We witnessed a truly historical moment on April 16, when Governor Polis signed SB181, the Protect Public Welfare Oil And Gas Operations Act, into law.

After 40 years of working for comprehensive oil and gas reform, residents from across Western Colorado welcome this as the beginning of a new era of oil and gas decision-making where health and safety are the first priority.

Thank you to all of our Alliance members who have dedicated their lives to working for reform. It's because of leaders like you that we have reached this moment. There's a lot of work remaining as we now enter the rule-making phase, and Western Colorado Alliance will be there to ensure this legislation is enacted in a way which promotes healthy western Colorado communities. But thank you for everything you have done to help us reach this historic moment!

Fresh off the victory on SB-181, we now have 17 work days left before the 2019 session ends on May 3. But new bills are still being introduced and there remain lots to accomplish!

From, carbon emission reduction to just transition, extraction oversight to local food partnerships, and from healthcare access to mental health services, this legislative session has been packed with policy changes that Western Colorado Alliance has organized around for years. 

HB19-1132: School Incentives To Use Colorado Food And Producers

The bill establishes a grant program in the department of education (CDE) to encourage providers that are entitled to federal money for lunches for students (eligible providers) to purchase food products from Colorado growers, producers, and processors.

HB19-1120: Youth Mental Health Education And Suicide Prevention 

This bill would allow youth age 12 or older to seek mental health services. With high suicide rates in rural Colorado, our youth are at risk. Our Youth Voter Initiative students from around the Western Slope made this bill their top priority in both remote testimony and during our Lobby Trip at the Capitol. As it just passed its third hearing in the House, it now moves to the Senate. Our Youth Voter Initiative students are preparing to testify again in support of HB19-1120. 

HB19-1313: Electric Utility Plans To Further Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions 

 
This legislation concerns plans to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by qualifying retail utilities, and, in connection there with, encouraging the achievement of zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. Restrictions on the ability of big utilities to develop new energy resources are lifted in return for these utilities developing clean energy plans for the retirement of old dirty generation and/or the creation of new renewable-based generation that meet specific state carbon emissions reductions goals.

HB19-1314: Just Transition From Coal-based Electrical Energy Economy

This bill allows a transition from a coal-based electrical energy economy. A new office of Just Transition would be created to provide benefits to workers displaced by coal plant closure and to make investments in economic transition in impacted communities.

HB19-1261: Climate Action Plan To Reduce Pollution

This bill states that Colorado shall have statewide goals to reduce 2025 greenhouse gas emissions by at least 26%, 2030 greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50%, and 2050 greenhouse gas emissions by at least 90% of the levels of greenhouse gas emissions that existed in 2005.

The Air Quality Control Commission would take into account implementing policies and promulgating rules to reduce greenhouse gas pollution, including the benefits and equitable distribution for compliance, the costs, opportunities to incentivize clean energy in transitioning communities, and the potential to enhance the resilience of Colorado's communities and natural resources to climate impacts.

One of our allied organizations, the Sierra Club, has invited Western Colorado Alliance members to Lobby in support of HB19-1261 at the Capitol next Tuesday, April 23. If interested, travel expenses would be covered. Contact Jeriel for more information.

Please don't forget to thank the Colorado lawmakers who have worked on behalf of these bills! If you'd like more information on any of the bills Western Colorado Alliance supports, please contact Jeriel.