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Contact: Christopher Dann,
Public Information Officer
(303) 692-3281
For Immediate Release Friday, September 24, 2004
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Recognizes Outstanding
Environmental Achievements
Denver – A project designed to show how environmentally
friendly building practices also can be simple and affordable earned a
University of Colorado professor and a former student an Environmental
Achievement Award Friday from the Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment.
Reduced waste streams; less emissions; and implementation
of a variety of pollution prevention methods and technologies that benefit
the environment link more than 30 Colorado individuals, businesses and
organizations recognized today at an annual awards ceremony at the Denver
Museum of Nature and Science.
"It’s important that we recognize the significant
achievements of individuals and businesses in Colorado who have taken their
commitment to the environment to the next level,” said Douglas Benevento,
executive director of the Department of Public Health and Environment.
"True change occurs when we go above and beyond compliance to improve air
and water quality, and reduce energy use and waste streams."
Businesses, community groups, government agencies and other
organizations can be nominated for an award in recognition of one or more
significant environmental achievements.
The Farmhouse Project resulted from a collaboration between
architect and University of Colorado associate professor Julee Herdt and
Steve Gates, a former student. They shared a vision that designing and
building a “green” home ultimately could be beneficial to the environment,
and simple and affordable at the same time.
By utilizing everything from wheat , corn and cotton to
waste paper, scrap wood and recycled plastic, The Farmhouse Project
demonstrated how renewable energy systems and bio-based environmental
building are viable, cost-effective alternatives to traditional design and
build methods.
The result is an efficiency-minded house that used 40
percent less materials in construction and consumes 70 percent less energy
than a standard wood frame house. For more information on the Farmhouse
Project, contact Julee Herdt or Steve Gates at 303-946-3951.
Other 2004 Environmental Achievement Award winners include:
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City of Aspen Transportation Options Program (Aspen): The
Transportation Options Program (TOP) is an initiative by the City of
Aspen and 30 of its largest employers to promote alternative modes of
transportation in an effort to curb traffic congestion and the resulting
pollution. Aspen has kept its traffic at 1993 levels for more than a
decade and is in full compliance with federal health-based standards for
particulate matter. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently
recognized Aspen as the nation’s first Best Workplaces for Commuters
because of the success of the TOP program. Contact: Ms. Lynn Bader,
Transportation Coordinator, 970-920-5038.
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Blue Sun Biodiesel (Fort Collins): Blue Sun Biodiesel is
an agriculture energy company, developing oilseed energy crops and
production and distribution networks to bring high-performance biodiesel
fuel to the west-central United States. In May, Blue Sun opened up one of
the nation's largest retail biodiesel stations at Offen Petroleum in
northeast Denver, one of 10 new retail sites in Colorado. Blue Sun is
working to reduce the cost of high-grade biodiesel fuel through the
development and production of low-cost oilseed crops in Colorado, Kansas,
and Nebraska. Contact: Jeff Probst, President and Chief Executive
Officer, 970-221-0500.
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Bowie Resources, LLC (Paonia): A coal mining company that
began production in Colorado’s North Fork Valley in 1995, Bowie Resources
has demonstrated leadership in reclamation and mining activities, and in
improving communication with interested stakeholders within the
community. A founding member of the North Fork Coal Working Group
composed of local coal mines; government officials; representatives of
environmental organizations and interested citizens, Bowie Resources is
committed to hearing concerns and addressing issues in a public forum.
The work group seeks to sustain the viability of the coal industry in the
North Fork Valley while protecting the environment, economy and culture
of the local community. Contact: Chad M. Isaman, Chief Surveyor,
970-929-5284.
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Climax Molybdenum Co. - Henderson Operations (Empire):
Despite being the largest primary molybdenum producer in the world and
Xcel Energy’s second largest industrial customer in Colorado, Climax’s
Henderson Operations has reduced its peak energy consumption by 20
percent during the last several years through a variety of efforts. These
efforts have included a sophisticated energy management system; an
automated ventilation system that uses a computer programmable logic
control (PLC) system; installation of high efficiency lighting;
conversions of various heating systems from electricity to PLC controlled
natural gas; conversion from pneumatic drilling to hydraulic drilling;
and, conversion to variable frequency pumps in underground dewatering
operations. Contact: Tony Lucero, Environmental Coordinator,
303-569-3221.
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Colorado Daily (Boulder): Since switching to 100 percent
post-consumer newsprint in February 2004, this Boulder newspaper has
saved 9,550 trees, 5.5 million gallons of water, 48,000 pounds of air
pollutants and 3.3 million kilowatt hours of electricity. In addition,
the fiber from papers put in the recycling bin today may end up back in
the newspaper months from now. The University of Colorado Recycling
Center collects and subsequently sells 375 tons of newspaper per year to
Ecocycle. Ecocycle sells that paper to a company that, in turn, sells its
surplus paper to the same mill that Colorado Daily purchases its paper
from. Contact: Randy Miller, President, Publisher and Editor,
303-433-6272.
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Colorado Department of Transportation Region 6 (Denver):
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) implemented water
conservation and recycling strategies in various projects and activities
that reduced water usage in its irrigated landscape highway areas by 47
percent through a communication system that monitors, tracks, and
schedules irrigation; used asphalt containing shredded tires in numerous
activities, including the resurfacing of East Colfax Avenue; recycled
concrete from the former Stapleton International Airport for use in
highway concrete aggregate and road base, and; reused scrap metal from
the previous Mile High Stadium for light rail steel. Contact: John
Muscatell, Regional Transportation Director, 303-757-9459.
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Colorado Mountain Cleaners (Silverthorne): This dry
cleaning business uses a silicone-based GreenEarthâ cleaning solvent as
an alternative solvent to perchloroethylene or “perc”. GreenEarthâ is
non-toxic and non-irritating to the skin, and does not require air
quality permits. Listed as a preferred alternative to ozone-depleting
chemicals in the U.S. EPA’s Significant New Alternative Policy, the
solvent degrades to sand, water and carbon dioxide. GreenEarthâ Cleaning
solvent increases productivity and efficiency from full loads, decreases
labor costs, and; reduces electricity usage and disposal costs. Contact:
Tom Rowland, General Managing Partner, 970-262-1182.
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Engle Homes Colorado (Englewood): Since 2001, Engle Homes
has partnered with national programs (Building Americaâ and Energy Starâ),
and state programs (Built Greenä and E-Star Coloradoä). Through
September, 2003, Engle Homes has built 678 Energy Starâ Qualified High
Performance Homes that have eliminated 4,451 tons of carbon dioxide; 324
pounds of carbon monoxide; 6,760 pounds of nitrogen oxide, and; 1,146
pounds of particulate matter annually through energy efficient designs,
climate control and environmental soundness. Homeowners’ utility bills
have been reduced by $400,000. Contact: Robert Eikenberg, Vice President
of Operations, 303-770-4646.
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Forest City Stapleton, Inc. (Denver): The master
developer for the redevelopment project of the 4,700-acre Stapleton
Airport, Forest City Stapleton has incorporated sustainability principles
into every applicable aspect of the project. Forest City requires that
all homes meet or exceed Colorado Built Green Standards; applies
mixed-use zoning to reduce traveling distances to businesses and
groceries; and created a sustainability education center that provides
businesses and homeowners with knowledge of technologies and strategies
to make daily practices more sustainable. Contact: Melissa Knott,
Director of Sustainability, 303-382-1800 x751.
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Recovery Options Inc. of Colorado (Denver): Recovery
Options has shown leadership in pollution prevention efforts and the
management of universal hazardous waste. In 2003 alone, Recovery Options
received, handled, dismantled, and recycled 852,366 pounds of electronic
salvage waste and 2,301,589 pounds of copper cable. Contact: Fernando
Chavez, Manager, 303-316-0200.
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Recycled Materials Company, Inc. (Arvada): Hired to
dismantle the runways, taxiways, and concourses at the former Stapleton
Airport, Recycled Materials Company recycled more than
six million tons of concrete and asphalt from dismantling the 5000-acre
site. The company’s efforts preserved more than six million tons of
landfill space, an equal amount of native gravel and soil resources, and
reduced truck traffic, noise and fossil consumption through the use of
recycled materials. Contact: Rick Givan, President, 303-431-3701.
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Spectranetics Corporation (Colorado Springs):
Spectranetics develops, manufactures and markets the latest laser
technology for multiple cardiovascular procedures to physicians and
hospitals worldwide. Spectranetics consistently goes beyond required
compliance with its pollution prevention efforts and its handling of
hazardous waste. Contact: Tom Plasket, Manager of Fabricated Products
Group, 719-633-8333.
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TASROP Inc. (Florence): TASROP is a five-person company
owned by Robert Miller that powder coats cars and other metal parts.
Spurred by water constraints during drought conditions, Miller developed
and installed a water recycling system that reduced his company’s monthly
water consumption by 77 percent, and also cut the use of chemicals from
165 gallons to 10 gallons. As a result, the new system paid for itself in
a year. TASROP’s Stop the Waste (STW) recycling system is being marketed
to other businesses like car washes and laundromats. The Colorado
Department of Transportation has purchased 10 STW systems to use in
maintenance facilities throughout the state. Contact: Robert Miller,
Owner, 719-784-3712.
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Trapper Mining, Inc. (Craig): Trapper Mining has
undertaken a series of voluntary efforts to improve mine reclamation in
sediment control; plant community biodiversity; water development; and
wildlife habitat/response. Trapper Mining has reclaimed 3,361 acres of
mined lands. The company has been recognized as one of the three best
examples of successful reclamation in the nation and recently received
the Office of Surface Mining Good Neighbor Award to signify
well-developed community relations. Contact: Frank Self, Senior
Environmental Specialist, 970-824-4401.
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United Airlines, Denver International Airport Operations
(Denver): At both the hangar and ground equipment maintenance facilities
at Denver International Airport, United Airlines consistently goes beyond
the required levels of compliance and management for the generation of
hazardous waste. Contact: Orlo Peterson, Plant and Equipment Maintenance
Foreman/Environmental Coordinator, 303-348-7453.
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The University of Colorado Environmental Center
(Boulder): The Environment Center has created a campus-wide energy
efficiency fund that is investing $100,000 per year for five years in
energy efficiency projects. This effort has led to an energy awareness
campaign to commit the campus to a five percent energy reduction;
gathered 13,000 signatures and $65,000 to assist in energy efficiency
projects; passed a 100 percent renewable energy standard for student
buildings, and; developed and promoted environmental standards for all
new construction. Contact: Will Toor, Director, 303-492-8308.
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Winter Park Resort (Winter Park): A year-round
destination resort owned by the City and County of Denver, Winter Park is
the oldest continually operated ski resort in Colorado. It has 24 lifts
that provide an uphill capacity of 36,000 riders per hour. Winter Park
installed a comprehensive energy management system called AreaNet that
has achieved electricity savings through software and programmable
controllers that automate control of electric heat in lift cabins, lift
motor rooms and selected outbuildings. Contact: Jon Rosen, Electrical
Foreman, 970-726-4693.
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Xanterra Parks and Resorts (Aurora): The Colorado-based
park management company consists of 8,000 employees; 33 hotels and
lodges; 51 retail stores; 64 restaurants; and 1,800 campsites within
national and state parks throughout the country. Xanterra is dedicated to
protecting the natural environment through minimizing the use of
hazardous substances; preserving natural resources; and minimizing
greenhouse gas emissions. Xanterra implemented an environmental
management system to continuously assess its environmental impacts and
create goals towards becoming sustainable. In its 2003 Sustainability
Report, Xanterra noted that electricity usage is down 5.3 percent;
propane and natural gas usage as cleaner alternatives to fuel oil has
increased an average of 16.5 percent while total fuel oil usage has
decreased 15.3 percent; and total greenhouse gas emissions have decreased
3.7 percent. Contact: Andrew Todd, President and Chief Executive Officer,
303-338-2660.
Environmental Achievement Award winners also earn entry
into the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s
Environmental Leadership Program as Silver Level members.
Pollution Prevention Champion Awards also were distributed
at Friday’s event. The Department of Public Health and Environment, the
Colorado Environmental Partnership and the Pollution Prevention Advisory
Board have given the awards annually since 1997. Champion Awards go to
individuals, programs and teams within organizations that lead the way to
improved environmental performance through a variety of activities.
Champion Award recipients for 2004 include:
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Ross Alarid, New Belgium Brewery (Fort Collins): Alarid
is a dedicated and creative manager who increased the New Belgium
Brewery’s diversion rate from 80 percent to 98 percent in the last two
years. Alarid has been instrumental in finding innovative ways of keeping
materials out of the landfill. He and his co-workers currently are
developing an amber glass-recycling program with brewery customers.
Contact: Ross Alarid, 970-221-0524 or
ralarid@newbelgium.com.
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Mark Bowen and Kurt Buss, Center for ReSource
Conservation (Boulder): Bowen and Buss are the managers for the Boulder
Center for ReSource Conservation, which diverts more than two million
pounds of solid waste per year from landfills. Through the center,
education is provided on how to deconstruct buildings so materials can be
recycled and used in building. The center also has created several
flooring and furniture product lines using recycled materials. Contact:
Mark Bowen, Yard Manager or Kurt Buss, ReSource Program Manager,
303-441-3278 and
kbuss@conservationcenter.org.
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Luke Cartin, Vail Resorts (Vail): Cartin provides ski
industry leadership in pollution prevention, energy efficiency and
renewable energy. Under Cartin’s leadership, Vail has installed water
conservation devices that save 1.7 million gallons of water per year.
Vail also has earned the ski industry Silver Eagle Award for
Environmental Excellence in Energy Conservation for several energy
efficiency projects and exploration of the placement of wind turbines.
Contact: Luke Cartin, Environmental Manager, 970-479-3048 or
lcartin@vailresorts.com.
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Fort Carson Pollution Prevention Program (Fort Carson): A
leader in the implementation of pollution prevention projects to reduce
waste and liabilities while supporting mission readiness, Fort Carson’s
recent projects include deconstruction and diversion of buildings keeping
more than 160 tons of materials from landfills; the distillation of parts
washer solvent for reuse to reduce waste generation and disposal costs;
the use of more alternatively-fueled and hybrid vehicles; and the
elimination of hazardous air pollutants from vehicle paints. Contact:
Carlos DeAguilar, ECRP Division Chief, 719-526-6838 or
carlos.deaguilar@carson.army.mil.
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Justin Laboe, Tri-County Health Department (Commerce
City): Laboe is the key implementer of the Northeast Metro Pollution
Prevention Alliance (NEMPPA) Diesel Testing and Repair Project and
currently is leading another innovative NEMPPA project to assist small
businesses in implementing energy efficiency measures. Laboe also has
coordinated several household hazardous waste roundups in Adams and
Douglas counties. Contact: Justin Laboe, Pollution Prevention
Specialist,720-322-1541 or
jlaboe@tchd.org.
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Poudre School District New Construction and Building
Renovation Team (Fort Collins): The Poudre School District has helped to
change the way schools are built, saving energy, protecting the
environment, and allowing children to learn in a more sustainable
setting. Since 1995, Poudre School District has implemented 96 energy
efficiency projects that have resulted in a combined savings of $311,000
per year. Contact: Bill Franzen, Executive Director of Operations,
970-482-7420 or info@psdschools.org.
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Lance Shepherd, Colorado Department of Personnel and
Administration (Denver): Shepherd played a primary role in the initiation
of cutting-edge energy efficiency projects in Colorado state buildings.
In his role as a project manager and architect for the Colorado
Department of Personnel and Administration – State Buildings and Real
Estate Programs, Shepherd has been instrumental in numerous energy
efficiency and water conservation projects; has championed the
installation of a microturbine for a combined heat and power
demonstration; and has pushed for meeting LEED standards in new and
existing buildings. Contact: Lance Shepherd, 303-866-3450 or
lance.shepherd@state.co.us.
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David Wann, Greening America Productions (Golden): Wann
has devoted much of the last 16 years of his life to pollution prevention
and sustainability. While working at the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency and since his retirement, Wann has generated books, videos, songs
and television programs on environmental topics. His recent books include
Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic, The Zen of Gardening, and Superbia!
31 Ways to Create Sustainable Neighborhoods. Contact: David Wann,
303-216-1281 or
davewann@comcast.net.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
also welcomed seven new members to the Gold Level of the agency's
Environmental Leadership Program at Friday's event: Aeroflex Colorado
Springs; Denver International Airport; Dinosaur National Monument; Forever
Resorts – Rocky Mountain Park Company and Holiday Inn/Rocky Mountain Park
(Estes Park); Kodak Colorado Division (Windsor); National Renewable Energy
Laboratory (Golden); and Raytheon Aurora Campus.
The Colorado Environmental Leadership Program, created in
1998, encourages pollution prevention and environmental responsibility
among businesses and municipalities throughout the state. Program
eligibility requires the creation of verifiable environmental management
systems, continual environmental improvement goals, community outreach
efforts and environmental compliance audit programs.
The seven new members join existing Gold Level members Ball
Aerospace and Technologies Corp. (Boulder); Ball Metal Beverage Container
Corp. (Golden); IBM Corp. (Boulder); Lockheed Martin Space Systems
Astronautics Operation (Denver); Majestic Metals Inc. (Denver); Roche
Colorado Corp. (Boulder); and the U.S. Postal Service (Denver).
Other Colorado Environmental Leadership Program members
include Aspen Skiing Co. (Snowmass); Celestica Corp. (Fort Collins);
Management and Engineering Services, L.L.C. (Longmont); SAE Circuits
Colorado Inc. (Boulder); Sanmina-SCI Corporation Plant 432 (Fountain), and;
Western Area Power Administration (Lakewood).
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