Issue Position: Agriculture

Issue Position

Colorado's agriculture and food industry generates more than $40 billion in economic output each year. Recognizing agriculture's importance to Colorado, Michael has traveled the state and listened to farmers and ranchers who use Farm Bill programs to see what works and what could be improved.

As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Michael took what he learned from over 20 listening sessions with Coloradans and helped write the 2014 Farm Bill. The bill cut red tape by consolidating, streamlining and improving dozens of programs that support rural communities and provide risk management and marketing tools for producers.

Michael is working with Republican Sen. Cory Gardner to reform outdated tax provisions hindering investment in water and irrigation infrastructure. He pushed to open up foreign markets to Colorado agricultural products.

And Michael is continuing to work to improve the way we fight wildfires. Michael secured provisions in the Farm Bill to improve forest health and to increase wildfire mitigation and suppression efforts.

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