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Sen. Michael Bennet's office offers federal support to Lake County; staff raise wildfire and Medicaid concerns
Summary
Hillary Henry, Western Slope director for Sen. Michael Bennet, introduced the senator's office to Lake County commissioners, offered constituent casework and federal funding support, and reported staff concern about Forest Service workforce changes and proposed Medicaid rule changes that could affect rural counties.
Hillary Henry, Western Slope director for U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet's office, introduced herself to the Lake County Board of County Commissioners and offered the senator’s office as a resource for constituent casework, federal funding coordination and outreach on federal land and wildfire issues.
Henry said the senator’s office can provide letters of support for federal funding requests, connect county officials with federal agencies, and help follow up on congressional directed spending (CDS) projects. She asked commissioners to keep her office informed of local needs and offered staff assistance when constituents encounter federal agencies.
Commissioners raised two recurring concerns. First, wildfire season and Forest Service staffing: Henry said the senator had engaged on forestry and wildfire issues in Congress and that local reports about changes to agency staffing and temporary-employee terminations are important to share. She encouraged the county to forward local observations (trailhead closures, project delays and staffing changes) so the senator’s office can escalate issues and pursue oversight or legislative remedies.
Second, commissioners discussed Medicaid and possible federal policy changes. Henry and commissioners said proposed work requirements or federal budget reductions could strain county-level service delivery and rural hospitals; Henry said the senator’s office was monitoring budget and policy developments and would follow up on concerns relevant to Lake County, including the county’s use of congressional directed spending for local projects.
Henry also outlined how the senator’s office supports county applicants for federal funds and said staff can help trace delays on congressional directed spending draws. Commissioners asked for follow-up on specific requests, including sanitation and wildfire preparedness projects.
Ending: Henry invited continued contact and asked the commissioners to send project details and on-the-ground reports; the senator’s office said it would follow up on specific CDS and wildfire staffing questions raised by the board.
