“Even small communities can lead the way:” How to drive local climate action through collaboration

When it comes to climate impact, sometimes it takes a village – or ten.?

EcoAction Partners began with a simple but ambitious idea: create a centralized resource to help rural communities tackle sustainability challenges together. What started as a small nonprofit in Telluride has grown into a regional leader, coordinating efforts across three counties? and ten local governments to address greenhouse gas emissions, promote renewable energy, and implement climate action plans.

In a discussion at the Mountain Towns 2030 Climate Solutions Summit Summit, leaders at the forefront of climate action in Colorado’s San Miguel, Ouray, and San Juan Counties explored how rural mountain communities can band together to combat climate change, sharing personal stories, lessons learned, and practical advice.

“In 2007, sustainability was just becoming a buzzword,” explained Kim Wheels, Energy Specialist at EcoAction Partners, reflecting on the organization’s early days. “By pooling resources from local governments and our cooperative utility, we were able to launch a nonprofit to serve the entire region.” Wheels has dedicated over 16 years to designing and implementing impactful regional programs.

Today, EcoAction Partners drives initiatives like the Snuffles Energy Board, a coalition of ten local governments focused on implementing climate action strategies ranging from energy efficiency programs to groundbreaking microgrids.

Some of their wins include:

• Climate Action Plan Adoption: All 10 member governments formally adopted the region’s comprehensive climate action plan, a guiding document for reducing emissions and building resilience.
• Microgrid Innovation: Towns like Ridgeway and Rico now host state-of-the-art microgrids capable of powering entire communities during outages.
• Workforce Development: A partnership with the Telluride Foundation is training local workers in solar installation, heat pumps, and electric vehicle (EV) technology to meet growing demand for green energy jobs.

Kendra Held, Climate Action Coordinator for EcoAction Partners, emphasized the importance of collaboration, saying, “Our regional climate action plan would have been impossible without the Snuffles Energy Board. Together, we’ve leveraged funding and expertise to tackle challenges that no single community could handle alone.”

Of course, progress hasn’t come without its hurdles. The panelists shared candidly about the challenges they’ve faced, including:

• NIMBYism (Not In My Backyard): While the region has embraced climate action broadly, localized resistance to projects like renewable energy installations persists.
• Resource Constraints: Small rural governments often lack the staff or budgets to pursue large-scale sustainability initiatives independently.
• Diverse Priorities: The region spans ski towns, ranching communities, and mining areas, requiring tailored approaches to gain buy-in.

Despite these obstacles, EcoAction Partners has persisted by leaning into collaboration and reframing challenges as opportunities. “Every community brings something unique to the table,” said Wheels. “Even the smallest towns can teach us something valuable about resilience and resourcefulness.”

Whether you’re part of a small town or a sprawling city, the panel offered actionable insights for anyone looking to launch or strengthen climate initiatives:

1. Collaborate Across Borders: Climate change doesn’t stop at town lines. Regional collaboration amplifies impact and attracts funding.
2. Start with Data: Greenhouse gas inventories provide a roadmap for prioritizing actions with the greatest impact.
3. Engage Everyone: From local governments to utilities to nonprofits, diverse partnerships create a stronger foundation for success.
4. Secure Funding: Donor engagement and grant writing are critical to turning plans into action.

The panelists also reminded attendees that climate work is as much about hope and storytelling as it is about science and policy. Jason Corzine, President & CEO of the Telluride Foundation,? shared how their organization has pivoted from funding individual projects to becoming a major backer of regional climate action, securing over $5.3 million for initiatives in 2023 alone.

“Climate work can feel overwhelming,” said Emma Gerona, Executive Director of EcoAction Partners, who leads efforts to tackle sustainability challenges across three counties. “But when you focus on small wins, celebrate progress, and keep the big picture in mind, it becomes a lot more manageable—and even fun.”

As Corzine put it, “This is about putting the action in climate action planning—and showing that even small communities can lead the way.”

See the whole seminar here: