Q&A
Elise Jones of Boulder is director of the Colorado Environmental Coalition, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Among its accomplishments since 1965: achieved permanent protection for 3.4 million acres of wilderness; helped establish the “Wild and Scenic River” designation for the Cache la Poudre River; and, more recently, successfully lobbied for the approval of Amendment 37, establishing a renewable-energy requirement for utilities.
Q: What are the most important environmental issues facing Colorado today?
A: There are a number of burning issues facing the state. Energy: With the high prices of gasoline and natural gas constantly reminding us that we are overdependent on fossil fuels, it’s increasingly important that we diversify our sources of energy. That’s one of the reasons that Coalition was part of the successful effort to pass Amendment 37.
Another is growth. We’re going to see another million people move to Colorado in the next decade. You can’t blame people – Colorado is a wonderful place to live. It means if we don’t want to spoil the things we love about Colorado, if we don’t want to undermine our own quality of life, we’re going to have to better manage that growth.
Third, I would say water. The record-breaking drought that we just went through was a grim reality check that we do live in an arid state with a finite water supply. Fortunately, it’s possible for us to keep water in our taps and rivers if we use water wisely.
Q: What kind of obstacles do you face in achieving some of the goals the coalition has adopted?
A: At the top of the list, I would have to put the current presidential administration, which is the most hostile administration to the environment anyone can remember. The administration’s policies in particular aimed at Western public lands, air and water quality really are threatening to undermine the things we all love about this state, things that are important for our kids and our grandkids – the air we breathe, the water we drink – are more threatened as a result of this administration.
Q: At the same time, don’t you think the administration has energized environmental groups like yours?
A: I guess that’s the same way Hurricane Katrina has energized the American Red Cross. Sure, but you wish you didn’t have disasters like that to respond to. Quite frankly, I look forward to the day that I’m bored at my job because the environment is so well-protected.
– Kim McGuire, Denver Post staff writer
REGIONAL NOTES
JEFFERSON COUNTY
Marching-band festivals lined up
Two marching-band festivals are planned by Jefferson County Public Schools this week.
The Jeffco Marching Festival begins at 5 p.m. today at Jefferson County Stadium, 500 Kipling St. in Lakewood. Cost is $6 for adults and $3 for students and seniors.
The Pomona Marching Festival starts with preliminaries at 9:45 a.m. Saturday and finals at 6:45 p.m. at the North Area Athletic Complex, 19500 W. 64th Parkway in Arvada. Cost is $8 for adults and $3 for students for either event. All-day tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students.
WHEAT RIDGE
Yard sale to benefit Katrina relief
Wheat Ridge city employees are having a yard sale Saturday and Sunday to benefit Hurricane Katrina relief.
All proceeds – from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days in front of city hall, 7500 W. 29th Ave. – will be donated to the American Red Cross. Items that remain will be donated to the Salvation Army.
DENVER POST STAFF REPORTS
