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Welcome to the Town of Superior sustainability newsletter. Here you will learn about the work we are doing and the ways you can be involved in sustainability and climate action initiatives!
Welcome to the sizzle of summer!
The record-breaking heat across our planet is a wake-up call to do everything we can to reduce our impact on climate change. One of our tools in our tool box is to lead a zero waste lifestyle.
What is zero waste?
Zero Waste is a way of life that promotes reducing the amount of material we throw away and instead reincorporating by-products of one system for use in another system. There is no such thing as "waste" in nature. In nature, the by-product of one system is feedstock for another system. Only humans have created this thing we call "waste."
How can you practice zero waste?
By practicing the 3R’s and C (reducing, reusing, recycling and composting), you can divert waste from our landfill.
One of the biggest sources of greenhouse gasses coming from the landfill is food and other organic wastes in our trash. Is there a better way to dispose of your food waste? YES! Compost food and non-recyclable paper instead of trashing them! When you compost these, you are preventing the generation of methane, a greenhouse gas that is over 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping the earth’s heat. And you help generate a much-needed soil amendment that also helps plants convert more carbon dioxide into sugars, pulling more carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. To learn about composting your food waste, visit this webpage. For more info on an upcoming backyard compost workshop, keep reading this newsletter!
Would you like more information or do you have ideas to share on zero waste strategies? Email your ideas to the Advisory Committee for Environmental Sustainability (ACES) at ACES@superiorcolorado.gov. We help our Town Board, residents, businesses, and town staff adopt and implement ideas for going zero waste and we would love to hear from you!
Sincerely,
Michelle Gazarik, Melissa Cates and Miles Hoffman, ACES Members
 ACES members pictured above include Melissa Cates, Michelle Gazarik, and Miles Hoffman and his daughter who is practicing composting at home.
July
Free Compost Workshops from Boulder County Resource Conservation
July 23, 10:00 a.m. to noon
Boulder County Recycling Center’s Education Room, 1901 63rd St, Boulder
Learn more and register
Downtown Superior Walk-and-Learn: All About RTD Transit
July 27, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Sport Stable Community Room, 1 Superior Drive, Superior
Learn more and register
August
Zero Fare Transit on RTD
Entire month of August
Learn more
Maximizing Rebuilding Incentives
Rebuilding Better Workshop Series
August 3, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Louisville Rec Center, 900 Via Appia Way, Louisville
Learn more and register
Downtown Superior August Bike Ride Meetup
August 10, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Hangry Horse Café, 1 Superior Drive, Superior
Learn more and register
PLANET-Based Living Festival 2022
August 28, 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Boulder Bandshell
Learn more
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Resilient and Sustainable Rebuilding in Superior
 Next Rebuilding Better workshop will provide information on maximizing rebates, grants and loans
The Town of Superior, City of Louisville and Boulder County EnergySmart are hosting series of in-person workshops and networking events to help residents navigate the resources and tools available on the County's RebuildingBetter.org website.
At the August 3 workshop, attendees will learn about the key decision points in the rebuilding process and when to make those decisions to maximize the incentives offered, including when to apply for rebates, grants, loans and when to bring in energy raters, builders and other members of the rebuilding team. Next, attendees will hear from a panel of energy raters about how raters work with homeowners and builders to maximize the energy efficiency of the home design. The August 3 workshop will include experts from Xcel Energy and the Colorado Energy Office to answer questions about the rebates, incent
Previous workshop recordings are available!
Optimizing Comfort and Construction Cost Savings in Your New Home
Watch video here
Materials and Equipment for a Resilient Rebuild
Watch video here
Xcel Energy recovery resources webinar series
Xcel Energy has released a series of short webinars which cover topics including Benefits of Efficient New Construction, Incentives for Efficient Rebuilds, Building Code Basics and Building Electrification.
Watch the webinars here
Material and equipment choices for heating and cooling your home
 Heat pump technology was previously limited to southern regions of the country. Over the past 5-10 years, heat pumps have been improved and designed to operate in cold climates. The result is a new product category, cold climate heat pumps, which can now perform well year-round, even in the coldest counties in Colorado.
Visit the RebuildingBetter.org/heating-cooling webpage to learn about the different types of heat pumps including air-source, ductless and ground source.
ACES educates residents about recycling and composting while supporting a zero waste 4th of July celebration
Members of the Advisory Committee for Environmental Sustainability (ACES) spent their 4th of July educating residents about proper recycling and composting practices, while also supporting the Town with the event’s zero waste efforts. Thanks to their support and the support of volunteers and Superior Green Team partners, the Town was able to keep most of the waste generated at the event from going to the landfill.
Be sure to look for the ACES booth at the next Town event to learn about the sustainability initiatives they are working on, and to get a slice of sustainability education from your neighbors!
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Join Superior’s Green Team partnership program
The Town of Superior is looking to partner with local organizations, groups, businesses and individuals to help support our zero waste community events and other sustainability efforts. These groups will form Green Teams!
What is a Green Team? Green Teams are groups willing to provide hands-on support for zero waste events and other sustainability efforts led by the Town. Green Teams will help guide the community in meeting zero-waste requirements.
Why form a Green Team partnership with the Town? In recognition of Green Team service, the Town will provide unique incentives and/or a recognition opportunity specific to your organization or group’s needs based on hours of services. Green Teams will also support the Town of Superior’s municipal goal to keep 65% of waste out of the landfill by 2025 through reducing consumption, recycling, reusing and composting. Finally, by joining you will help increase the community’s understanding and execution of zero-waste efforts. Win, Win, Win!
Interested? Want to learn more? Email volunteerops@superiorcolorado.gov
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Town advances several water conservation projects
Recognizing that Eastern Boulder County, which includes the Town of Superior, is currently experiencing “moderate drought” conditions and that these conditions are more likely to become the norm, the Town is working to advance several water conservation projects in parks and other irrigated areas. This includes:
- A turf reduction pilot project on one of the Rock Creek Parkway medians. The project includes turf removal, installation of drip irrigation and planting of low maintenance, waterwise plants and shrubs. The removed turf is being recycled and reused in other irrigated areas.
- The portion of the US 36 bikeway extension project happening near Rock Creek Parkway and 88th Street is reducing turf and adding hardscapes and more waterwise plants.
- An irrigation audit was completed at Community Park. PROS is awaiting results of the audit which will include recommendations for repairs, upgrades and scheduling to make the system as efficient as possible.
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Do you want to save money AND water? The Town offers residential programs for that!
Superior’s Water Efficiency Rebate Program pays you for replacing certain inefficient fixtures in your home. The next time you need to replace your sprinkler, shower head, or washer, consider high efficiency replacements and you could save hundreds.
Resource Central’s Slow the Flow program offers free, on-site sprinkler audits to homeowners, businesses, and HOA properties. The evaluation will give you a comprehensive understanding of your system’s efficiency and actionable steps on how to best improve it, including a custom watering schedule.
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Tackling ozone and saving gas money with free public transit
Regional Transportation District (RTD) is excited to announce Zero Fare for Better Air, a collaborative, statewide initiative designed to reduce ground-level ozone by increasing use of public transit. During the month of August, customers can ride RTD with zero fare. This program is made possible by Colorado Senate Bill 22-180 and in partnership with the Colorado Energy Office. Riding transit promotes cleaner air. Approximately 84% of the greenhouse gas emissions that come from transportation are due to day-to-day commutes. By leaving the car at home, a person can save up to 20 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions every day. Some of the additional benefits of using transit include cost savings, gas savings, traffic reduction, time savings, time savings and stress reduction making a daily commute better for all.
To learn how to hop on board to participate in Zero Fare for Better Air, visit rtd-denver.com/zerofare. When out and about taking advantage of Zero Fares, snap a photo and post on social media using the hashtag #zerofare or #betterair
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Resource Central’s tool library hosts a centralized inventory of hundreds of hand, electric, and gas-powered tools
 This paid membership-based program promotes community resource sharing while leveraging communal purchasing power. The Tool Library delivers affordable tool-lending services to individuals, businesses, and civic or community organizations. Visit the tool library webpage for more details on available tools and memberships.
Boulder County, City of Boulder, and City and County of Broomfield express disappointment in Supreme Court’s EPA ruling
Colorado Legislature Scores Notable Wins on Energy Efficiency, Climate, and Transit
Marshall Fire victims have wide array of options for rebuilding homes to higher energy efficiency standards
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Break free from plastics – make one swap in your life!
The global scale of plastic pollution may feel overwhelming, but there’s a lot YOU can do. Collectively, engaged, educated, and responsible individuals can transform entire communities.
Here are a couple of ways you can start to swap out the plastic in your life with an option that is better for the environment:
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Avoid single-use plastic disposables, including plastic cups, bottles, utensils, bags, and take-out containers. Create a Zero Waste to-go kit containing reusable alternatives and keep it in your car or bike basket.
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Reduce your consumption of plastic packaging. About 40% of plastic produced is packaging, used just once and then discarded. Avoid plastic packaging by shopping in bulk or at farmer’s markets, where plastic packaging isn’t the norm.
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Move towards natural fiber clothing, such as cotton, linen, and silk. Laundering clothes release fibers that are so small they get past treatment systems and enter rivers, lakes, and oceans. Natural fibers will biodegrade over time, but synthetic fibers (which contain plastic) do not.
Visit Eco-Cycle’s webpage on plastics to find more tips and learn more about how you can be a part of the solution to the plastic problem.
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