NEW ANALYSIS: Colorado ranks 23rd for cleaner electric school buses with 144 here or coming soon

DENVER – 144 clean electric school buses are committed, on their way or operating in Colorado, according to a new analysis released Thursday by CoPIRG Foundation and Environment Colorado Research & Policy Center. Colorado ranks 23 in the nation for the total electric school buses, and ranks 19 nationally for combined federal and state investments into electric bus fleets. With nearly a half million school buses shuttling kids back and forth across the United States this fall, electric school buses have zero tailpipe emissions and therefore offer a cleaner, healthier alternative to traditional diesel buses.  

“Too many kids breathe harmful pollution every day just to get to and from school. Electric school buses eliminate this threat to their health,” said Sara Kuntzler, CO Program Director for Mountain Mamas. “We applaud the school districts that have taken advantage of billions of state and federal dollars to invest in electric buses and protect our kids, and hope that more Colorado school officials will take the plunge while it’s right in front of them.”

“It’s never been easier to convert to fully electric bus fleets,” said Danny Katz, CoPIRG Foundation executive director. “Student safety is always a priority, whether they’re on the bus or in the school itself. Ensuring that our kids can breathe clean, unpolluted air is another step we need to take so we can keep them safe, healthy and ready to learn.”

As of August, 26 school districts in Colorado had a commitment of at least one electric school bus. Here’s a breakdown of electric bus commitments per school district in Colorado:

• 27 – Boulder Valley School District
• 23- Denver Public Schools 
• 18 – State Charter School Institute 
• 15 – Steamboat Springs School District
• 10 – Pueblo 70
• 7 – Aurora Joint District No. 28 
• 5 – Aspen School District No. 1; Summit School District
• 4 – Adams 12 Five Star Schools; Thompson School District 
• 3 – Big Sandy School District; Poudre School District R-1; West Grand School District
• 2 – East Grand School District; Foundation School District; Kiowa County School District; Primero Reorganized School District
• 1 – Aspen Country Day School; Buena Vista School District; Durango School District; Hayden School District; Monte Vista School District; Roaring Fork School District; Sangre de Cristo School District; Sheridan School District; Weld 6 Greeley District

Whether they transport kids to school, field trips or sporting events, most school buses burn diesel fuel. This exposes children and drivers to harmful pollutants that are linked to asthma and other health issues, as well as cognitive development problems. The emissions from diesel buses also contribute to global warming. 

At the media release, Adams County School District 14 announced a 14 electric school bus commitment, growing the total clean buses in the state.

“Anything that reduces emissions in a meaningful way is a good thing, but efforts to convert school bus fleets to electric-powered vehicles are particularly meaningful because of the buses’ proximity to our community’s children,” said Eva Henry, Vice Chair of the Adams County Board of Commissioners. “Less pollution from buses results in improved air quality around schools and fewer negative health impacts for our County’s youngest residents. Adams County is proud of school districts and climate champions who are taking important steps to protect their students, families, and communities.”

“This is what climate justice looks like”, said Adams County School District 14 School Board Director Lucy Molina. “A just transition must begin in historically marginalized communities like ours.  Our humble Adams 14 district is in one of the most polluted communities in the State of Colorado. It is absolutely necessary to redirect resources where it’s most needed, public funds must remain in public service. The future is now!! Electric buses in Adams 14 is a huge step towards the future, as we know public schools lack funding and we lack the resources to meet State and Federal goals to reduce emissions by 2050. This is the beginning step to a just transition, and with your help, we can become a positive example and a ray of light for the nation. We all deserve a breath of fresh air.”

According to the World Resources Institute, the United States now has 12,000 electric school buses either in operation or coming soon, in more than 1,500 school districts. California, New York and Illinois lead the country in total electric buses and when it comes to state and federal dollars invested. 

CoPIRG Foundation and Mountain Mamas encourage school districts to aggressively pursue electric vehicle funding to accelerate their conversion to a 100% electric school bus fleet. The groups also call on states, local governments and utilities to increase funding and reduce barriers to these cleaner electric school buses. 

Additional funding opportunities from the EPA and State of Colorado will be available this fall. You can find more information at their respective websites: Clean School Bus Program and Colorado Electric School Bus Grant Program. 

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CoPIRG Foundation – through research, public education and outreach, we serve as counterweights to the influence of powerful special interests that threaten our health, safety or well-being. More at www.copirgfoundation.org