As summer has finally arrived in Superior, we’d like to welcome Aurelia Casarrubias to the Town Sustainability team! Prior to joining the Town, Aurelia worked for a carbon offset registry working on forest carbon sequestration projects based in Mexico. She is currently in a master’s program at CU Boulder specializing in environmental policy and is interested in a wide range of topics, including pathways to sustainable bio-economies, metrics analysis and reporting, and local environmental policy implementation. Having grown up in Boulder, she is excited to work on sustainability initiatives so close to home! When she’s not studying, she enjoys running, reading, finding new spots to eat, and taking her pup, Pesto, on adventures.

We have lots of exciting news and events coming up that we hope you’ll enjoy, and as always, thanks for being a part of making Superior a sustainable, resilient, and vibrant community.

- Town of Superior Sustainability Team

Interested in replacing some of your lawn with landscaping? Apply by July 14 for the Lawn Replacement Program and receive discounts and incentives up to $500. Make use of the incentive and have Resource Central do the removal for you or buy some beautiful, low-water plants. Visit ResourceCentral.org/Lawn or call 303-999-3820 ext. 221

The Harney-Lastoka open space is temporarily home to a new herd of goats, but these goats aren't on summer vacation; they're on a mission! The Town contracted these goats to graze vegetation in the open space for fuel reduction, noxious weed control, and wildfire protection.

Staff asks that you observe their work from designated trails only and remain outside of the fence perimeter at all times for your safety. 

The Town's Sustainability and Parks, Recreation, and Open Space teams are working together on a nature-based solution to protect Superior's ponds from harmful algae blooms. Eight floating islands were recently installed as part of an innovative pilot project funded by a Boulder County Sustainability Grant. Three islands are located in Riverbend Pond and five in Bowes Pond. All are filled with native aquatic plants that help remove excess nutrients from the water. Visit the Town's website to learn more about the Floating Islands pilot project.

As we celebrate summer with barbecues and other fun events, consider avoiding single-use plastic as you plan your next gathering. Join the Plastic Free July movement and be part of the solution to plastic pollution by swapping out single-use plastic products, like straws, cups, and bags, for reusable versions and reducing the amount of plastic you consume in your daily life. By reducing the amount of plastic we waste, we contribute to a cleaner community and healthier environment.

Curious About What Else you can do to go Plastic-Free? 
Check out Plastic Free Foundation’s list of actions to take, including:

• Bring a reusable coffee cup on your morning coffee run.
• Instead of buying balloons and other single-use decorations, borrow, reuse, or make your own. You can often source used decorations from local Buy Nothing groups.
• Prioritize buying items in bulk over pre-packaged items to cut down on unnecessary packaging.

Learn More About Reducing Waste
Join us for the final night of the Sustainability Film Series on July 20, where the Town of Superior will virtually present “Going Circular.” This film focuses on “circularity,” or ways to alter our economic systems and eliminate waste. It will be followed up by a discussion with local recycler Glass to Glass after the film. Register for this free event.

Are you enjoying the Sustainability newsletter? Did you know the Town also sends a Historical Commission, Parks & Recreation, and Superior Sentinel newsletter? You can also subscribe to receive Superior Community Center updates, Town Board information, Marshall Fire news, and more. For more information and to view your preferences, visit the Town's email subscription page.