. Envisioning a Colorado Climate Indicators Platform

Abstract
Local climate change indicators can inform policy decisions, educate the public, and bring awareness to the realities and impacts of climate change. A climate change indicator should be scientifically defensible, supported by a mid- to long-term data record, easily understood by non-technical audiences, and relevant to a defined user-community. Organized climate indicators exist nationally and sometimes regionally (e.g., for the Arctic region), but an organized and accessible collection of climate indicators for the state of Colorado does not currently exist. For example, indicators for Colorado could include: the rate and burned-acreage of wildfires, warming temperatures, snowpack and drought statistics, and the start and end dates of wildflower seasons as indicators of seasonality. Compiling different climate indicators and communicating the underlying science could also serve as the catalyst for organizing and networking Colorado scientists. Creating a network devoted to communicating science to non-technical audiences may spur more applied research that is state-focused and help bridge the gap between scientists and policymakers. This poster will present a justification and vision for a collection of Colorado climate indicators, share example datasets and existing indicators, and discuss the broader value of creating a network of engaged scientists to develop this resource.