Poll: Western voters strongly pro-conservation

Posted on February 5, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Support for natural resource protection crosses party lines

Moose cow with calves near Winter Park, Colorado. PHOTO BY BOB BERWYN.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The message may not have yet reached the divisive Republican leadership of the anti-environmental House Resources Committee, but Western voters favor effective protection of clean air, clean water, natural areas and wildlife.

Results from the recent 2012 Colorado College State of the Rockies Conservation in the West poll found that Colorado voters across the political spectrum — from Tea Party supporters to those who identify with the Occupy Wall Street movement — view Colorado’s parks and public lands as essential to the economy. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Environment, Summit County news, wildlife | Tagged: , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Environmental justice in the Rocky Mountains

Posted on October 2, 2010 by Bob Berwyn

A map showing toxic release sites based on the EPA's toxic release inventory. FROM THE COLORADO COLLEGE 2006 STATE OF THE ROCKIES REPORT.

Poor and minority populations in the region face higher environmental risks

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — The EPA is taking a final round of comments on a plan aimed at advancing environmental justice, an issue that hits home not only in urban areas on the coasts or in the Midwest, but here in the Rocky Mountain region, too.

Read some background on the EPA’s environmental justice efforts here.

Several years ago, student researchers at Colorado College compiled an environmental justice scorecard as part of their annual “State of the Rockies” report, finding that low-income and minority neighborhoods in the region carry a disproportionate burden of environmental risks.

In other words, if you’re poor, black, Hispanic or Native American, you stand a greater chance of having to deal with toxic discharges from industrial facilities, or with polluted water or land. (more…)

Filed under: air quality, biodiversity, Environment, Summit County Colorado | Tagged: , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Students take spring break road trip — for a cause

Posted on March 21, 2010 by Bob Berwyn

Colorado College students hold a press conference in Grand Junction at the start of a spring break road trip that aims at raising awareness about the state's transportation issues.

Colorado trek to highlight state’s serious transportation challenges with rallies along the way; local stop set for 9 a.m. Monday at the Frisco Transit Center

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — Instead of heading for the beaches of Mexico, one group of students from Colorado College has decided to use their spring break for a Colorado road trip — with a mission.

Touring from Grand Junction, Aspen, Frisco, Denver, Colorado Springs and Pueblo, the students will advocate for development of a 21st century transportation system, trying to build public support for investment in this critical piece of economic infrastructure.

The Summit County rally is set for Monday, March 22, at the Frisco Transit Center (behind Wal-Mart). Local citizens are invited and encouraged to attend to show support for addressing Colorado transportation issues.

The transportation campaign is being organized by the Colorado Student Public Interest Research Group. The tour started in Grand Junction on Sunday, where several TV stations showed up to cover the event, according to the group’s Twitter stream.

A statement from the group outlines the background of its mission:

“Colorado’s transportation system is in trouble with crumbling roads and at least 125 bridges deemed in poor condition, as well as a woefully underfunded public transportation system. With Colorado predicted to grow by millions more in the next 30 years, our 20th century transportation system will result in more traffic congestion, oil dependency, air pollution and pain at the pump for Colorado consumers and businesses.

In order to have a safe and efficient 21st century transportation system that mitigates these problems, Colorado needs long-term, stable funding to rebuild and modernize our roads and bridges and complete necessary public transportation projects.”

The students’ vision includes investing in visionary public transit projects like rapid bus service along Highway 82, completing Denver’s FasTracks system and high speed rail along the Front Range, as well as fixing crumbling roads and bridges.

The 6-day, 12-city tour includes cities along Highway 82, Grand Junction, Frisco, Blackhawk/Central City, Denver, Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Greeley, DIA and Golden. Along the way, the students will be highlighting local transit projects and infrastructure needs, meeting local leaders and calling on state and federal officials to create a comprehensive funding plan for a 21st century transportation system.

Get the complete itinerary here.

Follow the group on Twitter.

Get information on Colorado’s Blue Ribbon Transportation Panel here, including reports and recommendations.

A good source of Colorado transportation news is online at Kevin Flynn’s Inside Lane.


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Filed under: Summit County Colorado, transportation | Tagged: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

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