And just like that, we’re tipped into the back half of 2024. Wow.
July is filled to the brim. Whether that’s in events, campaign moments, or being somewhere in the state activating with the community, we’re going to be keeping things moving forward with passion and care for ourselves and one another. Like this month’s awesome Climate Hero of the Month, Melissa Lewis!
Melissa has been passionate about climate justice since she was in high school. While in high school, she participated in civic engagement club that focused around getting people out to vote, to advocate for issues impacting them like climate change, and to show that you are not too young to be an activist. Since then, Melissa has gone on to attend the University of Denver, graduating with a Bachelor’s in Political Science and International Studies, becoming very involved with activist clubs on campus such as Divest and Ignite. Additionally, Melissa was apart of CLLARO in 2023 where she had the opportunity to research environmental racism and steps that we can take to better support marginalized communities.
Melissa began her time with 350 Colorado in early 2023, and has since thrown her net wide over a variety of different campaigns within the organization. She became an active member on the Denver Team Leadership Council (LC) quickly after she started volunteering. The Denver LC is a small group of dedicated volunteers based in greater Denver who commit a few hours a month to climate organizing and movement building. Melissa has consistently showed up and participated in monthly meetings, and gave updates to the team throughout the 2024 legislative session on climate policy changes. She shines in every group she plugs into!
She has assisted in many 350 Colorado events in the last year and a half, and particularly in movement building efforts. The climate justice movement needs people who can show up in-person to support, activate, and connect, especially when it comes to growing and empowering more people to take responsibility and action in this crisis. Melissa has been a tremendous leader in this way and has supported a number of tabling events and opportunities. Last year she and Ruth (another fellow Climate Hero of the Month!) spoke with students at a high school in Aurora to provide connections and resources around climate anxiety. While there were other issues that students were concerned about, they did a great job in being there to support.
Recently in February Melissa also helped at the Colorado Environmental Film Festival in Golden and connected with people before a crucial screening of ‘Fracking the System’. Her warmth and kindness are such gifts in the work we do to connect and heal the world.
And in March, she was instrumental to the success of our annual Climate Lobby Day. It is important to highlight the extensive political experience that Melissa has, as it supported the Legislative Action team during this big action!
“Melissa was crucial to the success of Climate Lobby Day! Her insight and expertise in navigating the capital, security, and materials for the press conference proved to be vital as the day ran seamlessly. Melissa’s kindness and go-with-the-flow attitude that day was so appreciated. Climate activists and champions take many different shapes. Though she wasn’t front and center that day, Melissa’s work doesn’t fail to shine through as she continues to show up for Colorado’s climate and policy work.” – Brigit Stattelman-Scanlan, 350CO Development Director
Without Melissa’s help, Climate Lobby Day would not have had the necessary visual aids or art – but she ensured we could get materials in the Capitol!
“I really appreciated Melissa Lewis’ help on Climate Lobby Day! Her optimism, resourcefulness, and knowledge of the Capitol Building were all a huge part of why this day was such a success! Thank you again Melissa!” -Matt Gose, 350CO Promoting Climate Solutions Coordinator
Her voice has shown up in advocacy work through petitioning to phase out fracking in Colorado in the Fracking Action Committee, and participating in the broader coalition of organizations in Safe and Healthy Colorado, who is working towards the same goal. Furthermore, Melissa advocates to keep fossil fuels in the ground through the Suncor Action Committee – she is always there to support in-person events, like working the sign-in table at the “Re-Imagining Commerce City Event” in March 2023. Melissa signed the “Call for Shut Down and Justice Based Transition” for Suncor letter, and shows up to committee meetings regularly. You can always trust Melissa to follow through on her commitments to climate justice and 350CO!
“Melissa has a sense of calm that she brings to the 350 Denver team – she is easy to talk to, and so knowledgable in Colorado climate policy. Her kindness and commitment to the team is a huge asset to every meeting.”– Melissa Burrell, 350 Denver Team Coordinator
Melissa currently works as a Staff Assistant in the District Office of Congressman Jason Crow where she continues to advocate for climate justice. She has been particularly vocal about marginalized communities who have been disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis.
350 Colorado is so lucky to have Melissa as part of the team, and it is no surprise that she is true climate hero. We are much better off with her skills and expertise. Thank you for everything you do Melissa to make Denver and Colorado the climate leaders we know it can be. What an honor it is to organize with you!
– Written by Chelsea Alexander and Melissa Burrell