subject: Environmental laws in Colorado [print this page] Environmental laws in Colorado Environmental laws in Colorado
Colorado is a state filled with many natural resources and with these natural resources come those who seek to profit or benefit from them. Welcomed are these individuals but it is unfortunate when they seek to exploit the resources without any intention of preserving the environment.
Laws surrounding the preservation of Colorado's environment
Logging
With the beautiful Rocky Mountains come loggers. Logging has been a longstanding profession in this state and has made many people a lot of money. Unfortunately, there were no laws to stem widespread logging and thus entire sections of the Rockies have now been left exploited. Thankfully, the state recognized that regulations need to be meted out for this industry and with that came laws against harvesting, transporting and purchasing lumber illegally. This hold all parties accountable and thus it stops a cycle before it can even begin.
Oil and gas drilling
Colorado is indeed a fruitful land. Many oil reserves exist and the potential for profit lies deep within the earth's surface. Mining for oil and gas presents many problems for the environment including land, water, air and even noise pollution. Laws surrounding this industry tackle every facet of possible pollution methods that this industry can create and enforces strict rules on how to minimise and in some cases eliminate these types of pollution.
Toxic pollution
Colorado has major problems with the regulation of the ways its chemical companies disposes of waste. It is thought that much of the waste disposed into the sea and air and on the land each year is hazardous to human health. Uranium, a radioactive element is one of the known culprits that contribute to poor health conditions by causing many types of cancers. The Colorado state is working feverishly to ensure that regulations are enforced against these chemical companies so that the environment can once again be safe for its citizens.
The Colorado new energy future
Energy from oil and fossil fuels are thought to bethe perpetrators of global warming. This energy powers everything from our cars and homes to major industry. The initiative has been taken in Colorado to move away from the dependence on oil and instead think of alternative forms ofclean energy. Clean energy comes from the sun, wind and water and since Colorado has been blessed with an abundance of all three then it has the responsibility to exploit these resources for the greater good of the state and country.
