Colorado bill would regulate toxins in communities, especially low-income areas
Colorado Politics documents the movement of HB20-1265 through the state legislature and showcases viewpoints of bill advocates, including climate justice leader from CCF grantee partner Colorado People’s Alliance.
Community-driven justice work is a priority for CCF, and our Environmental Action Fund grantee partner Colorado People’s Alliance (COPA) is leading the charge for climate justice in its home state.
Read an excerpt below from a Colorado Politics story that documents their critical work in Colorado state politics.
“A quartet of Democrats made their opening pitch Monday for health-based air standards, backed up by a fleet of environmental groups.
House Bill 1265 passed the House Energy and Environment Committee on a 7-4 party-line vote and is moving to the Finance Committee. The bill comes with a $4.2 million price tag.
The legislation would regulate emissions of four toxins: hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen sulfide, benzene in a manner more strict than the federal Clean Air Act…
Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver, told the committee that the bill is especially aimed at protecting low-income communities, which most often are the neighbors to industrial facilities that belch out chemicals.”
“Through my work with COPA in Commerce City and surrounding areas, it’s shown us how important clean air is to our communities. This bill is an essential first step towards ensuring a clean environment for all Coloradans.”
Rebecca Hanes, climate justice leader for the Colorado People’s Alliance (COPA)
