“Rifle Man Appointed to Champion Environmental Justice at ECMC: What This Means for Our Community”

A Rifle man, Steven Arauza, has been appointed as one of the first environmental justice liaisons for the state Energy and Carbon Management Commission. He joins Yesica Chavez from Denver in this new role, focusing on serving communities that are often overlooked in environmental discussions.

In these positions, Arauza and Chavez will act as dedicated resources for communities on the Western Slope and Front Range. They will participate in community meetings, provide information about ECMC events, and help residents navigate complaints. They will also monitor how effectively energy companies engage with these communities.

Arauza brings a wealth of experience to the role. He holds a master’s degree in geological sciences and has over 13 years in oil and gas regulation, including nine years as an environmental specialist with the ECMC, where he evaluated remediation efforts at oil and gas sites.

Beyond his technical expertise, Arauza is a committed community advocate. He previously ran for Garfield County commissioner and volunteers with Voces Unidas de las Montañas, a local advocacy group. He also plays an active role on the Environmental Justice Advisory Board for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and is an elected officer for COWINS, a union for state employees.

Arauza is passionate about addressing climate change and protecting vulnerable communities. “I want to focus on understanding and reducing the cumulative impacts of climate change, ensuring we take care of our environmental resources,” he said.

Chavez, his colleague, has over ten years of experience in environmental justice. Before this role, she worked with the Keystone Policy Center and the ClimateWorks Foundation and was an Environmental Justice Fellow at Yale’s School of the Environment.

These positions were created following Senate Bill 24-229, which aims to enhance community involvement in energy regulations and permits, especially for those communities significantly affected by environmental issues. The ECMC is dedicated to addressing the needs of low-income areas, communities of color, and tribal lands.

If you want to reach out to Arauza, you can email him at steven.arauza@state.co.us or call him at 720-498-5298.

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