Beginning in 2010, Conejos Clean Water (CCW) incorporated in order to promote awareness around health and environmental justice issues that affect residents in Conejos County, as a vehicle for protecting public health, and to responsibly manage natural resources. CCW’s efforts in July 2010, focused primarily on the radioactive, hazardous and toxic waste campaign proposed at the transfer site south of the Town of Antonito. Community forums were sponsored by CCW including discussions led by Concerned Citizens for Nuclear Safety (CCNS), Honor Our Pueblo Existence (HOPE) and Think Outside the Bomb with residents of Conejos County. A countywide canvass to educate and build awareness via door-to-door discussions was initiated, concurrently building membership within CCW to over 400 general members. During 2012 and 2013, CCW participated in Renewable Energy Planning, proposed the Community Solar Garden idea to the Town of Antonito, participated in Brownfields planning, executed the Health Environment Launch Project (HELP) utilizing funds from the USEPA Environmental Justice Small Grant Program, presented across the State of Colorado on environmental justice issues, and facilitated transmission discussions impacting Conejos County. In more recent years, we have focused on organizing community forums and bringing people together around proposed Solar Energy Zones, hydraulic fracturing, illegal dumping, recycling and school/community gardens.
