350CO organized an action to take place at Chase Bank in downtown Denver for August 9, 2024 to protest the bank’s investments in and loans to Fossil Fuel Companies. Chase is one of the main banks that invests in fossil fuel.
Third Act Colorado sponsored it as part of the Third Act National’s “Summer of Heat” actions around the country, and Greenfaith Boulder County Circle also joined as a sponsor for the event.
About 25 people came with banners, signs and a polar bear head we took turns wearing. Third Act had a rocky chair for the “old Third Actors” who were part of the protest. It was a successful action on a hot day!
Third Act Colorado is the local chapter of dedicated folks over 60 joining together in creative actions as we work to protect our democracy and save our precious planet. We are committed, in this our “third act” of life, to using our resources and our skills to better the world for those coming after us. Join us as we joyfully work to become good ancestors!
Friday, May 3, 2024 Public News Service Article by Mark Richardson, Producer
A new film documents the 2018 battle between Colorado environmentalists and the oil and gas industry over proposed fracking regulations.
The film also documents a grassroots effort by Colorado Rising to pass a ballot initiative which would create a 2,500-foot setback for all hydraulic fracturing wells in the state, particularly in disadvantaged neighborhoods.
Sarah Schulte, organizing committee member of GreenFaith Boulder County, which recently previewed the film for about 100 members, said the film has a strong message.
“What probably makes the film pretty dramatic and kind of shocking is the length to which oil and natural gas industries in Colorado set out to thwart them,” Schulte pointed out. “Not only with some of the tactics you might expect, but also some kind of more nefarious tactics sabotaging their signature gathering, for example.”
In the end, the petroleum industry defeated the measure after a $50 million campaign opposing it. Schulte acknowledged Colorado Rising raised only $1 million for its campaign. After the election, the state adopted a 1,000-foot drilling setback from schools and residential property lines.
Hydraulic fracturing, commonly called fracking, involves drillers injecting a mixture of chemicals underground to break up the shale and free the oil. The chemicals used in the process, which are sometimes toxic, can pollute groundwater and make the surrounding land unstable.
Schulte emphasized the movie had a powerful effect on the group’s members.
“I think most people were pretty angry and maybe even a little sad after seeing how these kinds of politics play out in Colorado,” Schulte observed. “They asked questions like what can we do next? How do you keep going when it’s so difficult to fight such a big and powerful industry?”
The film, Fracking the System: Colorado’s Oil and Gas Wars, is currently being previewed by select audiences. It has won the “Spirit of Activism” award at the Colorado Environmental Film Festival and the “Environmental Award” at the 2024 DOCUTAH International Film Festival.
Disclosure: GreenFaith contributes to the Public News Service fund for reporting on Climate Change/Air Quality, Energy Policy, and Environmental Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.
On April 25, 2024, the newly-released, award-winning documentary, Fracking the System: Colorado’s Oil and Gas Wars — a political thriller documentary from the front lines of climate justice activism in Colorado, was presented by Community United Church of Christ in partnership with First Congregational United Church of Christ, Naropa University’s Joanna Macy Center for Resilience and Regeneration, and GreenFaith Boulder County.
And check out the photos below from the screening — what a beautiful gathering with a full sanctuary of 100 people!
Reverend Nicole LeMarche, senior pastor at Community United Church of Christ, opened and closed the event calling us to loving action.
Sarah Schulte, First Congregational Church and GreenFaith Boulder County Organizing Committee member, moderated an excellent panel discussion with local activists from the film — Patricia Nelson, Suzanne Spiegel, and Russell Mendell — along with director Brian Hedden, Thomas Weiler from Together Colorado and Micah Parkin from 350CO.
Join climate activists from across the state for our 9th annual Climate Lobby Day, co-hosted by 350CO and multiple other Colorado organizations! Whether you’re lobbying for the first time or are a seasoned volunteer lobbyist, you’ll have the opportunity to learn the ropes with friends and allies. No experience is required to advocate for the planet.
Virtual Climate Lobby Day trainingsFeb. 5th and Feb. 19th
A last-minute day-of training will occur the morning of Climate Lobby Day
Climate Lobby Day 2024 is Friday, March 1, 8am-2pm
Meet with legislators to advocate for climate-friendly bills
Meet activists and organizers from lots of great groups across Colorado! (Climate action is more fun with friends 🙂
We’ll hold a final crash course lobby training at the First Baptist Church of Denver 1373 Grant Street, Denver, CO and provide an overview of bills from 8-9:30am, before heading over to the Capitol (9:30-noon or so). There, you will have the opportunity to speak with Colorado lawmakers, urging them to pass legislation to reduce emissions and promote solutions to the climate crisis.
CLIMATE LOBBY DAY 2024 Friday March 1st 8am-2pm RSVP here
From Together Colorado: Please join us for Faith Climate Lobby Day at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver this year on Friday, February 16th. Last year we were more than 70 strong. We would love to exceed that this year. Together Colorado will have training on zoom on the evening of February 15th at 5pm with those who have signed up.
Also, some Colorado School districts are off school this day, so we are encouraged to consider inviting youth and young people from your congregation to join in the event.
