Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostU.S. Senator Cory Gardner responds to a question from a member of the audience during a town hall meeting at Colorado Christian University in 2017 in Lakewood.
Ricardo Arduengo, AFP/Getty ImagesA man gestures as he walks through a debris covered road as Hurricane Maria hits Puerto Rico in Fajardo, on Sept. 20, 2017. Maria made landfall on Puerto Rico, pummeling the US territory after already killing at least two people on its passage through the Caribbean. The US National Hurricane Center warned of "large and destructive waves" as Maria came ashore near Yabucoa on the southeast coast.
Hector Retamal, AFP/Getty ImagesResidents of San Juan, Puerto Rico, deal with damages to their homes on Sept. 20, 2017, as Hurricane Maria batters the island. Maria slammed into Puerto Rico on Wednesday, cutting power on most of the US territory as terrified residents hunkered down in the face of the island's worst storm in living memory. After leaving a deadly trail of destruction on a string of smaller Caribbean islands, Maria made landfall on Puerto Rico's southeast coast around daybreak, packing winds of around 150mph (240kph).
Hector Retamal, AFP/Getty ImagesRain and wind hit a parking lot at Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on September 20, 2017, during the passage of the Hurricane Maria. Maria made landfall on Puerto Rico on Wednesday, pummeling the US territory after already killing at least two people on its passage through the Caribbean. The US National Hurricane Center warned of "large and destructive waves" as Maria came ashore near Yabucoa on the southeast coast.
Ricardo Arduengo, AFP/Getty ImagesPeople taking shelter at Fajardo's City Hall watch as Hurricane Maria hits Puerto Rico on Sept. 20, 2017. Maria made landfall on Puerto Rico on Wednesday, pummeling the US territory after already killing at least two people on its passage through the Caribbean. The US National Hurricane Center warned of "large and destructive waves" as Maria came ashore near Yabucoa on the southeast coast.
NOAA via AFP/Getty ImagesThis satellite image obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows Hurricane Maria at 1200UTC on Sept. 20, 2017. Maria made landfall on Puerto Rico on Wednesday, pummeling the US territory after already killing at least two people on its passage through the Caribbean. The US National Hurricane Center warned of "large and destructive waves" as Maria came ashore near Yabucoa on the southeast coast.
Tatiana Fernandez, The Associated PressA woman covers herself with a plastic bag as she makes her way to work as Hurricane Maria approaches the coast of Bavaro, Dominican Republic, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017.
Tatiana Fernandez, The Associated PressMen wade through a flooded Alemania Avenue as Hurricane Maria reaches the coast of Bavaro, Dominican Republic, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017.
Ricardo Arduengo, AFP/Getty ImagesA search and rescue crew member removes a tree branch from a flooded road as Hurricane Maria hits Puerto Rico in Fajardo, on Sept. 20, 2017. Maria made landfall on Puerto Rico, pummeling the US territory after already killing at least two people on its passage through the Caribbean. The US National Hurricane Center warned of "large and destructive waves" as Maria came ashore near Yabucoa on the southeast coast.
Hector Retamal, AFP/Getty ImagesResidents of San Juan, Puerto Rico, deal with damages to their homes on Sept. 20, 2017, as Hurricane Maria batters the island. Maria slammed into Puerto Rico on Wednesday, cutting power on most of the US territory as terrified residents hunkered down in the face of the island's worst storm in living memory. After leaving a deadly trail of destruction on a string of smaller Caribbean islands, Maria made landfall on Puerto Rico's southeast coast around daybreak, packing winds of around 150mph (240kph).
Carlos Giusti, The Associated PressRescue personnel from the Emergency Management Agency make preparations to rescue about 19 municipal police officers that were stranded at their flooded station during the impact of Maria, a Category 5 hurricane that hit the eastern region of the island, in Humacao, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017.
Ricardo Arduengo, AFP/Getty ImagesA woman is transported to a shelter by search and rescue crew members after being rescued from her flooded home as Hurricane Maria hits Puerto Rico in Fajardo, on Sept. 20, 2017. Maria made landfall on Puerto Rico, pummeling the US territory after already killing at least two people on its passage through the Caribbean. The US National Hurricane Center warned of "large and destructive waves" as Maria came ashore near Yabucoa on the southeast coast.
Hector Retamal, AFP/Getty ImagesResidents of San Juan, Puerto Rico, deal with damages to their homes on Sept. 20, 2017, as Hurricane Maria batters the island. Maria slammed into Puerto Rico on Wednesday, cutting power on most of the US territory as terrified residents hunkered down in the face of the island's worst storm in living memory. After leaving a deadly trail of destruction on a string of smaller Caribbean islands, Maria made landfall on Puerto Rico's southeast coast around daybreak, packing winds of around 150mph (240kph).
Jose Romero And Hector Retamaljose Romero,hector Retamal, AFP/Getty ImagesDestruction caused by Hurricane Maria close to Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sept. 20, 2017. Maria slammed into Puerto Rico on Wednesday, cutting power on most of the US territory as terrified residents hunkered down in the face of the island's worst storm in living memory. After leaving a deadly trail of destruction on a string of smaller Caribbean islands, Maria made landfall on Puerto Rico's southeast coast around daybreak, packing winds of around 150mph (240kph).
Hector Retamal, AFP/Getty ImagesLibrada is seen at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum refuge in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sept. 19, 2017, prior the arrival of Hurricane Maria. She left voluntarily of her house to take refuge. Maria headed towards the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico after battering the eastern Caribbean island of Dominica, with the US National Hurricane Center warning of a "potentially catastrophic" impact.
Lionel Chamoiseau, AFP/Getty ImagesA man clears debris from a street in Saint-Pierre, on the French Caribbean island of Martinique, after it was hit by Hurricane Maria, on Sept. 19, 2017. Martinique suffered power outages but avoided major damage.
Alex Wroblewski, Getty ImagesFelled trees cover the roads in the Miramar neighborhood after Hurricane Maria made landfall on Sept. 20, 2017 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Thousands of people have sought refuge in shelters, and electricity and phone lines have been severely effected.
Tatiana Fernandez, The Associated PressWorkers pick up tables and board up windows at a restaurant, before the arrival of Hurricane Maria in Bavaro, Dominican Republic, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017.
Alex Wroblewski, Getty ImagesResidents cover windows as they prepare for a direct hit from Hurricane Maria on September 19, 2017 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello is saying Maria could be the "most catastrophic hurricane to hit" the U.S. territory in a century.
Alex Wroblewski, Getty ImagesThe La Perla neighborhood in Old San Juan as residents prepare for a direct hit from Hurricane Maria on Sept. 19, 2017 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello is saying Maria could be the "most catastrophic hurricane to hit" the U.S. territory in a century.
Lionel Chamoiseau, AFP/Getty ImagesA resident stands at her doorstep as she looks at strong waves in Saint-Pierre, on the French Caribbean island of Martinique, after it was hit by Hurricane Maria, on Sept. 19, 2017. Martinique suffered power outages but avoided major damage.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
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U.S. Senator Cory Gardner responds to a question from a member of the audience during a town hall meeting at Colorado Christian University in 2017 in Lakewood.
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By Jesse Paul | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED:
Getting your player ready...
U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner in order to travel with a bipartisan congressional delegation early Saturday morning to tour the .
The Colorado Republican says he was invited on the trip by the White House, and that senior Trump administration officials are also participating in the visit.
“While on the … island, Gardner and his colleagues will be surveying damaged areas, and meeting with Puerto Rican Governor Rico Rossello, (the) U.S. Coast Guard and local officials,” Gardner’s office said in a news release. “As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, Gardner has been … calling for the Department of Energy to help restore power to the island.”
The senator’s office says Gardner’s town hall in Pueblo will happen soon.
The original event was scheduled for Friday morning at the Pueblo Convention Center.
Gardner’s tour follows one by President Donald Trump on Tuesday. Critics — — have lambasted the Trump administration for what they say has been a slow response .
Much of Puerto Rico remains without electricity and potable water has been extremely difficult to come by.