On this page: Introduction| How to use the map | How to generate a report | Understanding the report | Contact us
Introduction
Watch the how-to video.
Welcome to the Disproportionately Impacted Community Map user guide! This tool is designed to help you visualize communities in Colorado based on the revised definition of disproportionately impacted communities updated in May 2023 under Colorado Revised Statute 24-4-109.
This guide will help you navigate this new mapping tool, generate reports, and interpret the data. We aim to ensure you can confidently use the tool to understand the disproportionately impacted community definitions and apply this information to support research, policy, or community action.
We’re always interested in hearing your thoughts and feedback! You can share your opinions through our [feedback form], visit us during our monthly office hours, or email us at cdphe_ej@state.co.us. For more details on using the tool and exploring the data it contains, check out the disproportionately impacted community webpage.
How to use the map
The map's default view shows the state of Colorado with all the criteria for defining a disproportionately impacted community. The legend on the right side of the map shows what each color represents. Users can zoom in and out, drag the map to a different location, and click on a spot to learn more about its score and the calculation process.
[Image of the default map with details about the legend]
Figure x. The default map view shows all eight criteria defining disproportionately impacted communities.
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. The tool’s search bar, base map button, and measure button functions can be found 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 DI community criteria.
View Layers
When you first open the map, all layers are automatically turned on by default. Each layer represents a different criterion for the definition of disproportionately impacted communities.
Turning layers off
To turn a layer off, click the blue check mark next to the layer name. This will remove the layer from the map view.
Turning layers on
To turn a layer back on, click the empty box next to the layer name. A blue check mark will appear, adding the layer to the map.
Legend
The map legend shows you the symbols and colors for each layer on the right side of the map.
Figure 3. The layer list lets you click on and off different parts of the definition of the disproportionately impacted community. Remember, layers will only appear if you check the blue checkbox.
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 4. 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 on the report tab in the screen's top left corner to start the report process.
Figure 5. The “generate report” tab will open 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 6. 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, a yellow point is placed on that location. You can deselect that location by clicking the X on the point selector tool. If the desired location has been selected, click next.
Figure 6. When you see the yellow circle at the center of the location for the Report, the user will click the “Next” button on the bottom left-hand corner of the “Generate report” tab.
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 Community Report will appear. Clicking the link will open a PDF of the Community 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 7. When it generates the report, a link will appear. Click on download community report to open the report in a new window.
Understanding the Community Report
The report details whether the location is within a disproportionately impacted community based on Colorado’s definition of a disproportionately impacted community. For more information about the definition, see [link to EJ learn page].
Note: Each community report generated lists the data version of the definition of the disproportionately impacted community used to generate it. You can confirm this information by checking the bottom right footer of any page within the report.
Figure 8. The footer group of the report shows the date of its creation.
Section 1. Disproportionately impacted community criteria
The disproportionately impacted community criteria section displays the summary information for determining whether or not the census block group identified in the report meets the criteria for disproportionately impacted community based on Section 24-4-109 of the Colorado Revised Statutes.
This section also includes a map of the census block group selected for the report.
Figure 9. The Disproportionately impacted community criteria section of the report shows the census block group identified and whether or not the census block group fits the disproportionately impacted community criteria. The section also includes percentages for low-income, people of color, limited English proficiency populations, housing cost-burdened populations, and Colorado EnviroScreen percentile scores.
Section 2: Report Overview
The Report Overview section provides additional information about the data in the report and the definition of a disproportionately impacted community.
Contact us
For questions about Colorado EnviroScreen 2.0, please email the CDPHE Office of Environmental Justice at cdphe_ej@state.co.us.
Sign up for Environmental Justice Program updates.
Feedback form for the Disproportionately Impacted Community Map