Do you want to co-create equitable solutions to achieve the community's energy, zero waste, and climate goals? If so, you've come to the right place!

Fort Collins is launching updates to our Climate Action Plan, Energy Policy, and Road to Zero Waste Plan - collectively called "Our Climate Future." An update to these plans is just getting started, and we need your help!

We hope you will consider at least one of the three opportunities for you to engage with these efforts:

1. Plan Ambassadors: Individuals who will lead equitable engagement across our community relating to climate action, zero waste goals and energy policies.
2. Community Partners: Organizations directly connected to and/or provide services for historically underrepresented groups.
3. Join the CAP Community Advisory Committee: Group of individuals representing diverse perspectives and voices that meets quarterly.

We will be accepting applications until October 2, 2019.

Celebrate the 3rd year of operations at the City’s Timberline Recycling Center with this family-friendly reuse and recycling event!

When: Sunday, October 6, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Where: Timberline Recycling Center,  1903 S. Timberline Rd., Fort Collins CO 80525

Cost: FREE

Highlights:

• Drop N Swap: Bring gently used reusable items for this free stuff swap sponsored by Eco Thrift!
• Reuse Arts and Craft
• Exhibitor Tables
• Kid’s Activities
• Cake and Refreshments

This summer, over 500 people pledged to Make A Shift in three simple, easy ways. Community members stopped their junk mail, drove less, and saved money on their energy bills by reducing their A/C usage. We are going to do it again this fall!

Check out the three new actions that you can take to save time, energy, and money for what matters most:

• SHIFT your Laundry: Hanging your clothes to dry and doing your laundry mornings and weekends can save you MONEY
• SHIFT your Mug: Using a reusable mug can SAVE tons of paper and plastic waste from being thrown into our landfill every year.
• SHIFT your Ride: Riding the bus saves you gas MONEY for what matters most.

Dawn Paepke is a Senior Specialist in Community Health & Engagement with Kaiser Permanente. Dawn has over 15 years of experience working in leadership roles for nonprofits, in fundraising, marketing, grants, and management. Social justice, equity, and access to affordable health care are important to Dawn and she feels fortunate to do this work through her role at Kaiser Permanente.

Dawn has a Bachelor's degree from Michigan State University, has been in Colorado for over 25 years, and enjoys volunteering, reading, live music, running, and community development work. She is also a disc jockey on 105.5, The Colorado Sound. Dawn has served on the CAP Advisory Committee since 2018.

Summer is a prime season for bad air quality days. Did you know you can easily check the air quality to protect yourself and your family from harmful air pollutants?

On days when air quality is considered moderate or unhealthy, you should limit your time outdoors and consider exercising indoors.

To help improve the outdoor air quality consider:

• Carpooling whenever possible
• Using public transportation
• Avoiding car idling, especially when waiting for a train or picking up kids from school
• Avoiding creating smoke and odors from indoor or outdoor wood burning
• Using electric lawn and garden equipment and vehicles