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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStudy Session Agenda Packet 02-01-21STUDY SESSION AGENDA CITY COUNCIL CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO February 1, 2021 6:30 p.m. This meeting will be conducted as a VIRTUAL MEETING. No members of the Council or City staff will be physically present at the Municipal building for this meeting; the public may not attend in person. The public may participate in these ways: 1. Provide comment in advance at www.wheatridgespeaks.org (comment by noon on February 1, 2021) 2. Virtually attend and participate in the meeting through a device or phone: • Click here to join and provide public comment • Or call +1-669-900-6833 with Access Code: 984 0164 6876 3. View the meeting live or later at www.wheatridgespeaks.org, Channel 8, or YouTube Live at https://www.ci.wheatridge.co.us/view 4. Individuals who, due to technology limitations, are unable to participate in the meeting virtually (via the Zoom platform) or by calling in on the telephone may contact Danitza Sosa, Assistant to the Mayor and City Council, at 303-235-2977 by noon on the day of the meeting. Arrangements will be made for those individuals to access City Hall during the meeting to view the meeting and provide public comment if desired. These comments will be heard and seen in real time by members of Council and City staff. Individuals accessing City Hall must practice social distancing, wear a mask or other facial covering and be free of COVID-19 symptoms. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to participate in all public meetings sponsored by the City of Wheat Ridge. Contact the Public Information Officer at 303-235-2877 or wrpio@ci.wheatridge.co.us with as much notice as possible if you are interested in participating in a meeting and need inclusion assistance. Citizen Comment on Agenda Items 1. Rocky Mountain Bottle Company noise mitigation update 2. Sustainable Wheat Ridge updates 3. Liquor Occupation Tax and Liquor License fees 4. Staff Report(s) 5. Elected Officials’ Report(s) ADJOURNMENT Memorandum TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Patrick Goff, City Manager DATE: January 27, 2021 (for February 1, 2021 Study Session) SUBJECT: Rocky Mountain Bottle Company Noise Mitigation Update ISSUE: In 2018, Rocky Mountain Bottle Company (RMBC) began an extensive upgrade to their glass plant to install a new, environmentally friendly furnace. Unfortunately, the new furnace increased the level of noise emanating from the plant into the adjacent neighborhoods. RMBC worked in partnership with the City and the surrounding neighborhoods and completed significant investments to address the increased noise coming from the plant. However, the City has continued to receive complaints from the surrounding neighborhoods concerning the noise. In response, City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1697 on August 24, 2020 amending Section 16-103 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws concerning the regulation of noise. Section 16-103(C) specifically addresses unlawful noise on or emitting from industrial properties. This Section of the Code has an effective date of February 28, 2021. RMBC has been working diligently to engineer additional solutions to mitigate the noise issue and to come into compliance with Section 16-103(C) by February 28, 2021. They have had initial discussions with City staff concerning their proposed solution which includes the construction of a forty-foot-tall sound wall. City Code requires that RMBC submit a specific development plan (SDP) amendment for the sound wall, which will amend the final development plan the City has on file for RMBC. The SDP will be reviewed by staff and then at a public hearing in front of Planning Commission. The SDP amendment does not qualify for an administrative review and approval by City staff since walls and fencing were not contemplated beyond what is allowed by City Code, which only allows walls or fences up to six feet in height. In addition, because the RMBC plant is located in a Planned Industrial Development zone district and because of the size, the location and its proximity to and visibility from a public street, the proposed wall must also meet the requirements of the City’s Architectural and Site Design Manual. Due to this extensive City review and approval process, completion of the sound wall will extend several months past the original February 28, 2021 effective date of the ordinance. City staff will ask City Council for an extension of this effective date. Representatives from RMBC will provide an update for the public and City Council at the February 1, 2021 study session on their proposed noise mitigation efforts. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Ordinance 1697-2020 Item No. 1 CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HOPPE COUNCIL BILL NO. 17 ORDINANCE NO. 1697 Series 2020 TITLE: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 16-103 OF THE WHEAT RIDGE CODE OF LAWS, CONCERNING REGULATION OF NOISE WHEREAS, the City of Wheat Ridge is a home rule municipality having all powers conferred by Article XX of the Colorado Constitution; and WHEREAS, pursuant to its home rule authority and C.R.S. § 31-23-101, the City, acting through its City Council (the “Council”), is authorized to adopt ordinances for the protection of the public health, safety or welfare; and WHEREAS, in the exercise of this authority the Council has previously enacted Section 16-103 of the Code of Laws, concerning regulation of noise; and WHEREAS, following public outreach and after hearing the concerns of residents and the business community, the Council wishes to amend Section 16-103 to better address the manner in which noise is measured and unreasonable noise is prohibited and enforced. NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO: Section 1. Section 16-103 is amended to read as follows: Sec. 16-103. - Unreasonable noise; disturbing the peace: (A)DEFINITIONS. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWINGTERMS SHALL HAVE THE MEANINGS INDICATED: AMPLIFIED SOUND SHALL MEAN THE USE OR OPERATION OF ANY LOUDSPEAKER, PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM, OR OTHER SOUND AMPLIFYING EQUIPMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF GIVING INSTRUCTIONS, DIRECTIONS, TALKS, ADDRESSES OR LECTURES, OR FOR TRANSMITTING MUSIC OR SOUND TO ANY PERSONS OR ASSEMBLAGES OF PERSONS. AMPLIFIED SOUND SHALL NOT INCLUDE SOUND WHICH IS NOT AUDIBLE FIFTY (50) OR MORE FEET FROM THE PROPERTY LINE OF THE PROPERTY UPON WHICH THE SOUND SOURCE IS LOCATED. SOUND-AMPLIFYING EQUIPMENT SHALL MEAN ANY MACHINE OR DEVICE FOR THE AMPLIFICATION OF A HUMAN VOICE, MUSIC OR ANY OTHER SOUND, OR BY WHICH THE HUMAN VOICE, MUSIC OR ANY OTHER SOUND IS AMPLIFIED. ATTACHMENT 1 UNREASONABLE NOISE SHALL MEAN ANY EXCESSIVE OR UNUSUALLY LOUD SOUND, OR ANY SOUND WHICH DISTURBS THE PEACE AND QUIET OF ANY NEIGHBORHOOD OR CAUSES DAMAGE TO ANY PROPERTY OR BUSINESS. AMPLIFIED SOUND EVENT SHALL MEAN AN OUTDOOR EVENT ON PRIVATE PROPERTY AT WHICH AMPLIFIED SOUND IS PERMITTED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION. EVENT LOCATION SHALL MEAN THE REAL PROPERTY OWNED OR LEGALLY OCCUPIED BY THE PERMITTEE AT WHICH AN AMPLIFIED SOUND EVENT IS HELD, EXTENDING TO THE EXTERIOR PROPERTY LINES THEREOF. IN THE CASE OF A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD “BLOCK PARTY” OR SIMILAR FUNCTION, THE EVENT LOCATION SHALL BE THE PUBLIC STREET USED FOR THE EVENT. (B)UNLAWFUL NOISE: RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES: It is unlawful for any person to make, continue or cause to be made or to permit or assist another to make, continue or cause to be made, any unreasonable noise which, under all of the circumstances presented, would annoy, injure or endanger the comfort, repose or peace of a person of ordinary sensitivities INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: THE SOUNDING OF ANY HORN, SIGNALING DEVICE, OR SIMILAR DEVICE ON ANY AUTOMOBILE , MOTORCYCLE OR OTHER VEHICLE; ANY AMPLIFIED SIGNAL FROM ANY BELL, CHIME, SIREN, WHISTLE OR SIMILAR DEVICE INTENDED FOR NONEMERGENCY PURPOSES; ANY SIGNALING DEVICE INCLUDING FIRE, BURGLAR, SIREN, WHISTLE UNLESS IN AN EMERGENCY; RADIOS, TELEVISIONS, BOOM BOXES, PHONOGRAPHS, STEREOS, MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND SIMILAR DEVICES. The following FOREGOING noises and circumstances shall be deemed as prima facie unreasonable IF: (1) Any noise or sound which is audible twenty-five (25) FIFTY (50) or more feet from a mobile noise or sound source. (2) Any noise or sound which is audible within a private residence that the personresponsible for the sound has no right to occupy, specifically including but not limitedto apartments, common interest communities and other multiunit dwelling structures. (3) Any noise, sound source or any person or group of persons engaged in loud and continuing activities which are audible twenty-five (25) FIFTY (50) or more feet fromthe noise source or at the property line of the property upon which the noise sourceis located or upon which such activities are taking place, continuing for a minimum offifteen (15) minutes IN A TWO (2) HOUR PERIOD. (4) Any person performing or permitting the performance of trash pickup with a truck which has a compactor or the capacity to raise and dump dumpsters in any areazoned for residential uses between the hours of 11:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.For purposes of this paragraph, testimony that the name of a business which holds itself out as being in the business of trash hauling was written on the trash truck shall be prima facie evidence that the trash truck was owned by and under the control of the employer so identified. (C)UNLAWFUL NOISE: INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES. IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON TO EMIT OR CAUSE TO BE EMITTED ANY NOISE WHICH LEAVES THE PREMISES ON WHICH IT ORIGINATES, CROSSES A PROPERTY LINE, AND ENTERS ONTO ANY OTHER PREMISES IN EXCESS OF THE SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS DURING THE TIME PERIODS AS SPECIFIED IN TABLE A. (1) THE NOISE SOURCE SHALL BE MEASURED AT ANY POINT ALONG THEPROPERTY LINE OR WITHIN THE PROPERTY LINE OF THE RECEIVING PREMISES TO DETERMINE COMPLIANCE WITH THIS SECTION. (2)THE DECIBEL LEVEL OF ANY NOISE REGULATED ON A DECIBEL BASIS BY THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE MEASURED BY A SOUND LEVEL METER. THE TEST RESULTS SHALL BE PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE IF ADMINISTERED IN CONFORMANCE WITH THE AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS INSTITUTE. IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT AND ENFORCE THIS ARTICLE EFFECTIVELY, THE CHIEF OF POLICE SHALL PROMULGATE STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES FOR USING AND TESTING SOUND LEVEL METERS USED IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF THIS ARTICLE. TABLE A: ALLOWABLE NOISE LEVELS (IN DBA) WITH TIME OF DAY ALLOWANCE RECEPTOR PREMISES 7AM-10PM/10PM-7AM SOURCE PREMISES RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL INDUSTRIAL 55/50 65/60 80/75 (3) NOTWITHSTANDING THE FORGOING, A BUSINESS OWNER IN AN INDUSTRIAL ZONE DISTRICT, UPON WHICH THERE EXISTS A NOISE SOURCE IN OPERATION AT THE TIME THIS SECTION 16-103(C) BECOMES EFFECTIVE, MAY APPLY TO THE CITY MANAGER FOR A PERMIT FOR A DIFFERENT DECIBEL LEVEL, REQUIREMENT, AND/OR TIME LIMITATION SPECIFIC TO SUCH REAL PROPERTY. SUCH BUSINESS OWNER WILL SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING TO THE CITY MANAGER AS AN APPLICATION FOR SUCH PERMIT: a.A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR THE DECIBEL LEVEL, TIME AND DAY OFWEEK LIMITATIONS AND OTHER ELEMENTS OF THEPERMIT DESIRED.b.A NOISE STUDY PREPARED BY A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER SUPPORTING THE ABILITY OF THE APPLICANT TO COMPLY WITH THE PERMIT LEVELS AND CONDITIONS REQUESTEDOR TO BE IMPOSED. c. ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY THE CITY MANAGER TO RENDER THE APPLICATION COMPLETE. THE CITY MANAGER WILL REVIEW THE APPLICATION MATERIALS AND MEET WITH THE APPLICANT WITHIN 30 DAYS OF SUCH SUBMITTAL, AND SHALL RECOMMEND TO CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL, APPROVAL WITH CONDITIONS, OR DENIAL OF THE APPLICATION BY CITY COUNCIL. THE DECISION OF CITY COUNCIL SHALL BE THE FINAL DECISION OF THE CITY, SUBJECT TO JUDICIAL APPEAL. PERMIT CONDITIONS MAY INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: PERMITTED DECIBEL LEVEL(S), TIME AND DAY OF WEEK LIMITATIONS, TERM OF PERMIT AND WHETHER RENEWAL PERIODS ARE PERMITTED, NEIGHBORHOOD OUTREACH AND EDUCATION, CONTACT FOR COMPLAINTS, AND AUTHORITY FOR THE CITY MANAGER TO REVOKE THE PERMIT FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH LIMITATIONS AND CONDITIONS. IF THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVES THE PERMIT THE CITY MANAGER WILL ISSUE THE PERMIT. (D) PERMIT FOR AMPLIFIED SOUND EVENT NO PERSON SHALL USE OR CAUSE TO BE USED ANY LOUDSPEAKER, LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM, SOUND AMPLIFIER OR ANY OTHER MACHINE OR DEVICE WHICH PRODUCES, REPRODUCES, OR AMPLIFIES SOUND OUTSIDE OF BUILDINGS OR OTHER ENCLOSED STRUCTURES IN A MANNER WHICH EXCEEDS THE LEVELS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 16-103(B), WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING A PERMIT TO DO SO. AN OUTDOOR AMPLIFIED SOUND EVENT ON PRIVATE PROPERTY IS PERMITTED UNDER THIS SECTION UNDER THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: (1) THE EVENT SPONSOR MUST APPLY FOR AND RECEIVE AN ADMINISTRATIVE PERMIT FOR THE EVENT, ON FORMS PROVIDED BY THE CITY CLERK. (2) THE APPLICATION SHALL BE APPROVED, APPROVED WITH CONDITIONS, OR DENIED BY THE CITY MANAGER, AFTER REVIEW BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND ANY OTHER CITY DEPARTMENT AS APPROPRIATE. (3) NO AMPLIFIED SOUND EVENT PERMIT MAY BE ISSUED FOR AN EVENT OUTSIDE OF THE HOURS OF 9:00 AM AND 9:00 PM SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY AND 9:00 AM AND 10:00 PM FRIDAY AND SATURDAY. WITHIN THIS TIME RANGE, AMPLIFIED SOUND EVENTS MAY BE LIMITED IN DURATION AS DETERMINED BY THE CITY MANAGER. (4) A PERMIT SHALL NOT BE ISSUED FOR THE SAME LOCATION MORE THAN SIX TIMES DURING ANY ONE-YEAR PERIOD. (5) THE PERMIT SHALL NOT AUTHORIZE, ALLOW, OR OTHERWISE PERMIT THE PRODUCTION, REPRODUCTION, OR AMPLIFICATION OF SOUND WHICH EXCEEDS SEVENTY-FIVE (75) DB(A) WHEN MEASURED FROM THE NEAREST RECEIVING PROPERTY. (6) CONDITIONS MAY BE IMPOSED ON THE PERMIT TO ADDRESS THE NATURE AND LOCATION OF THE SPECIFIC EVENT. FAILURE OF THE PERMITTEE TO COMPLY WITH THE CONDITIONS MAY RESULT IN THE PERMIT BEING REVOKED. (7) THE EVENT SPONSOR SHALL POST, AT THE EVENT LOCATION, AND DELIVER FLYERS TO ALL RESIDENCES AND BUSINESSES WITHIN A 300 FOOT RADIUS OF THE EXTERIOR PROPERTY LINE OF THE EVENT LOCATION, ADVISING THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD OF THE DATE AND PERMITTED TIMES OF THE EVENT, NO LATER THAN SEVEN (7) DAYS BEFORE THE EVENT. (8) THE POLICE DEPARTMENT SHALL HAVE AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE THE PERMITTEE TO REDUCE THE SOUND VOLUME, CURTAIL THE HOURS OF THE EVENT, OR CLOSE THE EVENT ENTIRELY, IF THE SOUND LEVEL AT THE EVENT, EVALUATED AT THE PROPERTY LINE OF THE COMPLAINING PARTY CONSTITUTES, IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT’S SOUND JUDGMENT, UNREASONABLE NOISE. (9) AN AMPLIFIED SOUND EVENT FOR WHICH A PERMIT HAS BEEN ISSUED SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM THE PROVISIONS OF (B)(1), (B)(2) AND (B)(3) OF THIS SECTION. (E) NOISE CAUSED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF EMERGENCY WORK FOR THE IMMEDIATE SAFETY, HEALTH, OR WELFARE OF THE COMMUNITY OR INDIVIDUALS OF THE COMMUNITY, OR TO RESTORE PROPERTY TO A SAFE CONDITION FOLLOWING A PUBLIC CALAMITY SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION. (F) Any member of the police department who personally observes a violation of this section may serve as the complaining party in the prosecution of such violation, regardless of whether the officer's observation was initiated by the complaint of another party. (G) Any activity or noise source conducted or caused by an activity conducted OR sponsored or approved by the city shall be exempt from the requirements of this section. Section 2. Severability, Conflicting Ordinances Repealed. If any section, subsection or clause of this Ordinance shall be deemed to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the validity of the remaining sections, subsections and clauses shall not be affected thereby. All other ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed. Section 3. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect fifteen (15) days after final publication, with the exception of Subsection 16-103(c) concerning Unlawful Noise: Industrial Properties, which subsection shall take effect on February 28, 2021, as provided by Section 5.11 of the Charter. INTRODUCED, READ, AND ADOPTED on first reading by a vote of 8 to 0 on this 10th day of August, 2020, ordered published in full in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Wheat Ridge, and Public Hearing and consideration on final passage set for August 24, 2020 at 7:00 p.m., as a virtual meeting. READ, ADOPTED AND ORDERED PUBLISHED on second and final reading by a vote of 8 to 0, this 24th day of August, 2020. SIGNED by the Mayor on this 24th day of August, 2020. ________________________ Bud Starker, Mayor ATTEST: _________________________ Steve Kirkpatrick, City Clerk Approved as to Form _________________________ Gerald E. Dahl, City Attorney First Publication: August 13, 2020 Second Publication: August 27, 2020 Final Publication: September 3, 2020 Jeffco Transcript Effective Date: September 18, 2020; with the exception of subsection 16-103.C, which is effective February 28, 2021 Published: Jeffco Transcript and www.ci.wheatridge.co.us Item No. 2 Memorandum TO: Mayor and City Council THROUGH: Patrick Goff, City Manager Marianne Schilling, Assistant to the City Manager FROM: Kayla Betzold, Sustainability Coordinator DATE: February 1, 2021 SUBJECT: Sustainable Wheat Ridge Updates ISSUE: City Council requested that Sustainable Wheat Ridge and staff provide updates on the progress of its Action Plan goals. Additionally, Council requested that staff provide considerations for updated sustainability-related strategies which could be included in the City’s Strategic Plan. PRIOR ACTION: N/A FINANCIAL IMPACT: N/A BACKGROUND: In April 2017, Mayor Joyce Jay and City Council initiated the inaugural Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Committee (WRESC). Between June 2017 and June 2018, the WRESC, comprised of 11 residents, dedicated approximately 550 hours to develop the environmental sustainability Action Plan. This plan included recommendations to improve community conditions in six areas of environmental sustainability: green building and energy efficiency, renewable energy, transportation, solid waste and recycling, water, and communication and engagement. The committee’s progress had been recognized consistently since its formation. City Council accepted the Action Plan in 2018 and has approved an annual budget allocation of $25,500 since 2019 to implement sustainability programs in the community. The Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Committee (which has since rebranded as Sustainable Wheat Ridge) then received support from Council in 2019 to add the city’s first dedicated sustainability staff person—a part-time Sustainability Coordinator—in the 2020 Adopted Budget. Since the addition of the Sustainability Coordinator, both staff and the committee have continued Staff Report - Sustainable Wheat Ridge Updates February 1, 2021 Page 2 to make progress on the Action Plan. During the August 17, 2020 Sustainable Wheat Ridge budget presentation, Council requested a future update on the Action Plan progress. Additionally, progress in sustainability was mentioned during the July 6, 2020 City Council meeting when staff provided a general update to Council on the progress of the City’s overall Strategic Plan. While reviewing 2035 Vision Topic 6: “Wheat Ridge is committed to environmental stewardship,” it was noted that all of the goals related to sustainability had been completed by 2018. Council expressed interest at that time in establishing new strategies and requested that staff present strategies ahead of the February 2021 Strategic Planning Retreat. Staff will provide an update to City Council regarding Sustainable Wheat Ridge’s Action Plan progress. Additionally, staff will share potential goals related to 2035 Topic 6: “Wheat Ridge is committed to environmental stewardship” which may be considered during City Council’s 2021 Strategic Plan update. DISCUSSION: Action Plan Progress Since the Action Plan was completed and presented to City Council in 2018, Sustainable Wheat Ridge and staff have made progress in each of the six designated topic areas: green building and energy efficiency, renewable energy, transportation, solid waste and recycling, water, and communication and engagement. The table below reflects the current progress in each of the action plan topic areas. The “In Process” and “Completed” columns reflect the number of goals that have been started and/or completed in each topic area. Topic Area Total Goals Policy-related Goals (%) In Process Completed In Process + Completed (%) Energy Efficiency & Green Building 32 59% 11 4 47% Renewable Energy 28 50% 8 2 36% Transportation 39 36% 9 8 44% Solid Waste & Recycling 13 39% 5 2 54% Water 14 7% 6 3 64% Communication & Engagement 13 0% 8 5 100% Total 139 38% 47 24 51% Sustainable Wheat Ridge and staff recognize that there has been substantial progress made on the Action Plan. Within the first two years of implementation, 51% of the plan is now in-motion or Staff Report - Sustainable Wheat Ridge Updates February 1, 2021 Page 3 has already been completed. In 2019 and 2020, the partnership with Xcel Energy resulted in 767 residential participants in energy efficiency programs, 118 business participants in energy efficiency programs, 106 residential energy audits, 79 participants in the Windsource renewable energy program, and 75 participants in solar net metering, resulting in 2.0 Gigawatt hour (GWh) electricity savings community-wide. These accomplishments address Energy Efficiency Goals 2-C, 3-A, and 3-B and Renewable Energy Goals 1-Biv, 2-B, and 2-E. The Communication & Engagement (CE) topic area has made the most progress, with all 14 sub-goals either being in progress or completed. The integration of sustainability messaging into City communication channels, the What’s Up Wheat Ridge community engagement website, and social media platforms has addressed CE Goals 1-A, 1-B, 1-C, 2-C and 3-B. The Sustainable Neighborhoods program, which has provided numerous additional qualitative and quantitative benefits, addresses CE Goals 2-A and 2-B. The City’s Green Business program, which launched in Fall 2020, addresses CE Goals 4-A through 4-D. Overall, 17% of the action plan is fully completed. It should be noted that many of the goals are ongoing and do not have specific end dates, such as the CE goals listed above and the goals related to information sharing that are included in each of the topic areas. A majority of the remaining goals require policy direction from City Council. Examples of policy-related goals included in the plan are Transportation Goal 3-Avi: “Adopt an ordinance according to SB18-144, Bicycle Operation Approaching Intersection to ensure consistency with state law,” and Transportation Goal 3-C: “Adopt local anti-idling ordinance City-wide.” To continue progress on the Action Plan, City Council may consider addressing policy-related goals in the future. Proposed Sustainability Strategies for Strategic Plan Based upon conversations with City staff, results from the Let’s Talk neighborhood engagement program, discussions with Sustainable Wheat Ridge, and frameworks from peers in the region, Staff is presenting sustainability strategies for review and consideration ahead of Council’s Strategic Planning Retreat in February 2021. All strategies listed below will require additional staff time. Proposed Strategies 1. Update the Action Plan As mentioned above, 51% of the Action Plan is either in progress or already completed. Staff believes there is value in planning for an update to the Action Plan which would include new, updated goals. For example, the City is currently in progress to complete its first city-wide greenhouse gas inventory in 2021 and these baseline measurements can be used to formulate data-driven strategies which could be included in an updated Action Plan. Additionally, an update to the plan could provide more robust guidance for Staff and the City moving forward. The Committee developed the plan on its own in 2017 as resident subject matter experts, and staff believes there is an opportunity to revitalize the Action Plan through a more comprehensive City and community-driven process. Staff Report - Sustainable Wheat Ridge Updates February 1, 2021 Page 4 2. Set and Prioritize Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Goals As the Action Plan progress table demonstrated, policy-related goals make up 38% of the plan and could be addressed should City Council provide that direction. When setting energy efficiency and renewable energy goals, there are programs that already exist that could support the City in this endeavor. As an example, the City has an opportunity to join the Energy Futures Collaboration with Xcel Energy. This unique program, offered to graduates of the Partners in Energy program, brings City leadership together with Xcel Energy to set short- and long-term goals and create an Energy Plan to support City energy goals. Joining this program would require an elected official appointee to work with the sustainability coordinator and Xcel Energy to strategize energy goals and attend quarterly meetings. Participation in Xcel’s Energy Futures Collaboration would not require additional funding. There is also momentum for regional collaboration towards energy efficiency and renewable energy goals with surrounding cities and counties that participate in programs with Xcel Energy. 3. Research and Prioritize Organized Waste Hauling Options A majority of the goals not yet in motion in the Solid Waste and Recycling (SW) section of the Action Plan are related to policy changes and the pursuit of stricter operational guidelines for waste hauling companies that operate in Wheat Ridge, such as SW Goal 2- Ai: “Explore waste hauling service zones or route restrictions for residential trash and recycling collection” and Goal 2-B: “Update City municipal code to incorporate progressive solid waste management standards,” including stricter requirements for future providers or municipalization of waste services, with the goal of decreasing the waste hauler traffic on Wheat Ridge streets. Organized waste hauling is a topic being addressed by many neighboring cities in Jefferson County, such as Golden, Arvada and Lakewood. Both Sustainable Neighborhoods in Wheat Ridge view waste hauling as a “very important” issue to address with the program and both are creating neighborhood organized waste hauling contracts to decrease the number of trash haulers in their neighborhood. Furthermore, “trash services” was a frequently-mentioned topic in the Let’s Talk neighborhood engagement program in both East Wheat Ridge and Bel Aire. In East Wheat Ridge, trash service was mentioned 21 times and it was noted in all five small group sessions as an issue that needs to be addressed in the city. In Bel Aire, trash service was mentioned four times and was a topic area of interest in all six small group sessions. While the topic tends to be controversial regionally, there is momentum in the Wheat Ridge community for a larger discussion on potential options to address organized waste hauling. 4. Support Environmental Sustainability Policy on a Regional, State, and Federal Level There is current mobilization on the state level towards stronger climate policy through the Governor’s recently-published GHG Pollution Reduction Roadmap, which outlines Staff Report - Sustainable Wheat Ridge Updates February 1, 2021 Page 5 the steps the State of Colorado will take to reach the ambitious goal of an 80% reduction in GHG pollution by 2030. Additionally, there is momentum regionally to collaborate and support policies that pave the path for cities to stay on par with the state-outlined goals. The Colorado Communities for Climate Action (CC4CA) is a coalition of 36 local governments across the state advocating for strong state and federal climate policy. The coalition represents one-seventh of the state’s population and includes neighboring communities, such as: Edgewater, Golden, Westminster, Broomfield, Louisville and Lafayette. Joining the collective would require a resolution from Council, annual dues payment and a representative from the City to join the board of directors. This group would allow the City to support environmental policy at a broader level with limited staff capacity. The policy statement for CC4CA is included as an attachment in the Council Packet. Additionally, H.R. 763, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, is a bill intended to encourage market-driven innovation of clean energy technologies through a carbon fee. Council requested that staff present information on this bill, however, it was decided that this effort should resume when the new Congress takes effect and reintroduces the bill in 2021. 5. Review Existing City Ordinances to Include an Emphasis on Sustainability In recent discussions with staff regarding the Action Plan progress, it has been noted that there is a potential need for review of current city ordinances and codes to expand the emphasis on sustainability. For example, current ordinances that could be reviewed include alternative transportation infrastructure and lighting ordinances. Additionally, Staff has reviewed information from the Let’s Talk resident engagement program that suggests an expansion of the City’s tree preservation ordinance may be an effective short- term strategy. At this time, staff is providing options for City Council to consider when updating the Strategic Plan. These options are informational only. No action is needed at this time. RECOMMENDATION: N/A ATTACHMENTS: 1. WRESC Action Plan 2. Let’s Talk: Round 1 Engagement Summary 3. Colorado Communities for Climate Action 2020-2021 Policy Statement 4. Colorado GHG Pollution Reduction Roadmap Executive Summary Final Report & Recommendations Environmental Sustainability Committee 2017-2018 ATTACHMENT 1 Executive Summary Page 1 of 2 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 WHEAT RIDGE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN — EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Committee (WRESC) reviewed current environmental sustainability practices across the City and community to draft this forward looking action plan to improve six City Council identified priority areas. The first phase of plan development included engagement with City departments, neighboring cities, community leaders, and businesses owners to gain insight on potential strategies to enhance sustainability within Wheat Ridge. Information gleaned from these meetings, along with a review of nationally recognized best practices, informed and guided phase two of the Committee’s work: the development of recommendations in this plan. The key topic areas, along with recommended goals are: Energy Efficiency & Green Building ●Goal 1: Reduce WR’s municipal energy usage ●Goal 2: Reduce commercial and industrial energy use ●Goal 3: Reduce residential energy use ●Goal 4: Preserve Wheat Ridge’s distinct community character, small-town identity, and agricultural history while providing modern amenities and services which increase the City’s tax base ●Goal 5: Encourage sustainable design infrastructure elements to support construction and renovation of buildings to create livable communities and promote green building practices Renewable Energy ●Goal 1: Promote renewable energy policy beyond City ●Goal 2: Promote renewable energy within City ●Goal 3: Implement renewable energy projects. Water ●Goal 1: Improve stormwater management systems and increase water quality in all major waterways and water bodies in Wheat Ridge ●Goal 2: Increase the adoption of water efficiency and conservation measures to reduce citywide water usage Transportation ●Goal 1: Maximize development that substantially incorporates mixed use considerations and efficient transportation ●Goal 2: Increase use of multimodal transportation choice ●Goal 3: Increase traveler safety and environmental quality Solid Waste & Recycling ●Goal 1: Improve waste management behavior by residents, businesses, and institutions ●Goal 2: Reduce negative impacts of waste management on city infrastructure and local environment Communications & Engagement ●Goal 1: Communicate the Wheat Ridge Sustainability Action Plan to Council, businesses, and residents ●Goal 2: Encourage and grow participation in sustainability activities, approaches, and programs within Wheat Ridge ●Goal 3: Engage the community with implementation of the Wheat Ridge Sustainability Action Plan activities ●Goal 4: Engage Wheat Ridge businesses and organizations ●Goal 5: Create opportunities for feedback and input from community and City for ongoing sustainability initiatives Executive Summary Page 2 of 2 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 Each goal includes recommended strategies and action items that will strengthen environmental sustainability in Wheat Ridge. A general assessment of the timeline, cost, and environmental benefit for each item, along with additional discussion on proposed metrics and City resources necessary to enact the recommendations, are also included. The Committee prepared this Action Plan to provide an expansive list of locally relevant actions for Wheat Ridge that have been successfully implemented across the United States and Colorado. These proven strategies will enhance the environmental sustainability of Wheat Ridge, provide strong financial returns, and bring substantial benefits to public health, community cohesion, and livability. The recommendations included in this plan can play a strong part of moving Wheat Ridge forward and ensure that residents, business owners, and the City are best positioned to meet the challenges and embrace the opportunities of the future. Table of Contents Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 WHEAT RIDGE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN — TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................ 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................................... 3 TOPIC AREAS ENERGY EFFICIENCY & GREEN BUILDING .............................................................................. 4 RENEWABLE ENERGY .......................................................................................................... 20 TRANSPORTATION .............................................................................................................. 29 SOLID WASTE & RECYCLING ................................................................................................ 41 WATER ................................................................................................................................ 52 COMMUNICATION & ENGAGEMENT .................................................................................. 61 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................. 67 APPENDIX A: ENERGY EFFICIENCY ...................................................................................................70 APPENDIX B: SOLID WASTE & RECYCLING ...................................................................................... 88 Introduction Page 1 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 WHEAT RIDGE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN — INTRODUCTION In April 2017, Mayor Joyce Jay and City Council initiated the inaugural Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Committee (WRESC). Between June 2017 and June 2018, the WRESC, comprised of 11 residents with vast expertise and experience in each topic area, dedicated approximately 550 hours meeting twice a month at City Hall as well as extensive time outside of these meetings to develop the following environmental sustainability action plan. The WRESC represented each district in Wheat Ridge. While neighboring cities invested in part- to full-time staff and professional consultation services for the creation of their sustainability plans, this plan for Wheat Ridge was written entirely by the following volunteer committee members. Karen Berry Amy DePierre Dan Graeve Heather Head Alex Helling April Nowak Joy Opp Andy Rasmussen Rob Robinson Eric Wilson Adam Wylie We are proud to have served the City and our community and we intend to continue our service. We represent passionate neighbors who are dedicated to our City, our place in the region, Colorado, and Earth. The Mayor and City Council charged WRESC with developing recommendations to improve community conditions in six areas of environmental sustainability: green building and energy efficiency, renewable energy, transportation, solid waste and recycling, water, and communication and engagement. To complete this charge, the prescribed mission of the committee was to: •Evaluate current City of Wheat Ridge sustainability practices and policies •Provide advice, support and guidance to Mayor and Council regarding sustainability, climate change, and environmental management issues •Involve the community at large through engagement and outreach •Support education, awareness and stewardship •Identify metrics to track progress •And, finally, to develop and help implement the strategies within this Action Plan Together, with assistance of City staff, WRESC first spent several months garnering insight from neighboring and local, Wheat Ridge-based communities, governments, organizations, utilities, and non-governmental organizations. This information gathering process was indispensable in the development of the plan’s recommendations for the City Council, the Mayor, and in creating a resource for the City of Wheat Ridge and its Introduction Page 2 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 residents. WRESC acknowledges the assistance, support, and contributions of everyone involved in providing supporting information for this plan on the next page. WRESC is grateful for their time and energy put toward our combined efforts. Following the initial data and information gathering stage, WRESC developed a set of recommendations based upon nationally recognized best practices. The committee made a conscious effort not to reinvent the sustainability wheel during this process, and sought out best practices adopted by other local governments from across the Front Range, Colorado, and United States. The recommendations developed during this past year include a mix of policy, practices, communication, and behaviors that will promote a more resilient and sustainable City. For the purpose of WRESC and this plan, sustainability is simply defined as the responsible use of resources as it pertains to the three rungs of sustainability: environmental, social, and economic. We believe these proposed investments in clean energy, water management, well-designed communities, and efficient transportation will provide environmental, social, and fiscal benefits to the City and its residents. Communities that are well-planned with a variety of housing options, commercial developments, and efficient and convenient transportation choices attract residents and new businesses. Each of the six areas of environmental sustainability that this plan addresses include aspirational community goals, indicators for tracking progress, recommended strategies for improvement, and estimated resource requirements, timelines, and impacts. Each topic area contains a Table which provides a truncated view of recommended Goals, Strategies, and Actions. The table and accompanying narrative is organized to match so a reader can easily identify recommendations. The table details are intended to help the City with prioritization, including Timeline, Cost, and Environmental Benefit. These estimates are the Committee’s best approximation of resources needed to achieve an outlined goal. The environmental benefit is intended to assist Council with understanding how a strategy supports the protection of our environmental resources. The following action plan will assist Wheat Ridge with meeting the objectives outlined in the recently completed 2035 Vision Statement: Wheat Ridge is an attractive and inviting city and community for families. Wheat Ridge has great neighborhoods, is a hub of commerce with a choice of economically viable commercial areas, and has diverse transportation. Wheat Ridge is committed to environmental stewardship and its residents enjoy an active, healthy lifestyle and are proud of their hometown.1 1 http://www.ci.wheatridge.co.us/DocumentCenter/View/26105/City-Council-Vision-Statement Acknowledgements Page 3 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Committee (WRESC) Action Plan would not have been possible without the support and dedication of City of Wheat Ridge staff and leadership and the generous support and guidance from local businesses, organization, and neighboring governments. We thank you for your contributions toward a more sustainable Wheat Ridge. Mayor Bud Starker Former Mayor Joyce Jay CITY COUNCIL Kristi Davis Leah Dozeman Monica Duran Tim Fitzgerald Janeece Hoppe Larry Mathews George Pond Zachary Urban Genevieve Wooden CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE Matthew Anderson, Parks & Recreation Analyst Steve Art, Economic Development Manager Scott Brink, Director Public Works Patrick Goff, City Manager Ken Johnstone, Community Development Director Bill LaRow, Stormwater Coordinator Carly Lorentz, Assistant to the City Manager Sara Spaulding, Public Information Officer Joyce Manwaring, Parks & Recreation Director WHEAT RIDGE SANITATION DISTRICT Patrick Roberts Bill Willis CITY OF DENVER Thomas J. Herrod CITY OF EDGEWATER Dan Maples Maylee Barraza CITY OF GOLDEN Chris Naber Teresa Worsham CITY OF LAKEWOOD Ray Hill CITY OF WESTMINSTER Martee Erichson Tom Ochtera REGIONAL AIR QUALITY COUNCIL Sara Goodwin Matt Mines DENVER REGIONAL COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS Brad Calvert JEFFCO CLIMATE ACTION TEAM Rhiannon Gallagher XCEL ENERGY Channing Evans Preston E. Gibson Tami Gunderzik David A. Hueser BRENDLE GROUP Conor Merrigan Ellie Troxell Ashley Brasovan, McKinstry Brittany Evans, Clear Intentions Glass Britta Fischer, formerly Localworks Jenny Heeter, National Renewable Energy Laboratory Rachel Hultin, Wheat Ridge Active Transportation Advisory Team Sundari Kraft, Ascent Strategies, LLC Don Seyfer, Seyfer Auto Margie Seyfer, Wheat Ridge Business Association Amanda Weaver, Five Fridges Farm Scott Moore, Youth & Family Ministries and Chaplain at Wheat Ridge Police Department Energy Efficiency & Green Building Page 4 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 ENERGY EFFICIENCY & GREEN BUILDING WHY & BACKGROUND Green Building is the practice of increasing the efficiency of how buildings and their sites use energy, water, and materials to reduce impacts on health and the environment which, ultimately, leads to an improved quality of life through stewardship of the natural environment, economic prosperity, and an engaged, socially-equitable community. Wheat Ridge has limited opportunities for horizontal building growth. Approximately 31,000 residents call Wheat Ridge home, making it one of the smaller cities in the Denver metro area by population and geography. Developed mostly as a residential community during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, housing stock is primarily single-family ranch style homes on large-sized lots with mature landscaping. While Wheat Ridge is currently experiencing some development and redevelopment, both commercially and residentially, many of its existing structures are still in their original states. Strategic planning to utilize the available buildings and land wisely for new development, infill or redevelopment and renovation is of critical importance. Overarching themes from previous planning efforts include the following2: ●Commitment to quality development and redevelopment ●Preservation of Wheat Ridge’s neighborhoods, parks and open spaces, and community character ●Support for multi-modal transportation options The focus of this action plan is on high-level guidance based on the principles of sustainable building design to promote vibrant neighborhoods, create a resilient local economy, enhance community character, and ensure a sustainable future. After water and food, shelter is the most important human need. Buildings account for approximately 40% of our community’s energy consumption. The amount of energy used in buildings impacts residents’ economic security, health, and greenhouse gas (GHG) contributions. Energy waste increases residents’ economic instability due to the price volatility of energy, increases health problems caused by indoor and outdoor air pollution, and increases the risk of detrimental effects caused by climate change. Implementing energy-efficiency (EE) measures in WR’s facilities and the commercial and residential building sectors is the least expensive option and the recommended first approach to increasing WR’s economic stability, and reducing health and environmental risks. The City and its residents can save money while decreasing the health, economic and environmental risks caused by energy waste in buildings through reducing the city buildings’ energy consumption and implementing energy efficiency policies and supporting energy efficiency building best practices in commercial and residential sectors. Please see the renewable energy section for increasing non-polluting energy source choices. 2 Envision Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan, adopted 2009 Energy Efficiency & Green Building Page 5 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 The challenges facing the City in meeting its energy efficiency goals include lack of City staff time, increased maintenance costs, aging facilities and building stock, competition for capital investments. The City has taken many steps in implementing energy efficiency measures in City buildings. However, eight out of the 22 recommendations from recent energy audits were not implemented due to budget constraints. In 2017, 44% of the electricity supplied by Xcel Energy to Colorado came from coal, with 28% from natural gas, and 28% from RE resources.3 Because of energy losses from the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity, every 1 kWh saved in Wheat Ridge corresponds to about 3 kWh savings of fossil fuel energy “at the power plant.” WR’s industrial, commercial, and residential sectors use more electricity (left, MWh) and natural gas (right, MCF) than other similarly sized municipalities within the climate zone.4 3 https://www.xcelenergy.com/energy_portfolio/electricity/power_generation 4 https://apps1.eere.energy.gov/sled/#/results/elecandgas?city=Wheat%20Ridge&abv=CO&section=electricity&currentState=Colorado&lat=39.766098&lng=-105.0772063 Energy Efficiency & Green Building Page 6 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 The industrial and commercial sectors’ electricity and natural gas consumption make up 47% of the City’s annual GHG emissions, with hospitals using more electricity than any other commercial activity.5 The residential sector is responsible for 21% of emissions, with the remaining 32% coming from gasoline and diesel vehicles. According to Xcel data, WR businesses consume and contribute 57% of the community’s total energy and GHG emissions while residential buildings consume and contribute 42%. WR Annual GHG Emissions Electricity Number of Customers Energy Consumption (kWh) % of Energy Consumption Carbon Emissions (metric tons CO2) % Carbon Emissions (metric tons CO2) Revenues Billed Business * 2,468 125,975,032 57% 75,459 57% $12,152,340 Residential 14,671 93,723,441 42% 56,140 42% $10,762,658 Street Lighting - Metered n/a 29,064 0% 17 0% $2,729 Street Lighting - Non- Metered/Xcel-Owned n/a 1,972,303 1% 1,181 1% $524,134 Total: 17,139 221,699,840 132,798 $23,441,860 The City has already completed many energy efficiency improvements. However, there is still much that can be done. The City has recently entered into an agreement with Xcel Energy through its Partner is Energy (PIE) program. The WRESC has been working with Xcel Energy’s PIE representatives on developing strategies for implementing energy improvements. The WR PIE plan can be found in Appendix A. Some of the following goals reference the Focus Areas (FA) and their strategies (S) in accordance with the WR PIE plan. 5 https://apps1.eere.energy.gov/sled/#/results/emissions?city=Wheat%20Ridge&abv=CO&section=electricity&currentState=Colorado&lat=39.766098&lng=-105.0772063 Energy Efficiency & Green Building Page 7 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 Energy Efficiency & Green Building Goal / Action Timeline* Cost** Environmental Benefit*** 1 Goal: EE - Reduce municipal energy use 1-A Implement an Energy Performance Contract (EPC) to finance energy efficiency investments for city facilities. Short Low High 1-B Benchmark and track municipal building energy use. (PIE6 FA1-S1) Short Low High 1-C Evaluate completed audits for facility improvements not included in the EPC and implement energy efficiency measures identified in audits. (PIE: FA1-S1&2) Mid Low High 1-D Require new or renovated municipal facilities to be zero energy buildings. Long High High 1-E Complete conversion of all street lights to LED lighting Short Low High 2 Goal: EE - Reduce commercial and industrial energy use 2-A Adopt a City ordinance that requires benchmarking and disclosure of energy use of buildings larger than 25,000 square feet. Short Medium High 2-B Encourage Energy Performance Contract (EPC) for Lutheran Hospital Short Low High 2-C Encourage energy efficiency upgrades in commercial and industrial facilities using programs available to local businesses through Xcel’s PIE including Energy Design Assistance, ENERGY STAR Benchmarking, Building Tune-Ups, outreach materials at time of lease/sale, and various rebate programs. (PIE FA2-S1, S2, S3) Mid Medium High 2-D Encourage use of Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing for energy projects. Mid Low High 2-E Require projects that receive city incentives (e.g., TIF) to meet beyond code energy savings targets. Short Low Medium 2-F Adopt IECC 2018 building codes and establish regular, automatic adoption of new IECC codes. Ongoing Medium High 3 Goal: EE - Reduce residential energy use 6 Indicates corresponding action in the Xcel Energy Partners In Energy Action Plan, included in Appendix A. Energy Efficiency & Green Building Page 8 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 Energy Efficiency & Green Building, continued Goal / Action Timeline* Cost** Environmental Benefit*** 3-A Build awareness of energy efficiency programs by promoting Xcel’s rebate and energy efficiency programs available to residential customers from Xcel, such as the Home Energy Squad and home energy audits, through supporting the PIE’s multi-pronged outreach campaign. (PIE FA3-S1) Ongoing Low High 3-B Promote Xcel Energy’s programs for low-income households and rental tenants. (PIE FA3-S2) Short Low Medium 3-C Promote Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and bill assistance (LEAP) with outreach materials Short Low Medium 3-D Promote the Colorado Energy Office Residential Energy Upgrade (RENU) program and other financing mechanisms for energy projects. Ongoing Low High 3-E Support the statewide “Green the MLS” initiative by requiring home energy reports when listing a home for sale in Wheat Ridge Short Medium High 3-F Adopt IECC 2018 Residential building codes and move forward with a regular, automatic adoption of new codes versions. Ongoing Medium High 4 Goal: GB - Preserve Wheat Ridge’s distinct community character, small-town identity, and agricultural history while providing modern amenities and services which increase the City’s tax base 4-A Review and comprehensively update Wheat Ridge Guiding Documents to ensure the distinct character and desirable attributes of Wheat Ridge are maintained and the coordination of sustainability is cohesive and unified throughout and across each plan. Short Medium High 4-B Consider adopting local business preference ordinance for new development. Short Low High 4-C Continued City and community support of urban agriculture activities and Colorado Cottage Food Act. Ongoing Low High 5 Goal: GB - Encourage sustainable design infrastructure elements to support construction and renovation of buildings to promote green building practices and create livable communities. Energy Efficiency & Green Building Page 9 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 Energy Efficiency & Green Building, continued Goal / Action Timeline* Cost** Environmental Benefit*** 5-A Review and update Architectural & Site Design Manual for increased emphasis on sustainability Short Medium High 5-A Incorporate sustainability into the pre-application process for site plan, architectural elevations and landscape plan (pg. 7) Short Medium High 5-Aii Expand the overlay areas for sustainability (pg. 9-10) Short Medium High 5-Aiii Include sustainable design standards and guidelines for Site Design and Building Design (pg. 11-30) Short Medium High 5-B Review and update Streetscape Design Manual for increased emphasis on sustainability. Short Medium High 5-Bi Incorporate sustainability into the application process during either Site Plan Review or Building Permit Review (pg. 3) Short Medium High 5-Bii Include sustainability for each Priority Corridor’s Design Goals, Standards and Guidelines where possible (i.e. increase water conservation, decrease light pollution, increase multi-modal amenities and access) Short Medium High 5-C Introduce ballot measure for green roofs or rooftop solar on all new buildings over 25,000 square feet. Short- Ongoing Medium High 5-D Require Green Building certification for new construction and major renovations of City buildings (e.g., LEED, WELL) Ongoing Low High 5-E Consider Green Building certifications for new commercial and multifamily developments Ongoing Low High 5-Ei Require certification for developments receiving any City incentives (e.g., TIF) Ongoing Low High 5-Eii Incentivize certification for all new development Ongoing Low High *Timeline as related to time it would take for action to be established, but not necessarily completed. Short term refers to activities that to be established in less than one year; mid-term refers to activities to be established in 1-3 years; long term activities refer to activities to be established in 3-10 years. An activity established in year one would likely have ongoing associated activities for the City to implement. ** Cost estimate considers some actions requiring actions would require ongoing commitments from the City, which are considered in the assessing cost. For example, necessity for City staff. ***Environmental benefit roughly identifies the impact a recommendation has on the environment, categorized as High, Medium, Low. Energy Efficiency & Green Building Page 10 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 WHAT: GOALS AT A GLANCE GOAL 1: Reduce municipal energy use GOAL 2: Reduce commercial and industrial Energy use GOAL 3: Reduce residential energy use GOAL 4: Preserve Wheat Ridge’s distinct community character, small-town identity, and agricultural history while providing modern amenities and services which increase the City’s tax base GOAL 5: Encourage sustainable design infrastructure elements to support construction and renovation of buildings to create livable communities and promote green building practices HOW: GOAL DESCRIPTIONS & STRATEGIES GOAL 1: Reduce municipal energy use Action 1-A: Implement an Energy Performance Contract (EPC) for city facilities Energy Performance Contracts are a time-tested tool for financing public facility improvements and lowering energy costs. The Colorado Energy Office EPC program will provide the City of WR with support to facilitate the EPC process. The City can contract with a CEO pre-qualified Energy Service Company (ESCO) to conduct an investment-grade audit of all city facilities and implement facility improvements at no costs to the City. Through an EPC, an ESCO guarantees the realized energy, water and associated operations and maintenance savings from the facility improvements. The savings are used to offset the construction costs. Once the financing period is over, all subsequent savings will accrue to the city. For further information, see: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/energyoffice/public-energy-performance-contracting. Metrics: The costs and energy savings will be calculated, monitored and verified through the EPC. Action 1-B: Benchmark and track municipal building’s energy use In order to track energy use of the City’s facilities, a benchmark or baseline of the City’s facilities is necessary. Once the benchmark is set-up, the data can be automatically uploaded on an ongoing basis through Xcel’s Partners in Energy (PIE) program, to track the facilities energy use annually. Metrics: The metrics for the PIE program include total energy savings (MMBtu), electricity savings (kWh), gas savings (therms), and annual cost savings. Energy Efficiency & Green Building Page 11 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 Action 1-C: Evaluate completed audits for facility improvements not included in the EPC and implement energy efficiency measures identified in audits Wheat Ridge has completed energy audits of many of its facilities. We expect that many improvements can be financed with an energy performance contract (EPC), as described in Section 1-A of this document, but any other facility improvements can be addressed via PIE outreach and implementation. (PIE: FA1-S1&2) PIE program analysts estimate $11,150 in annual cost savings (165,700 kWh and 1,200 therms) with an estimated 2-year payback period (an approximately 50% return on investment). Metrics: The metrics for the PIE program include total energy savings (MMBtu), electricity savings (kWh), gas savings (therms), and annual cost savings. Action 1-D: Require new or renovated municipal facilities to be zero energy buildings Zero energy buildings (ZEB) combine energy efficiency and renewable energy generation to develop or renovate a structure that only consumes as much energy as can be produced on the site with renewable resources. The City should adopt bylaws that require new or renovated municipal facilities to be ZEBs. The ZEB bylaw would demonstrate that Wheat Ridge is a pioneer in combating climate change and is fiscally responsible since the added costs of the ZEB design and construction would be recouped within 20 years. For more information: https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/zero-energy-buildings “Strategies for Procuring High-Performance Buildings on Typical Construction Budgets” https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy14osti/61571.pdf Metrics: Each building’s reduced energy, cost and GHG savings will be calculated in the design and planning stages. Action 1-E: Complete conversion of all street lights to LED lighting Public street lighting can account for up to 40% of electricity consumed by a municipality. Since LEDs use less than half the energy consumed by traditional lights and last significantly longer, replacing traditional street lights to LED will save the city money and reduce its climate change impact. Wheat Ridge has already begun converting street lights to LED. WRESC recommends that the conversion continue until complete. Metrics: The metrics for the PIE program include total energy savings (MMBtu), electricity savings (kWh), gas savings (therms), and annual cost savings. GOAL 2: Reduce commercial and industrial energy use Action 2-A: Adopt a City ordinance that requires benchmarking and disclosure of energy use of buildings larger than 25,000 square feet Benchmarking the energy performance of buildings is the first step to understanding and reducing energy consumption, because you can’t manage what you don’t measure. Benchmarking enables the market to better value energy efficiency, similar to the MPG ratings for cars or nutrition labels on food. Other cities with benchmarking and transparency requirements have seen 2-3 percent energy savings each year by covered buildings. See Energy Efficiency & Green Building Page 12 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 information on Denver’s ordinance here: https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/environmental-health/environmental- quality/Energize-Denver/CommercialMultifamilyBuildingBenchmarking.html. Metrics: The metrics include total energy savings (MMBtu), electricity savings (kWh), gas savings (therms), and annual cost savings. Action 2-B: Encourage Energy Performance Contract (EPC) for Lutheran Hospital Lutheran Hospital is the largest consumer of energy in Wheat Ridge. The City should work with Lutheran hospital on implementing an Energy Performance Contracts (EPC), which will have no upfront cost to Lutheran and will result in a positive cash flow (annual energy bill savings outweigh loan/EPC payments). This will improve the economic sustainability of one of the largest employers in Wheat Ridge. PIE analysts estimate annual savings of 300,000 kWh and $27,000 is possible in the hospital and industrial facility sector in Wheat Ridge (payback varies by measure). Action 2-C: Encourage energy efficiency upgrades in commercial and industrial facilities using programs available to local businesses Programs through Xcel’s PIE including Energy Design Assistance, ENERGY STAR Benchmarking, Building Tune-Ups, outreach materials at time of lease/sale, and various rebate programs are available. (PIE FA2-S1, S2, S3): Typical upgrades include improving efficiency of process heating, installing renewable energy, waste heat recovery, high efficiency motors, and developing programs that continuously look for energy reductions. Include outreach materials with every lease or purchase agreement that advertises available programs. PIE analysts estimate incremental annual savings of $53,950 (774,500 kWh and 7,500 therms) for existing businesses in Wheat Ridge (estimated 4-year payback, which is a 25% return on investment). For new construction, incremental participation in the Energy Design Assistance program is estimated to save $54,700 (532,700 kWh and 13,400 therms), with an immediate (< 1 year) payback. Metrics: The metrics for the PIE program include total energy savings (MMBtu), electricity savings (kWh), gas savings (therms), and annual cost savings. Action 2-D: Encourage use of C-PACE7 financing for energy projects C-PACE is a financing tool that allows commercial and multifamily property owners to finance qualifying energy efficiency, water conservation, and other clean energy improvements on existing and newly constructed properties, with repayment of the financing through a voluntary assessment on their property tax bill. This can help make Wheat Ridge businesses more economically competitive by reducing energy costs and increasing self- reliance by insulating against energy cost fluctuations. Metrics: As part of C-PACE, each energy project will calculate the cost, energy and GHG emission reductions. Action 2-E: Require projects that receive city incentives (e.g., TIF) to meet beyond code energy savings targets While there are not many new developments in Wheat Ridge, newly constructed buildings will likely last at least 50 years, so it is in the community’s interest to make these buildings high quality. Retrofitting an existing building is less economical than designing a building to be energy efficient in the first place, so it is critical to encourage wise investments at the time of construction. One way the City can encourage such investment is by requiring construction projects that receive city incentives, such as tax increment financing (TIF), to meet energy savings targets that go beyond code requirements. Going beyond code does not have to increase the cost of construction,8 but even if it does, it will provide 7 https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/energyoffice/commercial 8 See “Strategies for Procuring High-Performance Buildings on Typical Construction Budgets” https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy14osti/61571.pdf Energy Efficiency & Green Building Page 13 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 dividends, in the form of lower utility costs, to the tenants for years to come. This ultimately benefits the community by attracting high quality businesses, jobs, and keeps more money in the local economy. There are a variety of approaches to beyond code programs. Resources for designing programs include: Going Beyond Code: A Guide for Creating Effective Green Building Programs for Energy Efficient and Sustainable Communities https://www.energycodes.gov/sites/default/files/documents/GoingBeyondCode.pdf Metrics: Each project will calculate the cost, energy and GHG emission reductions. Action 2-F: - Adopt IECC 2018 Commercial building codes and establish regular, automatic adoption of new IECC Commercial codes The International Environmental Conservation Codes establish minimum requirements for energy-efficient buildings using prescriptive and performance-related provisions. Building codes will save tenants thousands of dollars over a building’s lifetime. Establishing a regular adoption process means that the Wheat Ridge community will always be on track to benefit from energy codes. Some states and local jurisdictions have established automatic adoption, so adoption does not need to be debated every 3 years. Metrics: Energy costs and GHG emission reductions. GOAL 3: Reduce residential energy use Action 3-A: Promote Xcel Energy’s residential rebate and direct install programs to Wheat Ridge residents. (See PIE FA3-S1)9 The PIE program includes a multi-pronged outreach campaign for residential programs, with a focus on promoting Home Energy Squad. Home Energy Squad is a direct install program that allows homeowners to pay $75 for a crew to swap out traditional bulbs for LEDs, install a programmable thermostat, weather-strip a drafty door and install energy-efficient showerheads and aerators (a $200 value). Xcel Energy also provides rebates for home energy audits (60% discount), evaporative coolers, high efficiency air conditioners, insulation, air sealing, refrigerator and freezer recycling, as well as a comprehensive whole-home upgrade program (Home Performance with ENERGY STAR). Although not currently being organized by Xcel, Wheat Ridge could organize home energy audit house parties to spread the word about energy saving opportunities. PIE analysts estimate that incremental participation in these programs would result in $27,800 annual cost savings (201,700 kWh and 11,700 therms) for Wheat Ridge residents, with an estimated payback of 5 years (20% rate of return). Metrics: The metrics for the PIE program include total energy savings (MMBtu), electricity savings (kWh), gas savings (therms), and annual cost savings. Action 3-B: Promote Xcel Energy’s programs for low-income households and rental tenants (PIE FA3-S2) Qualified Wheat Ridge residents can receive free help to reduce energy bills through Xcel Energy’s Income Qualified Weatherization Program, which leverages the federal programs described below. The program is administered by Energy Outreach Colorado. http://www.energyoutreach.org/ 9 https://www.xcelenergy.com/programs_and_rebates/residential_programs_and_rebates Energy Efficiency & Green Building Page 14 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 https://www.xcelenergy.com/programs_and_rebates/residential_programs_and_rebates/affordable_energy/income- qualified_weatherization_program Metrics: The metrics for the PIE program include total energy savings (MMBtu), electricity savings (kWh), gas savings (therms), and annual cost savings. Action 3-C: Promote Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and bill assistance (LEAP) with outreach materials Colorado Energy Office (CEO) offers a free Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) to Colorado's low-income residents, and the LEAP program is a federally funded state-supervised, county-administered system and is designed to assist with winter heating costs for a home primary heating system.10 11 Metrics: The metrics for the WAP and LEAP program are calculated through the Colorado Energy Office. Action 3-D: Promote Colorado Energy Office (CEO) RENU financing12 and other financing mechanisms for energy projects (see PIE) The CEO has worked with Elevations Credit Union to establish a loan program for homeowners to purchase new Energy Star Appliances, install new energy improvements to their home, or if they have an emergency with a home appliance and need immediate help in financing a replacement. For more information, please visit https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/energyoffice/renu-loan-customers Action 3-E: Support the statewide “Green the MLS” initiative by requiring home energy reports when listing a home for sale One of the biggest barriers to home energy upgrades is that homeowners may not stay in the home long enough to recoup their investment, and the market lacks a mechanism for valuing such investments, as the upgrades are often “invisible” to potential buyers. Home energy scores are a market-based solution for conveying energy performance information—similar to miles-per-gallon ratings for cars or nutrition labels on food—that allow energy efficiency investments to be recouped in the form of a higher home energy score that fetches a premium in the market. Positive steps have already been taken in Colorado to “Green the MLS” by adding optional fields to the MLS that allow sellers to advertise green features. Some cities, such as Portland, Oregon, now require sellers to disclose home energy scores before putting homes on the market, which provides true market transparency. RESOURCES http://www.greenthemls.org/ https://www.elevateenergy.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/Moving-the-Market_-Energy-Cost-Disclosure-in-Residential-Real-Estate-Listings.pdf https://www.pdxhes.com/ 10 https://www.xcelenergy.com/billing_and_payment/understanding_your_bill/energy_assistance_options 11 https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/phillipscounty/low-income-energy-assistance-program-leap 12 https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/energyoffice/renu-loan-customers Energy Efficiency & Green Building Page 15 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 Action 3-F: Adopt IECC 2018 Residential building codes and move forward with a regular, automatic adoption of new IECC Residential codes See G.2.H. for description of IECC. Adopting the latest energy codes will save homeowners and renters money. For example, adoption of the 2012 IECC Residential codes was found to have a 16–17-month payback and would net homeowners $750 over five years.13 RESOURCES https://www.nrdc.org/experts/pierre-delforge/ca-2020- building-code-draft-zero-net-electricity-new-homes GOAL 4: Preserve Wheat Ridge’s distinct community character, small-town identity, and agricultural history while providing modern amenities and services which increase the City’s tax base Action 4-A: Review and comprehensively update Wheat Ridge Guiding Documents to ensure the City’s distinct character and desirable attributes are maintained and the coordination of sustainability is unified throughout each plan. Guiding Documents include: ●Zoning and Development Code ●Envision Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan ●Subarea Plans ●Urban Renewal Plans ●Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy ●Architectural Design and Site Manual (ADSM) ●Streetscape Design Manual Action 4-B: Consider adopting local business preference ordinance for new development. Support independent local businesses that provide the distinctive, small town appeal of Wheat Ridge and avoid the trend toward nationwide standardization. One way to protect independent entrepreneurs and ensure a diverse commercial district is to draft an ordinance14 that limits formula, or chain, businesses (i.e., restaurants, retail) by capping their number, making them conditional use subject to a case-by-case review and approval by planning board or City Council, or prohibiting them altogether in certain zones. This type of ordinance would foster a business community that is responsive to the needs of the surrounding neighborhood. Action 4-C: Continued City and community support of urban agriculture and Colorado Cottage Food Act (copy of the bill) ●Jefferson Conservation District Guide for Urban Agriculture 13 http://bcapcodes.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Denver-2012-IECC-True-Cost.pdf 14 https://ilsr.org/rule/formula-business-restrictions/ Energy Efficiency & Green Building Page 16 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 Wheat Ridge is a suburban community with clear agricultural roots. As Wheat Ridge developed houses and businesses co-mingled with fields of carnations and apple orchards. Wheat Ridge continues to maintain a robust array of small- to mid-sized farms. Residents show great support of a local food system, both by growing food themselves and purchasing it from local producers. There is growing evidence that connecting with a local food system has community health benefits by supporting healthy eating, community resilience, and food literacy.15 Four important directives from the case-study completed by LiveWell Wheat Ridge in 2014 are still relevant and necessary to continue and further expand urban agriculture within the community fabric of Wheat Ridge: ●Strengthen the urban agriculture community and provide increased connectivity between producers, processors and consumers ●Ensure policies continue to incentivize Urban Agriculture through the preservation and maintenance of space for local food production ●Establish public-private partnerships to support local food production, create opportunities for educational programming and host community events ●Support creative programming to strengthen Wheat Ridge’s reputation as an urban agriculture-friendly community GOAL 5: Encourage sustainable design infrastructure elements to support construction and renovation of buildings to create livable communities and promote green building practices Action 5-A: Review and update Architectural & Site Design Manual for increased emphasis on sustainability The number one goal of the ASDM is “creative site and building design that creates unique and sustainable places.” Other goals included in the ASDM that are closely connected to this Action Plan include: •Balance traffic needs with pedestrians and adjacent land uses •Encourage pedestrian activity through building and site design with a consistent edge to street and sidewalk and convenient access from public right-of-way to each business •The use of architectural elements to create buildings that are human scale and visually interesting 5-Ai. Incorporate sustainability into the pre-application process for site plan, architectural elevations and landscape plan At the outset of any new development or major renovation project, weight should be given during the initial review of the proposed site plan, architectural elevations and landscape plan to projects that strongly incorporate principles of sustainable design. These preliminary design documents should include explicit means for the preservation and enhancement of existing tree canopy and native vegetation to avoid harming habitat, open space, and water bodies. Ultimately, development should create regenerative spaces that connects occupants to light, air, food, nature, and community. 15 https://co-wheatridge-old.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/21687/LiveWell-Urban-Agriculture-Case-Study Energy Efficiency & Green Building Page 17 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 5-Aii. Expand the overlay areas for sustainability (pg. 9-10) ●Encourage development of transit-supportive, higher-density, mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented areas that are human scale, rather than car centric (i.e. Clear Creek Crossing, The Corners, Wadsworth Corridor) ●Support transit oriented development (TOD) that includes a mix of commercial, industrial and residential uses and is designed for multi-modal access (pedestrians, bicycles, vehicles, public transit) 5-Aiii. Include sustainable design standards and guidelines for Site Design and Building Design (pg. 11-30) Consider the following sustainable design recommendations: ●Integrate the site with local and regional ecosystems and preserve the biodiversity that natural systems rely on ●Provide ample connection to existing natural environment, trails and greenways ●Ongoing maintenance plan for low or no chemical use and reduced water use ●Consider using land for agricultural purposes ●Restrict development footprint to lessen damage to site ecology ●Protect open space and sensitive areas ●Preserve existing wildlife habitat (i.e. floodplains, wetlands) ●Avoid light pollution ●Reduce the use of dark, non-reflective materials to combat the creation of urban heat islands Action 5-B: Review and update Streetscape Design Manual for increased emphasis on sustainability 5-Ei. Incorporate sustainability into the application process during either Site Plan Review or Building Permit Review (pg. 3) At the outset of any new development or major renovation project, weight should be given during the initial review of the proposed site plan, architectural elevations and landscape plan to projects that strongly incorporate principles of sustainable design. These preliminary design documents should include explicit means for the preservation and enhancement of existing tree canopy and native vegetation to avoid harming habitat, open space, and water bodies. Ultimately, development should create regenerative spaces that connect occupants to light, air, food, nature and community. 5-Eii. Include sustainability for each Priority Corridor’s Design Goals, Standards and Guidelines where possible (i.e. increase water conservation, decrease light pollution, increase multi-modal amenities and access) Focus on infrastructure that is safe and comfortable for pedestrians (i.e. sidewalks, all-weather-surface footpaths, crosswalks) and bicyclists (i.e. bicycle lanes, off-street bicycle paths or trails, streets with low target vehicle speed) Encourage alternative transportation by providing: ●Bicycle storage ●Alternative-fuel facilities ●Preferred parking for green vehicles Energy Efficiency & Green Building Page 18 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 Highlight and expand Amenity Zones contribution to sustainable design (i.e. walkability, landscape, furnishings) Reassess Street Furnishings and their materials for sustainability and durability: ●Conserve raw materials and resources, support a life-cycle approach that improves performance and promotes efficiency at every step (i.e. extraction, processing, transport, maintenance, and disposal or reuse) ●Choose environmentally preferable products from sustainable suppliers, designers and manufacturers (i.e. responsibly harvested wood, bio-based materials, locally or regionally produced products) whenever possible Action 5-C: Introduce ballot measure for green roofs or rooftop solar on all new buildings over 25,000 square feet Fashion a green roof or rooftop solar ordinance after Denver’s Green Roof Ordinance, based on Toronto’s Green Roof Ordinance with specific attention to Wheat Ridge’s particular climate challenges and plant hardiness zone. There are many benefits of green roofs: enhanced stormwater management, reduced urban heat island effect, reduced energy costs, improved air quality, decreased noise pollution, enhanced biodiversity for bees and birds, in addition to city beautification. Studies show that these benefits lead to a better quality of life and workplace environment.16 DENVER GREEN ROOF ORDINANCE HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: Buildings over 25,000 square feet (ft2) must dedicate a percentage of a building’s roof to green, vegetative space: Gross Floor Area (Size of Building) Coverage of Available Roof Space (Size of Green Roof) 25,000 – 49,999 ft2 20% 50,000 – 99,999 ft2 30% 100,000 – 149,999 ft2 40% 150,000 – 199,999 ft2 50% 200,000 ft2 or greater 60% •A building may cover their entire roof with solar to be exempt from this building code. •Green roofs and solar work in tandem. Solar panels give shade to vegetation and the plants keep the roof cooler. •Only buildings that exceed 25,000 ft2and residential buildings over 4 stories and greater than 25,000 ft2 16 http://www.denvergreenroof.org/the-basics/ Energy Efficiency & Green Building Page 19 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 Action 5-D: Require Green Building certification for new construction and major renovations of City buildings (e.g., LEED, WELL) Action 5-E: Consider Green Building certifications for new commercial and multifamily developments 5-Ei. Require certification for developments receiving any City incentives (e.g., TIF) 5-Eii. Incentivize certification for all new development Join the ever-growing list of cities requiring and supporting Green Building certifications for sustainable development to create livable cities.17 All newly constructed, extensively modified non-residential, and specific multi-family residential buildings that have or will have at least 10,000 sf of gross floor area must achieve a Silver rating in the appropriate LEED rating system. COMMUNICATION & ENGAGEMENT Ensure that Energy Efficiency is included in the proposed Wheat Ridge Green Business recognition by City Council Provide a targeted pamphlet with sustainable guidelines for development/redevelopment projects, to include but not limited to the following: •Use energy, water and materials efficiently •Conservation and creative reuse of water for indoor use, outdoor use, specialized use and metering (i.e. efficient fixtures and appliances, greywater reuse, rainwater harvesting) •Reuse existing building components and infrastructure systems •Conserve raw materials and resources, support a life-cycle approach that improves performance and promotes efficiency at every step (i.e. extraction, processing, transport, maintenance, and disposal or reuse) •Divert demolition waste by seeking channels/opportunities for reuse, salvage and recycling •Choose environmentally preferable products from sustainable suppliers, designers and manufacturers (i.e. responsibly harvested wood, bio- based materials, locally or regionally produced products) RESOURCES Implementing the above recommendations will require staff time, but energy cost savings from some of the actions can help offset this cost. The PIE program alone has estimated cost savings of almost $200,000 per year. In some cases, volunteers can assist with outreach and other implementation efforts. Many energy efficiency improvements can be financed so that they are cash flow positive—the energy cost savings outweigh loan payments starting in year one. The actions above describe various financing mechanisms available. 17 https://www.everbluetraining.com/blog/cities-requiring-or-supporting-leed-2015-edition Renewable Energy Page 20 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 RENEWABLE ENERGY WHY & BACKGROUND A stable climate, clean air, healthy people, low-cost energy, and a resilient economy are goals all citizens of Wheat Ridge can get behind. To reach these goals, we must collectively pursue a lofty, yet practical and achievable, set of strategies for Wheat Ridge with the greatest potential for positive change. The recommendations below deal with the source of energy provided to residents, businesses, municipal facilities, and other energy users. Every building, vehicle, and piece of infrastructure in the City of Wheat Ridge uses energy. In turn, every person is impacted by the pollutants released from the production and use of that energy. This plan proposes a target of 100% renewable energy for all uses, including buildings and transportation, by 2050. In order to reach the target, this Plan also proposes the following interim targets (as percentages of total annual primary energy): 1)25% by 2025 2)50% by 2033 3)75% by 2041 4)100% by 2050 For reference, about 10% of all energy (including transportation) comes from a renewable source in 2017. Xcel Energy (Xcel), an investor owned utility, supplies electricity and natural gas to Wheat Ridge residents and businesses. In 2017, Xcel’s electricity supply in Colorado was sourced from 44% coal, 28% natural gas, 23% wind, 2% hydropower, and 3% solar—or 28% renewable sources in total.18 Xcel plans to further expand renewable energy to 55% of its electricity generation by 202519. Xcel currently has no plans to replace its natural gas supply with methane generated from renewable sources, nor does it have plans to encourage consumer fuel switching from natural gas to electricity. Xcel’s programs that allow users to opt into renewable electricity, and subsidies and financial incentives offered by state and federal governments mean that renewable energy is increasingly an option for communities interested in utilizing clean and less costly sources of energy. 18 Xcel Energy, 2016. (no title). “Annual community energy report.” Accessed https//www.xcelenergy.com/working_with_us, Feb. 15, 2018. 19 Svaldi, Aldo, 2017. “Xcel Energy plans to retire two coal fired plants in Pueblo, increase renewables.” The Denver Post, August 29, 2017. Renewable Energy Page 21 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 Fifty-five percent renewable electricity is a solid foundation, but we must join with other communities to make substantial strides in increasing the use of nonpolluting energy sources as clean air is a shared resource. Thus far, five cities in the USA have reached 100% renewable electricity, including Aspen, CO, and over 50 cities have pledged 100% renewable electricity including five in Colorado. In addition, Governor Hickenlooper has committed Colorado to a 26% reduction of greenhouse gases by 2025.20 This Colorado target encompasses all sources of greenhouse gas emissions, not just electricity generation. This section of the Plan addresses renewable energy sources for stationary uses by city facilities, residences, and businesses. See the Transportation section of the Plan for reduction of greenhouse gases from transportation, and the Green Building and Energy Efficiency section for energy use in buildings. Renewable Energy Goal / Action Timeline* Cost** Environmental Benefit*** 1 Goal: Promote renewable energy policy beyond City 1-A Represent City renewable energy goals to Public Utility Commission Ongoing Low High 1-B Endorse/propose county, state, and federal policy that support City goals for renewable energy Ongoing Low High 1-Bi Endorse a market solution to carbon pollution with a federal tax on carbon production or a carbon fee and dividend Short Low High 1-Bii Join the Compact of Colorado Communities Short Low Medium 1-Biii Promote statewide adoption of Community Choice Aggregation Ongoing Low Medium 1-Biv Form partnerships with neighboring communities and Jefferson County in promoting renewable energy. Ongoing Low Medium 2 Goal: Promote renewable energy within City 2-A Engage the community in setting and implementing renewable energy goals Ongoing Low Low 2-B Promote renewable energy sourcing options and other programs, on the City website and other venues Ongoing Medium Low 2-C Work with the Colorado Energy Office and Department of Local Affairs for project and financial assistance in renewable energy Ongoing Medium High 2-D Partner with neighboring cities and Jefferson County in developing renewable energy programs and services that the City alone does not have the resources to offer Ongoing Medium Medium 20 Hickenlooper, John W., 2017. “Supporting Colorado's clean energy transition”. State of Colorado, Executive Order D 2017015, Jul. 11, 2017; Colorado Energy Office et al, 2018. Colorado Climate Plan, updated 2018. Renewable Energy Page 22 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 2-E Work with Xcel to promote renewable energy 2-Ei Participate in Xcel’s Partners in Energy program Ongoing Medium Medium 2-Eii Remove Xcel’s limit of 120 percent maximum of energy consumption on distributed renewable energy. Short Medium High 2-Eiii Prepare for renewable energy demands in the next round of municipal franchise negotiations Medium Medium High 2-F Host a renewable energy bulk purchasing program Short Medium High 2-G Streamline the permitting process and any regulatory disincentives for renewable energy Short Medium High 2-H Adopt “solar ready” provisions in building codes Short Medium High 2-I Require all new and extensively modified commercial construction have either a solar, garden, or reflective roof Mid Low High 2-J Require onsite solar energy for new developments that receive municipal incentives Short Low High 2-K Ban new fossil fuel infrastructure Short Low High 3 Goal: Implement renewable energy projects 3-A Procure onsite solar for all municipal facilities 2025 Medium High 3-B Incentivize onsite solar for both commercial and residential buildings 3-Bi Waive permitting/inspection fees Short Medium High 3-Bii Provide system installation rebates, energy production-based rebates, and grants Short Medium High 3-Biii Provide assistance to low-income households Short High High 3-Biv Property and sales tax incentives Short High High 3-Bv Use various financing tools offered by Colorado Energy Office Short Medium High 3-Bvi Offer a municipal loan program more favorable than those offered by traditional lending institutions Short High High * Timeline - Short term 2 years, Mid-term 5 years, Long Term continuous or >5 years, or year to be implanted by, such as 2025 in Goal 3. **Low Cost - does not require additional City staff. Medium Cost require additional staff and administrative expenses for implementation. High Cost - may require financing by the City if alternative financing cannot be found. ***Environmental Benefits: Low - does not provide a direct benefit. Medium – does provide an indirect benefit. High – does provide direct benefit. Renewable Energy Page 23 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 WHAT: GOALS AT A GLANCE Goal 1: Promote renewable energy policy beyond City Goal 2: Promote renewable energy within City Goal 3: Implement renewable energy projects. HOW: GOAL DESCRIPTIONS & STRATEGIES GOAL 1: Promote Renewable Energy Policy Beyond City Action 1-A: Represent City renewable energy goals to relevant hearings of the Colorado Public Utility Commission The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) regulates utility monopolies for safe, reliable, and reasonably priced services consistent with economic, environmental, and social values. The PUC sets energy supply policy and regulations in public hearings, and it is important for the City to participate in these hearings together with other communities and the public to insure progress toward renewable energy goals. One of the utilities regulated by the PUC is Xcel who supply electricity and natural gas to Wheat Ridge. Xcel recently completed their Colorado Energy Plan, which undertakes 55 percent renewable electricity by 2026. In addition, Xcel offers Partners in Energy and other renewable energy and rebate programs for residents and business that promote both renewable energy and energy efficiency in buildings that save consumption of both electricity and natural gas. Action 1-B: Endorse and propose county, state, and federal policy that support City goals for renewable energy 1-Bi. Endorse a market solution to carbon dioxide pollution with a federal tax on carbon production or a carbon fee/dividend. Carbon Fee and dividend legislation puts a fee on the amount of carbon dioxide in fossil fuels. This fee is assessed at the source of the fuel: at the mine, oil or natural gas well, or port of entry. The fee starts out low and increases annually in a predictable manner until carbon dioxide reaches a safe level of emissions. Funds collected with the fee are returned to households to compensate for the increased cost of fuel. The carbon fee/dividend is revenue neutral. 1-Bii. Join the Compact of Colorado Communities currently 26 Colorado counties and cities are partnering to strengthen the voice for renewable energy. Membership requires training of one elected official and one senior staff, and an annual fee of about $1,600 based for a city the size of Wheat Ridge. Renewable Energy Page 24 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 1-Biii. Promote statewide adoption of and work with other local communities to achieve Community Choice Aggregation (CCA). CCA is an alternative to the power utility monopoly (Xcel Energy) in which local entities aggregate the buying power of individual customers in order to secure alternative energy sources that have a higher percentage of renewable energy than available from Xcel. The CCA chooses the power generation source on behalf of members. 1-Biv. Form partnerships with neighboring communities in promoting renewable energy. Jefferson County, Lakewood, Golden, and Arvada have all made various commitments to environmental sustainability, and a joint voice would be greater than their individual voice with the PUC, state, and federal legislators and government staff. GOAL 2: Promote Renewable Energy Within City Action 2-A: Engage the community in setting and implementing renewable energy goals Convene, facilitate, and support public discussions with the community on the City’s renewable energy goals, outreach to policy makers, changes to City policy, and renewable energy resources. See the Communication and Education section. Action 2-B: Promote renewable energy sourcing options and other programs on the City website and through other communication venues Sourcing options include: 1)Distributed energy refers to a variety of technologies that generate electricity at or near where it will be used, such as solar panels and combined heat and power. The advantages of distributed energy are a more secure energy source, and installation on otherwise unused space such as rooftops and over parking lots. Consumers without suitable space for distributed energy can acquire renewable energy through renewable energy certificates, community solar gardens, and other programs offered by Xcel. 2)Net metering is a system in which onsite solar panels or other renewable energy generators are connected to a public utility power grid, and surplus power is transferred onto the grid, allowing customers to offset the cost of power drawn from the utility. Surplus energy, measured by an electric meter, is netted from the amount passing from the utility to the customer. 3)Renewable energy and energy efficiency contracts with energy service providers. An energy service provider (ESCO) is a commercial or nonprofit business providing a broad range of energy solutions including designs and implementation of energy savings projects, retrofitting, energy conservation, energy infrastructure, power generation and energy supply, and risk management. In some cases, the energy services can be financed with the energy savings. 4)Renewable energy certificates also known as green energy certificates or tradable renewable certificates are proof that energy has been generated from renewable sources such as solar or wind power. 5)Battery storage of onsite renewable energy for bridging generation and consumer demand peaks. 6)Community solar gardens are centrally located solar power systems that provide electricity to participating subscribers. Home and business owners and renters can participate in community solar gardens if their site is shaded by trees or otherwise not suitable for onsite solar power. Community solar gardens have the disadvantage of being yet another industrial facility taking up open space or infringing on the view shed. Renewable Energy Page 25 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 Action 2-C: Work with the Colorado Energy Office and Department of Local Affairs for project and financial assistance in renewable energy The Colorado Energy Office promotes innovative energy production and efficient energy consumption practices that are beneficial to the economic and environmental health of the state. Financing is available for energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy, energy conservation, and technology commercialization. A number of energy efficiency programs are available in the commercial, residential, and agricultural sectors. The Office also has low-income weatherization and solar installation assistance. The Colorado Department of Local Affairs assists communities to plan for climate resilience through their Climate Ready Communities Program. This program offers guides and planning support, and consulting services in partnership with the Geos Institute. Action 2-D: Partner with neighboring cities and Jefferson County in developing renewable energy programs and services for economies of scale and services that the City alone does not have the resources to offer Action 2-E: Work with Xcel Energy to promote renewable energy 2-Ei. Participate in Xcel’s Partners in Energy program to receive assistance in promoting Xcel’s renewable energy and energy efficiency programs, see Appendix A: Energy Efficiency. 2-Eii. Remove Xcel’s limit of 120 percent maximum of energy consumption on distributed renewable energy. 2-Eiii. Prepare for renewable energy demands in the next round of municipal franchise negotiations with Xcel. Municipal franchise agreements represent a contract between municipal governments and private electric and natural gas utilities. The municipality receives a fee from the utility that allows the utility gain access to distribution of power. The municipality could use these fees to provide supplemental compensation on top of utility net-metering rates to solar energy generators, provide a loan loss reserve for renewable energy and energy efficiency loan programs, and provide funding for efficiency initiatives for existing infrastructure such as electricity lines. Action 2-F: Host a solar energy bulk purchasing program21 for cost savings in installation of onsite solar energy, energy storage batteries, and so on In order to incentivize residents to adopt renewable energy, this program should be initiated by year-end 2018, and renewed periodically until reaching the renewable energy goals. Action 2-G: Streamline the permitting process and any regulatory disincentives for renewable energy Pursue SolSmart certification (recognizes cities, counties, and small towns for making it faster, easier, and more affordable to install solar energy) as has Jefferson County, Golden, Lakewood and other communities throughout Colorado. Establish an internal municipal policy requiring the evaluation of the impact of any major proposed plan, regulation, investment or operational decision on the renewable energy goals. An early start on these recommended policy changes would jump start the city toward the renewable energy goals. 21 Irvine,L., A. Sawyer, J. Grove, 2015. The solarize guidebook: a community guide to collective purchasing of residential PV systems. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, accessed https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy12osti/54738.pdf on Mar. 15, 2018. Renewable Energy Page 26 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 Action 2-H: Adopt “solar ready” provisions in building codes. Solar ready design can make future solar energy installation more cost-effective by reducing the need for infrastructure upgrades, ensuring solar technical feasibility, and planning for system optimization The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has a planning guide and implementation suggestions for solar ready provisions that includes site layout and building orientation, roof design and specifications, solar equipment and installation, and zoning laws and permitting requirements. Action 2-I: Require all new and extensively modified commercial construction have either solar power on the roof, a green or reflective roof A green roof or living roof is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane. Green roofs clean the air, reduce a buildings energy consumption, are the best practice to manage stormwater, create biodiversity for plants, bees, birds and other insects. A reflective roof is one that has been designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than a standard roof. These roofs can be made of a highly reflective type of paint, a sheet covering, or highly reflective tiles or shingles. Denver is the latest city to mandate rooftop gardens or solar installations on new, large buildings, joining San Francisco, New York, Paris, London and others. Action 2-J: Require onsite solar energy for new developments that receive municipal incentives Municipal incentives for new developments promote the economic sustainability of the city, adding a solar energy requirement for these developments promotes the City’s environmental sustainability. Action 2-K: Ban new fossil fuel infrastructure Commit to ban the any new construction or facilities that would produce, transport, store, or use coal, methanol, natural gas, or oil. Carbon based fuels conflict with the goal of renewable energy. Every new gas-fired furnace or water heater installed today will burn fossil fuels for up to 20 years into the future. GOAL 3: Implement Renewable Energy Projects22 Action 3-A: Procure solar energy for all municipal facilities Install solar power on all available municipal sites including rooftops, carports, parking lots, rights-of-way, brownfields, and other suitable sites. Maximize energy efficiency of municipal buildings. Switch all natural gas appliances to electricity. Together the solar power, energy efficiency, and fuel switching should achieve zero greenhouse energy emissions. Various financing mechanisms are available including tax exempt bonds, third party financing with power purchase agreements, energy services company (ESCO) investments on behalf of the municipality and investment is repaid out of the energy savings, and purchase with municipality’s general funds. Action 3-B: Incentivize onsite solar for both commercial and residential buildings, including: 3-Bi. Waive permitting/inspection fees. 3-Bii. Provide system installation rebates, energy production-based rebates, and grants. 22 U.S. Department of Energy, 2011. Solar powering your community: guide for local governments, 2nd ed., accessed https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy11osti/47692.pdf, June 2, 2018, 172 pp. Renewable Energy Page 27 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 3-Biii. Provide assistance to low-income households. 3-Biv. Property and sales tax incentives. 3-Bv. Use various financing tools offered by Colorado Energy Office, see Action 2-C, that include financing for residential, business, and low- income households. Nationwide the Commercial Property Assesses Clean Energy (CPACE) has financed billions of dollars of renewable energy projects. 3-Bvi. Offer a municipal loan program more favorable than those offered by traditional lending institutions. The loan program could provide long-term, fixed rate loans with below-market interest rates, and reduced consumer transaction costs. Municipal loans allow a wider array of individuals and business to qualify for financing as municipalities may rely on alternative mechanisms for securing loans, such as property liens. PROPOSED METRIC Annually, municipal staff should report to City Council progress toward achieving interim goals for renewable energy and actions taken to achieve goals. If any interim goal is not achieved, the City should revise actions to meet the ultimate 2050 renewable energy goal. IMPLEMENTATION The above table provides goals and strategies for how Wheat Ridge can work toward the 100% renewable energy target. Because air pollution is a shared resource, the first goal requires City Council to work with energy providers and neighboring communities in urging policy action by the county, state, and federal governments. These actions would incur little time and cost on the part of the City. The second goal involves community organization and education, changes and additions to the City building codes and their administration, and facilitation of energy conversions for municipal facilities, residents, and businesses. These actions would require municipal commitment to staff time and administrative costs. The third goal calls for upgrading municipal facilities to onsite solar energy, fuel switching for any appliances from natural gas to electricity, and building energy efficiency for zero emissions of greenhouse gas emissions, and investing in communitywide renewable energy projects. These actions would require additional staff time to facilitate and manage energy conversion projects. Project financing for renewable energy projects is available through the Colorado Energy Office, energy service providers, and grants. In addition, the municipality could provide financing to further incentivize development of renewable energy sources. The largest stationary consumers of power in Wheat Ridge are hospitals in the commercial sector, nonmetallic mineral product and paper manufacturing in the industrial sector, and residential. Hospitals consume 5 times the electricity and 7 times the natural gas of the next highest commercial category. The mineral and paper products category consumes 23 times the electricity and 43 times the natural gas as the combined consumption of all other businesses in the industrial sector.2 These business sectors are obvious opportunities for early switching to renewable energy. Renewable Energy Page 28 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 The residential sector is, of course, more dispersed. Municipal leadership in converting its own facilities to renewable energy would help to energize residents to convert their own buildings to renewable energy. In addition, City building code updates, and policy and financial incentives would help residents, particularly low income residents, to switch to renewable energy. A place to initiate action would be the larger residential buildings such as multifamily units greater than say 25,000 square feet. See also the Green Building and Energy Efficiency section of this Plan. When prioritizing solar energy projects, municipal policy should give onsite solar preference over greenfield sites such as community solar gardens and industrial scale installations. Onsite solar generally has no negative additional environmental side-effects beyond the already existing impacts of developed land. However, large scale ground-mounted solar panels preclude native plants and wildlife including most birds, mammals, and reptiles. There is considerable potential within Wheat Ridge for onsite solar. Suitable City rooftops have the potential to generate 67,889 Mwh23 compared to the solar energy produced in Wheat Ridge in 2016 of only 3 Mwh24. For additional information on what cities can do to develop renewable and efficient energy see reports by the Meister Consultants Group25, Department of Energy and National Renewable Energy Laboratory26, and Rocky Mountain Institute27 from which many of the preceding recommendations were taken. RESOURCES Costs to the City of conversion to renewable energy are, of course, a concern. However, other cities have more than offset the cost by energy savings. From 2015 to 2017, Fort Collins businesses saved $9.5 million while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 12%. In Rifle, the city government saves half a million dollars a year in energy costs from its solar installations. 28 Third party financing for energy conversion projects is available from the Colorado Energy Office, energy service providers, and numerous grants from state and private sources. Grid Alternatives is an organization of volunteers that install solar panels for low-income families and affordable housing. In addition, the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, NREL, and Xcel offer program support. 23 Department of Energy, Integrated Deployment office, 2017. “State and local energy data, buildings and industry summary for Wheat Ridge, Colorado”. Accessed https://apps1.eere.energy.gov/sled/#/results/buildingsandindustry?city=Wheat%20Ridge&abv=CO&section=electricity&currentState=Colorado&lat=39.766098&lng=105.07720 63, Feb. 15,2018. 24 Xcel Energy, 2016. (no title). “Annual community energy report.” Accessed https//www.xcelenergy.com/working_with_us, Feb. 15, 2018. 25 Laurent, C., J. Crowe, R. Coombs, (undated). “Pathways to 100, an energy supply transformation primer for U.S. cities”. Meister Consultants Group, Boston. 26 O’Shaughnessy, E., J. Heeter, D. Keyser, P. Gagnon, A. Aznar, 2016. “Estimating the national carbon abatement potential of city policies: a data driven approach”. Technical Report NREL/TP6A2067101, October 2016. 27 Calhoun, K., J. Corvidae, J. Creyts, M. Jungclaus, J. Mandel, E. O’Grady, P. Bronski, 2017. “The carbonfree city handbook”. Rocky Mountain Institute, Basalt, Colorado, accessed rmi.org/carbonfreecities, Feb. 2, 2018. 28 Colorado Energy Office et al, 2018. Colorado Climate Plan, updated 2018, p. 9192. Solid Waste & Recycling Page 29 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 TRANSPORTATION WHY & BACKGROUND WRESC defines Transportation as public and private vehicular and active transportation. Recognizing that approximately 33% of residents do not or cannot drive a car29, the vision statement of Wheat Ridge’s Comprehensive Plan, Envision Wheat Ridge says, “Wheat Ridge will offer convenient transportation options…” and one of the Plan’s Key Values is to increase Transportation Connections and Options. As detailed in Chapter 7 of Envision Wheat Ridge, the city has recognized and highlighted the need for integrated transportation choices and options that support all modes of travel within and through our city. A well-connected transportation system with multi-modal options: ●Provides mobility for residents of all ages and encourages and facilitates healthy living ●Reduces dependence on personal automobiles which improves air and water quality and reduces greenhouse gas emissions ●Provides flexibility for travelers and potentially reduces costs Wheat Ridge’s location between Colorado’s largest and capital city and the Rocky Mountain playground for residents and tourists alike presents unique opportunities and challenges for our community. While nearly 150,000 vehicles pass through the city daily on I-7030, the surface streets lack a standard grid system that would simplify intra-city commuting and allow more users to avoid the interstate. As a result, 78% of commuters travel in single-occupancy vehicles vs 74.6% in the Denver metropolitan region.31 However, the region’s transit and active transportation infrastructure has greatly improved in recent years so opportunities are plentiful to adopt and implement measures to decrease dependence on single-occupancy vehicles. Ensuring that businesses, services, and recreation are accessible to all residents regardless of ability establishes Wheat Ridge as a City that values equity. Wheat Ridge is already served well by public transportation options, so adoption (and reduced Vehicle Miles Traveled “VMT”) is likely more related to education and comfort level with RTD. The map below, provided by the City, shows that 73% of city residents live within ¼ mile of a bus stop. With the W rail line just to the south and the forthcoming G rail line just to the north, Wheat Ridge residents have many options to choose from. 29 The 2009 National Household Travel Survey estimated 208 million Americans have driver's licenses out a total population of 307 million, or about 2/3 of the population. Report available at: http://nhts.ornl.gov/2009/pub/stt.pdf 30 http://gis.drcog.org/trafficcounts. Data recorded June 2010 on I-70 just east of Kipling Street. 31 https://drcog.org/services-and-resources/denver-regional-visual-resources/community-profiles Solid Waste & Recycling Page 30 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 Solid Waste & Recycling Page 31 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 Transportation Goal / Action Timeline* Cost** Environmental Benefit*** 1 Goal: Encourage land use that leverages the positive social and environmental impacts of all forms of transportation including shared mobility 1-A Incentivize zoning, building, and subdivision codes; design standards, variances and special use permits Short /Ongoing Low High 1-Ai Comp Plan/FLUM Incorporation: Maximize incorporation of mixed-use considerations/requirements, areas appropriate for increased density, and other land use regulations that promote efficient, alternative forms of transportation into next Comp Plan and Official Land Use Map. Ongoing Low High 1-Aii Implement policies aimed at easing zoning and other regulations and parking minimums to promote transit, cycling, walking and shared mobility in new developments. Short Low Medium 1-Aiii Adopt parking lot requirements that allow reduction of parking spaces when bicycle or shared mobility spaces are provided. Short Low Low 1-Aiv Implement policies that increase the mobility of all citizens. Encourage diverse housing options and commercial choices where users of all ages and abilities have access to bicycle, pedestrian, and transit as integral elements of the transportation system. Ongoing Low High 1-Av Adopt strategies, policies, and incentives to encourage developers and property owners to reduce travel demands and vehicle trips (VMT) in new and existing developments. For example, bonuses for the inclusion of bicycle parking, bicycle lockers, shared mobility, and preferential parking for carpools and vanpools. Short Low Medium 1-B Prioritize capital investments in projects that leverage the positive social and environmental impacts of all forms of transportation including shared mobility Mid High High 1-Bi Prioritize the recommendations of the Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan 2017 revision. Short Low Medium 1-Bii Adopt regulatory strategies, such as density bonuses for affordable or green buildings, that incentivize and permit increased residential and employment densities and diverse uses. Short Medium Medium 1-C Make resources available to residents, community groups, and businesses about the importance of compact, mixed-use development Mid Low Medium Solid Waste & Recycling Page 32 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 Transportation, continued 1-Ci Research other communities’ best practices to gather support of residents for increasing density while retaining community character. Short Low Medium 2 Goal: Increase Use of Multimodal Transportation Choices 2-A Encourage use of trip planning tools Ongoing Low High 2-Ai Provide trip-planning resources in partnership with City, RTD, and other community-based organizations for transit, cycling, walking, and smart commuting. Short Low Medium 2-Aii Provide multimodal and active transportation trip planning information at City events. Ongoing Low Medium 2-Aiii Provide resources, including local publications and social media regarding alternatives to automobile travel such as walking, biking and transit. Include that these benefit community, including improving air quality, economic activity and public health. Travel alternatives are especially important in maintaining mobility for seniors, people with disabilities, and lower-income residents. Ongoing Low Medium 2-B Work with regional partners and local businesses to encourage multimodal travel, including having resources for multimodal commuters and education efforts Mid Low Medium 2-Bi Investigate options for DRCOG assistance. Short Low Medium 2-Bii Engage DRCOG to expand WayToGo Communication and Education in the City and coordinate a City-wide WayToGo smart commute challenge. Short Low Medium 2-Biii Identify and empower an Active Transportation Contact at the City. Short Low Low 2-Biv Track current efforts to form a west metro Transportation Management Organization similar to the North Area Transportation Alliance, and engage fully in the process. Ongoing Low Low 2-Bv Offer/support educational and training events to make people more comfortable using alternative transportation including: bike shop map, transit tools, discount book. Possibly show a photo of their friendly neighborhood bike mechanic. Ongoing Low Medium 2-Bvi Incentivize large employers to increase use of alternative transportation for their workforce. Ongoing Medium Medium 2-C Pursue Bicycle Friendly Community status via the League of American Bicyclists Mid Low Medium 2-Ci Organize team with city staff and volunteers, assign tasks, and establish a deadline for application. Short Low Low Solid Waste & Recycling Page 33 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 Transportation, continued 2-Cii Organize and communicate resources for Bicycle Friendly Businesses and Schools. Short Low Low 3 Goal: Increase Traveler Safety and Environmental Quality 3-A Develop and implement a Vision Zero plan Mid Low High 3-Ai Become a Certified Partner in CDOT’s ‘Moving Towards Zero Deaths’ initiative or adopt a local commitment to Vision Zero. Short Low Low 3-Aii Educate residents about existing Neighborhood Traffic Management Program in City. Short Low High 3-Aiii Identify accident hot spots in the community to support targeted accident reduction efforts. Ongoing Low High 3-Aiv Normalize/Reduce vehicle travel speeds in areas where pedestrians/cyclists interact with vehicles. Mid Medium Medium 3-Av Partner with community groups to support annual programs that encourage active transportation/safety. Ongoing Low Medium 3-Avi Adopt an ordinance according to SB18-144, Bicycle Operation Approaching Intersection to ensure consistency with state law. Short Low Low 3-B Promote adoption of alternative fuel vehicles in the local government and City as a whole Mid High Medium 3-Bi Require shift to hybrid, electric, and other alternative fuel vehicles for city government fleet. Long High High 3-Bii Install electric vehicle charging stations strategically throughout the community. Long High Medium 3-C Implement No idling requirement and campaign City-wide Mid Low Low 3-Ci Educate community members regarding air quality and economic/safety impacts of idling vehicles Short Low Medium 3-Cii Develop and implement real enforcement mechanisms for idling vehicles. Short Low Low 3-Ciii Develop commercial diesel ordinances in accordance the with Colorado State idling law, HB 11-1275. Short Low Low * Timeline is as related to time it would take for action to be established, but not necessarily completed. Short term refers to activities that to be established in less than one year; mid-term refers to activities to be established in 1-3 years; long-term activities refer to activities to be established in 3-10 years. An activity established in year one would likely have ongoing associated activities for the City to implement. ** Cost estimate considers Some actions requiring ongoing commitments from the City, which are considered in the assessing cost. For example, necessity for City staff. Perhaps 3 levels are: 1) staff time, 2) staff time plus, 3) significant investment (still need to be defined) *** Environmental Benefit - high medium low. Solid Waste & Recycling Page 34 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 WHAT: GOALS AT A GLANCE GOAL 1: Maximize development that substantially incorporates Mixed Use considerations and Efficient Transportation GOAL 2: Increase Use of Multimodal Transportation Choices GOAL 3: Increase Traveler Safety and Environmental Quality HOW: GOAL DESCRIPTIONS & STRATEGIES GOAL 1: Maximize development that substantially incorporates Mixed Use considerations and Efficient Transportation Action 1-A: Incentivize zoning, building, and subdivision codes; design standards, variances and special use permits. Metrics: Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), % of homes and businesses accessible via transit 1-Ai. Comp Plan/FLUM Incorporation: Maximize incorporation of mixed-use considerations/requirements, areas appropriate for increased density, and other land use regulations that promote efficient, alternative forms of transportation into next Comp Plan and Official Land Use Map. 1-Aii. Implement policies aimed at easing zoning and other regulations and parking minimums to promote transit, cycling, walking and shared mobility in new developments. 1-Aiii. Adopt parking lot requirements that allow reduction of parking spaces when bicycle or shared mobility spaces are provided. 1-Aiv. Implement policies that increase the mobility of all citizens. Encourage diverse housing options and commercial choices where users of all ages and abilities have access to bicycle, pedestrian, and transit as integral elements of the transportation system. 1-Av. Adopt strategies, policies, and incentives to encourage developers and property owners to reduce travel demands and vehicle trips (VMT) in new and existing developments. For example, bonuses for the inclusion of bicycle parking, bicycle lockers, shared mobility, and preferential parking for carpools and vanpools. Action 1-B: Prioritize capital investments in projects that leverage the positive social and environmental impacts of all forms of transportation including shared mobility. Metrics: Number of Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan recommendations completed, number of available incentives for development, miles of bicycle infrastructure Solid Waste & Recycling Page 35 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 1-Bi. Prioritize the recommendations of the Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan 2017 revision. 1-Bii. Adopt regulatory strategies, such as density bonuses for affordable or green buildings, that incentivize and permit increased residential and employment densities and diverse uses. Action 1-C: Make resources available to residents, community groups, and businesses about the importance of compact, mixed-use development. Metrics: City survey question and results about compact and mixed-use zoning. 1-Ci. Research other communities’ best practices to gather support of residents for increasing density while retaining community character. GOAL 2: Increase Use of Multimodal Transportation Choices Action 2-A: Encourage use of trip-planning tools Metrics: number of visitors to trip planning booths/tables at city events, number of trip planning outreach touch points, whether smart commuting options are provided to city employees. Trip planning tools and resources can encourage individuals to consider walking or cycling, rather than driving. The Wheat Ridge 2035 Vision includes Wheat Ridge is a community for families, in which: Services encourage families to feel safe and secure. Establishing processes to provide trip-planning resources to residents and employers/employees can lessen barriers preventing considering walking or cycling. It is important for individuals to feel physically safe, as well as comfortable with how to prepare for a successful non-car trip. For example, if a person typically drives to the grocery store less than two miles for a few items, this trip may be possible by walking or cycling. Knowing the best route, as well as planning for carrying items, would be necessary. 2-Ai. Provide trip-planning resources in partnership with City, RTD, and other community-based organizations for transit, cycling, walking, and smart commuting. The City actively participates in Bike to Work Day and currently has two dedicated city employee organizers. The event is integrated into the City’s Wellness program and includes a coordinated ride from Wheat Ridge to Golden. The City should further enable employee leadership on encouraging active transportation among employees through exploring how to expand Wellness Program incentives, and provide secure bike parking. The City does not currently offer City employees an opportunity to obtain an RTD Eco Pass with City assistance. The RTD website lists the following options for ECO passes: ●Employer-paid - Employer pays the entire cost of each EcoPass ●Employee-paid - Employees can use pre-tax dollars to purchase each EcoPass, reducing both taxable income and payroll taxes ●Employer/employee cost sharing - The costs are split between the employer and employee. Solid Waste & Recycling Page 36 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 2-Aii. Provide multimodal and active transportation trip planning information at City events. 2-Aiii. Provide resources, including local publications and social media regarding alternatives to automobile travel such as walking, biking and transit. Include that these benefit community, including improving air quality, economic activity and public health. Travel alternatives are especially important in maintaining mobility for seniors, people with disabilities, and lower-income residents. Action 2-B: Work with regional partners and local businesses to encourage multimodal travel, including having resources for multimodal commuters and education efforts Metrics: whether DRCOG assistance options were researched fully, number of employees that use WayToGo tools, whether an active transportation city contact is assigned, number of trip planning outreach touch points. 2-Bi. Investigate options for DRCOG assistance. The City could utilize marketing materials offered on the DRCOG website to promote Way to Go programs. The City should use social media to educate residents on Way to Go Commuter services, including carpooling from Wheat Ridge. In terms of funding opportunities, DRCOG offers Stations Area and Planning Funds through their Transportation Improvement Project (TIP). This is an effort of “locating 50 percent of all new housing units and 75 percent of all new jobs in regionally designated urban centers between 2005 and 2035”, in accordance with their Metro 2035 plan. Both local governments and nonprofits are eligible. Nonprofits must have a local jurisdiction sponsor. 2-Bii. Engage DRCOG to expand WayToGo Communication and Education in the City and coordinate a City-wide WayToGo smart commute challenge. The City should make an effort to utilize resources offered by the Denver Council of Regional Governments (DRCOG) Employer Services for City employees and should promote to Wheat Ridge Businesses which have a desire to reassess their potential in offering alternative transportation options for their employees as well. DRCOG also offers the online MyWAYTOGO tool, where anyone can enter trip details and see if there are available carpooling or vanpooling opportunities for their commute. Additionally, DRCOG provides trip planning, transit and bike route information on their website in an easy to use format. This feature also provides CO2 emissions info for each method of travel option. 2-Biii. Identify and empower an Active Transportation Contact at the City. The City actively participates in the DRCOG sponsored Bike to Work Day and currently has two dedicated city employee organizers. The event is integrated into the City’s Wellness program and includes a coordinated ride from Wheat Ridge to Golden. The City should further encourage the employees to expand their coordination of active transportation activities and programs. This may include developing Solid Waste & Recycling Page 37 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 informational materials for City employees, coordinating carpooling among employees, and other low-cost efforts to expand active and alternative transportation by City employees. 2-Biv. Track current efforts to form a west metro Transportation Management Organization similar to the North Area Transportation Alliance, and engage fully in the process. It would benefit the City to partner with both neighboring public and local private organizations to form a Transportation Management Organization in order to advance transportation solutions which are in the interest of Wheat Ridge and its residents. Being strategically located between Denver and Golden and encompassing a roughly 9-mile stretch of Interstate 70, Wheat Ridge is well positioned to spearhead cooperation among various stakeholders to ensure that the West Metro area has a unified voice in conversations around transportation planning. The City is represented on the Gold Corridor Working Group as part of the Sustainable Communities Initiative, a long term planning project overseen by the Denver Regional Council of Governments. The City should consider creating a permanent organization in order to be best prepared to address future transportation challenges that affect our area. 2-Bv. Offer/support educational and training events to make people more comfortable using alternative transportation including: bike shop map, transit tools, discount book. Possibly show a photo of their friendly neighborhood bike mechanic. The WRESC Transportation team has envisioned an effort in coordination with the City and with nonprofit partners to educate residents on increasing use of transit or bike commuting. This effort would entail volunteers knowledgeable about trip planning and bike commuting being available for resident conversation through use of resources including maps, bike gear demonstrations, and trip planning tools. In addition to transit and bicycling, the resident could be informed about existing rideshare resources, including Way to Go car and van pooling. We feel that engaging residents may open the door for addressing questions and concerns which WRESC may be unaware of which are preventing residents from considering alternative transportation. 2-Bvi. Incentivize large employers to increase use of alternative transportation for their workforce. Action 2-C: Pursue Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) status via the League of American Bicyclists Metrics: Whether an application is submitted in the next application period, status level for the city, number of bicycle friendly schools and businesses. Bicycling is more than a practical, cost-effective solution to many municipal challenges. It’s an opportunity to make Wheat Ridge a vibrant destination for residents and visitors — a place where people don’t just live and work, but thrive. The City first engaged with the League of American Bicyclists (LBC) in 2014 and hosted a bicycle tour with an LBC representative at that time. Today, Wheat Ridge’s bordering communities are certified BFCs and are among 450 nationwide. Learn more at http://bikeleague.org/community. Solid Waste & Recycling Page 38 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 2-Ci. Organize team with city staff and volunteers, assign tasks, and establish a deadline for application. The City first engaged with the League of American Bicyclists (LBC) in 2014 and hosted a bicycle tour with an LBC representative at that time. The groundwork is already laid to pick up this work and achieve BFC status within two years. 2-Cii. Organize and communicate resources for Bicycle Friendly Businesses and Schools. GOAL 3: Increase Traveler Safety and Environmental Quality Action 3-A: Develop and implement a Vision Zero plan Metrics: whether the City becomes a partner in CDOT’s initiative, number of vehicle - pedestrian/bicycle crashes over time, whether the city adopts SB18-44. 3-Ai. Become a Certified Partner in CDOT’s ‘Moving Towards Zero Deaths’ initiative or adopt a local commitment to Vision Zero. Learn more at https://www.codot.gov/safety/cdot-launches-moving-towards-zero-deaths. 3-Aii. Educate residents about existing Neighborhood Traffic Management Program in City. 3-Aiii. Identify accident hot spots in the community to support targeted accident reduction efforts. 3-Aiv. Normalize/Reduce vehicle travel speeds in areas where pedestrians/cyclists interact with vehicles. 3-Av. Partner with community groups to support annual programs that encourage active transportation/safety. 3-Avi. Adopt an ordinance according to SB18-144, Bicycle Operation Approaching Intersection to ensure consistency with state law. Signed into law in May 2018, the bill permits a municipality or county to adopt a local ordinance or resolution regulating the operation of bicycles approaching intersections with stop signs or illuminated red traffic control signals. Action 3-B: Promote adoption of alternative fuel vehicles in the local government and City as a whole Metrics: percentage of the city fleet consisting of alternative fuel vehicles 3-Bi. Require shift to hybrid, electric, and other alternative fuel vehicles for city government fleet. 3-Bii. Install electric vehicle charging stations strategically throughout the community. Action 3-C: Adopt local anti-idling ordinance City-wide Metrics: whether enforcement mechanisms exist for vehicle idling, number of vehicle idling touch points. Solid Waste & Recycling Page 39 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 3-Ci. Educate community members regarding air quality and economic/safety impacts of idling vehicles. 3-Cii. Develop and implement real enforcement mechanisms for idling vehicles. 3-Ciii. Develop commercial diesel ordinances in accordance the with Colorado State idling law, HB 11-1275. METRICS The metrics associated with this section vary greatly from goal to goal, but some key metrics and indicators will be useful, such as: ●VMT - Vehicle Miles Traveled by residents, city employees, etc. ●Single Occupancy Vehicle Rate (%) ●Smart Commute Rate (%) ●Proximity to and number of mobility options available ●Number of citizens utilizing trip planning services ●Miles of bike infrastructure ●% of homes and businesses accessible via transit ●Number of Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan recommendations completed ●Number of available incentives for development, miles of bicycle infrastructure ●City survey question and results about compact and mixed-use zoning ●Number of visitors to trip planning booths/tables at city events ●Number of trip planning outreach touch points ●Whether smart commuting options are provided to city employees ●Whether DRCOG assistance options were researched fully ●Number of employees that use WayToGo tools ●Whether an active transportation city contact is assigned ●Number of trip planning outreach touch points ●Whether a BFC application is submitted in the next application period ●BFC status level for the city ●Number of bicycle friendly schools and businesses ●Whether the City becomes a partner in CDOT’s initiative ●Number of vehicle - pedestrian/bicycle crashes over time ●Whether the city adopts SB18-44 ●Percentage of the city fleet consisting of alternative fuel vehicles ●Whether enforcement mechanisms exist for vehicle idling, number of vehicle idling touch points Solid Waste & Recycling Page 40 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 IMPLEMENTATION Most, if not all, of the tasks described above have been implemented elsewhere and often in other communities in the Denver Metropolitan area. Wheat Ridge should refer to those nearby case studies and examples for additional tools and guides for implementation. RESOURCES A variety of resources and organizations are available to the city and its residents, including: ●Denver Regional Council of Governments ●Colorado Department of Transportation’s Moving Towards Zero Deaths Program ●City and County of Denver’s Vision Zero ●League of American Bicyclists ●Wheat Ridge Active Transportation Advisory Team Solid Waste & Recycling Page 41 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 SOLID WASTE & RECYCLING WHY & BACKGROUND Solid waste management is critical to all cities and communities. Everyone interacts with waste on a daily basis and we all share some responsibility for ensuring that waste is properly managed. Currently, solid waste management in Wheat Ridge (WR) is relatively unregulated. Waste haulers only need to apply and pay $20 for a business license to operate in the City, without restrictions or policy regarding operations. Currently, companies servicing our community have overlapping truck routes on any given day. This current approach negatively impacts the environment and roadways. Further, existing conditions do not adequately promote recycling, reuse, and composting. Current methods may be costly for residents and is inefficient. Negative externalities of the existing ad hoc approach include wear on our transportation infrastructure and contribute to local air and noise pollution. On the other hand, current conditions allow residents unrestricted choice among any haulers who service their neighborhood when ordering service. Like many municipalities, Wheat Ridge does not have landfills within its boundaries. Therefore, it may be more susceptible to increased costs and changing market conditions. Wheat Ridge is dependent on external landfills that serve as the end-point for Wheat Ridge waste. While these conditions will likely not change, Wheat Ridge residents, businesses, and institutions can influence how solid waste is currently managed. Preventing waste from entering our landfills through recycling and, more importantly, through waste reduction, must be the primary objective when looking at improving our current waste disposal practices. This plan outlines recommendations for the City to take action on improving current waste management in Wheat Ridge. The City has an opportunity to update current conditions and leverage this to reduce wastefulness. It is worth noting that the City of Wheat Ridge previously gathered information and outlined benefits to establishing municipal trash service, or changing the current conditions. The following excerpt is from a March 2010 Trash Collection Memo from the City: Limiting trash service to one provider for the City, or one provider for each specifically defined areas of the City, would result in the following benefits: ●Trash collection on only one day in each neighborhood ●Trash containers would be visible at the curb only one day each week ●Fewer large trucks in the neighborhoods would provide a safer environment for pedestrians and other vehicles ●Fewer trucks in the neighborhoods would result in less air pollution ●Fewer trucks in the neighborhoods would reduce noise ●Limiting the number of large trucks will reduce the street maintenance required ●The cost of trash collection would be reduced Solid Waste & Recycling Page 42 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 Overall, neighborhoods would be safer, more aesthetically pleasing, experience less noise, have cleaner air and incur less pavement damage. The WRESC is in support of the City moving towards contracting with a single hauler for residential trash service. This being said, we did not include this as a recommendation in this section of our report. We recognize the substantial financial and staff time burden of an effort of this scale, as this would require a vote of the people and considerable outreach preceding such a vote. Our committee determined that our recommendations would be better directed towards more creative and obtainable objectives aimed at alleviating the negative effects of the existing conditions. Residential composting has the greatest potential for local control in waste reduction of household food waste, which according to the National Resource Defense Council accounts for 25% of household food purchased32. Residents can reduce their waste volumes considerably through learning how to compost at home or by finding other entities that can use household organic waste, such as a commercial compost hauler. Additionally, residents can be informed of tips on how to avoid food spoilage. The Institute for Local Self-Reliance 2018 Report states that for every 10,000 homes, composting upwards of 5,000 tons can be diverted from curbside collection annually33. This would typically go to a landfill. Composting at home not only reduces household waste, it also offers a valuable and free soil amendment for a vegetable garden, flower beds, or even the lawn. Some materials may not be suitable for residential-scale composting. Businesses and institutions produce larger quantities of waste, and likely require commercial-scale composting operations. The commercial-scale composting sector is growing, and there are existing haulers servicing Wheat Ridge businesses. A comprehensive waste management solution for Wheat Ridge may include diversified services for residences, businesses, and institutions. It will also require assessing our behavioral and personal choices. All recommended solutions need to recognize external costs to the environment and infrastructure, while considering economic, environmental, and social impacts and benefits. Sustainability Benefit Managing waste sustainably has environmental, social, and economic benefits. Environmental benefits include reduced greenhouse gas emissions from methane produced in landfills, reduced greenhouse gas emissions from waste hauling transportation, reduced impact to surface water from escaped trash, and improper disposal of household waste including household hazardous waste such as chemicals and solvents. Also, landfills pose a risk to nearby groundwater during both proper and improper management. Regional weather includes high winds that can result in overturned waste bins awaiting pickup. This allows for escaped trash to enter the environment and can be a risk to humans, animals, and plants. Reducing demands on natural resources is another benefit for sustainably managing waste. Managing waste sustainability can also benefit the local economy by reducing costs. Current pricing conditions do not relate to waste quantity generated from households. Smaller households, including older residents, likely generate less waste, however they are charged the same rates from haulers based on a large volume. Conservative waste generating households are thus subsidizing high waste generating households. Solid 32 Gunders, Dana (2012) Wasted: How America Is Losing Up to 40 Percent of Its Food from Farm to Fork to Landfill. Retrieved from https://assets.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/wasted-food-IP.pdf?_ga=2.81132183.1030328179.1527029107-350547553.1527029107 33 Platt, Brenda and Fagundes, Colton (2018, May). Yes! In My Backyard: A Home Composting Guide for Local Government. Retrieved from https://ilsr.org. Solid Waste & Recycling Page 43 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 waste is not treated like a utility as it is in other communities. If a household is a low electricity user, the electricity bill is lower. There is an incentive to reduce energy waste, as it reduces costs. There is currently no incentive to reduce waste generated based on cost. City operations can also financially benefit from a system that is based on fee for waste generated. A social benefit includes efforts for community involvement. Potential examples include community composting efforts/education, resource sharing avenues34, creating jobs for recycling, composting, and waste management. SustainABILITY in Arvada is a local company that provides recycling, including difficult to recycle items, and employs individuals who have intellectual/developmental disabilities. Not only does this business keep waste out of the landfill, it promotes three facets (environmental, economic, and social) of sustainability. Solid Waste & Recycling Goal / Action Timeline* Cost Estimate** Environmental Benefit*** 1 Goal 1: Improve waste management behavior by residents, businesses, and institutions 1-A Develop waste reduction information for residences, businesses, and institutions 1-Ai Develop informational materials on the following areas: composting at home, waste reduction consumer tips, household chemical alternatives and proper disposal. Short Low Low/Medium 1-Aii Identify partners, resources, funding opportunities to support waste management in Wheat Ridge Mid Medium Low 1-B Update City website regarding Waste and Recycling Resources 1-Bi Compile information and update city website page regarding local recycling and hazardous waste disposal sites Short Low Medium 1-Bii Update City website with active residential licensed waste haulers and information Mid Low Medium 2 Goal 2: Reduce negative impacts of waste management on city infrastructure and local environment 2-A Reduce overlapping servicing routes 2-Ai Explore waste hauling service zones or route restrictions for residential trash and recycling collection Mid Medium Medium 2-B Update City municipal code to incorporate progressive solid waste management standards 2-Bi Create requirement that all residential properties must have solid waste management service by 2020. Mid Medium High 34 Denver, The Sharing Economy: Reduce Waste and Save Money [web log post]. Retrieved June 4, 2018 from https://www.denvergov.org Solid Waste & Recycling Page 44 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 Solid Waste & Recycling, continued Goal / Action Timeline* Cost Estimate** Environmental Benefit*** 2-Bii Implement ordinance that establishes pay-as-you-throw (also known as unit pricing or variable-rate pricing (PAYT)) to be implemented by 2022 for waste haulers servicing city for residential services, including single- and multi-family. Mid High High 2-Biii Develop and implement waste hauler ordinance, including compliance objectives for any current/future licensed waste haulers operating in City, for compliance by 2021. Mid Medium Medium *Timeline as related to time it would take for action to be established, but not necessarily completed. Short term refers to activities that to be established in less than one year; mid-term refers to activities to be established in 1-3 years; long term activities refer to activities to be established in 3-10 years. An activity established in year one would likely have ongoing associated activities for the City to implement, for example updated City licensed waste haulers. ** Cost estimate considers some actions requiring actions would require ongoing commitments from the City, which are considered in the assessing cost. For example, necessity for City staff. ***Environmental benefit roughly identifies the impact a recommendation has on the environment, categorized as High, Medium, Low. WHAT: GOALS AT A GLANCE GOAL 1: Improve waste management behavior by residents, businesses, and institutions GOAL 2: Reduce negative impacts of waste hauling on city infrastructure and local environment HOW: GOALS DESCRIPTIONS & STRATEGIES GOAL 1: Improve waste management behavior by residents, business, and institutions. Comprehensive baseline data does not currently exist for residences, businesses, or institutions within Wheat Ridge. Although this information does not exist, efforts can be made to improve waste reduction and diversion from landfills. Proposed Metrics: Residential and commercial waste volume and composition are currently not measured (to any degree of accuracy) within the city. Large businesses and institutions may have some baseline data on waste. Lutheran Hospital, Kroger stores, Jefferson County Public Schools, and the City of Wheat Ridge may have some waste data. Although there may not be existing baseline data, businesses and residents can be Solid Waste & Recycling Page 45 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 provided resources on how to track waste and develop baselines. Resources to develop baselines for food waste may be obtained from the US Environmental Protection Agency35. Often, waste haulers have resources to get started on a waste audit. Action 1-A: Develop waste reduction informational materials for residences, businesses, and institutions 1-Ai. Develop informational materials on the following areas: composting at home, waste reduction consumer tips, household chemical alternatives and proper disposal. We recommend the City make an effort to educate residents and businesses about improving their waste habits. The City has an interest in protecting public health, ensuring clean city spaces, and encouraging environmental awareness. We created first drafts of fact sheets relating to Household Composting and Household Waste Reduction which are noted in (Appendix B). These resources should be posted on the City website and made available for download. Additionally, these could be sent via social media outlets. The City could increase its reputation as a leader in allowing residents to make responsible decisions aimed at diverting landfill bound waste. Having a set of materials produced by the City would also help the City improve brand imaging and reputation on environmental awareness. This is a very low-cost action for the City. Backyard Composting A home composting program has potential to prevent a significant volume of waste from entering the waste stream. In addition to promoting home composting through preparing and disseminating informational materials, the City should also consider a City sponsored home composting program.36 This program would be eligible for grant funding assistance and may be as simple as providing reduced rate composting bins for residents to purchase to providing compost education opportunities, either in person or online. Resources: This recommendation would require labor from employees in the Communications Division of the City, but would align with their existing efforts to educate residents on City programs. 1-Aii. Identify partners, resources, funding opportunities to support waste management in Wheat Ridge The City can identify partners including residents, businesses, institutions, and non-profit organizations to support implementation of waste management practices. It is recommended the City find a businesses or institutional champion, such as Wheat Ridge High School. Non-profit organizations such as Keep America Beautiful can support campaigns to end littering as well as increasing recycling. Community organizations such as Localworks can support volunteering and education to support the community in learning about waste management. The Colorado State University Extension has expertise and resources for composting. The Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment has resources for outreach to residents. Partnerships will be useful in furthering behavior change for diverting waste from landfills in Wheat Ridge. A multifaceted approach can support needs of different sectors and establish a City-wide approach to reduce waste. 35 US Environmental Protection Agency. Sustainable Management of Food [web log post]. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food 36Platt, Brenda (2018, May 22). Yes! In My Backyard: A Home Composting Guide for Local Government [web log post]. Retrieved from https://ilsr.org/yimby-compost/ Solid Waste & Recycling Page 46 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 Resources: City staff time would be required to establish and maintain partnerships. Action 1-B: Update City website regarding Waste and Recycling Resources 1-Bi. Compile information and update City website regarding local recycling and hazardous waste disposal sites The current website would benefit from updated information regarding recycling services, household hazardous waste and difficult to recycle waste. The website layout should be updated to be easier to read and find useful information. Resources: City staff time will be needed to gather information and update website, with an annual updating as well. However, this should be easily incorporated into existing website administration. 1-Bii. Update City website with active residential licensed waste haulers and information Currently, new and existing residents have difficulty navigating the website to find information about up to date residential waste hauling options. The City website contains broken links and outdated information on existing waste hauler contact information. The City should provide an up to date list of reputable haulers servicing city neighborhoods with accurate contact information. In order to ensure that this information is accurate, the City should develop a process to identify haulers who are serving the city through its Business Licensing Division. As a result of a request from the WRESC, the City’s recent corrections and changes to the Recycling page of the City website is an improvement. Additional updates should ensure that the page contains an exhaustive and accurate list of resources offered in our community, including information on Clean Up days offered by the City and its partners. In addition to updating and dedicating appropriate space for recycling content, we recommend the City redesign its Trash section of the website. During our research on residential trash collection, we contacted the four companies identified as servicing Wheat Ridge and collected information (Appendix B). If the City intends to allow for multiple haulers to service residences, it should develop a way to track which companies are operating in the city and provide their updated contact information, and should consider including selected data provided (Appendix B). Resources: City staff time to identify existing licensed haulers and create webpage for this information. GOAL 2: Reduce negative impacts of waste management on city infrastructure and local environment Proposed Metrics: The City has been able to develop baseline data and provided an update to waste goals set for City operations as part of the June 2017 Update to the City’s Sustainability Policy and Plan. We commend the accomplishments the City has achieved thus far in reducing paper usage and in increased recycling in both parks and city buildings. However, baseline data is lacking with regard to current waste produced by residents and businesses (actual record of waste reduction as a result of our recommendations may be difficult to obtain). Metrics used to track progress on improving systems related to waste and recycling include 1) reporting dissemination of physical and digital informational materials, 2) Solid Waste & Recycling Page 47 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 tracking website traffic and soliciting feedback on revised content, and 3) incorporation of reporting requirements by waste haulers as part of the drafting of City waste ordinances. Additionally, the City may be able to extrapolate baseline data on infrastructure based on expenses paired with broader available data on trash truck impacts on streets. The City could undeniably save money on maintenance by reducing trash truck traffic, however specific savings could be difficult to surmise due to the unavailable data on truck routes and number of trucks operating in the City. The same could be said for air quality impacts. The two largest waste companies serving residences, Republic and Waste Management provide information on their aggressive transition to CNG trucks from Diesel37. Action 2-A: Reduce overlapping servicing routes 2-Ai. Explore waste hauling service zones or route restrictions for residential trash and recycling collection. Waste Hauler Zones The City could address challenges associated with overlapping service routes by developing service zones. This approach has been instituted in large and mid-sized municipalities as a reasonable option at reforming unregulated residential collection.38 Once waste zones are established, the City could restrict service in certain zones to certain days of the week or have one company obtain exclusive rights to provide service to a zone. The City of Los Angeles recently divided their City into eleven (11) zones and put out a Request for Proposals (RFP) for 10-year contracts for exclusive service in each zone, providing service for commercial and large apartment buildings. Additionally, some of the zones were designated as “small” to allow for smaller companies to better compete for bids.39 Exploring the concept further may allow the City to consider an approach less contentious and easier to implement than contracting with a single hauler for the entire City. Impact on City Infrastructure and Air Quality Existing residential trash and recycling service in Wheat Ridge is nearly unregulated. Multiple trash and recycling trucks service neighborhoods seven days a week, leading to increase wear on city roadway infrastructure, as well as exposing residents to substantial noise and air pollution. Taxpayers pay the cost of street maintenance and replacement. According to public outreach messaging from the City of Golden, “(L)arge solid waste and recycling trucks cause as much damage to asphalt with each trip as 1,200 passenger vehicles traveling over the same asphalt. Excessive heavy truck traffic in residential areas shortens useful life of residential roads.”40 37 Republic states that 18% of its fleet runs on CNG, whereas WM states they have,” largest heavy-duty natural gas fleet in the country” numbering 2000 vehicles. The two smaller operators do not provide data on how much, if any, of their fleet runs on CNG. 38 Burns McDonnell. (2017) Trash and Recycling Collection Study: Submitted to City of Springfield, Missouri. Retrieved from https://springfieldmo.gov/DocumentCenter/View/30780/Trash-and-Recycling-Collection-Study-Final-Report__041717 39 Gerlat, Allan. (2014, Nov 4). Los Angeles Gets 15 Hauler Proposals for Waste Zone Franchising Plan. Waste360. Retrieved from: https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.waste360.com/state-and-local/los-angeles-gets-15-hauler-proposals-waste-zone-franchising- plan&sa=D&ust=1526923682637000&usg=AFQjCNF7Z6zB4l9UMiHHCf_ummsbs4PxXA 40 “Welcome and Let’s Talk Trash”. City of Golden. https://www.cityofgolden.net/media/LetsTalkTrash.pdf. Retrieved 05.18.2018. Solid Waste & Recycling Page 48 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 In addition to wear on streets, large waste hauler trucks create diesel air emissions which compromise local air quality. According to the State of Washington, “exposure to diesel exhaust is associated with increased incidence and prevalence of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases as well as lung cancer and possibly other types of cancers such as cancers of the bladder and soft tissues.”41 However, some waste haulers servicing Wheat Ridge are aggressively transitioning their truck fleets to compressed natural gas (CNG). According to environmental reporter Elizabeth McGowen, “a vehicle fueled by CNG will emit 100 percent fewer sulfur oxides, 75 percent fewer nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, and 20 percent fewer greenhouse gases than a similar diesel truck”.42 There are still air quality impacts from trucks running on CNG, including emissions of nitrous oxides. There are also those impacts related to methane emissions of the natural gas extraction and storage process. There is no replacement for reducing trash truck miles travelled in terms of improving immediate air quality in our community. The City of Wheat Ridge Code Section 16-103. - Unreasonable noise; disturbing the peace includes restrictions pertaining to current waste hauling operations that include limitations on noise pollution. This existing code can be included in future recommendations for operations in the City. Resources: The City would need to first identify operating/licensed waste haulers in the City, coordinate with each company to identify current service patterns. The City would need to negotiate with haulers to develop zones, as well as have companies inform customers about potential for service changes. The City would need to create outreach materials, inform the public, and provide opportunity for feedback/input. This would require City staff time as well as printing/outreach materials and events. 2-Aii. Inform residents of opportunities for reduced rates through referrals and group sign up Group Discounts Many waste companies offer reduced rates for group contracts. This is most often in the case of special rates and incentives for HOAs. This benefit may be available to neighbors who work together to approach haulers collectively. When we spoke with trash companies servicing the City, most expressed an interest and willingness to discuss details of such an arrangement. If neighbors on the same block all selected the same company, they may be able to eliminate overlapping routes from multiple haulers and save on the cost of service, all without the direct intervention of the City. Resources: The City could update website and publicly provide tips via website, social media, regarding how to save money on waste management pickup with current hauler. Action 2-B: Update City municipal code to incorporate progressive solid waste management standards. 41 Ammann, Harriet & Kadlec, Matthew. (2008, December 3). Concerns about Adverse Health Effects of Diesel Engine Emissions White Paper. Publication No. 08-02-032. Retrieved from https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/documents/0802032.pdf 42 McGowan, Elizabeth. (2015, April 17). EPA Grants Help Trash Haulers with Diesel Diet. Waste360. Retrieved from http://www.waste360.com/fuel/epa-grants-help-trash- haulers-diesel-diet Solid Waste & Recycling Page 49 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 2-Bi. Create requirement that residential properties must have solid waste management services. The City of Wheat Ridge does not have a specific ordinance for solid waste management. Portions of the municipal code reference solid waste regarding litter, nuisance, stormwater, business licensing, and zoning. Current code does not require residences manage trash. City code Section 20-11. - Illicit discharges prohibited of the code can be strengthened to compel all residences (occupied and unoccupied) to have a licensed waste hauler. The code includes, “No person shall discharge or fail to implement adequate best management practices to prevent an illicit discharge into the MS4 or watercourses”. A best management practice is to have a requirement for residences to have waste services. Some municipalities require all residences to have solid waste services provided by the city or a contractor. The City of Golden includes this requirement in part to ensure the there is support and funding for the system. Another relevant section of the Wheat Ridge City Code Section 15-25. - Unlawful Activities Specified Nuisances includes outlining requirements for managing waste at the household level. This existing language is evidence the City does have a compelling authority, justification, and reason to develop further solid waste management ordinance. Additionally, Section 26-614. - Trash storage area screening pertains to business, industrial, agriculturally zoned and multi-family residences, including residential group homes, demonstrates the City’s interest in regulating trash receptacles in an effort to maintain a standard of appearance in the City. The City could reasonably extend this reasoning to the residential waste management sector. Resources: City staff time would be useful for compiling all existing City ordinances relevant to waste management in the City. This would assist in minimizing developing new code, unless it is necessary. City staff time/or contract to outline the resources needed, including staff time, City council time, and potentially outreach/vote by residents regarding requirement for waste management services by all residences. 2-Bii: Implement ordinance that establishes pay-as-you-throw (also known as unit pricing or variable-rate pricing (PAYT)) to be implemented by 2021 for waste haulers servicing city for residential services, including single- and multi-family dwellings. Source reduction is essential to short and long-term management of solid waste. Less waste from residences means less waste to be hauled to landfills. Current conditions discourage source reduction, as trash receptacles for single-family homes can be as large as 96 gallons. Nearly all residential haulers only provide this large size receptacle. By establishing PAYT, Wheat Ridge can encourage source reduction, while equalizing costs across residences. PAYT allows everyone to pay only for the waste they generate, so others are not subsidizing wastefulness. This approach encourages that the environment, economics, and equity be considered in waste management. Municipalities nationally and regionally have implemented PAYT waste management requirements. Golden, Lafayette, and Fort Collins all have PAYT ordinances. This method does not require a city to provide trash services or is restrictive to a single hauler. Many municipalities preserve resident’s choice for waste hauler services. PAYT prioritizes reducing waste volumes from residences while establishing incentives to reduce and divert waste from landfills through reduction, recycling, and/or composting. Model code exists that could be readily adapted to suit the needs of Wheat Ridge residences. In conversations with the City of Golden, it is recommended that efforts to implement a unit or variable-rate pricing include substantial outreach and education prior, during, and after implementation. Golden does not have any staff time specifically devoted to their PAYT Solid Waste & Recycling Page 50 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 waste program, however there is a City contact that supports the program and works with the service providers. Undertaking this effort would be substantial. While the City does have existing code that pertains to waste, the City would need to establish authority to ensure the program’s success. Instituting a unit or variable-rate pricing approach to waste management in Wheat Ridge can lead to substantial environmental benefit and cost savings. A PAYT approach is a common sense option for encouraging companies to recognize the reality that many households do not produce enough trash to require a weekly 96-gallon pickup. Consumers are by and large focused on increasing recycling at the expense of trash, and at reducing total waste in general. Industry should embrace these trends with their services being offered. Resources: Staff time would be needed, including efforts to update city code, including City Council or citizen vote. Outreach and education prior, during, and after implementation of a unit or variable-price waste management structure would be necessary. The City would likely need to hire a consultant and would need to develop guidance or a request for contracts/proposals from waste haulers. 2-Biii. Develop and implement waste hauler ordinance, including compliance objectives for any current/future licensed waste haulers operating in City, for compliance by 2021. Develop and implement waste hauler ordinance, including compliance objectives for any current/future licensed waste haulers operating in City. We recommend the City update city code to require companies conducting business in the City to follow rules intended to address the considerable impacts of the current conditions, which has resulted in overlapping service routes and the negative effects as previously described in this report. Waste Hauler Licensing The City should create an additional license for waste haulers, as is currently required for other types of businesses including contractors, kennels and pawn brokers. Allowing the City to track companies operating in the city and ensuring that they are properly licensed with other regulatory agencies, the license application could reasonably impose a requirement for haulers to meet certain standards determined by the City. These may include demonstrating that the company is instituting industry best management practices aimed at helping customers reduce landfill bound waste, as well as how the company is addressing the environmental impacts of their operations. The City of Denver currently requires a Solid Waste Hauler License for companies that service apartment and commercial customers (the City provides all other residential service through its Public Works Department), according to their website, so that the City of Denver “guarantees minimum collection safety requirements, and attains basic solid waste disposal and recycling data”.43 Resources: Making changes to the City Code would likely require an administrative process that includes a vote of City Council and/or the people. Administrative expenses for maintaining a licensing program could be offset by a license fee. 43 City of Denver. City & County of Denver Solid Waste Hauler License Program [web log post]. Retrieved from https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/trash-and- recycling/resources/hauler-licensing.html. Solid Waste & Recycling Page 51 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 COMMUNICATION AND ENGAGEMENT Reducing the amount of waste produced by Wheat Ridge residents, businesses, institutions and government requires changing our behavior. Effective and engaging communication from the City will play a pivotal role in this effort. Building support within the community for any changes to the City Code is a challenging but necessary element of this effort. Strong communication with haulers currently servicing residents regarding any changes in their interactions with the City will be needed as well. We have provided some materials that should assist the City in carrying out our recommendations. As noted, the City taking a more active role in this area will not only improve the quality of life for those living and working in Wheat Ridge, but also will help with City branding and its reputation among our metro area neighboring communities. Specifically, the City should look to engage residents through its social media accounts and its digital and print publications. This communication should be frequent and clear. The City should also place a high level of emphasis on soliciting feedback from residents before initiating any changes that may affect their trash and recycling service. As determined form discussing with other communities in our area which have instituted similar programs, it is clear that there are very real risks in failing to get community buy-in on this issue in particular. ●Fact sheets ●Best practices by business sector ●Resident composting training ●Social media regarding food waste/composting ●Social media regarding food donation ●Estimate current repaving costs to City ●Identify how institution of residential waste pickup zones may reduce road impacts ●Compare costs of repaving with business license fees for operation in City ●Social media - What are your waste needs? ●Active neighborhood waste audits ●Messaging of waste collection like a utility (City of Golden resources) ●Tips and resources to reduce waste Water Page 52 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 WATER WHY & BACKGROUND Water is a vital natural resource for all of Colorado, both in terms of quality and quantity. Almost 80 percent of the state’s water originates on the Western Slope, but more than 80 percent of Colorado’s population lives on the Eastern Slope. This mismatch creates long-term supply problems and regional conflicts. Additionally, Wheat Ridge exists in an arid climate, and similar to many Colorado communities, our available water supplies are vulnerable to fire and drought and are not adequate to meet future needs.44 As a result, our built drinking water systems that provide clean water to local residents can strain farmers, small western slope communities and deplete natural water systems. The demand for water is expected to increase from climate change by 0-8% in the municipal sector and 0-26% in the agricultural sector45, and Colorado’s population is expected to nearly double from 5 million to 10 million residents by 2050. Substantial efforts must be made to ensure adequate water is available for current and future residents, to support economic activity, and ensure watershed health. Wheat Ridge’s lakes and streams contribute greatly to the livability and health of the community by providing substantial opportunities for recreation and habitat for wildlife. Clear Creek is an especially important part of the Wheat Ridge community, shown by its prominence in the city’s logo. City founders created the greenbelt to preserve the Clear Creek corridor for future generations. Residents are able to enjoy the trails along Clear Creek and city lakes as a result. However, growing populations and associated pollution increasingly strain the water quality of our lakes and streams. These strains cause loss of wildlife habitat and can cause illness in residents through pollutants such as E-coli and ammonia, both listed as impairment pathogens for our segment of the Clear Creek in 2016. In addition, aquatic life is mostly absent due to high organic sediments and high water temperatures.46 Clear Creek was naturally a cold-water fishery and high temperatures have killed almost all aquatic life. Many of the Clear Creek’s water quality problems originate upstream from Wheat Ridge, but there are steps our community can take to improve water quality and aquatic life. Similarly, drought and water conservation are wide reaching issues, but local improvements are necessary to ensure both statewide and regional watershed efforts are successful in ensuring a resilient and sufficient water supply for current and future residential uses and economic activity. Efforts to both conserve water and improve water quality must be two-pronged. Substantial voluntary efforts put forth by residents and businesses within Wheat Ridge, and new incentives, regulations, or dedicated funding streams are necessary to the long-term health of Clear Creek, and the city’s lakes and other water bodies. 44 Colorado Water Conservation Board, 2018, Colorado Water Plan 45 Colorado Water Conservation Board, 2018, Colorado Climate Plan (updated). p. 11-12. 46 Colorado Water Quality Control Division, 2016. Colorado 2016 integrated water quality monitoring and assessment report. Appendix D-22, Segment COSPCL15. Water Page 53 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 Water Goal / Action Timeline* Cost ** Environmental Benefit*** 1 Goal: Improve stormwater management systems and increase water quality in all major waterways and water bodies in Wheat Ridge Indicator/s: Begin with 303d impairments, update based on baseline monitoring and areas we can impact in short term, followed by potential long term indicators we have less ability to impact; additional indicators would focus on individual strategies to document adoption and success 1-A Develop/expand the City’s education and outreach campaign regarding stormwatera quality, non-point source pollution, wastewater, and green infrastructureb Short/Ongoing Low/Medium Medium 1-B Work with volunteer groups to regularly monitor natural water quality status and publish online; establish baselines and indicators we can impact Short/Ongoing Low Medium 1-C Investigate incentives for the incorporation of green infrastructure and sustainable landscaping practices for individual landowners and future development Short/Mid Low/Medium High 1-D Investigate opportunities for increased participation in regional partnerships to promote Clear Creek watershed health. “become the squeaky wheel for water quality” Short/Ongoing Low/Medium Medium 1-E Investigate, Incorporate, and promote use of drought tolerant and native landscaping where possible and appropriate Mid Low-Medium Medium 1-F Restore and maintain the natural function of Clear Creek, City lakes, and other water bodies to reduce stream bank erosion, restore hydrological function, and reduce water temperatures Mid/Long Medium/High High 1-G Consider establishing a dedicated stormwater management/water quality funding source to fund needed capital improvements and Improve City’s stormwater drainage system Long High High Water Page 54 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 Water, continued Goal / Action Timeline* Cost ** Environmental Benefit*** 2 Goal: Increase the adoption of water efficiency and conservation measures to reduce citywide water usage Indicator/s: Total Wheat Ridge water usage; annual indicator goal to reduce by 1~2% annually; start with local government as pilot 2-A Create an education and outreach campaign regarding water conservation and efficiency (including graywater) Short/ Mid Medium Medium 2-B Explore water usage both for the City govt. and all city users to establish a baseline, track monthly/annual local govt and citywide water consumption data, and publish online Mid Medium Low 2-C Investigate partnerships to provide and promote incentives for low flow plumbing fixtures Short/ Mid Medium Medium 2-D Conduct an audit of existing city plans, codes, etc. for water efficiency/conservation elements to identify gaps, and incorporate to the greatest degree possible; investigate how graywater can be included Mid Medium Low 2-E Participate in water efficiency education program per the Colorado Water Plan Short Low Medium 2-F Incentivize smart water monitoring and use of smart water meters; potential pilot for local government Short/ Long Low/Medium High 2-G Investigate water use efficiency improvements at City parks and other facilities/infrastructure; including leak detection and repair (LDAR) program Short/ Mid Medium High *Timeline as related to time it would take for action to be established, but not necessarily completed. Short term refers to activities that to be established in less than one year; mid-term refers to activities to be established in 1-3 years; long term activities refer to activities to be established in 3-10 years. An activity established in year one would likely have ongoing associated activities for the City to implement. ** Cost estimate considers some actions requiring actions would require ongoing commitments from the City, which are considered in the assessing cost. For example, necessity for City staff. ***Environmental benefit roughly identifies the impact a recommendation has on the environment, categorized as High, Medium, Low. a“Stormwater - water that comes from rain, snow, or snowmelt. Stormwater runs off lawns, streets, and buildings into the sewer system or is absorbed and used by natural areas. Water that enters the sewer system picks up pollutants, trash, and debris along the way, eventually emptying into Clear Creek. bGreen infrastructure uses plants, trees, soils, and other elements and practices to restore some of the natural processes required to manage water and create healthier urban environments. At the city or county scale, green infrastructure is a patchwork of natural areas that provides habitat, flood protection, cleaner air, and cleaner water. At the neighborhood or site scale, stormwater management systems that mimic nature soak up and store water.” Modified from -EPA, 2018 https://www.epa.gov/green- infrastructure/what-green-infrastructure Water Page 55 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 WHAT: GOALS AT A GLANCE GOAL 1: Improve stormwater management systems and increase water quality in all major waterways and water bodies in Wheat Ridge GOAL 2: Increase the adoption of water efficiency and conservation measures to reduce citywide water usage HOW: GOAL DESCRIPTIONS & STRATEGIES GOAL 1: Improve stormwater management and water quality in all major waterways and water bodies in Wheat Ridge This goal aims to improve the water quality of Wheat Ridge creeks, lakes, and other major water bodies, specifically in regard to documented impairments such as temperature and E.coli. Many of the strategies included in this goal focus on the adoption of green infrastructure, low-impact development, and sustainable landscaping practices, all of which complement existing gray infrastructure. These suggested tools improve water quality through the capture and treatment of water where it falls or accumulates, as opposed to directing it to the sewer system without any treatment. Gray infrastructure is important for the management of stormwater, but maintenance and improvements are very costly, whereas green infrastructure can be dispersed across the City and is much less expensive. Not only do these strategies improve water quality, they reduce infrastructure costs, lessen the impacts of climate change, reduce flooding, increase property values, create enjoyable social spaces, and create new avenues for public engagement. Proposed Metrics: ●Existing 303d impairments, including temperature and E. coli and other water quality impairments and local priorities found through monitoring ●Strategy specific metrics such as the number of green infrastructure features installed Action 1-A: Develop/expand the City’s education and outreach campaign regarding stormwater quality, non-point source pollution, wastewater, and green infrastructure Behavior change is a critical part of achieving clean water in local rivers, lakes, and riparian areas. Wheat Ridge residents and visitors have a large impact on the quality of stormwater that runs into our lakes and Clear Creek. This strategy seeks to expand existing city efforts to engage the public and businesses in improving water quality. While the City currently has a number of informational sources on the City website, limited resources are available on an ongoing, updated basis to target seasonally relevant issues and reach a wider audience. Materials should focus both on existing priority issues within the community, such as pet waste or car runoff; and, potential attainable solutions for community members, such as the installation of rain gardens and other forms of green infrastructure or the use of sustainable landscaping practices. Ideally, engagement should also be two-way, so that residents and businesses can both learn what’s going on and the City can hear about what’s working. One simple example of additional outreach and engagement is reintroducing storm drain markers that inform residents that what enters the sewer system enters and impacts Clear Creek. Workshops and public forums, especially in target areas, can also be held to increase staff awareness of Water Page 56 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 community member issues and co-develop local strategies. Alternatively, the City could work with local organizations and businesses to include stormwater and water quality in their existing work and outreach. This ongoing strategy should also incorporate any efforts made in the later identified strategies in this goal. Resources: Requirements to implement this strategy would vary based on the type of education and engagement. All will require some staff time to coordinate volunteers, create and distribute materials. Action 1-B: Work with volunteer groups to regularly monitor natural water quality status and publish online; establish baselines and indicators we can impact Routine monitoring of water bodies helps to pinpoint priority geographical areas and top water quality issues. Educational materials and clean-up efforts can focus on these priorities. Reporting this information so it is easily accessible, such as on the City’s website or social media, promotes transparency and engagement. This information not only helps engage the public, but supports the establishment of a baseline for water quality and establishes locally relevant indicators for tracking progress. City-based monitoring and reporting can be challenging given ongoing reporting requirements, so testing can be done through collaboration with local volunteer individuals and organizations. As a result, City resources required for this strategy would be limited to assisting volunteers and updating reporting data. Action 1-C: Investigate incentives for the incorporation of green infrastructure and sustainable landscaping practices for individual landowners and new development Incentives that lead to a large number of green infrastructure installations or substantial adoption of sustainable landscaping best practices would have a high degree of impact on stormwater and water quality. Green infrastructure can replace more expensive gray infrastructure and provide a range of benefits to community members. Rain gardens, bioswalesc, green roofs, and trees help reduce local temperatures, reduce flooding, create wildlife habitat, provide opportunities for exercise, and generally provide enjoyable spaces for people. Sustainable landscaping practices, such as the use of native, low-water species and limiting turf space, can compound the benefits of green infrastructure by reducing water, energy, and resource usage. Upfront time, cost, and lack of knowledge by residents and businesses can be a hurdle in increasing the use of green infrastructure. Incentives for residents, such as a list of quality installers or cost-sharing, can reduce these hurdles. New developments and substantial redevelopments also create an opportunity to replace hard landscaping with green infrastructure. Incentives targeting businesses and new developments could include expedited permitting, decreased fees, zoning upgrades, or reduced stormwater retention requirements. Development incentives go beyond single- site improvements and can have large-scale impacts. cBioswales achieve the same goals as rain gardens by slowing and filtering stormwater, but are designed to manage a specified amount of runoff from a large impervious area, such as a parking lot or roadway. Because they need to accommodate greater quantities of stormwater, they often require use of engineered soils and are deeper than rain gardens. They are also linear systems that are greater in length than width. Like rain gardens, they are vegetated with plants that can withstand both heavy watering and drought.” Soil Science Society of American, 2018 - - https://www.soils.org/ Water Page 57 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 Resources: Requirements for this strategy would vary based upon potential incentives. Staff time would be required to investigate and identify the most locally relevant incentives and fiscal resources would be required for some incentives like cost-sharing. Statewide or federal organizations and governments frequently have grant funding available for green infrastructure programs. The numerous diverse benefits from green infrastructure also mean a variety of grants can be pursued. Pursuing these opportunities would go a long way in defraying costs associated with this strategy. The city has tens of millions of dollars of needed stormwater infrastructure. Where applicable, using green infrastructure can reduce the need for more expensive gray infrastructure. Action 1-D: Investigate opportunities for increased participation in regional partnerships to promote Clear Creek watershed health Water quality is a multi-jurisdictional and ecosystem issue, especially for the Clear Creek. It spans the Continental Divide to the plains, numerous counties, cities and special districts. To meet this goal, Wheat Ridge must increase participation in Clear Creek Watershed partnerships and other regional water quality groups to ensure the City is represented. While the Clear Creek’s water quality is largely impacted by old mines and upstream conditions, we are strongly impacted as downstream users. We need to participate in regional water quality conversations to ensure our concerns are heard and that Wheat Ridge participates in the development and implementation of solutions. Resources: Implementation of this strategy includes staff time. Volunteers or the WRESC could act as liaisons for the City of Wheat Ridge. Action 1-E: Investigate, incorporate, and promote green infrastructure and sustainable landscaping where possible and appropriate This strategy could include a variety of different actions, but all focus upon the general promotion of green infrastructure and low-impact development that reduces pollutants and flooding. First, the City can take a leadership role in installing green infrastructure at city locations and utilizing sustainable landscaping practices, such as native plants. Incorporating educational elements like interpretive signs in these installations can help raise resident awareness of green infrastructure and stormwater issues and solutions. Second, barriers to the use of green infrastructure and sustainable landscaping should be investigated and addressed. For example, City ordinances can be modified to promote the use of native grasses and plants, instead of discouraging them. Resources: Implementation of this strategy would likely include staff time and financial resources as potential installations would need to be identified and installed. Removing barriers from City code would only require staff time. Action 1-F: Restore and maintain natural function along the Clear Creek, City lakes, and other water bodies to reduce stream bank erosion, restore hydrological function, and reduce temperatures The riparian areas near water bodies play a large role in those water bodies’ conditions. Trees and shrubs can greatly reduce stream temperatures and natural ecosystems remove pollutants from water that flows through them. Riparian areas and wetlands can absorb large quantities of pollutants and reduce flooding by slowly releasing during high-intensity rainstorms. Protecting riparian areas along lakes and creeks reduces local water temperatures, pollutants, and recreational uses. This strategy would require substantial staff time and resources, as large-scale restorations along the Clear Creek and nearby lakes would be high cost. This strategy can also go hand-in-hand with an expansion of the Greenbelt Tree Steward program to include a more substantial restoration effort in degraded riparian areas. Grant funding can also be pursued to defray financial costs. Water Page 58 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 Action 1-G: Consider establishing a dedicated stormwater management/water quality funding source to fund needed capital improvements and Improve city’s storm water drainage system Our infrastructure is old or inadequate and we lack a dedicated source of funding for necessary stormwater improvements. Dedicated funding, such as through a stormwater utility, will help ensure Wheat Ridge has clean water and can protect residents and businesses from flooding. An important first step in this process would be to update past utilities studies to determine potential revenues, billing or fee rates, exemptions, and incentive crediting rates that can reduce costs for use of best practices in green infrastructure and stormwater management. Implementation of this strategy would also need to include a substantial element of public engagement to get Wheat Ridge citizens on board. Resources: Substantial staff time and financial resources would be required; however, these costs could be offset by the implementation of a new revenue stream if something like a stormwater utility were pursued. GOAL 2: Increase the adoption of water efficiency and conservation measures to reduce citywide water usage Goal 2 within the water section aims to reduce local government and citywide water usage. The strategies in this goal range from educational efforts aimed at reducing residential and business water use, promoting incentives for water efficient upgrades, and improving water efficiency in local government facilities. Saving water in Colorado and the Front Range is a necessity, but it also saves money on water and reduces energy usage through decreased need to clean, heat and move water, in turn reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from energy generation. Implementing substantial water efficiency and conservation improvements now also means less drastic action will be required in the future when the next inevitable drought hits, improving community resilience. Proposed Metrics: ●Total Wheat Ridge water consumption with an annually updated goal targeting 1~2% annual reduction ●Total Wheat Ridge City Government water usage can be used as a pilot prior to citywide water consumption ●5% of homes and businesses are retrofitted with smart water meters each year Water Page 59 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 Action 2-A: Create an education and outreach campaign regarding water conservation and efficiency (including graywater) Behavior change in residents and businesses is vital for reducing water usage. Outreach and engagement efforts can target both residents and heavy water users in the community to promote voluntary conservation and efficiency upgrades. Ideally, engagement should include two-way communication, so that information is both provided to the public and new insights, strategies, and challenges can be gleaned from their input. Recent changes to Colorado graywater laws could also be incorporated into outreach. Efforts targeting businesses could include green business recognition programs that include water efficiency and conservation. Resources: Staff time would be required for this strategy, but the campaign could also be completed with the help of volunteers like WRESC and local organizations. Action 2-B: Explore water usage both for the City Govt. and all City users to establish a baseline, track monthly/annual local government and citywide water consumption data, and publish online Establishing a baseline for current water usage is vital for tracking progress over time, both in the local government and city as whole. The City can take a leadership role in this strategy to track and publish existing monthly water usage as a pilot, to be followed up with citywide water use tracking. Resources: Staff time and potentially financial resources would be required for this strategy, dependent upon investments required to adequately collect and track local government and citywide water use. Action 2-C: Investigate partnerships to provide and promote incentives for low flow plumbing fixtures Water efficiency upgrades require up-front investment. Providing incentives through water providers, the local government, or other organizations can help residents and businesses defray these up-front costs. Resources: Staff time to investigate and promote appropriate incentives, and the financial resources required to implement those incentives would be required. Action 2-D: Conduct an audit of existing city plans, codes, etc. for water efficiency/conservation elements to identify gaps, and Incorporate to the greatest degree possible; investigate how graywater can be included Updates to plans, codes, ordinances, and other planning tools ensure water efficiency and conservation are promoted and incentivized where possible and that no barriers to their adoption exist. Graywater systems should also be encourages to reduce the use of clean drinking water for irrigation or toilet flushing. Resources: Staff time would be required. However, updates could coincide with scheduled plan or code updates, reducing additional staff time required for an outside process. Action 2-E: Participate in water efficiency education program per the Colorado Water Plan The Colorado Water Conservation Board offers training to a limited number of local governments each year. The training is no cost and Wheat Ridge should consider participating in the training. Resources: Staff time would be required as the training is provided at no cost. Water Page 60 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 Action 2-F: Incentivize smart water monitoring & use of smart water meters; potential pilot for local government The city should work with water providers to provide smart meters to residents, businesses and city facilities. A smart water meters program can pay for itself with water savings. In addition to saving water, meters can help homeowners discover problem areas and leaks before they become large problems, helping to prevent mold and related health issues. Resources: Staff time to work with water providers and potentially financial resources to help offset the cost to consumers would be required. Action 2-G: Investigate water use efficiency improvements at City parks and other facilities/infrastructure; including leak detection and repair (LDAR) program Irrigation and water efficiency technologies are constantly improving. The City should upgrade water and irrigation infrastructure with reasonable payback periods. Focusing on top water using facilities, such as park irrigation, should be a top priority. Resources: Staff time and financial resources to make efficiency improvements would be required. However, efficiency improvements will offset costs. COMMUNICATION AND ENGAGEMENT Ensure that water efficiency and conservation, along with stormwater best management practices, are included in the proposed Wheat Ridge Green Business recognition program by City Council. Provide targeted pamphlets or other education materials with sustainable guidelines for residents, businesses, and other organizations to that target the use of water efficiency and conservation practices along with stormwater best management practices. Conduct targeted forums or workshops that focus on water in the community, both quality and quantity. These two-way communication channels inform community members of best practices for improving our water and identify available resources, while also providing a channel to the local government for challenges community members are experiencing in regard to water issues. Communication & Engagement Page 61 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 COMMUNICATION & ENGAGEMENT WHY & BACKGROUND We define communication and engagement as efforts to establish consistent outreach, advocacy, and stewardship relating to sustainability efforts within the City of Wheat Ridge. Effective communication and engagement is critical to the success of achieving sustainability objectives. Current communication channels utilized in the City and community include: The Wheat Ridge Gazette, Mayor’s Matters E-newsletter, social media, and the City website. These outlets provide information and share updates about progress and opportunities for broader public input. The objectives of Communication and Engagement are to increase the City’s role in educating and providing support to the community on issues related to environmental sustainability, and engage and activate community members to take ownership and responsibility for their own sustainability practices. These recommendations are based on conversations with sustainability leaders in neighboring communities, business owners in and around Wheat Ridge, and with City officials about their communications successes and challenges. This work, and ongoing research, provides us with valuable context when developing our City action plan. To move Wheat Ridge toward a more sustainable future, we recommend the City engage residents, businesses, and institutions during their day-to- day activities and routines. In addition to communicating the vision, goals, and plans for City and community wide sustainablility recommendations, the City must provide venues for open dialogue and feedback from the community itself. Engagement means that City residents, businesses, and institutions actively participate with the City to advance sustainability efforts. This partnership of the people with the City allows for greater agreement in planning and decision-making regarding policy and actions. Most importantly, WRESC focused on the appropriate format for presenting Committee recommendations, with a priority on simple and straightforward communications. WRESC values outcomes and aims to support all members of the community in improving quality of life in Wheat Ridge and encourages the City to recognize the value of strengthening City-community relationships to achieve a vibrant, sustainable Wheat Ridge. In June 2018, Wheat Ridge worked with the National Research Center, Inc. to conduct and evaluate a survey of 4,500 randomly selected households on a wide variety of community topics. With the support of WRESC, the City included a section within the survey on sustainability to assess how the respondents rated the importance of City involvement in a variety of sustainability issues. The issues considered essential or very important by the greatest proportion of respondents, about three-quarters, were creating walkable communities, encouraging water quality improvement and encouraging water conservation. About 7 in 10 respondents believed it was essential or very important for the City to promote renewable energy in the community, promote renewable energy in homes, and increase energy efficiency for city buildings.47 47 http://www.ci.wheatridge.co.us/258/Resident-Survey Communication & Engagement Page 62 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 The Figure below is an excerpt from the 2018 Resident Survey.48 48 http://www.ci.wheatridge.co.us/DocumentCenter/View/28495/2018-Resident-Survey-Report- Communication & Engagement Page 63 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 Communication & Engagement Goal/Action Timeline* Cost** Environmental Benefit*** 1 Communicate the Wheat Ridge Sustainability Action Plan to Council, businesses and residents 1-A Update the City’s website with current Action Plan, keep website current and relevant, and use it a source of information Ongoing/ Immediate Low High 1-B Post updates and information on social media sites as plan is evolving and successes achieved Ongoing Low High 1-C Communicate ongoing messaging in all Topic Areas of the Action Plan Ongoing Low High 2 Encourage and grow participation in sustainability activities, approaches and programs 2-A Join an existing program or develop a new one aimed at incentivizing residents to increase their own neighborhood participation Mid Medium Medium 2-B Partner with existing community groups in Wheat Ridge working on sustainability practices Short Low High 2-C Create an opt-in subscription e-Newsletter focused on sustainability in Wheat Ridge. Short/ Ongoing Medium High 3 Engage the community with implementation of the Sustainability Action Plan 3-A Recognition of residents’ involvement in sustainability practices Ongoing Medium High 3-B Create platforms for residents to participate Short/ Ongoing Medium High 4 Engage Wheat Ridge businesses and organizations 4-A Green Business recognition by City Council Short/ Ongoing Medium High 4-B Post and advertise Action Plan with businesses Mid Low Medium 4-C Engage businesses in sustainability efforts Mid Medium High 4-D Communicate sustainability efforts to businesses Mid Low High 5 Create opportunities for feedback and input from community and City for ongoing sustainability initiatives 5-A Regularly survey residents and businesses for input regarding sustainability issues *Timeline as related to time it would take for action to be established, but not necessarily completed. Short term refers to activities that to be established in less than one year; mid-term refers to activities to be established in 1-3 years; long term activities refer to activities to be established in 3-10 years. An activity established in year one would likely have ongoing associated activities for the City to implement. ** Cost estimate considers some actions requiring actions would require ongoing commitments from the City, which are considered in the assessing cost. For example, necessity for City staff. ***Environmental benefit roughly identifies the impact a recommendation has on the environment, categorized as High, Medium, Low. Communication & Engagement Page 64 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 WHAT: GOALS AT A GLANCE GOAL 1: Communicate the Wheat Ridge Sustainability Action Plan to Council, businesses, and residents GOAL 2: Encourage and grow participation in sustainability activities, approaches, and programs within Wheat Ridge GOAL 3: Engage the community with implementation of the Wheat Ridge Sustainability Action Plan activities GOAL 4: Engage Wheat Ridge businesses and organizations GOAL 5: Create opportunities for feedback and input from community and City for ongoing sustainability initiatives HOW: GOAL DESCRIPTIONS & STRATEGIES GOAL 1: Communicate the Wheat Ridge Sustainability Action Plan to Council, businesses, and residents Action 1-A: Update the City’s website with the current Sustainability Action Plan, keep website current, relevant, and use it as a source of information dissemination. Action 1-B: Post updates and information on social media sites as the Plan is evolving and success achieved Through the City’s Facebook page, post relevant and timely action items that community members can engage in. Duplicate posts on Twitter, and create auto feed on website for those not engaged on social media. Further develop Instagram presence. Action 1-C: Communicate ongoing messaging for all topic areas with regular website updates. GOAL 2: Encourage and grow participation in sustainability activities, approaches, and programs within Wheat Ridge Action 2-A: Join an existing program or develop a program aimed at incentivizing residents to increase neighborhood identification through community building actions 1.Sustainable Neighborhoods Program (implemented in Lakewood) provides a neighborhood-centric definition of the city. 2.Use resources at Localworks to engage in neighborhood programs like Clean Up Days, and expand these programs Communication & Engagement Page 65 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 3.Outline and define neighborhoods, and help residents identify their neighbors through the use of social media groups, and encourage neighbors to reach out to elders in include them in participating in sustainability efforts Action 2-B: Partner with existing community groups in Wheat Ridge working on topic area issues and sustainability. Examples include WRATATS, Wheat Ridge Gardeners, Chamber of Commerce Action 2-C: Create an opt-in subscription e-Newsletter focused on sustainability in Wheat Ridge. GOAL 3: Engage the community with implementation of the Wheat Ridge Sustainability Action Plan activities Action 3-A: Recognition of residents’ involvement in sustainability practices Action 3-B: Create platforms for residents to participate with the City’s Sustainability Action Plan through volunteer opportunities GOAL 4: Engage Wheat Ridge businesses and organizations Action 4-A: Green Business City Council Recognition - develop parameters (Denver Certifiably Green for example) Action 4-B: Post and advertise Action Plan and activities with businesses Action 4-C: Engage businesses in communicating their sustainability efforts with community Action 4-D: Communicate sustainability efforts to businesses Identify a business sector to start (perhaps restaurants) and work together to create a platform to share sustainability information/collaboration among West Metro Sustainability Committee covering the multi-jurisdiction in the Cities of Jefferson County. GOAL 5: Create opportunities for feedback and input from community and City for ongoing sustainability initiatives Action 5-A: Regularly survey residents and businesses for input regarding sustainability issues Communication & Engagement Page 66 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 METRICS Calculating the involvement and enthusiasm for the City’s sustainability efforts may not always be measurable. But there are ways to calculate engagement. -Track Facebook sharing and engagement -Track involvement by businesses in Action Plan implementation, and also in participation in a Green Business program -Track subscription to a new Wheat Ridge Sustainability e-newsletter -Continue to survey residents regarding importance/prioritization of sustainability issues bi-annually in the Wheat Ridge Resident Survey Wheat Ridge has an engaged and passionate portion of its community. The success of organizations like Localworks and Wheat Ridge Gardeners indicates people are involved and community-minded. Wheat Ridge is small and presents a uniquely easy opportunity for neighborly engagement. The accessibility of City Council members provides a relatively easy opportunity to engage with City leadership on an ongoing basis. IMPLEMENTATION Tools for implementing effective Communication and Engagement already exist. With a few more additions, and minimal expense, the City can become a voice and a leader in sustainability efforts. -Current sources of communication: Gazette, Connections, Social Media, Website -Add: Electronically distributed Sustainability newsletter with email subscription WRESC recommends the City identify and further explore potential funding sources. Consider grants for City government and community-based organizations and seek fundraising opportunities with businesses and foundations to support City and community sustainability messaging and activities. RESOURCES The following are available to the City: •Access to planning documents •Volunteer website •“Notify Me” service through the website The following are available to the Community: •High level of social media engagement •Localworks and other community-based volunteer programs •Publications that are readily available Conclusion Page 67 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 CONCLUSION Across the six Topic Areas covered in this plan, the committee recommends 20 Goals with detailed strategies and actions that will make Wheat Ridge a more environmentally sustainable, healthy, resilient, and livable community. During our one-year term, WRESC worked diligently to develop this Action Plan. WRESC researched national best practices and sought local guidance for each Topic Area to inform our recommendations. However, given our time constraints, the original charge from City Council, and the nature of a volunteer-based committee, we acknowledge that this plan does not capture all elements of environmental sustainability and that there may be some content gaps in the plan. For example, urban agriculture, open space conservation, and wildlife preservation are not covered in detail. WRESC recognizes that sustainability includes not only environmental elements, but social and economic considerations as well. While this plan is focused primarily on strategies targeting direct environmental improvements, as directed by the Mayor and City Council, the recommendations also contain substantial social and economic benefits. WRESC volunteers appreciate the opportunity to aid the Mayor and City Council to fulfill its vision for an environmentally sustainable Wheat Ridge. One where individual actions and city-wide changes can have lasting positive effects on our community’s environment, quality of life, and economic health. We encourage the Mayor and City Council to consider the following steps to facilitate implementation of this Action Plan: 1.Adopt the Action Plan 2.Hire a Full-time Sustainability Coordinator 3.Conduct prioritization exercise for implementation 4.Perform cost savings analysis of recommendations 5.Continue to engage residents, businesses, and institutions about sustainability 6.Identify a path for the WRESC’s future in the form of a permanent volunteer committee 7.Seek further expertise on social and economic facets of sustainability Implementing the drafted recommendations requires varying degrees of resources. Some of the WRESC’s recommendations can be put into action immediately without significant investment or programmatic changes. Recommendations that include policy or code changes will likely require more time and investment. All recommendations require community education and involvement at a minimum. Many recommendations promote individual responsibility and behavior change for lasting environmental results. In addition to approving and adopting this Action Plan, this committee believes that to fulfill the City’s vision of a sustainable Wheat Ridge, it is critical to hire a Sustainability Coordinator. This staff position, supported by volunteers from the community, would work closely with the community to further craft and implement sustainability plans, policies, and programs that are right for our community and support strong, lasting economic development. Conclusion Page 68 of 68 Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan June 2018 With the completion of the current WRESC term, there is an opportunity to expand the presence of a volunteer resident-based committee by formalizing a permanent committee. At the least, the City should reauthorize the WRESC and initiate the application process for another one-year term. The objectives of WRESC are worthy of long-term commitments from both the City and those in the community who demonstrate a desire to accomplish the goals laid out in this Action Plan. Sustainability is a dynamic, moving target that requires dedication and ongoing City, resident, and commercial commitment. These efforts will help ensure Wheat Ridge is taking the necessary steps to proactively respond to local and global challenges and move toward a more resilient, livable community. Insert community logo here (insert in master template) Insert community logo here centered to the line and in the box (insert in master template) Energy Strategy Recommendations 6-18-2018 APPENDIX A: ENERGY EFFICIENCY Appendix A: Energy Efficiency Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Ac=on Plan Page 1 of 18 June 2018 Insert community logo here (insert in master template) 2 Process Overview Hybrid Fast Track Planning Approach Phase 1: Accelerated support for energy-related WRESC recommendations to City Council Phase 2: In depth workshop(s) to finalize implementation strategies and Wheat Ridge’s Energy Action Plan Phase 3: 18-month implementation period with additional support/resources Phase 1 Accelerated Planning Phase 2 Planning Finalization Phase 3 Implementation March - May 2018 (Complete) July – Sept/Oct 2018 (Tentative) 18-months Appendix A: Energy Efficiency Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Ac=on Plan Page 2 of 18 June 2018 Insert community logo here (insert in master template) 3 Focus Area + Strategy Summary Focus Area 1: Municipal Strategy 1 Support energy benchmarking and audits for City facilities. Strategy 2 Help evaluate completed audits and implement efficiency measures identified in City facilities. Focus Area 2: Commercial Strategy 1 Pursue energy efficiency upgrades in hospitals, healthcare, and industrial facilities. Strategy 2 Existing business energy efficiency campaign. Strategy 3 Encourage new construction projects in Wheat Ridge to take advantage of energy savings programs. Focus Area 3: Residential Strategy 1 Build awareness of energy efficiency programs available through an outreach campaign. Strategy 2 Support energy efficiency upgrades for low-income households and rental tenants. Focus Area 4: Renewable Energy Strategy 1 Increase participation in available renewable energy subscription programs. Strategy 2 Increase on-site renewable installations. Communications & Outreach Appendix A: Energy Efficiency Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Ac=on Plan Page 3 of 18 June 2018 Insert community logo here (insert in master template) 4 Implementation (18-month) Energy Savings Summary Focus Area Total Energy Savings (MMBtu) Estimated Electricity Savings (kWh) Estimated Gas Savings (therms) Estimated Annual Cost Savings Estimated Payback Municipal 700 165,700 1,200 $11,150 2 years Commercial 7,600 1,607,200 20,900 $135,600 2 years Residential 4,200 349,600 29,700 $52,100 4 years Total 12,500 MMBtu 2,122,500 kWh 51,800 therms $198,850 3 years Municipal 8% Healthcare + industrial 14% Business outreach campaign 36% [CATEGORY NAME] 10% Low-income + rental 7% New construction 25% Implementation Electricity Savings Contribution (2.12 GWh) Municipal [PERCENTAG E] Healthcare + industrial [PERCENTAG E] Business outreach campaign 14% [CATEGORY NAME] 23% Low-income + rental 35% New construction 26% Implementation Gas Savings Contribution (51,800 therms) Note: Energy savings do not include renewable energy program totals. All savings projections are estimates based on proposed participation. Payback does not include customer due to varying implmeentatin cost Appendix A: Energy Efficiency Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Ac=on Plan Page 4 of 18 June 2018 Insert community logo here (insert in master template) 5 Implementation (18-month) Cost Savings Summary Focus Area Estimated Annual Cost Savings Estimated Payback Municipal $11,150 2 years Commercial $135,600 2 years Residential $52,100 4 years Total $198,850 3 years Municipal 6% Commercial 68% Residential 26% Annual Focus Area Cost Savings Note: Energy savings do not include renewable energy strategy program totals. Appendix A: Energy Efficiency Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Ac=on Plan Page 5 of 18 June 2018 Insert community logo here (insert in master template) 6 GHG Savings Summary Focus Area Incremental GHG Savings (MT CO2e) Equivalent Number of Vehicles off the Road* Municipal 100 21 Commercial 1,010 216 Residential 350 75 Renewable Energy 740 158 Total 2,200 470 882 1,091 979 1,259 2,200 3459 0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,000 2015 2016 2017 Implementation (18-month) MT C O 2 e GHG Emissions Savings Historic Annual GHG Savings Estimated Incremental GHG Savings Note: Implementation GHG emission savings include maintaining 2015-2017 average historic program participation with proposed new incrementation participation and renewable energy on-site installations. 2017 and subsequent year emission reporting is still preliminary and not third-party verified. *EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator (https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/widgets/ghg_calc/calculator.html#results) Appendix A: Energy Efficiency Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Ac=on Plan Page 6 of 18 June 2018 Insert community logo here (insert in master template) 7 Focus Area 1: Municipal Strategies 1 & 2 Support energy benchmarking and audits for City facilities as well as review completed projects within the last 12 months. Evaluate completed audits and implement efficiency measures identified in City facilities as well as pursue rebates for the identified and eligible completed projects. Illustrative Pathway Program Total Projects Completed (2015-2017) Proposed New Participation Estimated Payback w/ Rebate (years) Energy Benchmarking 0 TBD -- Business Energy Analysis 0 TBD -- Lighting Efficiency 1 2 5 Lighting – Small Business 1 2 2 Recommissioning 0 1 1 Total 0 5 -- Estimated Incremental Savings: 165,700 kWh + 1,200 therms Estimated Annual Cost Savings: $11,150 Estimated Payback: 2 years Appendix A: Energy Efficiency Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Ac=on Plan Page 7 of 18 June 2018 Insert community logo here (insert in master template) 8 Focus Area 2: Commercial Strategy 1 Pursue energy efficiency upgrades in hospitals, healthcare, and industrial facilities. Illustrative Pathway Program Avg. Annual Participation (2015-2017) Proposed New Participation Various Energy Efficiency Measures (e.g., combination of prescriptive rebate programs varying among sector participant and facility needs) Varies TBD Total -- TBD Estimated Incremental Savings: 300,000 kWh Estimated Annual Cost Savings: $27,000 Estimated Payback: Varies by Measure Appendix A: Energy Efficiency Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Ac=on Plan Page 8 of 18 June 2018 Insert community logo here (insert in master template) 9 Focus Area 2: Commercial Strategy 2 Existing business energy efficiency campaign to increase participation in energy efficiency programs by 50%. Illustrative Pathway Program Avg. Annual Participation (2015-2017) Proposed New Participation Incremental Participant Increase Commercial Refrigeration Efficiency 9 13 4 Cooling 3 5 2 Heating 1 2 1 Lighting Efficiency 22 34 12 Lighting – Small Business 52 78 26 Motor & Drive Efficiency 2 4 2 Total 89 135 47 Estimated Incremental Savings: 774,500 kWh + 7,500 therms Estimated Annual Cost Savings: $53,950 Estimated Payback: 4 years Appendix A: Energy Efficiency Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Ac=on Plan Page 9 of 18 June 2018 Insert community logo here (insert in master template) 10 Focus Area 2: Commercial Strategy 3 Encourage new construction projects in Wheat Ridge to take advantage of energy savings programs. Illustrative Pathway Program Avg. Annual Participation (2015-2017) Proposed New Participation Incremental Participant Increase Energy Design Assistance 0.33 (1 project in 2015) 2 2 Energy Efficient Buildings 1 4 3 Total ~ 1 6 5 Estimated Incremental Savings: 532,700 kWh + 13,400 therms Estimated Annual Cost Savings: $54,700 Estimated Payback: Immediate (< 1 year) Appendix A: Energy Efficiency Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Ac=on Plan Page 10 of 18 June 2018 Insert community logo here (insert in master template) 11 Focus Area 3: Residential Strategy 1 Build awareness and increase participation 50% in available energy efficiency programs through an outreach campaign with a focus on promoting Home Energy Squad®. Illustrative Pathway Program Avg. Annual Participation (2015-2017) Proposed New Participation Incremental Participant Increase Evaporative Cooling 69 104 35 High Efficiency Air Conditioning 31 46 15 Home Energy Audit 23 34 11 Home Energy Squad 4 75 71 Home Performance with ENERGY STAR 3 4 1 Insulation & Air Sealing 14 21 7 Refrigerator & Freezer Recycling 112 168 56 Residential Heating 50 76 26 Water Heating 11 16 5 Total 317 544 202 Estimated Incremental Savings: 201,700 kWh + 11,700 therms Estimated Annual Cost Savings: $27,800 Estimated Payback: 5 years Appendix A: Energy Efficiency Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Ac=on Plan Page 11 of 18 June 2018 Insert community logo here (insert in master template) 12 Focus Area 3: Residential Strategy 2 Support energy efficiency upgrades for low-income households and rental tenants. Illustrative Pathway Program Avg. Annual Participation (2015-2017) Proposed New Participation Incremental Participant Increase Single-Family Weatherization 13 26 13 Multifamily Weatherization 0 2 2 Multifamily Buildings Efficiency 1 (i.e., facility/complex) 5 (i.e., facility/complex) 4 (i.e., facility/complex) Total 14 33 19 Estimated Incremental Savings: 148,000 kWh + 18,000 therms Estimated Annual Cost Savings: $24,200 Estimated Payback: 3 years Appendix A: Energy Efficiency Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Ac=on Plan Page 12 of 18 June 2018 Insert community logo here (insert in master template) 13 Focus Area 4: Renewable Energy Strategy 1 Increase participation in available renewable energy subscription programs. Illustrative Pathway Program Participants/ New Applicants Annual Subscribed Energy/ Produced Energy (kWh) Solar*Rewards® for Residences 5 36,800 Windsource® for Residences 370 720,000 Windsource® for Businesses 6 136,800 Renewable*Connect® (residential only) 50 150,000 Total 431 1,043,600 kWh Appendix A: Energy Efficiency Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Ac=on Plan Page 13 of 18 June 2018 Insert community logo here (insert in master template) 14 Focus Area 4: Renewable Energy Strategy 2 Increase on-site renewable installations. Illustrative Pathway Number of Additional Installations Installed Capacity Annual Generation Residential On-Site Solar 30 6 kW 220,800 kWh (7,400 kWh/installation) Commercial On-Site Solar 2 15 kW 37,900 kWh (18,400 kWh/installation) Total 32 -- 258,700 kWh Appendix A: Energy Efficiency Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Ac=on Plan Page 14 of 18 June 2018 Insert community logo here (insert in master template) 15 Xcel Energy Renewable Options Solar*Rewards® Onsite option Produce up to 120% of energy use Xcel Energy keeps REC 20-year contract term Windsource® Subscription option 100% local wind to offset energy use Customer keeps REC No minimum contract length Pay premium (1.5¢ / kWh) Renewable*Connect® Subscription option Locally sourced 100% large scale solar Customer keeps REC 0-10 year contract term Program credit variable by contract term and updated annually Appendix A: Energy Efficiency Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Ac=on Plan Page 15 of 18 June 2018 Insert community logo here (insert in master template) Xcel Energy’s Renewables Appendix A: Energy Efficiency Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Ac=on Plan Page 16 of 18 June 2018 Insert community logo here (insert in master template) 17 Renewable*Connect® Phase I May 23 – July 18: Residential + C class businesses Phase II July 30 – July 31: Open to all customers Appendix A: Energy Efficiency Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Ac=on Plan Page 17 of 18 June 2018 Insert community logo here (insert in master template) Appendix A: Energy Efficiency Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Ac=on Plan Page 18 of 18 June 2018     Composting at Home    Step 1: Think about it  ●Learn the basics, but don’t overthink it. Like much of gardening, nothing  replaces trial and error.   ●See the attached FAQs from Cornell.edu which provide a good  informational overview of composting.     Step 2: Choose a site for your compost pile  ●Will it be convenient to get materials to the space?   ●Is there sufficient air flow?  ●Depending on the design you choose, is there enough room? (error on the  side of more space if possible)  ●Are there appearance considerations for the yard?    Step 3: Choose a Design for your Composting System   ●Easiest option is a well managed pile on the ground (See ​Farmer  Dan’s Compost Pile​ below)   ●Other popular systems are:  ○Barrel systems designed for hand cranked turning of a barrel  mounted on a stand   ○Compartmentalized systems, essentially two or three-sided  ventilated chambers for different types of materials or stages  of compost.   ○Wire fencing set in a circle to contain pile but allow  ventilation.    A quick web image search can get you thinking. Also, ​The Rodale Book of  Composting: Easy Methods for Every Gardener​ is an excellent easy to use resource  for the benefits and disadvantages of different compost systems.     Step 4: Secure compost ingredients  ●Develop a system for saving kitchen scraps.   ○The easiest way is to use a small container (you can purchase one  designed for this purpose) to leave on your counter or under the sink  to save scraps which, once full, go to the compost pile. Or use larger  sized buckets kept outside (with secure lids) that can be filled with  kitchen bucket for less frequent additions to the pile.   ●Start a system of setting aside yard waste that can be composted. Many  people maintain separate piles consisting of materials that take longer or  shorter periods to breakdown.   ●Save leaves in the fall for compost!     Step 5: Managing a Compost Pile  ●Moisture is important in our arid climate. Water pile if needed.   ●Turning compost speeds up the process. Aeration is necessary for fostering  the environment for microbes to thrive. When a pile becomes “anaerobic”  (lack of oxygen) bad things start to happen.    ●Use enough “brown material” to ensure pile does not stink or attract  unwanted critters  ●Patience - depending on how it is managed, composition and  environmental conditions, the process takes 3-9 months or even longer.   ●Relay on senses and instinct to know when the pile is finished. If unsure,  let it “cure” for a while.    Farmer Dan’s Method    Tools: Shovel, stiff garden rake, (Optional) Enclosed footwear - ideally rubber  boots     A good size rule of thumb for a compost pile is 3ft x 3ft. I essentially build  separate connected piles and add new material only to one end, while  occasionally turning the other end. I layer “green material” and “Brown material”  and then mulch the whole pile. Mulching is extremely helpful in creating a more  healthy and orderly pile. It retains moisture, improves appearance, and helps  promote biological activity throughout the pile.     When adding to the pile, I remove top layer of mulch with my rake, then I create  a impression on the end of the pile with my shovel where “green” material is  being added. This is done in order for the material (often times pretty sloppy  stuff!) to be retained in pile rather than run over the sides. I then add “brown”  material and then reapply the mulch I removed at the start and add more if  necessary.     Every month or so, I will return to the end of the pile where new material in not  being added to and turn the partially finished compost. It should be essentially  free of most visible food scraps within a month or so of composting. Aside from  the tremendous biological activity unseen by the naked eye, you may see  arthropods like centipedes, beetles, and others depending on the stage of the pile.  You may also see evidence of the microbiological activity in the pile, including  fungal mycelium.      Once you have been composting for a while, you will get familiar with the phases  of a pile including when it is hottest and when the best time to turn the pile.  There are other approaches which are aimed at slower composting and no  turning, but must be prepared properly so as to avoid creating anaerobic  conditions.       FAQ’s  Taken from Cornell Composting   ​http://compost.css.cornell.edu/faq.html     How long does it take?  The answer to this question ranges widely, depending on the process used, the  compost ingredients, and how the system is managed. Perhaps most importantly,  it depends on the intended use of the compost: many ingredients can be used as a  mulch immediately, while it may take many months to achieve the stability  required for germination of sensitive seedlings. Here we assume the compost will  be incorporated in soil for general garden use.  Under optimum conditions, thermophilic composting with frequent mixing or  turning can produce usable compost within a month or two. A worm bin requires  three to six months to turn food scraps to compost, and an unmanaged leaf pile  may take more than a year to break down.  In general, it is best to let compost "cure" for several months even after it appears  finished. During this additional time, degradation occurs at a slower rate,  resulting in a more chemically stable end product.    How can you tell when compost is finished?  Finished compost will no longer heat up, even after mixing. The initial  ingredients are no longer recognizable, and what is left is an earthysmelling  substance similar to a rich organic soil.    Is newspaper safe to compost? Are the inks toxic?  Newspaper is safe to compost, but it breaks down quite slowly because of its high  lignin content. (Lignin is a substance found in the woody cell walls of plants, and  it is highly resistant to decomposition).  Most newspapers today use water or soy-based inks. Although these may contain  small amounts of toxic compounds, the trace levels are not of significant  toxicological concern. Some caution should still be used with glossy magazines,  which sometimes use heavy metal based inks to produce vivid colors.    Which kinds of pet wastes can safely be composted?  Wastes from classroom critters such as guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, or gerbils  can be safely composted, along with the wood or paper shavings used in their  cages. Droppings from dogs or cats should be avoided, though, because they may  contain parasites or disease organisms harmful to humans.    Are inoculants, activators, or other additives a good idea?  Commercial inoculants are made up of dormant microorganisms. Although  composting depends on microorganisms, you do not need to purchase them. They  are already present, on the leaves, food scraps, and other materials you are  composting. If you wish to augment these populations, addition of soil or finished  compost will work as well as commercial inoculants.  Activators are designed to speed up the compost process by providing sugar or  nitrogen to trigger rapid microbial growth. Normally an activator is not needed.  If your mixture of materials to be composted has a C:N ratio higher than about  30:1, however, then addition of nitrogen will speed up the composting process.  Lime is sometimes added to compost piles but is not necessary unless the initial  pH is lower than about 5. If the compost process becomes anaerobic, the organic  acids that are produced may lower the pH of the mixture. Aerating the system to  return it to aerobic conditions will also cause the pH to return to a near-neutral  range.    Can compost harm plants?  In general, compost is good for plants -- it helps build soil structure, retains  moisture, increases soil organic matter, and provides a slow release of nutrients  important for plant growth. If you use compost that has not adequately matured,  however, it may cause chemical burns on plants or compete with them for use of  soil nitrogen.  Fresh compost should not be used for starting sensitive seedlings such as  tomatoes and peppers because they may succumb to damping-off disease. These  seedlings should be started using a sterilized potting mixture.    If you use compost, do you still need fertilizer?  That depends on the nutrient requirements of your plants and the nutrient status  of your soil. Compost does provide needed plant nutrients, but this occurs in  small doses gradually over the course of the growing season. If your soil is  particularly barren, or you are growing a crop that needs a burst of nitrogen soon  after planting, then you may want to supplement with other types of fertilizer.  Your best bet is to have the soil tested, then make your decision based on the test  results and your intended plantings.    How do you keep rats away?  The best way to keep rodents and other animal pests from becoming a problem is  to avoid creating conditions that will attract them. If you add meat or dairy  products, or leave cooked foods such as pizza crusts lying around, you will be  inviting rodents to a feast. On the other hand, if you stick to composting  vegetation such as leaves and grass clippings, you will minimize your chance of  hosting rodents. Adding fruit and vegetable scraps is safe as long as they are  buried in the other compost ingredients and the system heats up so that the food  wastes are quickly broken down.    What about flies?  Fruit flies or house flies can become a problem for indoor composters unless  preventative steps are taken. If food scraps are composted, they should not be left  exposed to the air. Instead, they should be covered by a layer of brown material  such as soil, old compost, leaves, or wood shavings. In worm bins, food scraps  should be buried in the bedding rather than placed on the surface.  If fruit flies do become a problem, you can make a simple but highly effective  trap. Just take a soda bottle and remove the lid. Cut the bottle in half, and pour  cider vinegar into the bottom half to a depth of about 2 centimeters. Then invert  the top half of the bottle into the bottom half, forming a funnel leading into the  bottle. Fruit flies will be attracted to the vinegar and will get trapped or drowned  in bottle.    Will there be leachate?  Composting in containers does produce leachate, a rich organic soup called  "compost tea" that is prized by gardeners. It is best to design your bioreactors to  catch the leachate so that it will not make a mess or cause odor or fly problems.  In the 2-can bioreactor, leachate is trapped by absorbent material in the outer  can. The soda bottle bioreactors hold the leachate in the bottom of the bottle  unless you make holes down low enough so that it drains into a dish or tray  underneath.    Will it smell bad?  As long as your compost has enough airflow so that it remains aerobic, there may  be some odor but it shouldn't be objectionable. If you do get foul-smelling odors,  you should add more wood chips or other bulking agent, and mix the system to  reaerate it. Ammonia odors may develop if you compost materials that are high  in nitrogen, such as fresh grass clippings. To prevent this, you can calculate the  appropriate mixture of materials to achieve the right carbon-to-nitrogen ratio.  If you are using soda bottle bioreactors in a classroom, you can vent them  through a window using flexible tubing to prevent any possibility of odor  problems.                 Consumer Waste Reduction Tips     It is not often pointed out that the famous three R’s of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”  are listed in order of their significance. Additionally, some people like to add  “Refuse” as another R, . Reducing waste streams have tremendous environmental  benefits. Just as important, learning how to avoid dealing with materials that end  up in the recycling bin or the trash can save you time and burden of dealing with  unwanted materials.     Junk Mail   Junk mail exceeds first class mail by volume!   1 ●Catalog Choice is a non-profit organization unaffiliated with the mail  marketing industry  ○https://www.catalogchoice.org/  ●DMAchoice™ is an online tool developed by the Data & Marketing  Association to help you manage your mail  ○https://dmachoice.thedma.org/  ●Choose email as preferred communication method when appropriate   ●You can call a single number to get your name and address removed from  the mailing lists circulated by all three credit agencies used for credit card  and insurance offers (as well as that of a fourth company, Innovis.  ○1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688)  ○www.optoutprescreen.com     Food Packaging   1 ​http://www.usjunkmail.com/consumer/factsOther.aspx Chemicals in food packaging can get into food   2 ●Buy in bulk   ○Find a grocer that offers bulk goods; bring your own jar/container;  get it tared before filling; ensure is rung up properly at check-out     ●Eat Fruits and Veggies/Cook from scratch   ○Reduce waste and avoid hidden sugars, salts, and  preservatives/additives      Food Waste  Globally, over 1 billion tons of food are wasted each year    3 ●Learn how to Compost at Home (See Compost Fact Sheet)  ●EPA Resources  ○https://www.epa.gov/recycle/reducing-wasted-food-home  ●Support local organizations addressing this issue     Consumer Products  Manufacturers spend up to 7 cents to the dollar on packaging of products   4 ●Buy local!  ●Save money - find it used!  ●Choose brands who make an effort to reduce packaging   ●Be sure to recycle whenever possible     2 ​https://www.foodpackagingforum.org/news/what-chemicals-are-in-plastic-packaging 3 ​http://www.fao.org/save-food/resources/keyfindings/en/ 4 ​https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2013/09/product-packaging/index.htm Company Service Area Website Phone Bin Size (Gal) Provider bin or resident bin? Trash Pick up Frequency Recycling offered? Republic All of Wheat Ridge https://www. republicservices. com/3032861200 96 provided weekly Yes Waste Management All of Wheat Ridge https://www.wm. com/us 3032788600 96 Provided - one time fee $35 weekly Yes American Disposal Services WR 80214; Not clear if you serve all of WR https://www. americandisposa l. com/colorado/for -home/curbside- collection 7203220500 96 provided Friday weekly Yes Pro Disposal most of wheat ridge; 80033, 80212-80214; https: //dqr70fsc51odw.cloudfront. net/sites/4/2016/01/31091827/ Service-Area-Map.jpg https://www. prodisposal.net/3037913827 customer provides; not to exceed 96 per bin; unlimited trash and recycling No; resident provides weekly Yes Company Republic Waste Management American Disposal Pro Disposal Recycling frequency pickup Service contract Landfill transfer location/company Recycling transfer location/compan y Recyclables accepted? Fees based on user volume or bin volume? Other services biweekly quartly or annual Landfills in Commerce City and Golden Recycle ? 3rd party contract https://www. republicservices .com/all-in-one- recycling? tab=local No/see other Bulk Large Item (furniture/lg yard debris) $25 per biweekly no contract Aurora or Commerce City 2400 W Union or 6901 Brighton transfer http://www.wm. com/documents /pdfs/recycle- often-recycle- right.pdf fee with standard bin Bulk item $45 per biweekly No contract Several landfills - gun club and hampton reycling; have location to separate it https://www. americandispos al. com/colorado/re cycling Bin volume Bulk item; charge depedning on what item; accept household kitchen and bathroom items; not furniture biweekly no contract; $20 fee to cancel service; refunded from paid service DAB; on 470 single stream; 3rd party separates https://www. prodisposal. net/whats- recyclable- whats-not/ Flat fee; unlimited trash and recycling; must be in bin bulk items extra fee; only accept household items; not furniture, matresses, etc. Company Republic Waste Management American Disposal Pro Disposal Average cost Billing type/frequency Provide bulk pricing for multiple households on street/neighborhood? Yard Waste Quarterly T=56.85 R=9 Yearly T=227.4 R=36 quartly or yearly Must be formal association branches/small mix with trash; 4ft length 18in diameter 50lbs T = base rate $12/mo R=$4/mo plus enviro and regulatroy fees "about" $15/mo quartly Must be formal association - need to contact sales dept to discuss further branches/small mix with trash; 4ft length 18in diameter 50lbs No taxes/fuel charge, no cost to deliver containers; cost T= 59.85 3 months; 80.70 for three months Set up on monthly; every three months; or yearly Referred, free month; if you pay for year, you get 12th for free do take yard waste and five bundles of branches per week; pick up cardboard boxes - no limit - must be broken down flat rates, no enviromental fees. every 4 month or annual; T= 22.50 /mo; 247.50/year (1mo free w/ 12mo); T+R= 28.25 /mo; 310.75/yr (1mo free w/ 12mo) bill one month ahead; pro rated. Have a referral program; when sign up - give informaiton; and issue a month free on account Accepts size limited bundled small branches similar to WM/Repub Let’s Talk: Round 1 Engagement Summary ATTACHMENT 2 Aspen · Avon · Basalt · Boulder · Boulder County · Breckenridge · Broomfield · Carbondale Clear Creek County · Crested Butte · Dillon · Eagle County · Erie · Fort Collins · Fraser · Frisco · Gilpin County Glenwood Springs · Golden · Lafayette · Longmont · Louisville · Lyons · Mountain Village · Nederland · Northglenn Pitkin County · Ridgway · Salida · San Miguel County · Summit County · Telluride · Vail · Westminster CC4CA 2020-2021 Policy Statement Adopted June 19, 2020 Colorado Communities for Climate Action is a coalition of local governments advocating for stronger state and federal climate policy. CC4CA’s policy positions for 2020-2021 reflect unanimous agreement among the coalition members on steps that should be taken at the state and federal level, often in partnership with local governments, to enable Colorado and its communities to lead in protecting the climate. CC4CA generally focuses on legislative, regulatory, and administrative action, supporting efforts that advance the general policy principles and the detailed policy positions described below, and opposing efforts that would weaken or undermine these principles and positions. General Policy Principles The following general principles guide the specific policies that Colorado Communities for Climate Action supports: Collaboration between state and federal government agencies and Colorado’s local governments to advance local climate protection and resilience. State and federal programs to reduce carbon pollution, including adequate and ongoing funding of those programs. Analyses, financial incentives, infrastructure, and enabling policies for the development and deployment of clean energy technologies. Locally driven and designed programs to support communities impacted by the clean energy transformation. Prioritizing policies that put people at the center of decision-making, minimizing disparities in growing the clean economy, especially for historically marginalized communities, and enhancing equitable outcomes for all. ATTACHMENT 3 2 Policy Positions Colorado Communities for Climate Action supports the following policy positions: Statewide Climate Strategies 1. Reduce statewide carbon emissions consistent with or greater than the State of Colorado’s 2019 codified goals. 2. Secure accurate, frequent state greenhouse gas inventories and forecasts for Colorado which are made accessible to local governments and designed to be useful for stakeholders. 3. Adopt a comprehensive market-based approach to reduce Colorado’s greenhouse gas emissions that ensures the benefits accrue justly and equitably to impacted communities. 4. Expand consideration of the environmental and health costs associated with the use of fossil fuels in making and implementing climate-related policy. Local Climate Strategies 5. Remove barriers and promote opportunities that allow counties and municipalities to maximize the deployment of local clean energy and climate-related strategies, including resilience-oriented strategies, while promoting affordable, accessible, and equitable delivery of reliable clean energy. 6. Enable local governments to obtain the energy use and other data from utilities and state agencies that they need to effectively administer climate and clean energy programs. 7. Support a comprehensive public process for evaluating retail and wholesale energy choice options for communities, informed by a broad variety of stakeholders. 8. Support policies that promote the efficient use of energy in buildings. 9. Provide for cost-effective and equitable policies, strategies, and practices that enable and accelerate beneficial electrification, reduce GHG emissions, improve quality of life, and make the electric grid more robust and resilient. Energy Generation 10. Accelerate retirement of existing fossil fuel generation facilities and their replacement with cost-effective and reliable clean energy supplies, through means that protect both utilities and consumers. 3 11. Expand the ability of electric cooperatives to independently purchase local renewable electricity and take other steps to reduce carbon pollution. 12. Modernize energy infrastructure to enhance community-based resilience and integrate distributed energy resources. Energy Efficiency 13. Expand demand side savings from efficiency and conservation for all energy types. 14. Support ongoing and sustainable funding for weatherization and renewable energy assistance to low-income households, including those from coal-dominated economies, so that all Coloradans have access to comfortable and affordable homes. 15. Support ongoing and sustainable funding for programs that assist communities in transition from coal-dominated economies. 16. Provide counties and statutory cities and towns with the same authority held by home rule cities to implement local energy conservation policies and programs. Transportation 17. Ensure effective implementation of Colorado’s vehicle emissions standards and other regulatory and programmatic activities designed to reduce carbon emissions from vehicles. 18. Implement the 2020 Colorado Electric Vehicle Plan and other efforts to increase electrification of all motor vehicles. 19. Increase funding and policy incentives for multimodal transportation and multimodal-friendly development statewide. 20. Incentivize and select mobility alternatives, including movement of both people and goods, based on energy efficiency and environmental costs and benefits. Fossil Fuel Extraction Activities 21. Expand monitoring and reduction of the full life cycle emissions from fossil fuel extractive industry activities. Solid Waste Reduction 22. Grant CDPHE the authority to implement a plan for meeting Colorado’s statewide and regional solid waste diversion goals. 4 23. Reduce the use of disposable/single-use products and promote the reuse of materials, including construction and demolition waste. 24. Foster infrastructure, policies, incentives, and programs for reuse, recycling, and composting. General 25. Encourage the adoption of climate-positive innovations like telecommuting, drawing from the lessons learned during the coronavirus pandemic, to substantially reduce air and carbon pollution. 26. Promote proactive programs and efforts that improve the resilience and adaptability of Colorado communities in the face of natural disasters and other major challenges associated with climate change, including ensuring that disaster stabilization and recovery efforts result in reduced carbon pollution and improved resilience to future disasters. 27. Optimize the potential for carbon sequestration through regenerative agriculture, improved soil health, and forest management. 28. Incorporate equity, accessibility, and just transition considerations into climate policies and actions. 29. Encourage investments that achieve climate-positive solutions, including policies that encourage entities investing public dollars to consider partial or full divestment as part of their investment strategies. 30. Maintain protections and authorities currently provided under environmental laws like the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Air Act, and the Clean Water Act. I EXECUTIVE SUMMARY To address climate change, the Polis Administration has prioritized action on a just and equitable transition to renewable energy and pollution reduction that diversifies and strengthens our economy, creates good-paying, local jobs, and improves the health and well-being of our communities. This work is motivated by an imperative to protect the health and safety of all Coloradans, as well as the unprecedented opportunity to drive innovation and ensure prosperity for future generations. In the 2019 legislative session Colorado passed House Bill 19-1261, the Climate Action Plan to Reduce Pollution (“Climate Action Plan”),i which includes science-based targets of reducing statewide greenhouse gas pollution 26% by 2025, 50% by 2030, and 90% by 2050 from 2005 levels. To ensure that ATTACHMENT 4 II Colorado continues to make progress toward these targets, Governor Polis directed state agencies to develop this comprehensive Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap (“Roadmap”). As a result of prior policies, economic shifts, and legislative, regulatory, and other actions taken by this administration, Colorado is already on a pathway to achieving half of the emissions reductions needed to meet the 2025 and 2030 targets. The Roadmap delivers a list of near term actions the state will pursue over the next one to two years to make significant progress toward the 2025 and 2030 Climate Action Plan goals. The Roadmap also analyzes further actions that can help put the state on a solid path to meeting the 2050 goal. Reducing greenhouse gas pollution across our economy to meet the state’s science-based goals will be no small task. While we have taken a number of historic steps, we have much work to do to protect the Colorado way of life for generations to come. This work will continue to be multi- faceted and will require the ongoing expertise and engagement of all Coloradans. The Roadmap represents the work of many state agencies including the Colorado Energy Office and the Departments of Agriculture, Natural Resources, Public Health and Environment, and Transportation. Additional support was provided by the Department of Local Affairs, the Colorado Resiliency Office and the Office of Just Transition. Colorado hired Energy + Environmental Economics (“E3”), a leading national consulting firm with expertise in GHG modeling, to develop a model of the state’s economy-wide emissions by sector. Technical staff from the Climate Change Unit at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment provided additional analysis of projected emissions reductions from near term policy recommendations. III The development of the Roadmap started in late 2019 with a review of Colorado’s 2015 Greenhouse Gas Inventory, which was updated in 2019, and an evaluation of the data used to project future GHG emissions for Colorado in the Environmental Protection Agency’s State Inventory Tool. The state agencies, in consultation with E3 and other outside experts from a Technical Advisory Group, began gathering updated state-level data and refining modeling methods to establish a more accurate accounting of greenhouse gas emissions in Colorado in 2005. Among other changes to prior analyses, the state agencies revised estimates of 2005 emissions from oil and gas operations upwards from EPA stock assumptions to reflect more recent scientific information about methane emissions. Using this updated data and E3’s modeling tools, the Roadmap team constructed a Reference Case, which represents a projection of the state’s GHG emissions based on policies that were in place prior to 2019. The Reference case assumes no new policies or actions to reduce emissions. That assessment found that the four largest emitting sectors were the same in 2020 as 2005. As shown below in Figure 1, in 2020 transportation displaced electricity generation as the largest source of pollution. Electricity generation, oil and gas production, and fossil methane use in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors remain the other three largest emitters. In the transportation sector, passenger vehicles are the largest contributor to emissions in the state. Electricity generation emissions largely come from coal-fired power plants with a small portion from fossil methane gas-fired Roadmap Modeling Cases Reference Case Modeled emissions reductions based on all existing state policy prior to 2019 2019 Action Scenario Modeled emissions reductions based on prior state policy and legislative, administrative, and voluntary actions adopted in 2019 1261 Targets Scenario Modeled an illustrative path Colorado could take to meet the GHG reduction targets in HB 19-1261, IV power plants. Emissions from the oil and gas sector include fugitive methane emissions from upstream and downstream operations in Colorado as well as on-site combustion of fossil fuels in industrial operations. To better understand the impacts of recent policy changes, E3 evaluated projected pollution reductions resulting from legislation passed in 2019 and 2020 and from administrative actions to date by the Polis Administration— The 2019 Action Scenario. This evaluation showed that the state’s actions in the last two years to address climate change, when added to prior actions, put Colorado on trajectory to achieve approximately half of the emissions reduction needed to meet the 2025 and 2030 goals. Figure 1: 2020 CO GHG Emissions (MMT CO2e, AR5 100-yr GWP) V Figure 2: Scenario Projections of Colorado’s Potential GHG Emissions While the state has made significant progress toward meeting the 2025 and 2030 goals, the analysis showed that additional actions are needed to reach the targets. E3 modeled an illustrative scenario, the HB 1261 Targets Scenario, to represent one approach Colorado could take to meet the Climate Action Plan targets through 2050. Based on these analyses, the Roadmap proposes administrative, regulatory, legislative, procurement, incentive-based, and other measures to reduce emissions in different sectors of the state’s economy to achieve GHG pollution reductions in a cost- effective and equitable way. Modeled Emissions Trajectories. That path to reaching the state’s emissions goals builds on the significant transition that is already underway toward clean, low-cost renewable energy and will accelerate as we implement policies to shift the way we move people and goods, and light and heat our homes and businesses from fossil fuels to clean energy. A key to making equitable progress toward our goals is to promote investments needed to modernize our economy more VI quickly in disproportionately and historically impacted communities. Transitioning toward a resilient, low carbon economy will require investments, regulations, and other measures by the state as well as federal and local governments. The transition also will require business investment and leadership and the engagement of the nearly six million Coloradans who own more than five million vehicles and almost 2.5 million housing units. The Climate Action Plan provides the Air Quality Control Commission with authority to consider progress made through all of these means as it considers the need to develop regulations: VII Figure 3: Representative Pollution Reductions in 1261 Target Scenario to Meet 2030 Climate Goals The Roadmap describes actions Colorado has taken to address climate change, analyzes the current trajectory for GHG emissions, and presents a suite of actions the state can pursue in the near term to make progress toward the Climate Action Plan goals. VIII Key Findings for 2030 Goals ● The largest sources of GHG pollution in Colorado are transportation, electricity generation, oil and gas production, and fuel use in residential, commercial and industrial spaces. ● Achieving Colorado’s 2025 and 2030 GHG emissions targets is feasible with existing technologies but will require actions, laws, and policies beyond those Colorado has taken already. ● Achieving the 2030 goals will rely on deep reductions in pollution from electricity generation by continuing the transition to renewable energy, as well as deep reductions in methane pollution from the oil and gas industry, which makes up the largest source of non-combustion emissions in the state. ● Making changes to transportation planning and infrastructure to reduce growth in driving is an important tool. ● Electrification of end uses in buildings and transportation will play an important role in achieving these targets, with action needed in the near term to accelerate the transition. ● By 2050, very high levels of electrification of vehicles will be needed, with nearly 100% of all cars on the road being electric and a 100% market share for zero emissions trucks among new sales. ● Reducing methane emissions from landfills, sewage plants and other sources, and enhancing waste reduction, recycling and diversion efforts, is necessary, especially to reach emissions targets after 2030. ● Protecting, restoring, and enhancing the resilience of Colorado’s natural and working lands is critical for sequestering carbon. ● Policy transitions to reduce GHG pollution will reduce air quality burdens that disproportionately impact lower income communities and communities of color. ● Policies will need to be designed carefully to ensure that benefits are distributed equitably. IX Air Quality Control Commission Greenhouse Gas Subcommittee E3 provided a projection of Colorado’s GHG emissions and modeled scenarios for how the state could reduce emissions in different sectors of the economy, but was not tasked with developing detailed policy proposals. During the development of the Roadmap, the Air Quality Control Commission convened a GHG subcommittee to investigate near term strategies Colorado could adopt to reduce GHG pollution in different sectors. This level of more detailed policy development was originally intended to occur after the GHG Roadmap was completed, but the state agencies agreed with AQCC and other stakeholders that the presentation of more detailed near term action plans will accelerate the transition and better enable Colorado to make progress toward its goals. Those actions are now included in this Roadmap. To support the AQCC subcommittee, the Air Pollution Control Division (“APCD”) staff evaluated potential GHG reductions resulting from near term AQCC rulemakings, PUC proceedings, legislative actions, and other approaches. This spreadsheet-based analysis provides an assessment of emissions reduction based on how the state is likely to implement policies and adds to the level of analysis E3 provided in its scenario modeling. The APCD’s analysis grouped emissions into three broad categories: Energy Production (Electricity and Oil and Gas); Energy Consumption (Transportation and Residential, Commercial, and Industrial fuel use); and Non-Energy (Agriculture, Coal Mine Methane, Waste, HFCs) to evaluate emissions reductions by policy approach in a sector. Energy production and consumption encompass the largest emitting sectors and cover greater than 80% of Colorado GHG emissions.ii The APCD staff developed a spreadsheet tool that builds emissions reductions from particular policies and actions based in sectors based on where the greatest short-term emissions reductions were possible. The APCD X approach reflects a more granular approach to developing individual legislation, regulatory policy, and other approaches than E3 used in developing its HB 1261 Targets Scenario. As a result of the differences in approach, the APCD analysis presents lower potential near term emissions reductions in certain sectors than E3 modeled in the HB 1261 Targets Scenario, but shows greater potential reductions in others. In the residential, commercial, and industrial fuel use sector APCD showed lower potential reductions based on assumptions about the length of the transition for home and business owners to adopt heat pumps and other lower emitting technologies. The difference in achievable potential in transportation emissions is based on APCD using a more conservative assumption about the number of electric vehicles that Colorado consumers will buy under existing policies. APCD also assumed lower reductions from coal mine methane than assumed in the HB 1261 Targets Scenario. However, based on changes in the oil and gas industry and the requirements of Senate Bill 19-181, the APCD tool shows deeper reductions in the oil and gas sector for 2025 than E3 modeled in its scenarios. The AQCC adopted a resolution establishing a process for review and publication of metrics critical to tracking progress toward the statewide goals established in HB19-1261.iii The resolution also adopted provisional sector specific targets for 2025 and 2030 that are based on APCD’s work. The AQCC is expected to finalize the resolution after the release of the Roadmap. The table below shows the AQCC’s provisional targets, which are informed by the near term actions identified in the Roadmap. XI The E3 scenario analysis and APCD spreadsheet tool show that reductions across multiple sectors of the economy provide pathways to making progress towards the 2025 and 2030 targets. Based on E3’s HB 1261 Targets Scenario, this comprehensive approach also helps lay a strong foundation for reaching the deeper reductions needed between 2030 and 2050. There is no single “silver bullet” solution; the modeling shows that a “silver buckshot” approach of reductions across all the major sectors is needed. The analysis in the Roadmap finds that Colorado can meet its science- based GHG pollution reduction targets with existing technologies. Decarbonizing the leading sources of pollution will require investments and innovation as well as a broad suite of new policies, standards, and partnerships. Even as the state works toward an 80% pollution reduction in electricity generation by 2030 through utility actions and enforceable electric resource plans, Clean Energy Plans, and Regional Haze rules, there is a need XII to create incentives and pathways to spur further investment in pollution reductions beyond 80%. During the rapid transition to clean, renewable energy for the production of electricity, it is important to promote further investment and innovation in the electrification of new sectors, such as transportation and buildings. These efforts, along with increased energy efficiency, will expand the impact of clean electricity across the economy. With the transportation sector now being the leading source of GHG emissions and a significant contributor to local air pollution that disproportionately impacts lower-income communities and communities of color, a key priority is to increase the number of electric vehicles, including trucks and buses, on Colorado roads. Establishing new standards that stimulate investment and remove barriers to EV ownership will make it easier and more affordable to drive an EV. Additionally, changing the way we make development decisions, including for land use, housing, and infrastructure, can enhance accessibility, cut pollution, and reduce the need to drive. To ensure that this transition is equitable and broad-based, the state needs to develop policies and programs that will benefit communities that have been most heavily impacted by the pollution from transportation infrastructure, including highways and refineries. Progressing towards the state’s GHG goals requires deep methane emissions reduction from the oil and gas industry, landfills, sewage treatment plants, coal mines, and other sources. Methane is a potent contributor to climate change, with each ton creating 28 times more warming than a ton of CO2 over 100 years (and even higher in the short term). Given the importance XIII of achieving reductions of this potent greenhouse gas, the APCD staff anticipate proposing regulations to the AQCC in 2021 that will achieve over a 30% reduction across the oil and gas sector by 2025 and over 50% (12 million CO2e tons) by 2030. If adopted, these regulations will result in oil and gas sector emissions of roughly 8 million tons in 2030, down from 20 million tons in 2005. Additionally, regulatory measures, such as those finalized in the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Mission Change rulemaking, that eliminate routine flaring, require equity-focused siting analysis, minimize emissions, and prioritize vulnerable populations and disproportionately impacted communities, are designed to make important progress in GHG reductions and equity benefits. The majority of Colorado homes and businesses use fossil methane gas to heat water and indoor air. Fossil methane use is also a key source of pollution from the industrial sector. To advance near term GHG goals, Colorado needs to reduce fuel use in buildings and industrial processes through increasing energy efficiency, transitioning water and home heating and industrial operations to electricity where it is cost-effective, and reducing the GHG intensity of the gas that serves these uses. In the residential sector, this shift will provide additional co-benefits that include more comfortable homes and better indoor air quality. Requiring utilities to transition to lower emissions gas will create an incentive for investments in the development of biogas from sources such as agricultural operations and sewage treatment plants as well as spur investment in green hydrogen production. The state will also need to implement its actions to reduce HFCs (refrigerants and aerosols), and advance climate-smart strategies on natural and working lands. Colorado’s natural and working lands include our forests, grasslands, agricultural croplands and rangelands, wetlands, riparian areas, XIV and urban greenspaces. Natural and working lands are both sources of GHG pollution, including emissions from wildfires, agricultural equipment and fertilizer use, and serve as carbon sinks by holding or sequestering carbon in plants and soils. Colorado must work to increase access to energy efficiency and renewable energy on farms and ranches by increasing utilization of the Agricultural Energy Efficiency program and expanding the Advancing Colorado’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency program. This program is designed to achieve a number of goals, including supporting voluntary participation in such efforts as Field to Market, Soil Health Partnership, and Precision Agriculture programs, and protecting, restoring, and enhancing carbon sequestration on farms, ranches, and other natural and working lands. Colorado also needs to continue efforts to better manage waste streams through diversion, composting, and other initiatives, especially for organic wastes that can form methane in landfills. In 2019, recycling and composting in Colorado reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 1.92 million metric tons of CO2e, which is the one-year equivalent of either removing 407,000 cars from the road, or removing 148,000 homes from the grid, or conserving 2.34 million barrels of oil or 113 million gallons of gasoline. Because Colorado’s recycling and waste diversion rates have been below the average of other states, recycling and waste diversion provide critical opportunities to reduce emissions. In coordination with the E3 modeling showing potential pathways to achieve emission reduction targets, APCD and AQCC have engaged in a more granular, bottom up process of evaluating the emissions reductions associated with potential near term strategies and policy actions. The state has used this analysis to develop a set of recommended regulatory, legislative and programmatic strategies for enactment in 2021 and 2022.   XV Near Term Actions by Sector The table below summarizes near term actions that the administration will pursue to achieve sector specific GHG emissions reductions that help Colorado make progress toward meeting the state’s climate goals.iv The section on near term actions, starting at page 33 in the report, describes these strategies in greater detail and explains why these strategies were selected. As we pursue these steps, we will continue our commitment to climate equity and environmental just through enhancing engagement with stakeholders in disproportionately impacted communities; building on partnerships with Sovereign Tribal nations through consultation and enhanced engagement; and, reducing barriers to public participation in AQCC rulemaking process. We will also build evaluation of potential equity impacts into rulemaking processes and invest more resources in climate equity and environmental justice. Table 1: Near Term Actions to Reduce GHG Pollution Sector Near Term Actions  Targeted 2030   Emissions Reductions  From 2005 baseline   Million Metric Tons  Electricity ● Adopt Clean Energy Plans and Electric Resource Plans, including evaluating plans using the full social cost of carbon emissions. ● Incorporate coal plant retirements from utility commitments and adopted utility plans into AQCC Regional Haze rulemakings. ● Evaluate mechanisms such as performance based regulation and 32.3 mmt XVI other tools to create incentives for deeper emissions reductions and serving beneficial electrification loads with zero carbon generation. Transportation ● State GHG pollution standards for transportation plans.  ● Trip reduction/Transportation Demand Management (TDM) requirements and encouraging telecommuting for large employers. ● Clean trucking strategy with multiple components including infrastructure investments, incentives for fleet turnover, and evaluation of regulatory options. More details are on page 57 of the report. ● Secure new revenue to fund infrastructure and incentives to transition to electric cars, trucks, and buses. ● Offer incentives for land use decisions by local governments that reduce vehicles miles traveled, reduce GHG and other pollutants, and support greater access to housing near jobs. ● Indirect source standards for some types of new development. ● Expand public transit, including front range rail and RTD completing the statutorily required Fastracks system that 12.7 mmt XVII voters passed in 2004 including Northwest Rail (2025 Ridership: 8,600-10,100)..v ● Develop an EV Equity study to ensure access to EV’s for all Coloradans. ● Provide input into development of new clean car standards by both the federal government and for state-based standards. Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Fuel Use (Gas utilities)vi ● Expand energy efficiency investments from gas utilities to support building shell improvements. ● Set carbon reduction targets and biogas requirements for gas utilities. ● Require large commercial buildings to track energy use and make progress toward energy and pollution performance standards. ● Support adoption of advanced building codes. ● Require regulated electric utilities to create programs that support customer adoption of electric 4.7 mmt XVIII heat pumps and other forms of beneficial electrification. ● Expand access to financing programs for building retrofits by capitalizing a green bank, expanding existing programs and advocating for utility on-bill finance programs. ● AQCC action on industrial energy and emission audits requirements and Best Available Control Technology requirements, setting the stage for future performance requirements. Oil and Gas ● AQCC rulemaking to achieve methane pollution reductions from the oil and gas industry - at least 33% reduction in total emissions by 2025 and over 50% by 2030. ● COGCC implementation of new rules that eliminate routine flaring, require minimizing emissions, and track pre- production and production air emissions. 12.2 mmt Natural and Working Lands ● Develop a comprehensive emissions inventory. ● Develop a Natural and Working Lands Strategic Plan. ● Increase producer utilization of Agricultural Energy Efficiency (AgEE) program. 1.0 mmtvii XIX ● Expand Advancing Colorado’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ACRE3) program. ● Improve soil function and carbon sequestration through regenerative farming practices. ● Support voluntary participation in such efforts as Field to Market, Soil Health Partnership and Precision Agriculture programs. Waste ● Reduce methane emissions from coal mines, landfills, sewage treatment plants, and agriculture through continued reductions in coal extraction, utility biogas incentivesviii, potential AQCC rulemaking and grants for waste reduction and diversion through the Front Range Waste Diversion Enterprise and CDPHE. ● Improve recycling end markets and recycling and reuse. 7.5 mmt Industrial Process Emissionsix ● Federal HFC reduction provisions adding to AQCC rules (refrigerants, aerosols, etc.) 0.3 mmt XX Other Actions ● Advance the Governor’s FY 2021- 22 budget, which includes a number of innovative funding proposals that will help protect Coloradans from the existential threat of climate change, improve air quality, and position Colorado to seize the economic benefits of a renewable energy economy. More detail on the budget is included on page 92. ● Convene a task force on Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) starting in mid-2021, which will report to the Governor within a year on recommended framework, including policies and actions steps for advancing CCUS in Colorado. ● Support local government and private sector climate action efforts.   0.3 tons The table above shows potential emissions reductions from the APCD’s analysis by sector of the economy. In addition to creating a Target case for emissions reduction achievable from the near term actions, the APCD staff developed a Low and High case based on different assumptions about policy implementation. The chart below shows that in 2030 the Target case results in a 53% reduction compared to a goal of a 50% reduction (represented by the solid black line). Even the Low case achieves a roughly 66 MMT reduction, leaving a small emissions gap of less than 3% from the goal. XXI Figure 4: Comparison of State Pollution Reduction Cases    XXII Near Term Action by Venue and Timeline The chart below provides a list of near term actions over the next two years arranged by venue (e.g., regulatory agency or legislature) and by year the state anticipates the action being initiated (unless noted otherwise). Table 2: Near Term Actions to Reduce GHG Pollution by Venue and Timeline Fall / Winter 2020 Spring 2021 Summer 2021 Fall 2021 Winter 2021 2022 Public Utilities Commission (PUC)x Tri-State Electric Resource Plan Xcel Transportation Electrification Plan Xcel Clean Energy Plan Black Hills Transportation Electrification Plan Xcel Renewable Energy Plan Black Hills Energy Efficiency Plan Black Hills Renewable Energy Plan Black Hills Clean Energy Plan Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) Regional Haze Rules Ozone Plan Oil and Gas Well Monitoring Rules Outreach on 2021 Oil and Gas Rules Regional Haze Rules Phase 2 Stakeholder Processes for Transportation, Industrial, Oil and Gas Rules Transportation Emission Rules (GHG standards for Transportation Plans and Trip Reduction Plans) Industrial Energy and Emissions Audits Rules Greenhouse Gas emission reduction progress evaluation Oil and Gas Emission Reduction Rules Structures/ Building Emission Reduction Rules Transportation Emission Reduction Rules XXIII Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) Mission Change Rulemaking: 200 Series - general and record keeping; 300 Series - permitting process; 400 Series - operational practices; 500 Series - hearing process; 600 Series - safety (and residential setbacks); 800 Series - underground injection control wells; 900 Series - environmental and Exploration & Production waste management; and 1200 Series - wildlife (and riparian setback). Rulemaking: 700 Series - financial assurance (bonding); Imposing permit fee; and requiring worker certification (These three topics complete mandatory SB 19- 181 rulemakings.) Greenhouse Gas emission reduction progress evaluation, in coordination with CDPHE Other State Agency Actions Clean Trucking Strategy Initiated Just Transition Plan Completed Convene taskforce on Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage Study on how to incentivize progress on land use decisions Climate Equity Framework Completed Clean Trucking Technical Analysis Completed Natural and Working Lands Task Force Pathways Analysis Completed Electric Vehicle Equity Plan Completed Draft Natural and Working Lands Strategic Plan Completed XXIV Legislation Transportation ● New revenue to fund infrastructure and incentives to transition to low and zero emissions cars, trucks and buses. Buildings and Gas Utilities ● Set carbon reduction targets for gas utilities. ● Set biogas requirements for gas utilities. ● Require existing large commercial buildings to track energy use and make progress toward energy and pollution performance standards. ● Require regulated electric utilities to create programs that support beneficial electrification. ● Expand energy efficiency investments from gas utilities. Governor’s Proposed FY 21-22 Budget Proposal ● Clean Energy Finance ($40 M) ● Wildfire relief, mitigation and prevention ($78 M) ● Supporting local government investment in renewables and efficiency ($5 M) ● Climate Resilience Office at the CO Department of Agriculture ● Building the capacity of Colorado’s Office of Just Transition Leadership and Innovation Required to Meet 2050 GHG Goal The Roadmap not only models pathways to 2025 and 2030 GHG pollution reductions but examines how Colorado can make progress toward the longer term goal of meeting a 90% GHG pollution reduction by 2050. It is important to recognize that the modeling gets more uncertain over this longer time horizon and that the 1261 Targets Scenario for 2050 is best viewed as an illustrative scenario showing one reasonable pathway toward the state’s 2050 emission goals. This is particularly true given the uncertainties in how technologies such as long duration energy storage, green XXV hydrogen production, carbon capture utilization and storage, and advanced biofuels will develop over the coming decades. XXVI Key Findings for 2050 Goals ● All sectors have an important role to play in emissions reductions if the state is to reach 90% reductions by 2050. Every sector that is a significant energy producer or consumer— including electricity generation, oil and gas production, transportation, buildings and industry— would need to achieve reductions of 90% to 100%. ● In the illustrative scenario, our two largest utilities, Xcel Energy and Tri-State, meet energy needs with zero-carbon electricity by 2050 while smaller utilities reduce emissions 80% compared to 2005 levels. This is a conservative assumption. ● In transportation, we will need to transition to close to 100% electric cars on the road by 2050 and 100% market share for new vehicle sales of zero emissions trucks and buses by 2050. Achieving this will require close to 100% of new car sales to be electric by 2040. In addition, we need to continue pursuing strategies that reduce vehicle miles traveled. ● Unlike the 2030 goal, achieving the 2050 goal likely will require further technical innovation and economies of scale to bring costs down and allow deployment at scale in a number of sectors. Important technologies may include green hydrogen, long duration energy storage, carbon capture and storage, advanced biofuels, and synthetic fuels based on air capture of carbon. ● In the buildings sector, the 1261 Targets Scenario for full decarbonization by 2050 is based on a large-scale shift to the use of electric heat pumps, powered by zero carbon electricity, for space and water heating. There may be other pathways, depending on technological developments, which is why the near term actions support a wide variety of strategies for the buildings sector. ● Land conservation, restoration, and climate-adaptive ecosystem management will be critical for maintaining and enhancing resilient carbon sequestration on natural and working lands. Achieving these activities at sufficient pace and scale will require significantly scaled up technical assistance, research, and financial incentives. ● In agriculture, all sectors of the industry can adopt GHG reduction strategies in addition to sequestration targets. The development of markets that pay producers for ecosystem services may be an increasingly important tool to help producers remain viable while helping to reach our shared climate goals. XXVII This Roadmap has been developed to meet the requirements of Colorado Revised Statute § 24-20-111, which calls for development of a state climate plan setting forth a strategy to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while taking into account previous state actions and efforts as well as voluntary actions taken by the private sector and local governments. Item No. 3 Memorandum TO: Mayor and City Council THROUGH: Patrick Goff, City Manager Steve Kirkpatrick, City Clerk FROM: Robin Eaton, Deputy City Clerk DATE: January 26, 2021 (for February 1, 2021 Study Session) SUBJECT: Liquor Occupation Tax and Liquor License Fees ISSUE: Councilmembers Stites and Urban have expressed a desire to evaluate the impact of waiving or rebating all or a significant portion of both a) the local liquor license fees the City currently collects, along with b) the City of Wheat Ridge liquor occupation taxes. The potential abatement of these liquor fees and taxes would improve the chances that local businesses suffering from the impacts of the public health emergency will survive financially. PRIOR ACTION: None FINANCIAL IMPACT: City financial reports and the current budget show that the City collects approximately $18,000 annually in license fees, and approximately $70,000 in liquor occupation taxes (LOT). So, the maximum impact in the short-term is a loss of $88,000 in City revenue. However, in the longer term, helping these businesses survive means the City would see a stream of sales tax revenue continue, potentially for many years, from each liquor licensee, as well as future license fees and LOT. BACKGROUND: Devastating Impact of Coronavirus on Restaurants and Bars Restaurant/bar business associations and economists agree: the hospitality industry generally, and locally owned and operated restaurants and bars in particular, are among the most at risk businesses due to the pandemic. The Colorado Restaurant Association reports that “thousands of Colorado restaurants have closed,” due to the pandemic, and the vast majority of those businesses will never re-open. Staff Report – Liquor Occupation Tax (Lot) Liqour License Fees February 1, 2021 Page 2 Liquor license fees Both the state and municipalities require fees for liquor licenses. The amount of these fees varies with the type of license, for example a Fermented Malt Liquor license for a convenience store that sells beer and pumps gasoline or a Restaurant license to sell beer, wine and liquor. The fees also vary with type of action the applicant/licensee takes: new license application, license renewal, license modification, license transfer, etc. The Wheat Ridge Liquor Licensing Board recently asked staff to research the fees charged in other nearby jurisdictions, to compare ours to other, and found that as we do not charge the entire fee amount allowed by the State and for new applications or renewals, Wheat Ridge imposed lesser fees than most surveyed. (See Attachment 2.) That same survey also found that the overwhelming majority of the municipalities that responded stated that they had no plans to waive or amend their fees that they currently collect. We believe that others will still collect these fees because their revenue budgets are more severely and negatively impacted than Wheat Ridge’s. The State of Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division, complying with the enactment of SB 20B-001 during the emergency session of the Colorado Legislature, are waiving their state fees from December 7, 2020 until December 7, 2021 for many types of applications as well as license renewal fees for on-premises consumption, such as Beer and Wine, Hotel and Restaurants, and Taverns, etc. (see Attachment 6) CML Executive Director Kevin Bommer and staff recently released their newest beer and liquor licensing guidebook, in which they state that, “while local liquor license fees are generally non-refundable, a local license authority may, by “affirmative action”, voluntary choose to rebate a portion of the fee at its discretion,” (C.R.S. 44-3-505 (2)). City finance and license records do not provide a single, all-inclusive list of liquor licensed businesses and the fees those businesses have paid, because the City has multiple codes for liquor license establishments. These businesses are classified as gas stations, liquor establishments, grocery stores, etc. Constructing such a list of liquor licensed business and the fees they have paid would require extensive staff research by our Tax Division, while they are currently working to update their business database so they can identify all licensees. Liquor Occupation taxes (LOT) Pursuant to Sec. 11.63 and 11-64 businesses that sell at retail, any fermented malt beverage (beer) or vinous or spirituous liquor (other than medicinal liquors) are levied and assessed an annual occupation tax upon the business of selling alcohol beverages. Those types of business fall under certain classes of operators, with each class paying a specific fee. Those fees range from a low of $600.00 for a fermented malt beverage retailer to a high of $1,300.00 for a Tavern Liquor License holder. (See attachment 5.) While not every jurisdiction levies a LOT, a recent survey of those who do, shows that the City of Wheat Ridge is generally in the middle of the scale for those fees. Some other cities, like Denver and Aurora choose to charge a head tax instead of an occupational tax, generally costing $2 a day. (See Attachment 3.) Staff Report – Liquor Occupation Tax (Lot) Liqour License Fees February 1, 2021 Page 3 Once again, the overwhelming majority of those who responded stated that they had no plans to waive or amend their fees that they currently collect, we believe for the same fiscal challenges cited above. RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. Staff recommends that the City Council approve waiving all or the majority portion of local liquor license fees for 12 months. 2. Staff recommends that for the year of 2021, City Council rebate all or a majority portion of the LOT levied and collected to date in 2021, and waive all or a majority portion of LOT to be levied for the remainder of 2021, for on-premises consumption types of license holders. We refer specifically to classes F, G, and T. (To date, the city has not issued any license types for either class C or J1.) 3. If Council can reach a consensus to move forward, we further recommend that Council ask that Finance staff work with the City Attorney and City Treasurer to design a feasible and legally permissible plan and process to provide this Liquor License Fee and LOT relief to our small businesses while requiring as little extra staff effort as practicable. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Current City liquor renewal fees 2. Spreadsheet local comparison for liquor fees 3. Spreadsheet for other jurisdictions who charge the LOCC 4. Current and previous LOCC spreadsheets 5. City Code for LOCC types and charges 6. LED Bulletin 20-27 State waiving of some liquor license fees LIQUOR LICENSE FEES – RENEWAL License Type State City Hotel & Restaurant $500.00 $150.00 Tavern $500.00 $150.00 Retail Liquor Store $227.50 $97.50 Beer & Wine $351.25 $123.75 Brew Pub $750.00 $150.00 Club $308.75 $116.25 Art Gallery Permit $71.25 $103.75 FMB Beer (On or Off premises) $96.25 $78.75 Please note: Late renewal applications submitted 1-90 days after the expiration date, require an additional $500 fee to both the State of Colorado and City of Wheat Ridge licensing authorities. Late renewal applications submitted 91-120 days after expiration date require an additional fee of $25 per day paid to both authorities. ATTACHMENT 1 TYPE OF FEES State Allowed Wheat Ridge Proposed Arvada Broomfield Lakewood Edgewater CURRENT NEW FEES Current Current Current Current NEW LICENSE APP 1,000.00$ 500.00$ 750.00$ 750.00$ 900.00$ 500.00$ 1,000.00$ TRANSER APP 750.00$ 500.00$ 750.00$ 750.00$ 550.00$ 500.00$ 825.00$ RENEWAL APP 100.00$ 50.00$ 75.00$ 100.00$ 100.00$ 50.00$ 100.00$ $1000 yrly Occupation Tax Renewal License Fees:LED allows $100 (Total amount)includes $75 AP fee (Total Amount)(Total amount)(Plus $50 AP fee)(Plus $100 AP fee) Brewpub 75.00$ 125.00$ 150.00$ 175.00$ 175.00$ 75.00$ 75.00$ Beer/Wine 48.75$ 98.75$ 123.75$ 148.75$ 148.75$ 48.75$ 48.75$ Club 41.25$ 91.25$ 116.25$ 141.25$ 141.25$ 41.25$ 41.25$ H&R 75.00$ 125.00$ 150.00$ 175.00$ 175.00$ 75.00$ 75.00$ Tavern 75.00$ 125.00$ 150.00$ 175.00$ 175.00$ 75.00$ 75.00$ Retail Liquor Store 22.50$ 72.50$ 97.50$ 122.50$ 122.50$ 22.50$ 3.2% Beer any Type 3.75$ 53.75$ 78.50$ 103.75$ 103.75$ 3.75$ (Ren fee+lic fee) Late Renewal 500.00$ 500.00$ 500.00$ 500.00$ 500.00$ 500.00$ 500.00$ Art Gallery Permit 103.75$ 103.75$ 103.75$ 103.75$ Change of Location 750.00$ 500.00$ 750.00$ 750.00$ 750.00$ 500.00$ 750.00$ Modification -$ 75.00$ 75.00$ -$ 150.00$ 100.00$ 150.00$ Change Corp/Trade Name -$ -$ -$ 100.00$ 25.00$ 25.00$ Special Event Permit (day 100.00$ 25.00$ 50.00$ 50.00$ 100.00$ 25.00$ 100.00$ App/Processing fee (if any)-$ Revocable Temp permit 100.00$ 100.00$ 100.00$ 100.00$ 100.00$ 100.00$ 100.00$ Tasting Permit 100.00$ 100.00$ 50.00$ 50.00$ ATTACHMENT 2 TYPE Wheat Ridge Cherry Hills Village Colorado Springs Boulder FOCO WINDSOR GRAND JUNCTION ENGLEWOOD IGNACIOHotel/Restaurant 900.00$ 1,000.00$ 1,000.00$ 3,253.00$ 1,600.00$ 200.00$ 300.00$ 650.00$ 250.00$ Tavern 1,300.00$ 1,000.00$ 1,000.00$ 3,253.00$ 1,600.00$ 200.00$ 500.00$ 650.00$ 250.00$ Brew Pub 900.00$ 750.00$ 1,000.00$ 3,253.00$ 1,600.00$ 200.00$ 300.00$ 750.00$ Lodging Entertainment 900.00$ 1,000.00$ 1,000.00$ 3,253.00$ 1,600.00$ 200.00$ 300.00$ 650.00$ Distillery Pub 900.00$ 750.00$ 1,000.00$ 3,253.00$ 1,600.00$ 200.00$ 300.00$ 750.00$ Beer/Wine 600.00$ 1,000.00$ 300.00$ 1,085.00$ 800.00$ 200.00$ 300.00$ 450.00$ 250.00$ Club 900.00$ 1,000.00$ 1,000.00$ 1,284.00$ 800.00$ 100.00$ 150.00$ 450.00$ FMB On or Off 700.00$ -$ 300.00$ 275.00$ 750.00$ 100.00$ 100.00$ 450.00$ Retail Liquor Store 650.00$ 750.00$ 300.00$ 988.50$ 750.00$ 150.00$ 300.00$ 300.00$ 150.00$ Optional Prem or extend hrs -$ 200.00$ 400.00$ 3,253.00$ 1,600.00$ 100.00$ 100-300 100 EA.Retail Sales Room (brewery, winery)300.00$ Mini Bar permit 450.00$ Waive or Amend no plans no plans ????no plans no plans no plans Denver/Aurora charges head taxes instead @ $2 day ATTACHMENT 3 STUDY SESSION 2-1-21 pg. 1 3 MARGARITAS 10160 W. 50th Ave Unit 7 Hotel/Restau rant G 900.00 900.00 7-11 #18497A 5010 Kipling St FMB J1 700.00 700.00 7-11 #36492A 5995 W. 38th Ave. FMB J1 700.00 700.00 7-11 #38084a 3790 Wadsworth Blvd FMB J1 700.00 700.00 15-16 Uncle Julio 3298 Youngfield St Hotel/Restau rant 900.00 750.00 ALMA HOMESTYLE MEXICAN REST. 4111 Kipling St H&R G 900.00 0.00 ALTA 4999 9999 W. 38th Avenue FMB J1 700.00 700.00 ALTA CONVENIENCE 1234 (Pesters) 5190 Ward Road FMB J1 700.00 700.00 APPLEJACK LIQUORS 3320 Youngfield Street Retail Liquor Store D 650.00 650.00 APRO/MY GOODS MARKET #6523 4750 Kipling St FMB J1 700.00 700.00 APRO/MY GOODS MARKET #6552 12851 W. 32nd Ave FMB J1 700.00 700.00 BARDO COFFEE HOUSE 9150 W. 38th Ave Beer/Wine F 600.00 600.00 BOWLERO -(formerly BRUNSWICK ZONE) 9751 W. 49th Ave H&R G 900.00 900.00 Busty G's (formerly 44th Avenue Grill) 7605 W 44th Ave H&R G 900.00 0.00 CHILI'S RESTAURANT 3240 Youngfield St. Hotel/Restau rant G 900.00 900.00 CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL 3294-A Youngfield Street Hotel/Restau rant G 900.00 900.00 CIRCLE K STORE #2709870 3805 Kipling St FMB J1 700.00 700.00 CIRCLE K STORE #3709885 4885 Kipling St FMB J1 700.00 700.00 CLANCY'S 7000 W. 38th Avenue Hotel/Restau rant G 900.00 900.00 CLUB CORNER (What a Deal) 6551 W. 44th Avenue Tavern T 1,300.0 0 1,313.00 COLORADO + LIQUID ART WORKS 6995 W. 38th Avenue Brew Pub G 900.00 900.00 D & M LIQUOR 3910 Wadsworth Blvd Retail Liquor Store D 650.00 650.00 DISCOVERY TAP HOUSE(Carpio) 4990 Kipling St # b-7 Beer/Wine F 600.00 600.00 EL Aguascalientes LLC 4105 WADSWORTH BLVD Hotel/Restau rant G 900.00 900.00 FANELLI'S (AMICI'S) 4300 Wadsworth Blvd. Hotel/Restau rant G 900.00 900.00 FATSHACK (FS WHEATRIDGE) 10160 W. 50th Ave Unit 5 Hotel/Restau rant G 900.00 900.00 ATTACHMENT 4 ATTACHMENT 4 STUDY SESSION 2-1-21 pg. 2 GRAMMYS GOODIES 4600 Harlan Street Hotel/Restau rant G 900.00 900.00 HAPPY LIQUORS 4141 Kipling Street Retail Liquor Store D 650.00 650.00 HOPPER'S SPORTS GRILL (Old Town) 10051 I-70 Frontage Rd North Tavern T 1,300.0 0 1,300.00 Hi Up Liquor Store 10065 W 44th Ave Retail Liquor Store D 650.00 650.00 IPIE (Infinitus) 5807 W. 38th Ave. Beer/Wine F 600.00 600.00 KING SOOPERS #20 3400 Youngfield St. FMB J1 700.00 700.00 KING SOOPERS #57 5301 W. 38th Ave. FMB J1 700.00 700.00 KIPLING CONOCO (FISHRTAIL) 4901 Kipling St FMB J1 700.00 700.00 Kipling Lounge (3 Agaves) 4700 Kipling St Hotel/Restau rant G 900.00 0.00 LA FONDA MEXICAN REST. 5750 W. 38th Avenue Hotel/Restau rant G 900.00 900.00 LAKESIDE LIQUORS 5820 W. 44th Ave. Retail Liquor Store D 650.00 650.00 L'IL NICKS PIZZA 5016 Kipling Street Hotel/Restau rant G 900.00 900.00 LITTLE BRAZIL 10081 W. 26th Avenue Hotel/Restau rant G 900.00 900.00 LONG SHOTS 4400 Ward Road Tavern T 1,300.0 0 1,300.00 LUKE'S STEAK PLACE 4990 Kipling St. Hotel/Restau rant G 900.00 900.00 LUCKYS MARKET 3545 Wadsworth Blvd. FMB J1 700.00 700.00 MAMA SANNINOS 5800 W. 38th Ave Hotel/Restau rant G 900.00 900.00 MY LIQUOR STORE (Shabik) 6595 W. 44th Ave Retail Liquor Store D 650.00 650.00 NATURAL GROCERS (Vitamins) 4900 Kipling st. FMB J1 700.00 700.00 NEW CANTON RESTAURANT 4550 Wadsworth Blvd Beer/Wine F 600.00 600.00 NEW IMAGE BREWING 9505 W. 44th Avenue Brew Pub G 900.00 900.00 OLD PROSPECTOR LIQUORS 5012 Kipling St. Retail Liquor Store D 650.00 650.00 PEAK BEVERAGE 10790 W 50th Ave, Unit 600 Retail Liquor Store D 650.00 0.00 PIETRA'S INC. 9045 W. 44th Ave Hotel/Restau rant G 900.00 900.00 PRK-N-PIK LIQUORS 9345 W. 44th Ave Retail Liquor Store D 650.00 650.00 QUEEN OF VIETNAMESE MARTYRS CHURCH 4665 Harlan Street Beer/Wine F 600.00 600.00 ATTACHMENT 4 STUDY SESSION 2-1-21 pg. 3 RAMBLING ROSE (Booze Brothers) 10080 W. 44th Avenue Hotel/Restau rant G 900.00 900.00 REAL THAI (nung) 4980 Kipling St. A 10- 11 Beer/Wine F 600.00 600.00 RED GARDEN LIQUOR 9075 W. 44th Avenue Retail Liquor Store D 650.00 650.00 RED LOBSTER INN #119 4455 Wadsworth Blvd Hotel/Restau rant G 900.00 900.00 RIGHT COAST PIZZA CO 7100 W. 38th Ave Hotel/Restau rant G 900.00 900.00 ROCKETTE TAVERN 10006 W. 44th Avenue Tavern T 1,300.0 0 1,300.00 SAFEWAY STORE #1479 3900 Wadsworth Blvd FMB J1 700.00 700.00 SALSA'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT 7630 W. 44th Ave. Hotel/Restau rant G 900.00 900.00 SHELL #184 9995 W. 44th Ave FMB J1 700.00 700.00 SMASHBURGER 3356 Youngfield St. Beer/Wine F 600.00 600.00 STINKER STORE #339 10010 W. 27 Ave FMB J1 700.00 700.00 T BIRD ROADHOUSE (Bar Flys) 9701 W. 44th Avenue Hotel/Restau rant G 900.00 0.00 TELLER STREET GALLERY (Kreative) 7190 W. 38th Ave Beer/Wine F 600.00 600.00 THAI GREEN & SUSHI 3300 Youngfield St #7A Hotel/Restau rant G 900.00 900.00 TJ WINE & LIQUOR, INC. 5795 W. 29th Avenue, #B Retail Liquor Store D 650.00 650.00 TOKYO JOES 3753 Wadsworth Blvd. Ste. 113 Beer/Wine F 600.00 600.00 VALLEY LIQUOR 4992 Ward Road Retail Liquor Store D 650.00 650.00 VERN'S LIQUOR (D&R) 7605 W. 44th Ave Unit A Retail Liquor Store D 650.00 650.00 VILLAGE LIQUORS 5305 W. 38th Ave, Unit D Retail Liquor Store D 650.00 650.00 WEST 29TH 5560 W. 29th Ave Hotel/Restau rant G 900.00 900.00 WHEAT RIDGE LANES 6595 W. 38th Avenue Hotel/Restau rant G 900.00 900.00 WHEAT RIDGE LIQUOR 5806 W. 38th Avenue Retail Liquor Store D 650.00 669.50 WILMORE LIQUORS 7777 W. 38th Ave A- 108 Retail Liquor Store D 650.00 650.00 Wrenches Bar & Grill 6551 W 44th Ave Hotel/Restau rant G 900.00 825.00 TOTAL 2020 55,457.5 0 ATTACHMENT 4 STUDY SESSION 2-1-21 pg. 4 CURRENT 2021 BOWLERO -(formerly BRUNSWICK ZONE) 9751 W. 49th Ave H&R G 900 900 3 MARGARITAS 10160 W. 50th Ave Unit 7 Hotel/Restau rant G 900 900 7-11 #18497A 5010 Kipling St FMB J1 700 7-11 #36492A 5995 W. 38th Ave. FMB J1 700 700 7-11 #38084a 3790 Wadsworth Blvd FMB J1 700 ALTA 4999 9999 W. 38th Avenue FMB J1 700 700 ALTA CONVENIENCE 1234 5190 Ward Road FMB J1 700 700 APPLEJACK LIQUORS 3320 Youngfield Street Retail Liquor Store D 650 APRO/MY GOODS MARKET #6523 4750 Kipling St FMB J1 700 APRO/MY GOODS MARKET #6552 12851 W. 32nd Ave FMB J1 700 AUDACITY LOUNGE 7190 W 38TH AVE Beer/Wine F 600 BARDO COFFEE HOUSE 9150 W. 38th Ave Beer/Wine F 600 CF Altitude Alta#1234 5190 Ward Road FMB J1 700 CF Altitude Alta#4999 9999 W. 38th Avenue FMB J1 700 CHILI'S RESTAURANT 3240 Youngfield St. Hotel/Restau rant G 900 900 CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL 3294-A Youngfield Street Hotel/Restau rant G 900 CIRCLE K STORE #2709870 3805 Kipling St FMB J1 700 700 CIRCLE K STORE #3709885 4885 Kipling St FMB J1 700 700 CLANCY'S 7000 W. 38th Avenue Hotel/Restau rant G 900 CLUB CORNER 6551 W. 44th Avenue Tavern T 1300 COLORADO + LIQUID ART WORKS 6995 W. 38th Avenue Brew Pub G 900 900 Colorado Craft Liquors 6995 W 38th Ave Unit B D & M LIQUOR 3910 Wadsworth Blvd Retail Liquor Store D 650 650 DISCOVERY TAP HOUSE 4990 Kipling St # b-7 Beer/Wine F 600 ATTACHMENT 4 STUDY SESSION 2-1-21 pg. 5 EL Aguascalientes ( LLC) 4105 WADSWORTH BLVD Hotel/Restau rant G 900 FANELLI'S AMICI'S 4300 Wadsworth Blvd. Hotel/Restau rant G 900 900 FATSHACK 10160 W. 50th Ave Unit 5 Hotel/Restau rant G 900 GRAMMYS GOODIES 4600 Harlan Street Hotel/Restau rant G 900 HAPPY LIQUORS 4141 Kipling Street Retail Liquor Store D 650 HOPPER'S SPORTS GRILL 10051 I-70 Frontage Rd North Tavern T 1300 1300 IPIE 5807 W. 38th Ave. Beer/Wine F 600 KICKIN' WINGS 4990 Kipling St #15 Beer/Wine F 600 KING OF WINGS LLC 7545 Newland St Beer/Wine F 600 600 KING SOOPERS #20 3400 Youngfield St. FMB J1 700 700 KING SOOPERS #57 5301 W. 38th Ave. FMB J1 700 700 KIPLING Station (formerly CONOCO) 4901 Kipling St FMB J1 700 700 LA FONDA MEXICAN REST. 5750 W. 38th Avenue Hotel/Restau rant G 900 900 LAKESIDE GAS (SPECTRUM) 6065 w 48TH AVE FMB J1 700 LAKESIDE LIQUORS 5820 W. 44th Ave. Retail Liquor Store D 650 L'IL NICKS PIZZA 5016 Kipling Street Hotel/Restau rant G 900 LITTLE BRAZIL 10081 W. 26th Avenue Hotel/Restau rant G 900 LONG SHOTS 4400 Ward Road Tavern T 1300 LUKE'S STEAK PLACE 4990 Kipling St. Hotel/Restau rant G 900 900 MAMA SANNINOS 5800 W. 38th Ave Hotel/Restau rant G 900 MY LIQUOR STORE 6595 W. 44th Ave Retail Liquor Store D 650 NATURAL GROCERS 4900 Kipling st. FMB J1 700 NEW CANTON RESTAURANT 4550 Wadsworth Blvd Beer/Wine F 600 NEW IMAGE BREWING 9505 W. 44th Avenue Brew Pub G 900 900 OLD PROSPECTOR LIQUORS 5012 Kipling St. Retail Liquor Store D 650 ATTACHMENT 4 STUDY SESSION 2-1-21 pg. 6 PIETRA'S INC. 9045 W. 44th Ave Hotel/Restau rant G 900 PRK-N-PIK LIQUORS (HIKO Enterpises) 9345 W. 44th Ave Retail Liquor Store D 650 QUEEN OF VIETNAMESE MARTYRS CHURCH 4665 Harlan Street Beer/Wine F 600 600 RAMBLING ROSE 10080 W. 44th Avenue Hotel/Restau rant G 900 900 REAL THAI 4980 Kipling St. A 10-11 Beer/Wine F 600 RED GARDEN LIQUOR 9075 W. 44th Avenue Retail Liquor Store D 650 RED LOBSTER INN #119 4455 Wadsworth Blvd Hotel/Restau rant G 900 RIGHT COAST PIZZA CO 7100 W. 38th Ave Hotel/Restau rant G 900 RISING PHOENIX (DS LIQUORS) 10065 W. 44th Ave Retail Liquor Store D 650 ROCKETTE TAVERN 10006 W. 44th Avenue Tavern T 1300 SAFEWAY STORE #1479 3900 Wadsworth Blvd FMB J1 700 700 SALSA'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT 7630 W. 44th Ave. Hotel/Restau rant G 900 SHELL #184 9995 W. 44th Ave FMB J1 700 700 SMASHBURGER 3356 Youngfield St. Beer/Wine F 600 600 STINKER STORE #339 10010 W. 27 Ave FMB J1 700 700 T BIRD (Elite Investments Inc.) 9701 W. 44th Avenue Hotel/Restau rant G 900 THAI GREEN & SUSHI 3300 Youngfield St #7A Hotel/Restau rant G 900 900 TJ WINE & LIQUOR, INC. 5795 W. 29th Avenue, #B Retail Liquor Store D 650 TOKYO JOES 3753 Wadsworth Blvd. Ste. 113 Beer/Wine F 600 UNCLE JULIOS (HACIENDA COLORADO) 3298 Youngfield Hotel/Restau rant G 900 VALLEY LIQUOR 4992 Ward Road Retail Liquor Store D 650 VERN'S LIQUOR 7605 W. 44th Ave Unit A Retail Liquor Store D 650 VILLAGE LIQUORS 5305 W. 38th Ave, Unit D Retail Liquor Store D 650 ATTACHMENT 4 STUDY SESSION 2-1-21 pg. 7 WEST 29TH 5560 W. 29th Ave Hotel/Restau rant G 900 WHEAT RIDGE LANES 6595 W. 38th Avenue Hotel/Restau rant G 900 WHEAT RIDGE LIQUOR 5806 W. 38th Avenue Retail Liquor Store D 650 WILMORE LIQUORS 7777 W. 38th Ave A- 108 Retail Liquor Store D 650 650 WRENCHES BAR (FIRE FLY SALOON) PO BOX 1934 Hotel/Restau rant G 900 Pursuant to Division 2, Sec.11.63 Classification of operators. The business of selling at retail any fermented malt beverage or vinous or spirituous liquor other than medicinal liquors for beverage purposes is hereby defined and separately classified as such occupation for the purpose of this chapter as follows: (1)Class "C" operators. All operators licensed to sell alcohol beverages as clubs are class "C" operators. (2) Class "D" operators. All operators licensed as retail stores to sell in original containers alcohol beverages, for consumption off the premises shall be class "D" operators. (3) Class "E" operators. All operators licensed as drugstores to sell alcohol beverages in original containers for consumption off the premises shall be class "E" operators. (4) Class "F" operators. All operators licensed to sell malt or vinous liquors only by the drink for consumption on the premises shall be class "F" operators. (5) Class "G" operators. All operators who are licensed to sell alcohol beverages for consumption on the premises either as brew pubs, distillery pubs, lodging facilities, vintner's restaurants, hotels and/or restaurants shall be class "G" operators. (6) Class "J" operators. All operators licensed to sell only fermented malt beverage shall be classified as follows: a. Class "J1" operators. All operators licensed to sell or selling fermented malt beverage for consumption off the premises of the licensee shall be class "J1" operators. b. Class "J2" operators. All operators licensed to sell or selling fermented malt beverage for consumption on the premises of the licensee shall be class "J2" operators. (7) Class "T" operators. All operators selling alcohol beverages, by the drink, only for consumption on the premises either as taverns or entertainment facilities Sec. 11-64. - Amount of tax levied. There is hereby levied and assessed for each year an annual occupation tax upon the business of selling alcohol beverages, except medicinal liquors, in the city, as such occupation has been herein classified as follows: ATTACHMENT 5 ATTACHMENT 5 (1) For all class "G" operators, nine hundred dollars ($900.00). (2) For all class "F" operators, six hundred dollars ($600.00). (3) For all class "D" operators, six hundred fifty dollars ($650.00). (4) For all class "E" operators, six hundred dollars ($600.00). (5) For all class "C" operators, nine hundred dollars ($900.00). (6) For all class "J-1" operators, seven hundred dollars ($700.00). (7) For all class "J-2" operators, seven hundred dollars ($700.00). (8) For all class "T" operators, one thousand three hundred dollars ($1,300.00). The tax is due upon opening a new liquor license or changing operators. For existing operators, the tax is due January 1st of each year and becomes delinquent on February 1st, with associated penalty and interest. Commencing with the licensing year 2018, the tax levied is assessed for the portion of the calendar year during which a liquor establishment operated under a given business license. Bulletin: 20-27 Reference: Senate Bill 20B-001 - Grant Program and Waiver of Certain Liquor License Fees BULLETIN 20-27 REFERENCE: Senate Bill 20B-001 – Grant Program and Waiver of Certain Liquor License Fees DATE: December 8, 2020 Dear Liquor Stakeholders, On Monday, December 7th, Governor Polis signed Senate Bill 20B-001 into law, bringing much needed aid to our struggling industry and providing opportunity for economic relief for some of our hardest-hit on-premises licensees. The bill provides for a number of assistance points for eligible licensees, which are detailed below: (1)Small Business Relief Program The bill establishes a small business relief program whereby eligible small businesses that have demonstrably suffered declines in revenue may apply to receive relief payments through participating local governments. Please review the bill for details on additional eligibility requirements; and we encourage you to contact your local licensing authorities, directly, regarding application and administration of the grant. The following liquor licensees are eligible for relief funds if they meet all outlined criteria. •Restaurants – including any liquor licensed establishment holding a hotel and restaurant license pursuant to section 44-3-413, C.R. •Bars – including a liquor licensed establishment holding one or more of the following licenses: o Limited Winery License (44-3-403, C.R.S.); o Beer and Wine License (44-3-411, C.R.S.); o Hotel and Restaurant License (44-3-413, C.R.S.); o Tavern License (44-3-414, C.R.S.); o Optional Premise License (44-3-415, C.R.S.); o Retail Gaming Tavern License (44-3-416, C.R.S.); o Brew Pub License (44-3-417, C.R.S.); o Club License (44-3-418, C.R.S.); o Arts License (44-3-419, C.R.S.); o Racetrack License (44-3-420, C.R.S.); ATTACHMENT 6 o Vintner’s Restaurant License (44-3-422, C.R.S.); o Distillery Pub License (44-3-426, C.R.S.); o Lodging and Entertainment License (44-3-428, C.R.S.); o Fermented Malt Beverage (FMB) On-Premises License (44-4-107(1)(b), C.R.S.); o FMB On-and-Off Premises License (44-4-107(1)(c), C.R.S.); o Breweries operating an approved attached sales room (44-3-407, C.R.S.); o Wineries that operate an approved attached sales room (44-3-402 and 44-3-403, C.R.S.); and o Distilleries that operate an approved attached sales room (44-3-402, C.R.S.). *We strongly encourage you to reach out to your local governments regarding the grant program, as LED is not responsible for application to, or administration of, grant funds* (2) Fee Waivers for Eligible Licensees Additionally, SB 20B-001 provides that License Fees, Application Fees, Renewal Fees*, and COVID-19 Modification Fees for the STATE Licensing authority will be waived for eligible licensees from December 7, 2020 through December 7, 2021. Licensees who are eligible for this fee waiver are holders of a: o Limited Winery License (44-3-403, C.R.S.); o Beer and Wine License (44-3-411, C.R.S.); o Hotel and Restaurant License (44-3-413, C.R.S.) and related optional premises; o Resort Complex to include related facilities; o Campus Liquor Complex to include related facilities; o Tavern License (44-3-414, C.R.S.); o Optional Premise License (44-3-415, C.R.S.); o Retail Gaming Tavern License (44-3-416, C.R.S.); o Brew Pub License (44-3-417, C.R.S.); o Club License (44-3-418, C.R.S.); o Arts License (44-3-419, C.R.S.); o Racetrack License (44-3-420, C.R.S.); o Vintner’s Restaurant License (44-3-422, C.R.S.); o Distillery Pub License (44-3-426, C.R.S.); o Lodging and Entertainment License (44-3-428, C.R.S.); o Fermented Malt Beverage (FMB) On-Premises License (44-4-107(1)(b), C.R.S.); o FMB On-and-Off Premises License (44-4-107(1)(c), C.R.S.). Late renewal applications will have the $500.00 late renewal fee/reissuance fee and the $25.00 a day late fee waived by the State Licensing Authority only per this bill. While LED knows that these measures may not be the ultimate solution to the economic duress faced by the alcohol beverage industry during this pandemic, we hope that these programs can provide some desperately needed assistance in these times where every dollar counts. It is more important than ever that we all work together to put the health and safety of our customers, employees, and communities at the forefront as we look forward to a full recovery as a stronger, more resilient industry in the near future. Please see the attached updated Fee Schedule. The Division reserves the right to amend or withdraw industry bulletins at any time but will try to give as much forewarning as possible before any such amendment or withdrawal. Please reach out to: dor_led@state.co.us with any questions you may have regarding this bulletin. Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division