September 10, 2014 01:30 PM UTC

Colorado's 1,000 Year Storm: a Call to Climate Action

• 6 Comments
• by: abbyleeper

(Promoted by Colorado Pols)

As Colorado marks the one-year anniversary of the 1,000-year rainstorm that affected much of the Front Range, NextGen Climate CO is urging voters this November to support candidates who will act on climate issues. The record-breaking rainfall led to a 100-year flood that caused more than $2 billion in damages to homes, businesses and roadways from Fort Collins down to Colorado Springs.

“From more intense wildfires to record-breaking rainfall, Coloradans are being hit hard by the extreme weather events made worse by climate change,” said Abby Leeper, spokesperson for NextGen Climate Colorado. “The recovery and progress made since last year’s tragedy is a true testament to Coloradans’ resilience, but we must elect leaders with proactive stances on this issue. We can no longer afford to sit by and allow climate-science deniers, backed by Big Oil, to stall action.”

In Colorado, the impacts of climate change are already being felt.

Recent studies have linked extreme rainfall, like Colorado saw last September, to our changing climate. Rising temperatures are also fueling more intense drought and devastating wildfires. According to the National Climate Assessment, climate change could lead to a doubling of burned area in the southern Rockies.

What’s more, Colorado’s annual temperatures have increased an average of two degrees Fahrenheit over the past 30 years, and could jump another 2.5-6.5 degrees by 2050. This change, while seemingly subtle, is one factor that has already impacted snowpack in the Rocky Mountains, which is now melting up to four weeks earlier than in the past. Less snowpack has resulted in long periods of low river levels, dry soil and necessary water use restrictions during the summer months.

One way Coloradans can make a difference is to take the issue of climate to the polls this November. Sign up below for more information on how you can join NextGen Climate Colorado and commit to fight climate change with your vote this November.

https://co.nextgenclimate.org/pledge