A local nonprofit that for almost 30 years has worked to reduce energy consumption and is now zeroing in on a carbon-free, net-zero future for the Roaring Fork Valley received initial support from Aspen’s elected officials Monday to receive $1.2 million next year.
As a check-in with Aspen City Council to gauge how it feels about releasing money from a fund that generates revenue through mitigation fees for energy-sucking developments, Mona Newton, executive director for the Community Office for Resource Efficiency, gave officials an update on what the organization has accomplished and where it’s going in the future.
This year has served as a transition year for CORE, as its main funding source, the Renewable Energy Mitigation Program, is beginning to dry up as new construction is bound by stricter building codes that require energy efficiency measures.
There are countless shining examples year-round of Roaring Fork Valley residents taking action to benefit the environment.
Aspen Center for Environmental Studies and Roaring Fork Conservancy have outstanding educational programs to nurture a connection with nature among students.
Aspen Valley Land Trust works with ranchers and other landowners to conserve vistas and sensitive lands from development. Wilderness Workshop fights to protect the most important unspoiled lands for people and wildlife.
Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers, Independence Pass Foundation and Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association take pressure off beleaguered public land management agencies to maintain trails and habitat.
Local governments have also set the bar high. Pitkin County Open Space and Trails has improved the quality of life for recreationists and wildlife. Pitkin County Healthy Rivers and Streams is taking vital steps to protect our waterways. The city of Aspen became an energy efficiency leader by s
) that was established in 1999 to financially support CORE, also was considered visionary at the time.
The program, which Pitkin County and the city of Aspen adopted, requires property owners who install energy-sucking amenities such as heated pools and snowmelt driveways to offset those carbon emissions by either paying a fee or installing renewables onsite.
Since Pitkin County tightened up its building code last year to require new homes to be built more energy efficient, REMP fees aren’t being paid at the same level as before.
“The building code is such that people can’t by their way out of it anymore,” said Aspen City Councilman Ward Hauenstein who serves on the CORE board as the city’s representative.
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