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Press Contact:

Sean Price, Conservation Colorado, 303-717-9072, sean@conservationco.org

Protect Colorado Waters Coalition praises Gov. Polis’ enactment of wetlands and water protections for generations to come

DENVER — Governor Jared Polis today signed HB24-1379 into law to protect Coloradans’ access to clean drinking water, help preserve the state’s most valuable natural resource, and reduce the risk of flooding. Colorado is the first state to pass legislation restoring protections for wetlands and streams put at risk by last year’s U.S. Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. EPA.

The Protect Colorado Waters Coalition released the following statement:

“We are grateful to Governor Polis for taking a necessary and meaningful step today to protect Colorado’s wetlands and waterways from degradation, pollution, and destruction that could have disastrous consequences on Coloradans’ drinking water, wildlife habitat, and our ability to mitigate against the threat of flooding.

As a headwater state, it’s important that Colorado leads the way and sets an example for the rest of the West, and the nation, for what can be accomplished with collaboration and hard work. HB24-1379 does that, and puts Colorado on a path to protect these waters for generations to come.

Our coalition will stay engaged as this law enters the rulemaking process to ensure that it continues to reflect the collaborative effort that leaders like Speaker Julie McCluskie, Senator Dylan Roberts, Representative Karen McCormick and Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer put in to get this bill to the Governor’s desk. Today is a good day for Coloradans and a testament to the leadership and commitment of these elected officials.”

About the Protect Colorado Waters Coalition:

The Protect Colorado Waters Coalition consists of 20 environmental conservation organizations, representing more than 275,000 Coloradans, who have come together to pass legislation in Colorado in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Sackett decision. The Coalition’s goal is to restore the level of protections that existed prior to this decision, ensuring creation of a permitting program allowing for responsible development activities to occur without irreparable harm to Colorado’s wetlands and streams.

Members of the Coalition include:

  • Alamosa Riverkeeper
  • Animas Riverkeeper
  • Audubon Rockies
  • Clean Water Action
  • Conservation Colorado
  • Colorado Sierra Club
  • Colorado Trout Unlimited
  • Colorado Riverkeepers
  • Earthjustice
  • Environment Colorado
  • GreenLatinos
  • Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors (HECHO)
  • High Country Conservation Advocates
  • Natural Resources Defense Council
  • Public Employees for Environmental Policy (PEER)
  • San Juan Citizens Alliance
  • Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
  • The Nature Conservancy
  • Upper Green River Network
  • Western Resource Advocates