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Colorado Environmentalists Defending Gains Under Democrats

DENVER (AP) -- Colorado environmental groups say they're focusing their efforts on jobs and the economy this year.

The executive director of the Colorado Environmental Coalition, Elise Jones, says the goals this year are to reduce energy waste and promote recycling, clean air and clean water.

They also will be defending the gains they made over the past four years under Democrats, including the Clean Air Clean Jobs Act.

Xcel Energy, the state's largest utility, plans to switch some of its coal-fired power plants to run on natural gas because of the new law.

Gov. John Hickenlooper has said he wants to protect the environment while at the same time create new jobs.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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