Bill To Add Deadlines To State Climate Change Plan Fails On Party-Line Vote

A bill that would have added measurable goals and deadlines to the state’s climate action plan died in a party-line vote in a Republican-controlled Senate committee Wednesday.

• March 25: State Republicans, Upset Over Clean Power Plan, Target Air Pollution Monitors 

The bill's sponsor, Sen. John Kefalas, D-Fort Collins, said the idea was to promote more action across the state on climate change and make the state more prepared for natural disasters.  

“My goal isn’t to convince you that human activity is a significant contributing factor to climate change," he said. "My goal is to help move this forward in a bi-partisan way.” 

The bill was supported by environmental groups who believe the action plan needs more teeth. But Richard Orf -- a lobbyist for the Colorado Mining Association -- says the bill was too vague.

“What would be the cost, and who would bear that cost?" said Orf. "What kinds of trade offs would be required? Would these goals take growth into account from the state demographer?”

Gov. Hickenlooper approved the Climate Action plan in 2015. It outlines general goals to better prepare for things like drought and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.