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Routt County Climate Action Collaborative Board
Accepting Applications
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The Routt County Climate Action Collaborative is accepting community member applications for its Board of Directors through Friday, June 14, 2024. Board membership is an important opportunity to offer substantive expertise and to support and keep Routt County accountable to its carbon emission reduction goals.
The Collaborative Board meets monthly and consists of 9 members, including 4 community members and a representative from each of the local government partners: Routt County, City of Steamboat Springs, and the Towns of Hayden, Oak Creek and Yampa.
Community representatives shall reflect diverse geographic and sector representation from across the county, and climate plan interest and experience. The three-year appointment will begin August 1, 2024.
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Climate Win
ROUTT COUNTY COMMUNITIES AWARDED ALMOST $750,000 TO ADVANCE EFFORTS TO INSTALL GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
Of the $7.7 million in state grants recently awarded, close to $750,000 is coming to Routt County. According to a Big Pivots article, recipients included:
- Town of Hayden ($200,000) - to study the potential to use geothermal as its primary energy source.
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Steamboat Springs Redevelopment Authority ($249,650) - to conduct a feasibility study on using geothermal for use in the resort’s Gondola Transit Center redevelopment project.
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Pure-Green Colorado ($297,510) - to evaluate the pairing of geothermal power and hydrogen production in the area of Steamboat Resort.
This grant money, if accepted, will help the community work toward the CAP goal to increase renewable energy use in development.
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Climate News
ROUTT COUNTY EXPLORES SOLAR POWER PROJECTS
Routt County officials are working on a plan to install solar arrays to offset local governments’ energy usage. According to the plan, one array would be installed at the Bob Adams Airport in Steamboat and another in Hayden.
The project would cost about $12.5 million, which Routt County predicts could be entirely paid for through tax credits and grants, reported the Yampa Valley Bugle.
The goal of the project is to completely offset carbon emissions from City of Steamboat Springs, Routt County and Hayden government buildings by next year. The project would align with the CAP recommendations to increase renewable energy use and beneficial electrification.
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Ribbon cutting for government solar project previously supported by a DOLA grant. | |
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Climate Win
VOLUNTEERS PLANT 1200 TREES TO SUPPORT BURN SCAR REGROWTH
Over 35 Yampa Valley Climate Crew volunteers gathered on May 18 and 22 to plant 1200 trees in the Muddy Slide Fire burn scar in South Routt. The plantings will help the burned areas of the forest regrow, generating healthier waterways and cleaner air in the area. Sign up for Yampa Valley Sustainability Council’s Climate Crew email list to hear about future opportunities.
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Climate News
COUNTY RELEASES FINAL DRAFT OF ZONING, SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS
Routt County has released the final draft version of its zoning and subdivision regulations. The new regulations include a proposed size limit of 7,500 feet on houses built in unincorporated Routt County, which includes multiple stipulations and exceptions, as well as an outline for growth areas throughout the county.
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Action You Can Take
HELP CONDUCT REGENERATION SURVEYS THIS SUMMER
YVSC is looking for volunteers to conduct seedling regeneration surveys this summer at the Silver Creek Burn Scar on Rabbit Ears. These surveys involve observing the vegetation in a given area and recording the types and quantities of trees that are returning.
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Build relationships with forest managers, learn about forest health and provide an important tool for scientists to determine where to focus future tree planting efforts.
Outings will take place on weekdays, starting the third week of July. Preferably, volunteers commit to attending multiple outings. Email Dakota Dolan (dakota@yvsc.org) to sign up or learn more.
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Volunteers replant 1200 trees at the Muddy Slide Fire burn scar in South Routt. | |
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Climate News
CO LEGISLATION BOOSTS FUNDING FOR LOCAL PASSENGER RAIL AND TRANSIT
According to the Steamboat Pilot, "Senate Bill 184 allows the state to impose a $3-per-day fee on all rental cars in Colorado to help pay for transportation projects, including the mountain line. The fee, which begins in 2025, is estimated to bring in $50 million per year."
Senate Bill 230 will use new fees on oil and gas production to raise about $110 million per year to invest in bus and train services across Colorado. This is good news not only for reduced transportation-related carbon emissions, but also promises to support economic development for coal-transition communities.
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Climate News
CITY TRANSIT CAPACITY CHALLENGES HIGHLIGHT NEED FOR MORE FUNDING
In a recent Pilot article, the city’s transit manager pitched the need for four or five additional drivers and three additional lines to meet projected demand. Steamboat ridership actually surpassed the national average, carrying over 771,000 passengers in 2023.
With a demonstrated community reliance on mass transit, CAP Transportation recommendation 3, for the city to pursue dedicated funding, is increasingly relevant.
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Action You Can Take
PARTICIPATE IN JUNE CARbon-FREE CHALLENGE
The CARbon-Free Challenge is back for the month of June! Last year a record number of 211 people participated in the challenge, logging 10,752 miles traveled, which helped save 474 gallons of gas and avoided 4.1 tons of CO2 emissions.
Participants will log their miles and can participate as a solo rider, family, or adult team. Any miles spent commuting, running errands or going out while using an alternative form of travel (e.g. walking, biking, longboarding, rollerblading) count!
| Riders who commit to taking alternative transportation at least once per week can expect great prizes from our local sponsors and fun prize categories. Register below. | |
E-bike commuters on the Core Trail. Courtesy of Pedego Electric Bikes Steamboat Springs. | |
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Climate News
LOCAL RECYCLING OPTIONS FOR FINAL SPRING CLEANING
Although spring is coming to a close, there is still time to do some last minute cleaning. Milner Mall has reopened for the season and is ready to accept a variety of still usable items that you are ready to donate. Learn more about accepted items here.
D&D Enterprises also reopened to the public in January, restoring a crucial metal recycling service to the community. The business accepts scrap metal and appliances. People can drop off eligible materials between 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Residents of the Town of Yampa are invited to the Town of Yampa Clean Up Day June 15. View accepted items and pricing here.
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Action You Can Take
APPLY TO BE ON THE COLORADO CIRCULAR COMMUNITIES (C3) ENTERPRISE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is looking for individuals interested in designing and delivering circular economy services and statewide solutions to join the C3 Board. Applicants should have expertise in:
- Producer responsibility
- Environmental health and safety
- Circular economy or renewable energy business development or investment
- Economic development
- Public finance
- Statewide or community-wide waste diversion and aversion
To submit your PDF application or discuss this opportunity further, please email Deborah Nelson, deborah.nelson@state.co.us.
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Yampa 2023 Clean Up Day helped recycle almost 90 yards of steel and metals. | |
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Climate News
TRAINING A CLEAN ECONOMY WORKFORCE
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According to the nonprofit news organization The 74, Colorado clean energy jobs, like installing solar panels, electric chargers or geothermal heating and cooling systems, are expected to grow by 10% over the next seven years.
To capitalize on this growing demand, Lyra is supporting school climate curriculums and innovative career centers to educate and train a clean economy workforce. The program hopes to reach more than 15,000 middle and high school students.
| The Pilot recently reported the Yampa Valley Partnership for Students, Stewardship and Sustainability is also focused on connecting education with industry and workforce to keep local talent in the Yampa Valley and to help support a just economic transition. | | |
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Action You Can Take
YAMPA VALLEY GREEN BUSINESS CORNER
Funding Opportunities
Connect with the Colorado Green Business Network of the Yampa Valley
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Lunch and Learns - Free lunch and information session for businesses and organizations with five or more employees. Email Ashley Dean at ashley@yvsc.org to sign up.
Recognition Applications Due June 30, 2024
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YVSC's Energy and Transportation Director Paul Bony talks funding opportunities at May 29 'Business Leadership for Climate' workshop. | | |
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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. | | | | | |
