LCV is taking part in 18 campaigns around the country this election cycle, but the Colorado Senate race ranks as its largest single expenditure this year with plans to spend between $600,000 to $800,000 on a voter education drive and television commercials. [LCV] views Allard's support for "non-controversial" wilderness bills as simply a "fig leaf" to hide a poor voting record, said Andy Schultheiss, the LCV regional director for the Southwestern states who is based in Boulder.

"His votes on clean air and water are the worst in Colorado history," Schultheiss said. "Environmental issues require leadership and tough votes. Time after time, he votes against those tough votes."

Since Allard first arrived in Washington as a House member in 1992, LCV has ranked his voting record near the bottom and given him a career average of 9 percent out of a possible 100. Members of Congress finished this year with a 47 percent average score in the House and a 43 percent average in the Senate. LCV takes issue with Allard opposing legislation that would adopt stricter standards on arsenic in drinking water, allow the Environmental Protection Agency to clean up hazardous chemicals in rivers, impose stronger fuel efficiency in cars and trucks, boost available funding for toxic superfund sites, and push hardrock mining reform.

LCV's board of directors is stacked with representatives from some of the largest and most visible environmental organizations in the country, including the Natural Resources Defense Council, National Parks Conservation Association, Wilderness Society, and Sierra Club.

LCV regularly singles out Republicans for its "Dirty Dozen" congressional races. In the past four elections, only five Democrats have made it on LCV's target list, leaving the remaining 43 all Republicans.  LCV's favoring of Democrats draws fire from critics who say the group plays politics by choosing vulnerable candidates facing re-election. Still, LCV spokesman Dan Vicuna said that Democrats are also targeted and that the group must pick its battles widely. "It's just the way the numbers have fallen," he said, "We consider where we can make a difference and move voters."

[Excerpt - States News]