To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Michelle Halstead, Acting Director, Facilities and Fleet Management
Prepared By:
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Cedar Blazek, Energy Program Manager, Facilities and Fleet Management
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presenter
Presenter: Cedar Blazek, Energy Program Manager, Facilities and Fleet Management
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Subject:
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10:00 AM *Arapahoe County Sustainability Initiative
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
This informational presentation provides a comprehensive update on Arapahoe County's Sustainability Initiative, including progress to date, measurable outcomes, and proposed next steps to expand the program countywide. Staff are seeking Board acknowledgment of program direction and concurrence to proceed with identified next steps, including continued participation in external partnerships, development of greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals, and advancement of operational sustainability initiatives.
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Alignment with Strategic Plan: Sustainable Growth and Infrastructure - Support environmentally responsible development and energy efficiency in county operations.
Background and Discussion: To date, the County has achieved measurable sustainability results through energy and resource management efforts. Since 2016, utility consumption has decreased by 30% in electricity, 9% in natural gas, and 31% in water, while maintaining stable utility budgets since 2023 despite rising costs. These outcomes have been driven by Strategic Energy Management practices, optimization of water and waste systems, cross-departmental employee engagement supported by a formal sustainability committee, regional collaboration with peer governments and organizations such as DRCOG, and consistent internal communication and reporting. The Sustainability Initiative is now entering its next phase focused on greater integration across departments and alignment with broader County priorities. Current and emerging efforts include participation in Xcel Energy elec...
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