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Routt County Climate Action Plan
Collaborative Reflects on a Year of Impact
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The Routt County Climate Action Plan Collaborative 2022/23 Annual Report celebrates a year of progress toward a more climate resilient future. Over the past year, local community experts have dedicated 1,400 hours of their time to develop 40 high-impact, actionable steps that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Yampa Valley.
The report highlights successes that have been made toward climate goals across five key sectors - energy, transportation, waste, land use and economy. Moving into 2024, it is now in the hands of Routt County, the Towns of Hayden, Oak Creek and Yampa, and the City of Steamboat Springs to implement these recommendations with the help and oversight of the CAP Collaborative Board and Working Groups.
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Getting to Know the Collaborative - Sarah Jones
Sarah Jones, Director of Social Responsibility at Steamboat Ski and Resort Corporation, has been an integral member of the CAP Collaborative since its inception. She was part of the project management team that oversaw the initial Routt County Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and drafting of the Routt County Climate Action Plan.
She now serves as one of four at-large community members and Treasurer of the CAP Collaborative Board. She also Chairs the CAP Transportation Working Group and participates in the CAP Economy Working Group. These experiences provide a comprehensive perspective on the evolution of the CAP Collaborative which she shares in this month's 'Getting to Know the Collaborative' column.
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Each month we highlight a climate win/news item and action 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 Win
YVHA RECEIVES $5M GEOTHERMAL GRANT FOR BROWN RANCH
The Colorado Department of Local Affairs awarded the Yampa Valley Housing Authority a $5 million grant to install a geothermal energy system at Brown Ranch. The decision lays the groundwork for sustainable development in Routt County, where the top source of harmful carbon emissions is energy use in buildings.
YVHA went through a thorough analysis to determine a geothermal grid is the best way to deliver reliable heating and cooling to Brown Ranch homes.
The geothermal system is expected to decrease energy use at Brown Ranch by 52% and lower energy bills by 47%, according to a press release from YVHA.
“YVHA takes very seriously its responsibility to build housing that minimizes carbon emissions to the greatest extent possible,” said Executive Director Jason Peasley.
“The Brown Ranch geothermal system is an incredible opportunity to move the needle on the top two principles guiding development at Brown Ranch: affordability and sustainability. We are grateful to the State of Colorado for investing in the infrastructure to make this project possible.”
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Action You Can Take
IMPROVE BUSINESS ENERGY EFFICIENCY WITH A DISCOUNTED ASSESSMENT
Local businesses can obtain a deeply discounted energy assessment through a partnership with YVSC and Energy Smart Colorado. Pay just $375 (up to 50,000 square feet) for an audit valued at $1,500 and receive a comprehensive energy report that can position you for state and federal funding opportunities. Support is also available for business fleet and workplace charging.
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LEARN, COMMENT ON COLORADO'S CLIMATE PLAN AT LOCAL WORKSHOP
The State of Colorado is updating its climate plan, including a new set of near-term actions it is committing to take over the next five years. Join State officials as they update residents on this process and gather feedback on local concerns and priorities. The roadmap will be finalized in early 2024.
Date: Wednesday, December 6
Time: 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: The Pavilion, 750 E. 4th St., Craig
Food, childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Register using the link below or text 720-900-1784.
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A rendering of Yampa Valley Housing Authority's Brown Ranch development. Photo courtesy: YVHA. | |
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Climate News
ROUTT COUNTY RELEASES UPDATED COMMUNITY WILDLIFE PROTECTION PLAN
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Routt County has completed its 2023 Community Wildfire Protection Plan in collaboration with Colorado State Forest Service, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, Oak Creek Fire Protection District, U.S. Forest Service and Routt County Wildfire Mitigation Council.
The plan includes an assessment of current land conditions and offers long-term fire mitigation strategies meant to keep the community safe for generations to come.
Some of these strategies include forest management and restoration, fuels treatment, education and outreach activities, critical infrastructure projects, strategic partnerships and improvements to public safety.
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Climate Win
ROUTT COUNTY UTILITY-SCALE SOLAR SITING REGULATIONS APPROVED
Routt County is in the process of updating its Zoning Code and Subdivision Regulations. Several of the recommendations from the CAP Land Use Working Group are related to provisions in the code that could help protect natural resources in the County in ways that will ameliorate the impacts of climate change in the County.
The first module of updates was approved by the County Commissioners at the end of October. It included new permitting regulations for utility-scale solar installations. Several large-scale solar installations are likely in the County in coming years. While these installations will be critical for meeting Colorado's commitments for clean energy, they also have the potential, if sited improperly, to convert natural areas in ways that reduce their value for carbon sequestration and as wildlife habitat.
The new regulations adopted by the County include strong provisions for vegetation preservation and reclamation as well as for protecting sensitive wildlife species and their habitats.
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Action You Can Take
JOIN HEARING ON ROUTT COUNTY LAND USE CODE UPDATES
The second module of the Zoning Code and Subdivision Regulations is under development and a draft will be discussed during a joint hearing including the Routt County Board of County Commissioners, Planning Commission and Planning Staff. The second module will include important regulations concerning land uses, including impacts to wetlands and other sensitive habitats.
Date: Thursday, December 7
Time: 6:00pm
Location: Board of County Commissioners' Hearing room, 522 Lincoln Ave, Steamboat Springs
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A group of volunteers plant lodgepole pine seedlings on six acres of the 2021 Muddy Slide Fire site. | |
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Climate News
COLORADO SEES INCREASE IN EV ADOPTION
Electric vehicle (EV) sales have been on the rise in Colorado, with 17.1% of all vehicle sales being EVs in the third quarter of this year, according to an article from Big Pivots. With these numbers, Colorado is among the top five states in the country for EV sales.
There’s still a ways to go for the Colorado Energy Office to meet its targets of having EV sales account for 25% of all new car sales by 2025 and 70% by 2030. Statewide, EVs currently account for about 1.27% of all light-duty vehicles on the road.
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In Routt County, there are currently about 390 electric vehicles registered — up from 24 registered in 2018.
A $5,000 state tax credit for purchasing an electric vehicle or two-year lease of new electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles became available in July, potentially encouraging more people to choose a greener option when buying a new car.
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Climate Win
EV READINESS REQUIREMENTS INCLUDED IN UPDATED 2021 BUILDING CODE
All CAP municipal partners appear to be on track to approve the inclusion of EV readiness requirements in the updated 2021 building code to be adopted on January 1, 2024. This would be a welcomed implementation of CAP Transportation Recommendation 5.
EV infrastructure building codes would require new buildings to include the equipment necessary to enable electric vehicle charging stations. Installing EV charging stations during construction can bring down charger installation costs by 75 percent or more compared to installing EV chargers during a building retrofit.
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Action You Can Take
MITIGATE HOLIDAY TRAVEL EMISSIONS THROUGH THE GOOD TRAVELER PROGRAM
Yampa Valley Regional Airport and the Routt County Climate Action Plan Fund have partnered with The Good Traveler program to help residents and visitors voluntarily mitigate their travel emissions. The program allows flyers to make a donation to the fund based on the number of air miles they’ve traveled.
These contributions support local climate projects through the Yampa Valley Community Foundation, spanning habitat restoration, waste reduction, renewable energy adoption, and climate-friendly transport.
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Climate Win
STEAMBOAT GOES FOAM-FREE
Starting in January 2024, polystyrene foam, commonly known as Styrofoam, will be banned statewide. The ban comes as part of Colorado’s Plastic Pollution Reduction Act, a statewide initiative to reduce harmful waste and chemicals from leaching into food and the natural environment.
The ban will apply to retail restaurants, convenience stores and markets that may currently be using this material for to-go containers, plates, bowls and other dishware. City of Steamboat Springs staff plan to visit about 300 restaurants to educate them on the policy change.
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Action You Can Take
GIVE THE GIFT OF GREEN WITH A COMPOSTING SUBSCRIPTION
Are you looking for a gift for the environmentally-minded person in your life? Consider purchasing them a compost subscription from Cowgirl Compost CO, Routt County’s local compost servicer and Bronze-certified Colorado Green Business Network of the Yampa Valley business.
Composting is an easy way to impact the local environment directly by reducing greenhouse gas and methane emissions from landfills. Cowgirl Compost CO has kept 136.1 metric tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere, the equivalent of taking 29 cars off the road for a year! Compost also enriches soil and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers
The City of Steamboat Springs is still offering free Behrens 1.5-gallon composting pails to residents who have or plan to sign up for a composting service.
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Colorado Green Business Network's Oakley Jennings-Fast on a site visit with CGBN Bronze-certified Cowgirl Compost CO's owner Winn Cowman. | |
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Climate News
GRANT AND TAX CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND FOR GOVERNMENTS AND BUSINESSES SEEKING TO GREEN THEIR OPERATIONS
Colorado Energy Office Senior Policy Advisor Christine Berg joined YVSC’s November Community meeting to give an overview of the Colorado GHG Pollution Reduction Roadmap 2.0 and upcoming climate action-supporting funding opportunities for local municipalities and partners.
Federal funding:
State funding (Colorado Energy Office):
EV grant programs:
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Action You Can Take
CONTRIBUTE TO THE ROUTT COUNTY CLIMATE ACTION COLLABORATIVE FUND
During this season of giving, join us in making a positive impact through the Routt County Climate Action Collaborative Fund. We are actively seeking support from both businesses and individuals to drive climate action initiatives in Routt County.
The Fund backs projects aligned with the Routt County Climate Action Plan, focusing on habitat restoration, waste diversion, fuel-switching, energy assessments, renewable energy deployment, and climate-friendly transportation solutions. Your contributions directly support these local efforts, promoting sustainability and environmental resilience.
Donations can be made directly to the fund via the Yampa Valley Community Foundation website.
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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. | | | | | |
