I still remember the first time I truly felt the power of nature–do you?
It was August 2009, on a hike to Emerald Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. It was at this moment that I realized how deeply connected we are to the world around us and to this work to protect the places we love in Colorado.
But today, the places we love are under attack. Federal actions are stripping away critical protections and undoing decades of progress. Polluters are being given a free pass, and our communities are paying the price. Our air is getting dirtier, our water is less safe, and the climate crisis is more urgent than ever.
It’s frustrating. It’s heartbreaking. But more than anything, it’s our call to action. That’s why I’m reaching out to ask you to donate whatever you can today to stand up for Colorado’s environment.
Here at the Colorado Sierra Club, we refuse to stand by while reckless policies put our future at risk. We know that when real change doesn’t start in D.C., it starts here–in our neighborhoods and communities. That’s why we’re fighting back where it matters most, locally. And that’s why we need your help–because there’s so much more to do!
While our federal government ignores the climate crisis, we simply can’t–climate change threatens everything we love about Colorado. We want to protect our air, water, public lands, and communities, and we must act now.
Your donation today will help us to:
- Pass statewide bills to protect Colorado’s environmental progress from the worst federal rollbacks and Trump’s Executive Orders that are removing pollution regulations and threatening our ability to fight climate change.
- Protect and expand our state’s public lands and parks through the State Land Board by organizing actions across the state where Coloradans demand that decision makers prioritize conservation.
- Push utility companies to stop using polluting gas and protect the air our families breathe by advocating during rulemakings, and supporting ratepayers and environmentalists alike to speak up for real solutions.
Because of members and supporters like you, we’re getting people involved in the collective action we know it will take to make a difference and protect our planet. Here are some of the ways we’ve been able to do that together:
- Recruited dozens of new volunteers to lead outdoor activities, connecting people to nature.
- Hosted over 70 events around the state to build our local grassroots power and hold our leaders accountable.
- Held our largest state lobby day ever, demanding action at the state capitol on our air, water, and wildlife.
When I think back to those moments—hiking through our national parks, feeling the thrill of getting to that view, getting folks from my community into the great outdoors—I don’t just feel nostalgia, I feel responsibility. We’ve been given something beautiful and must protect it.
We may not control what happens nationally, but we can influence what happens here in Colorado. When we stand up and refuse to give up, no matter the odds, together we are unstoppable. This fight is bigger than politics. It’s about our homes, our children, and the future of our planet. We owe it to ourselves—and to future generations—to fight like hell for the only home we have.
Let’s make sure the next generation of Coloradans has the same chance to experience the wonder of nature that we did. Let’s fight for the places we love. Are you with me?
With gratitude and determination,
Chris Applegate
Steering Committee Chair
Colorado Sierra Club