The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have signed an Informal Resolution Agreement under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other civil rights statutes. This agreement aims to enhance civil rights and transparency within Colorado's air permitting program, marking the conclusion of an affirmative compliance review by EPA’s Office of External Civil Rights Compliance (OECRC).
Both agencies worked collaboratively to identify improvements for public participation and civil rights compliance. The agreement highlights CDPHE's commitment to enhancing equitable public participation in air permitting decisions. CDPHE plans to propose changes to its New Source Review permitting program, providing earlier opportunities for notice and comment on certain permits related to facilities with Title V operating permits.
"CDPHE has appreciated the opportunity to collaborate with EPA throughout this process, strengthening our shared mission to protect Colorado’s diverse communities," said CDPHE Executive Director Jill Hunsaker Ryan. "This agreement is a testament to the major plans already underway and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to involve and protect the health of all Coloradans."
EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker added, "EPA appreciates CDPHE’s cooperation throughout this process, and its attention to the rigor of its civil rights compliance and commitment to improve the transparency of its air permitting programs."
The agreement builds on CDPHE's existing efforts in advancing environmental justice, such as meeting public outreach requirements under the Colorado Environmental Justice Act, establishing Colorado's first Office of Environmental Justice, developing tools like Colorado EnviroScreen, supporting community-led air monitoring projects, hiring an Environmental Justice Ombudsperson, and incorporating environmental justice principles into rulemakings.
More information about EPA’s Office of External Civil Rights Compliance can be found on EPA’s website. The details of this agreement will also be available on EPA’s External Civil Rights Docket.
