Pipefitters, Colorado Professional Fire Fighters, Steel Metal Workers all back Hickenlooper
COLORADO – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper announced that the Pipefitters Local 208, the Colorado Professional Fire Fighters Association (CPFF), and SMART Sheet Metal Workers Local 9 endorsed his reelection campaign.
These endorsements highlight Hickenlooper’s strong union support, including backing from AFSCME and Western States Carpenters.
“Firefighters, sheet metal workers, pipefitters – these workers are key to our public safety, and to growing our economy. For twenty years we have worked together for better wages, safer working conditions, and a stronger economy,” said Hickenlooper. “Given the train wreck that is Washington, we need to work harder than ever, and I deeply appreciate the continued support of all three unions.”
“Our workers deserve strong leaders like John Hickenooper. He has championed high quality apprenticeships that create pathways to good paying jobs and is fighting to strengthen unions in the Senate,” said Cecil Courtney, Business Manager for Pipefitters Local 208. “We need him in Washington to tackle corporate corruption and support union workers.”
“John Hickenlooper understands the sacrifice firefighters make to keep Colorado safe,” said Kevin Reichenbach, President of CPFF. “CPFF is proud to endorse – and fight alongside – John Hickenlooper because he continues to fight for more bargaining rights and better access to health care for firefighters.”
“John Hickenlooper’s support for Colorado workers is in a class of its own. He’s championed legislation to support American workers. He negotiated the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, securing hundreds of millions in federal funding for Colorado that delivered good paying jobs in the process,” said Jon Alvino, Business Manager for SMART Local Union 9. “We’re proud to stand with John Hickenlooper as we fight to support working families, create family-sustaining careers, and expand apprenticeship and training opportunities.”
Pipefitters Local 208 represents more than 1,900 skilled Colorado workers. The Colorado Professional Fire Fighters Association is the collective voice of over 6,500 dedicated firefighters across Colorado with 67 local chapters. Local 9 represents union sheet metal workers, service technicians, bus operators, engineers, conductors, sign workers, welders, production employees and more.
The endorsement reflects Hickenlooper’s longstanding support of labor unions and American workers. He’s joined multiple picket lines across Colorado and supported workers as they organize for fair wages and better working conditions.
In the Senate, Hickenlooper co-sponsors the PRO Act to strengthen workers’ rights and help working Americans negotiate better salaries, benefits, and working conditions. He’s helped introduce the Public Service Employer-Employee Cooperation Act to protect the rights of public safety workers – like fire fighters – to collectively bargain for better, safer workplaces.
As governor, he helped create CareerWise and invest in apprenticeship programs for our next generation of workers and continues that work in the Senate. He signed a bill into law that enhances the rights of professional fire fighters.
The endorsement builds on a wave of recent support from leading Colorado voices, national progressive groups, and labor organizations. He’s backed by AFSCME, Western States Carpenters, Reproductive Freedom for All, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, NRDC Action, Brady PAC, GIFFORDS PAC, End Citizens United and Let America Vote, League of Conservation Voters Action Fund and Conservation Colorado, and 314 Action.
Lauren Boebert’s hand-picked MAGA candidate, State Senator Mark Baisley, beat out his Republican opponents to win the sole spot in the Republican primary to challenge Hickenlooper.
Hickenlooper raised nearly $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2026 and has more than $4 million cash on hand for his 2026 reelection campaign. Hickenlooper leads the other statewide candidates in Colorado as the only candidate to raise more than one million dollars each quarter since 2025. His campaign continues to receive strong grassroots support, with more than 80% of donations being $25 or less.
###