Recognize Environmental Initiatives

HOUSE RESOLUTION 26-1003

BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Joseph and Soper, Bacon, Boesenecker, Brown, Camacho, Clifford, Duran, English, Froelich, Goldstein, Jackson, Lieder, Lindsay, Martinez, Mauro, McCormick, Nguyen, Paschal, Phillips, Ricks, Smith, Stewart K., Stewart R., Story, Titone, Velasco, Willford, Woodrow, Zokaie, Carter, Espenoza, Garcia, Hamrick, Lukens, Mabrey, Rutinel, Sirota, Valdez, McCluskie.

CONCERNING THE RECOGNITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES.

WHEREAS, Coloradans have long loved the great outdoors, and we take tremendous pride in celebrating our natural heritage and being stewards of the environment for future generations; and WHEREAS, Coloradans have played leading roles in advocating for environmental conservation and raising awareness for being good stewards through local, state, national, and international awareness initiatives; and WHEREAS, John McConnell, a peace activist who resided in Denver until his death in 2012, established the concept of Earth Day in March 1970;and WHEREAS, Soon afterward, in April 1970, U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson organized an environmental teach-in, which has since evolved into the popular Earth Day celebrated on April 22 of each year in the United States and throughout much of the world; and

WHEREAS, April 22, 2026, is the 56th annual celebration of Earth Day, an occasion that draws attention to environmental issues and programs, from recycling, energy efficiency, and conservation efforts in Colorado communities to global environmental initiatives; and WHEREAS, More than one billion people in over 190 countries participate in Earth Day annually as a recommitment to the goals of a healthy environment and a peaceful, just, and sustainable world; and WHEREAS, On December 14, 2022, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a binding resolution put forth by 106 countries proclaiming International Day of Zero Waste be held on March 30 of every year; and WHEREAS, International Day of Zero Waste is an initiative to raise awareness ofwaste-reduction efforts, promote sustainable production and consumption, and encourage cities and rural areas alike to adopt sustainable and environmentally sound management of waste, including local and national waste-reduction initiatives; and WHEREAS, This year's International Day of Zero Waste is focused on food waste, with governments asked to explore how they can help limit the nearly one billion tons of edible food thrown away each year through adopting policies related to food circularity, composting, and food measurement and monitoring; and WHEREAS, The state of Colorado and our citizens recognize the importance of clean air, outdoor recreation, and wildlife to the state's economy, identity, and public health and are therefore committed to the conservation and stewardship of our natural landscape, open space, rivers, mountains, lakes, and sensitive ecosystems in accordance with celebrating Earth Day; and WHEREAS, Colorado fosters and encourages the development of renewable energy to increase Colorado's supply of power and to bring jobs and economic development to communities across the state; and WHEREAS, Colorado has become a national leader in sustainable living by instituting standards to ensure a prepared and educated workforce to compete in the new energy economy; and

WHEREAS, Colorado has built a framework of public taxpayer support for the new energy economy through the use of financial incentives, including sales tax exemptions and refunds for renewable energy investments, property tax exemptions for renewable energy production, tax incentives to encourage the purchase of more energy-efficient vehicles, and low-interest loans to help schools invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy production; and WHEREAS, The Colorado House of Representatives supports efforts to deploy technologies that offer operational savings, customer-choice energy management, improved grid reliability, greater energy efficiency and conservation options, and increased use ofrenewable energy sources; and WHEREAS, The House of Representatives supports policies that create vibrant neighborhoods, promote public transportation, and rely on the principles of smart growth and community sustainability; and WHEREAS, The United States is the world's largest generator of municipal solid waste, producing 12% of all municipal solid waste while accounting for 4% of the population; and WHEREAS, Data from the Global Waste Index showed Colorado averaged 1.046 kilograms of municipal solid waste generated per person, the 30th-highest state ranking in the United States; and WHEREAS, Colorado's rate of municipal waste diversion was 15.7% in 2024, the most recent year for which data is available from the state, trailing far behind the adopted statewide goals of 35% by 2026 and 45% by 2036; and WHEREAS, Recent research from Eco-Cycle found that Colorado's rate of composting waste was less than half of the national average of 32% and among the lowest-ranked states in the nation; and WHEREAS, The Colorado department of public health and environment reports that approximately 30% to 40% of all food produced goes uneaten; and

WHEREAS, Producing food requires significant water, energy, and land use, resources that are wasted when food is thrown away; and WHEREAS, Approximately 60% of uneaten food is sent to landfills, where it decomposes and produces methane; and WHEREAS, The Colorado General Assembly has already signaled its support for food-waste initiatives through the passage of House Bill 25-1166, which required the department ofpublic health and environment to provide annual training on food waste prevention and reduction strategies and develop a food waste reduction guidance document; and WHEREAS, We acknowledge that, to limit waste and protect Colorado's natural resources and landscapes, our state, and our Earth, we, as elected representatives of the state, must provide leadership, tap into the expertise and talent of our community, and engage the hearts and minds of all citizens; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Seventy-fifth General Assembly of the State of Colorado: That we, the members of the Colorado House of Representatives, reaffirm our commitment to the goals and principles of our responsibilities as stewards ofthe Earth. In recognition of2026 Earth Day and International Day of Zero Waste, and in keeping with our moral obligation to limit waste and protect and enhance the long-term health of the state's natural environment, economy, and community, we support Earth Day and International Day of Zero Waste by: ( 1) Inviting and encouraging all citizens, businesses, organizations, schools, clubs, congregations, neighborhoods, and families to participate in community International Day of Zero Waste events on March 30, 2026, and Earth Day activities on April 22, 2026, and to engage in environmentally sound and waste-reducing practices in their everyday lives; (2) Using the observance of International Day of Zero Waste and Earth Day as a springboard for exploring new avenues for sustainability and waste reduction;

(3) Demonstrating leadership and continually evaluating state operations, facilities, and services to ensure the highest standard of efficiency, sustainability, waste reduction, and environmental protection; (4) Forging partnerships with local organizations, environmental professionals, businesses, and citizens to encourage the adoption of statewide sustainability practices and the development of green technologies, and become a model for the region and country; and ( 5) Encouraging teachers and parents to emphasize environmental awareness among young people so that they have the knowledge to make sound choices in their daily lives to preserve and enhance our natural environment and are able to join the workforce of our state with a strong environmental ethic. Be It Further Resolved, That copies of this Resolution be sent to Colorado's Congressional Delegation, Governor Jared Polis, Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera, the City ofBoulder, the County of Boulder, the University of Colorado Boulder, and Eco-Cycle.

Julie McCluskie SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Vanessa Reilly CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES