The Rocky Mountain Climate Organization's Mission

We work to keep the West a special place by reducing climate disruption and its effects here. We:

• Bring people together to develop solutions, build consensus, and achieve results. (See, for example, our Colorado Climate Project.)

• Spread the word about what climate disruption can do to us here and what we can do about it.

• Work to reduce emissions of heat-trapping gases.

• Work to adapt to the changes we still may face.

• Give priority to long-term, lasting solutions.

• Fill gaps in climate action by doing work that governmental bodies do not have the resources to do.

• Function as a coalition, with partners from governmental, private, and non-profit sectors.

• Operate with the highest standards of integrity and in ways that maintain great credibility.

• Focus primarily on the eight-state interior West, with an initial emphasis on our home state of Colorado.

Climate disruption is not an ordinary environmental issue, and the Rocky Mountain Climate Organization is not an ordinary environmental group. First, our diverse coalition of partners includes unusual allies and messengers, not just usual suspects. In four years, our coalition has grown to include a broad cross section of partners, including local governments; Denver Water, Colorado's largest water utility; nonprofit organizations; and businesses. This broad range of perspectives and voices gives us a different kind of credibility that other, more traditional groups may lack.

Second, we focus on the specific, local impacts that climate disruption will have in this region. RMCO was founded because our way of life in the West already is being affected by less snow, less available water, and more drought. Yet no other effort was underway to connect the dots between those developments and the future of this region. This is a special place to live, and we want to keep it that way. We are confident that others who share our love of the West will join us in working to protect our home. 

Third, RMCO also is unique because of the experience and savvy of our leaders. They have been elected to Congress and local office, directed federal and state agencies, and managed political campaigns in state and congressional races. We know how to broaden a base, not just preach to a choir. We operate in a non-confrontational manner, the better to build a broad consensus and bring about widespread action. 

The Rocky Mountain Climate Organization is a nonprofit, charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the federal tax code. Contributions are tax-deductible -- and essential to our work. We started with a clear mission and an ability to make a difference, but not with any endowment of funds. We can only do our work if we get the support of people like you.