Colorado

Colorado bill package hopes to curb climate change by offering consumers incentives

Published

3 years ago

April 22, 2022

Colorado bill package hopes to curb climate change by offering consumers incentives

DENVER — Between the windy climate and blooming blossoms, spring is within the air throughout Colorado. For Martyn Church, the proprietor and supervisor of Eco Garden and Backyard, hotter climate means a return to the busy season for his enterprise.

Eco Garden and Backyard is one among solely a handful of garden firms within the state that runs totally on electrical garden tools.

After years of working for landscaping firms and respiratory within the fumes from their gas-powered tools, Church determined that when he opened his personal enterprise, he wished to make the swap.

“The fumes have been actually unhealthy for you. The noise is unbelievable after which as soon as we began with the electrical, it was apparent that the noise was an enormous pollutant in our neighborhoods,” Church stated.

At first, the tools was costly and the batteries wouldn’t final lengthy, however he stated the know-how has come a good distance and now his tools may even outlast the gas-powered tools.

“The tools is lighter, for one. They’re very quiet and so they’re straightforward to make use of. There’s little or no upkeep on them in any respect. There isn’t any altering oil, there isn’t any altering filters, there isn’t any altering gasoline filters,” Church stated.

Fuel-powered garden tools contributes to roughly 10% of ozone within the state.

With Colorado’s air high quality going through a federal downgrade, Colorado lawmakers are searching for methods to incentivize individuals to do their half.

A invoice bundle geared toward curbing local weather change is presently making its means by the state legislature, and would do all the things from supply incentives to agriculture producers that seize carbon to electrifying college buses.

Among the payments goal companies whereas others are extra consumer-driven. All of them are being run by state Democrats and most of them are being opposed by Republicans.

One of many payments, Senate Invoice 22-138 would, amongst different issues, incentivize individuals to purchase electrical garden tools by providing them a tax credit score. The credit score can be utilized to the value upon buy, which means individuals gained’t have to fret about writing it off later.

“So, they stroll to the money register and so they obtain their tax credit score. They do not need to put more money up entrance after which declare it later and, you already know, lose the receipt,” stated Sen. Chris Hansen, D-Denver, the invoice’s prime sponsor.

A earlier model of the invoice known as for a ban on the sale of gas-powered garden tools by 2030, nevertheless the ban was faraway from the invoice after receiving trade pushback.

The tax credit score would lead to a 30% low cost for individuals who select to go electrical from 2023 to 2029.

The invoice additionally required the Public Staff’ Retirement Affiliation (PERA) to incorporate climate-risk assessments in its annual report and updates greenhouse gasoline emission discount objectives so as to add a 40% discount purpose for 2028 and a 75% discount purpose by 2040.

Church stated whereas there are a number of downsides to electrical mowers — like the truth that some can not reduce the grass as excessive as he would like — he likes the tools as a result of it’s more healthy, lighter and fewer noisy.

“I believe should you do not need to get left behind, now’s the time to begin switching your tools over,” he stated.

One other invoice, Senate Invoice 22-51, would exempt air-source and ground-source warmth pumps from the state gross sales tax. It could additionally create an earnings tax credit score for shoppers who purchase these warmth pumps.

“If we are able to swap over to warmth pumps, not solely can we cut back air pollution, however we additionally drastically cut back prices, as a result of the month-to-month utility payments go down,” Hansen stated.

He insists that having extra households and companies transfer away from the gasoline companies won’t solely lower your expenses but additionally reduce down on air pollution.

Nevertheless, the models should not low cost — a legislative fiscal evaluation discovered that the typical worth of an air-source warmth pump is $6,000 whereas a ground-source warmth pump will sometimes value $20,000. So, even with a 13% low cost, a lot of the burden would fall on the buyer or enterprise.

Senate Invoice 22-180, in the meantime, would create a grant program to supply free transit rides to individuals throughout ozone season June 1 by August 31. The purpose is to get extra individuals out of their automobiles and onto buses or trains to cut back air pollution.

If permitted, nearly all of the funding would go to the Regional Transportation District to cowl the fares of riders through the ozone months. Nevertheless, this system would solely final for the following two summers.

One other invoice, Senate Invoice 22-193, would arrange a number of grant packages within the state to assist companies and households reduce down on air pollution. A portion of the invoice requires a grant program to assist college districts transition to electrical buses for his or her college students.

“That won’t sound like a lot to these of us who do not experience a faculty bus anymore, however your youngsters do. And it is vital that they’ve cleaner air to breathe,” stated Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver.

One portion of the invoice requires the state to spent $750,000 to supply free annual RTD Eco Passes to state staff whereas one other half units up a grant program to supply cash to private and non-private entities to assist decommission and exchange their outdated diesel vans.

The invoice additionally requires the creation of a brand new grant program to assist low-income households afford electrical bicycles.

“What we need to do is we need to make them cheaper. That permits anyone who desires one — they get one. We imagine in saving individuals cash, but additionally in inclusivity,” Valdez stated.

Whereas Democrats are touting these payments as an vital step ahead within the combat towards local weather change, Republicans are questioning whether or not they’re crucial.

“What they’re asking to do is take cash out of our common fund and subsidize firms, personal trade or public trade, and that finally is on the backs of our taxpayers,” stated Rep. Dan Woog, R-Weld.

Woog stated he agrees that he too desires clear air and water for the state, however he stated the higher plan is to let the free market play out because the know-how turns into cheaper and extra available.

“Over time, these adjustments are going to occur anyway and there is actually no purpose to push individuals and to make them pay for this by pushing it sooner,” He stated.

He’s extra supportive of a gradual method, significantly at a time when inflation and costs are excessive for each companies and shoppers.

He stated he additionally questions whether or not these concepts will really lead to value financial savings and insists that individuals know tips on how to save themselves cash on their very own with out the interference of the federal government, so he doesn’t see a purpose why lawmakers ought to use taxpayer cash to meddle.

Max Boykoff, a professor of environmental research on the College of Colorado at Boulder, agrees that actions on the components of shoppers will solely make a small dent within the total local weather image.

“These sorts of particular person actions actually, actually, solely make modest greenhouse gasoline reductions,” Boykoff stated.

The adjustments made by shoppers or companies right this moment additionally gained’t lead to a right away enchancment to the setting.

“Sadly, carbon dioxide within the ambiance stays within the ambiance 50 to 200 years,” he stated.

Nonetheless, with Colorado going through drought situations and a sizzling summer time forward, Boykoff stated each little bit helps in mitigating the consequences of local weather change, so he stated it’s vital for each individuals and companies to get began immediately.

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Colorado

Colorado star and Heisman Trophy favorite Travis Hunter says he will enter the NFL Draft

Published

8 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Colorado star and Heisman Trophy favorite Travis Hunter says he will enter the NFL Draft

Colorado Buffaloes two-way star Travis Hunter said Thursday he plans to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft.

“That’s definitely for sure,” Hunter, 21, told reporters when asked if he intended to declare.

A favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, Hunter plays both cornerback and receiver for the Buffaloes. He is projected by many to be selected first overall next April.

When asked about playing both offense and defense as a professional, Hunter acknowledged the rarity of doing both, saying, “It’s never been done.”

He added: “I understand that it will be a high risk, [teams] don’t want their top pick to go down too early and I know they’re going to want me to be in a couple packages. But I believe I can do it. Nobody has stopped me from doing it thus far.”

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In 10 games for Colorado this season, Hunter has 74 receptions for 911 yards and nine touchdowns — all career bests. Defensively, Hunter has three interceptions, eight passes defended and 23 tackles.

Hunter was a highly recruited player coming out of high school. A consensus five-star prospect, he originally committed to Florida State before flipping his commitment to Jackson State — becoming the first five-star recruit to commit to an HBCU.

Hunter played for one season at Jackson State under head coach Deion Sanders, then transferred to Colorado before the 2023 season when Sanders took the head coaching job there.

Last season, Hunter averaged close to 115 plays per game, participating in offense, defense and special teams.

Sanders’s son Shedeur, who plays quarterback for Colorado, is projected to be among the first signal-callers selected in next year’s draft. Another player who could be a Heisman finalist, Sanders said Thursday that Hunter is the more deserving of the two to win the award.

“If it’s between me and him, I would want him to get it,” Shedeur Sanders said. “He does a lot of amazing things and things that haven’t been done before. I’m not a selfish guy. I know what he’s capable of, so I would rather him win.”

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Seeking Revenge Against the Capitals | Colorado Avalanche

Published

16 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Seeking Revenge Against the Capitals | Colorado Avalanche

Colorado Avalanche (10-9-0) @ Washington Capitals (13-4-1)

5 p.m. MT | Capital One Arena | Watch: Altitude, 9News, My20, Altitude+ | Listen: Altitude Sports Radio (92.5 FM)

For the second time in six days the Colorado Avalanche will faceoff against the Washington Capitals. Colorado will battle to split the season series after a 5-2 loss at Ball Arena on November 15.

Soaring Past the Flyers

The Avalanche beat the Flyers 3-2 at Wells Fargo Center on Monday. Cale Makar posted his 10th-career multi-goal game and Casey Mittlestadt added a goal. Additionally, Mikko Rantanen recorded two assists and Justus Annunen made 24 saves. Following a scoreless first period, Makar opened the scoring with a wrist shot from the slot at 8:30 of the second period after receiving Nathan MacKinnon’s set-up feed. Makar thought he had his second of the game at 10:44 of the middle frame, but the goal was taken off the board due to a successful Flyers challenge for goaltender interference. However, Makar would eventually double Colorado’s lead on the power play with his eighth tally of the season at 15:08 of the middle frame with a shot from the point that deflected off a Flyers player on its way in. The Burgundy and Blue took a 3-0 lead at 8:34 of the third period when Mittelstadt dispatched the rebound created by Rantanen’s shot into the net for his seventh goal of the season. The Flyers answered with goals from Owen Tippett at 11:48 and Tyson Foerster at 13:32 to cut their deficit to one, but the Avs held on to secure their 10th victory of the season.

Leading the Way

MacKinnon leads the NHL in points (34) and assists (27).

Makar leads NHL blueliners in goals (8), assists (19), and points (27). He’s tied for seventh among NHL skaters in points and tied for fifth in assists.

Rantanen is tied for sixth in the league in goals (12) and tied for seventh in points (27).

History

The Avalanche are 18-20-4 in 42 previous regular-season games against the Capitals. Colorado is 4-1-0 in its last five matchups against Washington dating back to the 2022-23 season.

Winning Out West

The Capitals beat the Utah Hockey Club 6-2 at the Delta Center on Monday. Alex Ovechkin scored twice, and Charlie Lindgren made 24 saves. Utah opened the scoring with a goal by Jack McBain at 3:05 of the first period but the Capitals responded with tallies from Dylan Strome at 7:46, Nic Dowd at 7:56, and Ovechkin at 11:05. Ovechkin extended Washington’s lead to three with a goal at 5:38 of the second period before Nick Bjugstad scored for Utah at 11:44 to make it 4-2 in favor of Washington entering the third period. Ovechkin did leave the game midway through the third period with a lower-body injury and has been placed on injured reserve and ruled week-to-week. The Caps added two more goals in the third period from Brandon Duhaime at 7:30 and Aliaksei Protas at 9:56 to win 6-2.

Putting Up Numbers on the Potomac

MacKinnon has posted 28 points (11g/17a) in 20-career matchups against the Capitals including 11 points (5g/6a) in 10 road matchups against them.

In eight previous meetings with Washington, Makar has recorded six points (2g/4a).

Rantanen has registered 19 points (8g/11a) in 14 previous games against Washington including eight points (4g/4a) on the road.

Capitals’ Contributors

Strome leads the Capitals in points (28) and assists (22).

Connor McMichael is second on the team in goals (12) and third in points (19).

Aliaksei Protas is fourth on the team in points (18), third in goals (7), and tied for third in assists (11).

A Numbers Game

10

Makar became the first defenseman in franchise history to record 10 multi-goal games.

3

The Avalanche have three players (MacKinnon, Makar, and Rantanen) in the top 10 in points. No other team has more than one.

165

The Avs have registered 165 high-danger shots on goal, which ranks sixth in the NHL.

Quote That Left a Mark

“Juice is great. I think he’s been great all year. [He made] some big saves, especially at the beginning there…So [it was a] heck of a job from Juice for sure.”

— Casey Mittelstadt on Justus Annunen’s performance on Monday

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Residents rally to save Colorado Springs library on brink of closure

Published

24 hours ago

November 21, 2024

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Residents rally to save Colorado Springs library on brink of closure

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Hundreds of Colorado Springs residents showed up at the Pikes Peak Library District Board of Trustees meeting Wednesday night in a last-ditch effort to save the Rockrimmon Library.

The library is set to close December 1. This comes after the board voted to not renew the library’s lease due to financial issues.

In a statement posted on their website on November 8, the board called the decision to close Rockrimmon a difficult one.

“A library provides access to resources and materials to everyone in the community, so considering a closure goes against the grain of our hopes for PPLD. However, our District provides access to nearly 700,000 people across El Paso County. We must make decisions that sustain the entire District.”

More than 250 community members showed up to Wednesday’s board meeting to show their support for keeping the Rockrimmon location open with another 119 tuning in virtually.

Former Rockrimmon Library manager Steve Abbott said he was glad to see the turnout.

“It shows that the community will not give up and they are going to fight to keep this library open,” he said.

For most of the almost five-hour meeting, 43 speakers took turns pleading with board members to postpone the library’s closure, extend the lease another year, and reconsider their decision to close the library in the first place.

One of those who spoke before the board, Abbott said closing the library will leave a massive gap for the 30,000 people who live in the area.

“It leaves a big library desert in the Rockrimmon area,” he said. “For a child to use a library now, they’ll have to go over I-25, under I-25, over Academy, under Academy to get to a library, and it’s six miles away from where Rockrimmon was.”

Speaker and Rockrimmon resident Jennifer Walker said closing the library would also deprive the area of a much-needed community center.

“There is no YMCA, there’s nothing else,” she said. “This is where we meet other moms when we’re desperate to talk to another human being that’s not a toddler, this is where we go to work when we need a quiet space, this is where the elderly come to use the computer or to check out books.”

The fate of the Rockrimmon Library was not on the board’s agenda and those who left the meeting tell 11 News the meeting ended with no resolution.

Walker said residents are still exploring their legal options.

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