Climate Action Plan Newsletter

I’ve been thinking about lights lately. Now that it's getting darker earlier, I notice how much light I use indoors, and soon outdoors. We want to make our home festive for the holiday season, so my family is thinking about hanging more LED lights than usual to cheer up the neighborhood. The Utilities portal helps me to see our home's energy use and monitor how much the LED lights will impact my utility bill. I’m also looking at the proposed updated lighting codes that will decrease light pollution and enhance our community's energy efficiency - the draft updates are now available for public review (more below). 

Being energy efficient is a great starting place to save money and reduce pollution. Learn more about the programs already in place by enjoying this newsletter.

Cheers,

Michelle

Our Climate Future Community Identified Big Moves

Over the past year, nearly 1,000 community members have shared ideas for creating a sustainable future in Fort Collins through the Our Climate Future project. Those ideas were used to create what we’re calling Big Moves, which are categories of action to achieve a more sustainable, equitable and resilient Fort Collins. 

Share your feedback about ideas like Reduce Driving, Community Partnerships and Governance, and Emissions Free Buildings. Which of the 15 Big Moves could have the most positive impact on your daily life? Do any have the potential for negative impact?

Share your thoughts by taking our quick survey, available through Nov. 30. (La encuesta también está disponsible en español.)

Gardens on Spring Creek Achieve LEED Gold Certification

Congratulations to The Gardens on Spring Creek for achieving LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its Visitor Center expansion!

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most widely used green building rating system in the world, providing a framework for healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership.

The 2019 renovation was part of a two-year, $6 million expansion project. The Visitor Center now features a large community meeting room, new entry way with gift shop, café concessions (slated to open in 2021) and additional office space.

Get Energy Smart with MyEnergy

Curious about how much energy you use, and how you can increase savings? The new MyEnergy portal helps residential customers track their energy use, find new ways to save and earn rewards that can be used in your favorite stores.

On MyEnergy, you'll find:

• The full picture. Your online assessment will help you learn more about how you use energy.
• Tailored recommendations. Review your customized action plan for ways to save.
• Valuable rewards. Taking action and logging in to your portal will earn you points that can be redeemed at your favorite retailers.

Outdoor Lighting Regulations Update

The City is developing new regulations for outdoor lighting and a draft is now available for public comment. These regulations cover new developments that consist of multi-family, commercial and institutional uses.

The goals of the update include:

• Promote nighttime safety, security and commerce;
• Minimize glare, obtrusive light, sky glow, and light trespass onto adjacent properties;
• Protect the local natural ecosystem and human health from the damaging effects of artificial night lighting; and
• Promote energy conservation by capitalizing on technological advancements in the lighting field.

Comments can be sent to Kelly Smith at ksmith@fcgov.com. 

Don't Leaf Them In The Street

Fort Collins offers many options for handling fallen leaves:

• Neighbors can connect through social media networks such as Nextdoor and Facebook to exchange leaves for composting, animal bedding, and plant insulation.
• Local businesses can recycle leaves at the Timberline Recycling Center, or through the Larimer County Landfill Green Waste Program. 
• Some residential trash haulers offer yard waste collection through November for an extra fee - contact your waste hauler.

Reusing, recycling, and composting leaves helps the community’s zero waste and climate action goals by keeping leaves out of landfills and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

About the Climate Action Plan

The City is implementing its 2020 Climate Action Plan strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The goal is to achieve a 20 percent reduction from 2005 emissions by 2020, 80 percent by 2030, and be carbon neutral by 2050.

Contact Us

Michelle Finchum
Interim Climate Program Manager 
mfinchum@fcgov.com 

Carolyn Conant 
Climate Program Assistant 
cconant@fcgov.com 
970.416.2473

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Sustainability Services

222 Laporte

Fort Collins, CO 80521