US Special Committee on the Climate Crisis Hears from Colorado Elected Officials

More than 250 people packed the Wittemyer Courtroom at the University of Colorado Law School Thursday morning for the first field hearing of the U.S. House  Select Committee on the Climate Crisis.

Governor Jared Polis told committee members about his administration’s goal to transition the state to 100 percent renewable energy by 2040, adding that the state is already impacted by the climate crisis with diminishing water supplies and increased wild fires.

featured image: Gov. Jared Polis speaking in front of the US Special Committee on the Climate Crisis/photo credit CU Boulder.

“In Colorado, we know this hotter, more erratic, drier future isn’t some dystopian vision. It’s impacting us right now. It’s impacting our dwindling water supply, impacting our farming and ranching communities, our outdoor recreation industry, our wildlife and ecological diversity.”

When asked by committee members about transitioning to green energy and the costs that could be placed on consumers, Governor Polis called for innovative ways to price energy.

Rep. Joe Neguse who represents Colorado’s Second Congressional district is the only representative from the Rocky Mountain West serving on the committee, however Rep. Diana DeGette was invited to participate Thursday as she represents Colorado’s First Congressional district.

Chair of the committee Rep. Kathy Castor, a Democrat from Florida, asked Boulder Mayor Suzanne Jones and Fort Collins Mayor Wade Troxell about how to make sure a transition to cleaner energy would be equitable for all.

Mayor Jones highlighted the city’s low income solar grants program as one way to make renewable energy for all “so that everyone is included in the solution and the benefits of it.”

Mayor Troxell says that Fort Collins focuses on investment in renewable infrastructure “because it does benefit all in our community.”

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