HomeMy WebLinkAbout6-5-23 Study Session AgendaSTUDY SESSION AGENDA
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO 7500 W. 29th Ave. Wheat Ridge CO June 05, 2023
6:30 pm
This meeting will be conducted as a virtual meeting, and in person, at
7500 West 29th Avenue, Municipal Building. City Council members and City staff members will be physically present at the Municipal building for this meeting. The public may participate in these ways:
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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
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Public Comment on Agenda Items
1. Sustainable Wheat Ridge Update
2. Waterwise landscaping regulations and programs
3. Metropolitan Football Stadium District funding for youth activity programs
4. Staff Report(s)
5. Elected Officials’ Report(s)
Item No. 1
Memorandum
TO: Mayor and City Council THROUGH: Patrick Goff, City Manager Marianne Schilling, Assistant City Manager
FROM: Mary Hester, Sustainability Coordinator DATE: June 5, 2023 SUBJECT: Sustainable Wheat Ridge Updates
ISSUE: The Sustainable Wheat Ridge (SWR) committee and staff requested to present an update to
Council on current projects, progress made towards the Sustainability Action Plan, and other
sustainability updates in the City. Staff and SWR members will provide an update to City Council regarding SWR’s recent accomplishments and anticipated areas of focus throughout 2023.
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. Since that time, Sustainable Wheat Ridge (formerly the WRESC) has been working to implement the Action Plan, educate the public and promote
sustainability opportunities within the community, and continues to advise the City on best
practices and opportunities. DISCUSSION: This section will discuss sustainability accomplishments, programming, and event highlights over
Sustainable Wheat Ridge Updates June 5, 2023
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the past few years. Next, this section will provide an update on progress made towards the Sustainability Action Plan as well as plans to update the Action Plan. Finally, this section will discuss Sustainable Wheat Ridge’s six focus areas for 2023, and the anticipated next steps for each
area.
Accomplishments Over the past two years, the City and SWR have celebrated several accomplishments. Community engagement is a key component of advancing sustainability in Wheat Ridge. SWR and the City’s
four Sustainable Neighborhoods hosted several community events including paint recycling,
electronics recycling, and yard waste collection events. Additionally, SWR published the City’s first Sustainability Newsletter, which is now distributed bimonthly to over 450 subscribers. In 2021, the committee initiated the annual Green Business Award, recognizing local businesses for their sustainable practices. Another significant achievement was the passing of an ordinance to explicitly
allow residential composting. Additionally, SWR created an EV charging location strategy and was
awarded a grant to install two Level 2 EV charging stations at Anderson Park. For committee updates, Sustainable Wheat Ridge welcomed three new members earlier this year, bringing the committee to 12 members with vast expertise, experience, and dedication to driving
sustainability forward in the community.
Programming Highlights Garden In A Box. Wheat Ridge has participated in this program, offered through Resource Central, annually since
2021 and to date has provided 235 discounts to residents to install waterwise landscaping in a
portion of their yards. Through this program, Wheat Ridge residents have converted an estimated 19,000 square feet of lawn into waterwise gardens, and this is estimated to save 1,500,000 gallons of water over the lifetime of the gardens. Resource Central offers other programs including turf removal, sprinkler audits, and educational seminars, and many of Wheat Ridge’s
peer communities offer these programs. The Garden In A Box program has seen high demand
each year in Wheat Ridge, and staff are interested in expanding the water conservation programs currently offered, depending on feedback provided by Council. Sustainable Neighborhoods.
Wheat Ridge currently has four neighborhoods in the program, Applewood Villages, Fruitdale,
Panorama Park, and Paramount Heights, covering about 30% of the City’s area, and staff is in the process of recruiting additional neighborhoods. Since the program began in 2020, the sustainable neighborhoods have hosted a total of 115 events, workshops, and club meetings, and have engaged with 5,696 residents. Panorama Park is working to create a native and waterwise
plant demonstration garden that will be planted and maintained by volunteers in the southwest
corner of Panorama Park. This area will provide good visibility for park visitors, and the neighborhood plans to install educational signage at the garden. Similarly, Paramount Heights is working to identify a location in Paramount Park for a similar demonstration garden. These projects are well aligned with the City’s efforts to examine waterwise landscaping requirements
and programs and are examples of organic efforts and interest from residents about water
conservation. In addition to these larger projects, neighborhoods have been successful in
Sustainable Wheat Ridge Updates June 5, 2023
Page 3
implementing community-wide paint recycling, electronic recycling, and yard waste collection events as noted below, as well as other opportunities such as composting 101 workshops, garden tours, bulk refill events, and several donation drives.
Mayor’s Monarch Pledge. Wheat Ridge participated in the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge program, offered through the National Wildlife Federation, for the first time in 2022. The City achieved signatory status for issuing a pollinator proclamation, creating educational materials, and supporting neighborhoods to
increase awareness and create habitat for pollinators. Wheat Ridge is participating again in 2023
and working to further create pollinator habitats and educate residents on the importance of pollinators. Community Events.
• Fall Yard Waste: In 2020, 2021, and 2022 Sustainable Wheat Ridge and the city’s Sustainable Neighborhoods have hosted an annual community-wide fall yard waste event. Over three years, Wheat Ridge collected 390 cubic yards of organic materials to be diverted from landfills, and over 400 residents have participated to date. SWR and Wheat Ridge’s Sustainable Neighborhoods plan to host another fall yard waste event in 2023
and are interested in increasing the frequency of these events in subsequent years based on demand and inquiries from residents.
• Paint Recycling: In 2021 and 2022 Sustainable Wheat Ridge and the city’s Sustainable Neighborhoods hosted an annual community-wide paint recycling event. Over the past
two years Wheat Ridge has diverted 67,624 pounds of paint from landfills. A 2023 paint recycling event will be held later in the year.
• Electronic Waste Recycling Events: Since 2021, Applewood Villages Sustainable Neighborhood has hosted an annual electronic waste recycling event. Over the past three
years 13,632 pounds of electronic waste has been collected from 267 participants. Wheat
Ridge’s Sustainable Neighborhoods are working to plan an additional e-waste recycling event for fall 2023. Action Plan Progress and Update
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. 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% 6 12 56%
Renewable Energy 28 50% 9 5 50%
Sustainable Wheat Ridge Updates June 5, 2023
Page 4
Topic Area Total Goals Policy-related Goals (%)
In Process Completed In Process + Completed (%)
Transportation 39 36% 12 8 51%
Solid Waste & Recycling 13 39% 6 6 92%
Water 14 7% 6 6 85%
Communication &
Engagement
13 0% 5 8 100%
Total 139 38% 44 45 64%
Sustainable Wheat Ridge and staff recognize that there has been substantial progress made on the Action Plan since implementation began in 2018. As of the February 2021 update to Council,
51% of the plan was in progress or completed, and currently 64% of the plan is now in-motion or already completed, with 32% of the identified goals being fully completed. It is important to consider that many of the goals and action items identified in the plan are continuous and do not have final end dates or stopping points. It is also important to note that the majority of the remaining goals are policy related and which would require direction from City Council to move
forward. Staff and Sustainable Wheat Ridge are forming a Request for Proposals to seek consulting services to update the Action Plan. With 64% of existing goals in progress or completed and with good momentum both internally and in the community, this is a prime opportunity to update the
Action Plan with updated goals to build upon those already in progress and completed, and to provide a pathway to implementation for the larger, policy-focused goals. Staff have recently formed an internal municipal sustainability committee with representatives from each department. Staff believes that this will provide an opportunity and mechanism for a more robust staff review process, with the goal of achieving an updated plan that is feasible, actionable, and
ambitious. Attachment 2 breaks out the policy related goals that have not been started, and Council may wish to direct Staff to research more topics and return to a future study session. Council may also consider providing feedback on policy related goals and/or broader focus areas to be included in
the Action Plan update. Sustainable Wheat Ridge Committee Updates The Sustainable Wheat Ridge Committee has identified six focus areas for 2023: 1. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
The IRA invests $369B towards the transition to a clean energy economy, providing funding through a combination of grants, loans, rebates, incentives, and other investments. These programs and opportunities will be available to states, local governments, businesses, and individuals in areas including renewable energy, air quality, housing and commercial
Sustainable Wheat Ridge Updates June 5, 2023
Page 5
buildings, resilience, climate action, clean vehicles, and workforce development. Many of these programs are still being formed, with additional information forthcoming regularly.
Next Steps: Sustainable Wheat Ridge is playing a key role in tracking this information,
available timelines, and vetting programs for feasibility in Wheat Ridge. Some opportunities will be directly available to consumers, and SWR is working to create communication materials to educate the public on current and upcoming opportunities.
2. Solar.
Sustainable Wheat Ridge is exploring pathways to incentivize solar within the community. These efforts are in alignment with action items identified in the renewable energy section of the Action Plan that aim to promote a variety of renewable energy sourcing options, offer bulk solar purchasing programs, and to promote renewable energy, and are an important step
in reducing emissions, increasing resilience, and transitioning to clean, renewable energy.
Next Steps: SWR is exploring a potential partnership with US Solar, a company providing community solar subscriptions within Xcel Energy’s operating areas. Staff and SWR are also exploring a solar co-op opportunity with Solar United Neighbors (SUN) that would enable
residents to achieve cost savings through bulk purchasing benefits when installing solar.
SUN is expecting to launch a Denver Metro Area co-op by the end of June 2023 and plans to implement co-op cycles biannually beginning in 2024. In subsequent co-op cycles, there is an opportunity for Wheat Ridge to address the cost barrier to low-income households through this partnership with SUN to ensure an equitable energy transition.
3. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction. SWR is continuing to focus on emissions reduction and regulatory changes needed to support this broader goal. As previously mentioned, many of the remaining goals related to emissions reduction in the Sustainability Action Plan are policy related. Council has recently requested
that Staff return at a future study session to provide information on EV parking requirements
and bike storage. SWR and Staff support aligning these goals with upcoming major initiatives, including the Comprehensive Plan update as well as future building and energy code adoption cycles.
Next Steps: Staff is beginning to research EV parking and bike storage, and is looking
into regulations, processes, and lessons learned in peer communities. The committee is also working to expand upon an EV charging location strategy created last year to leverage other initiatives, groups, and resources in the City. This focus area relies heavily on policy and regulatory changes, and additional direction from council on remaining
policy-related goals outlined in Attachment 2 will be needed to continue making progress
in this area. 4. Sustainability Action Plan Update. One of Sustainable Wheat Ridge’s major goals is to update the Sustainability Action Plan, as
discussed in the previous section. The committee anticipates having an advisory role
throughout this process.
Sustainable Wheat Ridge Updates June 5, 2023
Page 6
Next Steps: The committee is in the process of reviewing action plans and requests for proposals (RFP) from peer communities. The next steps in this process will involve posting
an RFP seeking consulting services, and SWR and Staff are aiming to have this process
completed and a firm selected by Fall 2023. 5. Green Business. SWR is continuing to focus on launching a green business grant program in Wheat Ridge and
has $10,000 for this program. Businesses are eligible to apply for grants up to $1,000 and are
required to match 50% of funds. SWR has continued to recognize green business practices within the community through the annual presentation of the Green Business Award. Next Steps: The committee is working to engage with businesses through the creation of
communication materials, direct outreach and attendance at events, and is exploring ways to
engage with the Wheat Ridge Business Association and the Wheat Ridge Chamber of Commerce to provide information on the grant and other green business opportunities in the City. Additionally, SWR and Staff are continuing to research the feasibility of joining an existing or creating a new green business program.
6. Responsible Waste Management. SWR also continues to focus on responsible waste management. A budget appropriation was approved for a contract award to HDR Engineering, Inc. at the April 24, 2023, City Council meeting. The consultant contract is for the creation and implementation of a public
engagement campaign to understand the public’s opinions regarding potential changes to
waste management practices in Wheat Ridge. Over the past six years, the Sustainable Wheat Ridge committee has conducted substantial research on best practices, potential pathways for change, and worked with Staff in drafting the scope of work for this upcoming project.
Next Steps: The initial kick-off meeting for this project is scheduled for June 2023. The
committee will be involved throughout the 18-month process in an advisory capacity. RECOMMENDATION: This staff report is informational. No action is needed at this time.
ATTACHMENTS: 1. WRESC Action Plan 2. Breakout of policy-related goals from WRESC Action Plan
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§ion=electricity¤tState=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§ion=electricity¤tState=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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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/
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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
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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
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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/
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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§ion=electricity¤tState=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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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/
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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)
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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/
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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-
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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Energy Strategy Recommendations
6-18-2018
APPENDIX A: ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Appendix A: Energy Efficiency
Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Ac=on Plan
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Xcel Energy’s Renewables
Appendix A: Energy Efficiency
Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Ac=on Plan
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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
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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
Remaining Policy Related Goals and Action Items in the Wheat Ridge Environmental
Sustainability Action Plan
Energy Efficiency and Green Building
Goal 1: Reduce municipal energy use
•1-D: Require new or renovated municipal facilities to be zero energy buildings.
Goal 2: Reduce commercial and industrial energy use
•2-A: A city ordinance that requires benchmarking and disclosure of energy use of
buildings larger than 25,000 square feet.
•2-B: Encourage EPC for Lutheran Hospital.
•2-E: Require projects that receive city incentives (TIF) to meet beyond code energy
savings targets.
Goal 3: Reduce residential energy use
•3-E: Support the statewide "Green the MLS" initiative by requiring home energy reports
when listing a home for sale.
Goal 4: Preserve WR's distinct community character, small town identity, and agricultural
history while providing modern amenities and services which increase the City's tax base
•4-B: Consider adopting local business preference ordinance for new development.
Goal 5: Encourage sustainable design infrastructure elements to support construction and
renovation of buildings to create livable communities and promote green building practices
•5-Ai: Incorporate sustainability into the pre-application process for site plan, architectural
elevations, and landscape plan.
•5-Aii: Expand the overlay areas for sustainability.
•5-Aiii: Include sustainable design standards and guidelines for Site Design and Building
Design.
•5-C: Introduce ballot measure for green roofs or rooftop solar on all new buildings over
25,000 square feet.
•5-D: Require Green Building certification for new construction and major renovations of
City buildings.
•5-E: Consider Green Building certifications for new commercial and multi-unit
developments.
•5-Ei: Require certification for developments receiving any City incentives.
•5-Eii: Incentivize certification for all new development.
ATTACHMENT 2
Renewable Energy
Goal 1: Promote renewable energy policy beyond City
• 1-A: Represent City renewable energy goals to relevant hearings of the Colorado Public
Utility Commission.
• 1-B: Endorse and propose county, state, and federal policy that support City goals for
renewable energy.
• 1-Biii: Promote statewide adoption of and work with other local communities to achieve
Community Choice Aggregation (CCA).
Goal 2: Promote Renewable Energy Within City
• 2-Eiii: Prepare for renewable energy demands in the next round of municipal franchise
negotiations with Xcel.
• 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.
• 2-I: Require all new and extensively modified commercial construction have either solar
power on the roof, a green or reflective roof.
• 2-J: Require onsite solar energy for new developments that receive municipal incentives.
• 2-K: Ban new fossil fuel infrastructure.
Goal 3: Implement Renewable Energy Projects
• 3-A: Procure solar energy for all municipal facilities.
• 3-B: Incentivize onsite solar for both commercial and residential buildings.
• 3-Bi: Waive permitting/inspection fees.
• 3-Bii: Provide system installation rebates, energy production-based rebates, and grants.
• 3-Biv: Property and sales tax incentives.
• 3-Bvi: Offer a municipal loan program more favorable than those offered by traditional
lending institutions.
Transportation
Goal 1: Maximize development that substantially incorporates Mixed Use considerations and
Efficient Transportation
• 1-Ai: Comp Plan/FLUM Incorporation.
• 1-Aiv: Implement policies that increase the mobility of all citizens.
• 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.
• 1-B: Prioritize capital investments in projects that leverage the positive social and
environmental impacts of all forms of transportation including shared mobility.
• 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.
• 1-C: Make resources available to residents, community groups, and businesses about the
importance of compact, mixed-used development.
• 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
• 2-Bii: Engage DRCOG to expand WayToGo Communication and Education in the City
and coordinate a City-wide WayToGo smart commute challenge.
• 2-Biii: Identify and empower an Active Transportation Contact at the City.
• 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.
• 2-C: Pursue Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) status via the League of American
Bicyclists.
• 2-Ci: Organize team with city staff and volunteers, assign tasks, and establish a deadline
for application.
• 2-Cii: Organize and communicate resources for Bicycle Friendly Businesses and Schools.
Goal 3: Increase Traveler Safety and Environmental Quality
• 3-A: Develop and implement a Vision Zero plan.
• 3-Ai: Become a Certified Partner in CDOT's "Moving Towards Zero Deaths" initiatives
or adopt a local commitment to Vision Zero.
• 3-Avi: Adopt an ordinance according to SB18-144, Bicycle Operation Approaching
Intersection to ensure consistency with state law.
• 3-C: Adopt local anti-idling ordinance City-wide.
• 3-Cii: Develop and implement real enforcement mechanisms for idling vehicles.
• 3-Ciii: Develop commercial diesel ordinances in accordance with the Colorado State
idling law, HB 11-1275.
Solid Waste and Recycling
Goal 2: Reduce negative impacts of waste management on city infrastructure and local
environment
• 2-Bi: Create requirement that residential properties must have solid waste management
services.
Water
Goal 1: Improve stormwater management and water quality in all major waterways and water
bodies in Wheat Ridge
• 1-G: Consider establishing a dedicated stormwater management/water quality funding
source to fund needed capital improvements and improve city's stormwater drainage
system.
Goal 2: Increase the adoption of water efficiency and conservation measures to reduce citywide
water use
• 2-F: Incentivize smart water monitoring and use of smart water meters; potential pilot for
local government.
Item No. 2
Memorandum
TO: Mayor and City Council THROUGH: Marianne Schilling, Assistant City Manager
Lauren Mikulak, Community Development Director
Patrick Goff, City Manager FROM: Janet Gassman, Landscape Planner Mary Hester, Sustainability Coordinator
Stephanie Stevens, Senior Planner DATE: May 26, 2023 (for the June 5 study session) SUBJECT: Waterwise Landscaping Regulations and Programs
PURPOSE The purpose of this study session is to confirm policy direction and gauge Council’s level of interest related to waterwise landscaping regulations and programs for privately owned
properties. This memo also discusses the City’s role in supporting and modeling waterwise
practices. This memo is organized into five sections: 1. Background on the City’s water source and waterwise principles 2. A summary of peer community approaches 3. A discussion and policy questions related to waterwise regulations
4. A summary and discussion related to waterwise programs
5. A summary of the current state of Wheat Ridge waterwise modeling SECTION 1 - BACKGROUND Water History
Years of continuous drought coupled with local area growth and development have raised
awareness and concerns about the availability and use of water in Colorado and particularly the Front Range. Water levels of the Colorado River and its two reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, have reached record lows in recent years, triggering a series of water shortage declarations by the Department of Interior.
Historically, is has been a state-level responsibility to figure out how to share Colorado River water, but the failure of seven states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming) to reach an agreement on water reductions could place the responsibility on the federal government.
Though not directly impacted by the Colorado River water shortage, Front Range communities are actively seeking ways to reduce water use, encourage water efficiency and establish stronger links between water supply and land use planning. The goal is to create a common framework
2
for reliably managing water systems to meet public and environmental needs while reducing costs, improving resilience and enhancing community livability.
Water Source & Cycle In Wheat Ridge, water users are serviced by six water districts:
• Consolidated Mutual Water Company
• Denver Water
• Edgewater Water Company
• North Table Mountain Water
• Valley Water
• Wheat Ridge Water Most water provided by these suppliers is purchased from Denver Water, Colorado’s oldest and
largest water utility. Established in 1918, Denver Water is responsible for the collection, storage,
quality control and distribution of potable water to 1.5 million people, nearly one-fourth of all Coloradans. Almost all water provided by Denver Water comes from mountain snowmelt in mostly forested, high-elevation watersheds. The collection system covers 4,000+ square miles, or 2.5 million acres, and extends into more than eight Colorado counties.
Denver Water adopted the One Water Plan in September 2021 along with several community partners including the Mile High Flood District, Colorado Water Conservation Board, Metro Wastewater Reclamation District and the City and County of Denver. The plan includes a simple summary of the urban water cycle (Attachment 3).
Waterwise Landscaping and Xeriscaping As far back as the 1980s, utility planners in Denver recognized water as a limited resource and sought to create a new kind of gardening, one that could counteract the effects of a growing population and address the droughts of the late 1970s.
Xeriscaping, a landscape technique that prioritizes water conservation, was developed in 1981 by a team of landscape architects, contractors, horticulturists and irrigation specialists at Denver Water. The word combines "landscape" and the Greek word "xeros," which means dry. While limiting turf area is a major component, xeriscape is more about putting the right plant in the
right place and essentially establishing a common-sense garden design in an arid climate.
Denver Water not only coined the term but developed a list of seven guiding principles to help others around the world adopt xeriscaping. 1. Plan and design for smart water use – A plan provides direction and guidance and will
ensure that water-saving techniques are implemented in the landscape. The design should
meet the needs of the people who will use and maintain the area while incorporating the site’s existing environmental conditions. 2. Improve soil quality – Soil is the most basic component of your landscape and many problems can be avoided if an adequate amount of time is spent on properly preparing the
soil before the landscape is installed.
3
3. Reduce turf and other water-wasting plants – Reduce the amount of bluegrass turf in the landscape by adding native or low-water-use plants, patios, decks and/or decorative
mulches.
4. Choose the right plants – Selecting the right plant for the right place is essential for creating a water-efficient landscape. 5. Water efficiently – Irrigate according to plant needs to conserve water, encourage deep root growth and grow healthier, more drought tolerant landscapes.
6. Mulch – Proper mulching keeps plant roots cool, prevents soil from crusting, minimizes
evaporation and reduces weed growth. 7. Maintain your landscape – A new xeriscape garden will require maintenance similar to a traditional landscape, but it will decrease over time.
The term ‘waterwise landscaping’ has become somewhat synonymous with xeriscaping in
general practice, and utilizes the same seven principles of design. It differs from xeriscaping in that it focuses on wise water use no matter where the site in located, not just in arid environments. Waterwise landscaping emphasizes grouping plants by water requirements to encourage efficient irrigation design and water use. A waterwise landscape is functional,
attractive and easily maintained in its natural surroundings, which also serves to conserve water.
Water conservation through xeric or waterwise landscape design can provide significant savings. Based on a study of the Paramount Park neighborhood presented to City staff by UCD students in May 2022, average water consumption of a traditional turf covered lot is estimated at 115,405
gallons, with a monthly cost of $646. A shift to waterwise landscapes utilizing xeric design
standards could reduce water usage to an average of 18,614 gallons per lot, with a monthly cost of $104, saving an average of 96,791 gallons and $542 per month per lot. A well-designed landscape can cost less to build and maintain while consuming fewer resources.
In this respect, regulatory and industry organizations are in alignment. In their publication
“Green Strategies for Colorado Landscapes”, the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado (ALCC) present key principles intended to guide professionals and landscape consumers as they move toward a more sustainable future. The group’s green strategies for design are consistent with the One Water Plan principles.
SECTION 2 - PEER COMMUNITIES OVERVIEW Many Front Range communities are addressing water use and water conservation in Colorado. Severe drought coupled with high growth and development is pushing Colorado to its limits, and communities are evaluating what part they can play to ensure a sustainable and thriving future.
Staff reviewed several peer and neighboring communities including Edgewater, Arvada, Golden, Lakewood and Denver. We also looked at Aurora, Castle Rock and Colorado Springs, as these communities are most actively addressing water shortage issues.
What communities are doing related to water conservation, and to what degree, appears to
correlate to their level of growth and development. Driven by significant water demand and limited supply, high growth communities such as Aurora, Castle Rock and Colorado Springs are understandably feeling the impact of action – or inaction – to the greatest extent. Understanding this context sometimes explains their policy choices and regulations.
4
Waterwise strategies and actions by peers are trending in the following three areas:
• Regulatory – High-growth communities are already embracing regulatory action to push
water conservation and waterwise planning. It is a newer concept for smaller communities, though interest is rapidly growing. Most communities of comparable size to Wheat Ridge have yet to make big moves toward regulatory changes and are relying more heavily on programmatic practices first. That said, staff is recommending some regulatory updates below.
• Programmatic – Property owners are looking for expertise, direction and support in the matter of waterwise landscape and garden design. The City’s Landscape Program which began as a pilot program in summer 2017 confirms there is interest from commercial and multi-unit residential property owners in the idea of xeric landscapes and subsequent
reduced maintenance and irrigation costs. Interest in water conservation as a sustainability measure is also growing through the City’s Sustainability and Parks and Recreation programs.
• Modeling – Communities are beginning to model a move toward waterwise practices
through the elimination of traditional, non-functional turf in parks, rights-of-way,
medians and parking lot islands. Demonstration gardens are educating the public on the beauty of xeric design and the wide variety of low-water plants available to the local gardener.
SECTION 3 - REGULATORY STRATEGIES
Current City Code The City of Wheat Ridge landscaping regulations can be found in Section 26-502 of the zoning code and set forth requirements for new residential and non-residential development (Attachment 1). Pursuant to city code, landscaping is defined as a combination of living, natural
non-living and structural elements and, for some uses, specifies the allowable percentage use of each. Most of Section 26-502 has remained the same since 1979, with one major repeal and re-enactment of the ordinance in 2001. The most notable changes from the 2001 revision include:
• an increase in the allowance area of non-living materials,
• a requirement for automatic irrigation systems,
• the prohibition of artificial turf,
• an increase in front yard landscaping requirements,
• an increase in overall minimum requirements for multi-unit and non-residential sites,
• codifying of the streetscape design manual, and
• the encouragement of xeric/waterwise landscaping. Section 26-502 requires submittal of a landscape plan which staff reviews for compliance with the specifications of this code section. This is reviewed formally as part of a site plan or specific development plan for non-residential and multi-unit projects. Review is informal (or
nonexistent) for low-density residential lots and for revisions to previously approved plans. Code Analysis Key features in the current code address a wide range of topics, and minor updates are recommended based on best practice and the practice of peer communities:
5
• Topic 1: Irrigation – The code requires functioning automatic irrigation systems in all new landscape areas for all types of land uses. The code includes an ability to waive this
requirement for xeric or waterwise landscapes with an approved xeriscaping/waterwise plan. Irrigation systems are to be zoned according to the specific water needs of the proposed plant materials, as well as sun/shade and other climactic conditions. City code also specifies that irrigation of landscaped areas shall be consistent with the restrictions imposed by the water district in which the property is located.
Current code appears adequate to address irrigation for both traditional and xeric/waterwise designs. Staff will continue to coordinate with the water districts to encourage waterwise landscaping but does not recommend any major changes to the irrigation portions of the landscape code because the City does not control water use.
Does Council agree?
• Topic 2: Artificial turf – Since the early 1990s, the use of artificial turf in the more arid western states has moved beyond athletic fields to residential and commercial landscapes.
Since 2001, artificial turf has ben prohibited per code. An administrative policy was established in 2021 which allows it to be used on non-residential sites in limited circumstances such as playing fields, gaming and outdoor seating areas (Attachment 2), but artificial turf in those limited cases is not considered a landscape element and therefore cannot count toward meeting landscape requirements. Staff recommends
codifying the artificial turf policy to allow limited use in specific contexts. Does Council
agree? Synthetic grasses have pros and cons that depend on the purpose and preference of the user, and communities are trending toward limiting or banning their use on private
property. Some of the benefits of synthetic lawns are lower maintenance costs, no need for water or sunlight and the ability to choose the blade length. Artificial turf can be installed on any terrain, but it may require some preparation. Some of the drawbacks are high initial cost, difficulty to recycle and dislike by some sports players. While athletic fields made with artificial turf have been shown to require less maintenance and water
than natural grass fields, significant environmental concerns revolve around the rubber granules and synthetic fibers that make their way into the environment as microplastic pollution in both marine and soil environments. Staff is seeking Council direction on whether or not to explore allowing limited use of artificial turf in low-density residential contexts. Further research would be required. Does Council want to allow limited use of
artificial turf on low-density residential properties?
• Topic 3: Irrigated and non-functional turf – Current code also specifies limits on irrigated turf grass. For new single-unit detached and duplex dwellings, turf is limited to
no more than fifty (50) percent of the total landscape; for new non-residential
developments, no more than thirty (30) percent of the total landscape shall be comprised of turf. Turf ordinances in other communities are focusing on the prohibition or limitation of irrigated, traditional turf (aka cool season or bluegrass) in new single-unit, multi-unit and commercial developments or redevelopments. Aurora and Castle Rock have chosen
to prohibit traditional turf in front yards and limit the turf in backyards to 500 square feet
in new residential developments. Colorado Springs is considering limiting irrigated lawns
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to 25% of the available landscape area. Castle Rock Water estimates these types of limits on outdoor irrigated lawns could reduce water use by 50% once their community is fully
built out. Based on current best practices and peer communities, staff recommends
modifying the code to further limit the maximum area of irrigated turf. Does Council
agree? In addition to lowering overall turf coverage, there is also a move to eliminate non-
functional turf. Non-functional turf is defined as turf that is rarely stepped on other than
when it is mowed, or is turf not used for activities, sports, or community events. Examples of non-functional turf areas include parking lot islands, street medians, amenity zones, detention ponds (unless utilized for active recreation) and any landscape strip less than eight feet in width. Staff recommends modifying the code to limit non-functional turf
in commercial and multi-unit contexts. Does Council agree?
• Topic 4: Landscape specifications – The landscape code specifies minimum sizes for new plant material (in terms of caliper, height and/or container size) and specifies the size or type of organic and inorganic mulches. Based on current best practices, staff
recommends revising these specifications to accommodate xeric/waterwise designs. Does
Council agree?
• Topic 5: Low-density residential requirements – Single-unit and duplex residential
properties have been largely unregulated, beside the requirements for trees within the front setback, minimum overall landscape area (25% gross lot area and 100% front yard) and turf limitation; and there may be challenges to enforcing more stringent requirements. For low-density uses, programmatic strategies (discussed below) are often well received for replacing turf and plant materials. Staff has received a growing number
of calls asking for clarity related to turf removal and xeriscaping, and the code provides little guidance. Staff recommends clarifying the process and regulations related to turf removal and xeriscaping for privately-owned, low-density residential properties. Does Council agree?
• Topic 6: Non-living landscape materials – This term refers to ground cover such as organic mulch (e.g. bark, pine straw), rock mulch, cobble and pavers. In city code, the allowance of area dedicated to non-living landscape materials was increased from twenty (20) to thirty-five (35) percent with the 2001 code amendment. The code also includes a
percentage requirement for live plant coverage at maturity, particularly for front yards.
Generally mulches are not considered a permanent part of the landscape, however with the move toward waterwise landscapes, materials such as cobble and stone are becoming an intentional design element and, therefore, could be considered a permanent element or primary groundcover in the landscape if balanced with live plantings. Staff recommends
increasing the 35% limit on non-living material. Does Council agree?
• Topic 7: Waterwise design – Some local area landscape ordinances require the use of waterwise or low water consuming landscape design or practices, while others, like
Wheat Ridge, encourage this type of design. For example, Arvada encourages the
conservation of water resources through efficient use of irrigation, appropriate plant materials and regular maintenance, while requiring low-water plants for at least 75% of
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the landscape. Lakewood requires drought tolerant landscape design as part of the overall landscape theme. Staff is seeking Council direction on whether or not to require (rather
than encourage) waterwise design. Does Council want to require waterwise design?
• Topic 8: Streetscape plant list– In addition to complying with code, multi-unit residential and non-residential sites are required to comply with the Streetscape Design Manual, which sets forth requirements for street trees and ground cover along property
frontages within the public right-of-way. The Streetscape Design Manual contains a list of acceptable trees and shrubs which apply to use in public rights-of-way and has also been used as a reference for private property. These plant lists are periodically updated administratively and will be updated subsequent to this code amendment process.
• Topic 9: Maintenance – Current code holds developers and subsequent property owners responsible for regular maintenance (weeding, irrigating, fertilizing, pruning) in order to ensure the survival of required landscaping. The City may require the removal and replacement of landscaping where dead, diseased or damaged, though minor changes to
the plan are sometimes accepted. Based on best practices and the growing interest in
waterwise landscaping, staff recommends that the code be updated to include a process for amending landscape plans when plants have not fared well or where a xeric or waterwise design would be an appropriate and water-saving change. Does Council agree?
The City’s Landscape Inspection Program was established in 2017 to ensure compliance with approved plans and ongoing maintenance. Through the program, staff has learned that owners are interested in making sites more sustainable and water-efficient, in addition to beautiful. Rather than strictly focusing on meeting approved plan requirements, staff sees an opportunity to
clarify code to encourage waterwise renovations. Program experience has shown that property owners welcome recommendations that improve water efficiency, especially amongst the oldest properties, many of which pre-date the establishment of landscape and irrigation requirements. Based on this experience, staff does not expect significant pushback if landscape regulations are updated to encourage waterwise renovations.
Next Steps At the June 5th study session, staff will be seeking Council direction on the specific recommendations noted above (in italics). Based on Council direction, staff will present a proposed code amendment at a future study session.
SECTION 4 - PROGRAMMATIC STRATEGIES In addition to regulatory approaches, many communities support waterwise principles through a programmatic approach. This section provides Council with an update on City programs, peer community programs and funding opportunities. This section is meant to be informational at this
time, but staff may return in the future based on any feedback received. Wheat Ridge Programs Water is one of six focus areas within the Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Action Plan, which was accepted by Council in June 2018. The Plan’s action items for water-related
goals include:
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• Action 1-C: Investigate incentives for the incorporation of green infrastructure and sustainable landscaping practices for individual landowners and future development.
• Action 1-E: Investigate, incorporate and promote use of drought tolerant and native landscaping where possible and appropriate.
• Action 2-A: Create an education and outreach campaign regarding water conservation
and efficiency (including graywater).
• Action 2-C: Investigate partnerships to provide and promote incentives for low flow plumbing fixtures.
• 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.
• Action 2-F: Incentivize smart water monitoring and use of smart water meters.
To date, Wheat Ridge has largely relied on a partnership with Resource Central to advance the
above goals and provide water conservation programming for residents. Resource Central is a local non-profit whose core mission is to help people save water, reduce waste and conserve energy, and has several community-facing water conservation programs available to local governments. The City of Wheat Ridge currently partners with Resource Central to provide
discounts to residents for qualifying Garden In A Box kits. These kits utilize a “plant by number”
format to provide professionally designed, ready-to-plant kits containing native and low water plants. Replacing 100 square feet of lawn with a Garden In A Box kit is estimated to save at least 7,000 gallons of water over the garden’s lifetime. Wheat Ridge has participated in this program since 2021 and has provided 235 discounts to date.
Peer Trends Staff reached out to thirty Front Range communities with a series of questions pertaining to water conservation efforts (Attachment 4), and several trends were apparent. Peer communities of comparable size and level of growth and development are leaning heavily on a programmatic
approach, however this could change in the near future as states are tasked with significantly
reducing water consumption. Most communities offer a variety of programs to encourage the installation of low water use plants and water-saving irrigation heads. Many programs are managed by Resource Central and
offered through the municipality or local water utility. Several water utilities also offer turf
replacement rebates based on square footage removed. Many of these programs are offered through Resource Central, including:
• Garden In A Box – As described above.
• Lawn Replacement Program – Customers are required to remove at least 200 square feet of lawn and replace it with waterwise gardens, permeable green landscaping or other water efficient material. Participants in this program can receive access to discounted Garden In A Box kits, lawn removal service discounts and waterwise landscape advice.
• Slow The Flow – Sprinkler efficiency evaluations for residential, commercial and HOA properties help users reduce water use by optimizing their sprinkler system’s efficiency. Customers receive a personalized watering schedule and no-cost sprinkler evaluations.
• Waterwise Yard Seminars – Free, online waterwise yard seminars taught by local
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landscape and horticultural professionals are available. Seminar topics cover low-water landscape design, xeric plant selection, smart irrigation and many other topics.
In addition to Resource Central and other programs, many peer communities and water providers offer rebate programs to a mixture of residential and commercial customers for water efficient fixtures. The rebate opportunities below are ranked by prevalence of communities and water providers offering them:
• Water efficient toilets and urinals (most prevalent)
• Smart irrigation controllers
• Rotary nozzles
• Rain barrels
• Rain sensor
• Toilet recycling
• Drip equipment
• Clothes washers
• Whole home water monitoring system (least prevalent)
In addition to these public-facing programs, several peer communities have also participated in the Growing Water Smart program offered through the Sonoran Institute in partnership with the Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy and Northern Water. This program introduces communities to the full range of communications, public engagement, planning and policy
implementation tools, and participants are eligible for follow-up technical assistance to support the implantation of their action plans. This program is highly recommended by the peer communities who have participated in the past. Funding Opportunities
The State of Colorado has launched a Turf Replacement Program for eligible entities, including local governments, to expand or form community-scale turf replacement efforts. Funds can be used to support design costs by paying for program materials, cost of planting and waterwise landscaping, labor for landscaping, irrigation and turf removal and the expansion or creation of turf replacement initiatives. While individual homeowners and HOAs are not eligible entities to
apply for the grant, funding received by local governments can subsequently be used to support residential turf replacement programs. There are two funding cycles for this grant opportunity, and the second funding cycle will be open from July 1 to August 31, 2023. Applicants must include matching funds that provide a dollar-for-dollar match for the funds being requested.
Next Steps Staff will continue to implement programs and seek ways to expand programs and funding opportunities. No specific direction from Council is requested at this time, but feedback is welcome. SECTION 5 - MODELING STRATEGIES Wheat Ridge Practices The City of Wheat Ridge is modeling the move to a more waterwise outdoor environment through its general maintenance practices and testing of new products and practices on City
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properties. The City is taking steps to be an example for implementing waterwise practices that are currently part of the programs/practices discussed above.
When possible, Parks is transitioning from traditional bluegrass turf to organic and inorganic mulches, rock or other forms of non-living landscape materials and xeric plantings in Parks-maintained rights-of-way (i.e., medians and some areas of tree lawn).
Parks staff are cautious about removing turf from any active or passive-but-usable recreation
areas within parks at this time, but are looking into several possible options for the future. A test patch of “DogTuff”, a low-growing, low water, dog-tolerant turf alternative, has been planted in City greenhouses. Staff is installing a test area of “Tahoma 31” Bermuda grass, a new low water, low maintenance turf, on City Hall grounds in May of 2023. Parks is also utilizing native
plantings in passive areas wherever possible, such as along Clear Creek.
City staff is also involved in neighborhood gardens, demonstration plots and innovative education and training programs throughout the city, including:
• Happiness Garden, located southwest of 44th Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard, aims
to create a positive local gardening experience and offers full and half-sized plots at an affordable price. The garden has been a bedrock community hub for the city for 50 years and includes educational opportunities, Master Gardener clinics and the “many hands” work group.
• A new educational outpost and garden area is in the planning and design stage for Randall Park on the east side of the city.
• Plans for a native plant demonstration garden in the southwest corner of Panorama Park (35th and Fenton) are currently in progress, with planting expected in Spring 2024.
This effort is being led by Sustainable Panorama Park, a Wheat Ridge Sustainable
Neighborhood.
• Efforts to select a location for a native plant and pollinator demonstration garden are also underway for Paramount Park (29th and Kipling). This effort is being led by
Sustainable Paramount Heights, another Wheat Ridge Sustainable Neighborhood.
• Efficient watering trainings are provided annually for Parks maintenance workers.
• A reference plant list is currently being drafted for horticultural use by Parks.
Wheat Ridge modeling practices largely align with that of peers, as outlined in Attachment 5.
Next Steps Wheat Ridge will continue to advance waterwise practices in city-owned parks and rights-of-way. No specific direction from Council is requested at this time.
SUMMARY In summary, staff is seeking to understand Council’s level of interest related to waterwise landscaping and to confirm whether Council agrees with staff’s regulatory, programmatic and modeling approaches.
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ATTACHMENTS: 1. Section 26-502
2. Artificial Turf Policy
3. Denver’s Urban Water Cycle 4. Peer Community Responses 5. Peer Modeling Trends
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Sec. 26-502. Landscaping requirements.
A. Landscaping defined: A combination of living plants, such as trees, shrubs, vines, groundcover, flowers,
vegetable plants, sod or grass; and may include natural features, such as rock, stone and bark; and structural
features, including, but not limited to, fountains, reflecting pools, artwork, screen walls, fences and benches.
Uncontrolled weeds shall not be considered as landscaping; however, maintained natural grasses and natural
flowers may be considered as landscaping.
Sidewalks, whether paved or gravel, which serve as functional links between parking areas and main
structures, or which serve as general public access routes around a main structure, or between a main structure
and a public street or alley, shall not be counted as landscaping. Other sidewalks or paths which serve as casual
access to or through landscape areas may be counted a nonliving landscape feature.
B. Landscape plan: A landscape plan is required to be submitted with the required building permit or
development plan for all public, semi-public, multi-unit dwelling, commercial and industrial development,
redevelopment, addition or change in use. The plan shall be approved by the director of community
development. The following information shall be included in the plan:
1. Date, north point, and scale (scale not to exceed one (1) inch equaling forty (40) feet with one (1) inch
equaling twenty (20) feet desirable), name and location of the development; name(s) of owner(s);
name, address and telephone number of person or firm preparing the plan; name and telephone
number of the contact person for the project.
2. Topographic contours and spot elevations on final grading plan adequate to identify and properly
specify landscaping for area needing slope protection.
3. Location of property lines with dimensions, adjacent streets and right-of-way, drainage features,
building and structures, parking, loading and vehicular circulation areas, driveways, underground
and/or overhead utility lines, and traffic sight distance triangles.
4. Landscaped areas on the site including:
a. Locations, dimensions, and square footage of all landscaped areas. This shall include calculations
for total lot area, total landscaped area, area of living vegetation and area of non-living material.
b. The locations, types, sizes and quantities of proposed plant and other materials. Common and
botanical names shall be identified adjacent to all plant material or by use of a key and legend.
c. The location, size, materials, and treatment of non-living landscaped areas.
d. The species, location, and size of any existing plant materials to be preserved.
e. The species, location, and size of any existing plant materials to be removed.
5. Location and type of the irrigation system provided.
6. A description of existing trees which are proposed to be preserved during site preparation and
construction.
C. Landscape area requirements:
1. Any combination of two (2) or more of the following: grass, flowers, shrubbery, deciduous and
coniferous trees, which shall be maintained in an orderly manner. The use of non-living material such
as bark, rock or ornamental objects shall not exceed thirty-five (35) percent of the required landscaping
area. Coverage shall be determined for the projected growth after two (2) full growing seasons.
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2. The growth of any plantings or the erection of any landscape structure or berm is regulated by section
26-603B.
3. Except for approved street trees, the landscaping required in the right-of-way between the property
line and the curb line shall not be permitted to obtain a height greater than thirty-six (36) inches above
the level of the roadway.
4. Landscaping shall be installed only on the property to be developed or for which a building permit is
applied. For properties with existing development, landscaping in addition to existing landscaping shall
be required on a percentage basis determined either according to square footage added, or
substantially altered, or value added to the premises by proposed improvements, whichever is higher,
up to the maximum required for that district. Existing valuation and valuation of proposed changes
shall be based on valuation tables within the adopted building code. The term "substantially altered"
means that the value of remodeling excess fifty (50) percent of the value of the building prior to such
improvements.
5. All new landscaped areas shall be served by a functioning automatic irrigation system which combines
drip and subsurface irrigation with high efficiency sprinklers except on individual single unit and duplex
residential lots. The requirement for a functioning automatic irrigation system may be waived with an
approved xeriscaping/waterwise plan. All new irrigation systems shall be designed to be zoned
according to water needs of proposed plant materials. There should be separate zones for turf grasses
and shrub bed areas, for sun and shade and other climatic conditions and according to the water
demands of the plant material. All new irrigation systems shall be equipped with automatic rain shut-
off devices.
6. In all districts, any area of the lot not covered by building, parking, walkways, storage or display area
must be landscaped.
7. Recirculated water shall be used for new decorative water features and fountains.
8. Artificial turf or plant materials are not allowed.
9. The irrigation of landscaped areas shall be consistent with the restrictions imposed by the water
district in which a property is located.
10. No person, organization, or association may create or impose restrictive covenants, conditions,
restrictions, deed clauses or other agreements between the parties that prevent the use of
xeric/waterwise landscaping.
D. District requirements:
1. Single detached and duplex residential uses:
a. One (1) street tree per seventy (70) feet (or portion thereof) of street frontage to be placed
within the front setback prior to issuance of the certificate of occupancy. This shall not be
construed to mean trees placed seventy (70) feet on center.
b. No less than twenty-five (25) percent of the gross lot area and no less than one hundred (100)
percent of the front yard (exclusive of driveway and sidewalk access to the home) shall be
landscaped.
c. For new single detached and duplex dwellings, no more than fifty (50) percent of the total
landscaped coverage on the lot shall be comprised of turf. The use of low water demand turf
varieties such as buffalo grass, blue grama grass and tall fescue is encouraged.
2. Multi-unit residential uses:
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ATTACHMENT 1
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a. Required within the minimum building setbacks abutting public right-of-way: One (1) tree,
deciduous or evergreen, for every thirty (30) feet (or portion thereof) of street frontage. This
should not be construed to mean trees placed thirty (30) feet on center. Trees provided in
building setbacks shall not replace any requirements for street trees established in the
Streetscape Design Manual (see section 26-224).
b. In addition to trees required based upon public street frontage, one (1) tree and ten (10) shrubs
are required for every, one thousand (1,000) square feet of required landscape area.
c. Except for pedestrian and vehicular access, the minimum required front yard shall be fully
landscaped.
d. Landscaping shall not be less than thirty (30) percent of the total lot area.
e. For new multi-unit dwelling developments, no more than sixty (60) percent of the total
landscaped coverage on the lot shall be comprised of turf. The use of low water demand turf
varieties such as buffalo grass, blue grama grass and tall fescue is encouraged.
3. Nonresidential uses:
a. Required within the minimum building setbacks abutting public rights-of-way: One (1) tree,
deciduous or evergreen, for every thirty (30) feet (or portion thereof) of street frontage. This
should not be construed to mean trees placed thirty (30) feet on center. Trees provided in
building setbacks shall not replace any requirements for street trees established in the
Streetscape Design Manual (see section 26-224).
b. In addition to trees required based upon public street frontage, one (1) tree and ten (10) shrubs
are required for every, one thousand (1,000) square feet of required landscape area.
c. Required landscaped areas shall be as follows:
(1) In commercial zone districts, landscaping shall not be less than twenty (20) percent of the
gross lot area. In the industrial-employment zone district, landscaping shall not be less than
fifteen (15) percent of the gross lot area.
(2) On any nonresidential zoned property abutting 44th Avenue, 38th Avenue, Kipling Street,
Wadsworth Boulevard, Youngfield Street, Ward Road, Sheridan Boulevard, or I-70 frontage
roads, a landscaped area measuring ten (10) feet from the edge of the right-of-way is
required for the entire length of the property abutting these roadways, except for curb
cuts. This area may be used to meet the other area requirements. This requirement may be
waived by the community development director where build-to requirements from a
mixed-use zone district or the Architectural Site Design Manual apply.
(3) On residentially zoned property, a minimum ten-foot landscape buffer is required adjacent
to public streets abutting front or side yards.
(4) For new nonresidential developments, no more than thirty (30) percent of the total
landscaped coverage on the lot shall be comprised of turf. The use of low water demand
turf varieties such as buffalo grass, blue grama grass and tall fescue is encouraged.
(5) Additional requirements established in the Streetscape Design Manual may apply.
d. All nonresidential uses located adjacent to residentially zoned areas or agriculturally zoned areas
shall provide a screened or landscaped buffer area consisting of either or both of the following:
(1) A six-foot high solid fence or landscaped hedge with a mature height of six (6) feet; or
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ATTACHMENT 1
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(2) A strip of land at least fifteen (15) feet wide planted with a variety of vegetation and a
minimum density of one (1) shrub or tree per every two (2) linear feet of buffer area
adjacent to the residential or agricultural zoned property.
Nothing contained in this section shall prohibit any landowner from landscaping in excess of the minimum
requirements stated herein, either on their property or within public right-of-way, if approved by the
community development director; however, offsite landscaping cannot reduce the onsite requirements.
E. Landscape buffering for parking lots.
1. Whenever a parking lot boundary adjoins property zoned for low- or medium-density residential use,
or if zoned agricultural but developed as residential, a landscape buffer of six (6) feet from said lot
boundary shall be required. Within the six-foot landscape buffer, a six-foot-high view-obscuring fence,
decorative wall or landscaped hedge with a natural height of six (6) feet shall be provided. In addition,
grass or other acceptable groundcover or trees and/or shrubs shall be planted within the landscape
buffer areas as approved by the director of community development through a landscape plan.
2. When a parking lot is placed between the public right-of-way and the structure(s), a screening of the
parking area shall be established between the right-of-way and the parking area. This view-obscuring
screen shall be composed of live plantings, berms, fences or walls, or a combination thereof. The
height of the screening shall be subject to the sight distance triangle requirements. See section 26-603.
F. Plantings.
1. In all cases, the use of xeric/waterwise plant materials is encouraged.
2. Minimum size of plant and other materials:
a. Deciduous trees: Two-inch caliper, measured one (1) foot above the ground. Trees with a caliper
in excess of five (5) inches may be counted as two (2) trees. Trees with a caliper in excess of ten
(10) inches may be counted as three (3) trees.
b. Ornamental and flowering trees: Two-inch caliper, one (1) foot above the ground.
c. Evergreen Trees: Six (6) feet in height.
d. Flowering and evergreen shrubs and hedges: Five-gallon size.
e. Vines and groundcovers: One-gallon size.
f. Mulch: A minimum of three (3) inches in depth in areas protected from wind erosion.
g. River rock: A minimum of one (1) inch to two (2) inches in size and at least three (3) inches in
depth over a weed barrier groundcover.
3. Completion of landscaping. When the final landscape plan is submitted, a date for completion of all
plantings and related work shall be included on the plan. Landscaping shall be installed and completed
prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. In extenuating circumstances, such as adverse
weather, where occupancy is requested prior to completion of landscaping, an irrevocable letter of
credit or escrow account shall be accepted for the completion of necessary landscaping, said financial
guarantee to be equal to one and one-fourth (1¼) times the cost of the landscaping. A cost estimate for
landscaping not installed at that time shall be presented to the department of community
development for approval. Letters of credit or escrows shall not be released until all planting and finish
materials shown on the approved landscape plan are installed and accepted. The amount of the escrow
or letter of credit shall be determined by the department of community development based on the
submitted landscaping plan. Should the required landscaping not be properly installed upon the
expiration of the letter of credit or escrow account, the city reserves the right to use such funds to have
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ATTACHMENT 1
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the required landscaping placed upon the subject premises. Any costs incurred by the city in excess of
the funds provided by the letter of credit or escrow shall be recovered by the city through normal lien
proceedings.
G. Maintenance.
1. The developer, its successor and/or the property owner shall be responsible for regular weeding,
irrigating, fertilizing, pruning or other maintenance of all plantings as needed in order to ensure the
survival of any required landscaping. The city may require the removal and replacement of such
required landscaping where dead, diseased or damaged landscaping is found.
2. Minor changes in the approved landscaping plan may be made with the approval of the director of
community development if the total area of landscaping is not reduced below minimum standards and
placement is not substantially changed.
3. All property owners/occupants shall be responsible for maintenance of landscaping within the portion
of the public right-of-way between the back of the curb or street pavement and adjacent private
property.
H. Acceptable street trees. Street trees, whether on private property or in the public right-of-way, shall conform
to the plant list contained in the Streetscape Design Manual.
I. Waivers and variances. Generally, for waivers and variances, see section 26-115. Whenever a waiver or
variance is required which would be reviewed by the board of adjustment, planning commission or city
council, consideration should be given regarding alternatives to total waiver requirements (for example,
substituting planter boxes or hanging baskets for normal ground landscaping).
(Ord. No. 2001-1215, § 1, 2-26-01; Ord. No. 1288, §§ 1, 2, 5-12-03; Ord. No. 1330, § 1, 8-9-04; Ord. No. 1481, § 14,
3-28-11; Ord. No. 1491, § 4, 5-23-11; Ord. No. 1523, § 7, 10-8-12; Ord. No. 1683 , § 27, 1-27-20; Ord. No. 1744 , §
25(Exh. 1), 7-11-22)
Community Development Department
Planning Policy
SUBJECT: Artificial Turf on Non-Residential Sites EFFECTIVE DATE: March 15, 2021 APPROVED BY: Kenneth Johnstone, Community Development Director POLICY/PROCEDURE NO.: Planning 24
STATEMENT OF ISSUES:
•Sections 26-502 and 26-1110 establish minimum landscape and open space requirementsfor different types of land uses and zone districts.
•Section 26-502.C.8 of the zoning code prohibits artificial turf and plant materials inlandscaped areas.
•Artificial turf is increasingly requested by schools, daycares, and churches for play fieldsthat allow year-round use and require lower maintenance compared to sod or grass.Commercial uses such as restaurants or privately-owned public spaces also request
artificial turf to provide outdoor seating and gathering areas.
•While the code prohibits artificial turf from fulfilling minimum landscape requirements,it is appropriate to permit this surface elsewhere on a site that otherwise meets thelandscape, open space, and drainage requirements of the underlying zoning.
•In order to provide flexibility and low maintenance solutions for schools, churches and
other non-residential properties, the Community Development Department hereby adoptsthe following Administrative Policy.
ADMINSTRATIVE POLICY
•For sites where non-residential uses are the primary use—including but notlimited to commercial and mixed-use properties, schools, churches, or athleticfacilities—artificial turf shall be permitted if the following conditions are met:o The site shall meet the minimum landscaping requirements for the zonedistrict in which it is located, and
o No portion of the artificial turf shall count towards the required
landscaping percentages, and
o The permeable quality is accounted for in drainage plans, andoThe location of the turf is approved through review of a site plan
application, civil construction documents, site work permit, or building
permit (whichever applies).
•This policy shall not apply to properties where single-family, two-family ormultifamily residential is the primary use unless otherwise permitted by a planneddevelopment.
ATTACHMENT 2
Attachment 3
Denver’s Urban Water Cycle
Confronted with the impacts of climate change and an escalating focus on managing urban
waterways to achieve multiple benefits, a coalition of agencies and organizations formed to re-imagine Denver’s water management practices through the holistic, unified, and sustainability-centered approach of the Denver One Water Plan. Published in September of 2021, the plan represents the guiding principles for a shared water vision encompassing the entire water cycle.
Included in the plan is the following description and graphic of the Denver Urban Water Cycle, applicable to all metro area communities:
• Denver obtains its drinking water from snowmelt precipitation, originating in the mountains and foothills of the South Platte and Colorado River watersheds.
• Drinking water is produced at local treatment plants and delivered to homes and businesses.
• Wastewater is collected and conveyed to local water reclamation facilities.
• After treatment, the majority of reclaimed water is returned to the South Platte River or local irrigation ditches, while a smaller portion is further treated and re-used for non-potable purposes, such as outdoor irrigation and industrial applications.
• Stormwater and urban runoff are managed by local flood districts and community
utilities, supplementing flows in the South Platte River, Cherry Creek, and other local
waterways.
Figure 1. Denver's Urban Water Cycle (Source: One Water Plan)
Has your community addressed issues of
waterwise planning? If so, how?
Does your community have any codes, ordinances,
or policies related to waterwise planning or
restricted water use, particularly as it relates to
lawns, landscaping, or other planning or
recreational uses?
What, if any, programs have been initiated in your
community related to water wise practices or
design? Is your community offering any financial
incentives?
Do you have a budget for water
conservation (planning,
implementation, programming,
etc.)?
City of Brighton
Brighton offers numerous programs focused on
water conservation, and has begun to look at code
amendments to require using native and xeric
landscaping in medians and tree lawns.
Ordinance 2409 passed March 7, 2023 places water
restrictions between May 1 - September 30 each year.
Allows irrigation three days per week but not
between 10am-6pm. Other than this, code does not
specify water conservation standards for landscaping.
Brighton offers a lawn removal rebate ($1 per
square foot), water efficient fixture rebates, toilets
and irrigation controllers, WaterSmart program
(educate residents about their household water
consumption), and Resource Central programs
including Garden In A Box, water efficiency
seminars, and Slow the Flow (sprinkler audits). Yes (amount not specified).
City of Thornton
City Development and Water Resources staff
attended the Sonoran Institute's Growing
WaterSmart Workshop and highly recommend it.
They developed an Action Plan and are currently
working on code amendments. They also have a
Water Efficiency Plan that helps justify
programming during the budget process.
Yes. Conservation of Water Resources Code - outlines
water restrictions between April 1 - October 30 each
year, turf and sod installation timing restrictions.
Water Use Rules - permanently adopted into code in
2021 and outline rules about watering restrictions.
Water-wise Landscape Code - requires water-wise
landscaping for all development public and private.
Thornton offers waterwise landscape rebates,
irrigation controller rebates, rain sensor rebates,
toilet rebates, home water conservation kits,
waterwise landscape grants (commercial and HOA),
commercial waterwise site assessments, and
Resource Central programs including Garden In A
Box, Slow the Flow, and Lawn Removal.Yes (amount not specified).
City of Westminster
Westminster has ensured that their Comprehensive
Plan is aligned with their water supply. The City
focuses mostly on existing water customers since
they are mostly built out.
The landscape code is from 2004, but City would like
to reduce setbacks and make turf the more difficult
option to install as the alternative rather than the
default. Westminster is interested in using a
landscape water budget so people can still have
flexibility in their choices. Westminster provides a
plant list. Westminster also has a soil amendment
requirement.
Westminster partners with Resource Central to
offer financial incentives for Lawn Replacement and
Garden In A Box programs.
Yes. The budget has increased from
around $80,000 four years ago to
about $300,000 in 2023. The budget
is mostly used for programming.
City of Englewood
Englewood has a Water Efficiency Plan with a goal
to reduce water use community-wide by 6% by
2030. The city also recently became an EPA
WaterSense partner. There is also the Depot Park
project, which is a resident-driven effort that
converted a turf-heavy park into low-water, native
plants.
No, Englewood is more of an incentive actions
community than a regulations-forward one. However,
the City is currently updating codes for the first time
in 20 years so this could change.
Englewood partners with Resource Central to offer
financial incentives for Lawn Replacement and
Garden In A Box programs.
City has a $7,000.00 sustainability
project fund that can be used for
water conservation. The Utilities
department has additional funding
(amount not specified).
City of Aurora
Aurora has addressed this through ordinances
pertaining to new development and through
incentive/rebate programs for existing
development. Aurora also has an Integrated Water
Plan.
Aurora passed an ordinance in 2022 prohibiting
nonfunctional cool weather turf in new development,
which around 80% of residents supported. Aurora has
also banned golf courses, which around 60% of
residents supported. Aurora has permanent,
mandatory watering restrictions which limit watering
to 3 days a week, limits irigable landscaping to 30%
for commercial development and 30-50% for
residential development.
Aurora offers the Grass Replacement Incentive
Program. This program offers free landscape design,
and they can fund a limited number of direct
installations for low income residents (typically 5
per year). Aurora also has a Know Your Flow
program to help customers use water more
efficiently. Additionally, Aurora provides rebates
and financial incentives for various water efficient
fixtures, low income assistance, indoor/outdoor
water use assessments, and no tap fees for
developers using native grasses.
$1.7M that covers anything water
related.
Water Conservation Regulatory & Programmatic Peer Community Research
ATTACHMENT 4
Has your community addressed issues of
waterwise planning? If so, how?
Does your community have any codes, ordinances,
or policies related to waterwise planning or
restricted water use, particularly as it relates to
lawns, landscaping, or other planning or
recreational uses?
What, if any, programs have been initiated in your
community related to water wise practices or
design? Is your community offering any financial
incentives?
Do you have a budget for water
conservation (planning,
implementation, programming,
etc.)?
Boulder County
Community Foundation Boulder County is
partnering with Resource Central to provide
Marshall Fire victims with waterwise Garden In A
Box kits. County also provides educational
resources on protecting the water quality of
streams and rivers. The County also participated in
the Sonoran Institute's training.
Sections 8-202 (Purposes and Intent - conserve water
and use it efficiently), 8-511 (Standards for Approval
of a Permit Application - proposals shall emphasize
the most efficient use of water), 3-203 (Standards for
Submittal Requirements - Engineering Report - water
supply and distribution report is required and
adequate water supply must be provided for the
development). The Land Use Code does not explicitly
state water conservation parameters and only
describes it in broad terms.
Boulder County offers a toilet swap program.
Boulder County, the City of Boulder, and the City of
Lafayette have partnered with the Center for
Resource Conservation to provide high efficiency
toilets for a third of the cost to residents in Boulder
County.
City of Longmont
Longmont has participated in the Sonoran
Institute's Growing Water Smart workshop twice.
Code required "irrigated, low water using ground
cover on 75% of landscapes" and staff are hoping to
update the code in the future.
Longmont offers the Lawn Replacement Program
through Resource Central. There is an internal push
for turf conversions, and the Parks department is
working on this and waterwise demonstration
gardens. Longmont also uses Efficiency Works for
indoor and outdoor water efficiency rebates and
discounts for residential and commercial customers. Yes - about $300,000.00.
City of Louisville
Louisville has a Drought Plan as well as regulations
encouraging low water use. Louisville also offers
programming through Resource Central.
City has design regulations that encourage low water
use, but no quantifiable standards. The Drought Plan
specifies various restrictions depending on the
drought stage.
Louisville offers Garden In A Box, Lawn
Replacement, Waterwise Seminars, Slow the Flow,
and smart controller installation programs through
Resource Central.
Yes, $50,000.00 for Resource Central
programs.
Town of Erie
Yes, Erie has a Water Efficiency Plan in place as well
as a drought and water supply shortage plan. Erie is
also in the process of updating their
Comprehensive Master Plan, and water is a focus in
that process. Staff have also participated in the
Sonoran Institute's Growing Water Smart
workshop.
Water Waste Ordinance (8-1-11 in code) generally
prohibits water waste and places enforcement
mechanisms. The Drought Plan also specifies
restrictions on various water uses.
Erie offers Garden In A Box, Slow the Flow, and
Lawn Replacement programs through Resource
Central. Erie also offers rebates for irrigation
controllers, toilets, toilet recycling, rain barrels, and
drip equipment.Yes (amount not specified).
Jefferson County
Most water conservation efforts to date have been
on County properties (turf removal, xeriscaping,
low-flow appliances, etc.). County now has first
Climate Action Plan in place. County is embarking
on a plan alignment process soon and hopes to
incorporate water conservation practices into plans
and policies.No.No.No.
Water Conservation Regulatory & Programmatic Peer Community Research
Has your community addressed issues of
waterwise planning? If so, how?
Does your community have any codes, ordinances,
or policies related to waterwise planning or
restricted water use, particularly as it relates to
lawns, landscaping, or other planning or
recreational uses?
What, if any, programs have been initiated in your
community related to water wise practices or
design? Is your community offering any financial
incentives?
Do you have a budget for water
conservation (planning,
implementation, programming,
etc.)?
City of Arvada
Water Conservation was introduced as a City goal
in the 2005 Comprehensive Plan. These goals were
re-evaluated and reaffirmed in the 2014
Comprehensive Plan. Arvada adopted an updated
Water Conservation Plan in March 2021.
Arvada partners with Resource Central to offer
Garden In A Box, Waterwise Yard Seminars, Lawn
Replacement, and Slow the Flow programs.
City of Edgewater
Edgewater is beginning to focus more on this topic,
and is aiming to incorporate waterwise landscaping
and planning into zoning regulations this year.
There are currently no landscaping regulations, codes,
or ordinances for any development in the city. City is
working to enact a baseline set of landscaping
requirements which include waterwise landscaping
requirements.
Edgewater offers Garden In A Box and Lawn
Replacement programs through Resource Central.
Edgewater has offered a $500 maximum incentive
for up to 9 homeowners through the Lawn
Replacement Program. Edgewater is working with
Denver Botanic Gardens to provide direct education
to community members about sustainable
landscaping. City is hoping to create a waterwise
demonstration garden in 2024. Additionally,
Edgewater receives water from Denver Water and is
looking into promoting existing rebates and
resources for higher-efficiency irrigation products
(sprinkler nozzles and smart irrigation controllers).
$12,000.00 budget for Resource
Central programs in 2023.
City of Golden
There are guidelines and standards within the City's
code, which apply to all new development and
retrofits. Golden is beginning to evaluate changes
to current codes for additional requirements and
updating their sustainability menu. Golden is also
looking at updating their recommended plant lists.
Commercial Sustainability Guidelines, Residential
Sustainability Standards, 50% xericscape requirement,
Graywater Ordinance. Golden to present a Waste of
Water Ordinance in April. Drought Plan also lists
restrictions.
Golden offers programs through Resource Central:
Garden In A Box, Slow the Flow, and Water Wise
webinars. Golden currently offers rain sensor and
smart irrigation controller rebates. Golden is
considering offering a turf replacement program in
2024, and may offer additional rebates in the future
for irrigation equipment.
In the past, Golden has only had a
small budget for Resource Central
programs (amount not specified).
Currently, Golden is finalizing a
Water Efficiency Coordinator
position which will have a budget
(not specified).
Larimer County
County participates in the Colorado C-PACE
program. This 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.
Financing repaid through a voluntary assessment on
property tax bill.
Water Conservation Regulatory & Programmatic Peer Community Research
Has your community addressed issues of
waterwise planning? If so, how?
Does your community have any codes, ordinances,
or policies related to waterwise planning or
restricted water use, particularly as it relates to
lawns, landscaping, or other planning or
recreational uses?
What, if any, programs have been initiated in your
community related to water wise practices or
design? Is your community offering any financial
incentives?
Do you have a budget for water
conservation (planning,
implementation, programming,
etc.)?
City of Fort Collins
Code focuses mostly on common spaces and HOA
areas, and utilizes a water budget. The City imposes
water use restrictions as necessitated by drought
stages. There are currently no landscaping code
restrictions for residential development, but this is
likely to change in the future. Additionally, some
water districts have explicitly prohibited wasting
water.
Fort Collins offers several water conservation
programs, rebates, and incentives for residential
and commercial customers. The City provides toilet,
clothes washer, and sprinkler equipment rebates to
residential customers. Fort Collins also offers a
xeriscape incentive program, sprinkler evaluations
to residential customers, as well as a free Landscape
Water Budget program for HOAs to track usage.
Fort Collins has a budget of over
$1M; around half covers staffing
costs.
City & County Broomfield
Broomfield is currently working to update
development codes with respect to water-wise
landscape plan requirements for new development
that focuses on outdoor water efficiency and turf
limits. In addition, Broomfield intends to expand its
existing turf replacement program, develop a
process for including water adequacy standards for
developers, implement an outreach and education
program for high water users, and eventually
incorporate land use into water demand
forecasting and water goals/metrics into
Comprehensive Plan updates.
Residential landscape requirements are addressed in
the Broomfield Municipal Code. Broomfield is
currently working to update the code to require that
landscape plans incorporate water-wise principles
and practices.
Broomfield works in partnership with Resource
Central to provide residents with Lawn
Replacement, Slow the Flow, and Garden In A Box
programs. Broomfield is working to expand the
programs in order to assist a greater number of
residents in the future. The Broomfield Lawn
Replacement Program allows residents to apply to
receive up to $500 off lawn removal services
(customers pay $1 per sq. ft. for the first 333 sq. ft.)
and/or complimentary Garden In A Box kits. In
addition, Broomfield offers rebates to residential
and commercial customers for toilets, nozzles,
smart irrigation controllers, rain barrels, and whole
home water monitoring systems.
Rebates (all customers): $40,000.00;
Resource Central programs:
$27,000.00; per City Council staff
has submitted budget requests to
supplement the existing water
conservation budget for 2023 and on
to add $40,000.00 non-residential
rebates, $25,000.00 for large
property turf replacement program,
and an additional $39,000.00 for the
lawn replacement program through
Resource Central.
City of Lone Tree
Not directly, but Design Guidelines and Standards
for Landscaping adopt xeriscape principles.
Specific references from the Design Guidelines and
Standards for Landscaping include GP-D: plants must
be very-low to moderate water users, no high-water
plants permitted; GP-E: turf must be native and/or
drought tolerant, with few exceptions; GP-F: no
irrigated turn on slopes greater than 3:1; GP-I: plant in
hydrozones, based on water needs; GP-S: irrigation
requirements to promote water conservation; GP-T:
irrigation to minimize evaporative water loss. These
guidelines and standards apply to Site Improvement
Plans, Right of Ways, Water Capture Areas, and
Subdivisions (at the platting stage). The City does not
impose development regulations on single-family
detached development after platting.No formal programming to date.No.
Water Conservation Regulatory & Programmatic Peer Community Research
Attachment 5
Peer Community Modeling Trends
Communities are growing their efforts to model low water use through waterwise landscape
design including but not limited to the removal of traditional, cool-season turf in medians and rights-of-way, reduced mowing or replacement of irrigated turf in non-functional or minimally used recreation areas, and the use of xeriscaping or waterwise design in new and renovated public spaces. Specific practice examples include:
• Lakewood utilizes xeric plants in all medians and other areas where traditional turf can or needs to be replaced.
• Lakewood has adopted a “let-it-grow” practice for open space areas and has increased natural areas in urban parks.
• Town of Castle Rock properties, including town-owned parks, adhere to Castle Rock Water watering restrictions. Like Wheat Ridge, communities are establishing demonstration gardens to educate property
owners on the beauty and value of waterwise garden design. Many offer classes on a variety of
low water use landscape applications. Some local examples include:
• Aurora - one of the largest waterwise demonstration gardens in the state located at their Aurora Municipal Center.
• Arvada – city demonstration garden offers classes and guided tours.
• City of Golden - xeriscape demonstration garden was created with plants from the Resource Central Garden in a Box program.
• City of Golden - student volunteers and staff planted a Public Fruit Orchard featuring
plum, apricot, and apple trees as well as native, xeric, and low-water plants; the garden utilizes a water-efficient, non-potable drip irrigation system.
• Lakewood - Kendrick Lake Park includes one of the most recognized xeric gardens in the metro area.
• Lakewood - Morse Park Rain Garden showcases a bermed xeriscape garden and pond area intended to collect and filter water from adjacent parking lots, streets, and tennis courts.
• Denver - Denver Botanic Garden is testing and modeling low-water plan design and
installation methods throughout the gardens and in adjacent rights of way.
Memorandum
TO: Wheat Ridge City Council THROUGH: Patrick Goff, City Manager FROM: Susan Anderson, Recreation Manager & Karen A. O’Donnell, Parks and Recreation Director DATE: May 25, 2023 SUBJECT: Metropolitan Football Stadium District Funding for Youth Activity Programs
ISSUE:
The City of Wheat Ridge received $523,551 from the sale of the Denver Broncos Football Club.
The funds must be used for “youth activity programs” within the Wheat Ridge community. Staff presented a variety of options to youth community members and requested feedback regarding their preferences. Based on youth feedback, staff will present recommendations for use of these funds.
BACKGROUND: In September of 2022, the City received notice from the Metropolitan Football Stadium District (MFSD), stating that the sale of the Denver Broncos Football Club triggered components of both the original legislation which created the MFSD and the lease and management agreement which
ties the franchise to the taxpayer owned facility, Empower Field at Mile High, and subsequently
to the counties, cities, and towns within a 7-county metro Denver boundary. The $4.65 billion sale of the Broncos franchise resulted in a “sharing amount” of just over $41 million. The MFSD Board elected to distribute these funds proportionately to the counties, cities, and towns in which the stadium tax was collected. The City of Wheat Ridge’s proportionate percentage of tax
revenue was 1.275774% or $523,551. Provisions of the legislation and subsequent management
agreement require the funds to be used for “youth activity programs.” Under the leadership of Recreation Manager Susan Anderson, staff worked
with GameTime, Recreation Plus, and
Yalp to develop various youth activity program options to share with youth in the community.
The first option is a large, nature-themed
playground designed by GameTime. If selected, this piece totaling $384,663, will be installed at Anderson Park next to the nature play area.
2
GameTime and Recreation Plus designed the following options to replace the existing aging
playground at Anderson Park, ranging from
$69,185 to $116,758. All three of these options were designed to include installation of a rail rider, which was previously purchased, but never installed, by the city.
Yalp proposed the following three designs which include 1) “Yalp Memo” for Anderson Park, 2) “Yalp Sona” for the Green at 38th, and 3) “Yalp Fono” for the Recreation Center adjacent to the barn
These projects range from $110,000 to $120,000.
1
2
3
3
Staff set up several meetings and invited youth to attend. Approximately 60 youth provided feedback on the options. Additional youth feedback is currently being obtained and will be
shared at the study session. By engaging youth in the community, the City will be able to use
these funds to purchase and install what local youth want, rather than what Staff thinks they might want. PROPOSED ACTION:
After the presentation, feedback is welcome from City Council on the engagement process and
the proposed use of Metropolitan Football Stadium District funds. A resolution approving a supplemental budget appropriation to appropriate the Metropolitan Football Stadium District reimbursement will be presented to City Council at the June 12th regular business meeting.
ATTACHMENT:
1. Letter and Resolution from the MFSD, dated September 19, 2022
ATTACHMENT 1