GOV. POLIS: DECLARE A CLIMATE EMERGENCY

Inaction is no longer an option. Governor Jared Polis must invoke CRS Section 24-33.5-704 and declare a state of emergency in Colorado. Climate change has been and continues to be a growing threat to public and private property, safety, long-term health outcomes, and the lives of Colorado residents. 

CRS Section 24-33.5-704: "The governor is responsible for meeting the dangers to the state and people presented by disasters." 

Climate change is an active danger to Colorado and its people. Every day that Governor Polis ignores reality or waits for the federal government to enact a real Green New Deal or any serious climate measure(s), we risk losing even more property and people.

The floods of 2013. 

The daily risk of fatal wildfires. 

The incurable droughts are impacting our state and the entire southwest. 

Everyone, including Governor Jared Polis, has seen this coming. NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NECI) found that 18.9% (75), or nearly 1 in 5 of all billion-dollar plus weather/climate disasters, have occurred in Colorado since 1980. 

"From 1980–2024 (as of August 8, 2024), there have been 75 confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each to affect Colorado. These events included 15 drought events, 2 flooding events, 1 freeze event, 42 severe storm events, 12 wildfire events, and 3 winter storm events. The 1980–2023 annual average is 1.6 events (CPI-adjusted); the annual average for the most recent 5 years (2019–2023) is 3.6 events (CPI-adjusted)."* 

It's not just businesses, homes, and natural treasures lost. It's our people, our families. 

Colorado residents are dying due to our state's inaction. We must demand better.

Add Your Name: Demand Governor Jared Polis Declare a Colorado Climate Emergency.

• NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters (2024). https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/billions/, DOI: 10.25921/stkw-7w73