EXCLUSIVE: Climate Activists Lay Groundwork For The Next Lawfare Campaign If Boulder’s Case Collapses

Colorado climate activists spent the summer touring the state to build support for a plan that would make fossil fuel companies pay for climate-related costs, with organizers now working toward legislation in 2027.

350 Colorado and allied environmental groups held a series “Here & Now Tour,” events between May and August to gather public input on a proposed Climate Superfund policy. The campaign traveled through Boulder County, Denver, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, Aspen, Grand Junction, Durango and Aurora.

“The goals of the Here and Now Tour were to educate people around the state about climate costs and impacts, hear what local communities are experiencing and what they need funding for, and share what’s happening to make fossil fuel companies pay their fair share, such as through a climate superfund.” Micah Parkin, Executive Director 350 Colorado, told The Daily Caller News Foundation.

The events brought environmental activists together with state lawmakers, local officials and residents to discuss how Colorado could require major fossil fuel producers to contribute toward wildfire, drought, flood and other climate adaptation costs. Feedback gathered during the tour and through a public survey is being sent to a policy working group developing the proposal, according to 350 Colorado.

“We can change that by making major polluters pay their fair share with policy solutions like a Climate Superfund,” 350 Colorado states on its website.

Colorado 350 did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.

The push comes as another effort to make fossil fuel companies pay for alleged climate damages reaches the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in Suncor Energy v. County Commissioners of Boulder County on Oct. 5. The justices will consider whether federal law precludes state-law claims seeking damages for injuries allegedly caused by interstate and international greenhouse gas emissions.

Boulder County and the city of Boulder sued ExxonMobil and Suncor in 2018, alleging the companies contributed to climate change while misleading the public about the risks associated with their products. The local governments are seeking damages to help cover alleged climate-related costs, while Exxon and Suncor argue federal law prevents states from using state tort law to impose liability for the effects of interstate and international greenhouse gas emissions.