The U.S. Green Building Council CSU Student Chapter is hosting a panel discussion about renewable energy development on May 3, 2013, from 12 to 1:30 p.m., at CSU’s Lecture Hall, Clark A 104. Panelists include U.S. Congressman Jared Polis, former Colorado Governor & Director of the Center for the New Energy Economy at CSU Bill Ritter, Fort Collins Chief Sustainability Officer Bruce Hendee, and CSU Lead Facilities Engineer Carol Dollard.

During the past decade, CSU, Fort Collins, and the state of Colorado have been leaders in innovative techniques to decrease dependence on fossil fuels, reduce energy consumption, and promote renewable energy sources. This discussion will focus on what has worked and why; and plans for our community going forward. The event is free and open to the public.  For more information, contact:
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Attend “Exploring Coral Reefs: Reproduction and Survival” on Tuesday, May 21, 2013, from 12 to 1:30 p.m., at 215. N. Mason St., room 1A.  Despite their limited distribution, coral reefs are vital to the health of the world’s oceans and to people living nearby. Join our host, Dr. “Kiki” Sanford, as she explores the amazing world of corals with Dr. Peter Harrison, one of the world’s foremost authorities on corals and their reproduction. This documentary is part of the City of Fort Collins’ Mindful Movies & More series. Reservations are not required for this FREE event. For more information, contact Rosemarie Russo at .

Mindful Movies is sponsored by the City of Fort Collins Sustainability Program and is free to residents. Please join us as we show thought-provoking, sustainably minded documentaries and seminars, where you'll also enjoy lively discussion from local experts.

NoCo Rebuilding Network was formed to raise funds and resources, as well as recruit volunteers to assist in sustainable rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of local disasters. By bringing together our collective resources and knowledge, this network can help people and communities achieve a level of sustainable design and construction that may not otherwise be possible.

100% of the funds collected will be allocated to those whose homes have been significantly impacted by the fire. Do you need help? Add your name to NoCo Rebuilding High Park Fire Recovery List. This group will be in touch with application materials, submittal requirements, and volunteer resources.

For more information on how to donate, visit NoCo Rebuilding Network, High Park Fire Rebuilding Fund, or Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department.

You can also directly mail your donation to:

RCVFD – Treasurer
PO Box 2
Bellvue, CO 80512

The City of Fort Collins has recently completed a reorganization that brings existing Economic Health, Environmental Services, and Social Sustainability departments under one umbrella. Approved by City Council in November 2011, the change will enable the Sustainability Services Area to increase cooperation with the Fort Collins community, in pursuit of innovative alliances and continued improvements in the areas of economic health, environmental services, and social sustainability (a concept known as the "Triple Bottom Line").

The City of Fort Collins is among the first, if not the first municipality, to structure all three components under one service area. The most recent and final addition,  the Social Sustainability Department, is the defining element of this innovative structure. <more>

Leading the new Social Sustainability Department is Director Joe Frank, who is being joined by staff from the Affordable Housing and Human Services workgroup. Funding opportunities and monitoring processes within the department's scope will continue to operate as usual.  New focus areas will include addressing the social and multicultural needs in Fort Collins while leveraging resources of other organizations. The idea is that as a community, we can positively impact socio-economic needs such as poverty, homelessness, health, education, and jobs.

Josh Birks leads the Economic Health Office as its director, and his group is finalizing the new Economic Health Strategic Plan, which will guide priorities over the next five years. With a focus on partnership, creating economic opportunities, and preserving our unique quality of place, economic health efforts work first to prioritize business retention and expansion, then incubation, and finally business attraction.

Heading the Environmental Services Department is Interim Director Lucinda Smith. Environmental Services focuses on activities that help improve outdoor and indoor air quality, as well as strategies that increase the community’s recycling and waste diversion, coordinating municipal sustainability activities, and environmental data management.  A permanent Director will be hired over the summer.

In this audio interview, 102.5 FM Morning Radio Show Host Paul Wozniak sits down with Environmental Planner Caroline Mitchell to discuss the City's new paper carton recycling program. Listen to the interview by clicking on the green and white “play" button located near the middle of the blog post. 

The City of Fort Collins is committed to building a vibrant, sustainable community, and paper carton recycling is a positive step towards reaching our goal of eliminating unnecessary waste.  Have questions about what can and can't be recycled? Here are some common questions and their answers to help guide you.

In this audio interview, Chief Sustainability Officer Bruce Hendee at the City of Fort Collins shares his views with Paul Wozniak, mid-day host for Tri-102.5 FM, about what sustainability means at the City of Fort Collins organization, how a Triple Bottom Line applies to what we're doing, the role the community plays, and what the recently produced "Sustain Fort Collins" video offers to residents.

Paul's written blog entry offers insights into what he's learned about sustainability from speaking with Bruce. Listen to the interview by clicking on the "play" button toward the middle of the blog submission.

In this video, you'll learn about a number of sustainability projects the City of Fort Collins' municipality is involved in across the organization. From composting, hybrid vehicles, and solar power to its natural gas fleet and electric golf carts, it's worth a look. Natural Resources Director John Stokes narrates this video, as he speaks with employees and consultants who make these projects zoom.

Enjoy Part II of "Sustainability Projects that Zoom," a video about seven innovative projects that the City of Fort Collins municipality is implementing across the organization.

Hear from City employees as they talk about energy efficiency improvements at Collindale Golf Club; testing of LED fixtures and electric vehicle charging stations at Utilities;lighting upgrades at the Streets Department; money saving and greenhouse gas reductions by businesses through the Climate Wise program; the plant-to-people connection and environmental improvements at the Gardens on Spring Creek; innovative efficiencies and carbon reduction strategies through solar and tree-planting at the Water Treatment Facility; and how server and desktop virtualization leadership from the Management Information Systems department is helping the organization reduce energy consumption.

The City of Fort Collins has recently completed a new video, "Sustain Fort Collins," which demonstrates some of the environmental sustainability goals, progress, and partnership initiatives our municipality is spearheading. Narrated by the City's Chief Sustainability Officer Bruce Hendee, the video features a compilation of projects and brief interviews with key personnel that speak to the impact of these developments.

Learn about the City's Climate Wise program through this informative audio interview and blog feature in which Kathy Collier, program manager, speaks with Paul Wozniak, mid-day Host at Tri-102.5 FM. You'll get the skinny on the nuts and bolts of the program, the number of partners who are participating in this voluntary initiative between the City and local businesses, the number of greenhouse gas emissions they've reduced, and the amount of money they've saved through efficiencies in energy, transportation, water, and waste reduction!

Don't miss out on a great interview and blog entry on affordable Home Efficiency Audits available to Fort Collins' residents. John Phelan, energy services manager, Fort Collins Utilities, was interviewed by Tri-102.5 FM mid-day host Paul Wozniak about the benefits of such home audits. Listen to Paul as he takes us along on his own personal experience when the knowledgeable and friendly auditor shows up at his home.

Learn more about how you can sign up for a cost-effective Home Efficiency Audit from the City of Fort Collins Utilities.