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Super Slab Stopped
One of the hotly debated issues of the 2005 legislative session, the “Super
Slab” proposed private toll highway on the Eastern Plains, remains
unresolved after Gov. Bill Owens vetoed two bills aimed at curbing
the proposal. But strong opposition from Environment Colorado and
a coalition of citizen groups on the Eastern Plains have stopped this
proposal in its tracks.
House Bill 1342, championed by Environment Colorado and introduced
by Rep. Jack Pommer, would have required the builder to follow
the same planning and environmental review process used for federal
highway projects. Senate Bill 230, introduced by Sen. Tom Wiens,
would have clarified any private road developer’s power to condemn
private property.
“With these vetoes, Gov. Owens has put the interest of one wealthy
highway developer over the will of the Legislature and the people of
Colorado,” said Will Coyne of Environment Colorado. “Gov. Owens
seems to be the last and only friend of the Super Slab.”
During this year’s legislative session, thousands of residents flocked
to the Capitol to attend long and heated public hearings about the
project.
Urban growth boundary
defended
Environment Colorado and its allies celebrated victory after successfully
defending the Urban Growth Boundary around the Denver Metro
Area during the update process to MetroVision 2030, the regional
growth plan. Despite attempts by developer interests and some local
governments to expand the boundary, the Denver Regional Council of
Governments (DRCOG) voted on January 19 to preserve the boundary
at 750 square miles.
“The urban growth boundary is an essential policy for encouraging
smart growth in the Denver area,” said Will Coyne, Environment
Colorado’s land use advocate. “As a result of this regional agreement
to promote smart growth, Denver area local governments will protect
more open space and build more livable communities.”
The urban-growth boundary was created with the original MetroVision
plan in 1997. To come up with the boundary, DRCOG asked cities how
much space they would need over the next 25 years and conducted
modeling based on growth rates and other factors. DRCOG’s modeling
showed that the region could limit growth to 750 sq. miles if individual
local governments promoted smart growth. The 750 square mile limit
will be significantly less than the 1100 square miles the region would
reach if each municipality built out to their limits.
Looking forward to the
2006 legislative session
In January, the Colorado state Legislature
will begin a new session. Here’s a look
back at 2005 and look forward to 2006.
2005 was a banner year for Environment
Colorado’s Legislative program. A flurry
of conservation bills were passed through
both chambers of the legislature, though
a majority were later vetoed by Gov.
Owens. In 2006, Environment Colorado
will be working to gain support for
several measures vetoed by Gov. Owens
last session.
Successful legislation signed into law
included a bill to create a fair process to
evaluate Colorado’s national forest areas
for permanent protection in the face of
recent federal rollbacks (see front page
story) and legislation to facilitate the
implementation of Amendment 37 and
ensure that Colorado is on track to meet
the goal of 10 percent renewable energy
by 2015.
“In vetoing this legislation, which would
have lowered energy consumption
without altering anyone’s lifestyle, the
governor turned a win-win policy for
consumers and the environment into a
loss for all,” noted Environment Colorado
Energy Advocate Stephanie Bonin.
Clean Air & Energy
In 2005, the Legislature passed two
energy efficiency measures for the
first time since the 1970s. One would
have required that a set of commonly
used appliances meet certain energy
efficiency standards; the other would
have given Xcel Energy and Aquila
incentives to create natural gas
programs to save residential consumers
money on their electric bills. Despite
support from a broad coalition of
business, consumer, and conservation
groups, both bills were vetoed.
Environment Colorado will work to pass
both energy efficiency bills again in 2006
as well as legislation to expand the use of
renewable energy throughout the state
and reduce mercury pollution by incentivizing
the recycling of parts made with
toxic mercury.
Land Use & Transportation
Last session, Environment Colorado
helped lead a coalition to stop the “Super
Slab” – a proposed private toll road east
of I-25. The coalition stopped a bill that
would have taken away local decision
making power over proposed private toll
roads. Subsequently, the coalition worked
to pass two proactive bills to establish an
environmental review process for private
toll roads and clarify that private toll
road developers do not have the power
of eminent domain, respectively. Both
bills sailed through the Legislature with
minimal opposition only to be vetoed by
Gov. Owens. This session we will continue
working to protect these areas.
Environment Colorado is also working
on legislation to discourage sprawling developments
throughout the Front Range.
One proposal would allow communities
to decide how they want to grow by making
master plans enforceable. Another
proposed bill would enable school districts
to assess impact fees to developers to
help pay for the cost of capital construction
for new school facilities.
To stay updated on these bills’ progress
during the legislative session, join Environment
Colorado’s e-mail list at www.environmentcolorado.org. |
