A former geologist and Chair of the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Space and Science, Senator Hickenlooper has made it a priority to restore science as an objective and nonpartisan voice in American policymaking and economic innovation.

To further this goal, he has worked on legislation to boost basic and advanced scientific research to help make American industry more competitive with China. He has also worked closely with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and supported President Biden’s decision to elevate the office to the Cabinet for the first time in history, giving science a literal seat at the table.

Senator Hickenlooper has advocated for NASA to have a long-term strategic vision and funding commitment. This posture would enable the agency to plan farther into the future and undertake important research and exploratory missions that expand our understanding of everything from climate change here on earth to galaxies in the farthest reaches of our universe. 

As home to the nation’s largest aerospace workforce per capita, Colorado is a leader in both commercial and national security space industries. Senator Hickenlooper is focused on making sure our state continues to lead the way in space innovation. He has called attention to issues like how space debris threatens critical satellites as commercial space travel advances.

He has also tirelessly advocated for keeping U.S. Space Command in Colorado Springs, to boost mission readiness in the face of increasing threats to global security.