Congressionally Directed Spending

Getting Colorado our fair share of the pie

Senator Hickenlooper believes Coloradans know what our communities need best, and is proud to advocate for those needs in Washington. 

Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) funding, allocated during the annual federal budget process, allows Members of Congress to request that federal funding be set aside for specific projects in their state. CDS projects, often referred to as ‘earmarks,’ make up less than 1% of the federal government’s annual discretionary budget and fund projects that provide benefit to communities across the state. 

To qualify, CDS requests must be submitted by local governments, Tribes or non-profits. Members of Congress  then request inclusion of these projects in the relevant annual funding bills. Senators are required by law to publicly list all requests submitted and certify that they do not have financial interests. Congress then negotiates and votes on the final appropriation bills and any projects that make it into the bills that are signed into law are considered funded.  

Since Senator Hickenlooper’s arrival in the Senate, he’s personally secured over $340 million in CDS funding for 270+ local community projects in Colorado. From Alamosa to Craig, Lamar to Greeley, Rifle to Aurora, Senator Hickenlooper has fought for critical investments to build more affordable housing, strengthen disaster relief, boost rural law enforcement resources, expand childcare facilities, modernize hospitals, improve sewer systems, increase access to public transit, and more across the state – all championed and administered by the local communities that requested them.

Our office makes every effort to expand access for local governments and nonprofits to resources on CDS funding by holding information sessions across the state, publicizing our application information online, and standing by to answer any questions  about how to submit an application. For additional information on CDS funding, click HERE.