Content originally published by The Denver Post on March 21st, 2016. 

Fresh from meetings with top foreign ministers in Cuba, Colorado congressman Ed Perlmutter said Monday that Congress should lift the longstanding embargo the U.S. has imposed on its Cold War adversary.

It s time to move on and that embargo should be repealed, said Perlmutter, one of about three dozen members of Congress who traveled to Cuba this week with President Barack Obama. There are real opportunities for America and for Cuba to develop a much stronger relationship despite the different approaches to the economy.

Supporters of the embargo have argued Cuba s human rights record and its treatment of political prisoners -- a topic that raised tensions in a press conference Monday -- are reasons to continue the decades-old U.S. policy.

But in a phone interview from Havana, Perlmutter, D-Arvada, cited the potential benefits for Colorado if the embargo is lifted -- such as new markets for the state s agriculture industry and a new tourism destination for Colorado jetsetters.

I know at least a couple Colorado airlines are seeking a license for those (new) flights to Havana, he said.

The White House trip to Cuba is the capstone of a years-long effort by the Obama administration to thaw relations with the longtime U.S. antagonist.

Notably, the U.S. Treasury Department this month made it easier for Americans to travel to Cuba and the two countries recently allowed for citizens to directly mail one another.

Much of Monday s schedule was consumed by diplomatic work. Obama met with Cuban President Raul Castro at the Palacio de la Revolucion for further negotiations and the two leaders held a joint press conference. A state dinner is planned for Monday night.

Meanwhile, Perlmutter said he s spent time on the trip powwowing with Cuban foreign ministers, a civil society activist working to combat racism there and U.S. Chamber of Commerce representatives.

On Tuesday, Obama will deliver a speech and meet with Cuban citizens, including civil rights activists. He also plans to attend a baseball game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cuban national team.

It s very exciting, Perlmutter said. This game has some real diplomatic overtones of starting up a broad-based relationship again.