Regional Transportation Authority Study Fuels Discussion | |
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The release of the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) study this month spurred important discussions among governmental officials across Routt and Moffat counties on regional transit authority membership, services and funding options.
From a climate perspective, transportation was the second highest source of carbon emissions identified in the Routt County Climate Action Plan, so improvements in regional service routes and infrastructure are key to meeting the county’s carbon reduction goals.
According to the study, 74% of Routt County residents travel between 15 and 24 minutes on average to get to work. CPR News reported an estimated 800 a day commute from Hayden into Steamboat and another 2,700 from Craig.
The plan includes recommendations for expanded service between Craig and Steamboat, more routes in Craig, service to the Yampa Valley Regional Airport and Steamboat II, and some limited service to South Routt. The plan also looked at expanding the Yampa River Core Trail more regionally, safety-related improvements and support for passenger rail.
While there is general government support for the creation of a RTA, the decision to move forward with membership and funding mechanisms to support development and operations will ultimately come down to a ballot initiative for voter approval. Funding options include ride fares and sales, motor vehicle, visitor benefit and property taxes. A lift tax likely supported by Steamboat Resort could also help fund the RTA.
To get the RTA on the ballot by November will require public engagement efforts to inform the public and receive community input. Governments interested in participating must also sign an intergovernmental agreement that commits funding for public outreach – a likely next step for Routt County, the city and the town of Hayden.
To learn more about what the RTA means to you, our climate and the region, register for Yampa Valley Sustainability Council's next Community Meeting on Wednesday, April 17 1-2 p.m. for a virtual RTA overview discussion.
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Each month we highlight climate wins, news items and actions you can take across the CAP's five sectors. Celebrating our successes and steps taken will help us move the CAP forward together as a community. If you have a climate win or action you would like to share, please email info@routtclimateaction.com. | |
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Climate News
$18M TO FUND CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE IN NORTHWEST COLORADO
The United States Department of Energy is putting up $18 million to support Northwest Colorado’s progress toward a clean energy future. The money is earmarked to create tailored community-wide action plans that reduce local air pollution, increase energy resilience, lower utility costs and energy burdens, and create good paying jobs.
The money will help support rural communities that are historically dependent on the coal industry create new jobs and new streams of economic development for their communities.
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Climate Win
SAVE ENERGY, MONEY WITH NEW TAX CREDITS
Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, making energy efficiency updates throughout your home is getting more affordable and attainable. This is especially good news for Routt County, as buildings are responsible for 54% of our total greenhouse gas emissions locally.
Taking steps like getting new windows, improving insulation and updating an old water heater for a new heat pump system can work wonders for the environment and your wallet. There are federal and state tax credits available to make a whole range of updates to your home. Check out the link below for an easy guide of what credits to use and when.
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Action You Can Take
ENERGY ASSESSMENTS CAN SAVE YOU MONEY AND ENERGY - SIGN UP NOW!
Yampa Valley Sustainability Council (YVSC) and Energy Smart Colorado are offering home energy assessments that help home and business owners better understand the energy efficiency and safety features of their buildings.
Assessments include a baseline analysis of the past year of energy consumption, a visual inspection of building features, thermal scans, energy efficiency recommendations and more.
Pricing for energy assessments varies based on the home size and its location, with the goal being that the assessments are as affordable as possible for residents. Learn more in the Pilot's Talking Green column.
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A thermal camera helps to identify energy savings opportunities from a residential energy assessment. | |
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Climate Win
COLORADO TREE COALITION AWARDS $4,500 TO CITY
Everyone loves trees, and more of them are great for human health and the environment. The Colorado Tree Coalition has awarded $4,500 to the City of Steamboat Springs for the second consecutive year.
The City will use the money to plant 50 new container trees, including maples, serviceberries, oak and elm trees throughout local parks and other public spaces. A win for a CAP Land Use recommendation to plant more trees in urban areas.
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Climate News
COUNTY PROTECTS COMMUNITY WITH REFRESHED WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN
The Routt County Wildfire Mitigation Council is working with local partners to ensure that the community is protected from the dangers of wildfire as the climate continues to get hotter and drier. The new Community Wildfire Protection Plan, released in 2023, proposes over 170 wildfire mitigation projects meant to keep the community safe.
Community members are invited to attend one of four regional community outreach meetings in May to learn how to get engaged in local mitigation efforts. Stay informed.
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Action You Can Take
SHARE YOUR VOICE ON LOCAL LAND USE REGULATIONS
Routt County is in the process of revising its subdivision and zoning regulations that could impact future development in areas like Stagecoach, Hayden and West Steamboat. In addition to growth plans, the new regulations will cover topics like waterbody and wetland setbacks, floodplain regulations, protection of important habitats, landscaping guidelines for water conservation and wildfire protection, and requirements for open space.
The county plans to release the draft recommendations April 4, and will be accepting public input on the subject during public listening sessions at 4 p.m. April 18 and 25 at the old Routt County Courthouse. The community is encouraged to attend and share opinions on the draft recommendations.
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ATTEND 2024 UPPER YAMPA STATE OF THE RIVER EVENT
Date: April 3, 6-8 p.m. (today!)
Location: Steamboat Springs Community Center, 1605 Lincoln Avenue, Steamboat Springs
Enjoy a free dinner and learn from representatives from the Colorado River District and local partner organizations about river forecasts, local water projects and western water issues. The evening will include a presentation from the City's Water Resources Manager Julie Baxter on the results of the Yampa River Forest Restoration Project and YVSC will be hosting a table to answer questions about this important local reforestation project.
The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
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Climate Win
$1M TO EXTEND YAMPA RIVER CORE TRAIL AND CONSTRUCT TUNNEL PATHWAY
Steamboat’s goals for improved bike commute and recreation options received a boost thanks to a $1 million appropriation out of the U.S. Senate to extend the Yampa River Core Trail west to Sleepy Bear Mobile Home Park. The funding will also allow for the creation of a tunnel pathway under Highway 40 from east of the Sleepy Bear neighborhood entrance to the Overlook Park subdivision.
The 0.65-mile trail extension should be complete by September 2025 with tunnel work slated to start in 2025 and completed by 2026. By providing better biking options, particularly for commuters, the city is getting cars off the road and reducing individual vehicle miles traveled. This is not only good climate news, but an important safety improvement for many residents of Sleepy Bear.
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Climate News
PAUL BONY APPOINTED TO COLORADO'S COMMUNITY ACCESS ENTERPRISE BOARD
YVSC’s Energy and Transportation Director Paul Bony was recently appointed to Colorado's Community Access Enterprise board. The Community Access Enterprise, put into place following the signing of Senate Bill 21-260 in 2021, supports the widespread adoption of electric motor vehicles, equitably invests in transportation infrastructure, and incentivizes the acquisition and use of electric motor vehicles and electric alternatives to motor vehicles.
Over the first decade, the Community Access Enterprise is expected to receive approximately $310 million to support electric vehicle (EV) charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure and low and moderate income adoption of EVs and electric bicycles.
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Action You Can Take
NEW EV TAX CREDITS AND GRANTS AVAILABLE
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1) E-bike tax credits - Residents can take advantage of a statewide e-bike tax credit starting April 1, offering a $450 discount at the point of sale.
2) Colorado Fleet Zero-Emission Resource Opportunity grants - Funding available for private, public and nonprofit groups to update their vehicle fleet to be all-electric and for charging support.
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TEST DRIVE AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE
As part of the City's efforts to implement its EV Readiness Plan, the City is co-hosting two EV events Sunday May 5 with the Yampa Valley Sustainability Council, Yampa Valley Electric Association and Clean Energy Economy for the Region. The events support a CAP goal to increase EV adoption to 20% of registered vehicles by 2030.
1) EV 101 Workshop
Come learn about the basics of EVs, how they work in our cold climate, charging infrastructure, and rebates.
Time: 9:00-10:00 a.m.
Location: Howelsen Hill Ice Arena
Contact: Conner Byrnes (conner@yvsc.org)
2) EV Ride and Drive
Experience electric vehicles from the inside! Test drive a variety of EV car models and learn about the benefits of EVs, such as reduced emissions and lower operating costs.
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Howelsen Hill Rodeo Grounds
Register in advance to secure your 10-minute test drive session. Please visit the city's website: steamboatsprings.net/EV for more information.
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Climate News
EFFORTS CONTINUE AROUND COMMERCIAL RECYCLING ORDINANCE
The City of Steamboat Springs is keeping track of recycling and landfill metrics in an effort to understand how effective a commercial recycling ordinance, passed last March, has been so far.
Landfill diversion rates remain at a steady 14%, far from the CAP goals of 46% by 2030 and 85% by 2050. Despite this, the City has measured a slight decrease in total waste generation.
So far, the compliance rate for the recycling ordinance, which requires non-residential customers to have a recycling service capacity equal to 50% of their trash service, sits around 57%. The City continues to work with business owners to spread the word about the ordinance and address concerns about space limitations.
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Action You Can Take
WASTE REDUCTION TIP: DIVERT DON'T DUMP
Before you toss something in the trash, take a moment to think about how you can give that item a second life. Our community offers a number of drop-off facilities to consider before sending unwanted goods to the landfill. The City of Steamboat Springs recommends:
For more information on where to dispose of certain items, download the Yampa Valley Recycles app on your smartphone.
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Yampa Valley Recycles Depot is open Wednesdays and Fridays 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. | |
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Climate News
BUSINESS COMMUNITY GATHERS FOR SECOND BUSINESS LEADERSHIP FOR CLIMATE WORKSHOP
About 20 members of the local business and nonprofit community gathered Wednesday to learn more about how they can be stewards of the environment through participation in the Colorado Green Business Network of the Yampa Valley.
The program offers free, technical assistance and marketable recognition for businesses looking to reach their sustainability goals.
The workshop, the second in a series of four learning sessions, focused on the benefits of state-level recognition and how to earn points for recognition.
Learn more:
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Action You Can Take
CONNECT WITH YAMPA VALLEY GREEN BUSINESS TEAM
Connect with your local technical experts to learn more about how the green business program can help your business or organization lower your impact and grow your wallet.
Green Business Office Hours
Dates: Last Wednesday of the month
Time: 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Location: Bud Werner Memorial Library Coffee Bar
No RSVP is needed, just drop by, grab a FREE coffee and a snack and ask any questions.
Lunch and Learns
Businesses and organizations with 5+ employees can schedule a free 'lunch and learn' to meet with the CGBN-YV team.
Can't make these? Email Ashley Dean (ashley@yvsc.org) with questions.
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Attendees at the March 27 'Business Leadership for Climate' workshop luncheon. | | |
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We’d love your help getting the word out about the CAP Collaborative. Please share this newsletter with your friends and encourage them to sign up to stay informed. Continue the conversation on Facebook and Instagram, and email us at info@routtclimateaction.com. | | | | | |
