Over 65 community leaders in northern Colorado came together this week to discuss sustainability opportunities at the latest in a series of regional roundtables by the non-profit Alliance for Sustainable Colorado (“the Alliance”). The meeting, hosted by New Belgium Brewing Company (an Alliance sponsor), gave representatives from businesses, nonprofits, local and state government agencies and academic institutions the opportunity to exchange valuable ideas. “The folks in northern Colorado are leaders in Colorado’s sustainability movement,” said Janna Six, Education & Outreach Director, Alliance for Sustainable Colorado. “Examples range from the Fort Zed smart grid goals to the Colorado State University research programs to educational outreach of the Sustainable Living Fair, to business leadership of New Belgium.” Participants at the Fort Collins roundtable engaged in rich discussions about which sustainability efforts are working well and which opportunities are ripe for development. Discussions revealed that the leadership in northern Colorado has been key in making sustainability concepts and practices an integral part of the entire community. To move sustainability forward, the group agreed that encouraging local and community-supported agriculture is an objective which would benefit from collaborative leadership. Growing and eating food that is produced locally achieves multiple sustainability goals: offers more self sufficiency of food supplies, keeps closer tabs on food quality, provides green jobs, reduces transportation impacts, encourages protection of open lands, fosters a sense of community, and brings consumers closer to the land so they’ll have a better understanding of related topics like changes in climate. A number of next steps were recommended to expand local food production and consumption . The Larimer Land Trust, CSU Extension Office, and AgriCorps (like the Peace Corps) were recognized as having leadership roles. Other organizations, not traditionally focused on agriculture, suggested valuable ways to expand involvement. For example, Poudre School District buys local produce and sends classes on fieldtrips to urban farms. The roundtables are designed to increase collaboration by engaging regional leaders to share best practices and identify areas where more collaborative efforts might overcome challenges to sustainability at the regional and state level. Hundreds of sustainability leaders are getting plugged into a sustainability network that spans the state. The Fort Collins roundtable was the fifth Alliance Roundtable this year. Other communities that have hosted a roundtable include Pueblo, Durango, Grand Junction, and Steamboat Springs. “The Alliance for Sustainable Colorado Roundtables are a great opportunity to identify priorities that will advance the goals of Colorado’s New Energy Economy,” said Mona Newton, Regional Director for the Governor’s Energy Office. “The information the Alliance is able to gather will provide a fact-based foundation for building sustainable communities across Colorado.” Notes are available from each of the 2009 roundtable meetings. Watch for a summary report to be issued after December 1, 2009. For more information on the Fort Collins roundtable and Alliance for Sustainable Colorado’s statewide initiative, go to http://www.sustainablecolorado.org/programs/outreach.php.
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Posted by Erik Keith on January 28, 2009 at 9:23am
A record number of attendees packed the Old Supreme Court Chambers today for the 5th Annual Sustainable Business Legislative Briefing at the State Capitol.Organized by Alliance for Sustainable Colorado’s CASBA program (Colorado Alliance of Sustainable Business Associations), the briefing and policy discussion drew more than 150 business and non-profit representatives and state legislators. The speakers and topics focused on strategies for continuing the growth of Colorado’s New Energy Economy.“Colorado and the rest of the country are facing unprecedented economic challenges, but our state is well-positioned to lead the country in the development of a New Energy Economy, said Gov. Bill Ritter. “I look forward to seeing the state legislature’s recommendations for long-term, clean energy solutions that address immediate economic challenges.”Presentations were made by three notable leaders concerned about Colorado’s economic development. André Pettigrew, executive director of Denver’s Office of Economic Development, spoke about local government initiatives to create green jobs as part of Denver’s involvement in the Climate Prosperity Project. Speaker of the House, Terrance Carroll, described the purpose of the state legislature’s Committee on Job Creation and Economic Growth. Gov. Ritter closed the briefing with his vision of how green jobs and sustainable business practices fit into the new energy economy.Speaker Terrance Carroll explained, "We want to expand the circle of opportunity for everyone in our state. One way we can do that is by energizing our economy. We are making targeted investments in new technologies like expanding concentrated solar and high-altitude wind turbines to effectively tap into those 300 days of renewable rays and the gusts that consistently blow across our rolling plains. I want to make sure that the consumer has the opportunity to choose clean power over coal. By investing in renewable resources, we are working toward genuine energy independence. We have successfully begun to create a new energy economy: we have created thousands of new ‘green-collar’ jobs, and there are many more to come."Representatives from sustainable business associations and individual companies asked questions and offered policy suggestions. Associations represented included the Boulder Green Building Guild, Colorado Association for Recycling, Colorado Renewable Energy Society, CORE (Connected Organizations for a Responsible Economy), Colorado Solar Energy Industry Association, Greener Denver Business Program, Outdoor Industry Association, Catamount Institute - Pikes Peak Sustainable Business Network, and US Green Building Council – Colorado Chapter.A sustainable business includes “triple bottom line” measures of its profitability as well as its impacts on the well-being of people and the environment.“The triple bottom line approach has quickly emerged as a wise and prudent strategy shared by leading businesses,” commented André Pettigrew. “By reducing energy consumption, companies ultimately are generating green savings that make them more competitive and generate new opportunities for employment and innovation.”“State government has an essential role to play to encourage business development that is profitable for companies and helpful for society while not damaging the environment,” said Janna Six, Alliance for Sustainable Colorado’s CASBA coordinator. “For example, government investments can stimulate development of infrastructure for clean energy, mass transit, and small businesses.”Video and details of policy ideas from the briefing will be available at www.casba.info.The legislative briefing followed Alliance for Sustainable Colorado’s co-hosted event last week -- the Green Inaugural Ball, at the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. The event, chaired by former Vice President, Al Gore, drew national and local environmental leaders, including Van Jones and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.CASBA is Alliance for Sustainable Colorado’s business program to expand sustainable and socially responsible business practices throughout Colorado by facilitating communication and collaboration among sustainable business associations. CASBA is a program of Alliance for Sustainable Colorado.About Alliance for Sustainable ColoradoAlliance for Sustainable Colorado works to catalyze the shift to a truly sustainable world by fostering collaboration among nonprofits, businesses, governments, and academia. The Alliance Center at 1536 Wynkoop Street near Union Station, a LEED certified office building, is home to 27 non-profit organizations. To request a tour of the Alliance Center, contact Emily Andrews at eandrews@sustainablecolorado.orgThe Alliance has been recognized by several organizations for its leadership in sustainability. Recent awards include; US Green Building Council National Leadership Award for Education by an Organization, Wirth Chair Energy Pioneer Award, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Gold Environmental Leader Award, Colorado Energy Champion issued by the Governor’s Office of Energy Management and Conservation, and the Denver Mayor’s Design Award “It Ain’t Easy Being Green”.
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Posted by Erik Keith on January 15, 2009 at 1:44pm
Alliance for Sustainable Colorado (www.sustainablecolorado.org), a non-profit organization dedicated to unifying the sustainability movement in Colorado, has named Joanne Keys as its new executive director.“With both a passion for the environment and a proven ability to lead dynamic business teams, Joanne is uniquely qualified to lead the organization,” said John Powers, Alliance Board President and Founder. “Her talent will be a tremendous asset in catalyzing the shift to a truly sustainable world.”Ms. Keys brings over 20 years of management and executive level experience to her new role, including several years with multi-continental and multi-cultural businesses. Most recently, she served as President of NANA Pacific, an Alaskan-native owned technology corporation. Previously, Ms. Keys was a Vice President with American Management Systems, a Fortune 500 company, and spent over six years in Antarctica supporting the U.S. Antarctic Program’s scientific and environmental missions.“I’m deeply honored to have been chosen to lead Alliance for Sustainable Colorado through this exciting period of growth,” said Ms. Keys. “I have a profound admiration for what the organization has contributed to society and to the environment, and I intend to build on that good work.”In addition to her extensive business experience, Ms. Keys has a long history of volunteer service in wildland firefighting and remote Search and Rescue operations, including in the Antarctic. Her experiences there helped solidify her passion for the environment and for planetary sustainability.Alliance for Sustainable Colorado recently hosted what was called the “Big Tent” during the Democratic National Convention. The Tent, an 8,000 square-foot, two-story structure, was a first-of-its-kind effort to provide bloggers and new media journalists with work space. During this major media event, The Alliance hosted in-depth panels with prominent national leaders including energy executive T. Boone Pickens, Executive Director of the Sierra Club Carl Pope, Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO), and Google CEO Eric Schmidt. Ms. Keys’ role as project manager of the “Big Tent” played an instrumental role in making the event a successful endeavor.Ms. Keys says the Alliance will continue to focus on providing the kind of innovative frameworks that will enable nonprofits, businesses, governments, and academia to work together in the shift to a sustainable world.About Alliance for Sustainable ColoradoThe Alliance for Sustainable Colorado works to catalyze the shift to a truly sustainable world by fostering collaboration among nonprofits, businesses, governments, and academia. The Alliance Center at 1536 Wynkoop Street near Union Station, a LEED certified office building, is home to 27 non-profit organizations. To request a tour of the Alliance Center, contact Emily Andrews at eandrews@sustainablecolorado.orgThe organization has been recognized by several organizations for their leadership in environmental sustainability. Some of the awards include; USGBC Leadership Award for Excellence in Green Building Education, CDPHE Gold Environmental Leader Award, and Colorado Energy Champion issued by the Office of Energy Management and Conservation.
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Posted by Erik Keith on September 23, 2008 at 10:59am
The Alliance for Sustainable Colorado (www.sustainablecolorado.org) today announced the names of six of its eight Heroes of Sustainability finalists who have led the way to a more sustainable future in four categories: non-profit, business, government and academia. The finalists will be showcased during the Sustainability Gala scheduled for Thursday, October 16 at the Sherman Events Center in Denver.Residents of Colorado were encouraged to nominate people who show leadership and innovation in addressing any aspect of sustainability – economic, social and/or environmental. The selections are intentionally diverse – from major corporations to the grassroots efforts of a few concerned citizens – to emphasize the full collaborative scope of the sustainability movement.“The finalists have led the way to a more sustainable future through leadership and innovation,” said Aaron Nelson, Project Director for Alliance for Sustainable Colorado. “We are proud to be able to recognize these Heroes of Sustainability for their perseverance and hard work in bettering their communities. Their contributions will have a positive impact on many generations to come.”1. Kris Holstrom, the Regional Sustainability Coordinator for The New Community Coalition is an organic farmer and community activist and has done work with the Youth Empowering Sustainability Club, recycling and composting regional project and the regional zero waste plan.2. Katrina Blair does work with the Turtle Lake Refuge whose mission is to celebrate the connection between wild lands and personal health. She provides locally grown organic greens to public schools.3. Evolve is a company that has learned to turn a profit while making the world a better place by developing and selling apparel - custom uniforms from organic fabrics and materials.4. Lend Lease Communities build green communities, mixed use, master planned, with holistic approach that covers environment, social and economic sustainability.5. Fort Carson (Army base) made incredible progress by accomplishing 45 percent water reduction, a new 12-acre solar photovoltaic array generating 3,200 megawatts of power annually, new facilities constructed to meet U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Silver criteria and solid waste reductions that saved the installation over half a million dollars in 2007.6. Director of Greening for Denver’s Host Committee, Parry Burnap led the community-based Greening Subcommittee to promote and foster sustainable operations, policies and practices.The Sustainability Gala will include cocktails, live and silent auctions, and dinner prepared from local and organic foods. Local growers will be on hand to exhibit and discuss their products and processes.For more information on sponsorship opportunities please contact Rick Blauvelt at rblauvelt@sustainablecolorado.org or by phone 303-572-1536 x1016.The Alliance for Sustainable Colorado is a nonprofit organization created to unify the sustainability movement in Colorado by building collaborative networks among individuals, nonprofit organizations, business, government, and academia. The organization’s green office building, the Alliance Center at 1536 Wynkoop Street near Union Station, is a multi-tenant sustainability hub housing 27 nonprofit organizations. To request a tour of the Alliance Center, contact Emily Andrews at eandrews@sustainablecolorado.org.
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Posted by Erik Keith on November 5, 2008 at 9:49am
Alliance for Sustainable Colorado (www.sustainablecolorado.org), a non-profit organization dedicated to unifying the sustainability movement in Colorado, today announced that Smithsonian Institution will begin archiving in its political collection, digital clips and memorabilia from the first of its kind “Big Tent” event.The Big Tent, an 8,000 square-foot two-story structure, served as the gathering place and dedicated work space for more than 500 new media journalists, bloggers, reporters, and non-profit leaders during the 2008 Democratic National Convention.The Big Tent demonstrated the power and influence that new media can play in election coverage. As a testament to the influence of new media in politics, Smithsonian Institution will begin by documenting this historic moment in time.“Alliance for Sustainable Colorado is excited that the Smithsonian Institute has decided to archive the Big Tent in its political collection,” said Aaron Nelson, Project Director for Alliance for Sustainable Colorado. “The Big Tent was a momentous event for new media and we are excited to have played a key role in making it a success.”As part of their mission of collaboration, Alliance for Sustainable Colorado has undertaken a campaign to reach out to new media in order to unify the sustainability movement in Colorado by building collaborative networks among individuals, nonprofit organizations, business, government, and academiaThe Tent also hosted in-depth panels with prominent national leaders including energy executive T. Boone Pickens, Executive Director of the Sierra Club Carl Pope, Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO), Congresswoman Donna Edwards (MD-4); Google CEO Eric Schmidt, Digg founder Kevin Rose, President and CEO of the Center for American Progress John Podesta, and many more (For a full list of panelists, see www.bigtentdenver.org.) Political leaders — including Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D-MT) — as well as actors Sean Penn and Darryl Hannah and other celebrities visited the tent, making it one of the places to be during the DNC.The Big Tent hosted by Alliance for Sustainable Colorado, Progress Now and Daily Kos, arranged panel discussions on topics such as the economy, energy independence, sustainability, the war, and the role of media in politics. During the event over 4,000 new media, traditional media and thought leaders passed through the Big Tent flap on August 25-29th, making it a first of its kind event.
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