2025 Annual Report
Healthy Air and Water Colorado's mission is to protect and improve public health by advancing policy solutions to the climate crisis. We mobilize health professionals and partners to educate, advocate, and lead on policies that address the root causes of climate-related health threats and promote environmental justice.
Protecting Health in a Changing Climate
This year, Colorado’s climate advocates faced unprecedented challenges – and powerful opportunities. As hotter summers, extreme weather, and pollution threats continue to grow, so does the urgency to protect public health from climate harms. In 2025, Healthy Air and Water Colorado (HAWC) continued to step up as a leading advocate and trusted convener, working at the intersection of health, policy, and community power.
We're proud to share our 2025 Annual Report with you. Tap the button below to read our entire report in partnership with our sister organizations (we're on Page 7 of the PDF!), or continue reading for HAWC-specific content here.
Clean Energy for Our Health
This spring, HAWC launched our Clean Energy for Our Health webpage to educate the public and decision-makers about the connection between clean energy and healthier communities. This will be a central resource to explain how pollution from fossil fuel-based electricity harms Coloradans – contributing to asthma, heart disease, and other illnesses – and how transitioning to wind and solar power can prevent disease, lower healthcare costs, and create a more sustainable future.
Through personal stories from physicians, polling data, and trusted resources, we will continue to bring a health-focused lens to Colorado’s clean energy transition. We also highlight how health professionals across the state are speaking out about the impacts they see in their patients and how most voters support moving toward 100% clean electricity by 2040.
This page will serve as a key public education and advocacy tool, showing that clean energy policy is also public health policy – and helping HAWC build momentum for a healthier, cleaner Colorado.
New Leadership for a Critical Moment
In February, we welcomed our new Executive Director, Alex Boian, whose deep roots in local, state, and federal advocacy and collaborative leadership style have brought fresh energy to our mission. Under his guidance, we’ve sharpened our focus on the communities most impacted by climate change and expanded our work with health professionals and decision-makers statewide.
“We know that climate solutions must start with protecting people’s health. Our work has never been more important – or more urgent.” – Alex Boian
Healthy Air and Water Colorado also established its first Board of Directors for the 501(c)3 organization. We're honored to have a diverse, dynamic, and committed board with representation from health professionals, climate champions, and leaders with background in public health. You can learn more about our leadership team here.
- Dr. Sara Carpenter, Chair, retired pediatrician
- Dr. Nikita Habermehl, pediatric emergency medicine physician, Children's Hospital Colorado
- Laura Howard, BSN, RN, President, Colorado Council of Black Nurses, Inc.
- Sam Gilchrist, Western Director, Regional Impact Team, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
- Jake Swanton, Vice President of State Policy & External Affairs, Fathom
- Jake Williams, CEO, Healthier Colorado
Driving Stronger Rules for Health
Policy change doesn’t stop at the Capitol. This year, HAWC and our health advocates showed up at the table to shape critical rulemakings, ensuring that public health remains at the forefront of climate solutions. The work continues! Here are some of the key rulemakings we have been working on:
Landfill Methane - Regulation 31
Learn MoreIn Colorado and nationwide, solid waste landfills are hidden drivers of climate pollution. They emit large amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that worsens air quality, extreme weather, and threats to vital resources. Landfills also release harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide that directly impact nearby communities’ health.
HAWC partnered with Industrious Labs to release Mountainous Methane: Science and Smart Solutions for Colorado to Lead on Landfills, highlighting the problem and practical fixes. Our health advocates, Drs. Nikita Habermehl and Robin Richard, have been key voices in shaping new landfill methane rules and will keep pushing for strong protections as the regulation moves forward.
Priority Air Toxics - Regulation 30
The best way to address the health threats posed by climate change is to measure them. That’s why the State of Colorado took a huge step in identifying five “priority air toxics,” which will be used to monitor, evaluate, and take action on air pollution.
Building on our 2020 win to raise the maximum fines for air and water pollution violations, HAWC advocates worked to ensure the first five priority air toxics are those that have the most detrimental impact on our health, and we will continue to engage in establishing health-based standards to promote cleaner air for communities across the state.
Protecting Workers from Extreme Temperatures
Learn MoreExtreme heat and cold put workers’ health and safety at risk, causing illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke, lowering productivity, and increasing accidents. The Extreme Temperatures Colorado coalition introduced nation-leading protections this year; though the bill didn’t pass, we remain committed to advancing policies that safeguard workers and build climate resilience. Our advocates also provided public comment on a federal rule currently under consideration by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to protect workers from extreme heat.
Pueblo Xcel Comanche 3 Just Transition
Learn MoreXcel Energy, Colorado's largest utility, is scheduled to decommission and replace the Comanche 3 coal plant in Pueblo – the state's single largest climate pollution source – by 2031.
HAWC was an official intervener in the proceedings before the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC), urging decision-makers to consider the public health impacts of possible new gas-fired power plants as part of the state’s energy resource planning to continue our progress toward a clean energy future.
When we make energy decisions without considering public health, we all pay the price – especially kids, seniors, and those with chronic health conditions. By putting health at the center of Colorado’s energy future, we can build a system that’s not just clean but safe and just for everyone.
Looking Ahead
As we look ahead, Healthy Air and Water Colorado remains steadfast in our mission to protect the health of every Coloradan by tackling the climate challenges that threaten our shared future. The work ahead demands bold collaboration, trusted voices, and sustained advocacy – and we can’t do it without you. Together, we can ensure that every policy decision in Colorado puts health and climate hand in hand. Join us in shaping a healthier, more resilient Colorado by supporting our work today.
