A powerful new mapping tool for environmental justice
Colorado EnviroScreen is an interactive environmental justice mapping tool. Version 1.0 of Colorado EnviroScreen launched on June 28, 2022.
EPA and CDPHE share progress on advancing environmental justice in enforcement and plan for next year
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 8 released a progress report demonstrating their success in implementing the first annual workplan for advancing environmental justice in enforcement and compliance. The agencies also released the workplan for the next year. This collaborative effort is dedicated to advancing environmental justice in disproportionately impacted communities through enforcement and compliance work.
- The focus areas of year two’s final workplan include:
- Setting targets to increase the percentage of inspections in disproportionately impacted communities.
- Encouraging the use of Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs) in settlements of enforcement cases affecting disproportionately impacted communities.
- Strengthening existing public communication channels and developing new ones to elicit and receive input from members of disproportionately impacted communities.
You can now access the recording from the Environmental Justice Grants informational webinars here.
Have a question for the Environmental Justice Program? Submit it here.
Other ways to get involved
Join the next virtual Environmental Justice Advisory Board meeting
The Environmental Justice Advisory Board will hold its next virtual meeting on Friday, January 10, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
During this meeting, the Advisory Board will provide updates from the Office of Environmental Justice, discuss the next cycle of the Environmental Justice Grant Program, and review feedback. Public comments will be available from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.
You can also provide feedback to the Advisory Board and the Environmental Justice Ombudsperson, Marcus Howell, regarding the Environmental Justice Complaint System. Review the agenda for the meeting here.
How to Attend:
The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. Sign up here. Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be available on request.
If you can’t attend the meeting, you can send comments to the Advisory Board by emailing cdphe_ej@state.co.us. Please include “Advisory Board” in the subject line.
Mapping Tool Public Tutorial
We’ve been asking Coloradans how we can make it easier to find information about air pollution sources. We are excited about our new mapping tool and have scheduled two upcoming tutorial webinars.
Join us to learn more, ask questions, and share your thoughts! Meetings are offered via Zoom. Registration is required and interpretation is available.
Water Quality Enhanced Outreach
Check back for future events!
Suncor Water Permit
The public weighed in on the draft Suncor water quality permit during the initial, responsive, and rebuttal comment periods.
CDPHE asked the public to weigh in on a permit that will limit pollution and place more conditions on the Suncor oil refinery. The draft permit is a more restrictive permit than Suncor had before. It will further protect Sand Creek and downstream waters for recreation, fish, agriculture, and drinking. The permit will also increase transparency about Suncor’s site operations. Finally, it will require monitoring and limits for dozens of toxic metals and chemicals, like benzene and PFAS.
You can access the full draft permit information materials on the Suncor Water Quality Permits webpage.
The Environmental Justice Advisory Board was created by the Environmental Justice Act (House Bill 21-1266).
Learn more about the Advisory Board
Advisory board meetings:
The Quarter 1 and Quarter 4 meetings will be hosted virtually and divided into two shorter sessions over two days.
Quarter 1:
Friday, January 10th, 2025
Friday, January 17th, 2025
Quarter 2:
Friday, March 7th, 2025
Quarter 3:
Friday, July 11th, 2025
Quarter 4:
Friday, October 10th, 2025
Friday October 17th, 2025
Upcoming environmental justice grant funding opportunity: $3 million for two-year projects
The Environmental Justice Grant Program is excited to preview its next grant funding cycle. The Request for Application (RFA) will open at the end of August 2024. This grant cycle will offer two years of funding totaling $3 million, significantly more than previous cycles.
The application window will be open from the end of August until November 25. The program will fund up to ten projects, including projects from both federally recognized Tribal Governments in Colorado. Start thinking about your proposals to take advantage of this substantial funding opportunity for impactful environmental justice initiatives.
Stay tuned for more details, and prepare to apply when the RFA opens next month!
Upcoming webinars, information sessions, and key dates for the environmental justice grant program:
- Access the Request for Application (RFA) materials from cycle two.
- Listen to the previously recorded informational webinars about the Environmental Justice Grant Program.
All questions asked during the webinars and submitted by email were posted to our public Q&A/FAQ document.
Suncor air pollution permit
Earlier this summer, CDPHE solicited feedback from the public on the draft permit for Plants 1 and 3 at the Suncor refinery in Commerce City. The draft permit includes additional requirements to reduce pollution and protect public and environmental health, such as new monitoring, testing, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements related to air pollution. CDPHE is now reviewing the feedback it received on the permit and working to incorporate that feedback into the draft. Read the permit and related documents.
Suncor fenceline monitoring plan
Suncor is the first of the four covered facilities to submit a draft fenceline monitoring plan under House Bill 21-1189. It must commence fenceline monitoring by 1/1/2023. Suncor’s draft fenceline monitoring plan is available in English and Spanish.
We recently returned the fenceline monitoring plan to Suncor. We made changes to Suncor’s original proposal based on ideas you shared with us during the public comment period. We’ve also ensured that the plan meets legislative requirements. It’s important that we hold Suncor accountable, and we appreciate everyone in the community who was able to take time to engage with us on developing the fenceline monitoring plan.
As a reminder, Suncor must make emissions data available online in both English and Spanish starting next year. You will also have more opportunities to get involved. We’re planning to convene at least two informational community meetings this fall, and we will share details on them once we schedule them.
Meetings and engagement
Colorado EnviroScreen 2.0 is live! We’re excited to introduce the new Disproportionately Impacted Communities Map alongside this updated tool. These tools are designed to provide insights into communities and support a healthier, more equitable Colorado.
Colorado EnviroScreen 2.0
This interactive mapping tool — available in English and Spanish — uses updated data and refined methodologies to identify areas in Colorado most affected by pollution and environmental challenges. It’s a valuable resource for understanding environmental justice across the state.
Disproportionately Impacted Communities Map
This new map highlights areas that meet the updated definition of disproportionately impacted communities in Colorado, as outlined in Colorado law. It helps guide resources and decisions to promote equity and thriving communities.
Get involved:
Join one of our virtual engagement sessions to learn more about the updates, ask questions, and share your feedback:
January 22, 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Register here
February 25, 10:00 a.m. –11:30 a.m. Register here
Can’t attend? You can still provide feedback through our Google form or email us at cdphe_ej@state.co.us.
Together, we can create a healthier and more equitable future for Colorado!
If you want to stay up to date about environmental justice events and other important updates, use our online sign-up to receive email notifications.