Colorado's 'Green Agenda' Threatens Everyday Coloradans
In yet another example of the extreme left's overreach, Colorado is on the verge of implementing a new set of regulations that will have detrimental effects on everyday Coloradans. Spearheaded by the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC), this so-called "green agenda" aims to ban the sale and use of gas-powered lawn equipment in the Denver metro area, once again encroaching on individual freedoms and trampling on private enterprise.
According to the RAQC, gas-powered lawn equipment is supposedly contributing to Colorado's ozone problem, a claim that has been refuted by experts who argue that these machines only make up a small fraction of ozone violations. Nevertheless, the RAQC is pushing for a blanket ban on the sale and use of these machines.
The proposed ban, which was originally set to include all gas-powered lawn equipment, has faced opposition. The state health department's Air Pollution Control Division staff, perhaps realizing the draconian nature of the ban, has put forth a competing proposal that only applies the restrictions to state and local government agencies during the summer months. While this alternative is less extreme, it still represents an unwarranted intrusion into the private sector.
If implemented, this ban would not only impact homeowners and small commercial operations that rely on gas-powered equipment but also result in job losses for many hardworking landscapers who would have to switch to expensive electric models. The cost of replacing the entire inventory of equipment would be a massive burden on these individuals and businesses, not to mention the potential increase in maintenance costs associated with electric alternatives.
Furthermore, this proposal is yet another example of government interference that hurts businesses and stifles the economy. By dictating which equipment can be used, these regulations infringe on the rights of individuals and restrict consumer choice. The government should not be in the business of picking winners and losers in the marketplace.
It is concerning that the Regional Air Quality Council is attempting to impose these regulations without apparently considering the economic consequences and potential job losses. Their recommendation, which is now being considered by the state Air Quality Control Commission, would disproportionately affect residents in the nine Front Range counties that are struggling to comply with ozone attainment standards.
This misguided agenda threatens the livelihoods of tens of thousands of hardworking Coloradans and adds yet another layer of unnecessary bureaucracy.