WEEK OF JANUARY 9, 2025
VOLUME 37| ISSUE 2
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EPA objects to Suncor permit Agency demands more oversight and assurances at Commerce City refinery BY MICHAEL BOOTH THE COLORADO SUN
year has been a whirlwind — full of triumphs, challenges and heartbreaking news that has affected our communities both near and far. From the painful struggles of families in our own backyard to the devastating events across the globe, we’ve witnessed a world in turmoil. But despite the hardship, the resilience of our people continues to shine brightly, and that resilience is what has carried us forward.
The Environmental Protection Agency found problems Dec. 30 with another Colorado-issued permit for Suncor’s refinery operations in Commerce City and ordered revisions. Regional and national EPA offices made the same objections and demanded revisions to a different state permit for Suncor in 2022 and 2023. The EPA, reviewing petitions from environmental advocates, sent the proposed state permit for Suncor plants 1 and 3 back to the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division to answer detailed questions or make outright revisions to the permit mandates. The order signed by acting EPA administrator Jane Nishida agreed in part with the advocates’ claims that the state permit may not properly monitor and calculate pollutants such as nitrogen oxide, particulate matter and volatile organic compounds emanating from the big refinery. “Once again, EPA found Colorado is failing to ensure adequate monitoring of toxic air pollution and failing to ensure Suncor is held fully accountable to safeguarding clean air and public health,” said Jeremy Nichols of the Center for Biological Diversity, which objected to the plants 1 and 3 permit — the west side of the sprawling complex — alongside the Sierra Club. “While this is an important win for clean air, it’s still beyond disappointing that the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment refuses to do the right thing here,” Nichols said. The division said it was reading through the 39-page permit objection and did not have comments as of Dec. 31.
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A collage showing some of the people interviewed as a part of La Cuidad’s Entrevista.
LINDA CARPIO SHAPLEY
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• Vestas to lay off 200 employees
A year of interviews and news BUSINESS
overlooked — particularly year include my interviews strength. As we move forward, It’s been a year since often the hardworking, resilient peo- with Dr. Ruben Viramontes, I am filled with gratitude for City. who encouraged students to every person who shared their we launched La Ciudad. pleThofisCommerce year, I had the privilege demand visibility at the table, story, every reader who trusted of speaking with incredible and the enlightening dialogue us, and every colleague who Here’s what I learned. change makers and leaders with Maribel Cifuentes, who believed in our vision. This
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•27J Schools moves online-only Dec. 1
BY ROSSANA LONGO BETTER ROSSANA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
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As this year comes to a close, I find myself reflecting deeply on the incredible journey La Ciudad has taken me on. What a year it has been! From powerful interviews to forging stronger connections with the heart of our community, it’s been a year of transformation. But more than anything, this year has been about giving a platform to those whose voices are too
who are shaping the future of our community. From the profound insights shared by Beto Mordajin, multifaceted artist and community leader , to the wisdom of Renee Chacon, a passionate environmental rights advocate with Womxn from the Mountains, our pages have been filled with voices that inspire action. Each interview has taught me something new and reinforced my belief in the power of storytelling as a tool for social change. More highlights from the
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shared critical insights from the Colorado Health Foundation’s Pulse survey. Each interview was a step toward better understanding the needs and concerns of our community, from the fight for cleaner air in Commerce City to the fight for immigrant rights led by Jeannette Vizguerra. These voices have shaped my journey as La Ciudad’s bilingual editor. Through it all, our mission has remained clear: to create a publication that reflects our community’s diversity and
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