Hundreds of people gathered in Boulder, Colorado, on Saturday, May 29, to march and rally in support of Climate Justice Bill, SB 21-200. Representing a diverse coalition of social and climate justice organizations, people from all over Colorado marched in Boulder, Governor Polis’ hometown, to protest Polis’ threat to veto Climate Justice Bill SB 21-200 and urge Boulder legislators to help pass the bill.
Marchers began to gather at the Boulder International Peace Garden off Canyon Blvd. at 11am, before proceeding down Walnut St. to 17th St., returning via Pearl St. The march took about one hour in total and went past Polis’ house. Marchers re-gathered at the International Peace Garden around 12:30pm for a rally in support of SB 21-200, which included a lineup of elected officials and impacted community members speaking on the importance of this bill.
Environmental Justice Activists Trisha Nelson, Ean Tafoya, Lucy Molina, and Jeeva Senthilnathan spoke on the disproportionate impacts of oil and gas extraction and climate change on low income communities and communities of color in Colorado.
Commerce City resident Lucy Molina told the crowd “I’m just a mom trying to protect my children. When the [climate] criminals have a seat at the table, that is environmental injustice. I’m asking Governor Polis to give us a living chance.”
Elected officials included Bill Sponsor Senator Faith Winter, Boulder County Commissioner Marta Loachamin, and Boulder Mayor Pro Tem Junie Joseph. State Representative Judy Amabile was also in attendance.
Sen. Winter applauded the marchers saying, “We need a strong climate action plan that has goals, accountability, and equity. And we are going to get there.”
Twelve community groups and social and environmental justice organizations came together to host the march and rally, hoping to draw public attention to this bill and pressure Governor Polis to uphold his promises to act on the climate crisis.
Over 50 environmental, labor and justice groups have endorsed SB21-200, to “Reduce Greenhouse Gases, Increase Environmental Justice.” The bill requires the Polis Administration to implement policies to reduce the state’s greenhouse gases by the targets agreed upon in 2019: 26% by 2025 and 50% by 2030. Currently, there is nothing in place to ensure the targets are met. The bill also creates an Environmental Justice Ombudsperson and Board to ensure that polluted communities receive just compensation.
The bill now awaits a vote in the Senate.