By Cole Cardona

At Colorado State University, Trump’s recent election win has left many students, including student Ryan Durbin, feeling a mix of worry and determination.

“I wasn’t totally shocked, but it’s still disappointing to see so many of my own generation moving toward far-right values,” Durbin said.

Like many of his peers, he had hoped for a shift that prioritized climate action, and he’s now concerned about the potential impact on environmental policies and social progress.

Durbin said he’d noticed a conservative trend among some classmates, but the scale of support for Trump among Gen Z came as a wake-up call.

“I don’t think we fully realize how divided our generation is, or how serious people are about these issues,” Durbin said. “It’s concerning because it’s not just about political leanings; it’s about values like environmental protection that affect all of us.”

For Durbin, the most immediate worry is the potential rollback of environmental protections.

“We’ve seen a lot of progress in Colorado with renewable energy, and people here are serious about tackling climate change,” he said. “But with Trump in office, there’s a risk of federal pushback on policies that are crucial to our state’s future.”

Colorado has long been a leader in progressive climate initiatives, with policies aimed at reducing emissions and increasing renewable energy use.

In Fort Collins, for example, the Our Climate Future guide, produced by the city, sets ambitious targets for 2030: an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, 100% renewable electricity, and achieving zero waste. Federal resistance to such goals could severely limit funding and state support for these sustainability projects.

Durbin and other environmentally minded students worry that federal shifts could impede local efforts, impacting future job prospects in environmental sectors and stalling essential climate work. He hopes that his peers, even those with differing political views, can unite around issues like climate action.

“At the end of the day, we’re all going to feel the impact of these policies,” he said. “I just hope more people can see that this isn’t about parties; it’s about our future.”

Photo Credit: Decumanus at English Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 3.0