Conservation Colorado Announces First Slate of Municipal Endorsements
DENVER — Conservation Colorado, the state’s largest environmental advocacy organization, released its first round of municipal endorsements for the fall 2023 city council and mayoral races in Aurora and Thornton.
“Mayors and city councils have important decision-making roles that impact Conservation Colorado’s core issue areas, including climate, water, public lands, and environmental justice,” said Aly Ferrufino-Coqueugniot, Conservation Colorado’s political director. “A pro-conservation majority on a city council can be an important force for change for communities who are on the frontline of pollution.”
Conservation Colorado endorsed a total of nine candidates (six in Aurora and three in Thornton) who have demonstrated the values of a conservation and environmental justice champion.
These leaders are both current elected officials and longstanding members of their communities who have been engaged in civic activism or organizing work prior to their run for elected office.
Aurora and Thornton have seen booming oil and gas drilling and are at the front lines of the fossil fuel transition, which will impact communities’ water, air quality, and emissions.
“These municipalities contain neighborhoods and communities disproportionately impacted by pollution. Each endorsed candidate understands that impacted community members’ voices should be part of the solution, and they are doing the work to engage their communities,” added Ferrufino-Coqueugniot.
Conservation Colorado values endorsing leaders who represent the demographics of their communities, so that people can see themselves and their interests reflected in their city governments.
Endorsed candidates
Aurora
- Juan Marcano, Mayor
- Alison Coombs, At-Large
- Thomas Mayes, At-Large
- Jonathan Aaron Gray, Ward 4
- Chris Rhodes, Ward 5
- Brian Matise, Ward 6
Thornton
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