ICYMI: Winter, Gonzales Bill to Protect Communities from Pollution Clears Committee

HB23-1294 seeks solutions for ozone air pollution, strengthens pathways for victims to seek justice for illegal pollution

DENVER, CO – Yesterday, Senator Faith Winter D-Westminster, and, Senator Julie Gonzales’, D-Denver, bill to protect Coloradans from pollution cleared the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee.

HB23-1294 proposes short and long-term solutions to Front Range air pollution. It strengthens procedures for community members to report illegal polluting, by requiring that citizen evidence of pollution be admissible as evidence in a court, and making regulators keep people up to date on the status of ensuing investigations. The bill also creates an interim committee of 12 legislators to meet this summer and craft future legislation on pollutants that have been difficult to reduce so far.

“Colorado experiences some of the worst air quality in the nation, especially for ozone air pollution,” Winter said. “I am excited to see what policy recommendations the interim committee makes so that we can improve public health and reduce air pollution in communities throughout the state.”

“Poor air quality disproportionately affects marginalized communities across the Front Range,” said Gonzales. “While we still have a long way to go in reducing environmental discrimination, this bill will help those communities to seek justice for illegal polluting.”

The American Lung Association named Denver and Fort Collins among the cities in the United States with the most polluted air, and the Environmental Protection Agency downgraded Denver’s air quality ranking last fall, highlighting the need for further action. Common sources of ozone pollution include fossil fuel power plants, oil refineries, lawn equipment, and transportation.

HB23-1294 will now move to consideration on the Senate floor. You can follow the bill’s progress HERE.