Colorado Springs CCL - Inspiring Zoom Speakers & Multi-Chapter Collaborations

By Susan Campbell, Colorado Springs Chapter Co-leader

The Colorado Springs chapter shifted to monthly Zoom meetings starting in March, using live presentations and Q&A to keep the climate change conversation going, and develop knowledge, membership, and capacity during safer-at-home time.

In March, Trent Ashburn from Denver spoke on key aspects of HR 763, which was helpful to our new members. In April, given our diverse political landscape in Colorado Springs, Ian Harrison of the Colorado Conservative Steering Committee spoke on how to talk with people from different political backgrounds about climate change and HR 763. Attendees asked for more discussion in this area. In May, we had a rousing presentation by state co-coordinator Jim Hooton, who spoke on Colorado’s 2020 statewide priorities and encouraged attendees to become involved in the June virtual conference and lobbying. We also had a great discussion about upcoming lobby day messaging to our MOC office.

In June, we focused on the statewide priority of water, and water-related impacts. Colorado College professor Mark Smith talked about climate, the Colorado River Compact, and water supplies. Sandy Long, the new CCL leader in Chaffee County, spoke on climate change impacts in the Salida-Buena Vista-Canon City corridor (part of our congressional district). Our June invitation went out to members of the Colorado Springs, Chaffee County, and Woodland Park chapters, and we had a district-wide discussion of lobby day messaging.

Our chapter goals are to develop a bipartisan membership, stimulate thought and discussion, and enhance our profile and outreach to the community. We hope to work with other 5th district chapters to enhance inter-chapter collaboration, so we can convey a stronger district-wide message on climate change to our congressional delegation.

Coming up, we’ll focus on climate change and environmental racism, climate change health impacts, and a presentation by Woodland Park CCL leader Pati Turner on her experience in obtaining a local government endorsement. We’re also planning workshops on climate change communications, including across the political, racial, and cultural spectrums. We hope to connect with you soon!