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

U.S. Rep. Boebert introduces legislation to abolish ATF

United States Reps. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., and Eric Burlison, R-Mo, have introduced legislation to abolish the Bureau of Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). 

The bureau was established in 1972 to enforce federal laws and regulations related to firearms, explosives, alcocohol and tobacco products. 

“I cannot imagine under any circumstance or administration where the ATF serves as an ally to the Second Amendment and law-abiding firearm owners across America,” said Boebert. “As co-chair of the Congressional Second Amendment Caucus, I’m eager to continue this effort with Rep. Burlison to defend our constitutional rights. The ATF should be abolished before they eventually abolish our Second Amendment.”

The “Abolish the ATF Act of 2025” is co-sponsored by Reps. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Mike Collins, (R-Ga.), Bob Onder (R-Mo.), Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.), Mary Miller (R-Ill.), Keith Self (R-Texas), and Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.).

New Era Colorado announces new executive director 

Youth political organization New Era Colorado has named Christina Soliz its new executive director, effective Feb. 3. 

Soliz, who replaces former director Nicole Hensel, was previously the organization’s deputy director. 

Soliz came to Colorado from Michigan in 2019 as the program director of America Votes. She also served as the political director for Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR) until 2023.

Soliz joined New Era Colorado in 2023 and helped develop the organization’s Youth Agenda Champion endorsement program and increased turnout among young people of color by 9 percentage points in the 2024 election. 

“After a rigorous interview process, we are thrilled to announce Christina Soliz as New Era Colorado’s next Executive Director,” said New Era Colorado Foundation Board chair Cody Ostenson. “As the current Deputy Director, Christina has upped our game and held integrity to results that make us confident in her ability to lead the organization. Colorado was able to buck national youth voter trends, leading to historic wins like expanding access to abortion and overturning a ban on same-sex marriage. Under Christina’s leadership, New Era will be able to meet the political moment and deliver progress on the Youth Agenda.”

Soliz said, “The next few years are critical for Colorado: we can flip local elections and make real change at the city and county level, push our state’s Democratic trifecta to pass bold, progressive policy, and elect Youth Agenda Champions as governor, attorney general, and secretary of state in 2026. New Era has the opportunity to alter the political landscape in the state and nationally and prove that young people’s vision for the world is possible. I am thrilled to lead the most effective youth organizing group in the country to rise to the occasion and chart a different and exciting path in Colorado.”

Colorado Springs receives federal grant to support Fountain Creek Watershed

The City of Colorado Springs has been awarded $700,000 worth of federal grants to support its restoration work in the Fountain Creek Watershed. 

The WaterSmart grants are provided through the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation with funding from the federal Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. 

The Fountain Creek Watershed is the most populated and fasted-growing watershed in the state. The watershed currently provides about 15% of Colorado Springs’ drinking water and also serves as a water source for farmlands in the southeastern part of the state. 

“We’re thrilled that our region has received not one, but two WaterSmart grants to assess, restore and protect the aquatic ecosystems along Fountain and Monument creeks,” said Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade. “These projects are important to our COS Creek Plan, a collaborative effort between the Pikes Peak Waterways, Colorado Springs Utilities, and the City of Colorado Springs. They further our ongoing efforts to maintain and improve our natural and manmade infrastructure to keep up with the growth and enhance the vibrancy of our city.”

The Bureau of Reclamation also awarded Pikes Peak Waterways $300,000 to create a water strategy for the Monument Creek corridor in partnership with the City of Colorado Springs to improve water quality, restore damaged areas, and support wildlife in the corridor. 

The City of Colorado Springs also received $400,000 from the Bureau of Reclamation to restore and protect a section of the Fountain Creek Basin in partnership with Pikes Peak Waterways. 

“This support for the Colorado Springs area will help one of Colorado’s most populated watersheds continue to provide clean, clear water for hardworking people in El Paso County and communities further downstream,” said Gov. Jared Polis. “We work closely with local partners to win important federal funding and better support Colorado communities, farms, and our water future.”

Work supported by the grant is scheduled to start this summer.