Democrats and environmental justice advocates Thursday unveiled an ambitious package of ozone-fighting bills that would “pause” oil and gas drilling in summer months, set caps on miles driven in gasoline-powered cars and increase pollution fines for “repeat offenders” like the Suncor refinery.

A bill with some similar ozone-fighting provisions was gutted in the 2023 legislative session, but advocates say an interim legislative committee since then has landed broader buy-in at the Capitol for tough ozone measures. Consent from Gov. Jared Polis’ administration is also key to any air quality bills advancing.

“This is the time,” Rep. Jennifer Bacon said during a spirited Capitol press conference with a wide coalition of sponsoring legislators and community groups. “Colorado is demanding that breathing not be dangerous.”

Oil and gas interests immediately signaled a battle, renewing their claims that regulations passed in recent years will make a big dent in ozone components in coming years. Trade groups say environmental advocates want to end all oil and gas activity, which oil and gas officials argue is key to the Colorado economy. A bill was introduced earlier this month that would back a ban on all new oil drilling after 2030, though it has been assigned to an unfriendly committee in the state Senate and is not backed by the same broad environmental coalition.

Capitol Republicans also vowed to fight the ozone measures.

“This is the time,” Rep. Jennifer Bacon said during a spirited Capitol press conference with a wide coalition of sponsoring legislators and community groups. “Colorado is demanding that breathing not be dangerous.”