Blog - Colorado CCL actions and progress

How the changing climate is impacting children

Children are special, especially when it comes to the impacts of climate change. Their young, growing bodies can be significantly impacted by the effects of fossil fuel related pollution. With summer here, we take a look at the effects of heat and air pollution on our kids.

Congressional races present terrific opportunity for CCL lobbying efforts

A new Congressional district in Colorado, an open seat in CD 7, and multiple candidates in other races presents CCL with a great opportunity to expand our outreach and influence the next members of the Colorado congressional delegation. For years, Colorado CCL volunteers have diligently lobbied our existing Members of Congress and their staffs. Between meetings in the District and in Washington DC, we try to be in touch with every office two to four times a year. With this re-election season upon us, the Greeley chapter is leading the way to expand CCL’s efforts beyond incumbents to reach out to candidates from all parties for these seats.

Our forests and the changing climate

“Now’s a good time to go visit national parks with big trees.” 
—Nate McDowell, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

“This is the beginning of a new ecological state.”
—Camille Stevens-Rumann, Colorado State University

The research is stacking up. Conifer forests throughout the West are not coming back after a wildfire like they have in the past. The culprit: our warming climate. Let’s take a look at Colorado’s forests and what you can do to help.

Conservatives are stepping up to address climate change – CCL has their backs

Over 80 politically right-leaning CCL volunteers gathered in D.C. with Republican members of Congress and the best of the eco-right to discuss the opportunities provided by conservative climate action, share ideas, and learn how to be a better conservative climate leader.

Local action success story

Sangre de Cristo Electric Association (SDCEA), a cooperative in Central Colorado, was set to implement rate changes that would have discriminated against net metering customers (solar, wind) and disadvantaged low energy users. Sandy Long, group leader for the Chaffee County CCL Chapter, was part of the local advocacy group that quickly formed to oppose the changes. Learn how the group was able to get SDCEA to rescind the rate changes. Net metering is under attack in Colorado and throughout the nation. Get involved with your local utility to promote renewable energy.

Volunteer spotlight on Noah Fulton-Beale

Noah started volunteering with CCL in late 2016, but a few months later his life journey took him in a new direction — he moved to Ukraine where he worked for a tech company. Noah remained very concerned about global heating, so upon return to Boulder in 2021, he reconnected with CCL and set a personal goal of writing at least one Letter to the Editor (LTE) each week. In this interview, Noah shares his LTE writing experience, and lessons learned. Plus how sharing his CCL training helped a Ukrainian colleague get published in the New York Times.

Carbon farming – part 1

Through a variety of agricultural practices, farmers have the power to increase the carbon stored in the land beneath their crops, and remove excess CO2 from the atmosphere. This first of two articles covers carbon farming basics, agricultural incentives to encourage its use, and actions you can take to support this transition.

Wildfire anywhere, anytime

The Marshall FIre reminds us that wildfire burns homes and stores as readily as grass and trees. As our climate and ecosystems change, wildfires are more likely, will burn more intensely, and may impact us in ways we never expected in Colorado. Take a look at the consequences.

Turning “political hobbyism” into real action

Inspired by a recent article on Eitan Hersh’s new book, Politics Is for Power — a brilliant condemnation of political hobbyism and a call to arms for well-meaning, well-informed citizens to start actually acting — CCL Volunteers Sandy Long and Jim Hooton discuss their New Year's Resolutions.

How can community leaders best support our work?

The voices of prominent community members, or “grasstops,” can help us move our Members of Congress and develop political will for climate action in our communities. What are the best messages for them to be sending right now?

Colorado CCL had a great 2021 and what's next in 2022

Happy New Year! CCL Colorado volunteers accomplished a great deal in 2021. CCL staff has given us a thoughtful framework to use as we plan to build on those efforts in 2022.

Redistricting shuffles CCL chapters and creates opportunity to influence an open seat

Redistricting has added an eighth Congressional seat to Colorado. It has also shuffled some of the districts represented by our CCL Chapters. Learn more about the open race in Colorado’s new district and see which chapters have moved into a new congressional district.

Increasing renewable energy generation at Colorado utilities

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission is reviewing plans from both Xcel Energy and Tri-State Generation for how they will meet requirements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Xcel has reached a settlement agreement with 14 parties that has attracted some criticism. 

Whether you get your electricity from Xcel or Tri-State, there is still time to write to the PUC to provide public comment on the plans — suggestions follow.

CO CCL’s LTE of the month: Editorial in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel

The Grand Junction CCL chapter recently reached out to the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel and asked them to write an editorial of support for including carbon fee and dividend in the reconciliation bill. The paper, which has endorsed carbon fee and dividend and the Energy Innovation Act in three other editorials, responded quickly with a powerful endorsement in which they called on our Colorado senators to back this proposal and get it into the bill. Senator Michael Bennet responded quickly by doing just that in reposts of the Sentinel’s editorial. In his Facebook and Twitter posts Bennet took a strong stand for carbon pricing. Read the editorial here.

CSU Pueblo reaches net zero efficiency

On-campus efforts, new solar/battery equipment, and an innovative partnership with several companies helped this university take an important step towards a clean energy future.

Reconciliation fatigue: Taking care of ourselves

We CCLers have been on an exhausting reconciliation rollercoaster, and the news — on many dimensions — can also be stressful. Taking time to recharge and get grounded is perhaps more important than ever. Here are some resources that others in CCL have found useful.

More than a pretty highway. Why care about the Infrastructure Act?

Bridges, roads and broadband. These have been the big selling points, but what is actually in this $1T, 1,000+ page law? Frankly, a lot and you may be as surprised as I. Let’s look at what it could mean for Colorado and the climate.

Carbon pricing resolution coming to Colorado State Legislature; CCL help Is needed

Soon, we'll know where all our state legislators stand on carbon pricing. Two State Representatives from Boulder, Edie Hooton and Judy Amabile, plan to introduce a carbon pricing resolution in the Colorado House of Representatives when the legislature resumes its session in January 2022. Learn more and see how you can help get it passed.