Climate Wire – May 2012



EnvirOvation summary and prize drawing winners.

This year's seventh annual EnvirOvation was a great success. The event included a first-ever Business Exhibitor Showcase, featuring 35 businesses as well as the first ClimateWise Ambassador Award, awarded to Shanna Henk, USDA, ARS and Steve Hureau, The Cupboard. A special message of thanks and encouragement was given in a video address by Senator Mark Udall.

ClimateWise thanks everyone who attended the celebration and supported our partners’ achievements and commitments to environmental stewardship. A special thanks to the 43 event business sponsors whose commitment and support contributed greatly to the event’s success. View event photos.

Congratulations to the winners of the business card drawing:

Brendan Anderson (Fort Collins Nursery), Matt Brunner (AlphaGraphics), Stephanie Bublitz (Fort Collins Food Co-op), Larry Chapman (Fort Collins Video), Stuart Conway (Trees, Water & People), Carol Dollard (CSU), Mike Doran (Energy Solutions), Peter Eberle (Community Foundation), Sean Godbey (Old Town Spice Shop), Lori Graves (Morning Fresh Dairy), Gerry Horak (Fort Collins City Council), Jayne Kafka (RB+B Architects), Kenny Layton (Benchmark Realty), Jena Paonesa (Treehouse Montessori).

Winners may contact ClimateWise staff to claim their prize, (970) 416-2032.

A message from Senator Mark Udall.
During EnvirOvation, Senator Mark Udall provided a special message of recognition and congratulations to the City of Fort Collins and ClimateWise partners. View the video.

Check out the new ClimateWise logo.
A new ClimateWise logo was unveiled at EnvirOvation representing the evolution of the program. Partners are encouraged to download and use the new logo on their marketing materials. View and download the new logo – window clings will be available soon.

Take the ClimateWise Spring survey – win a prize.
What ClimateWise level does your organization want to achieve for 2012? Are there topics you would like to see for events? Watch for the ClimateWise Spring survey to provide feedback about the ClimateWise program. Partners must declare a level and complete the survey to be entered in a prize drawing.

Biz Ed – An educational series for business customers. 
Learn about City of Fort Collins services and programs as well as best practices and new technologies. Also, discover ways to conserve and save money for your organization or business. 

Programs will be held every third Wednesday of each month at Rocky Mountain Innosphere, 320 E. Vine Dr. Registration is required and breakfast will be provided. View programs and register.

Please note that parking is limited – alternative transportation is encouraged. Free bus passes are available, call (970) 416-2032 for more information.

Advisory Committee kick-off, June 20.
Save the date for the 2012 Advisory Committee kick-off luncheon, Wed., June 20, 11:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m. Partners who have been in the ClimateWise program for one year are eligible to serve on the Advisory Committee. This is a one-year commitment that allows you to provide valuable input into the operations and growth of the program, connect with other business partners and earn business credit toward Gold level recognition.
Register online or call (970) 416-2032 for more information.

Special thanks to the 2011 Advisory Committee for their dedication:

• Advanced Energy
• Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
• City of Fort Collins
• Clean Air Lawn Care
• Custom Blending, Inc.
• DDA/Downtown Business Association
• Dresser Rand Enginuity
• Experience Plus! Bicycle Tours
• Fort Collins Food Co-op
• Fort Collins Veterinary Emergency Hospital
• Gallegos Sanitation, Inc.
• Green Events, LLC
• Hewlett Packard Company
• In-Situ, Inc.
• Larimer County Government
• New Belgium Brewery
• Outpost Sunsport
• Poudre Valley Hospital
• Sign-A-Rama
• Toolbox Creative
• Trees Water People
• Trinity Lutheran Church
• Water Pik

Take the ClimateWise quiz – win a prize.
Want to test you ClimateWise program knowledge? View the first-ever online ClimateWise annual report and check out the cool program and partner videos. Take the online ClimateWise quiz, and you will be entered in a prize drawing sponsored by local businesses. Winners will be announced quarterly throughout 2012.

Rebates and incentives.

Fort Collins Utilities has new electric efficiency rebates available for commercial customers. Visit the Utilities website or contact 221-6700 for ongoing updates and information.

New rebates:

• Cooling Efficiency: roof top units and split systems (pre-approval required)
• Variable frequency drives
• Virtual desktop

Continuing rebates and incentives:

• Assessments
• Building tune-ups
• Integrated design assistance
• Lighting
• Building envelope
• Food service/grocery
• Office equipment
• Custom offers

Welcome New Partners.
ClimateWise welcomed four new businesses to the program in April:

• The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop, Ltd.
• Bounce Software
• Community Automotive
• Poudre Valley Air

Upcoming Events.

• Wed., May 2, 8:15-9 a.m. – Green-In-Action Series, Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce,
• Wed., May 16, 7:30-9 a.m. – Biz Ed: Think Outside the Car, Rocky Mountain Innosphere, 320 E. Vine Dr. Learn how to encourage employees to use sustainable transportation. Also get a preview of the MAX Bus Rapid Transit project. Breakfast provided, register today.
• Sat., May 19, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. – FoCo Eco Cruise, a bike-friendly self-guided tour of residential and commercial buildings that showcase energy efficiency, renewable energy and other sustainable practices.
• Fri., June 1, 8:30-9:30 a.m. - ClimateWise Orientation*, 215 N. Mason St., Community Room. Discover program benefits, including cost savings, education, greenhouse gas reductions and public recognition. Open to ClimateWise partners and businesses interested in joining, register today.
• Wed., June 6, 8:15-9 a.m. –  Green-In-Action Series, Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce,
• Wednesday, June 13, 7:30-9 a.m. - Biz Ed: Reduce Operating Costs through Energy Efficiency, Rocky Mountain Innosphere, 320 E. Vine Dr. Take advantage of new cooling rebates and existing support for energy efficiency projects to reduce operating costs and environmental impacts. Breakfast provided, register today.
• Tues., June 26, 8-10 a.m. - Rawhide Power Plant Tour, watch for details.
• Wed., June 27, 6:30-9:30 a.m. / 4-8 p.m. - Bike to Work Day (breakfast stations and afternoon stations), watch for details. Interested in hosting a Bike to Work Day breakfast or afternoon station? Contact Rebecca Moriarty at FC Bikes (970) 224-6112.
  

Upcoming Events for In-Home Businesses.
Free Residential Environmental Program Series, Fort Collins Senior Center, 1200 Raintree Dr.
Wed., May 9, 7-9 p.m. – The Art and Science of Composting
Learn to turn your household's yard trimmings and food scraps into an excellent soil amendment and discover more advanced techniques.

For current event information, visit the ClimateWise event calendar.

Interested in hosting an event? Contact Deb Harris for details at (970) 224-6121 or 

Note: Events marked by * cannot be used to fulfill ClimateWise partner meeting requirements.