Press Releases

Today, U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) introduced bipartisan legislation with Congressman John Moolenaar (MI-04) so Colorado farmers, ranchers, and rural communities can better respond to extreme weather events. The legislation ensures that commercial weather data and tools – using satellites and other space-based technologies – are eligible for funding under the priority research areas for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), boosting investments to mitigate risks for farmers and foresters during extreme weather events. 

As major weather events become more severe and more frequent, commercial tools like satellite technology can better detect weather to predict and monitor life-threatening conditions in real time, helping communities anticipate floods, monitor droughts, and detect wildfire risk earlier. However, these tools can be expensive and difficult to access, especially in rural areas.

Pettersen’s legislation ensures that USDA research funding can support the adoption and development of these technologies so that farmers, ranchers, and rural communities can use these advanced forecasting tools.

“Rural Colorado is on the frontlines of severe weather events like wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters,” said Pettersen. “As we continue to see more natural disasters each year, it’s critical that we leverage the best available technology to keep people and property safe. This bipartisan legislation will help ensure farmers, ranchers, and rural communities are better prepared for when the next disaster strikes.”

“Michigan farmers work tirelessly to provide quality produce for our communities,” said Moolenaar. “Unfortunately, unforeseen severe weather can ruin an entire year of crops unless it is properly prepared for. The Space-Based Agricultural Data Act is a common-sense proposal which will give American farmers and ranchers the tools they need to mitigate the risks of unpredictable weather, so they can continue to grow and raise the food we rely on.”

“The bill will help innovative small businesses like ours here in CO provide mission critical extreme weather forecasting to farmers and others across rural America,” Thomas Cavett, VP Government Affairs and Strategy, who works and resides in Colorado. “Tomorrow.io applauds Representatives Pettersen and Moolenaar for introducing it.”

The legislation builds on the innovation already happening in Colorado. Tomorrow.io, a global weather intelligence company with a growing presence in Golden, CO, is deploying commercial weather satellites to improve forecasting capabilities and help communities make data-driven decisions before disaster strikes. These technologies can help local communities plan evacuations, protect crops and livestock, and ensure Coloradans are equipped for extreme weather.