PRESS RELEASE: New polling shows overwhelming support for new air and water quality bills that protect the public from toxic pollution

DENVER — Today, Conservation Colorado and Keating Research released new polling of 500 likely November 2020 voters statewide in Colorado, conducted May 11-13, 2020. The survey demonstrates that Colorado voters overwhelmingly support three proposals to protect the public by reducing emissions of toxic chemicals into Colorado’s air and water, and to mitigate the adverse effects on communities when Colorado’s air and water quality laws are violated. A memo summarizing the results for the Colorado State Legislature is available here.

“This poll confirms what we have long suspected: Coloradans stand united in calling for action to reduce toxic pollution in our air and water,” said Sophia Mayott-Guerrero, communities and justice advocate with Conservation Colorado. “Regardless of age, geography, race, or partisanship, Colorado voters strongly support legislative action to protect our communities and hold corporate polluters accountable for breaking the law.”

Each one of these three air and water quality proposals was supported by a nearly unanimous majority 83% to 89% of registered Democrats. These common-sense proposals are also supported by a majority 53% to 61% of registered Republicans. The bills tested include:

  • HB20-1265 – A bill to expand emissions monitoring and emergency notification for uncontrolled emissions of hazardous air pollution. (73% Support – 17% Oppose)
  • SB20-204 – A bill to create a new program to conduct air quality monitoring, research and analysis, and set fees per ton of pollution emissions. (69% Support – 20% Oppose) 
  • HB20-1143 – A bill to increase Colorado’s maximum daily fine for air and water quality violations to $47,357. (67% Support – 21% Oppose)

“We have the resilient perspective of survivorship of environmental racism to realize predatory targeting by industries exploiting resources and people, we know what predators look like,” said Renee Millard-Chacon, a mom and member of the Indigenous/Xicana community. “Colorado has the responsibility to future generations to correct corruption at the expense of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) health, by strengthening protections, and moving towards healing our air and water. Our chance to be good ancestors is now!”

The proposals all enjoyed strong support, a reflection of the fact that:

  • Nearly 80% of Coloradans agree that state government needs to do more to protect our air and water from toxic pollutants.
  • Two-thirds of Colorado voters (66%) say these air and water quality laws would positively affect public health, compared to one-quarter (25%) who say the laws would have no or a negative effect. 
  • Coloradans don’t buy-into the argument that air and water quality regulations negatively affect our economy and jobs, in fact three-quarters (61%) say the laws would positively affect our economy or make no difference at all. 

“For too long, communities of color have been targeted by industry and borne the brunt of toxic air and water pollution,” said Mayott-Guerrero. “No law can erase decades of pollution or the damage already done, but by taking swift action to rein in corporate polluters our leaders can ensure a better, healthier future now and for generations to come.”

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This poll is designed to accurately represent likely November 2020 voters based on party registration, gender, age, region and ethnicity. For this sample of 500 the worst case margin of error at the 95% level is plus or minus 4.4%. Please consult the topline results for the full wording of the questions in this poll.

Conservation Colorado is the state’s largest environmental advocacy organization.

Keating Research is recognized by Democrats and Republicans alike as providing the most accurate polling in Colorado.