By Molly Cruse / CPR News
Earlier this week, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston appointed Elizabeth Babcock as the Acting Executive Director for the city's climate office.
Babcock's appointment follows her two-year tenure as the deputy director of the office and more than a decade helping develop and lead various climate, energy and resiliency programs for the -- including the 2020 sales tax ballot measure that funded the city's climate office.
Denver is one of the few U.S. cities that have not only enacted a climate action plan but have also created a climate office. In her new role as acting boss of Denver's Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency, Babcock will be responsible for overseeing and expanding Denver's climate action initiatives, including eliminating 100% of Denver's greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 and helping the city adapt to climate change.
These may seem like lofty goals for one of the fastest-growing cities in the states, but Mayor Johnston is confident Babcock is up to the challenge.
"As a city and as an administration, we are committed to lead in climate action while maintaining responsible financial stewardship," Mayor Mike Johnston said in a statement. "I am confident [Elizabeth] will bring the expertise and vision needed to continue driving positive change in our city."
Babcock is replacing Grace Rink, who was appointed by the previous mayor, Michael Hancock, and ran the climate office from 2020 to September. Rink is now an associate vice president for decarbonization strategy at the infrastructure consulting firm AECOM.
