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As the largest statewide environmental organization in Colorado, our mission is simple: we work to protect our state’s climate, air, land, water, and communities. We play a unique role in Colorado as our work focuses on organizing communities, influencing decision-makers, and electing conservation-minded leaders. We work for a Colorado where every community can breathe clean air, drink clean water, protect the landscapes we share and secure our climate future. And, where communities once burdened by environmental injustices lead the way forward. You can learn more about our mission here.

This position reports to the CEO and is a member of our executive leadership team. It plays a critical role of leading one of the three key areas of our theory of change: bringing people to the policy and politics by overseeing strategies to recruit, organize, train, and retain volunteers, coalition partners, and community leaders. The VP manages a team (directly manages 3, with a total team size of 8) responsible for translating policy and political goals into public‑facing campaigns, cultivating relationships with community‑based organizations and diverse constituency groups, and ensuring community voices shape the organization’s work through equity‑centered outreach and organizing.

Organizing

• Owns the organizing program that drives action to grow grassroots and grasstops power to advance our policy & political priorities.
• Builds and maintains the organizing infrastructure — systems, tools, data, pipelines, standards, and evaluation frameworks — that enable scalable, high quality organizing.
• Establishes feedback loops and accountability structures that ensure community voice, particularly for disproportionately impacted communities, informs our campaigns and work.

Leadership Development

• Owns and evolves the leadership development model, ensuring it centers disproportionately impacted communities and builds a long-lasting, leadership pipeline.
• Identifies opportunities for innovation and experimentation in our leadership development program to take our work to the next level.
• Leads the organization’s strategy for building power and leadership on environmental issues by growing training programs that develop leaders — primarily from disproportionately impacted communities — and prepare and support them in finding leadership opportunities and roles.

Community Partnerships

• Partners with the VP of Fundraising to revitalize the Colorado Outdoor Business Alliance (COBA) program, integrating business engagement into broader organizing and campaign strategies.
• Cultivates and maintains relationships with key partners, ensuring the organization is a trusted, accountable, and effective collaborator.

Fundraising

• Partners with the VPs of Communications and Fundraising to develop narratives, data, and stories that strengthen proposals and reports.
• Supports the Fundraising department in the cultivation of funders and donors connected to organizing, leadership development and community power building.

Staff Management

• Oversees the day-to-day activities of the team including budgeting, planning, staff development.
• Mentors and develops high-level and high-performing staff using a supporting & collaborative approach that matches our organizational values.

Executive Leadership

• Works closely with the CEO and is a member of the executive team, which sets organizational strategy and goals to implement the strategic plan.
• Sets the data framework for the team and uses data to inform the work.
• Coordinates and/or supports cross-departmental initiatives to ensure alignment, effectiveness, and impact.

In addition to your regular responsibilities, all staff are expected to participate at some level in organizational priorities including helping in certain fundraising efforts, taking part in election-related activities, and committing to organizational efforts around equity & inclusivity.

This position is a great opportunity to deliver meaningful wins for Coloradans on the environmental issues that impact their daily lives. To be successful in this job, you will have the emotional intelligence, flexibility, and tenacity, to work well with our team. Fundamentally, we want someone who can thrive in a fast-paced & collaborative environment and loves the political fight. More specifically, you will have or be most or all of the following:

5+ Years Management Experience: This position has three direct reports who oversee their own departments and who require high-level management, so 5+ years of experience managing people, including time managing high-performing leadership level staff, is required. We expect our managers to manage with a spirit of collaboration, transparency, and power sharing.

Strong Equity Analysis: You need to have a clear and demonstrable understanding of racial equity and structural racism and the centrality of this analysis to environmental policy. This means you also have to understand how your own identities show up and influence your work on environmental justice policy. You must have experience building successful relationships where there is little to no trust to start, as well as experience building relationships across different social identities. Building movements to win campaigns, not just winning at all costs, is important to us.

Experienced Campaigner: Our theory of change is built around bringing together people, politics, and policy. Working at this intersection requires you to build and leverage power effectively to influence decision makers to pass strong policy. That means you must have experience developing and executing campaign goals and training people on goals, strategies, and tactics. You also need to be able to articulate our theory of change to your team and help them learn how to build and leverage power effectively.

Strong Strategic Thinking: You will have the skills to deal with abstract problems and translate ideas into practical actions to achieve the organization’s goals. Figuring out how to deploy our resources to maximum effect, communicating complicated policies in easy to understand language and thinking outside of your own experience to incorporate outside views and opinions are critical to success. This role also functions as a visionary thought partner to the CEO as well as your direct reports and being able to set a clear direction for the team that aligns with the organization’s values and mission.

Strong Collaborator: This role requires a seasoned collaborator who thrives in complex, mission-driven environments. You’ll work across departments—programs, communications, development, and executive leadership—to align strategies, share information, and drive collective impact. You bring clarity to roles and decision-making, navigate tensions with empathy and purpose, and foster a culture of trust, accountability, and shared ownership. You know that real change happens when teams move in sync—and you make that possible.

Emotional Intelligence (EQ): When working to make social change, having self-awareness, being able to self-regulate, understanding social awareness, resolve conflicts in a healthy manner, and leveraging intrinsic motivation and empathy is critical for success. Having high EQ helps to maintain grace and composure when everyone else around you is losing theirs, which is critical to keeping focused on the bottom line of what we are trying to achieve.

Growth Mindset: We work in an ever-changing environment and being able to adapt to that change is critical for success. Adapting behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles without placing blame & taking learnings into other similar situations; and a mindset that believes that skills, knowledge, and capabilities can be developed and enhanced with work, education & persistence are important.

This position does not have an undergraduate education requirement. Spanish/English bilingual is a skill we value, but it is not a requirement. This is a full-time job but there can be some flexibility in the exact schedule.

The salary range for this full-time role is $165,000-$185,000, with exact salary depending on relevant experience and demonstrated competencies. We offer competitive pay and benefits, rooted in equity, transparency, and trust—and never ask for prior salary history. We provide high-quality health insurance and a strong benefits package that includes a SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with a match, at least 30 days of vacation & holidays in addition to six physical & mental wellness days in your first year, a parental leave and a sabbatical program.

Please note that as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization, Conservation Colorado employees are not eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. All Conservation Colorado roles involve some in-person work, so COVID vaccination is required. We’ve adopted a flexible hybrid model without a fixed in-office schedule—each team member works with their manager to determine what makes sense based on role and preference. Those who prefer can work from the office full-time.

We are committed to building a more diverse & inclusive organization and conservation movement to fully represent and engage all Coloradans and to build as powerful a movement as we can. Recruiting staff that better reflects Colorado is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicities, geographies, political affiliations, sexual orientations, gender identities, and all other identities represented in Colorado or protected by law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

If this job speaks to you, please click here to submit a cover letter & resume and answer a few questions. If you have a disability and need accommodation or assistance with our online application process, please tell us how we can help by calling us at 303.333.7846.

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DENVER — Conservation Colorado today endorsed Jena Griswold for attorney general, Amanda Gonzalez for secretary of state and Jeff Bridges for state treasurer, following their wins in the June 30 Democratic primary.

“Colorado needs strong leadership,” said Kelly Nordini, chief executive officer of Conservation Colorado. “With the Trump administration dismantling the federal environmental protections our communities have relied on for decades, the officials we elect this November will decide whether Colorado leads or whether Colorado falls behind. Jena Griswold, Amanda Gonzalez and Jeff Bridges have each demonstrated the values, experience and courage to stand up for Coloradans when and how it matters most. We are proud to endorse them.”

Jena Griswold for attorney general

As the state’s next attorney general, Jena Griswold has committed to defending Colorado’s environmental laws, holding polluters accountable and fighting back against federal overreach that threatens clean air and clean water across the state.

“Jena Griswold has spent eight years proving that she will stand up to Donald Trump, protect Colorado’s elections and fight for our communities,” Nordini said. “As attorney general, she will be a fierce defender of Colorado’s environment at a time when federal protections are disappearing. Conservation Colorado is proud to stand with her.”

Amanda Gonzalez for secretary of state

Gonzalez, the current Jefferson County clerk and recorder, has pledged to be a firewall against attacks on Colorado’s gold-standard election system and to ensure that every Coloradan, including those in Spanish-speaking communities, has full and equal access to the ballot.

“Amanda Gonzalez knows that a strong democracy and environmental progress go hand in hand,” Nordini said. “Amanda will protect that system and every voter who depends on it. We are honored to endorse her.”

Jeff Bridges for state treasurer

Bridges, a state senator and chair of the Joint Budget Committee, has committed to directing state investment dollars toward priorities that lower costs for Colorado families and support a clean energy future.

“Jeff Bridges understands that the treasurer’s office is not just about managing money; it’s about investing in the future Coloradans want,” Nordini said. “Jeff has a proven record of investing in Colorado families and communities, and he has been a champion for the clean energy transition that our state and our climate cannot afford to delay. We are proud to endorse him and look forward to working together.”

About Conservation Colorado

Conservation Colorado is the state’s leading environmental advocacy organization, working to protect Colorado’s climate, air, land, water and communities. Through grassroots organizing, policy, advocacy and elections, Conservation Colorado builds the political power needed to move Colorado toward a healthier, more sustainable future.

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Across Colorado, families are feeling the impacts of pollution, drought and rising costs — including energy bills. But who decides how much your utility company can charge you? Who decides whether Colorado invests in clean, affordable energy, or keeps paying for dirty, costly fossil fuels?

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is a state agency that regulates essential public utilities in Colorado, like energy, gas, water, telecommunications and transportation. It’s led by three commissioners, appointed by the governor, who are responsible for ensuring Coloradans receive safe, reliable and reasonably-priced services.

The PUC makes decisions that can affect:

• Your electricity and gas bills
• Whether utilities invest in clean energy or costly coal and gas projects
• The reliability of your service
• Who pays when large energy users, like data centers, need more power

These decisions have a major impact on the everyday lives of Coloradans.

Utility companies, like Xcel Energy, provide essential services that Coloradans depend on every day. We use electricity and gas to keep the lights on, heat and cool our homes, cook meals and power local businesses. Since most Coloradans can’t choose a different utility company when bills rise or service worsens, strong oversight from the PUC is essential to holding utility companies accountable to serving the public, not just their shareholders.

Before utility companies can raise rates or make big investments in new infrastructure, they often need PUC approval. The commission can protect ratepayers from unfair costs, require better customer service and ensure utilities are investing in clean and affordable energy options.

Clean, renewable energy can help lower costs over time and reduce pollution that harms our air, water and health. If utility companies continue relying on aging coal plants and fossil fuel infrastructure, Coloradans can be impacted by higher bills, increased pollution and greater health impacts. Black, Brown, Latino and working communities are hit first and hardest by the high energy burdens, poor air quality and health risks associated with fossil fuels.

The PUC can help protect families from rising costs and pollution while building a more efficient and reliable system by requiring utility companies to invest in clean, renewable energy options.

The PUC also has an important role as data centers and other large corporate energy users increase demand for electricity and new infrastructure. The commission can help protect Coloradans from getting stuck with these costs by holding corporations accountable for paying their fair share for the energy they need, and by ensuring that data center developers do not use dirty, costly energy like gas and coal to power these facilities.

You have a say in PUC decisions that affect your bills, homes and communities. Sharing your experiences with rising bills, unreliable service, outages and pollution helps commissioners understand what’s at stake for Colorado communities.

Here’s how you can make your voice heard:

• Participate in a proceeding – You can speak at a public comment hearing or submit written comments online, by email, phone or mail
• File a consumer complaint
• Contact the commission

Want to learn more about how you can get involved in important PUC decisions? Join our mailing list and follow us on social media for updates on opportunities to take action.

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DENVER — Today, Conservation Colorado announced its endorsement of Attorney General Phil Weiser for governor in the 2026 general election on Nov. 3. 

Attorney General Weiser has consistently demonstrated the vision and commitment required to protect the climate, air, water, public lands and health of every community across the state. He has defended Colorado from federal overreach that threatens climate and clean energy progress and held corporations accountable when they pollute the state’s air, water and communities. This is the kind of leadership Colorado needs right now.

“Colorado needs a governor who understands both the urgency and the opportunity in front of us,” said Kelly Nordini, CEO of Conservation Colorado. “We are proud to endorse Attorney General Weiser because he will provide the leadership we need to reduce climate pollution, expand wind and solar generation and hold polluters accountable. His leadership will help protect the Colorado we love.”

Conservation Colorado will announce the rest of its statewide endorsements in the coming weeks. Visit conservationco.org to view the full list of endorsed candidates.

About Conservation Colorado

Conservation Colorado is the state’s leading environmental advocacy organization, working to protect Colorado’s climate, air, land, water and communities. Through grassroots organizing, policy, advocacy and elections, Conservation Colorado builds the political power needed to move Colorado toward a healthier, more sustainable future.

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Megan Waters, Strategic Communications Coordinator| 303.333.7846 | communications@conservationco.org

DENVER — Tonight, Conservation Colorado celebrated victories in Colorado’s 2026 primary election after a majority of its endorsed candidates have won or are poised to win competitive races for state legislature and county commission, overcoming heavy spending by the oil and gas industry and other corporate interests.

Conservation Colorado and its political committees made their largest-ever investments in primary elections this year to support candidates who are committed to protecting Colorado’s climate, air, land, water and communities. Of Conservation Colorado’s eight endorsed candidates, six are ahead or have declared victories in their primary races, including Chela Garcia Irlando in Senate District 34.

These pro-conservation candidates overcame unprecedented spending by the oil and gas industry and other corporate interests. One Main Street-affiliated groups spent over $3 million statewide in the primary election, including more than $500,000 against the four county commission candidates endorsed by Conservation Colorado and over $1 million opposing Garcia Irlando in Senate District 34 alone.

Garcia Irlando’s victory in Senate District 34 — one of the most expensive races of the 2026 primaries — demonstrates a major win for community over corporate interests. She has spent the last decade fighting for environmental justice and working communities, and is committed to doing so at the state legislature. Conservation Colorado and its political committees invested $203,497 in support of her campaign, reaching voters through mail, phonebanking, canvassing and other voter outreach efforts.

“Tonight’s results prove that Coloradans can’t be bought by corporate interests,” said Aly Ferrufino-Coqueugniot, deputy vice president of programs and politics at Conservation Colorado. “As the climate crisis worsens and Colorado families continue to face rising costs, voters made it clear they want leaders who will hold corporate polluters accountable, advance bold climate action and put communities first.”

These primary victories are an important step toward building state leadership that will tackle the climate crisis, lower costs for families and protect our air, water, lands and communities. Conservation Colorado looks forward to supporting these endorsed candidates through the November general election and working with Colorado’s new climate leaders in 2027 and beyond.

About Conservation Colorado

Conservation Colorado is the state’s leading environmental advocacy organization, working to protect Colorado’s climate, air, land, water and communities. Through grassroots organizing, policy, advocacy and elections, Conservation Colorado builds the political power needed to move Colorado toward a healthier, more sustainable future.

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Megan Waters, Strategic Communications Coordinator | 303-333-7846 | communications@conservationco.org

DENVER — Today, Conservation Colorado and Centennial State Prosperity are launching a data dashboard showing increased costs and lost economic opportunities facing hardworking Coloradans. The new dashboard quantifies the experiences shared by Coloradans, as most families are paying more for basic needs. Organized by congressional districts, the dashboard highlights the impact of federal spending cuts in Colorado, the effects of tariffs on everyday Coloradans, the drastic increases to health insurance premiums faced by Coloradans and the ongoing increases in gas and energy prices. Coloradans want policies that lower costs and put more money in people’s pockets. When people have the tools and opportunities to build a good life, the economy grows and businesses prosper.

“Costs are going up because of policy decisions at the federal level and Coloradans want relief. We need Congress to pass a federal budget that is focused on giving hardworking Coloradans a real chance to succeed by investing in affordable healthcare, education, and housing,” said Laura “Pinky” Reinsch, executive director of Centennial State Prosperity. “A strong economy comes from working people doing well and having money to spend in their communities.”

The increased costs Colorado families are facing are even more timely as, in April, President Trump announced his proposed budget for next year that would increase defense spending by $1.5 trillion and fails to give Coloradans who are facing high costs for health care, gas, and groceries any relief. Trump’s proposed budget proposes funding a flush of defense spending through broad cuts across the federal government, including to K‑12 grant programs, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act energy and environmental justice programs, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and Hospital preparedness, among many others. Congress is also discussing a reconciliation bill to boost defense funding, which they intend to pass before the August recess.

“The Trump administration is putting corporate polluters and a costly war over making life more affordable, safer and healthier for Coloradans. The result is higher energy costs for working families and less economic opportunity,” said Aly Ferrufino-Coqueugniot, deputy vice president of programs & politics at Conservation Colorado. “Congress needs to stop opposing vital clean energy projects and clean energy incentives. We want clean energy and lower electricity bills. When Coloradans working full-time still struggle to afford their utility bills, it holds back our entire economy.”

As demonstrated on the dashboard, H.R. 1 — passed last year — already has had devastating impacts on Coloradans’ household budgets.

The methodology for the dashboard is available at centennialstateprosperity.org/costs.

Serena Woods, Centennial State Prosperity | 541.913.3194 | serena@woods-strategies.com

About Conservation Colorado

Conservation Colorado is the state’s leading environmental advocacy organization, working to protect Colorado’s climate, air, land, water and communities. Through grassroots organizing, policy, advocacy and elections, Conservation Colorado builds the political power needed to move Colorado toward a healthier, more sustainable future.

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Kennedy-Ezra Kastle, Communications Manager | 303.333.7846 | communications@conservationco.org

DENVER — Today, Conservation Colorado supports HB26-1434, introduced by Rep. Jennifer Bacon, which protects Coloradans from some of the negative effects of a ballot initiative that seeks to establish a nebulous “right to natural gas” in Colorado’s Constitution.

Advance Colorado is now gathering signatures for Initiative 177 to provide an undefined constitutional “right to natural gas.” If adopted, this initiative could set off an avalanche of lawsuits, increase electricity costs, and risk private property and public safety.

“This proposed amendment is poorly written and attempts to put the interests of corporations over those of Colorado residents,” said Kelly Nordini, CEO, Conservation Colorado. “Rep. Bacon’s bill is necessary and appropriate to minimize some of the risks of the initiative, which could increase energy costs, undermine property rights, and endanger public safety.”

HB26-1434 is designed to:

• Protect ratepayers by making sure current utility customers will not be forced to fund someone else’s “right to natural gas” or cover the cost of new natural gas infrastructure when it wasn’t ordered by the customer.
• Protect public health and safety by specifying that the newly created “right” does not allow the gas industry to evade pollution or safety controls.
• Protect property rights by ensuring that homeowners and businesses can maintain their own property rights and deny installation of unwanted and expensive natural gas infrastructure on their properties.

In 2024, Governor Polis brought together Conservation Colorado, Chevron, Occidental and others in the oil and gas and conservation industries for a groundbreaking pact to forego expensive and contentious ballot initiatives until 2027, which has already resulted in more than $80 million in new transportation funds, secured clean air in Colorado and ensured regulatory stability for both producers and consumers. Yesterday, Governor Polis, Conservation Colorado and industry stakeholders reiterated their commitment.

About Conservation Colorado

Conservation Colorado is the state’s leading environmental advocacy organization, working to protect Colorado’s climate, air, land, water and communities. Through grassroots organizing, policy, advocacy and elections, Conservation Colorado builds the political power needed to move Colorado toward a healthier, more sustainable future.

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Megan Waters, Strategic Communications Coordinator| 303.333.7846 | communications@conservationco.org

DENVER — Today, Conservation Colorado released findings from a recent poll that overwhelmingly shows how important common-sense rules are for data center development. Global Strategy Group conducted the poll from April 16-21, 2026, and surveyed 800 likely 2026 voters in Colorado.

When asked if “Colorado should implement common-sense rules to protect rate payers, communities, and our natural resources like air and water from unrestricted data center growth,” 91% of Colorado voters said they agree and only 9% disagree.

The Colorado legislature is currently considering SB26-102, sponsored by Sen. Cathy Kipp and Rep. Kyle Brown, that establishes common-sense rules for future data center development that would protect ratepayers and the environment.

“Data centers in other states have dramatically increased energy bills, guzzled up local water and worsened air pollution and health and noise problems for local communities,” said Kelly Nordini, CEO of Conservation Colorado. “Coloradans should not be left with higher energy costs, dirtier air and less water so that some of the richest tech companies in the world can profit. With 91% of Coloradans in support of fair rules for big tech, the Colorado legislature must move forward with the commonsense guardrails proposed by SB26-102.”

Tech companies are eyeing Colorado communities to build new, power-hungry, large-scale data centers. Xcel Energy estimates that new data centers could lead to more than a 40% increase in the utility’s peak power demand by 2035, which, without the protections in SB26-102, could increase electric rates for everyone and prolong the use of dirty fossil fuels.

SB26-102 sets fair rules for data centers by:

• Limiting the use of diesel generators and requiring data centers to use the cleanest fuel available
• Making large-scale data centers responsible for securing their own renewable energy resources
• Establishing standards to help local governments address noise and light pollution impacts
• Requiring data centers to report on water consumption and efforts to reduce water usage
• Ensuring data centers pay the full cost of new electricity generation, transmission and distribution

The poll also demonstrated Coloradans’ understanding that corporate profits are increasing their utility bills. Seventy-six percent of Colorado voters agree that “Coloradans’ bills are increasing mainly because corporations are raising prices to increase their profits.” Only 23% disagree. Similarly,  79% of Colorado voters also agree that “Coloradans’ electricity bills are increasing mainly because monopoly utility companies are raising prices to increase their profits.”

In March, the Energy and Policy Institute (EPI) also released an analysis providing a nationwide look at utility profit margins using publicly reported financial data from operating electric utilities. The analysis demonstrates how ratepayers pay the price for utility profits. Alongside the report, EPI launched UtilityProfitTracker.org, an easy-to-use calculator that estimates the amount of profits in a customer’s electric bill.

About Conservation Colorado

Conservation Colorado is the state’s leading environmental advocacy organization, working to protect Colorado’s climate, air, land, water and communities. Through grassroots organizing, policy, advocacy and elections, Conservation Colorado builds the political power needed to move Colorado toward a healthier, more sustainable future.

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Kennedy-Ezra Kastle, Communications Manager | 303.333.7846 | communications@conservationco.org

DENVER — Today, as Colorado continues to lead the way in America’s clean energy revolution, new independent research has reaffirmed what clean energy advocates have been saying all along: Colorado is saving residents money because it shifts away from costly and polluting fossil fuels. In fact, Colorado’s residents pay less than the national average per unit of electricity consumed, while investments in clean energy are accelerating. This was still true in 2025, Xcel Energy reported a record-high profits of $2 billion, even while paying $287 million toward settlements related to the Marshall Fire lawsuits.

New independent research commissioned by Conservation Colorado, Environmental Defense Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council, Rewiring America, and Western Resource Advocates has found that Colorado’s average cost per unit of electricity is nearly two cents per kilowatt hour below the national average and has increased at a slower rate over the last decade than the rest of the country. Colorado has taken one of the most ambitious clean energy strategies in the country: mandatory greenhouse gas reduction targets, coal plant retirements and expanded solar and wind power. The data within these reports proves this strategy is a success: clean air, a stronger grid, and lower utility bills for all Coloradans while still keeping our utility rates lower than the national average.

Colorado’s strategy for a clean energy future – more solar and wind power, smarter investment in our grid infrastructure and strong protections for all consumers – results in a stable and affordable energy future and provides cleaner air for all Coloradans.

“Colorado proves that climate action does not have to come at the expense of affordability. While consumers across the nation have seen rates skyrocket by more than 30% over the last decade, Colorado has successfully developed one of the nation’s leading clean energy economies while keeping our residential rates nearly two cents below the national average. We are showing the nation that a just transition is not only a lofty goal, but a reality,” said Conservation Colorado’s Climate Campaign Manager Paul Sherman.

Colorado’s clean energy leadership and low electricity bills are two sides of the same coin. And the facts back this up. Every solar farm and windmill we’ve developed has helped protect Colorado families from the boom-and-bust cycle of gas prices that have devastated other states that failed to make the clean energy investments we’ve made. Every dollar invested in modernizing our grid has made our system stronger and more efficient. This is what success looks like. And we’re just getting started. Colorado needs to continue building on this foundation of clean energy investments and protections for ratepayers. The path to a stable and affordable energy system is the same as the path we’ve already begun.

About Conservation Colorado

Conservation Colorado is the state’s leading environmental advocacy organization, working to protect Colorado’s climate, air, land, water and communities. Through grassroots organizing, policy, advocacy and elections, Conservation Colorado builds the political power needed to move Colorado toward a healthier, more sustainable future.

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Megan Waters, Strategic Communications Coordinator| 303.333.7846 | communications@conservationco.org

DENVER — Today, Colorado lawmakers announced legislation to modernize the Regional Transportation District (RTD), aiming to improve reliability, rebuild ridership and ensure the transit agency better serves communities across the Denver metro region.

SB26-150, sponsored by Sen. Matt Ball, Sen. Iman Jodeh, Rep. Meg Froelich and Rep. Jamie Jackson, draws from recommendations put forth by the RTD Accountability Committee, which was established by SB25-161 to evaluate the agency’s performance and propose reforms after years of declining ridership, service challenges and public trust concerns.

In comparison to other major transit systems, RTD has struggled to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 2024, it had only regained 62% of its 2019 ridership levels and 76% of service hours. Ongoing issues with reliability, maintenance and financial oversight have also affected rider confidence in the system.

Recent challenges highlight the need for structural reform. RTD has faced projected budget deficits of more than $200 million and delayed key maintenance that led to widespread service disruptions. In 2024, a state audit found that the RTD Board of Directors had failed to plan for $153 million in approved projects. Earlier this year, an article by the Denver Post revealed that the agency has been paying a contractor for more rail service than it has actually received over several years.

The RTD Accountability Committee released its final report in January 2026 after months of research and engagement with a diverse group of stakeholders, including transit riders, labor representatives, local government, RTD board members, business owners and disability, equity and environmental advocates. Their findings concluded that RTD governance is the most urgent issue to address, and that the current board’s size, a need for deeper expertise and absence of competition for elected seats prevent effective leadership and oversight.

The bill would streamline RTD’s board structure and strengthen accountability by:

• Reducing the size of RTD’s board to nine members to improve decision-making
• Ensuring four of the nine board seats are appointed experts in finance, land use, transportation planning, disproportionately impacted communities and other key areas
• Maintaining democratic representation with a majority of elected board members
• Requiring annual reporting to the legislature on implementation of reforms
• Clarifying the board’s responsibilities for budgeting, strategic direction and leadership oversight

Transportation is the largest source of climate pollution in Colorado and one of the biggest expenses for households across the state. Strengthening RTD’s governance and performance is essential to making transit a reliable, affordable option for more riders. These reforms will help position the agency for long-term success while advancing Colorado’s climate and affordability goals.

Statements from bill sponsors, Accountability Committee members and Conservation Colorado:

“RTD is essential to our region, but we’re not seeing the level of performance riders and taxpayers deserve,” said Sen. Matt Ball. “This bill takes a practical approach to improving governance so the agency can follow through on commitments and deliver more reliable service.”

“For many Coloradans, transit is not optional — it’s how they get to work, school and essential services,” said Sen. Iman Jodeh. “We’ve been working for several years to strengthen RTD’s planning and accountability. This legislation builds on that progress and helps ensure the system allows people to live and work in the communities they choose.”

“The Denver Metro Area is a world-class destination deserving of a world-class transit system,” said Rep. Meg Froelich. “A modernized RTD will better meet residents’ needs, allowing us to more easily take transit to work, shop, attend sporting events and concerts, among other destinations. The result is less money spent on gas, less time in traffic and reduced pollution.”

“Right now, RTD’s structure makes it too hard to move quickly or make the kinds of strategic decisions needed to grow ridership,” said Rep. Jamie Jackson. “We need a governance model that is focused, accountable, and built to deliver results. This reform is about aligning leadership with outcomes so that every decision the board makes is grounded in one clear goal: getting more people on transit and making the system work better for the communities who rely on it every day.”

“It’s clear that RTD must evolve to keep up with this region’s needs,” said Maria Garcia Berry, chair of the RTD Accountability Committee. “These reforms are grounded in months of collaboration and research and are designed to help RTD become a system that our communities can depend on.”

“Transportation is and will be a major influence on how our region grows in the next few decades,” said Jamie Lewis, transportation advocate for the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition. “Collaboration between our State legislature, counties and communities with RTD will be the key to success. Recommendations from the accountability committee will strengthen RTD’s approach to provide reliable, cost-effective and safe transportation for our region.”

“Mass transit is economic infrastructure,” said Andrew Iltis, senior vice president of Planning and Community Impact at the Downtown Denver Partnership. “Reliable service supports workers, businesses and the overall vitality of our region. These changes will help create the consistency and accountability needed for RTD to serve both riders and the broader economy better.”

“Coloradans are already feeling the impacts of rising costs and worsening climate pollution,” said Renée Larrarte, climate & transportation campaign manager at Conservation Colorado. “With transportation as a major source of emissions and household costs, modernizing RTD is essential to expanding affordable transit options and cutting pollution.”

About Conservation Colorado

Conservation Colorado is the state’s leading environmental advocacy organization, working to protect Colorado’s climate, air, land, water and communities. Through grassroots organizing, policy, advocacy and elections, Conservation Colorado builds the political power needed to move Colorado toward a healthier, more sustainable future.