• March 29th, 2024
  • Friday, 02:10:54 PM

CDPHE Seeks Public Feedback on Environmental Justice Recommendations


The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment wants additional feedback from community members on the Environmental Justice Action Task Force’s third draft of recommendations that it will send to the legislature, governor, and CDPHE in the fall.

 

“The true experts in environmental justice are those most impacted by pollution and climate change, and we need to hear from you,” said Joel Minor, Environmental Justice Program Manager at CDPHE. “Ensuring that a large and diverse group of Coloradans engage in the Environmental Justice Action Task Force’s decision-making process is essential to shaping meaningful changes so all Coloradans have a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work.”

 

CDPHE is asking community members for their help in determining:

 

-The definition of “disproportionately impacted communities,” which will impact future resources available to communities. Disproportionately impacted communities have a heavier burden of negative health impacts than other communities because of systemic barriers to health and wellness.

 

-How agencies should engage with disproportionately impacted communities across Colorado.

 

-How agencies should consider equity and the cumulative impacts when making decisions that affect environmental health. Cumulative impacts are the combination of pollution in the air, water, and soil, and can include other factors that impact our health, like access to fresh food and green spaces to exercise.

 

-How agencies can make data about environmental health risks more transparent to Coloradans living in communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change.
The Task Force’s full draft recommendations are available online. Ideas and feedback can be shared with the Task Force in English,  Spanish, or any other language by one of the following ways:

 

-Fill out this survey to share your ideas about some key questions.

 

-Download and edit the Word document of the draft recommendations available here and send edits to cdphe_ej@state.co.us.

 

-Send written comments to cdphe_ej@state.co.us.

 

-Attend a small group conversation or cafecito in Commerce City or Pueblo to discuss the draft recommendations with CDPHE staff in September.

 

The deadline for the public to submit feedback on the third draft of the Task Force’s recommendations is Oct. 14, 2022. The group will hold its final public meeting in early November.

 

The Task Force must send its final recommendations to the legislature, governor, and CDPHE by Nov. 14.

 

 

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