CDPHE Disproportionately Impacted Communities (ARCHIVED Version September 2021)

This archived dataset displays disproportionately impacted communities as defined by the demographic criteria listed in the Environmental Justice Act (HB21-1266), which are census block groups where greater than 40% of households are 1) low income, 2) housing cost-burdened, or 3) include people of color. This version of the map was effective from September 2021 to January 22, 2023. The disproportionately impacted community map layer was updated on January 23, 2023 to include census block groups with an EnviroScreen score over the 80th percentile. These areas reflect another criteria listed in the Environmental Justice Act for identifying disproportionately impacted communities based on cumulative environmental impacts. The Environmental Justice Action Task Force recommended using 80th percentile EnviroScreen scores to identify areas that meet this statutory criteria in its Final Recommendations published in November 2022. The updated map layer can be viewed and accessed through Colorado EnviroScreen. NOTE: Areas under the jurisdiction of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe are not displayed on this map, pending further consultation with each sovereign tribal government. Footnotes: + All data come from the American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2015-2019. + Low income households are defined as households at or living below 200% of the federal poverty level. + Percent people of color is defined as the percent of the population that is not non-Hispanic white + Housing burden is defined as housing costs exceeding 30% of income. This measure is only available at the census tract level, so all block groups within a census tract received the census tract-level value. This is an archived map layer that CDPHE used to identify disproportionately impacted communities based on three demographic factors identified in the Environmental Justice Act (HB21-1266) from September 2021-January 22, 2023. It specifically identifies communities where more than 40% of the population is low-income, housing cost-burdened, or identifies as minority. CDPHE has added additional information on communities with cumulative impacts through the Colorado EnviroScreen project. Colorado EnviroScreen is the sole tool for identifying disproportionately impacted communities pursuant to the statutory definition after it is released. CDPHE will periodically update the tool, and the Air Quality Control Commission will undertake formal rulemakings to update the definition of Disproportionately Impacted Community at least every three years. Additionally, the Environmental Justice Action Task Force may recommend changes to the statutory definition of the Disproportionately Impacted Community to the legislature. If you have questions about these processes, please email [e-mail].