Blog - Colorado CCL actions and progress

Colorado CCL State Legislature Team

Did you know that Colorado CCL has recently formed a group dedicated to following our state legislature and the climate bills they’re working on? Here's an update on the team’s activities so far, and how you can get involved.

Pathway to climate action in NoCo — SBARs, local leaders, glass, and sustainability

While CCL’s climate advocacy focuses heavily on national action, several Colorado chapters have taken a pathway to local support for national climate legislation by focusing first on local issues and needs. In Greeley, for example, since the onset of the pandemic, CCL’s chapter has grown remarkably and found significant traction in building relationships with local elected officials and government staff and other climate organizations through working on local problems. Led by Mike Weiland, the chapter has identified several areas where there is a need for local advocacy, including sustainability planning and recycling.

A banner year for CCL Colorado

In the seemingly endless rounds of CCL calls to action on the Inflation Reduction Act, we were often reminded that the effort was “a marathon, not a sprint.” For both citizen marathon runners and citizen lobbyists, the key goal is to get over the finish line. And we did just that, helping to pass the largest investment in climate change policy in history, anywhere in the world. Let’s look at actions by Colorado CCL volunteers in 2022 that helped achieve that important milestone.

Colorado Group Leaders move ahead with CCL’s new policy agenda

On hearing in-depth explanations of CCL’s new policy agenda at CCL’s December National Conference, CCL members wrote on a word board: “inspired,” “motivated,” “hopeful,” “excited,” and “energized.” Looking forward to taking this agenda to a divided Congress, CCL’s Senior Director of Government Affairs, Jen Tyler, said “we were built for” this.

Outgoing chapter leader Phil Nelson shares lessons learned

One of Colorado’s longest-serving chapter leaders is handing over the reins to new group leaders in the Golden chapter. Colorado CCL owes a deep debt of gratitude to Phil Nelson for his steady leadership of the Golden chapter and his contributions to Colorado CCL and the Mountain West region. Read on to learn how Phil transitioned into a climate activist after a long technical career in government and private industry — plus some creative ways he and his chapter engaged with the public and built an effective relationship with his Member of Congress.

Clean energy changeover – all about heat pumps

In order to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we need mass consumer adoption of highly efficient heat pumps powered by clean electricity. The great news is that monthly heating bills will be less and there are new incentives to help with the upfront costs. Here’s a quick look at heat pumps: What are they? What are the different types? What are the costs? How do I get rebates? What are some of the challenges to widespread adoption? And most importantly, why should I get one?

Meet Kate Daniel — CCLer with a passion for bringing groups together

Joining a chapter during COVID hasn’t been easy for many. Kate Daniel arrived in Colorado just as the pandemic started and things shut down. But, through Zoom, she found it easy to get involved with the Grand Valley chapter. She soon found ways to contribute her skills, most recently in organizing two phone banking events to turn out the vote in their district. Read on to learn about those successful events, plus other ways Kate contributes to supporting the chapter and CCL’s advocacy. (And her past work in protecting wetlands on the East Coast!)

Vote for candidates who support strong climate action — Here’s a guide

The November election is right around the corner. It can’t be overstated: this is an important election. Every vote matters! Nationally, we need to elect Members of Congress who will defend and expand the Inflation Reduction Act — and will support additional legislation to build a clean energy economy and nature-based solutions to climate change. At the state level, we need to elect a governor and state legislators who will accelerate Colorado’s transition to a clean energy economy. Read on for a guide to candidates’ positions on climate change.

Book club - An initiative inspired by love of books and community

The thought of book clubs makes me travel back in time to when I was a student and loved to engage in discussions with my peers while learning in the process. This summer Emily Wortman-Wunder, a member of the Denver Metro chapter, facilitated the inception of a book club with the aim to rekindle the joy of learning and building community. Read on to learn more about the book club, the lessons learned and how the group supported grassroots outreach.

How are Colorado’s aspens faring in this hotter world?

As a kid (a long time ago), I always wanted to go to the Kenosha Pass campground. There weren’t any streams to fish in or trails to hike, and it was right next to the highway, but the campground was in an aspen grove. I was totally in love with it. My heart was broken this past June, when passing through I saw the trees had only sparse leaves. In fact, all the aspen-covered hillsides look gray rather than green. 

What’s going on? Where does climate fit in? And, how can we save them?

Electric vehicles and home charging options

With increased gas prices, generous tax incentives, and new electric vehicles (EVs) on the market, it's time to look at purchasing one. Here’s a quick look at the types of EVs, home charging options, and the complex requirements of the new tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act. Be sure to bookmark this resource-rich blog article!

Get out the vote for climate action!

As we go to press, Congress appears to be on the verge of passing the Inflation Reduction Act, with powerful climate provisions! Once it passes, CCL is committed to defending the law by building more support for it within Congress. We’re also committed to passing more climate legislation. To that end, we urgently need to elect more Members of Congress who prioritize solving global heating.

One barrier to this is the astonishing number of environmentalists who don’t vote. But there is an effective solution: the Environmental Voter Project (EVP). They use behavioral science-informed messaging to turn “non voters” into “super voters”—who consistently vote their environmental values in every federal, state, and local election. EVP’s training is quick, and the phone software is easy to use. This midterm election is pivotally important. Please consider volunteering with EVP to turn out environmental voters in Colorado and across the U.S.—continue reading to learn how.

New volunteer’s experience at the June CCL conference and lobby day

Anna Ziola of the CU Boulder chapter shares how she prepared for lobbying, what she learned at the June CCL conference, and what she gained from the entire experience.

Colorado CCL chapter honors Representative Ed Perlmutter, bids farewell

Over the past eight years, Golden CCL built a strong working relationship with U.S. Representative Ed Perlmutter. Jarett Zuboy, CCL liaison to Perlmutter’s office, shares about their journey, including actions taken and lessons learned. He describes their chapter’s final farewell to their representative and his staff, and looks forward to applying those lessons to their climate policy efforts with whomever next represents District 7.

Growing Climate Solutions Act needs our support in the House

This will be the first substantial U.S. climate bill to pass Congress—if enacted. A surprisingly bipartisan mix of organizations support it: farming, ranch, forest, climate and environmental. Learn what’s in this straightforward bill, where it stands now, and what you can do to help get it passed before the November midterm elections.

What ever happened to the Colorado state resolution on carbon pricing?

Plans in 2022 to introduce a resolution in the State Legislature supporting federal Carbon Fee and Dividend legislation ran awry due to political considerations. But CCL is undaunted, and a new plan is being developed for the 2023 session. Read more to hear what is in store and how you can help.

Carbon farming – part 2

Storing atmospheric carbon in soil and regenerating soils’ health is a win, but the transition can be expensive for farmers to implement. What grants are available to help? What are the barriers? There are 2 actions you can take to support them.

CO CCL LTE of the month: Putin and climate change - Two maladies, one treatment

Aggressively reducing our fossil fuel consumption will both counter Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and address climate change. In this Pueblo Chieftain Op-Ed, Pikes Peak CCL chapter member Stephen Greenleaf presents the case for cutting our dependence on petroleum and the role carbon fee and dividend would play.