National Security & Veterans

Our service members and veterans deserve our deepest gratitude

Senator Hickenlooper is committed to honoring the sacrifices of those who serve. He has worked to provide active duty servicemembers and veterans with the benefits they’ve earned, to improve on-base housing, expand physical and mental health coverage for military families, and increase access to justice for survivors of sexual assault. 

In addition, Senator Hickenlooper believes we have a responsibility to ensure their access to quality, accessible, community-based health care. He voted for the bipartisan PACT Act, which dramatically expanded access to health care and VA benefits for veterans, including those suffering from exposure to toxic burn pits. More than 20,000 claims have been approved for Colorado veterans since the passage of the PACT Act, and more than 1 million nationwide. The senator has traveled across the state to hold listening sessions with veterans in Durango, Pueblo, Denver, and Colorado Springs to discuss the PACT Act and how to apply for benefits. 

Senator Hickenlooper is also dedicated to ensuring that the nearly 400,000 veterans who live in Colorado have support while transitioning to the civilian workforce and beyond. These efforts include training programs that help veterans start businesses and obtain high-quality jobs upon completion of their military service. He also believes that honoring our veterans includes preserving history, and was instrumental in President Biden’s designation of Camp Hale as a national monument to honor the historic 10th Mountain Division.   

Colorado is proudly home to five U.S. military bases and the U.S. Air Force Academy. During his time in the Senate, Senator Hickenlooper has prioritized securing federal funding to ensure the installations have the resources they need to support service members and fulfill crucial missions. He has also led bipartisan legislation to recapitalize the Air National Guard fighter fleet at Buckley Space Force Base and passed a bill to advance the economic redevelopment of the Pueblo Chemical Depot. He also sits on the Board of Visitors for the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and is a fierce advocate for Colorado’s aerospace and defense community, who are developing technology for the next generation of military capabilities.

Senator Hickenlooper also understands national security extends beyond military readiness to include global challenges such as climate change and pandemic preparedness. To that end, he views international partnerships and U.S. leadership in our military alliances like NATO as essential to keeping America and Colorado safe, including bipartisan support for the people of Ukraine in the face of Putin’s brutal aggression and the ongoing threats to democracy and freedom around the globe. 

He has advocated for robust foreign assistance programs that help make the world healthier, greener, and more equitable. He is also committed to advancing domestic priorities that strengthen us globally, including by prioritizing cybersecurity, shoring up our critical minerals supply chains, and investing in the American workforce to ensure the U.S. remains competitive with China and Russia.