Why is Fort Collins Interested in Climate Protection?

Climate Action Plan - 2008 Status Report Released in July 2009

A decade ago Fort Collins was among the first wave of communities in the nation to commit to reducing local greenhouse emissions.  

Through innovation, leadership and local involvement, the community has benefited significantly from climate protection actions. Today, thanks to the efforts of the entire community, we have changed the trajectory of the emission growth curve.

Despite a 5% growth in population, our community emissions have not grown since 2005. Municipal government emissions have dropped 0.7% from 2005 levels.

• Read the Executive Summary (PDF)
• Read the Full Report (PDF) 
• Read the Inventory Methodology (PDF)

Greenhouse Gas Accounting Review (PDF)

In early 2009, the City of Fort Collins had an independent assessment done of its past community-wide greenhouse gas accounting practices. Read the full report (PDF) »

City Council Adopts 2009 Energy Policy

One of the primary goals of the 2009 Energy Policy is to support the community’s carbon emissions goal of reducing the City’s carbon footprint 20% below 2005 levels by 2020 and 80% by 2050. Other primary goals are to provide highly reliable electric service, to enhance local economic health and to continue collaboration with Platte River Power Authority and member cities.

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City Council Adopts 2008 Climate Action Plan

On December 2, 2008, City Council adopted by resolution, the 2008 Climate Action Plan. The Plan provides a blueprint for making progress on Fort Collins' greenhouse gas reduction goals while advancing multiple other City objectives.

Adoption of the Plan by resolution does not commit the City to any new resources or funding, or create any new laws at this time. All actions in the Plan that require Council approval will be considered by Council in the future, along with detailed cost and benefit information. The 2008 Climate Action Plan provides an important unifying framework for Fort Collins to lead in the burgeoning new energy economy and to advance the economic and environmental sustainability of our community.

Fort Collins Draft Climate Action Plan (October 2008) and Proposed Addendum (November 2008)

A Draft Climate Action Plan (PDF 1.3MB) was developed by the City of Fort Collins, following input from the Climate Task Force, City Council, boards and City staff. The draft plan builds upon existing successes and encompasses a range of strategies to engage all sectors of the community and address sources of emissions. Strategies in the Draft Climate Action Plan also support other local community goals and contribute to sustaining Fort Collins as a vibrant, world class community.

A Proposed Addendum (PDF 128KB) was developed in response to City Council's interest in considering a Plan that would fully achieve the 2012 and 2020 greenhouse gas reduction objectives, if fully implemented. This Proposed Addendum plus the Draft Climate Action Plan would meet those objectives.

On December 12, 2008, City Council adopted by resolution the Climate Action Plan but not the Proposed Addendum.

Fort Collins Climate Task Force

After a year of evaluating strategies and considering cost-effectiveness, the Climate Task Force completed its recommendations (PDF 1.3MB) in June 2008. Following subsequent input from City Council, boards and city staff, a Draft Climate Action Plan has been developed.

The 2007 Fort Collins Climate Task Force was charged with updating Fort Collins Local Action Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions to describe the steps that the Fort Collins community could take to meet the existing 2010 greenhouse gas emissions target. More »

• CTF Recommendations - June 2008 (PDF 1.3MB)

Fort Collins Community-wide Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals

Resolution 2008-051 (PDF 115KB) adopted by City Council in May 2008 establishes two greenhouse gas goals for the Fort Collins community, and one near-term “intent” to reduce emissions. The two goals are identical to statewide goals set for Colorado.

Goals

• Reduce community-wide greenhouse gas emissions 20% below 2005 levels by 2020
• Reduce community-wide greenhouse gas emissions 80% below 2005 levels by 2050

2012 Intent

• Reduce community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by the end of 2012 to a level not to exceed 2,466,000 tons CO2e

Fort Collins Joins the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign

In 1997, by passing Resolution 97-97, Fort Collins joined over 300 municipalities (now over 400) around the world in the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign , recognizing that "local government actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency provide multiple local benefits by decreasing air pollution, creating jobs, reducing energy expenditures, and saving money for the City government, its businesses and its citizens." more»

Fort Collins Joins Rocky Mountain Climate Organization

Colorado is special. Coloradoalso is changing.
Less snow. Less water. More drought. More wildfire.
Let's keep Colorado such a great place to live, work, and play.

The City of Fort Collins is one of seven initial partners in the Rocky Mountain Climate Organization, a broad coalition of mainstream interests formed in June 2004 to spread the word about what climate change can do to us here and what we can do about it.