Happy 2025 from the Town’s Sustainability Team! While we are preparing for another year of progress toward our local sustainable and environmental goals, we also want to celebrate some bigger wins for Colorado.

According to Colorado Communities for Climate Action (CC4A), of which Superior is a member, Colorado has been awarded approximately $6.8 billion in climate-related funding in the past four years. That number includes state, utility, and private sector grants, but when we narrow it down to the community level, CC4CA member jurisdictions have approximately $1.3 billion worth of federal climate funding flowing into our local communities.

We’re excited to keep working with CC4CA and other regional partners to bring more funding, programs and incentives to Superior!  As always, thanks for being a part of making Superior a sustainable, resilient, and vibrant community.

-Town of Superior Sustainability Staff, Alexis Bullen & Austin Everett

Winter is a great time for some low-cost or free improvements to make your home cozier. Weatherization protects homes from the elements, reduces energy use and improves your home's energy efficiency. An energy audit can help you identify efficiency and sustainability opportunities in your home. These measures can reduce your energy bills, make your home more comfortable, and increase home safety.

Ready to get started? Here are some programs to help:

• Did you know that you can receive a full Energy Audit of your home, efficiency upgrades, LED bulbs and more, all for free? While supplies last, the Town of Superior is covering the cost of a Home Energy Squad Plus visit for residents. All installation, labor, and materials are covered - a $600 value! Visit Xcel Energy's website and use promo code SUPERIOR2025 to register for your free visit. There is a limited quantity of visits covered by the Town this year.  
  
  
• Energy Outreach Colorado's CARE Program can provide substantial no-cost energy upgrades, such as new insulation and energy-efficient appliances, for Boulder County households earning less than 80% Area Median Income (for example, $81,760 for a one-person household or $93,440 for two people).
  
  
• Rebates through Boulder County EnergySmart are available for appliance electrification and efficiency measures like insulation and air sealing. Residents making 100% Area Median Income or less ($102,200 for a one-person household, $116,800 for a two-person household) can receive additional help with Boulder County's Income Qualified Services.

Stay tuned for some local Superior-specific incentives coming soon!

The Goat Bros and their 300 goats are back at Community Park (1350 Coalton Road) for the next few months. They will be working hard reducing wildfire fuel loads on targeted open space parcels as well as improving soil conditions, controlling weeds, and promoting native grassland species.

We're all excited to see these cute helpers, but they have important work to do in keeping our community safe from wildfires. Electrified fence and herding dogs will be used to control grazing efforts, so please be mindful when enjoying Community Park in the coming months and refrain from interfering with the goats' hard work.

This important wildfire mitigation work will continue thanks to a $142,000 grant from Boulder County (Learn more about the grant in this Boulder County press release). Grazing not only reduces wildfire fuel but also minimizes the need for herbicides and makes it easier for staff as goats can reach areas that are difficult for mechanical mowers to access.

The Superior Town Council issued a proclamation declaring January as National Radon Action Month. In Boulder County, about half of all homes have elevated levels of radon. Radon is an invisible, odorless gas that is naturally occurring due to radioactive decay in Colorado soils. Lung cancer from radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking and is preventable.

Winter is a great time to test your home because people are less likely to leave their windows and doors open. Testing is simple and inexpensive - there is a free radon test kit offered through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (while supplies last). Low-cost test kits are available at sosradon.org and local hardware stores. If elevated levels are discovered, they’re easier to fix than you’d think.

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