Blog - Colorado CCL actions and progress
Here's what we're doing in Colorado to build political will for climate action.
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.
Continue readingNew 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.
Continue readingCongressional 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.
Continue readingTurning “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.
Continue readingColorado 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.
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.
Continue readingLongmont City Council endorses carbon fee and dividend policy
Recently, the Longmont CCL chapter completed a three-year campaign to secure an endorsement of the Energy Innovation Act from the Longmont City Council. This win is a big step toward helping the city meet its climate goals, and it will boost efforts to secure other endorsements for carbon pricing. Read on for details about the long journey to reach this local milestone.
What CO members of Congress need to hear from us right now
CCL Community provides a broad overview of our messages to Democratic and Republican members of Congress (MOCs). In Colorado, we’ve added some nuance to the overall strategy. Read on for what our Colorado MOCs need to be hearing from us on climate policy, considering where they’re coming from, and the issues critical to Coloradans.
Proposed methane fee can have major impact
Methane comprises only 10% of all greenhouse gases, but it has 84 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over the first 20 years. The IPCC says that cutting methane emissions is the best opportunity we have to quickly get on track toward our long term climate goals. Learn more about the tax Senate Democrats have proposed designed to cut U.S. methane emissions.
Ambitious climate policy—and carbon pricing—are alive in Congress
Over the past few weeks, tens of thousands of CCLers have contacted Congress in support of including carbon pricing in the reconciliation package. Currently there are several carbon pricing bills in Congress, any one of which could provide the basis for carbon pricing in the reconciliation package. Read on to learn more about some of those bills.
Border carbon adjustment gains traction in Congress ― U.S. steel manufacturing will benefit
Border carbon adjustments (BCA) have been proposed by Senate Democrats and the European Union. Under either type of BCA, U.S. steel manufacturing will have a relative advantage over foreign companies because of their carbon efficiency. There’s a long way to go before these plans get enacted, so the time is now for us to lobby Congress to include carbon pricing in the budget reconciliation package.
Rep. Diana DeGette cosponsors Energy Innovation Act
Rep. Diana DeGette has added her name to the growing list of cosponsors of the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, H.R. 2307 (EICDA). Rep. DeGette joins Colorado Representatives Jason Crow, Joe Neguse and Ed Perlmutter in supporting the bill, and she is its seventy-ninth cosponsor. Learn more about Rep. DeGette’s leadership on climate solutions, and thank her for cosponsoring the EICDA.
Get your mayor to endorse
The national team at Citizens’ Climate Lobby has launched an effort to get city mayors across the country to endorse the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (EICDA). Many mayors are already speaking out about climate action, so getting them to endorse EICDA may be as simple as asking for it — how to do so is covered in detail in the article. Let’s get Colorado’s mayors on board!
Don’t miss CCL’s June virtual national conference: The push for a price on carbon
Our conference is right around the corner: Saturday, June 12 (11 am - 3 pm MT) and Sunday, June 13 (11 am - 1:30 pm MT). It’s free and anyone can attend online. Find out how CCL is pushing for the passage of climate legislation this year, get updates on what’s happening in Washington D.C., and learn new information at break outs. For the first time, CCL is using the Airmeet platform (not Zoom) making the experience feel more like a live conference — you can network, visit Action Team booths, and join different sessions more easily. Read further for highlights of what’s being offered.
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Continued Progress Among Colorado’s Members Of Congress
Reps. Crow, Neguse, and Perlmutter are now co-sponsors of the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act. Let’s thank them and urge the rest of the Colorado delegation to join them.
Continue readingColorado CCL lobbying moves the needle
This March, Colorado CCL held meetings with all of our Members of Congress that helped advance our political objective of comprehensive national climate policy. Over 50 CCL volunteers, supported by a number of community leaders, demonstrated the power of citizens lobbying to influence our elected representatives, increasing their understanding of and support for our policy goals.
Continue readingCO CCL's 2021 strategy: Endorsements are key
In December, a CO Member of Congress suggested that the beginning of the new administration offers the best chance we've had in more than a decade for bipartisan climate legislation. Endorsements from Colorado community leaders are key to making that happen and can build support for action beyond our state borders.
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