Colorado Mining Association's 150th Anniversary

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 26-025

BY SENATOR(S) Simpson, Amabile, Baisley, Ball, Benavidez, Bridges, Bright, Carson, Catlin, Cutter, Daugherty, Exum, Frizell, Gonzales J., Hinrichsen, Jodeh, Kipp, Kirkmeyer, Kolker, Lindstedt, Liston, Marchman, Mullica, Pelton B., Pelton R., Rich, Roberts, Rodriguez, Snyder, Sullivan, Wallace, Weissman, Zamora Wilson, Coleman; also REPRESENTATIVE(S) McCluskie, Soper, Barron, Boesenecker, Caldwell, Camacho, Carter, Clifford, Duran, Flanell, Garcia Sander, Goldstein, Gonzalez R., Hamrick, Hartsook, Jackson, Johnson, Keltie, Lukens, Marshall, Martinez, Mauro, McCormick, Nguyen, Paschal, Phillips, Slaugh, Smith, Stewart K., Titone, Weinberg, Winter T., Woodrow, Woog.

CONCERNING RECOGNITION OF THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COLORADO MINING ASSOCIATION, THE OLDEST MINING ASSOCIATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

WHEREAS, The Colorado Mining Association was established in 1876 and incorporated in 1897 and is the oldest mining association in the United States, sharing its 150th anniversary in 2026 with the State of Colorado; and WHEREAS, From the earliest days, mining was foundational to the territorial economy, population growth, and path to Colorado's statehood; and WHEREAS, The Colorado Mining Association played a notable role in the history of the State and represented its earliest employers and mining communities; and WHEREAS, The mining industry was a catalyst that built towns, funded schools, laid railroads, and drew people from around the world seeking opportunity; and

WHEREAS, Mining contributed immensely to making the territory into a state, helped the rugged landscape evolve into a thriving economy, and responded when called upon to fulfill a critical role in the production of minerals in support of the Nation during times of war; and WHEREAS, The mining industry and the Colorado Mining Association prioritize continual improvements to safety performance and mitigation of environmental impacts as mining practices advance and innovate; and WHEREAS, The mining industry celebrates its workforce and the communities in which it operates across Colorado representing a partnership that emphasizes safety, transparency, and ongoing engagement; and WHEREAS, Colorado Mining Association members have significantly contributed to the reclamation of legacy mine sites, with substantial resources dedicated to reclaiming legacy mine lands; and WHEREAS, The Colorado Mining Association maintains a strong working relationship with the State of Colorado and its regulatory agencies, and, for over 25 years, the Colorado Mining Association has partnered with the Colorado Division ofReclamation, Mining, and Safety in the Department of Natural Resources to promote and recognize excellence in environmental stewardship and mine safety; and WHEREAS, The Colorado Mining Association has maintained a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management since 197 6 to foster open communication and collaboration for the responsible production of mineral resources in Colorado; and WHEREAS, Thanks to these long-standing collaborative relationships, Colorado's mining industry has earned a global reputation for exceeding some ofthe world's most rigorous environmental and safety standards; and WHEREAS, Today, the Colorado Mining Association represents companies that are engaged in the exploration, production, and refining of mineral resources, as well as mining companies with national and global headquarters in Colorado, equipment manufacturers, law firms,

engineering and consulting organizations, and financial institutions serving the mining industry; and WHEREAS, Colorado has among the richest mineral endowments in the Nation, and is the global leader in molybdenum production and a significant producer of gold, coal, uranium, vanadium, and industrial minerals and has the potential for additional copper, silver, and other critical minerals development in the future; and WHEREAS, The mining industry in Colorado contributes approximately $7 billion to Colorado's GDP each year, has among the highest industry sector pay rates in the state with an average annual salary of$112,000, and supports nearly 57,000 direct and indirect jobs, making Colorado the hub of the professional mining sector in the United States; and WHEREAS, The mining industry in Colorado produces minerals that support other important Colorado industries, including energy production and transmission, aerospace and technology, medical equipment, infrastructure, and many others, contributing to the nation's energy, national security, and advanced technology objectives; and WHEREAS, The Colorado Mining Association is well positioned to remain an important part of Colorado's economy, supporting jobs, economic development, and the production of minerals needed for the state's industries and future growth; now, therefore, Be It Resolved by the Senate ofthe Seventy-fifth General Assembly of the State of Colorado, the House ofRepresentatives concurring herein:

That the General Assembly recognizes the Colorado Mining

Association for its foundational role in Colorado's history and its continued representation of the mining industry to support responsible development for vital mineral resources.

James Rashad Coleman Sr. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

Julie McCluskie SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Esther van Mourik SECRETARY OF THE SENATE

Vanessa Reilly CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES