The CAP Collaborative Board is pleased to announce Commissioner Angelica Salinas as Routt County’s newest representative on the CAP Board. She replaces Commissioner Sonja Macys. Commissioner Macys played an integral role in the establishment of the Routt County CAP Collaborative and continues to work on behalf of its carbon emission reduction goals and recommendations. We thank her for her time, dedication and commitment to our common goal of a healthier, resilient and vibrant Routt County.
Commissioner Salinas serves as Routt County Commissioner for District I, bringing a strong record of leadership in community engagement, economic development and advocacy for working families. We asked Commissioner Salinas a few questions below as part of our ‘Getting to know the Collaborative’ series.
1) Why does the CAP matter to you and why should Routt County residents care?
The CAP matters because climate change touches everything—our water, our roads, our ability to keep living here. It’s also not just about the environment. It’s about affordability, public health, agriculture, and even housing. If we don’t plan for it now, we’re going to feel even greater costs later. This plan helps us be proactive instead of reactive. And it gives us a shared roadmap so we’re not working in silos.
2) While implementation of all the CAP recommendations will be necessary to meet our CAP carbon emission reduction goals, are there any recommendations in particular you feel are most urgent and impactful?
Building energy use and transportation stand out to me. Making our homes and buildings more efficient is one of the fastest, most cost-effective ways to lower emissions—and it saves people money. On transportation, I live in unincorporated Routt County, and we need transit options that work for all of us. That means better regional transit and safer bike and pedestrian routes. These are not just climate actions, but they’re also just good community investments.
3) Climate change is a complex and oftentimes overwhelming problem. What keeps you hopeful that we as individuals and a community can take meaningful action to limit the impacts of regional climate change?
Honestly, the people. I see folks stepping up all the time—not because it’s easy, but because they care. That gives me hope. Climate action can feel overwhelming, but we don’t have to solve it all at once. We just have to keep moving, keep working together, and not lose sight of what’s at stake. Collaboration is what makes that possible. And in Routt County, I think we’re already showing what it looks like when local governments, nonprofits, businesses, and community members come together to take action. That’s what keeps me hopeful.
