Green Team

Dispatch from The Mountain Towns 2030 Climate Solutions Summit

By Sara Nadolny, Senior Planner, Town of Basalt

On October 18^th and 19^th I had the opportunity to attend the third annual Mountain Towns 2030 Climate Solutions Summit in Vail. This was my first time attending the Summit, which was reportedly the most well-attended in the history of the event.

The Mountain Towns 2030 Climate Solutions Summit is an annual gathering of key stakeholders from the mountain and outdoor communities, including municipal and county governments, non-profits, ski resorts, builders, business community, and others with a keen interest in moving toward a zero-carbon emissions future.  The Summit’s website highlights community-wide alignment, building capacity and accelerating progress to achieve its zero-carbon emissions goal.  

The two days were jam-packed with programming and break out sessions, leaving me feeling invigorated, inspired, hopeful, and exhausted.  I attended sessions on the topics of carbon sequestration, hope-based leadership, climate equity mapping and planning, circularity for true waste reduction, and tackling housing, transportation and land use planning to reach greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals.  Former Colorado Governor Bill Ritter spoke on the momentum of the clean energy transition growing throughout the country.  There was a wealth of information provided regarding financial incentives to accelerate climate action goals, and a robust discussion involving sustainable and equitable transitions to clean energy. 

The Mountain Towns 2030 Climate Solutions Summit reinforced the notion that it truly takes partnerships, cooperation, innovation, and willingness to be open, seek solutions, and examine the issue from all angles if we have any hope of achieving our climate action goals.  And provided me with new tools to move forward with achieving these goals for the Basalt community.  

Basalt Aims for Designation as a Bicycle Friendly Community

In 2024 the Basalt Green Team will be pursuing a Bicycle Friendly Community designation, emphasizing Basalt’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions associated with motor vehicles and providing greater safety and connectivity for cycling options between east and west Basalt and beyond.

What is a Bicycle Friendly Community?

Bicycle Friendly Community is a designation by the League of American Bicyclists - a grassroots organization that supports the creation of safer roads, stronger communities, and a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone.  

Achieving a Bicycle Friendly Community designation depends on the degree to which a community can respond to essential elements within five categories, known as the “5 E’s”, including Equity & Accessibility, Engineering, Education, Encouragement, and Evaluation & Planning.  The 5 E’s have been identified as the variables that are essential for making great cycling communities.  Applicants may receive a bronze, silver or gold designation, although the League cautions that it is rare for a community to achieve any designation on its first attempt. 

There are currently 21 municipalities throughout Colorado that are designated as Bicycle Friendly Communities, including the Roaring Fork Valley neighboring communities of Aspen (Gold), Carbondale (Gold), and Glenwood Springs (Silver).

Why is a Bicycle Friendly Community designation important?

Cycling decreases motor vehicle congestion and associated air and ground pollution while enhancing a user’s physical and mental health. Communities that actively support cycling are more vibrant destinations for visitors and residents alike. 

Cycling is more commonplace in communities that invest in the infrastructure to support connectivity and safety, with ample wayfinding signage.  These are vital elements within the Bicycle Friendly Community application and are also supported by the 2020 Basalt Master Plan.  

Achieving a Bicycle Friendly Community designation signals to the world that Basalt not only supports but elevates cycling as an alternative form of transportation.

Next Steps

The Bicycle Friendly Community application provides an overview for Basalt to achieving its goals in the areas of alternative transportation, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, enhanced connectivity, safety and accessibility.  

Staff and the Basalt Green Team are reviewing the 2024 application to assess the improvements that will need to be made in order to achieve a Bicycle Friendly Community designation, with sites set on the next application deadline of June 25, 2024.

Volunteer for the Green Team

Serving as a volunteer for the Green Team is a great way to give back to your community and contribute to a more sustainable future for our town and the entire Roaring Fork Community. As a member of the Green Team, you would be part of a volunteer board that advocates for a more resilient and sustainable Basalt. The Green Team sponsors projects and promotes policies throughout Basalt that decrease greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency, promote waste reduction, and support overall sustainability. The Green Team is a Town Council appointed committee that consists of up to 7 members who are typically appointed for 3-year terms.

The Green Team meets on the second Monday of every month from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Members should live or work within the Town’s limits. If you are interested in joining this committee, please contact Senior Planner Sara Nadolny at sara.nadolny@basalt.net for more information.