Mr. President, in 2016, then-Candidate Donald Trump traveled to Gettysburg where he vowed to ``drain the swamp.'' ``The system is designed for one reason, to keep the corrupt establishment and special interests in power,'' he told the crowd. He then declared, ``I have no special interest but to you, the American voter.'' In hindsight, I am not sure that was a promise--maybe more of a projection. Millions of Americans voted for President Trump in that election and again in 2024 because they sincerely believed he would end the corruption in Washington and lower costs.
2026 MidtermsSolid SeatD+12$5.4M raised
John Hickenlooper
Senator · Colorado · Democrat
John Hickenlooper
Senate Floor
Recent comments in the Senate
Mr. President, $43.6 billion and counting--that is the Pentagon's estimate for how much it has spent on this illegal war in Iran. Now, that is a lot of money. In fact, it is so much money that if every American family gave $500, you still wouldn't have enough to pay for this war--the missiles, the munitions, the warships. Over $43 billion of taxpayer money with no discernible benefit--wasted. But I don't want to talk about what $43 billion includes. Today, I want to talk about what that number doesn't include.
Mr. President, the Senate is currently considering the nomination of Todd Blanche to serve as Attorney General of the United States. The Attorney General is one of the most important positions in the U.S. Government. Not only does the Attorney General serve as a trusted member of the President's Cabinet, but he also leads the Department of Justice, the Agency responsible for enforcing the laws of the land and, hopefully-- traditionally--enforcing them in a nonpartisan way.
Biography
John Hickenlooper, a former geologist and brewery entrepreneur, was elected as U.S. Senator for Colorado in 2020. He prioritizes climate action, affordable healthcare, and economic innovation, drawing on his business background to shape pragmatic solutions. Hickenlooper played a key role in advancing clean energy initiatives and serves on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Known for his collaborative approach, he works to bring diverse perspectives together in pursuit of policies that reflect Colorado’s dynamic needs.
Education
- M.A. in Geology, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT1980
- B.A. in English, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT1974
Professional History
U.S. Senator
2021–PresentSenator from Colorado. 1 term.
Governor of Colorado
2011–19Mayor, City of Denver
2003–11Geologist
Entrepreneur
Policy Focus
Science, Technology, Communications9%
Energy6%
Public Lands and Natural Resources5%
Commerce5%
Notable Legislation
Key legislative actions from John Hickenlooper's record in Congress.
COVID-19 Relief Funding
Supported the American Rescue Plan Act, securing federal COVID-19 relief funds for Colorado communities and businesses.
Infrastructure Investment
Advocated for and helped pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, bringing significant transportation and broadband funding to Colorado.
Wildfire Mitigation
Secured federal resources for wildfire prevention and recovery efforts in Colorado through legislative advocacy.
Water Resources Protection
Introduced legislation to protect Colorado River water supplies and support drought resilience in the West.
Committee Assignments
View details →- Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
- Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
- Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
- Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Sen. John Hickenlooper FAQ
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