Join the Town of Superior Advisory Committee for Environmental Sustainability (ACES) and Eco-Cycle for a family-friendly zero-waste event on Saturday, Jan. 31, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Superior Community Center (1500 Coalton Road).

Superior's first Zero Waste Carnival will have games, activity stations, and hot chocolate from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Afterwards, join Miss Peel and Lex Shannon, Eco-Cycle's Public Education and Engagement Manager, for a family-friendly interactive session on how to be an Eco-Leader by learning what's recyclable, what's compostable, and what is appropriate for the landfill. Kids of all ages are welcome with an adult attendee!

Have you tested your home for radon? The EPA designated January as National Radon Action Month. With doors and windows closed during the colder months, winter is a great time to test when indoor radon levels tend to be highest. Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive, colorless, odorless gas, and it’s the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.

When should you test for radon?

• If your home has never been tested, or radon levels are unknown
• Before buying or selling a home
• Before and after major home renovations
• Before making any lifestyle changes in the home that would cause someone to spend more time in the basement or lower level (like converting a basement to a bedroom or home office)

How do you test for radon?

• Order a free radon test kit from the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
• Purchase a short-term or long-term test kit from a hardware store
• Hire a qualified radon tester (especially if you are buying or selling a home)

Contact a licensed professional to install a radon reduction system if elevated levels are detected. If elevated levels are discovered, they’re easier to fix than you’d think.

February means it’s time to sign up for a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program! A CSA is a direct relationship between farmers and community members who pay a membership fee for that season to help cover the farm’s production costs. In return for being a member, subscribers receive “shares” of the farm’s production during the season.

Purchasing a CSA early in the season helps local farmers afford the many costs of growing our food, including planting seeds, purchasing equipment, hiring staff, and getting ready for the first harvest. It also provides farmers with direct outlets for farm products, strengthens economies by keeping food dollars in local communities, supports sustainable food systems, and provides a fun way for producers and buyers to connect.

Membership fees depend on the number of “shares” purchased and the individual farm. You can choose the number of shares that make sense for your household. Different farms have different models, but members usually receive farm products at regular intervals, typically biweekly or weekly, for about 20-26 weeks during the growing season. There are also some CSAs which allow you to pre-pay a certain amount and then purchase from their farm from that allocation throughout the season. There are also some CSAs that focus solely on one type of product, such as orchard fruits or honey.

Check out the Boulder County Farmers Market’s local CSA guide for a list of some farms in the area that offer CSAs. Reach out to each individual farm to learn more about their CSA. You can also attend a CSA Fair to learn more about the farms, their different shares available, and the best fit for your household:

Slow Food Boulder County is hosting three Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Fairs:

• Niwot Fair on Sunday, Feb. 1, from 11 a.m. to  3 p.m. RSVP for the Niwot CSA Fair.
• Celebrate National CSA Day by attending the Boulder Fair on Friday, Feb. 27, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. RSVP for the Boulder CSA Fair.
• Attend the Lafayette Fair on Sunday, March 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. RSVP for the Lafayette CSA Fair.

Many of our community members were directly and indirectly affected by Xcel’s Proactive Power Shutoff last month. You can provide direct feedback to the Public Utilities Commission on how the shutoff impacted you, your business, and your community by completing this Public Safety Power Shutoff survey.

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission serves the public interest by regulating utilities and facilities so that the people of Colorado receive safe, reliable, and reasonably-priced services. Feedback will be used to influence future proceedings.

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.