Brittany Pettersen — Democrat Candidate for U.S. House in Colorado, 2026

Representative Brittany Pettersen voted against the fiscal year 2026 Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill, citing concerns over ICE operations lacking guardrails and an escalating pattern of force. She also opposed over $45 billion in funding for immigration enforcement in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” Ms. Pettersen supports pathways to citizenship for Dreamers and advocates for increasing border security by investing in ports to improve cargo movement. She also opposes the expansion of ICE detention facilities.

“I will continue to fight back against ICE’s illegal actions, hold Donald Trump and Kristi Noem accountable, and vote against any funding or additional authority for these horrific, unconstitutional and terrifying operations.” – U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen, statement, January 22, 2026.”

Brittany Pettersen voted to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits for three years, aiming to ensure families can afford healthcare. She opposed President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" due to its healthcare cuts, particularly impacting Medicaid users, and criticized federal funding freezes as "political retaliation." Pettersen also supports the SUPPORT Act to reauthorize addiction treatment funding, stressing that accessible care pathways for substance use disorder prevent unnecessary loss of lives.

““This is the beginning of the health care crisis that this administration has created by ripping away care that families depend on. It's going to be a difficult road ahead, but we are not giving up. Today’s vote happened because people across the country spoke up, shared their stories, and demanded better. And we’re going to carry that same perseverance to keep the pressure on the Senate to pass this bill and protect the people whose lives depend on it.” — U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen, statement after House vote to extend ACA tax credits, January 8, 2026.”

Representative Brittany Pettersen voted against the Fiscal Year 2026 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies funding bill, citing concerns that it would increase energy costs and hinder climate crisis efforts. She advocates for a rapid transition to renewable energy, like wind and solar, and federal investment in grid infrastructure to achieve energy independence and mitigate climate change. The League of Conservation Voters Action Fund has endorsed her for the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Families cannot keep their heads above water right now, and they’re begging Congress to step up and do something to lower costs. But instead of addressing the challenges families are facing, Donald Trump passed his Big Ugly Bill, which is already increasing families’ energy bills by 10% across the country and gutting jobs for the families [...] Not only that, but Republicans are decimating the progress we’ve made to combat the climate crisis and jeopardizing our national security at a moment when we cannot afford to fall behind competitors like China. In Colorado, where clean energy jobs are powering our economy and creating new opportunities for families, these cuts would set us back in ways we might never recover from." - U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Statement after voting against Republicans’ Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies funding bill, September 4, 2025.”

Brittany Pettersen strongly supports abortion and reproductive rights, having worked to codify these rights into Colorado state law and now advocating for them in Congress. She views decisions about family planning as deeply personal, emphasizing that politicians should not interfere. She voted against the FY 2026 Department of Defense funding bill due to provisions limiting servicemembers' access to abortion, and against measures like H.R.26, H.R.8070, and H.R.6914, which she viewed as restricting access or spreading disinformation. Pettersen is supported by Planned Parenthood and NARAL.

“At a time when the United States should be showing strength and moral leadership on the global stage, this bill does the exact opposite. It abandons our allies, hands Putin a strategic win, and jeopardizes our military readiness with divisive policies and culture wars. [...] conscience vote for a bill that otherwise undermines our values, weakens our global standing, and fails to support the servicemembers who put their lives on the line for this country.” - U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen, Press Release, July 18, 2025”

Brittany Pettersen voted against the FY 2026 Department of Defense funding bill, citing concerns that it harms LGBTQ+ and women servicemembers, undermines troop readiness, and abandons US allies. She also voted against FY 2026 Department of Homeland Security appropriations and a related continuing resolution, arguing that funding without guardrails supports operations that violate the Constitution and terrorize communities. Pettersen also stated that war must be a last resort, commenting on US military action in Iran.

““At a time when the United States should be showing strength and moral leadership on the global stage, this bill does the exact opposite. It abandons our allies, hands Putin a strategic win, and jeopardizes our military readiness with divisive policies and culture wars." — U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen, statement after voting against the Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Defense funding bill, July 18, 2025”

Brittany Pettersen emphasizes investment in early education. She advocates for high standards for early childhood education professionals, suggesting they should hold a degree and receive appropriate compensation. Additionally, she has endorsed nonpartisan candidates for the Jeffco Board of Education, indicating support for local education governance.

“Brittany Pettersen said, "Have really high standards for people who are going into early childhood education so they have to come out with a degree and then we pay" (Instagram reel).”

Research pending more substantial sources.