Holland & Hart is pleased to announce that environmental partner Jim Spaanstra was appointed to the Solid and Hazardous Waste Commission by Colorado Governor Jared Polis. Jim will serve as a representative of a regulated industry through August 1, 2026. The commission comprises nine members, appointed by the governor: three members from regulated industry; three members from the public at large; and three members from local government or academia.
The Solid and Hazardous Waste Commission makes rules and regulations for the handling, storage, and transportation of hazardous wastes in the State of Colorado. The Commission’s responsibilities include: promulgating and adopting rules pertaining to solid and hazardous waste; establishing fees; and issuing interpretive rules and appeals of administrative law judge determinations regarding administrative penalties for hazardous waste violations. The Commission ensures state hazardous waste rules are consistent with the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) requirements and has the authority to adopt rules more stringent than federal requirements as well as listing or defining wastes as hazardous which are not regulated under federal rules.
Jim counsels energy and natural resource clients on permitting, compliance, and environmental enforcement matters. Clients benefit from Jim’s extensive experience permitting complex projects in the Mountain West involving complicated environmental issues. Jim provides sophisticated guidance to clients with solid and hazardous waste operations on a variety of matters including project siting, permitting, operation, and remediation of commercial waste management facilities. He advises industrial and commercial clients on the sale and acquisition of environmentally challenged properties to protect their investments and minimize and mitigate liabilities. Jim has helped multiple jurisdictions establish voluntary brownfields and clean-up initiatives throughout the country.
For more details, please see the Office of the Governor’s press release.