Colorado's U.S. House delegation is half millennials
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Half the U.S. House members from Colorado are millennials, giving the state one of the younger delegations in Congress.
Why it matters: Age matters in terms of representation.
- It affects how lawmakers approach the job, whether it's the policies put forward or the challenges each generation faces.
What they're saying: "I have noticed young lawmakers are willing to do [the work] because they know they're going to live in a world that has either benefited from their action or worsened by their inaction," Reed Howard at Future Caucus, a young leaders organization, told us.
The intrigue: The 2024 election delivered Colorado four millennial representatives —: Democratic incumbent U.S. Reps. Joe Neguse and Brittany Pettersen, both Democrats, and Republican U.S. Reps. Lauren Boebert and Gabe Evans.
- "As a fresh voice in Congress, my goal is to set Colorado up better for the next generation," Evans told us in a statement.
The big picture: The number of millennial candidates — born 1981 to 1996 — increased from 2020 to 2024 by 79%, Future Caucus found in a recently published study.
- The contrast is even more significant given the average age in the House and Senate is 57.9 and 65.3, respectively.
Between the lines: The issues that often draw attention from millennial lawmakers, and their constituents, are housing affordability and the economy. Other topics include child care, health care affordability. Howard said these issues resonate because they are often personal for the lawmakers.
Case in point: In terms of policy, Pettersen is tackling issues that directly impact her generation, including online dating and cryptocurrency.
- More recently, she's pushing to allow proxy voting so new parents in Congress can still have a voice. She recently gave birth to her second child.
- "My two boys remind me of what's at stake, and I'm more committed than ever to making sure my constituents' voices are heard in Washington," Pettersen said in a statement.