Our State Is Burning Down 

As a native Colorado resident, I have known what it is like to experience the great outdoors of our state. However, the large scale impacts of climate change are now burning down our environment, threatening the resources, recreation, and economics that Coloradians depend on. 

My first experience with Colorado’s wildfire situation came in in June 2012 as I watched many of my family friends get put onto a “pre-evacuation” notice as one of the flatiron mountains outside of Boulder caught fire. Now, 9 years later, I have witnessed the smoke, destructiveness, and emergency scenarios that numerous fires have caused. With the recent devastation created by the Cameron Peak, East Troublesome, and Mullen Fires, I think that everyone needs to recognize how dangerous the wildfires have gotten and why climate action needs to be taken to prevent them. 

One of the most important molecules known to man is water. Every living organism, whether that be a bug, deer, tree, or human needs water to survive on planet earth. There are no substitutes for water and it cannot be argued that water is unnecessary. That is why every Colorado resident should be fearful of the contamination of their water by the increasing wildfires. Research enacted by the United States Geological Survey has shown that burned watersheds (a water network of streams, rivers, lakes, etc.) are, “likely to move large amounts of suspended and dissolved material into downstream water supplies” (USGS). This research would suggest that the wildfires are polluting more water sources every year as the severity of fires get worse, and it has gotten worse. In fact, Colorado experienced three of its largest wildfires in history in 2020. With a combined 625,409 acres burned in Colorado during 2020, our state is bound to experience a massive drinking water problem. CBS Denver reported that “millions” of people could be impacted by the drinking water problem created by 2020’s wildfires. As the fires continue to get worse, drinking water problems will be more common for all Coloradian’s. 

A super cherished part of Colorado culture is the recreational activities the state has to offer. Whether people are skiing, biking, hiking, fishing, or going to national parks for a weekend camping trip, there is always plenty of outdoor activities to do in the state. Yet, the influx of wildfires caused by climate change has made it harder and more dangerous to participate in certain recreational activities. On December 22nd, 2020, the national park service announced, “additional areas reopened in Rocky Mountain National Park”. Even though the East Troublesome fire (the wildfire that devastated the area) officially ended in October, its damages lasted until late November and into December. Not only did this damage interrupt the status of nearby national parks and forests, but other places like Winter Park resort, Colorado’s fourth largest ski resort, delayed its opening until at earliest November 30th in part because of the East Troublesome Fires prolonged burning. The Cameron Peak and East Troublesome fire extended burning past normal fire season and extreme sizes represent a grim future for Coloradian recreationalist. As the fires continue to burn later into the fall, less recreational activities are going to be opened to the general public due to safety concerns. This doesn’t just impact the lifestyles of many residents but also the economic benefits and business opportunities the state obtains from outdoor recreation. 

One of the most important parts of a state is its economy and the benefits that the economy can present to its citizens. While Colorado is recognized as a “well-off” state, its economy can and will feel significant impacts if the wildfires continue to get bigger and last longer. According to the REI Co-op journal,  the 416 fire ended up costing the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, “31,000 reservations for the month of June: the equivalent of $33 million for the local economy” (Tilton). It’s even estimated that suppressing the 2020 Colorado wildfires cost fires crews upwards of $214 million dollars. Based on a 5280 magazine report, governor Jared Polis only recommended a $78 million dollar budget for “Preventing and Managing” future wildfires. Anyone who can recognize historical trends and do basic math knows that this proposed budget is nowhere near enough to cover the costs of wildfire control across the state meaning more and more local economies residing near fire bounds will continue to hurt as climate change prolongs the fire season. 

As climate change continues to change our world, many people across the United States and in Colorado think that the impacts of a changing climate are too far out to be felt. It’s not even a question that the increasing severity and length of Colorado fire season is directly correlated with the changing climate. Any person that thinks they aren’t affected by the changing climate or worsening wildfires could ask any of the millions of Colorado residents who have suffered with health, lifestyle, or economic problems to see how dire the situation is becoming. If wildfires have already become as bad as they were in the 2020 fire season, and scientists only anticipate them to get worse, then I wonder why there are so many people who simply don’t care about the issue? Do they not enjoy the health, lifestyle, and economic benefits that have made our state great since its creation?  As a community, Coloradian’s need to come together to fight against climate change in our state as a form of protection against detrimental wildfires that are burning down our ways of life. 

Sources:

Water Quality After Wildfire, www.usgs.gov/mission-areas/water-resources/science/water-quality-after-wildfire?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects.