OUR SUCCESSES

Championed the policy recommendation to add invertebrates under the authority of the Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) department and supported the passing of HB24-1117. This bill statutorily recognizes invertebrates as wildlife in Colorado and mandates their inclusion of species to be studied and protected.

Introduced Colorado’s first omnibus Pollinator & Human Health bill (SB22-131), which sought solutions to protect children’s health, preserve pollinator biodiversity and allow communities to make decisions about pesticide use

Recruited 2,400+ individuals and businesses to take our pollinator-safe pledge to use pollinator-safe practices on their properties

Helped to pass Pollinator Resolutions in 10 CO governments (City of Boulder, Boulder County, City of Lafayette, City of Longmont, City of Denver, Town of Berthoud, City of Cherry Hills Village, Larimer County, City of Loveland, Town of Carbondale, Town of Basalt)

Co-created (with the Clean Label Project) Colorado’s first environmental health coalition focused on the environmental and human health nexus. (2019)

Worked with the Department of Natural Resources to spearhead a new, comprehensive pollinator policy for state lands (2018)

Championed and supported HB24-1178, to Restore Local Government Authority to Regulate Pesticides. After passing the House Energy & Environment Committee, the bill stalled in the House (despite having the votes) due to industry influence and countless delays.

Championed and helped to pass the new Colorado Pollinator License Plate bill (2021)—sales of which will support vital pollinator conservation and advocacy programs across the state

Introduced Colorado’s first bill (SB20-189) to repeal state preemption of pesticide use—authorizing local governments to regulate pesticide use and application (2020) 

Create training opportunities for government and commercial pesticide applicators

Launched the Colorado Native Landscaping Coalition.

Successfully advocated for new rules for Colorado’s Pesticide Applicators’ Act, which governs the Pesticide Advisory Committee, to mandate the inclusion of beekeepers and organic farmers and to create requirements informing the public of actions taken against workers who violate pesticide application rules

Championed and helped to pass Colorado’s first Native Pollinating Insects Protection Study bill (SB22-199), which will be critical in making informed conservation decisions about the protection of the state's native pollinators.

Championed a state resolution designating I-76 as Colorado’s first pollinator highway (2017) and launched the pilot planting project in 2018. Our partnership with CDOT continues with new pollinator plantings along Hwy 119 (2021)

Co-created and co-host the annual Colorado Pollinator Summit (2015-2023) with Denver Botanic Gardens and The Butterfly Pavilion; and co-lead the Colorado Pollinator Network

Worked with Governors Hickenlooper and Polis to designate June as Colorado Pollinator Month (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)

Co-hosted, with Beyond Pesticides, two organic turf pilot projects in the City of Longmont to transition conventionally-managed parks to organic (2019)