Furred and feathered members of the Central Colorado Climate Coalition march to save Planet Earth during 2022 FIBArk Parade. Merrell Bergin photo
Update from AVV Columnist Dan Smith:
The creation of the group that later became the Central Colorado Climate Coalition (CCCC) came back in 2018 with a group of conservation-minded people including Fred Rasmussen, Mel and Bea Strawn, Robert and Kay Parker, and a number of others, myself included. The group was involved in programs to raise awareness of climate change, its causes and activism against fossil fuels and related industries. CCCC was 350 Central Colorado for a time, joined with the Bill McKibben organization before deciding to focus solely on our local area autonomously.
We sponsored environmental films, initiated the popular Earth Day Parade and festival, and informative protests on environmental issues locally and around the state, partnering with other organizations such as GARNA, Natural Grocers, Ken Brandon of Box of Bubbles, and others. Angie Thompson and our board, including Kris Shurr, carried on a strong tradition for years on a shoestring budget. Thanks and kudos to all.
A final message arrived in the Ark Valley Voice inbox on Tuesday morning, announcing that the Central Colorado Climate Coalition (CCCC) has made the decision to “retire” and has identified another “Legacy Project” worth supporting.
Logo courtesy Central Colorado Climate Coalition
“Things have been quiet for us here at CCCC this year, at least after our Earth Day celebration, and honestly, we think that’s a nice change of pace,” read the message. “Instead of previous years of what seemed like battle after battle.”
The CCCC was originally formed during the battle with the Chaffee Board of County Commissioners over the review and renewal of the 1041 permit for the Nestlé Waters/BlueTriton Brands and the Ruby Mountain spring.
The CCCC was instrumental in community demands for a better environmental review of the project’s impact, and demanding accountability. It has continued to support Unbottle Protect Chaffee County Water’s efforts to monitor the BlueTriton operation.
A group of CCCC protestors gather outside the Chaffee County Courthouse. Photo by Brooke Gilmore.
“We continue to encourage our County Commissioners to make fact-based, and forward-thinking choices for water and plastic consumption in our county going forward with this new information! We can look at this move towards stricter monitoring and accountability for Nestlé’s practices, and the success of Unbottle’s ongoing efforts, as a small victory, at least.”
The message from CCCC noted that it is delighted by the delay in the Uinta Basin Railroad project. As of August, 2023, a strict environmental review has halted construction and permitting for another two years to mid-2025.
Organizers of the CCCC effort say that it has been encouraging “to see what appears to be renewed accountability for environmental impacts being played out on a larger scale, and the efforts of dedicated grassroots volunteers having an impact.”
In addition to that delay, Chaffee County has been awarded a major state grant for a sustainability effort — a new recycling and waste diversion facility to be located at the Chaffee County Landfill.
In the announcement, there was no mention of involvement in or connection to, the grassroots protest by residents near Mount Princeton of a geothermal energy test site proposed for an area between CR323 and CR 327.
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