communities harmed by the US nuclear testing. The Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act of 2026 (RECRA), which Pettersen introduced alongside Representative James Moylan (R, GU-AL), would ensure Colorado residents impacted by radiation and toxic waste from Rocky Flats receive justice, financial restitution, and critical healthcare coverage.

"For too long, Coloradans have been impacted by radiation from U.S. nuclear weapons production, testing, and uranium mining at Rocky Flats and Cotter Mill without the compensation they deserve. This bipartisan legislation could finally offer some relief for communities that have suffered without federal support despite decades of documented exposure," said Rep. Brittany Pettersen. "I'm going to continue to do all I can to push not only to extend existing support, but to expand it so that everyone who has been affected by these radioactive sites in my district and across the country gets the care they deserve."

"This legislation brings together a strong bipartisan coalition of Members of Congress, survivors, advocates, and communities who have refused to give up this fight," said Congressman Moylan. "Together, our voices are stronger, and together, we will keep fighting until every American harmed by radiation exposure receives the justice they have been denied. I'm not backing down until we get this across the finish line for the people of Guam who were impacted and all those still left behind."

Specifically, the Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act of 2026 would:

• Expand eligibility to additional impacted communities.

• Extend the filing deadline by fifteen years.

• Increase compensation.

• Authorize reimbursement of medical expenses.

• Broaden the list of eligible diseases.

• Streamline the claims process through the use of affidavits where records are unavailable.

• Establish a process for adding future classes of eligible individuals without requiring additional acts of Congress.

• Recognize the unique challenges faced by many rural, Tribal, Native, and territorial communities.

• Expand eligibility for atomic cleanup veterans.

• Direct a comprehensive study into the long-term and multi-generational health effects of radiation exposure.

For Colorado, the Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act of 2026 would:

• Add 57 ZIP codes surrounding Rocky Flats and Cotter Mill to eligibility under RECA Manhattan Project Waste Claims.

• Expand downwinder eligibility to individuals living in Colorado for a period of at least one year from 1951 to 1992.

Pettersen was an original co-sponsor of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Amendments. The bill proposed to extend RECA for 19 years after the bill's enactment and expand eligibility for compensation payments to cover additional diseases and downwinder communities in Colorado, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Guam.

Full text of the legislation is available HERE.

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