Colorado Takes Bold Steps Towards Environmental Justice

House Bill 24-1338

Introduction:

In a landmark move, Colorado has recently passed House Bill 24-1338, a comprehensive piece of legislation aimed at advancing environmental justice by reducing the cumulative impacts of air pollution. This groundbreaking bill, signed into law in 2024, demonstrates Colorado's commitment to addressing longstanding environmental inequities and protecting the health of its most vulnerable communities. Let's dive into the key components of this law and what it means for the future of environmental policy in the Centennial State.

Environmental Equity and Cumulative Impact Analyses:

At the heart of HB 24-1338 is the mandate for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to conduct Environmental Equity and Cumulative Impact Analyses (EECIAs). These analyses will focus on specific geographic areas that include disproportionately impacted communities, providing a rigorous scientific assessment of cumulative environmental impacts.

The bill requires the selection of contractors to develop at least two EECIAs, with a strong emphasis on community engagement and transparency throughout the process. Importantly, the analyses will not only identify key problems and indicators of cumulative impacts but also suggest ways to avoid, minimize, and mitigate these issues.

Photo by Kait Herzog on Unsplash

The Office of Environmental Justice:

HB 24-1338 establishes the Office of Environmental Justice within the Department of Public Health and Environment. This new office is tasked with increasing state government engagement with disproportionately impacted communities, developing environmental justice goals and metrics, and coordinating environmental justice efforts across various levels of government.

The office will also play a crucial role in advancing language justice by providing translation and interpretation services, ensuring that non-English speaking communities have equal access to information and decision-making processes.