Welcome to Briefly, Colorado Politics’ daily news briefing. Here’s what’s happening today:

Neguse’s drought preparedness bills headed to Biden’s desk

U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse has successfully shepherded a pair of bills aimed at advancing drought preparedness through the U.S. Senate.

The Drought Preparedness Act and the Water Monitoring and Tracking Essential Resources (WATER) Data Improvement Act, which already passed the House, are on their way to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature. 

“By bringing these bills across the finish line and to the President’s desk, we are showing what happens when lawmakers roll up their sleeves, work together, and put the interests of our communities above all else,” said Neguse. “Droughts threaten our water supplies, devastate our crops, and have countless other impacts on the daily lives of folks who call Colorado and the American West home. And I am so incredibly proud to see our proposals to address the severe impacts of record-breaking drought get enacted into law.”

The Drought Preparedness Act reauthorizes the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act through 2028, allowing the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to continue to minimize drought damages and increase water availability for communities impacted by droughts. The bill was co-led by Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz., and sponsored by U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper in the Senate.

“More than 40 million people rely on the Colorado River for water, food, recreation, and energy,” said Hickenlooper. “Our communities, our farms, our environment, all depend on water. These bills extend the programs that we know already work. At risk is our entire way of life.”

The WATER Data Improvement Act supports United States Geological Survey programs for water monitoring, measurement, and estimation through 2028. The bill was also co-led by Ciscomani and sponsored by Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., in the Senate.  

Neguse is co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Colorado River Caucus, which includes representatives from Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. Hickenlooper leads a similar effort in the Senate. 

More Neguse bills on their way to Biden

Additional bills sponsored by Neguse are on their way to the president’s desk: the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act; the Forest Service Flexible Housing Partnerships Act; the Biking on Long-Distance Trails (BOLT) Act; the Improving Access to Outdoor Recreation Coordination Act; the Stop the Spread of Invasive Mussels Act; and, the Simplifying Access for Outdoor Recreation Permitting (SOAR) Act. 

Neguse, whose district is nearly 60% public land, has made improving access to and protecting the outdoors one of his top priorities in Congress.

“It’s as simple as this — in Colorado, the preservation of our public lands and the strength of our outdoor recreation economy is not only integral to the spirit of our state but to the success of our people,” he said. “I am proud to see these bills through to the finish line — and even more excited for the ways in which they will deliver for our communities.”

The Forest Service Flexible Housing Partnerships Act strengthens the authority of the U.S. Forest Service to lease underused administrative sites for things like building affordable housing. 

The BOLT Act identifies potential long-distance bike trails around the U.S. and seeks to improve mapping resources for cyclists. 

The Improving Access to Outdoor Recreation Coordination Act establishes the Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation, which will coordinate recreation policies among U.S. land management agencies. 

The Stop the Spread of Invasive Mussels Act strengthens state efforts to implement preventative measures against the spread of invasive aquatic species like zebra mussels in bodies of water in the Western United States, including the Colorado River. 

The SOAR Act simplifies the permitting process for outdoor guides, outfitters, education organizations, and college and university programs. 

Colorado to receive over $12 million in federal funding for digital equity initiatives 

Colorado will receive over $12 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration to implement its Digital Access Plan. The funding comes from the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, one of three such programs created through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The first round of funding will provide nearly $770 million to American states and territories. 

“Access to high-speed internet — and the equipment and devices to use it — are necessary tools in the digital era,” said U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet. “From homework to remote healthcare, this funding will make sure that all Coloradans have the tools to thrive.”

Colorado will use the funds to implement the following digital equity initiatives:

• Creating a “Digital Inclusion Lab” to fund projects that increase digital equity

• Promoting internet discount programs and cybersecurity services available through internet service providers and other organizations and businesses

• Exploring a statewide ecosystem of device refurbishing, technical support and recycling