PENDING VOTE This resolution will be presented to the delegates at the September 12 2020 Delegate Meeting

Whereas…We recognize our climate crisis as the most defining issue of our time;

Whereas…We know there is a direct relationship between the climate and the health of our economy, our personal health and the health of future generations;

Whereas…We know that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) are disproportionately impacted by air and water pollution and the effects of the climate crisis;

Whereas… A Climate Action Task Force representing the City’s Youth, Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), environmental conservation, labor, small business, and the energy, real estate, waste, transportation, and hospitality industries, developed and by consensus agreed to a comprehensive and visionary Climate Action Plan that will enable Denver to meet imperative, scientifically established goals for greenhouse gas emission reductions;

Whereas… This unprecedented and diverse task force also by consensus recommended to Denver City Council that an ordinance be referred to the November 2020 ballot asking voters to approve a 0.25% sales tax (which equates to 2.5 cents on a $10 purchase) in order to generate approximately $36 million to begin funding the implementation of Phase 1 of these solutions;

Whereas… Denver City Council approved the Bill for this ordinance by a vote of 11-1 on August 5, 2020 and the Mayor subsequently signed this Bill;

Whereas… The Executive Director of the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency will submit a 5-year plan to Denver City Council and the Sustainability Advisory Council on how the funds will be spent, and there will also be an annual report of expenditures submitted to the mayor, city council, auditor and the Sustainability Advisory Council;

Whereas…The funds generated by the proposed 0.25% sales tax, (2.5 cents on a $10 purchase) will exclude essentials such as groceries, fuel, medical supplies, and feminine hygiene products;

Whereas…These funds will be dedicated to programs and policies that support job creation, increased access to solar power, battery storage and other renewable energy technology, upgraded energy efficiency on homes and buildings to reduce utility bills and air pollution, and programs that will support vulnerable communities adapt to a changing climate;

Whereas… These funds will allow us to maximize investments in under resourced communities with 50% of dedicated funds going directly into our most vulnerable communities and a focus on equity and social justice – climate justice is racial justice;

Whereas… Despite the many financial challenges facing everyone in our country that are compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, we must take bold action with this small tax increase to help us build back better now in order to keep from paying a monumental price in the future;

Whereas… Comprehensive climate action is not just within the jurisdiction of government and business, but demands that we work hard together, supporting each other across every level of society;

Whereas… The pandemic has demonstrated that a macro-challenge of historic proportions is felt most acutely at the neighborhood level by individuals, families and businesses, that connected Denver neighborhoods are capable of doing great things and that collaboration strengthens us;

Whereas… We support the resolution to have to have Denver act now.

Now, therefore be it resolved, on this day ____/____/ 2020, 

Denver Inter Neighborhood Cooperation supports Climate Action Denver and the City and County of Denver Climate Action ballot initiative.