Before serving in Congress, I spent 10 years as a cop in Arvada and another 12 years in the Army and the Army National Guard defending our nation. Like many in law enforcement and the military, I chose a career of public service with one goal in mind: keeping our communities safe. That experience taught me a simple truth: public safety requires more than good intentions — it requires real tools, real resources, and strong coordination across every level of government. That is especially true today as illegal vape products flood our country and end up in the hands of vulnerable young Americans, underscoring the urgent need for strong enforcement and real consequences.
Colorado is already facing an influx of crime, from drug trafficking to auto theft to organized criminal gang activity. Unfortunately, years of soft-on-crime policies pushed by state Democrats have sent the wrong message: that enforcement is too often restrained while criminals receive little more than a slap on the wrist before being released to reoffend. That environment has made our state an inviting target for bad actors looking to push illegal and dangerous products into our communities.
Illegal e-cigarettes and vapes are not harmless pieces of contraband. More than 95% of popular products on store shelves today were never even approved for sale by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration — meaning they are full of unknown chemicals and substances not reviewed by health experts that can cause serious harm. Many are manufactured overseas, smuggled across borders and sold openly in convenience stores and vape shops with little regard for the law. These products are often marketed with bright packaging and kid-friendly flavors like cotton candy and bubble gum intentionally designed to hook young users.
Even more concerning, many of the same retailers selling illegal vapes are also trafficking other dangerous and unapproved products, including kratom. This isn’t accidental. It’s part of a broader pattern of lawlessness that thrives when state leaders refuse to take public safety and law enforcement seriously.
That’s why Congress recently authorized $200 million in federal funding to strengthen enforcement against illegal e-cigarettes, vapes and other nicotine products. This funding gives the FDA broad authority to support inspections, seizures, investigations and both civil and criminal enforcement actions. Importantly, these resources are intended to work hand-in-hand with local and state law enforcement agencies.
We’ve already seen what strong enforcement can accomplish. Earlier this year, a major federal operation in Chicago dismantled a large-scale illegal vape distribution network tied to foreign manufacturers like communist China. Millions of illegal products were seized — products that otherwise would have ended up in American neighborhoods and schools.
Now it’s time to ensure Colorado benefits from this enforcement effort.
I strongly encourage local law enforcement agencies, task forces and prosecutors across Colorado to pursue these federal resources and work alongside Congress to crack down on these products. Whether it’s funding to support investigations, assist with inspections, or expand enforcement capacity, these dollars are meant to empower the men and women on the front lines.
Stopping illegal vapes isn’t about punishing legitimate businesses that follow the rules. It’s about holding bad actors accountable, cutting off illicit supply chains and protecting kids and adults alike from products that should have never entered our country in the first place.
Public safety works best when federal, state and local authorities work with one another to accomplish the ultimate goal: safer and stronger communities. This funding provides an opportunity to do exactly that, and I urge Colorado to take full advantage of it.
Our communities, our families and our kids deserve nothing less.
Gabe Evans is the congressman for Colorado’s Eighth Congressional District. He is a former cop, Army combat veteran and the grandson of Mexican immigrants.
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