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4 dead as severe storms hit Houston, TX; Election Protection Program eases access to voting information; surge in solar installations eases energy costs for Missourians; IN makes a splash for Safe Boating Week.

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The Supreme Court rules funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is okay, election deniers hold key voting oversight positions in swing states, and North Carolina lawmakers vote to ban people from wearing masks in public.

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Americans are buying up rubber ducks ahead of Memorial Day, Nebraskans who want residential solar have a new lifeline, seven community colleges are working to provide students with a better experience, and Mississippi's "Big Muddy" gets restoration help.

West's Latino voters want conservation over development on public lands

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Monday, February 19, 2024   

Voters, including 74% of Republicans, 87% of Independents and 96% of Democrats, would support candidates in elections who prioritize conservation on public lands, according to Colorado College's latest Conservation in the West Poll.

Maite Arce, president and CEO of the Hispanic Access Foundation, said the poll's spotlight on top concerns for Latino, Black and Indigenous voters showed clean water, clean air, wildlife and public lands are not just environmental issues.

"They are integral to their health, mental health, jobs, local economies," Arce outlined. "These elements also play a pivotal role in preserving culture and heritage."

Just 26% of voters surveyed want more public lands opened for fossil-fuel extraction. A strong majority said issues such as declining fish and wildlife populations, habitat loss, dwindling and polluted water supplies, microplastics, uncontrollable wildfires, air pollution, loss of pollinators and natural spaces were extremely or very serious problems.

Lori Weigel, principal of the research firm New Bridge Strategy, said virtually all groups surveyed across eight Mountain West states including Colorado agreed spending more time outdoors would improve mental health, especially for children.

"One thing that struck me as a mom of a teenager was that moms were the highest group here," Weigel observed. "Three quarters said they felt like spending more time in the outdoors would help the mental health crisis we're seeing in kids."

Nearly eight in 10 Latino voters said the impacts of climate change have been significant in their state over the past decade, with 73% agreeing clean energy production can be boosted while preserving natural areas.

Arce noted the poll confirmed Black, Indigenous and Latino communities, which are disproportionately impacted by air and water pollution, are ready and eager to be heard.

"It's our collective responsibility to amplify their voices, champion justice and ensure a future where everyone regardless of their background can enjoy the benefits of nature equally," Arce concluded.

Disclosure: The Hispanic Access Foundation contributes to our fund for reporting on Climate Change/Air Quality, Environment, Human Rights/Racial Justice, and Livable Wages/Working Families. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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