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Community Council for Environmental Justice and Air Quality (CCEJAQ)

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Apply by January 12, 2024! The Community Council for Environmental Justice and Air Quality is seeking new members from the Pueblo region, Colorado Springs region, eastern plains, and western slope. No prior or specific expertise is required. Read more here if you are interested in joining the council.

Overview

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The Community Council for Environmental Justice and Air Quality (CCEJAQ) is an informal advisory group convened by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. It is made up of nine community members from across the state of Colorado. The council members represent diverse geographic areas, perspectives, demographics, and lived experiences. 

The council meets virtually each month to provide input on key state air quality work and to help bolster the state’s commitment to environmental justice. Council members also work within their own communities to engage friends, neighbors, and local Coloradoans with environmental justice and air quality issues. 

The council works collectively to lift up underrepresented voices in stakeholder processes to help the state improve outcomes for communities disproportionately impacted by pollution.

Meet the council

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The Community Council for Environmental Justice and Air Quality aims to elevate underrepresented voices in public participation processes to help Colorado improve outcomes for communities disproportionately impacted by environmental pollution.

Teresa Brizueula - Thorton, CO

Mi nombre es Teresa Brizuela, soy de Venezuela y vivo en Colorado desde 2016. Me gradué en Recursos Humanos e hice un postgrado en Administración del Trabajo. Trabaje por 15 años en Dana Incorporated una organización internacional con sede en Venezuela, donde fui formada como Examinadora del programa Dana Quality Leadership Award (Similar a Baldrige Performance Excellence Program National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) • United States Department of Commerce), También como Auditor Ambiental ISO 14000, además de mi práctica Budista en la SGI.org por más de 37 años - en la se que plantea que somos uno con el ambiente y que esta relación es inseparable. Más recientemente en Colorado trabajé en TheGrowhaus.org atendiendo los vecindarios de Globeville, Elyria y Swansea - del código postal 80216 por más de 3 años, considerado un desierto alimentario y con contaminación de aire, suelo y agua. he seguido apoyando estas comunidades participando en diversos eventos de manera independiente. La suma de todas esa experiencia, conocimiento y vivencias me han hecho sensible en el apoyo del cuidado de nuestro medio ambiente, la dignidad de la vida y el respeto a todos los seres vivos. Estoy muy contenta de pertenecer a este Comité de Equidad Ambiental, donde junto a los experimentados miembros en Educación en contaminación ambiental y cambios climáticos, estamos siendo escuchados como parte de las diferentes comunidades de Colorado a las que pertenecemos. Podemos sugerir cambios en materia legal ambiental como voz de nuestras comunidades, algo muy importante en el desarrollo de un país.

Harmony Cummings - Denver, CO

Harmony Cummings is a mother, environmentalist and organizer living life to the fullest in Colorado. She is the founder and director of the Green House Connection Center, a community space in Denver's Elyria neighborhood, that pairs the arts with environmental justice, community advocacy and healing. She is the Co-chair for the Denver Mayor’s Sustainability Advisory Council  environmental justice committee.  She is passionate about protecting the future for her children and all of the children of Colorado.  She has eight years of experience working in the oil and gas industry and uses that experience, insight and connections to inform her work.  She was the bill champion for HB23-1242, Water Conservation in Oil and Gas Operations which established the nation’s first State level Produced Water Consortium to make significant advances in water reuse in the industry. Her most important role is being a mother and she spends her time with her two boys, in her garden, dancing, going to concerts and hanging out with the family's new kitten.

Carl Erickson - Greeley, CO

My name is Carl B. Erickson, I have lived in Weld County since I was three. I attended UNC in Greeley, worked as an interpreter for the deaf and a preschool teacher and finally went into the private sector as a supervisor and a technical trainer. I am the son of teachers, and my father was a park ranger in the summer. Although I have been an environmentalist my entire life, I wasn't as active in the "human right to a safe and clean environment" until 2009. I have since been very active in attempting to 'level the playing field' to ensure coming generations have a livable planet. As we strive to make the future livable it is important to ensure that benefits are felt equally and uniformly, this is the reason groups like this one exist.

Rachael Lehman - Denver, CO

Rachael Lehman (she, her, ella) is a mom, sociologist, education disruptor and community champion. Center the margins! Rachael earned degrees in Political Science, Women’s Studies and Sociology and is currently employed at the Community College of Denver as Associate Professor of Sociology and Women’s Studies. Rachael serves community in the following capacities; State Discipline Chair of Women’s Studies and Sociology for the Colorado Community College System, Community Council for Environmental Justice and Air Quality, Healthy Community Chair I-70/Vasquez Blvd Environmental Protection Agency Superfund Site, Curls on the Block board member, and Policy Director for Denver Public School Board Director Auon’tai Anderson. Rachael finds joy in dismantling white supremacy and hugging trees. #RachaeltheRealest

Kate Lockwood - Meeker, CO

My name is Katie Lockwood, and I serve as a western colorado representative for CCEJAQ though I currently reside in Colorado Springs for college. Growing up as the daughter of a U.S. Forest Service employee mom in rural Colorado, I’ve always felt close to nature and compelled to share the treasure that it is with everyone; this board is an opportunity to do just that.

Join the council

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Apply by January 12, 2024! Become a new council member to represent Pueblo, Colorado Springs, eastern plains, and western slopes regions.

The state's Air Pollution Control Division is looking for input and ideas to make policies that address air pollution and improve air quality in Colorado communities. Members do not need to have air policy knowledge or past advisory group experience. Members convene virtually via Zoom on the third Thursday of each month from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. and receive a $50 participation stipend per meeting. Language interpretation is available upon request.

Please complete this form no later than January 12, 2024 to apply. We will contact you to follow up.