“I am excited about serving on the council and working toward improving our air quality,” Toor said. “It is an opportunity for local governments to collaborate on land use and transportation policies that will improve our economy and quality of life while reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.”

Ritter reauthorized the RAQC in March, enhancing its composition and mission to fulfill its air quality planning responsibilities. The council will seek to develop and propose effective and cost-efficient air quality planning initiatives with input from government agencies, the private sector, stakeholder groups and citizens of the region.

The RAQC continues in existence until April 2011 or until further modification or rescission by the Governor. Its primary task is to prepare state implementation plan elements that demonstrate and ensure long-term compliance with state and federal air quality standards and provide acceptable public health and environmental protections to those residing in the Denver metropolitan area along the northern Front Range.

The total proposed budget for 2010 is estimated at $280 million. (For 2009, the adopted budget was $286,866.). Assessed property values in Boulder County increased 4 percent in 2009 over 2008, but sales and use taxes were down in the same period. The proposed budget takes into account the decline in tax revenues overall in Colorado and reflects the county’s historically conservative approach to managing public funds even in a year of projected increases in property tax revenue.

At a public meeting on Nov. 5, following five weeks and more than 20 hours of public budget request hearings by county offices and departments, the Boulder County Board of Commissioners provided their list of recommended expenditures for 2010 to the County Budget Office. The budget staff will present the preliminary proposed budget during the hearing on Thursday.

“The 2010 budget that we’re proposing reflects the same careful management of county funds that we’ve enjoyed for many decades in Boulder County,” said Commissioner Cindy Domenico at the Nov. 5 public meeting. “As in the past, we remain committed to the kind of careful stewardship of public dollars that our residents expect from us year over year.”

Snapshot for 2010

With property values assessed every two years, the latest assessment in May 2009 will affect county budgets in 2010 and 2011. Although assessed property values are up 4 percent this year in Boulder County, there remains some uncertainty in projections for the next bi-annual county valuation assessment of residential and commercial properties. Additionally, sales tax projections in the county are down 8 percent this year over last year.

The uncertainty in the trend of revenues for tax years 2012 and 2013, coupled with the severe and immediate cuts to the state government budget and increasing needs for human services across the county, has prompted the county commissioners to limit the amount of expenditures in 2010 that have an ongoing obligation for future years.

“Our strategy in Boulder County during a tough economic time like this one is to favor one-time expenditures that address immediate needs in the county and fund necessary improvements versus putting extended obligations on the county’s base operating budget ,” commented Commissioner Will Toor on Nov. 5. “We believe that this strategy will help us ride out this period of economic uncertainty without hindering our ability to provide essential core services for residents and to continue to make sustainable investments in our county facilities and programs.”

For 2010, this approach means turning down or postponing a number of worthy budget requests by county officials and department heads, and retaining employee salaries at the 2009 base rate.

“We appreciate the tremendous restraint shown by our county offices and departments this year when making requests for 2010 expenditures,” remarked Commissioner Ben Pearlman. “By not over-extending obligations to future years, our proposed budget for 2010 keeps us in line with expected revenues for next year and buffers us against any potential downturn in property values over subsequent years.”

All three commissioners praised the hard work and dedication of employees in the Community Services and Housing and Human services divisions who have seen a tremendous increase in caseloads and requests for services such as: basic needs of food clothing and housing; unemployment and workforce assistance; early childhood education; home foreclosure prevention and consumer debt counseling; public transportation subsidies; and other services as a result of the economic downturn.

Some notable features of the recommended 2010 budget include:

A breakdown of budgets by spending area will be available at the public meeting on Nov. 12 where public comment will be taken starting at 9 a.m. The Board of County Commissioners will adopt the final budget at 10 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 15.

* Boulder County’s projected 2010 budget continues to be influenced by the passage of 2005 ballot issue 1A that allows for the retention of property tax revenues collected in excess of the TABOR limitations on fiscal year revenues and spending. Ballot issue 2005-1A designated certain uses for the property tax revenue received in excess of the base year 2005 property tax revenues. In compliance with those designations, the 2010 budget will appropriate in excess of the following required increases: Public safety services 30%, health and human services 20% with 33% of that amount going to non-profit organizations, and sustainable and renewable energy programs receiving 6.67%.

-END-

The program, which provides full financing for more than 40 different energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades, has already issued nearly $13 million in loans to 612 participants through two rounds of residential financing. A third round of loans will be available to residential property owners in the spring.

In January, the ClimateSmart Loan Program will be available for the first time to commercial property owners in Boulder County.

“We are very excited about continuing the growth of this great program,” Boulder County Commissioner Will Toor said. “We are proud to be on the leading edge of Sustainability issues and I was happy to see three Colorado counties (Eagle, Gunnison and Pitkin) pass ballot issues this week to install similar programs.”

An entirely voluntary program, a ClimateSmart loan provides participants that opt in the ability to save on utility bills and reduce their carbon footprint. To date, the most popular improvement utilized by loan recipients has been the installation of solar photovoltaic systems. The top four improvement measures are:

1.         Solar PV                           $3.6 million (231 total projects)

2.         Windows and doors          $1.2 million

3.         Air sealing and insulation    $1 million

4.         High efficiency furnaces      $653,607

The ClimateSmart Loan Program, made possible by the 2008 passage of ballot issue 1A, authorized $40 million in affordable financing to Boulder County residents and business owners that wish to implement energy improvements to their properties. The program helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions – a major objective of the countywide Sustainable Energy Plan and long-term goal of carbon neutrality – while generating green-collar jobs and stimulating the local economy.

Financing obtained through the ClimateSmart Loan Program is repaid by the property owner over a 15-year period. Payments are made via a special assessment that is included with the annual property tax bill, tying the loans to the actual energy improvements and not to individual owners.

For more information, please visit ClimateSmartLoanProgram.org, send an e-mail to climatesmart@bouldercounty.org, or call 303-441-4565.

In 2008, the program processed 4,166 applications over the 6-month program period, representing an average monthly submission of nearly 700 applications. In that same time period, 3,392 applications were approved with an average benefit amount of $546.63 per household. 

In order to receive LEAP assistance one must meet the following requirements:

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident
• Be a resident of Colorado
• Be a Boulder County resident
• Pay heating costs directly to an energy or fuel-source provider, or have heating costs included in your rent
• Meet the following gross monthly household income guidelines (below)

For more information on LEAP please visit http://www.bouldercounty.org/hhs/leap.htm or call (303) 678-6097. The Boulder County LEAP Office is located at 529 Coffman St., Suite 190 in Longmont.

Additional information can be found at the Colorado LEAP website http://www.cdhs.state.co.us/leap/index.htm.

###

The meeting will take place at the Altona Grange Hall at 39th Street and Nelson Road. Members of the public are invited to participate in the discussion and offer ideas about making mountain roads safer for motorists and bicyclists.

The working group, organized by Boulder County’s Transportation Department and the Sheriff’s Office, will present a draft set of recommendations that include physical improvements to roads, communication strategies that promote respect and a shared responsibility, and law enforcement strategies.

Public meeting
Tuesday, Nov. 3
Altona Grange Hall
9386 N. 39th St., Longmont

Open house: 5 p.m.
Presentation: 5:45
Discussion: 6:15

Background
An increase in cycling along Boulder County’s scenic, narrow and winding mountain canyon roads has caused tension between cyclists, motorists and mountain community residents. Some residents and others who use the roads are frustrated by cyclists, while some cyclists feel unwelcome or unsafe on the roads. The Boulder County Mountain Canyon-Cyclist-Motorist Working Group’s charge has been to develop practical ideas to address these concerns.

The Working Group met a number of times in August and September in an effort to identify ways to enhance cooperation and improve safety on canyon roads. The group is comprised of community and cycling representatives who were identified by the local communities, county Transportation and Sheriff’s officers and by the interest groups themselves.

Please contact Boulder County Transportation Director George Gerstle at 303-441-3955 or ggerstle@bouldercounty.org for additional information.

The 20th Judicial District court and probation offices will also open at 9am.

Certain direct client services such as Motor Vehicle, Housing and Human Services, Public Health, Treasurer's Office, Assessor's Office, etc. will be delayed in opening one hour this morning. The Sheriff's patrols and other public safety functions are not affected by the delayed start.

Transportation and Facilities crews have been working throughout the night and morning hours to clear county roads and building parking lots in order to allow county residents and employees access to their places of business within Boulder County. 

-###-

• Elections Division open house
Rescheduled for Nov. 2 from 4-6 p.m.
Contact: Jessie Cornelius, 303-413-7766 / jcornelius@bouldercounty.org

• Juvenile Division Program open house
Rescheduled for Nov. 4 from 6-8 p.m.
Contact: Catherine Olguin, 303-441-3774 / colguin@bouldercounty.org

• People Engaged in Raising Leaders
Next meeting is Nov. 4
Contact: Perla Delgado, 303-441-3956 / pdelgado@bouldercounty.org

• Teen Childbirth Education class
Rescheduled for Nov. 4 from 6-8 p.m.
Contact: Laurie Houde, 303-678-6150 / lhoude@bouldercounty.org

• Food and Agriculture Policy Council meeting
Next meeting is Nov. 11 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Contact: Adrian Card, 303-678-6383 / acard@bouldercounty.org

The training includes discussion of the history behind the adoption of these regulations, which became effective on June 30, their intent, and the planning review processes that are required before a building permit can be issued. Requirements for ground- and pole-mounted solar panels will also be discussed.

Land Use Department staffers Doug Parker (Sustainability Examiner) and Kim Sanchez (Planning Division Manager) will make presentations on what Boulder County will be evaluating during the review process, and how to assemble complete planning and building permit applications.

The training session is free and breakfast refreshments will be provided.

What:  Renewable energy regulations (solar and wind) informational training

When:  Tuesday, Nov. 3, 8:30-10 a.m.

Where:  Administrative Services Training Room
  Downtown Courthouse – East Wing
  2025 14th St., Boulder

Please contact the Boulder County Land Use Department at 303-441-3930 for more information.

The workshop is designed to discuss the Transportation Element of the Boulder County Comprehensive Plan. The workshop begins at 5 p.m. in the conference room of the Transportation Department’s Boulder office building at 13th Street and Portland Place. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and offer feedback.

Public workshop
Wednesday, Nov. 4
Boulder County Transportation Department
2525 13th St., Boulder

Meet and greet:  5 p.m.
Presentation and discussion: 5:30 p.m.

Background
Because of a continued emphasis on sustainability policy, Boulder County is updating the Transportation Element of its Comprehensive Plan.

The Comprehensive Plan establishes a roadmap for the future of the county and provides policy guidance. The Transportation Element of the plan specifically addresses the myriad components of Boulder County’s transportation system.

The Transportation Element includes policy for facilities and services such as roads, bikeways, transit, and trails throughout Boulder County, as well as programs to encourage a sustainable transportation future.

Please contact Julie McKay at 720-564-2662 or jmckay@bouldercounty.org for more information.

The meeting begins at 5 p.m. at the Altona Grange Hall at 39th Street and Nelson Road. Members of the public are invited to participate in the discussion and offer ideas about making mountain roads safer for motorists and bicyclists.

The working group, organized by Boulder County’s Transportation Department and the Sheriff’s Office, will present a draft set of recommendations that include physical improvements to roads, communication strategies that promote respect and a shared responsibility, and law enforcement strategies.

Public meeting
Tuesday, Nov. 3
Altona Grange Hall
9386 N. 39th St., Longmont

Open house: 5 p.m.
Presentation: 5:45
Discussion: 6:15

Background
An increase in cycling along Boulder County’s scenic, narrow and winding mountain canyon roads has caused tension between cyclists, motorists and mountain community residents. Some residents and others who use the roads are frustrated by cyclists, while some cyclists feel unwelcome or unsafe on the roads. The Boulder County Mountain Canyon-Cyclist-Motorist Working Group’s charge has been to develop practical ideas to address these concerns.

The Working Group met a number of times in August and September in an effort to identify ways to enhance cooperation and improve safety on canyon roads. The group is comprised of community and cycling representatives who were identified by the local communities, county Transportation and Sheriff’s officers and by the interest groups themselves.

Please contact Boulder County Transportation Director George Gerstle at 303-441-3955 or ggerstle@bouldercounty.orgfor additional information.

Commissioners Ben Pearlman, Cindy Domenico and Will Toor officially opened the .75-mile trail link, which includes two bridges and an underpass at U.S. 287 south of Dillon Road. The Rock Creek Trail – open to pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians – is now continuous from 120th Street in Lafayette, through the Carolyn Holmberg Preserve, past Stearns Lake, and up to Brainard Drive in Broomfield.

“This is an exciting day for Boulder County, especially for residents here in the southeastern part of the county,” Domenico said. “The master plan of the Rock Creek and Coal Creek trails is to link Lafayette, Louisville, Broomfield and Superior with a series of multiuse, soft-surface trails. Today, we opened a small section of trail that goes a very long way toward connecting these communities.”

Boulder County hopes to complete the western-most segments of the Rock Creek and Coal Creek trails in Superior in 2010. Additionally, the City and County of Broomfield is planning to complete its portion of the Rock Creek Trail between Brainard Drive and Flatiron Crossing.

Construction of these projects will signal the successful completion of the master plan and would provide two uninterrupted, off-street trails along Coal Creek and Rock Creek between 120th Street in Lafayette and Superior Town Hall. Upon completion, the Coal Creek Trail will span 9.6 miles through Lafayette, Louisville and Superior. The Rock Creek Trail will span 11.7 miles through Lafayette, Broomfield and Superior.

“We are very proud of the progress we’ve made to connect communities through the regional trails program,” Boulder County Transportation Director George Gerstle said. “Today’s opening is another milestone in the development of a trails network that provides both transportation and recreational opportunities for the county’s citizens and visitors alike.”

Boulder County, Colo. – Free basic home energy assessments are being offered to county residents looking to improve their home’s energy efficiency. Following the assessments, the Boulder County Energy Corps will install energy efficiency measures and give homeowners advice on how to further reduce their energy consumption and utility bills.

Assessments are being scheduled through existing community groups, such as homeowners associations, neighborhood organizations and PTAs. Representatives of interested groups should contact Beth Beckel at bbeckel@bouldercounty.org or 303-441-3502 for scheduling information.

On Saturdays from November through April, teams of Energy Corps employees will visit one Boulder County neighborhood to perform basic energy assessments and implement simple energy efficiency upgrades. The Energy Corps intends to inspect 20 homes each Saturday. Each home will be pre-scheduled for the 2-hour assessment.

All materials and services are provided at no charge to homeowners. Corps members will install compact florescent light bulbs, low-flow showerheads, programmable thermostats, weather stripping and clotheslines, and will assess and adjust thermostats, refrigerators, freezers, water heaters and furnaces. Assessments will conclude with personalized information and tips for reducing in-home energy use.

The Boulder County Energy Corps is a new program initiated by the Boulder County Commissioners’ Office to engage community groups and provide them with basic energy efficiency education and upgrades at no cost. The program, a partnership between the Commissioners’ Office, Boulder County Youth Corps, and the Longs Peak Energy Conservation, is funded through the spring of 2010 by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Please visit www.BoulderCounty.org/EnergyCorps for more information.

The program, which provides full financing for more than 40 different energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades, completed its first round of financing in May with more than $6.6 million loaned to 393 participants.

The financing has been available to residential property owners in Boulder County, but the third round of funding, set to launch early next year, will also include commercial properties.

Nearly 40 percent ($1.26 million) of the $3.18 million loaned out this week will be used for installing photovoltaic solar systems, while 22 percent ($715,000) will be spent on upgrading exterior windows and glass doors. Other projects include adding insulation to attics and walls, and installing high efficiency heating and cooling systems.

More than 40 percent of the money ($1.29 million) was loaned to Boulder residents, while residents of Louisville (18 percent) and Longmont (16 percent) each accounted for more than $510,000 in financing.

The ClimateSmart Loan Program, made possible by the 2008 passage of ballot issue 1A, offers affordable financing to Boulder County residents and business owners that wish to implement energy improvements to their properties. The program helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions – a major objective of the Boulder County government’s Sustainable Energy Plan and long-term goal of carbon neutrality – while generating green-collar jobs and stimulating the local economy.

Financing obtained through the ClimateSmart Loan Program is repaid by the property owner over a 15-year period. Payments are made via a special assessment that is included with the annual property tax bill, tying the loans to the actual energy improvements and not to individual owners.

For more information, please visit ClimateSmartLoanProgram.org, send an e-mail to climatesmart@bouldercounty.org, or call 303-441-4565.

Xcel Energy is offering bonus rebates for home insulation, home cooling, and other energy efficiency improvements to its residential customers in Colorado. The rebates are for a limited time only, and Boulder County residents who take advantage of them will contribute to a reduction in local greenhouse gas emissions. Applicants for the ClimateSmart Loan Program this fall (deadline Sept. 7) are encouraged to use these rebates to reduce their overall loan costs.

Xcel Energy natural gas customers can get a double rebate on home insulation, covering 20 percent of project costs up to $600, double the standard limit of $300. The rebate covers attic and wall insulation, as well as air sealing and weather stripping. Homes can be rentals or owner-occupied, and the work must be done by an approved contractor. Insulation improvements must be installed between Sept. 1 and Oct. 15.

"The Department of Energy reports that 50 percent to 70 percent of the energy used in the average home is tied to heating and cooling,” said Xcel Energy Program Manager Crystal Manik. “Having a properly insulated home benefits our customers during the cold winter months, but also helps them reduce high energy usage in the summer months. Insulation is an important part of any home energy plan."

Xcel Energy electric customers who buy a high-efficiency evaporative or swamp cooler can get a $50 or $100 bonus rebate, on top of the $200 or $500 standard rebates. For the bonus rebate, coolers must be purchased between Tuesday, Sept. 1, and Monday, Sept. 7, and installed by Sept. 30. Be sure to buy a cooler from Xcel Energy’s list of qualifying units, and read all eligibility criteria on the Web site before hiring your contractor.

Double rebates for many more home energy efficiency improvements cover furnace, water heater and appliance upgrades as part of Xcel Energy’s Home Performance with Energy Star program. Customers must sign-up for the program before purchasing any equipment. To be eligible for the double rebates on selected improvements, customers must complete their purchase, installation and on-site verification (by Xcel Energy) on or before Dec. 9. Customers can save as much as $1,240 in the Home Performance with Energy Star program.

For more information, visit Xcel Energy’s new Web site on energy savings, www.ResponsibleByNature.com/change, then click on “Rebates and Programs,” or call Xcel Energy at 1-800-895-4999.

For a complete list of all home energy efficiency rebates and other financial incentives offered to residents throughout Boulder County, visit www.beClimateSmart.com/programs, then click At Home and then Rebates & Financing. A dedicated ClimateSmart Loan Program Web site can be found at www.ClimateSmartLoanProgram.org.

• COUNTY ISSUE 1A: [Open Space Countywide 0.25% Sales and Use Tax Extension and $50M Bond Authorization Issue]
  
  Resolution 2009-100 
  Parks and Open Space Sales & Use Tax Extension; 0.25% currently expiring in 2019 to be extended to 2034 (15 years) with 20-year Capital Improvement Trust Fund bonds to be issued, payable from revenues from the extended tax through 2029; Note: Prior open space sales & use tax resolutions from 1993 and 1999 are referenced within Resolution 2009-100.
   
• COUNTY ISSUE 1B: [ClimateSmart (CEOLID) $85M Bond Authorization]
  
  Resolution 2009-101  ClimateSmart Loan Program; New bond authorization of $40 million (or more, if including an amount to be used to issue bonds for financing Local Improvement Districts in other counties, pending legislative change and voter authorization in those counties);

• COUNTY ISSUE 1C: [$6.1M Bond Authorization for Energy Conservation Projects]
  
  Resolution 2009-102  Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds; Shall Boulder County debt be increased by up to $6,100,000, with a maximum repayment cost of up to $8,000,000, with no increase in an county tax or tax rate, for the purpose of financing energy conservation in county buildings and other county property, by the issuance of bonds such as those authorized under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the federal stimulus bill). 
  
  
• COUNTY QUESTION 1D: [DA Term Limits Extension to Three Terms]
  
  Resolution 2009-103  Term Limit for the District Attorney; Extension to a maximum of 3 terms;

13 February 2008

CONTACT: Ann Livingston, Boulder County Sustainability Coordinator, 303-441-3517

Or Megan Castle, Director of Communications, Governor’s Energy Office, 303-866-2262

Governor’s Energy Office awards Energy Star grant to Boulder County, Boulder, Longmont

Grants will help increase energy efficiency of new homes built in Boulder County

Boulder County and the cities of Boulder and Longmont have been named as recipients of matching grants from the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) for the 2008 Colorado Energy Star New Homes program. The GEO will provide $15,000 in matching funds to support Boulder County, Boulder and Longmont’s collaborative efforts to increase the energy efficiency of all new homes built in their jurisdictions.

The Boulder County collaboration was one of 12 statewide award recipients named by the GEO. Boulder County’s grant will help fund “green building” trainings to help homebuilders construct homes that meet the energy standards set forth in Boulder’s Green Points program, Boulder County’s BuildSmart program and Longmont’s Build Green program. Each of the three partnering governments will contribute $5,000 in funds to match the Governor’s grant.

“About a quarter of our countywide greenhouse gas emissions are generated by the residential sector—the result of the energy used in homes. While improving the energy efficiency of existing homes will be an integral part of any energy and climate strategy, we also must focus on the new buildings being constructed today, which will be around for decades to come,” said Boulder County Sustainability Coordinator Ann Livingston. “Building energy efficient homes is an important part of our effort to maintain a sustainable community.”

Through the GEO Energy Star New Home program, city and county officials will work closely with area residential builders to help them earn the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR label for new homes and increase the energy efficiency and value of their housing stock.

“Energy-efficient homes are our best defense against the rising cost of energy and reducing our overall energy demand,” said GEO Director Tom Plant.  “The goal of the ENERGY STAR New Homes program is to educate communities, builders, homeowners and buyers that energy efficiency is an essential feature to controlling costs, reducing pollution and having a more comfortable home.”

To earn the ENERGY STAR label, a home must meet guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and include additional energy saving features that typically make them 20–30% more efficient than standard homes.

Once built, the home must have an energy audit by a certified by an independent Home Energy Rater who is responsible for conducting onsite testing and inspections of installed measures such as insulation, high performance windows, building envelope, duct systems, and efficient heating and cooling equipment. 

For more information about Boulder County’s BuildSmart program and other sustainability efforts, visit www.bouldercounty.org/sustain.

For more information about the city of Boulder’s Green Points program, visit www.bouldercolorado.gov. To find out about Longmont’s Build Green program, visit www.ci.longmont.co.us/bldginsp/adopted.

Read more about the Governor’s Energy Office and its programs at www.colorado.gov/energy.

-END-

February 7, 2008

CONTACT: Ann Livingston, Boulder County Sustainability Coordinator, 303-441-3517 or Patricia Demchak, Boulder County Public Information Officer, 303-441-3399

Boulder County, Louisville, Consortium of Cities adopt Sustainable Energy Plan

A countywide plan recommending key strategies to vastly reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions throughout Boulder County has received official approval from Boulder County, Louisville and a consortium representing the city, county and town governments in Broomfield and Boulder counties.

The Boulder County Commissioners approved the adoption of the Boulder County Sustainable Energy Plan on Tuesday, one day after the Louisville City Council passed a resolution pledging Louisville’s support of the plan. Yesterday, the plan also received the official nod from the Boulder County Consortium of Cities, an organization with representatives from Boulder County, every municipality in the county, and Broomfield. The consortium passed a resolution urging all of its member jurisdictions to support the plan.

“It’s a very well thought-out, ambitious plan, and I think it reflects the desires and aspirations of many Boulder County residents to make a real difference in this arena,” Boulder County Commissioner Will Toor said during the approval of the resolution.

The Sustainable Energy Plan is a collaborative, countywide guiding document that recommends 35 actions for local governments and others in Boulder County to take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make our communities sustainable. The plan focuses on the dominant sources of emissions identified in a countywide greenhouse gas inventory: residential buildings, commercial buildings, transportation and industrial operations. Together these four sectors account for 91% of the county’s greenhouse gas emissions.

The Sustainable Energy Plan was forged by the Boulder County Consortium of Cities Energy Strategy Task Force, working in concert with subject-matter experts and representatives of local businesses, environmental organizations and communities. With the final draft completed, the plan is now being brought forward to each participating city, town and county for adoption.

The Plan provides an outline of the recommended means for achieving Boulder County’s goal of reaching compliance with the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement that sets targets for developed countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to 7% below 1990 levels by the year 2012. Although the United States has not ratified this protocol, Boulder County and other local governments are not waiting for Federal action to reduce harmful emissions; instead, they are joining the 780 other local governments nationwide that have already passed resolutions pledging to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout their communities.

Boulder County conducted an inventory of countywide greenhouse gas emissions in 2005. In addition to identifying sources and quantities of emissions, the inventory extrapolated a “business as usual” trajectory. This trajectory predicts that in 2012, if significant action is not taken to reverse energy consumption and pollution trends, countywide emissions will equal approximately 5,830,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, which is about 85% above the Kyoto goal.

Combined, and accounting for overlap between strategies, these plan’s key strategies are expected to result in:

·        Emissions reductions in 2012 of more than 1.3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent

·        Emissions reductions in 2020 of more than 3.6 million metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent

·        Annual cost savings that will grow to exceed $445 million dollars by 2020

·        Nine-year payback for all 20 actions (5 years for all actions except vehicle-to-grid).

If implemented, the top 20 strategies outlined in the Sustainable Energy Plan will bring the county nearly halfway toward achieving the Kyoto Protocol target. In the longer term, these strategies will reduce emissions even more significantly. By 2020, for example, the SEP strategies will enable the county to reduce GHG emissions 11% below 1990 levels. Putting this in terms of Governor Bill Ritter’s Climate Action goal, the SEP will result in a reduction of emissions 40% below 2005 levels in the year 2020. This is a reduction nearly twice that called for by the Governor.

“The Sustainable Energy Plan outlines a set of action-based, achievable strategies that will significantly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of local governments, businesses, and residents in Boulder County as well as have a positive economic impact,” said Boulder County Sustainability Coordinator Ann Livingston. “It prescribes achievable actions that we can implement today to begin having an immediate impact, but it’s also a living document that we can amend to include additional strategies as the technology and funds become available.”

Key actions recommended by the plan include:

·        Conduct neighborhood energy awareness sweeps

·        Offer discounts on high efficiency light bulbs and residential energy audits

·        Develop residential green building codes and ordinances for new and existing residential, commercial and governmental buildings

·        Promote industrial combined heat and power technologies

·        Encourage statewide participation in the Western States Climate Initiative

·        Implement controls and policies to limit idling of municipal and county vehicles

·        Install light emitting diode (LED) traffic signals

·        Promote sustainable biofuels

·        Promote vehicle-to-grid power connection

·         Implement a Clean Car Incentive program

·        Adopt a statewide Clean Car Standard

·        Develop a sustainable energy financing district

·        Target utilities, including use of incentives and a renewable portfolio standard

·        Maximize the use of rebate incentives for sustainable energy

·        Create energy budgets and rate structures

·        Create a revolving loan fund for sustainable projects

·        Offer “climate offsets credits” and use to build community wind

·        Implement Energy Performance Project for businesses

The Consortium of Cities resolution requested that the final plan adopted by member jurisdictions include a requirement to complete a greenhouse gas inventory update within the next five years and to provide annual progress reports by the jurisdictions.

To view the entire final draft Sustainable Energy Plan, visit www.bouldercounty.org/sustain.

-END-

December 11, 2007

CONTACT: Tim Swope, Boulder County Alternative Transportation Coordinator, 720-564-2658

County to launch new bus service in 2008

New routes connect East County to jobs, schools, hospital, US36 transit

Residents in east Boulder County will gain a brand new bus route and expanded service on an existing route in 2008, making it easier for them to access work, school, medical care and shopping.

The Boulder County Commissioners have approved the use of funds from the County’s Transportation Sales Tax to partner with RTD in providing two new bus services in Louisville, Lafayette and Erie. The first will extend the seven-year-old JUMP service to East County Line Road in Erie. The second will launch a new “LYNX” service connecting downtown Louisville and west Louisville neighborhoods to the US36 Corridor.

The JUMP currently travels though Boulder every 10 minutes, with service to the Lafayette park-n-Ride every 20 minutes. The proposed extension would travel through Lafayette along Arapahoe Road and Baseline Road, then head north through the Boulder County sections of Erie to the currently planned terminus at the Erie Town Community Center at the intersection of East County Line Road and Leon Wurl Parkway.

“Growth in Erie and Lafayette, along with continued in-commuting from areas east of Boulder County, warrant an extension of this bus service. Both RTD and Boulder County have long sought a more direct transit service to Erie, and folks in Erie have been encouraging us to start the service as soon as possible,” said Boulder County Commissioner Will Toor. “This service will carry out the commitment we made to county voters when they supported the countywide transportation sales tax.”

The new LYNX bus will offer transit service from the Louisville Library (in downtown Louisville) south to Monarch High School, Avista Hospital, the Flatirons Crossing park-n-Ride and the Broomfield park-n-Ride.

The services are scheduled to start this summer. Both services will be funded through a combination of Federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grants and revenue from the Boulder County Transportation sales tax, which county residents approved in 2001. During the 2007 election, County voters approved an extension of the sales tax, beginning in 2009.

Details of the LYNX and JUMP services and the County’s agreements with RTD have not yet been finalized. “We still have to work out the details with RTD, our local partners, and the Regional funding agencies about how this is going to work,” Transportation Director George Gerstle explained. “Originally we had wanted to launch this service sooner, but we are very excited that this most recent proposal offers residents a better service at a lower long-term cost to both the County and RTD.” 

-END-

May 14, 2007

Contact: Michelle Krezek, Boulder County Land Use Department (720) 564-2623

Public invited to provide comments on proposed Sustainability Element for County Comp Plan

The Boulder County Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing for the evening of Wednesday, May 16, to take public testimony on adopting a new Sustainability Element for the Boulder County Comprehensive Plan.

The hearing will take place:

When:     May 16, 2007, 7:00 p.m.

Where:    3rd Floor Hearing Room, Boulder County Courthouse, 1325 Pearl Street, Boulder

As proposed, the new Sustainability Element will help create a framework of sustainable policies and practices for future land use in unincorporated Boulder County. The element gives broad, inclusive goals to help guide future regulations while also providing specific direction on policies such as an expanded transfer of development rights program, structure size, and green building.

The Planning Commission will take public testimony at Wednesday night's hearing and it is anticipated that they will then take action to adopt the Goals and Policies making them a part of the Boulder County Comprehensive Plan. Once the Element is adopted, the County Land Use Department will begin work on programs to implement these goals and policies.

For additional information, please contact Michelle Krezek at mkrezek@co.boulder.co.us or 720.564.2623. A copy of the draft goals and policies of the Sustainability Element can be found at: www.co.boulder.co.us/lu.

-END-

18 April 2007

Contact: Patricia Demchak, Boulder County Public Information Officer, 303-441-3399

CU, Cities, Boulder County host month-long series of Earth Day, Arbor Day activities

On campus and in neighborhoods throughout Boulder County this month, the University of Colorado, local cities and Boulder County are teaming up to bring energy-wise and environmentally friendly events and education straight to the public. The events, planned in honor of Earth Day and Arbor Day, aim to teach county residents how to cut back on energy use, reduce waste and pollution, and save loads of money.

The Earth Day collaboration is just one piece of a long-term, regional sustainability collaboration that will help protect our environment, energy security and economy by implementing a countywide culture of energy efficiency. The strategy targets energy efficiency across the breadth of all energy users, including government, businesses, residents and schools.

So when CU students or city or county staff come to your door, your office, or your neighborhood, say “yes” to energy savings, a clean environment, strong economy, and a healthy community. 

Calendar of Earth Day/Arbor Day activities:

Countywide:

• Composting yard waste and food scraps reduces trash sent to the landfill while providing valuable nutrients for your garden. In honor of Earth Day, the Boulder County Resource Conservation Division and City of Boulder Environmental Affairs will launch their “Get the Dirt on Composting” campaign.
• April 21 -- Backyard composting workshop sponsored by Boulder County Resource Conservation Division and the City of Boulder, 10 a.m.-noon, Boulder County Recycling Center, 1901 63^rd St., Boulder. RSVP to 720-564-2223.
• April 22 -- Celebrate Earth Day at Heil Valley Ranch, 1-4 p.m. Work with staff  to help restore healthy forest and meadow ecoosystems. The work is part of a larger restoration plan that will re-establish natural forest systems and improve wildlife habitat.  Snacks will be provided. Registration deadline is Thursday, April 19.  RSVP to Matt Bruce at mbruce@co.boulder.co.us or 303-678-6216.  
• April 27 -- Plant trees and shrubs in honor of Arbor Day, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Help Boulder County Parks and Open Space plant more than 100 shrubs and 40 trees.  Your assistance will help convert unused agriculture land back into wildlife habitat.  Work will take place at Sisters of Saint Francis, a small agricultural property located southeast of Longmont.  Please bring your own lunch.  Registration deadline is Wednesday, April 25.  RSVP to Matt Bruce: mbruce@co.boulder.co.us or 303-678-6216.
• May 2 -- Backyard composting workshop sponsored by Boulder County Resource Conservation Division and the City of Boulder, 6-8 p.m., Boulder County Recycling Center.
• May 5 -- Backyard composting workshop sponsored by Boulder County Resource Conservation Division, 10 a.m.-Noon, Boulder County Parks and Open Space Building, 5201 St. Vrain Rd., Longmont. RSVP to 720-564-2223.

Erie:

• April 28 – Erie Arbor Day, 10 a.m.-noon at Coal Creek Park. Event will include free tree seedlings and educational materials, free refreshments, drawings for prizes and gift certificates, tree planting, coordinated activities for children, flag ceremony and a presentation of Arbor Day/Tree City USA Plaque.
  
  

Lafayette:

·       April 21 -- Arbor Day Restoration of Coal Creek Corridor and Open Space.
More than 100 native trees and bushes will be planted in the Coal Creek corridor and on the adjacent open space to celebrate Arbor Day, and as part of an ongoing effort to restore the area. Volunteers are needed to help with the planting from 8 a.m.-noon. The inclement weather date is April 28. Volunteers should wear work gloves and bring a shovel. A brief Arbor Day ceremony and demonstration of proper planting techniques will be held at 8:15 a.m. Beverages and snacks will be provided.

The City of Lafayette has committed to planting trees to help reach the 2007 Metro Denver goal of planting 7,000 new trees in seven days between Earth Day and Arbor Day. Volunteers should sign up through the “I Volunteer! Day” program with the Volunteer Connection of Boulder County by calling 303-444-4904 or visiting http://www.volunteerconnection.net/. Volunteers will receive free t-shirts.

Louisville

• April 28 – Celebration of Louisville’s 26^th consecutive year as a Tree City USA with an informational booth and tree planting at Louisville’s Community Park starting at 11 a.m.
• April 21 – 28 - As part of the 2007 Earth Day/Arbor Day celebration, the City of Louisville is proud to announce its involvement with the “Seven in Seven” region-wide tree planting campaign.  The City of Louisville, along with citizen volunteers, local tree care professionals and the Horticulture and Forestry Advisory Board (HFAB) will plant trees during the seven-day period from April 21 through April 28.  Trees will be planted in parks, rights-of-ways, and other public land.

Longmont

• April 7-28 -- Annual "Clean-up Green-up" campaign. Coordinated community effort to clean up parks, greenways, open spaces, roadways, etc. The City of Longmont will provide coffee, donuts, juice and 35-gallon garbage bags at the kick-off on April 7.
• April 16-22 -- Tree limb pick-up. City collects tree and shrub limbs/branches at no charge and hauls to the Tree Limb Diversion Center, where they are ground into mulch for free pick-up by residents.
• April 21 -- Earth Day/Arbor Day Celebration at Thompson Park, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Activities and displays for kids; tree and rose bush sale.
• May 5 -- Backyard composting workshop sponsored by Boulder County Resource Conservation Division, 10 a.m.-Noon, Boulder County Parks and Open Space Building, 5201 St. Vrain Rd.  RSVP to Stacy Lambright, 720-564-2223.

Superior

• Saturday, April 21 -- Town Arbor Day Celebration, 10 a.m. at Purple Park. The celebration will include tree care education and demonstrations, kids' activities, and refreshments.

University of Colorado

• “Computers to Youth Recycling Program” Kickoff: Launch of a program that collects and upgrades surplus computer devices and delivers them into the homes of low-income high school students, who are also paired with CU student mentors.
• April 19 -- Earthdance: The Short-Attention-Span Environmental Film Festival, 7 p.m., MCOL W100, CU-Boulder. EarthDance is a juried compilation of documentaries, mockumentaries, animations, high adventures, and dramas that invite you to celebrate and explore your relationship with the natural world.

Boulder

• April 21 -- Backyard composting workshop sponsored by Boulder County Resource Conservation Division and the City of Boulder, 10 a.m.-noon, Boulder County Recycling Center, 1901 63^rd St.  RSVP to 720-564-2223.
• April 21 -- In celebration of Earth Day, there are a number of environmentally-related volunteer projects. Find out more and learn how you can get involved at http://www.volunteerconnection.net/ and www.colorado.edu/vch. Volunteers can participate in opportunities such as:
  • Outdoor habitat landscaping with the Colorado Reptile Humane Society
  • Clean-up Boulder Creek with the Boulder Creek Watershed Initiative
  • Denver Urban Garden project benefiting refugees from Somalia living in Denver
  • Plant native trees and shrubs with Lafayette Parks & Open Space
  • Transplant, sow and mulch to get Boulder’s Growing Garden programs ready for spring and summer.
• April 22 -- Earth Day 5K Run/Walk. A Bolder Boulder qualifier, the Earth Day 5k Run/Walk is an opportunity to celebrate Earth Day by supporting resource conservation. The race has become Boulder’s highest profile Earth Day celebration. The event will feature an expanded sustainability expo with sustainability and conservation information and resources.   
• May 2 -- Backyard composting workshop sponsored by Boulder County Resource Conservation Division and the City of Boulder, 6-8 p.m., Boulder County Recycling Center, 1901 63^rd St.  RSVP to 720-564-2223.

Forestry Programs in Boulder:

• April 17 - 20 -- Twenty trees will be delivered (from Trees Across Boulder) to Boulder Housing Partners to be planted at three low-income housing communities in Boulder.
• April 16 – 20 -- Newborn t-shirts will be distributed to all babies born at Boulder Community Hospital during Arbor Day week. T-shirts say, “I was born on Arbor Day.”
• Arbor Day, April 20 -- Urban Forestry staff will plant a tree with the Boulder Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution at Christensen Park in Boulder (annual event).
• Arbor Day, April 20 -- Urban Forestry staff and disc golf volunteers will plant trees at Harlow Platts Park, East Boulder Recreation Center.
• April 23 -- Urban Forestry staff will plant 4-5 trees with the 5th grade class of University Hill Elementary School at Beach Park in Boulder.
• April 21 - 28 (estimated time frame) -- Eighty trees (from Trees Across Boulder) will go to Boulder's Housing and Human Services Department to be planted around single family homes in the HHS permanently affordable housing program. Participants will pick up trees at the Park Operations facility.
• March 15 - May 15 (estimated time frame) -- City of Boulder Urban Forestry Division will plant approximately 135 trees along city street Rights-of-Way and in city parks through the Street Tree Planting Program.