Routt County Climate Action Collaborative Fund awards $50,000 in grants for community projects
The Routt County Climate Action Collaborative Fund has awarded $50,000 to four local organizations for environmental projects as part of its first-ever round of grant awards. The fund, which is held at Yampa Valley Community Foundation (YVCF), was created to support local projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and thus implement the Routt County Climate Action Plan.
Grant awardees include BookTrails, Northwest Colorado Council of Governments, Strings Music Festival and Routt County Riders.
“We were deeply impressed by the breadth and impact of projects outlined by our first round of applicants, and are thrilled to play a role in advancing crucial projects that reduce carbon emissions and increase quality of life right here in our community,” Climate Action Plan Collaborative Board Chair Gail Garey said.
The award for BookTrails will go toward the installation of a solar array at Reading Ranch, the campus of the outdoor education program that serves 250 children annually. The solar array will save 21.5 tons of carbon dioxide each year, the equivalent of over 30,000 miles being driven, and will serve as an educational tool to teach youth about renewable energy.
Northwest Colorado Council of Governments will use their award to jumpstart the Re-Energize Routt program, which will provide weatherization assistance to local homeowners, resulting in lower utility bills and increased energy efficiency in homes.
Funding awarded to Strings Music Festival will contribute to a project to transition the venue’s stage lights from incandescents to LEDs. Once the entire project is completed, the transition is expected to save 25% of the venue’s current lighting energy usage, cutting over 36 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
Routt County Riders will put their award toward staffing, equipment and development of their Bike Match program, which connects community members in need of transportation options with bikes repaired using upcycled parts. The program is estimated to replace over 31,000 vehicle miles traveled with human powered transportation annually.
“The Foundation is pleased to make these very first grants out of this fund for projects that will reduce greenhouse emissions and make the Yampa Valley a healthier and more sustainable place,” said Tim Wohlgenant, Yampa Valley Community Foundation CEO and CAP Collaborative Board member. “We hope these initial projects inspire continued donations to the fund so we can carry on the important work of tackling climate change.”
The Routt County Climate Action Collaborative Fund plans to award grants for local projects each year, dependent on funds donated by the community. You can play a part in supporting future projects by donating to the fund at https://yvcf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=4135.
Travelers flying out of Yampa Valley Regional Airport in Hayden can also offset the carbon impact of their air miles by donating to the fund through the Good Traveler Program at thegoodtraveler.org/partners/yampa-valley-community-foundation/.