BILLS WE ENDORSE

Coloradans across the state, and especially Colorado’s most vulnerable residents, are already experiencing the impacts of the climate crisis. Despite the urgency of this crisis, Colorado is not on track to meet the climate goals established by the legislature. With every year the state fails to keep pace, Coloradans will face more severe impacts from climate change and other health-harming pollution.

Coloradans have demanded bold climate and environmental justice leadership. Time is running out to deliver on the promises of the EJ Act: rapid, enforceable and equitable pollution reductions. To get the state on track with its critical climate and environmental justice goals, we need action from our legislators now more than ever.

We endorse:

SB24-159 Mod to Energy & Carbon Management Processes

Ending the expansion of oil and gas development is the first step in making a real plan towards a just transition away from fossil fuels. This bill requires a managed phase out of new oil and gas permits. Learn more here.

HB24-1339 Disproportionately Impact Community Air Pollution

Three years after the Environmental Justice Act passed, Colorado remains off track from its target of cutting climate pollution from the industrial sector by at least 20% before 2030. HB24-1339 will close a loophole that lets polluters pay to comply without actually reducing emissions and add experts in environmental justice and climate science to the Air Quality Control Commission.

HB24-1330 Air Quality Permitting

Air pollution can cause serious health problems, and communities of color and low-income areas disproportionately experience these impacts. Colorado’s permitting processes routinely green lights new air pollution sources; this bill addresses discrepancies in the permitting process.

SB24-165 Air Quality Improvements

Nearly 60% of Coloradans reside in the nine-county area that regularly experiences unhealthy ozone levels during the summer. SB24-165 tackles this issue by pausing oil and gas pre-production activities during ozone season, making substantial efforts to reduce emissions and creating a publicly accessible database for oil and gas air emissions data.

SB24-166 Air Quality Enforcement

The Air Pollution Control Division (APCD) fails to adequately enforce air pollution violations. SB24-166 creates a more stringent penalty structure for repeat violators and allows the APCD to directly assess civil penalties, which will be higher for violations in disproportionately impacted communities.

SB 24-152 Regenerative Agriculture Tax Credit

Regenerative agriculture is one of the most effective solutions to the climate crisis. This bill creates a tax incentive program to encourage local food and beverage retailers to purchase agricultural commodities from local producers practicing regenerative agriculture. Learn more here.

HB24-1249 Tax Credit Agricultural Stewardship Practices

The bill establishes a state income tax credit for active qualified stewardship practices on a farm or ranch.

SB24-150 Processing of Municipal Solid Waste

Waste incineration and plastics-to-fuel processes negatively impact communities, waste systems and the environment. Nearly 80% of facilities that incinerate municipal solid waste are built in low-income and BIPOC communities. Senate Bill 24-150 will prohibit the construction and operation of these facilities, ensuring the prioritization of real circular economy solutions.

SB24-081 Perfluoroalkyl & Polyfluoroalkyl Chemicals (PFAS)

This bill would reduce toxic “forever chemicals” in products like cookware, dental floss, menstruation products and ski wax.

HB24-1307 HVAC Improvements for Public Schools

This bill is a collaborative effort between the Blue Green Alliance and local labor unions. It will help achieve energy efficiency and HVAC improvements in public schools that will create positive health outcomes for students and economic outcomes for unions.

HB24-1359 Public Notification of Hazardous Chemical Releases

Companies are getting away with incidents that release dozens of toxic chemicals including benzene, hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide into the environment close to where Colorado residents live, work and play, without having to disclose this information to the public. This bill creates violations to hold polluters accountable for not abiding by the notification requirements. Learn more here.

HB24-1367 Repeal Severance Tax Exemption for Stripper Wells

Operators of many oil wells profit from the use of Colorado’s valuable natural resources without paying their fair share of taxes. This bill ends a practice of giving special treatment to certain operators. Learn more here.

HB24-1379 Regulate Dredge & Fill Activities in State Waters

Last year, the Supreme Court removed clean water protections from Colorado’s streams and wetlands, protections that had been in place for 50 years. A significant amount of wetlands and streams across Colorado are now vulnerable to pollution associated with mining, road construction and commercial and residential development. This proposed bill would provide the necessary authority, enforcement and funding for a state level permit program protecting Colorado’s waterways.