The Routt County Climate Action Plan Collaborative celebrates a year of progress toward a greener, more resilient future with the release of its 2022/23 annual report. Over the past year, local community experts have dedicated 1,400 hours to develop 40 high-impact, actionable steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Yampa Valley.
The report highlights successes that have been achieved across the Climate Action Plan’s five key sectors – energy, transportation, waste, land use and economy. These include the City of Steamboat Springs’ decision to go all electric for the new City Hall/Fire Station complex – a move that will result in 150t/yr of carbon saved. The transportation sector noted 388 electric vehicles registered in Routt County and 150 bikes matched through the Routt County Riders Bike Match Program.
Waste sector successes include the passage of the City’s commercial and multi-family unit recycling ordinance and the diversion of 2,447 pounds of recyclables and 1,920 pounds of compost through 27 Zero Waste supported events. In land use, 1,935 cottonwood trees were planted by 400 volunteers, protecting 1.5 miles of stream bank (and reducing river temperatures) through the Yampa River Forest Restoration Project – a partnership with the City of Steamboat Springs and the Yampa Valley Sustainability Council.
Finally, the economy sector celebrated the growth of the Colorado Green Business Network of the Yampa Valley program with ten businesses registered and three Bronze-level certifications awarded.
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 the Climate Action Plan recommendations with the help and oversight of the Collaborative Board and Working Groups. Stay up to date on what’s going on with the Collaborative by signing up for the e-newsletter at routtclimateaction.com/get-involved/.
