House Passes Bill to Reduce Plastic Pollution in Waterways and Streams

DENVER, CO – The House today passed the Plastic Pellet-Free Waters Act, legislation that will protect Colorado’s waterways and wildlife from plastic pellet pollution. SB26-016 passed the House by a vote of 41-18. 

“Not only are plastic pellets bad for our health, but they can majorly disrupt Colorado’s freshwaters and ecosystems,” said Rep. Lesley Smith, D-Boulder. “Under this bill, facilities would no longer be issued permits to discharge small, plastic pellets into our waterways or natural lands. Fish and zooplankton can ingest microplastics mistakenly as food, which can cause significant harm to our food chain. This bill prevents microplastic pollution and safeguards Colorado’s freshwater.” 

“Plastic can take up to 1,000 years to break down, and we need to protect Colorado’s ecosystems and waterways from harmful materials,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “Once plastic pellets are spilled, they’re very difficult to clean up, and this bill stops plastic pellets from being discharged into our waterways in the first place. Our bill puts our rural economies first by putting an end to plastic pellet discharge permits so we can better protect the fish and wildlife that call our waterways home.” 

SB26-016, also known as the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act, would prohibit facilities that use, make, package or transport plastic pellets or preproduction plastic materials from discharging them into Colorado waterways and on land. Under current law, facilities can obtain a permit to discharge plastic pellets. Permits would no longer be issued under SB26-016, meaning all facilities would be prohibited from discharging plastic pellets into waterways or on land. These pellets are often discharged during production or transport and can take up to 1000 years to break down. 

Of the waterways tested by the Environment Colorado Research & Policy Center in 2023, microplastics were identified in 100-percent of the samples. Zooplankton and fish often ingest plastic pellets by mistake, which can disrupt food chains.