Press Releases

EVERGREEN – Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (C0-07) today solemnly marked the one year anniversary of the tragic Evergreen High School shooting, introducing a bipartisan congressional resolution signed by all members of the Colorado U.S. House delegation honoring the shooting victims, and expressing gratitude to first responders, law enforcement, educators, faculty, and neighbors who acted swiftly to protect students and staff during last year’s shooting. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) is leading a companion resolution in the Senate. 

“Today, we honor the students, staff, first responders, families, and entire Evergreen community for their extraordinary resilience in the face of the tragedy after the Evergreen High School shooting one year ago today. Their strength, courage, and resilience continue to inspire all of us but also reminds us of the urgent need for change,” said Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen. “Our country’s gun violence epidemic has shattered countless lives and is now the leading cause of death for our kids - a reality none of us should accept. As a mom, I understand the fear so many parents live with when they drop their kids off at school. Today, we stand with the Evergreen community and promise to keep fighting in Congress to ensure our kids are safe at school and in our communities. They deserve so much better.”

“One year ago today, the Evergreen community experienced an unthinkable act of gun violence,” said Senator Michael Bennet. “The fear and trauma that Evergreen High School students, families, educators, and first responders experienced that day have not disappeared. We owe it to them – and all of Colorado – to act and to build a future where no child has to experience this kind of violence at school. I am glad to lead the Colorado Congressional Delegation in this resolution, and will continue to fight against senseless acts of gun violence.”

"It is unacceptable that gun violence has become normal in America. A year ago, Coloradans experienced another tragic school shooting, this time at Evergreen High School, which left two students injured and an entire community traumatized. I'm proud to join my colleagues in recognizing the brave first responders and Evergreen’s resilient survivors and residents, but more must be done. Congressional action to stop gun violence is long overdue—it's past time we pass legislation to protect our kids. Enough is enough," said Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01). 

“A year later, our hearts remain with the people of Jefferson County as they continue to heal from the tragic shooting at Evergreen High School. No parent should ever have to receive the kind of call that far too many parents in our country have received—and no child should have to be marched out of their classroom, hide under their desk, or fear gunshots in their school. Enough is enough. We must stand together against senseless acts of gun violence,” said Congressman Joe Neguse (CO-02)

“One year after the tragic shooting at Evergreen High School, our heart is with the students, families, and first responders who faced unimaginable horror that day. As a combat veteran and father of two kids, I refuse to accept that our classrooms should function like war zones. We can honor the resilience of the Evergreen community not just with our thoughts, but by elected officials of both parties acting to pass common-sense gun safety laws to protect our children, communities, and Colorado,” said Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

“I continue to pray that God strengthens Evergreen High School and the Jefferson County community. I am honored to join my colleagues on the bipartisan memorial resolution and to keep working with them to direct federal dollars toward more School Resource Officers so we can protect our children against evil acts. My heart remains with everyone in Evergreen.” said Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-04).

“As a father of five, I cannot imagine the fear and heartbreak the Evergreen community experienced that day. One year later, we remember the victims, stand with the students, families, and educators who still carry the weight of what happened, and recognize the first responders who ran toward danger to protect others. I’m proud to join Congresswoman Pettersen and my colleagues in the Colorado delegation in honoring the strength and resilience Evergreen has shown over the past year,” said Congressman Jeff Hurd (CO-03)

"One year ago, the Evergreen community lived through something no community should. We pray God continues to give them comfort, and we thank the deputies and teachers who ran toward danger and saved lives,” said Congressman Jeff Crank (CO-05)

"Today, we remember the students, their families, and an entire community that continues to heal from the horrific act of violence that took place just one year ago at Evergreen High School. We also honor the first responders, law enforcement officers, educators, health care workers, and neighbors who acted without hesitation to protect students and save lives. As a father and former police officer, I’m proud to join the Colorado delegation in making sure their courage is remembered and that the Evergreen community knows Colorado continues to stand with them,” said Congressman Gabe Evans (CO-08)

Specifically, the resolution honors the two victims who were wounded, and recognizes the lasting trauma carried by students, staff, families, and the broader community. It also pays tribute to the first responders, law enforcement officers, educators, school staff, neighbors, and hospital workers who stepped up with courage and compassion in the aftermath.

See the full text of the resolution here.

This resolution comes after, earlier this year, Congresswoman Pettersen introduced three pieces of legislation responding to the tragedy at Evergreen High School last year: 

• The Evergreen Community Safety Act which requires social media companies to respond to warrants and subpoena requests regarding potential threats of violence within 72 hours.

  • Bill text is available HERE.

• The Community Firearm Safety Act, which creates a permissible use under the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to allow grants for localities to procure and distribute safe firearm storage boxes to community members.

  • Bill text is available HERE.

• The Community Risk Training and Response Act, which creates a grant program through the Office of the Attorney General for up to $500,000 for localities to provide technical assistance and training to law enforcement, prosecutors, judges and court staff, healthcare providers, educators, and agencies designated to coordinate Extreme Risk Order Implementation and to develop standardized extreme risk protection order training and curriculum nationwide.

  • Bill text is available HERE.

Since the Columbine tragedy in 1999, more than 390,000 students in the United States have experienced gun violence at school, killing at least 203 and injuring 441 students, educators, and other individuals on K-12 campuses. Colorado has been touched by gun violence before, with spaces of community such as schools, movie theaters, night clubs, and houses of worship affected.

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To access downloadable, high-quality photos, click here. To stay up-to-date on what Pettersen is doing in Congress, follow her on Twitter here, Facebook here, or Instagram here. Residents can also sign-up for her e-newsletter subscription here.