The two lawmakers, who serve together in House Democratic leadership, made visits to Superior and Lafayette this morning. 

Lafayette, CO — Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) was welcomed by Rep. Joe Neguse (CO-2), Chairman of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC), to Colorado. The lawmakers visited Marshall Fire rebuilding efforts in Superior’s Sagamore neighborhood and toured a local Head Start Child Care Center in Lafayette. The visit highlighted House Democrats’ commitment to extending government funding and addressing urgent needs across the country, including responding to natural disasters, supporting community recovery, and keeping critical services – like Head Start and federally funded childcare programs – up and running. 
 
This past weekend, Whip Clark and Rep. Neguse, alongside congressional Democrats, succeeded in removing extreme Republican spending cuts from the bipartisan Continuing Resolution and voted to avert a catastrophic government shutdown. With funding now set to expire on November 17th, the lawmakers are leading efforts to protect programs of importance to everyday Americans across the country. 
 
“It’s a pleasure to be back in Colorado, a state I used to call home,” said Democratic Whip Katherine Clark. “There’s no better leader in the fight for Colorado families than Congressman Neguse. Today, we surveyed the impacts of the Marshall Fire and toured a Head Start center – and both visits brought home the same critical point: federal dollars are vital to strengthening our communities. Whether it’s natural disaster assistance or early education investments, Joe Neguse has been a leader in providing the resources Americans need to build safer communities and brighter futures. I’m grateful to Congressman Neguse for his critical work and partnership.”
 
“Over the course of the past nine months, House Democrats have worked to find common ground and deliver for our communities. I am honored to welcome my friend and colleague in House Leadership, Whip Clark, to our great state, and am deeply grateful for her continued leadership and commitment to protecting critical services and programs Coloradans and Americans count on,” said Congressman Neguse. “Households across Superior and Lafayette depend on the support of the federal government to tackle issues of importance—from mitigating the impact of wildfires and supporting folks on their road to recovery to fighting to keep childcare programs open for families—and our work continues.” 
 
In the years since the Marshall Fire, Rep. Neguse has continued to be a leader in the fight against wildfires, helping to provide federal relief for families and communities impacted. Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson and Superior Mayor Mark Lacis joined the lawmakers for the tour of the Marshall Fire rebuilding efforts. 

“Superior lost nearly 400 homes in Marshall Fire, but our recovery has been strong — we are rebuilding twice as fast as the national average for disaster recoveries. So far, 25% of our residents have moved back home and another 50% are in the midst of rebuilding. By this time next year, we expect to have 75% of Superior fire survivors moved back home,” said Superior Mayor Mark Lacis. “We wouldn’t be where we are in our recovery, were it not for the immediate help of Congressman Neguse, who worked at the Federal level to have foundations covered in the coordinated cleanup funded by FEMA. We thank Congressman Joe Neguse and Minority Whip Katherine Clark for their leadership and continued support of Marshall Fire survivors in Superior, Louisville, and Boulder County.”
 
“Having the commitment and support of Representative Neguse and his staff has made a significant difference in our recovery from the Marshall Fire. I appreciate his willingness to share our experience with Minority Whip Clark and other Members of Congress so that they will be prepared to support their communities when faced with a disaster,” said Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson. 
 
Following their first visit, Whip Clark and Rep. Neguse spoke with leaders at the Dagny School Head Start Center in Lafayette, Colorado. 
 
“Boulder County Head Start was delighted to welcome Congressman Joe Neguse and Whip Katherine Clark to our Lafayette location today,” said Stacy Fujieda, Education Services Manager. “Our program provides essential free early childhood education to hard-working parents. We are open for the full work day, providing nine and a half hours of care each day to parents who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford it, and we rely on federal funding to do it.”

To view event photos, click HERE.

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