Bennet, Hickenlooper, Polis, Colorado Lawmakers Celebrate Three Years of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Investments in Colorado

Denver - Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, alongside and Governor Jared Polis, and U.S. Representatives Diana DeGette, Joe Neguse, Jason Crow, and Brittany Pettersen, celebrated the third anniversary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, formally titled the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), becoming law. Since President Biden signed it into law on November 15, 2021, Colorado has been awarded $7.2 billion to support over 1,000 different projects to improve Colorado transportation, clean energy, clean water, climate resilience, and broadband access.

"After decades of investing everywhere but the United States, Congress came together three years ago to pass the most significant bipartisan investment in our infrastructure since Eisenhower was President," said Bennet. "This historic law is helping Colorado communities build roads and bridges, expand broadband access, and improve wastewater infrastructure to keep Coloradans healthy, safe, and connected. There is no state better prepared than Colorado to benefit from these investments and lead the rest of the country into the 21st century."

"From $250 million for the Arkansas Valley Conduit to $100 million for I-70 improvements at Floyd Hill, our Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has invested in 21st century infrastructure all over Colorado. That's only the last three years, and we're not done yet," said Hickenlooper.

"Since the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act three years ago, Colorado has worked hard to make the most of this once-in-a-generation opportunity," said Polis. "This widely popular law is expanding passenger rail, modernizing our roads and bridges, creating more jobs, and solidifying Colorado's place as a leader in clean energy. We look forward to carrying on our important work with local communities and Tribes, and thank Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper for their work to pass this historic law."

"The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is advancing Colorado's future by making a once-in-a-generation investment in our roads, bridges, airports, clean water, and accessible high-speed internet. In the three years since it was signed into law, it has created good-paying jobs while modernizing our infrastructure to be more resilient in the face of a changing climate, including by reducing emissions and helping us move towards a carbon-free future. I am proud to have voted for this historic law, and I look forward to seeing how it will continue to deliver for our state," said DeGette.

"As we celebrate three years of the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we reflect on the monumental progress this legislation has initiated for the state of Colorado and for communities across the 2nd District, including lowering energy costs, improving roadway safety, enhancing climate preparedness programs, supporting research at higher education institutions, and-most recently-helping to make Front Range Passenger Rail a reality. I continue to be incredibly proud of our efforts to craft this bill, always keeping the interests of the Rocky Mountain West top of mind," said Neguse.

"For three years now, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has paved the way for historic investments in our nation's transportation infrastructure, electric grid, and clean energy economy, all while creating good-paying jobs right here in Colorado," said Crow. "I'm proud to have supported this landmark legislation, and it's always impactful to see the real-world effects this bill continues to have in the lives of Coloradans."

"Today, we commemorate the three year anniversary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has invested billions of dollars in our state and will continue to enable new federal funding opportunities for Colorado's 8th District to benefit from for decades to come. This once in a generation investment in America will continue to help transform our infrastructure and bring new projects online, create good-paying jobs, and set our state up to continue to be a leader in the clean energy transition," said Caraveo.

"Three years ago, Congress came together and worked the way it's supposed to - across party lines by passing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, bringing historic federal funding to critical infrastructure projects across Colorado," said Pettersen. "From upgrading aging water infrastructure to expanding broadband access in our rural areas and repairing roads and bridges, this once-in-a-lifetime legislation has already made transformative investments in our communities. I will keep working to deliver federal resources to modernize our infrastructure and build a better, brighter future for all Coloradans."

Bennet helped pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021, and has since welcomed $7.2 billion to Colorado including $826 million for broadband access through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, $250 million for access to clean drinking water through the Arkansas Valley Conduit, and $100 million for the Floyd Hill I-70 improvement project.