Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, alongside Colorado U.S. Representative Joe Neguse and Colorado Governor Jared Polis, welcomed $1.9 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to enhance wildfire smoke preparedness and protection in communities across the state.
“Coloradans are all too familiar with the effects of wildfire smoke,” said Bennet. “As we face a hotter and drier future, these investments will be critical to reduce the health risks posed by smoke and to ensure every Coloradan can breathe clean air. But there’s more to do, and I’ll keep working to pass my Cleaner Air Spaces Act to further reduce the negative public health effects of wildfire smoke for vulnerable communities.”
“From the 35,000 Coloradans displaced by the 2021 Marshall Fire to the more than 200,000 acres of land ravaged by the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire, Coloradans are living the climate crisis today. This investment protects us, our homes, and the environment,” said Hickenlooper.
“Like all Coloradans, I’ve seen firsthand the real and growing threats associated with wildfire and wildfire smoke in our communities. This $1.9 million grant awarded to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will help the state take critical steps toward bolstering wildfire smoke preparedness and protection in our communities,” said Neguse. “As wildfire seasons turn into wildfire years, it is more pressing than ever that we take action to protect our homes, businesses and communities.”
“Every Coloradan deserves to breathe clean air, and this grant from the Biden administration will build on Colorado’s nation-leading work to improve air quality and increase preparedness for future wildfires in our state. I applaud Congressman Neguse and the delegation for their work to secure this federal funding, and look forward to continue taking steps to protect Colorado’s air, and the health and safety of Coloradans,” said Polis.
Across Colorado and the West, wildfires continue to increase in frequency and severity, resulting in greater health risks from poor air quality caused by wildfire smoke. Children, first responders, those with preexisting conditions and those who are pregnant are at increased risk of the adverse effects of wildfire smoke.
The EPA’s Wildfire Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings grant program aims to enhance community wildfire smoke preparedness by providing grants to states, federally recognized Tribes, public preschools, local educational agencies and nonprofit organizations. Specifically, the award will support Colorado’s design and implementation of a state-wide program to provide outreach, education, and training for local community partners to prepare and respond to the public health threats posed by wildfire smoke. CDPHE is one of nine grantees expected to receive a total of nearly $11 million in funding from the program.
Last year, Bennet introduced the Cleaner Air Spaces Act to reduce the negative public health effects of wildfire smoke for vulnerable communities by establishing clean air centers and expanding local programs that provide free air filtration units to households.