Environmental Equity and Cumulative Impact Analysis
What is this project, and why does it matter?
In 2022, the Environmental Justice Action Task Force explored ways the state can ensure fair access to a healthy environment for all people. The task force submitted recommendations to the legislature, the Governor’s Office, and CDPHE, and one of those recommendations was to create an Environmental Equity and Cumulative Impact Analysis.
This analysis looks at how environmental and public health issues affect specific places, especially communities that are disproportionately impacted by environmental challenges. It is part of a 2024 law that aims to support healthier environments across Colorado.
By looking at many environmental and other factors together, the analysis helps the state make more informed decisions and better support communities. Our Office of Environmental Justice will share the results publicly.
Request for proposals for the research contractor supporting Colorado’s first Environmental Equity and Cumulative Impact Analysis is now open
The successful bidder will demonstrate expertise in cumulative impacts research, framework development, and community-based research. The Contractor will develop and implement a rigorous research plan that centers on community perspectives and produces a replicable methodological framework to guide future Environmental Equity and Cumulative Impact Analysis efforts.
Up to $900,000 is available for this work, which is expected to take up to 24 months. Proposals are due February 27, 2026. The Requests for Proposals can be found on this page.
Solicitation Name: Environmental Equity and Cumulative Impact Analysis
Please send all correspondence concerning this to the single point of contact, Allan Smith.
East Colfax selected for Colorado’s first Environmental Equity and Cumulative Impact Analysis
CDPHE has selected the East Colfax neighborhood of Aurora as the location for Colorado’s first Environmental Equity and Cumulative Impact Analysis.
Led by the Office of Environmental Justice, the selection followed a statewide nomination and application process that identified 11 finalist communities meeting participation criteria. East Colfax was chosen based on community need, environmental exposure, readiness, and strong local partnership.
CDPHE will work directly with community members and local partners to collect data, elevate lived experiences, and better understand how environmental conditions affect health. The findings will help inform future state and local environmental and public health decisions.
What are cumulative impacts?
Cumulative impacts are the total effect of several environmental and other factors combined. This can include air and water pollution, chemical exposure, and extreme heat, among others. Looking at these factors together provides a clearer picture of community health risks than looking at each separately.
Why is the Environmental Equity and Cumulative Impact Analysis important?
The analysis can help the state and local governments:
- Identify areas most affected by pollution and environmental stressors.
- Use a consistent process to understand the full impact on these communities.
- Make more informed decisions about regulations, permits, and other actions.
Where did this work originate?
In recent years, state laws have emphasized the need to consider how environmental factors affect communities differently. Recommendations from the Environmental Justice Action Task Force highlighted the importance of doing cumulative impact analyses. In 2024, a law directed CDPHE to conduct two such analyses in disproportionately impacted communities. The first will begin in early 2026 in the East Colfax neighborhood of Aurora. A second, separate community will be selected through a statewide nomination and application process for the second analysis, which is tentatively expected to begin in 2027. Information about the second analysis, including the nomination process, will be available at a later date.
When will the analysis take place?
The Office of Environmental Justice will begin the process in summer 2025, with the first location announced in the fall. A contractor will begin the analysis in early 2026, and the work will take about 12–24 months to complete. Information about the second analysis, including the nomination process, will be available at a later date.
Who is involved in the process?
The Office of Environmental Justice, the selected community, and the contractor will lead the Environmental Equity and Cumulative Impact Analysis work. The process includes:
- Creating working groups to guide the analysis and make sure community voices are included.
- Partnering with a local coordinating agency to help connect with community members and share data.
- Reviewing environmental and health data and gathering community input.
- Sharing the final results publicly and working with agencies on how to use the findings.
How will results be used?
The final report will be a tool for local and state agencies, not a replacement for other required assessments. It may help guide decisions on permits, plans, and policies that could affect communities. Community members will also have access to the findings through our website.
Where will CDPHE conduct the analysis?
We will conduct two analyses in total and are asking for your input on the first analysis now. The department will select the first location in 2025. You can nominate your community from July 14 to August 8.
The Office of Environmental Justice is launching an exciting new project, and your community could be part of it! We’re selecting one place in Colorado to be the first site for an Environmental Equity and Cumulative Impact Analysis—a process that looks at how multiple environmental challenges, like pollution or extreme heat, may affect people’s health and well-being.
An Environmental Equity and Cumulative Impact Analysis is a comprehensive review of environmental and public health impacts in specific geographic areas, focusing on communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change. This analysis will help state and local agencies make more informed, equitable decisions by evaluating how pollution and other stressors collectively affect certain populations. The department will make the results of the analysis available to the public.
Timeline: The Office of Environmental Justice is initiating the Environmental Equity and Cumulative Impact Analysis process in the summer of 2025. The office expects to announce the location for the first analysis in the fall. The office will also seek a contractor to conduct the analysis, which will begin in early 2026 and take approximately 12-18 months to complete.
Nominations: Community members can nominate their community for consideration as an analysis location. Local and Tribal government leaders and leaders from community-based organizations can also nominate their community. These leaders can also express interest in serving as the local coordinating agency, or indicate if they would like to partner with or support another local coordinating agency. You can access more information on the role of the local coordinating agency here.
Eligibility: This nomination form is the first step in the process.
To be selected, a community must meet these eligibility criteria:
- The community receives a nomination from a local community member or local leader.
- The community is considered "disproportionately impacted.” (To determine if your community is disproportionately impacted according to Colorado Law, visit the Disproportionately Impacted Community Map.)
- At least one government agency or community-based organization expresses interest in serving as the local coordinating agency.
The department will narrow the eligible nominees to 10 finalists based on the following criteria:
- The communities’ overall EnviroScreen score.
- Data on local environmental effects, environmental exposures, sensitive populations, and health and social factors.
- Community interest expressed in the nomination forms.
Final location selection: A committee will review the finalist applications and evaluate them based on four areas:
- Environmental risk.
- Readiness to engage in the analysis.
- Leadership commitment and partnerships.
- Community interest.
Finalists will receive an application form to complete and further details on the application scoring process.
Funding: The local coordinating agency in the selected location will be eligible for department funding to support local coordination and community engagement activities.
Multiple nominations from the same community are welcome! The department will choose only one local coordinating agency in the selected analysis community. If multiple organizations plan to coordinate or partner, the department recommends that they choose one lead agency to express interest in serving as the local coordinating agency, and the others indicate support for that local coordinating agency on their nomination forms.
Stay updated!
Follow this page for updates updates, public input opportunities, timelines, and final report findings.
Questions? Email the Office of Environmental Justice at cdphe_ej@state.co.us.