Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE)

“Transportation is among the leading sources of air pollution in Colorado, making widespread EV adoption essential to achieve our ambitious climate goals,” said Colorado Energy Office Executive Director Will Toor. “For many Coloradans, access to charging is a barrier to driving an EV; especially in rural communities where there are often fewer public charging options. As the state continues to expand its public charging network, this program will allow rural Coloradans to enjoy the benefits of driving an EV by ensuring they can also access reliable, convenient, and affordable EV charging at home.” The deadline to submit EV Home Charge grants is December 13th. Learn more about the program and how to apply at https://lnkd.in/eXQ5qWK9.

We're expanding our team! CORE is hiring an Energy Concierge to play a key role in driving the success of our building programs. If you pride yourself on providing excellent customer service, feel like your best self when connecting others with community resources, have a knack for organization and project management, and are passionate about preserving our environment for generations to come - we want to hear from you! View the job post below or visit https://lnkd.in/guwit-iC for the full job description. #HiringNow #CommunityImpact #ClimateAction

For nearly two years, CORE, in partnership with Delta Brick & Climate Company (deltabrick.com), has been researching methane leaks from the abandoned Coal Basin mines. Our study revealed that around 2,000 metric tons of methane—a potent greenhouse gas—escape each year, making up one-third of Pitkin County's emissions. We’ve now submitted a proposal to the USDA Forest Service (USFS) to take action. If approved, we could destroy 300-500 metric tons of methane annually, the equivalent of removing 5,300 cars from the road! The proposal that we submitted to the USFS was shaped by community input. We heard that people wanted the most remediation with the least impact. We heard that improving the road to the LS Wood Mine was a non-starter for some, so our proposal avoids impacts on that road. We heard a lot of excitement about water manufacturing and a lot of excitement about bioremediation. Our proposal includes these concepts and more: ? Improving one existing road up to the Dutch Creek #1 and #2 Mines.? ? Drilling into the mines and sealing existing leaks.? ? Capturing methane with pipes into the mine void. ? Installing a regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO) to destroy methane. ? Running a powerline up the road to power the RTO. ? Using water manufactured from the methane oxidation to improve vegetation recovery on the old mine sites. ? Using experimental bioremediation at smaller leak sites to increase the climate benefit. Next up, there will be discussions with the USFS as they screen the application and ensure it has all the information needed to decide on the proposal. Should the USFS determine that the proposal meets its screening criteria for possible projects, it will move into a rigorous analysis phase prescribed by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Be assured that CORE will communicate to the community if and when the USFS opens up public comment. You can also find more information about the project at https://lnkd.in/gD3_847t. Thank you to all of the partners and volunteers who helped gather research data last summer and to all the community members who attended community meetings this past year to share their comments about the project. Stay tuned! PC: Impact Media Lab? and Carbondale Historical Society

CORE offers free personalized benchmarking support to property owners and managers through the Building IQ program, informing long-term plans to improve efficiency and reduce emissions from buildings. The second phase of Building IQ is the establishment of a Building Performance Standard, which will set specific targets for buildings to cut emissions. Helping building owners identify building improvements creates real action from benchmarking results. With assistance from the City of Aspen, CORE is developing a “Building Performance Hub” to provide centralized support for building owners. Learn more about the Building IQ program at https://lnkd.in/gdmmxHnY. #BuildingIQ #Benchmarking #BPH

Exciting advancements are underway in residential heating solutions! The arrival of air-to-water heat pumps presents a cost-effective and efficient option for homes currently using hot water systems. These heat pumps not only help decarbonize heating but also utilize existing infrastructure, making the transition smoother and more affordable. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) emphasizes that a good first step in upgrading your heating system is weatherizing your home. Sealing air leaks with weather stripping or caulking offers a straightforward, cost-effective solution to enhance the performance of newer systems and support long-term energy efficiency. CORE’s Energy Concierge team can help you get started tackling drafts and adding insulation to make your home warmer this winter. Reach out for energy-saving advice at https://lnkd.in/dnzz7hQY. #EnergyEfficiency #HeatPumps #Electrification

Great column by Jaquelyn Francis, founder of the Global Warming Mitigation Project, on innovative climate solutions taking root worldwide! As climate-driven disasters become more frequent, both globally and close to home, it's important to remember that individuals and communities can take climate action now. At CORE, we tackle climate in the built environment because buildings account for 60% of carbon emissions in Pitkin, Eagle, and Garfield Counties. Our support goes beyond financial aid; we provide comprehensive guidance and expertise to help clients make informed, effective strides toward their energy efficiency and sustainability goals. Here’s how you can take action today: 1. Contact our FREE Energy Concierge – Our local experts offer free, personalized support to guide you at every step of your project. 2. Choose your energy-saving services: ? Energy assessments ? Grants and rebates ? Project planning advice ? Connections with qualified contractors ? Technical advising on efficient building upgrades 3. Donate to CORE – Your contributions stay local, creating a sustainable legacy for our community. Visit to learn more and get started on your path to climate action! https://lnkd.in/gURaxhc9

In 2022, Aspen Meadows Resort partnered with CORE and the City of Aspen to benchmark their building’s energy and water use. Now in the third cycle, they’ve expanded this partnership with CORE, completing a first-of-its-kind heat pump project across all 102 hotel rooms—eliminating the need for backup heating. This innovative project reduced their greenhouse gas emissions by 217 MTCO2e – equivalent to the annual emissions of 28 homes’ energy use. Aspen Meadows’ success highlights the impact of CORE’s benchmarking and energy solutions. Interested in taking the first step toward a zero-emissions building? Partner with CORE to start benchmarking today. Learn more at aspencore.org/benchmarking. #BuildingIQ #Benchmarking #CityofAspen #AspenMeadows

We had a great time at Mtn Bio’s event: "The Role of Food in Climate Solutions" at Coffman Ranch. The setting was beautiful and it was a great opportunity to talk about climate action with local community members. A big thank you to all the incredible participants: Brian Hightower (Aspen Valley Land Trust), Connie Baker (Marble Distilling), Casey Piscura (Seed Peace, Farm Collaborative Aspen), Kade Gianinetti (The Painted Pig, Aquila Cellars), and Alyssa Reindel (EverGreen ZeroWaste). We’re inspired by your dedication to local climate action and the powerful connections you’re forging between food, nature, and sustainability. Let’s continue to take action and engage our community in meaningful ways to address climate challenges. Together, we can make an impact!

At the annual Basalt Chamber Of Commerce meeting, local leaders gathered to address key issues impacting our community, including the economy, housing, childcare, and mental health. Special thanks to the panelists for driving these important discussions: ? Heather Henry, VP of Housing and Childcare, Aspen Snowmass-Aspen Skiing Company ? Betsy Cru, Housing Director at the Town of Snowmass Village, representing the West Mountain Regional Housing Coalition (www.wmrhousing.org) ? Maggie Tolan Tiscornia, Director, Confluence Early Childhood Education Coalition (cececoalition.org) ? Angilina Taylor, Executive Director, Headquarters | Your Path to Mental Fitness Moderator: Jason Blevins, The Colorado Sun While these challenges are significant, it was encouraging to hear about the regional collaborations gaining momentum, the financial incentives available, and actionable ways to advocate for progress. CORE is proud to be part of these complex conversations and to present solutions for our community. Through our Community Priority Participant program, we offer financial support and guidance to ensure essential workers, the local workforce, and income-qualified households can improve energy efficiency, lowering utility costs and reducing environmental impact. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gXpnVdKz.

Thank you to everyone who helped plan the Energy Smart Colorado annual partner summit! We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with so many incredible partners dedicated to driving sustainable energy solutions forward.