State of Colorado Archives: on Environment
Brittany Pettersen:
Require real-time emissions monitoring of air toxics
HB21-1189: Regulate Air Toxics - Concerning additional public health protections in relation to the emission of air toxics.Legislative Summary: House Bill 21-1189, passed by state legislators last year, required polluters like
Suncor to conduct real-time, "fenceline" emissions monitoring and establish emergency notification systems to alert nearby communities of potentially hazardous incidents. [OTI notes: Suncor is the state's only oil and gas refinery. "Fenceline"
monitoring means monitoring technology at the perimeter of the refinery, to measure the air concentration of pollutants.]
Legislative Outcome:
Passed Senate 21-14-0 on Jun/2/21; State Sen. Brittany Pettersen voted YES; passed House 41-24-0 on Jun/8/21; Signed by Governor Jared Polis on Jun/24/21
Source: Colorado State Legislature voting records HB21-1189
Jun 2, 2021
Yadira Caraveo:
Require real-time emissions monitoring of air toxics
HB21-1189: Regulate Air Toxics - Concerning additional public health protections in relation to the emission of air toxics.Legislative Summary: House Bill 21-1189, passed by state legislators last year, required polluters like
Suncor to conduct real-time, "fenceline" emissions monitoring and establish emergency notification systems to alert nearby communities of potentially hazardous incidents. [OTI notes: Suncor is the state's only oil and gas refinery. "Fenceline"
monitoring means monitoring technology at the perimeter of the refinery, to measure the air concentration of pollutants.]
Legislative Outcome:
Passed Senate 21-14-0 on Jun/2/21; passed House 41-24-0 on Jun/8/21; State Rep. Yadira Caraveo voted YES; Signed by Governor Jared Polis on Jun/24/21
Source: Colorado State Legislature voting records HB21-1189
Jun 8, 2021
Alice Madden:
Sense of urgency to act on saving the environment
As a minority member of the Colorado House, she says, "I'm driven by a sense of urgency to act on saving the environment and addressing climate change. I feel like I can get support not only across the state, but across the country, because I'm considere
a scorecard every year, and Cory's score is 7%. It's pretty appalling. Think about what is important to people in Colorado. Even if you don't get up to the mountains, you know they're there. You enjoy the vistas, our amazing blue skies. Our outdoor
economy in Colorado is huge, too, and that's at risk. Cory is doing nothing to save our tourism economy, and he supports a president who denies climate change. I don't know who directs his motives anymore, but it's certainly not the people of Colorado."
Source: Westword.com on 2020 Colorado Senate race
Oct 11, 2019
Cary Kennedy:
Colorado can be national model on wind energy & cleantech
My goal as governor is for Colorado to have the cleanest air in the country, and to be a model for the nation in using wind and solar energy.We can accomplish these goals and strengthen Colorado's economy. We can keep electricity affordable, reduce
carbon pollution and bring new jobs to Colorado, especially in rural areas. In 2015, cleantech businesses employed 4,250 workers in eastern Colorado alone. This lays the foundation for economic prosperity for our state for decades to come.
Source: DailyKos.com article for 2018 Colorado gubernatorial race
Jun 2, 2017
Cory Gardner:
Voted to repeal EPA rules regulating methane emissions
Q: Opinion on EPA rules?Corey Gardner: Voted to repeal EPA rules regulating methane emissions on public lands. Repeal wetlands and waterway protection. Open Alaska wildlife refuge to oil and gas drilling.
John Hickenlooper: As governor, adopted low-emission vehicle standards and developed tough methane standards, but fought restrictions on oil drilling near homes and schools.
Source: CampusElect on 2020 Colorado Senate race
Oct 10, 2020
Darryl Glenn:
Re-open New Santa Fe Trail through US Air Force Academy
The US Air Force Academy and El Paso County have reached an agreement on an easement renewal for the New Santa Fe Trail, raising hopes that the 7-mile section of the trail through the academy could reopen next year. El Paso County Commissioner Darryl
Glenn, an Air Force Academy graduate who represents the district that includes the academy, said "it's not realistic to think we could get [the trail] open in 2015 with putting together a plan, getting it vetted and approved, because there are less than
3 months left in the year." He said he received an email from the academy's superintendent that the academy was "committed to working with us to get the trail open."The county's 26-year-old easement for the popular would have expired later this year,
and the easement renewal means that the county and academy can develop a plan that will get the trail reopened. Glenn made his comments at a community meeting about the trail attended by more than 80 people that included trail users and trail advocates.
Source: Military.com coverage of 2016 Colorado Senate race
Oct 7, 2015
Donna Lynne:
Protect our environment for generations to come
Part of what makes our way of life so unique is the incredible natural treasures we have throughout our state. I'll continue the progress we've made ensuring our environment is protected for generations to come.
Climate change is real, and we must do all we can to slow its effects. I've worked to improve Colorado's air quality, ensure we have clean rivers, streams and drinking water, and increase our conservation efforts.
Source: 2018 Colorado Gubernatorial website LynneForColorado.com
Sep 15, 2017
Jared Polis:
We are loving our public lands to death; needs upgrades
Our majestic lands define our state and power our economy. But like many things in our state, growth threatens our enjoyment of these natural treasures. In a very real sense, we are loving our public lands to death. Admissions to state parks have
skyrocketed, and the need for upgraded trails, bathrooms, parking and facilities is urgent. So we are asking the Legislature for a one-time infusion from the General Fund to make important capacity improvements across our State parks system.
We cannot create a system that excludes rural Colorado. We must deliver for everyone in our state, and it's going to take all of us in this room working together to get it done. By investing in our infrastructure and providing more affordable
and convenient transportation options, we will be relieving traffic congestion while also reducing the harmful emissions that blacken our skies and contribute to the climate emergency that remains the challenge of our generation.
Source: 2020 Colorado State of the State address
Jan 9, 2020
Jared Polis:
Require real-time emissions monitoring of air toxics
HB21-1189: Regulate Air Toxics - Concerning additional public health protections in relation to the emission of air toxics.Legislative Summary: House Bill 21-1189, passed by state legislators last year, required polluters like
Suncor to conduct real-time, "fenceline" emissions monitoring and establish emergency notification systems to alert nearby communities of potentially hazardous incidents.
[OTI notes: Suncor is the state's only oil and gas refinery. "Fenceline" monitoring means monitoring technology at the perimeter of the refinery, to measure the air concentration of pollutants.]
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 21-14-0 on Jun/2/21; passed House 41-24-0 on Jun/8/21; Signed by Governor Jared Polis on Jun/24/21
Source: Colorado State Legislature voting records HB21-1189
Feb 15, 2022
John Hickenlooper:
Develop federal land instead of protecting the sage grous
[On a tour to address issues raised by the "51st State Initiative" secession movement], Hickenlooper has been spending a lot of time talking to voters and county commissioners in the rural counties. He recently accepted an invitation to hear the concerns
of Moffat County residents (one of the breakaway counties that voted against pursuing secession) and he announced his disagreement with a proposal by the Bureau of Land Management to protect the sage grouse from oil and gas development on federal lands,
a proposal that some northwestern counties worry could impact their economies.His critics received some of these efforts coolly. The Weld County Commissioner Barbara Kirkmeyer said she wasn't happy with Hickenlooper's answer when asked if he would
scrap the renewable energy law. He said opponents were welcome to introduce bills to modify it. But she said she hopes that after all the turmoil recently, "he will at least listen better this year, this time around."
Source: The Daily Caller on 2014 Colorado Governor race
Dec 5, 2013
John Hickenlooper:
Start methane capture rule; finish Water Plan
We are proposing the nation's first-ever methane capture rule, making Colorado the leader in the nation for controlling emissions. We've said before that we're committed to holding the oil companies to the highest standards to protect
Coloradans and our air and water. To that end, we are working with legislators, industry and the conservation community to ensure we pass a bill this year that will strengthen penalties for violations of permits and rules.
If words were water the state would never run dry. Our budget is requesting a second year of funding to help create cleaner water for Colorado. This year we will complete the Colorado Water Plan, which will emphasize conservation, address incremental
storage, and address drought mitigation. We must create alternative choices to buy-and-dry. No matter where we live, we cannot afford to let our farm and ranch land dry up.
Source: 2014 State of the State address to Colorado Legislature
Jan 9, 2014
John Hickenlooper:
Watershed cleanup shouldn't always meet fed. standards
Tackling watershed contamination presents a challenge because of federal laws that prevent clean-up efforts that fail to meet anything less than their standards. We ask that you support our Congressional
Delegation's efforts to allow "Good Samaritans" like state agencies, local governments, watershed groups and nonprofits to improve water quality without incurring liability for meeting all federal standards.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Colorado legislature
Jan 14, 2016
John Hickenlooper:
Adopted low-emission vehicle standards, methane standards
Q: Opinion on EPA rules?John Hickenlooper: As governor, adopted low-emission vehicle standards and developed tough methane standards, but fought restrictions on oil drilling near homes and schools.
Corey Gardner: Voted to repeal EPA rules regulating methane emissions on public lands. Repeal wetlands and waterway protection. Open Alaska wildlife refuge to oil and gas drilling.
Source: CampusElect on 2020 Colorado Senate race
Oct 10, 2020
Jon Keyser:
Advocate for clean air, clean water, and open space
As a Colorado native and a conservationist, Jon will work hard to preserve Colorado's natural beauty for future generations.
Jon will be our advocate for clean air, clean water, outdoor recreation and access to open space.
Source: 2016 Colorado Senate campaign website JonKeyser.com
Feb 3, 2016
Ken Buck:
Protect rural water supplies like Arkansas River basin
On the Arkansas River basin: Both men said they wanted to protect rural water supplies but Bennet made a point of having supported the $5 million budget appropriation to begin work on the Arkansas Valley Conduit, a planned water pipeline from Lake Pueblo
to 40 valley communities. Congress authorized the project in 1962 but had never appropriated money until this year. Buck dismissed that to the crowd. "(Bennet) stood up and took credit for a conduit that others had worked on for 10 years," he said.
Source: Pueblo Chieftan coverage of 2010 Colorado Senate Debate
Oct 8, 2010
Ken Salazar:
Protect and preserve our land and water
Some of my proudest accomplishments in public life have been those times when I've brought varied interests together to protect and preserve our land and water. For example, I led the drive to create Great Outdoors Colorado, preserve open spaces,
create new parks and increase recreational opportunities in communities in every corner of our state. I also have been a leader among attorneys general nationally to make sure that federal agencies live up to their environmental cleanup obligations.
Source: 2004 Senate campaign website, SalazarForColorado.com
Mar 10, 2004
Michael Bennet:
$5 million to begin work on the Arkansas Valley Conduit
On the Arkansas River basin: Both men said they wanted to protect rural water supplies but Bennet made a point of having supported the $5 million budget appropriation to begin work on the Arkansas Valley Conduit, a planned water pipeline from Lake Pueblo
to 40 valley communities. Congress authorized the project in 1962 but had never appropriated money until this year. Buck dismissed that to the crowd. "(Bennet) stood up and took credit for a conduit that others had worked on for 10 years," he said.
Source: Pueblo Chieftan coverage of 2010 Colorado Senate Debate
Oct 8, 2010
Michael Bennet:
Fought for drought funding in Inflation Reduction Act
When the Inflation Reduction bill came out and Bennet saw that it did not include drought funding, Bennet fought for it and led other Western senators on doing the same, according to two sources close to the negotiations but who
were not authorized to speak publicly on the discussions. Bennet at one point said he would not vote for the bill if drought provisions included didn't work for the Upper Basin of the Colorado River, according to one of the sources close to negotiations.
Source: Colorado Public Radio on 2022 Colorado Senate race
Aug 6, 2022
Peg Littleton:
Won county funds for bicycle paths and open spaces
As county commissioner for Colorado Springs, I fought for and won the battle to allow wind farms in appropriate rural areas of Colorado's most populous county. I did so because the market should be free
to create sustainable sources of energy. I have fought for and won a battle to use excess tax revenue funds to sustain and improve parks, trails, bicycle paths and open spaces to protect wildlife and natural areas from urban sprawl.
Source: 2016 Colorado Senate campaign website PegLittleton.com
Feb 3, 2016
Raul Labrador:
Must work with partners to preserve public land
"Of all of the important battles that we're fighting, to protect our environment, keep our air clean, make a contribution on climate change, the only thing that can never be undone is if our public lands were privatized,"
Polis said. "It's a high-stakes battle, and we need to enlist all our partners in the outdoor recreation industry, economic development and areas and economies that rely on our public lands."
Source: Vail Daily on 2018 Colorado gubernatorial race
Aug 23, 2017
Ron Hanks:
NO on requiring real-time emissions monitoring of air toxics
HB21-1189: Regulate Air Toxics - Concerning additional public health protections in relation to the emission of air toxics.Legislative Summary: House Bill 21-1189, passed by state legislators last year, required polluters like
Suncor to conduct real-time, "fenceline" emissions monitoring and establish emergency notification systems to alert nearby communities of potentially hazardous incidents.
[OTI notes: Suncor is the state's only oil and gas refinery. "Fenceline" monitoring means monitoring technology at the perimeter of the refinery, to measure the air concentration of pollutants.]
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 21-14-0 on Jun/2/21; passed House 41-24-0 on Jun/8/21; State Rep. Ron Hanks voted NO; Signed by Governor Jared Polis on Jun/24/21
Source: Colorado State Legislature voting records HB21-1189
Feb 15, 2022
Tim Neville:
Scale back economy-crushing EPA regulations
Picking winners and losers and overregulation ends up raising energy costs, having a negative impact on hard working families, with the hardest hit being the poor. The EPA has dumped pollutants into Colorado rivers, and their war on proven energy
sources like oil, gas and coal kills jobs and cripples entire communities. As your U.S. Senator, I will work to scale back the federal government and abolish the out-of-control EPA and repeal its economy-crushing regulations.
Source: 2016 Colorado Senate campaign website, NevilleForSenate.com
Oct 9, 2015
Walker Stapleton:
Wants states to have seat at table on federal land decisions
The government owns 47% of the land in the West, and the federal laws that govern land management practices place an emphasis on the concept of multiple uses. Federal land management agencies should consult with the states where this land is located
and involve them in the decision-making process for how these lands are managed. Together, we can safely develop our natural resources. We can have a booming energy sector, create thousands of well-paying jobs, and protect Colorado's environment.
Source: 2018 gubernatorial campaign website StapletonForColorado.com
Jun 23, 2018
Heidi Ganahl:
When we talk about water, we have to talk about storage
The two candidates described how they would lead efforts to renegotiate the Colorado River Compact amid worsening drought throughout the West. They both pledged to ensure Colorado gets the water it is due."When we talk about water, we have to talk
about storage, storage, storage," she said. "We've got to store the water that's rightly ours. And you've got to have a governor who won't cede control to the federal government, but will hold firm and stand strong against the federal government and the
other states who want to take the water."
"You can't store your way out of a drought," Polis shot back, "The water simply isn't there." However, the governor did also say increased storage is part of the solution. "But we also need to make sure that
we have best practices in ag, increasing profitability for our farmers and ranchers who have more water efficient practices. And we also need to connect for the first time in Colorado, our housing policy with our water policy," he said.
Source: CPR News on 2022 Colorado Gubernatorial race
Oct 26, 2022
Jared Polis:
Renegotiate Colorado River Compact via cutbacks in CA/NV/AZ
On water policy in the drying West: The Colorado River Compact governs how Colorado and six other states use one of the West's most important water sources. It's set to undergo major changes and negotiations as key guidelines expire in 2026.
The two candidates described how they would lead efforts to renegotiate that agreement amid worsening drought throughout the West.They both pledged to ensure Colorado gets the water it is due. "We're in a stronger legal position and also a stronger
position because of the nature of water as an upper basin" state, said Polis. "The states that are going to have the harshest cutbacks are of course California, Nevada, and Arizona."
Polis added that he does not support diversion of water from the Western Slope and across basins and that he would make sure that "one part of Colorado is not pitted against another part of Colorado."
Source: CPR News on 2022 Colorado Gubernatorial race
Oct 26, 2022
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023