Conservation Colorado issued its 15th annual scorecard Tuesday showing how it rated state legislators on their votes on 10 priority environmental issues in the 2013 session.
Freshman Rep. Mike McLachlan, D-Durango, notched an 86. Sen. Ellen Roberts, R-Durango, scored 50 and Rep. Don Coram, R-Montrose, scored 40. McLachlan was excused from voting three times because of illness.
McLachlan was one of 31 incoming legislators.
Roberts’ middle-of-the-pack score reflected her support for water, wildlife and alternative transportation issues. She lost points for voting against increasing the amount of power rural cooperatives must get from renewable sources from 10 to 20 percent and against maximum penalties for natural-gas and oil violations, said Chris Arend, the organization’s strategic communications director.
But Roberts and Sen. Steve King, R-Grand Junction, were the highest-scoring Republicans, each with 50 points.
McLachlan said Tuesday he is proud of his support for environmental issues.
“I wouldn’t change my vote on any issue,” McLachlan said.
The only issue McLachlan voted against was HB 1316 to make Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission groundwater testing rules in four Front Range counties consistent with other areas of the state. The measure passed in the House but failed in the Senate.
McLachlan said he voted against the bill because La Plata County has stricter rules than those proposed.
Roberts was not available Tuesday for comment.
SB 252, which increases the amount of energy required from renewable sources, was the major issue, Arend said. The measure was approved 18-17 in the Senate and 37-27-1 in the House.
“The scorecard consists of votes on a number of conservation community priorities, including expanding renewable energy, increasing the availability and ease of use for electric vehicles and measures to protect Colorado’s wildlife and increase the efficient use and reuse of scarce water supplies,” Conservation Colorado said in a statement.
Conservation Colorado as an organization is new this year, formed by the merger of Colorado Conservation Voters and the Colorado Environmental Coalition.
In the Senate, the average score was 61, with 14 senators reaching a perfect 100. The lowest scores were in the 10 and 11 percent range.
In the House, the average score was 66, with 33 members scoring 100. The lowest scores were around 20 percent.
daler@durangoherald.com
