350 Colorado is a child organization of 350.org, a left-of-center environmentalist organization that advocates for the elimination of conventional energy use. It lobbies, protests, and promotes “civil disobedience” among activists. ¹

350 Colorado advocates for legislation that places taxes and limits on carbon emissions, divests government funds from fossil fuel companies, and transitions state infrastructure to rely on environmentalist energy. ² Additionally, it demands that the legislation it advocates for “dismantle[s] oppressive systems that enable poverty, racism, and inequity.” ³

Activities

350 Colorado lists “civil disobedience” as one of its forms of activism. ¹ It cites a July 2017 meeting with the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission where 350 Colorado protestors were removed by police for chanting and interrupting the appeal a court ruling regarding the distribution of fracking permits. ⁴

People

Micah Parkin is an executive director and co-founder of 350 Colorado. She has worked for numerous Colorado-based environmentalist activist groups and serves on the city of Boulder’s Clean Energy Technical Team and as a climate mobilization action plan finance working group lead. ⁵

Sunni Benoit is the president of 350 Colorado. She worked as an attorney until 2016 when she moved to Colorado to focus on environmentalist activism. ⁴

Gina Hardin is a co-founder and former chair of the board of directors. She has worked in executive roles for several Colorado-based environmental activist groups. ⁶

Financials

350 Colorado is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and does not have to disclose its donors. In 2018, 350 Colorado reported a total revenue of $173,413, with only $149 not coming from contributions. ⁷ It reported $5,000 in grants paid, $50,000 in salaries, $62,183 in professional fees to independent contractors, and $139,634 in total expenses. ⁸

1. “Accomplishments.” 350 Colorado, November 10, 2020. https://350colorado.org/accomplishments/.
2. “NEWSLETTER – Capitol Action Wrap Up.” 350 Colorado, May 18, 2019. https://350colorado.org/newsletter-capitol-action-wrap-up/.
3. “About Us.” 350 Colorado, September 14, 2020. https://350colorado.org/about-us/.
4. Young, Dave. “Heated Oil and Gas Meeting Ends with Protesters Being Escorted Out.” FOX31 Denver. FOX31 Denver, July 24, 2017. https://kdvr.com/news/heated-cogcc-meeting-ends-with-protesters-being-escorted-out/.
5. “Our Team.” 350 Colorado, November 11, 2020. https://350colorado.org/our-team/.
6. Gray, Amy. “Climate Hero of the Month – Gina Hardin.” 350 Colorado, July 31, 2019. https://350colorado.org/climate-hero-of-the-month-gina-hardin/.
7. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). 2018. Part 1, line 1-9.
8. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). 2018. Part 1, line 10-17.