The employees also alleged CDPHE was “suppressing information” and “approving air quality permits” that models showed would violate national air quality standards — the latter of which was substantiated.
With the help of Maryland-based organization Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, the whistleblowers said in the complaint that Colorado fosters a culture of approving permits for industrial polluters “at all costs” and to the detriment of public health.
Gov. Jared Polis and CDPHE Director Jill Hunsaker Ryan asked Attorney General Phil Weiser in April to investigate the whistleblowers’ allegations, and tapped the law firm in July to lead the probe.
