The 2024 legislative session is quickly picking up speed with significant legislation impacting the mining industry and our industry partners beginning to take shape and be introduced. Among the top priorities for CMA members are two pieces of legislation being offered to establish a regulatory program for dredge and fill activities in the state—one by Senator Barb Kirkmeyer (SB24-127) and another draft promoted by the Colorado Department of Public Health & the Environment (CDPHE) in cooperation with Speaker Julie McCluskie. CMA’s Government Affairs and Water Quality Committees are in the process of analyzing these bills and coordinating our engagement to advocate for mining interests as the legislature and affected stakeholders consider the two proposals.
Also circulating is draft legislation for the establishment of an office of environmental justice within CDPHE and the development of environmental equity and cumulative impact analyses for specific geographic regions. Additional legislation concerning fines for air quality regulation violations, ozone reduction, carbon capture and storage, PFAS products regulation, and wolverine reintroduction are under development and are covered in greater detail in Dianna Orf’s Legislative Update. CMA will continue to engage with member companies through our committee work and with elected officials regarding these proposals.
During the past month I had the opportunity to testify before the Colorado Senate Committee on Transportation and Energy on behalf of CMA in support of domestic uranium development, joining a panel of witnesses speaking in favor of legislation to designate nuclear energy as a clean energy source under state law. Senate Bill 24-039 and the testimony it garnered served an important role in advancing the discussion about Colorado’s clean energy economy, taking advantage of our uranium reserves, and classifying nuclear energy appropriately so that Colorado can lead the way in attracting investment for uranium development and nuclear energy production. I also presented to a wide range of utility industry representatives at the Colorado Rural Electric Association’s annual meeting on the vital role that mining will continue to play in Colorado’s energy future, including coal, renewable, and nuclear energy development.
The legislative session is already nearing its midway point, after which we will turn our attention in full to the 126th National Western Mining Conference & Exhibition from June 17–19 at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction. Be sure to mark your calendars for this outstanding annual opportunity to hear from leaders in the mining industry and local elected officials and network with colleagues from throughout industry. Additional details will be made available in the coming weeks—looking forward to seeing everyone there!
Adam Eckman
President & CEO
Colorado Mining Association
