Dear Governor Polis,
As business leaders in Colorado’s economically important outdoor recreation industry, we are urging you to take up Colorado’s Clean Cars II rule in 2023.
As you know, Colorado’s outdoor recreation industry is on the front lines of climate change, feeling the impacts every day: inconsistent snowpack, wildfires, drought and unhealthy air quality are all impacting participation and threatening the future of our businesses that drive $37 billion in consumer spending annually.
Climate change is the apex issue impacting our business plans today, and into the future and one that we must address with urgency and ambition. Nothing less than bold leadership will do now.
Clean Cars II represents a valuable opportunity to show that leadership by reducing the impacts of climate change, jumpstarting the adoption of EV’s in our state and showcasing Colorado’s innovation and leadership in the 21st century.
The good reasons to take up this rule in 2023 are many, most notably, helping us meet the ambitious emissions standards set forth in your Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap, while also helping bring areas of the state back out of severe nonattainment for ozone as rapid population growth on the Front Range continues.
While the automotive sector is increasingly focusing on electric vehicles, implementation of Clean Cars II will ensure there is sufficient supply of electric vehicles for Colorado individuals and businesses, which will make Governor Polis's goal of 940,000 EVs by 2030 more attainable.
On behalf of Colorado’s outdoor industry, thank you for your leadership on climate and setting aggressive standards on emissions reductions. Colorado is our home and a place that aligns with industry’s values and opportunities for growth, and we hope that you will continue this leadership to ensure that the impacts of climate change and its threats to the future of our business are addressed, so that Colorado’s outdoor recreation industry can continue to thrive.
We urge you to adopt ACC II by the end of 2023, so that the rule goes into effect starting in Model Year 2027.
Thank you for your consideration.
