November 05, 2010 10:18 PM UTC

Coloradoans Turn Out to Elect Conservation Champs

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• by: ColoradoConservationVoters

Although not all the counting, and recounting, is done yet, one fact from Tuesday’s elections is evident – the environment is still a winning issue in Colorado.

At the top of the ticket, John Hickenlooper is now our governor-elect.  CCV was proud to endorse candidate Hickenlooper because he understands Colorado’s environment is an essential part of a strong economy and a vibrant state.  We look forward to working with him and his team to champion strong pro-environmental policies over the next four years.  All told, fifteen CCV endorsed candidates won their races.

These victories give Colorado a pro-conservation majority in the State Senate and a pro-conservation Governor. On a day when pro-environment candidates suffered heavy losses across the nation, Coloradans showed their conservation values by returning a conservation majority to the State Senate and electing John Hickenlooper.

The untold story of the election is that several New Energy Economy champions won in hotly contested legislative races.

* State Senator Gail Schwartz, a prime backer of the Renewable Energy Standard during her tenure at the capitol, fended off a challenger backed by the fossil fuels industry.  As part of her leadership on clean energy issues, Sen. Schwartz also voted for the Clean Air Clean Jobs Act that will transition 900 megawatts of coal-fired power plants to cleaner burning sources of energy.

The bill drew bi-partisan support at the capitol and has been hailed as a boon for clean air in Colorado.  The coal industry however, has waged a multi-million campaign against Clean Air Clean Jobs and targeted Sen. Schwartz for defeat.  Sen. Schwartz’s victory, in a terrifically competitive district in which voters split their tickets, is evidence of how strongly Coloradans support clean energy.

* State Representative Max Tyler, the lead sponsor of the bill that increased the Renewable Energy Standard to 30% in Colorado, won solidly in a very competitive district.  Rep. Tyler and his supporters stressed his work on New Energy Economy legislation throughout his campaign and the message clearly resonated with voters in Jefferson County.

The environment also had a winning day with ballot initiatives.  Colorado voters overwhelmingly rejected Amendments 60, 61 and Proposition 101.  These amendments were poison pills for the environment and economy and far too extreme for our state.  

Full results for CCV’s endorsed candidates can be found here.

On a day when many expected the worst, Coloradoans voted with their conservation values to protect legislators who have fought for the environment.  We appreciate their support and look forward to working to protect all that makes Colorado a wonderful place to live, work, and play.