CEC MONTHLY UPDATE
OCTOBER, 2009

Greetings:

As the temperature creeps below freezing and we start to think about pulling our skis, boards, and snowshoes out of storage, I am reminded how lucky we are to have four distinct seasons here in Colorado.

Our springs bloom with wildflowers, our summers fill with hikes and bikes, and our autumns with elk and views of blazing aspen trees. In the upcoming winter we'll be once again blessed with fresh powder on the slopes and snow-dusted evergreens.

At CEC we are preparing for winter by continuing to work on protecting what we treasure in every season in our beautiful state. Read on to find out how you can help!

For Colorado,

Elise Jones
Executive Director

Split Estate Screening
Join us on November 14 at 12:45 pm during the Denver Starz Film Festival for a showing of SPLIT ESTATE and a discussion about drilling and the west.

Split Estate, an award-winning documentary, explores the environmental impacts resulting from the natural gas drilling boom in the central Rockies of Colorado and in New Mexico. The film examines groundwater contamination associated the fracking process and the adverse health risks facing our communities. 

» Click here to learn more, purchase tickets and view the trailer. 

There are many more events, including house parties, Northwest Colorado Volunteer Opportunities, and wilderness exploration available on our event calendar.

Secretary Salazar issues new round of RD&D Parcels
Citizens from western states, including sportsmen groups and conservationists, applauded an announcement earlier this month by Department of Interior (DOI) Secretary Ken Salazar that the agency will investigate Bush Administration policies fast-tracking oil shale development. The agency also announced that it intends to open some public lands to a second round of research, development, and design (RD&D) projects.

» Learn more about the announcement here.

Presenting the NoDo River Basin Campaign
President Obama declared last month Wilderness Month and stated the "American wilderness has inspired wonder and imagination for centuries and is an irreplaceable part of our Nation's heritage." 

It is with that spirit and enthusiasm that we are pleased to announce CEC's newest campaign, the Northern Dolores "NoDo" River Basin Campaign.

If you've never ventured to Gateway, Colorado and explored the rugged canyon country we hope you will soon and join us in the fight, with a generous contribution or your volunteer hours, to protect the Northern Dolores River Basin for future generations.

» For more information contact Kate!

Help Restore Cottonwood forests!
CEC and Friends of Northwest are working with the US Fish and Wildlife Service at Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge to restore Cottonwood forests along the Green River.  Autumn workdays are scheduled for November 20 & 21. We’ll spend the day transplanting trees and installing protective fencing. For this work  we provide carpool transportation, snacks, lunch and tools. Accommodation is available on a first come first serve basis. To learn more and reserve your space contact Sasha.

Have you been reading our blog?
CEC staff is actively blogging about all of our events and work throughout the state. In the past month we've written about the success of the 2nd Annual West Slope Barn Dance, NoDo night out and updates on Smarth Growth and Transportation in our state. Check it out and please feel free to join in the conversation with your comments.

» CEC Blog

You can also connect with us on Twitter and Facebook.

Welcome Courtney
Raised in all over the US, Courtney Fryxell comes to CEC to fulfill a life-long dream of living and working in Colorado. Courtney came to CEC after organizing work for the League of Conservation Voters in DC and as a Field Organizer for a 2006 Senate campaign in Tennessee.

Courtney is a diehard Vanderbilt fan, recieving her undergraduate degree from there in 2005 in Political Science and American and Southern Studies. She is fascinated with the way people develop their political ideologies.

If you can't find her on a weekend in the fall she is most likely watching football or exploring Colorado with her boyfriend Mike and dog Maverick.

As the new Membership and Volunteer Coordinator, Courtney looks forward to getting to know all of you. Please feel free to contact her.

Colorado Environmental Coalition relies on gifts large and small to continue its work to protect Colorado’s wild places, advocate for renewable energy policies, promote responsible water initiatives, and lead the way in securing mass transit and developing sensible growth plans

» Donate or Become a Member today!