Oil and gas play a key role in Colorado’s economy. Many people are eagerly looking forward to faster drilling permits. However, this excitement is met with concern from conservationists and environmental groups who are preparing for a fight to protect natural resources.
Delaney Rudy, the Colorado director of Western Watersheds, expressed her cautious optimism. “We’re ready to fight,” she said. The group’s mission is to safeguard public lands, wildlife, and water across Colorado and the West. They have taken legal action in the past to ensure public access to these lands, pushing back against efforts to hand them over to private interests.
Rudy acknowledges the anxiety that comes with potential changes in federal environmental policies. With a new Trump administration, there may be rollbacks that could affect the state’s ongoing conservation efforts. “We learned a lot from the last fight, and I think we’ll face an even tougher battle this time,” she noted.
Past actions by the previous administration, such as plans to increase fossil fuel production and withdraw from international climate agreements, have left environmentalists feeling unsettled. Concerns about the impact of these changes are real and pressing.
Angela Simental from Conservation Colorado believes that Colorado’s commitment to climate initiatives can protect the state from some of these federal shifts. “Colorado is already a national leader in climate action,” she said, highlighting the proactive stance taken by the state against climate change.
She believes that Coloradans are passionate about their environment. “People love this state,” Simental emphasized. “They care about the outdoors and want to protect it for future generations.” Similarly, Rudy added, “Our natural resources are for everyone and must be preserved.” Together, these voices underscore the importance of balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship in Colorado.
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