RAQC Recognizes Four Colorado Legislators as 2023 Clean Air Champions

On October 10, 2023, the Regional Air Quality Council presented awards to four Colorado legislators at its first ever clean air happy hour. Senator Winter, Senator Hansen, Representative Bacon, and Representative Willford were recognized as 2023 Clean Air Champions for their vital efforts to maintain a healthy environment and clean air for all Coloradans. These four legislators have all been sponsors and leaders on bills related to air quality legislation in the past year. 

Senator Faith Winter’s leadership in the Senate has supported the past two years of the Zero Fare for Better Air program, allowing residents not only in the Front Range, but across the state to take public transportation for free during the summer months to help reduce air pollution.

Senator Chris Hansen has been a champion for the electrification of lawn and garden and parks equipment, and because of Senator Hansen’s work, residents across the state will see a 30% reduction in the price of electric lawn and garden equipment at participating retailers next year. 

Representative Jennifer Bacon was recognized for her leadership as chair of the Interim Committee on Ozone Air Quality, the first committee outside of the normal legislative session focused purely on this issue, as well as for her leadership on multiple bills.

Representative Jenny Willford, who also helped create and serves on the interim ozone committee, was recognized for her initiative and commitment to the issue of air quality, championing bold legislation in her first term, as well as for her work on appliance standards, ensuring improvements to indoor, as well as outdoor air quality. 

Learn more about RAQC Clean Air Champions: raqc.org/program/regional-air-quality-councils-clean-air-champions/.

The RAQC also introduced its newly launched RAQC Clean Air Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity, dedicated to funding and supplementing air quality programs that reduce ground-level ozone within the EPA’s Denver Metro/Front Range Ozone Non-Attainment Area. Learn more about the RAQC Clean Air Fund and donate at: raqc.org/cleanairfund.  

The RAQC would also like to thank its community partners, board members, and all who came to mingle with fellow clean air enthusiasts at the RAQC’s first ever clean air happy hour. Thank you also to event sponsor Ace Hardware, whose support provided drinks and snacks.  

From left: Mike Silverstein (RAQC), Senator Winter, Senator Hansen, Representative Willford, Representative Bacon, Mike Foote (RAQC Board).