September 2016


Cold nights, warm days, aspens turning, and town is starting to get quiet--must be fall in Steamboat! And for me, that means back to school and planning for YVSC's many fall events. In the schools, the students are starting off the year right--with beautiful new compost bins going into every classroom in the elementary schools thanks to a grant from YVEA's Operation Round Up. These bins can be used by the teachers and students for daily snacks or in conjunction with reusable party kits to make classroom parties Zero Waste.

And, now that my own kids are back in school, I have started to buckle down and work with staff to plan the many events we have coming up this fall--September Talking Green, Community Recycling Drop-Off, ReTree Steamboat, Building Code Trainings, and the Green Building Tour. So read on, mark your calendars, and start cleaning out your homes and garages for the drop-off!


Happy Fall!

Sarah B. Jones
Executive Director
Talking Green
Renewable Energy: The energy (r)evolution has begun

Tuesday, Sept. 27
5:30 - 7 p.m. (social networking 5:30-6 p.m., program 6-7 p.m.)
Butcherknife Brewing Company 

Speaker:  Paul Komor, United Nations renewable energy advisor, 2007 Nobel Peace Prize contributor and CU Boulder adjunct faculty in Environmental Studies

Light hors d'oeuvres and beer sponsored by Clean Energy Col lective, who will provide an update on the community solar array in Craig.

Paul Komor will present on how and why the energy system is changing and the latest data on energy trends and technologies. He'll also lead a discussion of future energy trends, risks and opportunities.  

Thank you to our Talking Green sponsors!

Food and beer sponsor


Zero Waste Events 2016: Making waste-free  events the norm in our community!

With the Zero Waste season coming to a close, we would like to thank all of our volunteers and sponsors! So far this summer we have diverted 10,000 gallons of waste from the landfill, and we aren't done yet.

We still have several weekends of events left and would appreciate your help to finish the season strong. Zero Waste events are a fun way to enjoy events and socialize while you make a difference in our community. Plus, you get a free Zero Hero T-shirt and pool pass!

Shifts are available for the following events:
Saturday, Sept. 17 - OktoberWest & Farmers Market
Saturday, Oct. 1 - Community Recycling Drop-off

Sign-up online or email Cameron, cameron@yvsc.org

Thank you to our 2016 Zero Waste Sponsors!














Community Recycling Drop-Off

Saturday, October 1
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Meadows Parking Lot
Mt. Werner Rd./Pine Grove Rd.

YVSC's comprehensive Community Recycling Drop-Off has become a fall ritual for residents to clean out their garages and recycle their hard-to-recycle materials, household hazardous waste and traditional recyclables. At this annual one-stop-drop event, you can recycle everything from electronics to old skis.

NEW this year:
We will be accepting mattresses for recycling NOT the landfill! Learn more about Spring Back Colorado Mattress Recycling and their deconstruction/recycling process.

While many items are accepted for free, there are fees for some items. 
Cash and check ONLY! Residential recycling only. No commercial drop-offs.


> Lots of volunteers are needed to make this annual community event happen. Sign-up online now for a two-hour shift
Planning and Completing Successful Construction 
Projects under 2015 Building Codes
FREE Training for Construction Professionals:  Oct. 4-5

Residential Construction Training
Tuesday October 4
8 a.m. to noon or 1 - 5 p.m.
CMC Auditorium

Commercial Construction Training
Wednesday, October 5
8 a.m. to noon
CMC Auditorium

YVSC continues to partner with the Routt County Regional Building Department to provide important free trainings to construction professionals as the department moves toward adoption of the 2015 building and energy codes on Jan. 1, 2017. This class will be taught by well-respected trainer Shaunna Mozingo from Colorado Codes Consulting with funding from the Colorado Energy Office. The is the final countywide comprehensive training planned.

Eventbrite - Construction Professionals: FREE Codes Workshop Oct. 4-5

> For questions email suzie@yvsc.org.
ReTree Steamboat 2016: Become part of this Community 
Tree-Planting Tradition!

Community Planting Event
Artwork courtesy of Jill Bergman
Saturday, October 8
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Chuck Lewis State Wildlife Area

Our 7th annual tree planting day is almost here! Mark your calendar and sign up to help plant willows and alders along the Yampa River at Chuck Lewis State Wildlife area on October 8. 

Lunch and T-shirts will be provided to all volunteers. This year's original T-shirt artwork was created by Jill Bergman. Thank you, Jill!


Sign up to volunteer online. 
Save the date!
9th Annual Green Building Tour

Susan Crites home
Sunday, October 23
12:30 - 4 p.m.
Meet at the Steamboat Springs Middle School
Cost: $15

The 9th annual Green Building Tour will focus on three sustainably built homes in Steamboat Springs including a certified passive  house under construction; a modern, compact three-story energy efficient home; and an energy efficient rebuild in Old Town. The Tour will start and finish at the middle school with transportation to all homes provided as part of your ticket.

Eventbrite - 9th Annual Green Building Tour

> YVSC is seeking sponsors for the Green Building Tour. Click here for the 2016 Green Building sponsorship packet. 
Make our community more sustainable

Keep the momentum of all these sustainability events going by supporting YVSC with a tax-deductible donation today!
Did you know...

4 billion plastic bags enter the landfill each year. Enough to wrap around the earth 63 times. 
Source: Washington Post

Don't forget your reusable bags when you shop!
Upcoming Events
5:30-7 p.m. (social networking 5:30-6 p.m., program 6-7 p.m.)
Butcherknife Brewing Company
Steamboat Springs, CO

Saturday, Oct. 1
9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Meadows Parking Lot
Steamboat Springs, CO

Tuesday, Oct. 4, 8 a.m.-noon or 1-5 p.m. (residential)
Wednesday, Oct. 5,  8 a.m. - noon, (commercial)
CMC auditorium
Steamboat Springs, CO


Sunday, Oct. 23
12:30-4 p.m.
Meet at Steamboat Springs Middle School
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Yampa Valley Sustainability Council | 
info@yvsc.org | PO Box 881461, Steamboat Springs, CO 80488 |