Rep. Chris Hansen named Sierra Club's legislator of the year

State Rep. Chris Hansen is the Colorado Sierra Club’s legislator of the year, an award he received last Friday reflecting his work in 2019.

The Democrat from Denver, who is vying for a seat in the Senate, passed a number of key environmental provisions and, during the debate on Senate Bill 181, his professional experience in the energy sector was critical in the debate, his campaign noted.

He also was the prime House sponsor of Senate Bill 236, a bill that concerned reauthorizing the state Public Utilities Commission.

The Sierra Club considered the latter bill a signature achievement. 

The PUC will be instructed to weigh the social costs of carbon and its cumulative effects as it sets rates, which should give renewables a big boost. The bill also allows utilities to issue bonds to retire coal plants and offers help to coal plant workers and communities affected by such closures.

"The people of Colorado love this state and all of the amazing natural wonders we enjoy," Hansen said. "They want clean air, clean water and protection for our public lands. We made great progress last year on reducing pollution, and I am excited to continue this vital and urgent work at the state Legislature."

Hansen said Colorado needed to make "must make serious structural change in order to prevent a climate catastrophe.”

Hansen serves on the Joint Budget Committee and leads the House Appropriations Committee.