7 minute read

A Familiar Face in Colorado Politics

By Caitlyn Kim

John Hickenlooper isn’t new to politics — or even to Congress, to a degree.

Advertisement

During his eight years as governor, he worked with Colorado’s congressional delegation on numerous issues to get the things the state needed.

“A lot of people don’t appreciate that when you’re talking to the delegation as a governor, you’re beseeching, you’re asking, you’re suggesting that they support this or that,” Hickenlooper explained.

Soon he’ll be on the other side of that asking and suggesting that goes on between the state and the federal government. He’ll be Colorado’s junior senator, one of the nine members of Colorado’s congressional delegation. “I’m kind of looking forward to it as a way that I can more directly have an impact that benefits Colorado.” In the months AP Photo/David ZalubowskiJohn Hickenlooper, Democratic candidate since the elecfor the U.S. Senate seat in Colorado, speaks during a car rally for Doug Emhoff, husband of Democratic vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris, at East High School late Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020, in Denver. tion, Hickenlooper has been More than 70 motorists took part in the rally to urge people to get out meeting with and vote in the upcoming election. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) experts on COVID-19, as well as zooming with groups of Coloradans to gather ideas, learn their needs and listen to their opinions. He wants those conversations to be the cornerstone of bills he introduces.

“I hope as much as possible that my legislation is directly reflective of what the people of Colorado want and what they believe will be best for them,” he said.

He points to the CORE Act, the massive Colorado public lands bill pushed by his Democratic colleagues, as one example. It passed the House in the current ending session, but not the Senate, in part because Republican Sen. Cory Gardner, who lost to Hickenlooper in November, wasn’t on board with it. Similar priorities as his time at the state Capitol, but at a very different pace Some of Hickenlooper’s other priorities are in line with what he did as governor — skills training and youth apprenticeship programs that could serve as a model for the country — as well

Susan Walsh/AP PhotoSenate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer as issues that are of N.Y., second from right, talks with the newly elected senators, from important to a left, Sen.-elect John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., Sen.-elect Ben Ray Lujan, majority of ColoD-N.M., and Sen.-elect Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., before a meeting on Capitol radans, such as Hill in Washington, Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. tackling climate change or investing in highways or broadband.

“I still have this optimism that...on some of these issues, like infrastructure, we can find bipartisan agreement and roll up our sleeves and get to work,” Hickenlooper said. “And I really am looking forward to being part of that process.”

What he may not like is the speed of that process. The Senate is deemed the world’s greatest deliberative body. It’s meant to go slow. And that’s not necessarily Hickenlooper’s preferred setting.

Colorado’s Changing Congressional Delegation:

Rep. Scott Tipton Says He’ll ‘Miss The Clowns,’ But Not The Congressional Circus, After 10 Years In Office

From The Western Slope To Capitol Hill: Rep-Elect Lauren Boebert Prepares For Her New Job

Cory Gardner Reminds Colleagues To Balance Principles And Practicality In Final Senate Address

Before, as a business owner, mayor, and then governor, he was always the guy in charge. Hickenlooper said he’s always had this sense of urgency. Even more so now in the middle of a pandemic that has upended businesses and life for much of the year. But some of his colleagues have warned him, the pace can be different.

“A number of senators have warned me to — especially in the beginning — recognize there are 100 people you’ve got to persuade. You know, you’ve got to at least persuade 60 of them for any significant legislation,” he said.

He’s been learning more about the job from some current sitting senators, Democrats like Chris Coons, Joe Manchin and others, as well as Republicans like Sen. Roy Blunt and outgoing Sen. Lamar Alexander. Hickenlooper will also be able to lean on his senior colleague from Colorado. His relationship with Sen. Michael Bennet goes back almost 20 years, to when Hickenlooper was mayor of Denver and Bennet was his chief of staff.

“Every day that goes by I see a different potential opportunity and really look forward to getting to work with a group of very diverse and talented individuals,” Hickenlooper said.

Learning the ropes as a freshman senator but veteran politician

He points out the new class of senators includes people who haven’t been in politics before, such as a former football coach — Republican Tommy Tuberville of Alabama — and a former astronaut — Democrat Mark Kelly of Arizona.

Hickenlooper said he’s enjoyed getting to know the other six senators-elect — two Democrats and four Republicans — during the Senate orientation held right after the election.

It was very short, but they covered the basics, the blocking and tackling of being a senator: hiring and staffing, office budgets, getting lots of background on legislation and procedures, and learning the rules of the senate right down to “when you can speak and when you can’t.”

A lot of Senate work happens in committees, which could be a challenge for Hickenlooper, who admits he’s not a fan of long meetings. Assignments won’t be made until the new Congress is sworn in, but Hickenlooper has expressed interest in a seat on the powerful Appropriations Committee. But he said he would be happy to end up on Energy and Natural Resources, a significant committee assignment for the state, Commerce, which fits his small business background, or Armed Services, another important committee for Colorado.

Hickenlooper has tempered his expectations; as a freshman senator he’s not necessarily going to get his first choices. He said he’s flexible and ready for any assignment. Given his background, he has thoughts on most of the significant issues the country faces.

“I’ve got opinions about how to be cost-effective and efficient in dealing with those things. So whatever committee I’m on I think I can engage and participate in an active way right from the beginning,” Hickenlooper said.

He’ll find out soon enough. Hickenlooper will be sworn in on Jan. 3, in a rare Sunday session of Congress, with his wife and son by his side. Given the challenges facing the country, the 117th Congress is expected to hit the ground not just running, but sprinting.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Wiggins Telephone Association, dba Blue Lightning Statement of Nondiscrimination

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by the USDA (not all baes apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency of USDA’s TARGET Center at 202‐720‐2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 1‐800‐877‐8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complain Form, AD‐3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 1‐866‐632‐9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA within 180 days by: 1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Ave, SW Washington, D.C. 20250‐9410;

2) Fax: 202‐690‐7442; or

3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Wiggin Telephone Association LIFELINE SERVICE AND UNIVERSAL SERVICES Colorado

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lifeline Service is a federally funding program designed to make basic telephone service available at reduced rates to eligible residential customers. Customer’s eligibility to receive the discount must be renewed periodically. The program is limited to one benefit per household, consisting of either wireline or wireless service.

Who Qualifies? You are eligible for Lifeline Service if your annual household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines, or in your household resides a person who receives or has a child who receives benefits from at least one of the following programs:

Medical Assistance (Medicaid) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) National School Lunch Program (only applicant or customer who satisfy the income standard of the program for free meals) Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Health benefits coverage under the state Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) An eligible customer residing in tribal lands Bureau of Indian Affairs general assistance Tribally administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Head Start (only those households meeting its income qualifying standard) Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) Children under 17 years of age with no health insurance Other eligible programs may apply

Information about customers who qualify for Lifeline Service may be shared between state agencies and Wiggins Telephone Association. Lifeline customers can also subscribe to optional services at the same rate offered to other customers.

What Universal Services are available to all customers? Universal services are offered to all customers of Wiggins Telephone Association. . Universal Services available include the following services: Voice grade access to the public switched network or its functional equivalent Minutes of use for Local service Access to emergency services to the extent the local government has implemented 911 or enhanced 911 systems Toll limitation for qualifying low-income consumers Local Calling for Residential Service is $10.55 - $16.00 and Business Service is $15.90 - $23.30 Ability to report service problems seven days a week

This article is from: