Introduction
Watch the how-to video.
Welcome to the Colorado EnviroScreen 2.0 user guide! This tool will help you explore environmental and social data across Colorado. With it, you can easily visualize topics like pollution and climate risks and how they affect communities. Whether you’re working on community projects, research, or policy, Colorado EnviroScreen helps make complex information easier to understand.
This guide will walk you through the basics, such as using the map, generating reports, and interpreting the results. We aim to ensure you can confidently navigate the tool and use the information to support your work.
We’re always interested in hearing your thoughts and feedback! You can share your opinions through our feedback form. For more details on using the tool and exploring the data it contains, check out the Colorado EnviroScreen webpage or join us for an upcoming Office Hours session.
How to use the map
The default view of the map shows the state of Colorado. Individual census block groups are color-coded based on their EnviroScreen Percentile Score from 0 -100. The legend on the right side of the map shows what each color represents. The darker the color, the higher the EnviroScreen Percentile Score. Users can zoom in and out, drag the map to different locations, and click on a specific area to learn more about its score and the calculation process.
Interact with the map using the controls defined and depicted in the images below:
- The search bar lets you search the map by address or coordinate location.
- The basemap button, a four-square icon, allows you to change the map layer. Various base maps show streets, terrain, topography, and other visual features.
- The measure button allows you to measure a distance in a line or shape.
- The Zoom controls allow you to make the map extent bigger or smaller. You can also use the scroll wheel on your mouse to zoom in and out of the map.
- The home button returns the map to its original extent, showing all of Colorado.
Figure 1. You can find the tool’s search bar, base map button, and measure button functions in the top left corner of the tool. The tool has zoom controls and home button functions in the bottom right corner.
If you click on a census block group, a pop-up window will display more detailed information about the score's underlying data.
Figure 2. A pop-up window will show detailed data about a selected census block group, including location information and the Colorado EnviroScreen score.
Exploring more data (Layers)
The map contains a lot of additional data, which we call layers. We have grouped these layers into categories based on different types of information (for example, data on climate, pollution, or health).
To explore more, view the layers tab on the left side of the map. You’ll see a list of categories (like "Climate Vulnerability"). These are groups of layers.
Click the arrow next to the category name to see what's inside a group. This action will open a list of individual layers. To display a layer on the map, check the box next to the layer name and the group name at the top.
For example, if you want information on heat risk, expand the "Climate Vulnerability" group and check the box next to “Extreme Heat.” Make sure that the group box stays checked, too!
Figure 3. The tools layer list allows you to search for layers and expand the groups to see all the data layers. Remember, layers will only appear if you check the blue and its “parent” group checkbox.
Understanding the data (Colors)
Every indicator layer shows data as colors on the map from 0 - 100. The colors help you understand how the data changes across different areas.
The colors on the map legend show the level of burden. The darkest color will show the highest numbers closer to 100 (areas with more burden), and the lightest color will show the lowest numbers (closer to 0).
Every layer uses this style, so when you turn on a new layer, watch how the colors change on the map and view the legend to the right for more detail.
Figure 4. The percentile data ranges from 0 - 100. Five color bins divide the data 0-20, 20-40, 40-60, and 80-100. The darker the color, the higher the number.
Viewing multiple layers
You can view multiple layers at once to overlay different types of data.
To turn on multiple layers, check the boxes next to the layers you want to see. Ensure the blue checkmark is on for each layer, and the group checkmark is on. This will make the layers show up on the map.
You can drag the items in the list up or down to change the order in which they appear on the map.
Figure 5. You can reorganize the layers in the layer list, which will change their order of appearance on the map.
Searching for layers
If you’re looking for a specific layer and are unsure which group it is in, like asthma rates or wildfire risk, you can quickly find it using the layer search bar. Type in the indicator you’re looking for, and it will appear in the list. Remember to click the box to the layer's right to display it on the map.
Figure 6. The tools layer list allows you to search for layers using the search bar.
Extra data
You can explore extra layers not part of the main Colorado EnviroScreen dataset, such as disproportionately impacted community census block groups, school districts, or historical redlining maps. These are under the additional layers section at the bottom of the layers list.
Figure 7. You can see additional context layers under the Additional Layers grouping.
Want to add your data?
If you have data that you want to see on the map, you can add it! A section later in this guide titled "Adding your data" explains how to do this.
How to generate a report
Step 1: Navigate to a location.
Use the search bar to enter an address or coordinates, Zoom controls, or the scroll wheel on your mouse to navigate to a location on the map.
Note: For the best user experience, use Colorado EnviroScreen 2.0 on a desktop or laptop computer. Some functions are not compatible with a smaller screen size.
Figure 8. When you enter an address into the search bar, the location will appear for selection on the search bar dropdown, and the location will then appear from an aerial view on the map screen.
Step 2: Open the report tool.
Click the report button on the screen's top left corner to start the report process.
Figure 9. The “generate report” tab will appear on the left side of the screen. After finding the desired location in step one, click on the add location button to proceed to the next step.
Step 3: Select a location for the report.
When the report button is open, click on the blue add location button, and the point selector tool will prompt you to select a location on the map.
Figure 10. After clicking the +Add Location button, the point selector tool will appear on the user’s mouse as a small circle outlined in black, as shown by the arrow within the yellow dotted circle. The point selector tool specifies the facility location on the map.
After you click the location on the map, you’ll see a yellow point on that location. You can deselect that location by clicking the X on the point selector tool. If you have selected the desired location, click run report.
Step 4: Download the report.
Note that the tool may take a few minutes to generate the report after clicking run report. When the report is ready, a link that says Download Colorado EnviroScreen 2.0 Report will appear. Clicking the link will open a PDF of the report in another window. To open the report, you must have software on your computer that allows PDFs to open. Most internet browsers will also allow you to open the PDF.
Figure 11. When you generate the Colorado EnviroScreen 2.0 Report, a link will appear. Click on download community report to open the report in a new window.
Understanding the Colorado EnviroScreen 2.0 Report
The report provides an overview of the environmental and socioeconomic data available in Colorado EnviroScreen 2.0 for the selected location in Colorado. Based on the state definition, the report details whether the area is within a disproportionately impacted community. All underlying data in the report comes from Colorado EnviroScreen version 2.0. For more information about the data and methodology used in Colorado EnviroScreen, see the Colorado EnviroScreen 2.0 Technical Documentation.
Note: Each report generated lists the Colorado EnviroScreen version number used to create the report. You can confirm this information by checking the bottom right footer of any pages within the report.
Section 2. Colorado EnviroScreen overview
The Colorado EnviroScreen overview section displays the County, census block group identification number, and Colorado EnviroScreen percentile score. It also includes a map of the census block group selected for the report.
Figure 12. This section of the report shows the census block group identified and its overall Colorado EnviroScreen percentile score.
Section 3: Component scores
The Component scores section shows the five component percentile scores for the selected census block group. The five categories are:
Environmental exposures.
Environmental effects.
Climate vulnerability.
Sensitive populations.
Demographics.
The component scores are aggregated into the final Colorado EnviroScreen Score, as shown in the figure below. For a detailed explanation of the Colorado EnviroScreen Scoring Methodology, read pages 29 to 34 of the Colorado EnviroScreen technical documentation.
Figure 13. This graphic shows how the Colorado EnviroScreen score is calculated.
Image description:
- 35 indicator scores factor into the final Colorado EnviroScreen score. Indicator scores include:
- Nine health and age indicators;
- Six economic and race indicators;
- Nine environmental exposure indicators;
- Seven environmental effects indicators; and,
- Four climate impact indicators.
- Indicator scores factor into the five component scores:
- Sensitive populations score calculated from the nine health and age indicators;
- Demographics score calculated from the six economic and race indicators;
- Environmental exposure scores calculated from the nine environmental exposure indicators;
- Environmental effects score calculated from the seven environmental effects indicators; and,
- The calculation of the climate vulnerability score uses the four climate impact indicators.
- Component scores factor into two group component scores:
- Health and Social Factors score calculated from the Sensitive populations and Demographics component scores.
- Pollution and climate burden scores are calculated from the environmental exposures, environmental effects, and climate vulnerability component scores.
- The final Colorado EnviroScreen score is calculated using the two group component scores.
Section 4: Pollution and climate indicators.
The Pollution and Climate Indicators section lists the selected census block group's environmental exposures, environmental effects, and climate vulnerability indicator values and percentile scores. For the pollution and climate indicator data sources and methodology, see pages 40 to 53 of the Colorado EnviroScreen technical documentation.
If the indicator is above the 80th percentile, it is highlighted in red, indicating that the census block group and the selected location are at higher risks based on that indicator than other Colorado communities.
Section 5: Health and social indicators
The Health and Social Indicators section lists the selected census block group's sensitive populations and demographics percentile scores. See pages 40 to 53 of the Colorado EnviroScreen technical documentation for the Health and Social Indicators data sources and methodology.
More map features
The Other Tools button on the tool includes many additional features that may be helpful to advanced users.
Add your data
Purpose: Upload and overlay your shapefiles, feature layers, or other geospatial data on the map.
1. Click the Add Data Button from the toolbar.
2. Choose how you'd like to add your data:
- Upload a shapefile from your computer.
- Import data from ArcGIS Online by providing a link or searching your account.
- Add data using a CSV or KML file.
3. After uploading, click the four dots in a square that says “Actions” when you hover over it.
4. Click “Add to map” from the options. You should see the data on the map, the layers list to the right of the map, and the legend.
Figure 14. You can add data through the Add Data button.
Print your map
Purpose: Export the current map view to a PDF or printed document, including any data layers or filters you’ve applied.
1. Open the Print Button from the toolbar.
2. Select your printout's desired layout (Portrait or Landscape) and map scale.
3. Optionally, include a legend or additional notes if you need to explain the data layers.
4. Click Print or export the file as a PDF for downloading or printing.
Figure 15. You can print a copy of your current screenview with the print feature.
Data filtering (Set percentile thresholds)
Purpose: Refine the dataset by setting percentile thresholds for specific environmental or demographic factors.
1. Click on the Filter button.
2. Select the data type you want to filter from the list provided, such as Colorado EnviroScreen Percentile Score, low-income population, or ozone.
3. Click the arrow to the left of the filter option to expand the selector and show the input box.
4. In the box, type the desired percentile threshold for the selected topic. For example, if you enter "80," the map will only display areas with ozone pollution or another factor above the 90th percentile.
5. Click Apply to update the map, highlighting the regions that meet your criteria.
Figure 16. You can use the filter options to filter the percentile data for each indicator in Colorado EnviroScreen.
Run a buffer with the Near Me tool.
Purpose: Identify nearby regions within a certain distance from a selected location and export census block group data for those areas.
1. Open the Near Me tool.
2. Use the point, line, or polygon tool to select or draw a location on the map directly.
3. Specify a distance (e.g., five miles, 10 miles) to create a buffer around that location.
4. The tool automatically pulls data for all census block groups within that buffer.
5. Click the upwards arrow to export the data as a CSV file for further analysis or reporting.
Figure 17. The Near Me tool allows you to run a buffer and then download the census block group data for locations in the buffer area.
View and export data in tables
Purpose: Explore detailed data related to the map view in a table format and export it for further analysis.
1. Click the Table button or scroll to the table below the map.
2. Sort the data by columns or apply additional filters to narrow down the information.
3. Export the table data as a CSV file for use in spreadsheets or other analysis tools.
Figure 18. You can use the table to sort the data, filter, or highlight census block groups on the map.
Contact us
For questions about Colorado EnviroScreen 2.0, please email the CDPHE Office of Environmental Justice at cdphe_ej@state.co.us.