Representative Joseph and Other Lawmakers and Community Leaders to Celebrate Earth Day at the State Capitol

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 20, 2026

Denver, CO — In honor of Earth Day, Representative Junie Joseph will host a press conference on Wednesday, April 22 at 12:00 PM at the Colorado State Capitol, bringing together legislators, advocates, and community leaders to both celebrate Colorado’s environmental leadership and confront the urgent challenges ahead.

The event is sponsored by Representative Joseph and co-sponsored by Representatives Story, Paschal, and Smith, as well as Senators Cutter and Marchman, along with other members of the Colorado General Assembly. The press conference will feature speakers from leading environmental and civil rights organizations, including Conservation Colorado, Green Latinos, NAACP Rocky Mountain, Sierra Club, Eco-Cycle, Bike Jeffco Inc., and 350 Colorado.

At a time when environmental protections are under increasing threats, Representative Joseph emphasized the importance of state leadership.

“While we gather to celebrate Earth Day, we must also be clear-eyed about the challenges we face,” said Rep. Joseph. “We are witnessing President Donald Trump trample on our environmental rights and roll back critical protections that safeguard our air, our water, and our communities. In Colorado, we will not stand by. We will continue to fight for clean air, protect our land, and defend the fundamental right of every person to live in a healthy environment.”

“Earth Day is both a celebration and a call to action,” said Sen. Marchman. “Here in Colorado, we understand that protecting our environment is not optional, but essential to the health, safety, and future of our communities. At a time when federal protections are being weakened, states must step up.”

The press conference comes just days after the recent Artemis program milestone launch on April 1 and splashdown on April 10, 2026, a powerful reminder of human ingenuity and our ability to explore beyond our planet. Yet, as Representative Joseph noted, that progress must be matched with responsibility here at home.

“We are making strides exploring the universe, but we only have one home, one planet Earth,” she said. “We must do everything within our power to protect it.”

Speakers will highlight Colorado’s progress in advancing environmental justice, ensuring that communities historically overburdened by pollution and climate impacts have access to clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment. They will also outline the path forward, emphasizing the need for deeper collaboration across local, state, and federal partners.

Representative Joseph called for continued investment in infrastructure that supports Colorado’s decarbonization goals, including expanded bike lanes and multimodal transportation systems that reduce emissions while increasing accessibility. She also emphasized the importance of developing innovative financing tools, such as on-bill financing, to make energy efficiency upgrades more accessible to working families.

“We need new tools in our toolbox,” she said. “From energy efficiency financing to expanding access to clean energy sources like geothermal, we must ensure that every community has the resources to participate in and benefit from the clean energy transition.”

As a legislator, Representative Joseph reaffirmed her commitment to protecting Colorado’s natural beauty and way of life.

“As a Colorado legislator, I will do everything within my power to protect our state and our shared home,” she said. “From the Western Slope to the Eastern Plains, Coloradans deserve to enjoy all that our state has to offer, whether that is hiking, skiing, biking, or simply breathing clean air and drinking clean water. Protecting our environment means protecting our quality of life.”

The press conference will take place in the West Foyer of the Colorado State Capitol. Community members, advocates, and members of the press are invited to attend. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early.

Confirmed speakers include:

1. Representative Joseph

2. Senator Marchman

3. Senator Cutter

4. Student Speaker

5. Michael Grant - Vibe Tribe Adventures

6. Tykee - Conservation Colorado

7. Brian Loma - GreenLatinos

8. Pete Piccolo - Bicycle Colorado

9. Michael Raber - Bike Jeffco

10. Randy Moorman - Eco-Cycle

11. Nate Bernstein - Climate Jobs Colorado

12. Topazz McBride - NAACP

13. Margaret Kran-Annexstein - Sierra Club

14. Heidi Leathwood - 350 Colorado

15. Paul Cure - Doing Good Things on Purpose