Put Your Travel Miles to Work for Climate in the Yampa Valley | |
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Spring break season is here, which means strong local excitement for vacations filled with sunshine and adventure. Whether lounging on tropical beaches or exploring vibrant cities, there’s plenty of opportunity to make sure your family’s bit of respite doesn’t cause undue harm to the places we love.
Through a partnership with Yampa Valley Regional Airport and The Good Traveler program, spring breakers now have an easy, affordable way to mitigate the negative effects of carbon emissions from their air travel.
Through the program, travelers can donate an amount of money that’s calculated based on the number of miles traveled. To support LOCAL carbon reduction projects, travelers can elect to donate to the Routt County Climate Action Plan Fund (housed at the Yampa Valley Community Foundation), and help fund projects like tree-planting and riparian habitat restoration.
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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
CO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION DIRECTS XCEL TO RECOGNIZE LOW-CARBON FUTURE
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission recently decided to add requirements to Xcel Energy’s Gas Infrastructure Plan. The decision requires the company to consider options for downsizing the use of fossil fuels in favor of alternatives like electrification, energy efficiency upgrades and other emissions reductions.
The move comes following a 2021 decision to require gas companies to file infrastructure plans so that the state can better see how these plans align with its climate goals.
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NORTHWEST COLORADO ENERGY INITIATIVE SEEKS INPUT ON TRANSITION TO A CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY
Residents of Northwest Colorado are encouraged to complete an online survey to help support a regional discussion about energy transition alternatives. The survey is available through May 15.
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Action You Can Take
INTERESTED IN SOLAR? JOIN SOLAR UNITED NEIGHBORS
Better deals and better plans come when we work — and buy — together. That’s why Routt County and the City of Steamboat Springs have partnered with Solar United Neighbors to create the Northwest Colorado Solar Co-op.
The group, open to residents of Routt, Moffat and Rio Blanco Counties, connects
members with solar energy professionals who help the group shop and find the best deals for solar power in that region. You don’t have to commit to buying solar to be a part of the co-op — you just have to want to learn more about solar opportunities alongside your neighbors! Register online by June 30.
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ATTEND U.S. HEAT PUMP SUMMIT
Contractors are invited to level up their sales, designs, and installations to high performance building standards at the May 28-29 U.S. Heat Pump Summit, hosted in association with the Eneref Institute's Heat Pump Alliance.
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The Colorado Green Business Network of the Yampa Valley team inspects a newly installed heat pump at LiftUp of Routt County. The heat pump will increase energy efficiency and cost savings for the organization. | |
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Climate Win
HAYDEN ARBOR DAY
The town of Hayden celebrated its inaugural Arbor Day April 26 after an official designation by the Town Council.
With help from SavATree, Maple Creek Landscapes, Native Ecosystems and enthusiastic volunteers young and old, trees were planted across town. Hayden's 6th grade class particularly enjoyed the opportunity to pitch in and get their hands dirty.
The Town of Hayden has been a designated Tree City USA for 20 years in recognition of its commitment to growing its urban canopy.
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Action You Can Take
ATTEND A COMMUNITY WILDFIRE MEETING
In a recent Pilot column, Yampa Valley Sustainability Council Forest Resilience Projects Manager Dakota Dolan writes that “The secret ingredient to a successful wildfire recovery is building awareness about wildfire risk among the community, and being proactive in considering post-fire conditions before a wildfire occurs.”
Dolan explains that we live in a high fire risk area, but there’s good news: There’s lots of actions our community can take now to protect against future wildfires. The catch — it takes us all working together!
Attend an upcoming meeting on our community’s wildfire protection plan in your area to get engaged in local mitigation efforts.
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Action You Can Take
WEIGH IN ON UPDATED COUNTY LAND USE REGULATIONS
Your voice matters when it comes to future development in Routt County. The county released its latest draft of subdivision and zoning regulations in the beginning of April and hosted two public listening sessions.
There is still time to submit a public comment and/or attend a public hearing to consider adoption of final draft language on May 16.
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COLLABORATE FOR THE CLIMATE AT YAMPA BASIN RENDEZVOUS
Date: May 29-30, 2024
Location: Allbright Auditorium, Colorado Mountain College, Steamboat Springs
Water is important to everyone, and in the West, it can get complicated. That’s why the community is holding its seventh-annual Yampa Basin Rendezvous, titled Connecting the Drops: Linking Weather, Watersheds, and Communities for a Resilient Water Future.
The conference will include morning talks by expert panelists and practitioners, lunch, afternoon field learning, and an evening community showcase and happy hour event. Join if you are a community member, landowner, water and natural resource professional, student, or water-dependent business. The more people we get involved in the water conversation, the better we can take care of our land so we’re all healthier and happier.
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SavATree staff alongside member's of Hayden's 6th grade class as part of the town's Arbor Day celebration. Photo credit: SavATree/Brian Erhart. | |
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Climate News
COLORADO ENERGY OFFICE OFFERS VEHICLE TRADE-IN PROGRAM
Colorado Energy Office added another option to the table for low-income residents to buy electric vehicles (EVs). Anyone who has an income that is 80% or below the area median income is eligible to trade in their current vehicle and get between $4,000 and $6,000 to put toward an EV, depending on whether the vehicle they purchase is new or used. Used vehicles must be drivable and be at least 12 years old to be eligible.
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Climate News
OAK CREEK TO JOIN RTA CONVERSATION
In a first step toward bringing reliable public transportation to South Routt County, the Town of Oak Creek has voted to join the area’s Regional Transportation Authority (RTA). Alongside communities like the City of Craig, the City of Steamboat Springs, the Town of Hayden, Routt County and Steamboat Resort, Oak Creek officials will work to consider ways that our region can improve public transportation options for the community.
In Oak Creek, this will mean collecting feedback from residents and researching the effectiveness of a bus system that could potentially service Oak Creek, Yampa, Phippsburg and Stagecoach. In a town where 9% of the population doesn’t have a vehicle and the area median income is $60,833, an RTA could have a significant impact on helping people commute while also fulfilling the CAP goal to bring an RTA to the community.
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Action You Can Take
LEARN ALL THINGS EV AT MAY 5 WORKSHOP AND RIDE & DRIVE
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 Yampa Valley Sustainability Council, Yampa Valley Electric Association and Clean Energy Economy for the Region.
1) EV 101 Workshop
Come learn about the basics of EVs, how they work in our cold climate, charging infrastructure, and rebates. Please register here.
Time: 9:00-10:00 a.m.
Location: Howelsen Ice Arena meeting room
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.
| If you own an electric vehicle, we need your help! We’re looking for local EV enthusiasts to join our EV Ambassador group and bring their EVs (car, bike, and more!) to show at the Ride and Drive. Email Conner Byrnes at conner@yvsc.org to learn more. | |
Ford F-150 Lightning ready for a test drive at last May's EV Ride & Drive. | |
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Climate Win
FREE RECYCLING COMING TO COLORADO IN 2026
A new statewide Extended Producer Responsibility program is coming to Colorado, and will provide free recycling access throughout the state. The program will place fees on product manufacturers based on the types of packaging used for their products. This will encourage producers to use less impactful materials, as more recyclable packaging will incur fewer fees than their non-recyclable counterparts.
CAP Waste Working Group members, Winn Cowman and City Council President Gail Garey, played an influential role supporting the new program. With more responsibility placed on producers and more funding going toward making recycling more accessible and equitable, Colorado is on a path to reduce the amount of waste that gets put in the landfill.
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Action You Can Take
WASTE DROP OFF AND CLEAN UP EVENTS
Hayden Clean Up Day - May 11
Keep your spring cleaning clean by ensuring your waste ends up in the safest place for people and the environment. Residents can drop off items from recycling to car tires, tree trimmings, car batteries and more.
Time: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Location: Dry Creek Park parking lot
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Routt County Clean Up Day - May 18
Routt County community members are once again gathering to pick up trash along road and waterways that’s been left from the winter. Participants should register ahead of time and bring gloves, walking shoes and water.
While supplies last, volunteers will receive a $15 gift card to The Commons Food Hall for their participation.
Time: 8 a.m. - noon
Location: Routt County Community Room
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Climate Wins
YAMPA VALLEY GREEN BUSINESSES DOING GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY
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SavATree: Steamboat
Bronze-certified green business member SavATree contributed their hands, knowledge and trees to make Hayden's inaugural Arbor Day a great success.
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LiftUp of Routt County
As we head into springtime in the Yampa Valley, many are making preparations for their summer gardens. New green business member LiftUp of Routt County encourages gardeners to 'Grow a Row'. Consider growing an additional row and donating your extra produce to LiftUp's food pantry. For more details, please email foodbank@liftuprc.org.
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Action You Can Take
LEARN ABOUT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE NOW FOR YAMPA VALLEY GREEN BUSINESSES
Learn how the Colorado Green Business Network of the Yampa Valley can provide free support to connect your business with state and federal resources to start you down your sustainability path.
Lunch provided by Skull Creek Greek!
Date: Wednesday, May 29, noon to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Routt County Health and Human Services Community Room
The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
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GREEN BUSINESS OFFICE HOURS
Stop by, grab a FREE coffee and a snack and bring your questions to your local green business team. No RSVP is needed.
Dates: Last Wednesday of the month
Time: 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Location: Bud Werner Memorial Library Cafe
LUNCH AND LEARNS
Businesses and organizations with 5+ employees can schedule a free 'Lunch and Learn' to meet with the CGBN-YV team. Contact Ashley Dean (ashley@yvsc.org) to learn more.
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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. | | | | | |
