HomeMy WebLinkAboutInformation Only 031224AGENDA
INFORMATION UPDATE
March 12, 2024
5:00 PM,
I.Information Update
I.A ACRA February Destination Marketing Update
I.B Aspen Sustainability Report 2024
I.C Numina Streetscape Sensor Pilot Program
ACRA_Feb24_DMReport.pdf
ASAP Update Memo - March 12 2024_final.docx
Attachment A - Aspen Sustainability Report 2024.pdf
Attachment B - Aspen Sustainability Action Plan 2024.pdf
Attachment C - ASAP Snapshot 2024.pdf
2024.03.05_Numina Sensors Info Only Memo_final.pdf
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February 2024 Destination Marketing Report for Council
Destination Marketing Staff Report:
On February 1st we began our work with Backbone Media as our Public Relations contractor. We are busy onboarding them
and look forward to getting everyone up to speed. We also onboarded a new research partner this month, Blue Room
Research who will assist with monthly dashboards for ACRA’s board of directors and beyond. New this month we debuted the
Defy Ordinary Dashboard on 2/19 in the Aspen Daily News, this is part of our ongoing effort to provide 360 feedback to the
community. We also delivered Airport Appreciation snacks to all organizations operating out of the Pitkin County Airport in
recognition for the operational challenges they have been experiencing. As part of our effort to preserve small town character
and build community we have decided to sponsor the Buttermilk Uphill on Fridays for the remainder of ski season. We hosted
the arts & culture nonprofit meeting on February 8th. On February 15th Eliza, Jessica & Ryan Cunningham presented recent data
reports to Aspen Rotary Club. Our collaborative work with grants or funding through the Colorado Tourism office continues
and includes: The Colorado Historic Opera House Circuit, DEIA Audit, the Aspen Learning Lab and the Roaring Fork Valley
Destination Alliance. The State is also in the process of producing their stewardship plan and ACRA participates in those
engagement sessions. On 2/29 We will be partnering with Snowmass Tourism & Aspen Skiing Company to support the Leap
Day Sales & Marketing Blizzard to fill long lead need periods for Winter ’24/’25.
The group sales team will begin utilizing fam, definite group, and lost group surveys as a tool to better understand our
destination resources and experiences. We are creating a survey to be sent to both fam attendees as well as our participating
member partners. Work is under way to update our digital tools including Proposal Path, Sendsites, and Cvent with renovated
hotel photos from St. Regis and Aspen Meadows, removing information about the CTO incentive (that stopped taking
applications as of 1/31/24), adding the 2024 restaurant list, and adding MOLLIE Aspen. Sarah hosted a site visit for NAFER, an
association considering Aspen in the fall of 2026. Coordination of the August wedding fam has begun with initial invitations to
destination wedding planners being extended. Nichole completed her continuing education course on public speaking through
CMC.
FOOD & WINE events team was in town (January 29-February 2) for site visits and planning meetings. Tickets to the event are
still available. FOOD & WINE Volunteer registration will open for returning volunteers in March and new volunteers in April.
Julie Hardman attended Catersource +The Special Event Conference in Austin the week of February 12th. The Ode to Wintersköl
Survey will close this month and we encourage participation if you haven’t had time to do so yet.
Occupancy Reports:
January Occupancy was 69.3%, down 12.7% YOY, ADR grew slightly by 2.4%. Due to the MOLLIE opening in mid-
December, occupancy isn’t the most accurate picture into the destination until December of 2024 when we will be
comparing apples to apples. January 2024 had 9.8% more Room Nights Available than 2023, and Room Nights Booked
were actually only down 4.1%. The decline in January was anticipated based on exchange rate and airfare prices for our
Australian guests who have historically filled January.
Sales Tax Reports:
As of the December 2023 Consumption Tax Report, released in February, the 2023 Tourism Promotion Fund came in 4%
behind 2022 collections and 4.5% over budget projections.
Recent Press Coverage
Website Stats
Please see aspenchamber.org web statistics on the following page.
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ASPEN CHAMBER RESORT ASSOCIATION MONTHLY REPORT
January 2024
JANUARY 2024
106,561
Sessions Engagement Rate
66.62%
Average Engagement Time
Per Session (In Seconds)
47
Pages Per Session
1.19
Page Path Pageviews Engagement Rate
/blog/locals-guide-x-games-aspen
/blog/perfect-winter-day-aspen
/blog/top-spots-apres-ski
/blog/week-aspen
/blog/aspen-winter-bucket-list 80.85%
80.73%
48.13%
51.19%
80.9%
679
790
828
950
1,073
Top Performing Blogs
Occupancy Data
January 2023 January 2024
79.3%69.3%
Paid Occupancy YoY
January 2023 January 2024
$951 $975
Average Daily Rate YoY
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MEMORANDUM
TO:Aspen City Council
FROM:Tessa Schreiner, Sustainability Manager
THROUGH:CJ Oliver, Director of Environmental Health and Sustainability
Ben Anderson, Director of Community Development
MEMO DATE:March 4, 2024
MEETING DATE:March 12, 2024
RE:The Aspen Sustainability Action Plan (ASAP) – 2024 Update
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this memo is to provide Council with an informational update of the Aspen
Sustainability Action Plan (ASAP):
1) Small updates that have been made to the plan in 2024,
2) City of Aspen’s sustainability accomplishments in 2023.
As presented to Council at the February 28, 2023 work session, beginning in 2024, the
Climate Action team will be making small, annual updates to the ASAP to ensure it
continuously incorporates community and partner feedback, remains relevant, and
adapts to changing priorities and technologies. Staff will share these small changes with
Council annually; if the changes are significant or propose any policy shift, staff will bring
them to Council for approval. No significant or policy-shifting changes have been made
in 2024.
BACKGROUND:
Aspen’s Science-based Targets. In January 2022, Aspen City Council signed on to
Race to Zero and adopted new science-based targets, or greenhouse gas emissions
reduction goals, that reflect our fair share of global greenhouse gas emissions needed to
keep global heating to below 1.5 degrees Celsius. These targets use 2017 as the baseline
year and are:
63.4% reduction by 2030
100% reduction by 2050
City Council Carbon Goal.In August 2023, Council adopted a 2-year Protect Our
Environment Goal:
Take meaningful action and provide leadership in protecting the natural environment,
reducing Aspen’s greenhouse gas emissions by the amount that is scientifically proven to
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limit global temperature change, and supporting community resilience to climate change
and natural disasters.
Aspen Sustainability Action Plan (ASAP). In February 2023, Council approved the
updated Aspen Sustainability Action Plan that incorporates the City’s updated
greenhouse gas reduction goals (science-based targets) and stakeholder input. In
addition, Council approved staff’s recommendation to bring the ASAP back to Council
annually to present on accomplishments of the previous year and to share small updates
to the document that incorporate ongoing community feedback and new resource
opportunities.
DISCUSSION:
2023 Sustainability Accomplishments: Below is a list of the City of Aspen’s
sustainability accomplishment highlights in 2023. The full report can be found in
Attachment A.
Energy
The City of Aspen’s electric system uses 100% renewable energy and has
maintained its 100% renewable electricity profile for 8 years.
Aspen Utilities passed new rates for all-electric residential buildings to incentivize
customers to electrify.
Buildings
For the second year of the Building IQ program, 19% of all the square footage of
buildings in the city benchmarked their energy and water usage, including city
owned buildings and large commercial buildings. This benchmarking work was
conducted by the Community Office for Resource Efficiency.
Audits of 8 local buildings were conducted, providing real-world data for
contextualized and locally applicable policy making. The audits gathered energy
usage data, inventoried current building equipment and expected life span, and
provided options (with local, current cost and ROI estimates) for energy efficiency
and electrification improvements.
The City adopted the 2021 International Energy Conservation code with
amendments to support energy efficiency and electrification.
Staff coordinated a targeted irrigation audit and rebate program for Aspen water
customers. 25 properties received free irrigation assessments in 2023.
Waste
City Council passed an organics diversion ordinance to keep organic material out
of the landfill to save space and reduce methane generation. Currently, all
restaurants are composting their organic waste in accordance with the code.
City Council adopted Colorado’s Plastic Production Reduction Act to implement a
single-use plastic bag ban at applicable retailers and collect a 20cent fee to support
ongoing waste diversion programs.
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Staff introduced new programs to rehome or recycle items typically landfilled:
household goods from multi-family housing during seasonal move-out (3,000lbs),
skis and snowboards (4,000lbs), plastics bags (400lbs).
Transportation
The City installed 3 electric vehicle (EV) chargers in 2023, which includes a Level
3 fast charger located in the Rio Grande Garage, a Level 3 fast charger located on
Monarch Street, and a Level 2 charger on North Spring Street.
City Council, through the passing of updated building codes, established EV-ready,
EV-capable, and EV-installed requirements in Aspen’s code that are above the
state’s requirements.
2024 Aspen Sustainability Action Plan Update: Regularly updating the ASAP is
important to ensure the plan remains a relevant, working document that adapts to and
incorporates changing priorities, community feedback, and new opportunities. Staff made
small updates to each section after receiving feedback from stakeholders. None of these
updates consequentially change policy direction, but rather update language and
wording, and include changes such as:
Clarified the enabling conditions for the energy “Key Takeaway”: “There is still a
significant opportunity to support and expand local renewable energy sources,
including utility scale generation. Due to the costs involved with upgrading local
infrastructure, a push for greater local renewables would require full commitment
from City Council and voters.”
Streamlined and consolidated action items for Buildings Objective 3: Mandate no-
to-low carbon standards for new construction and major remodels, parsing out
sequential, but not necessarily simultaneous action on operational versus
embodied carbon in buildings.
Updated action items for Buildings Objective 2: Support electrification in residential
and commercial properties where financially and practically feasible while
mitigating energy burden face by tenants electrifying to reflect progress in
developing an electrification task force and a building performance standard.
No changes were made to the transportation, waste, or airport sections.
The fully updated 2024 Aspen Sustainability Action Plan can be found in Attachment B.
2024 is the first year that Aspen is using the Aspen Sustainability Action Plan as a living
document (updated and changed regularly) that adapts to community needs and
stakeholder input. Past action plans have been solidified and unchanged for 3+ years,
not allowing for regular input or changes from stakeholders. Staff is continuously seeking
feedback on sustainability work in order to best respond to the community and emerging
best practices. To easily engage the community in a shorter, more approachable
document, staff also created the ASAP Snapshot (Attachment C).
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
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The ASAP and many of its recommended action items will require additional funding
sources outside of current budget allocations. These funds could come from a variety of
places such as grants (e.g., Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and
Jobs Act), STR tax revenue, or the general fund supplementary budget requests. One of
the key action items in the Protect Our Environment Council Goal work plan is to work
with a consultant to create a Climate Policy Financial Analysis to understand the costs of
action (and inaction) of implementing the Aspen Sustainability Action Plan and the
innovative funding mechanisms the City could employ to fund this work in future years.
Staff will bring a contract back to Council in late Q1 for these consultant services.
It is important to note that while the cost of climate action is expected to be high, the cost
of inaction is even higher. A 2022 study by Deloitte Center for Sustainable Progress
indicates that inaction on climate change could cost the world's economy $178 trillion by
2070.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS:
The adoption of the Aspen Sustainability Action Plan is a vital step towards reaching the
community’s and Council’s climate goals. The ASAP directly addresses the five sectors
of the community’s greenhouse gas emissions inventory (energy, buildings,
transportation, waste, and airport/aviation) and sets in motion action items to realize
emissions reductions in each of these critical sectors. The action items contained in the
ASAP demonstrate how the City is working towards reducing the risks associated with
climate change. By successfully implementing the action items, the city can hope to see
both positive short-term and long-term environmental impacts.
System wide transformations across sectors which are necessary to secure the City’s
science-based targets would not be possible without the ASAP. Not achieving regional
and global climate goals will have disastrous impacts on the local environment and natural
ecosystems. Hotter temperatures, more building “cooling degree days”, deteriorating air
quality, changes in precipitation and snowpack, water shortages, and the risk of wildfire,
drought, and landslides are all risks that will dramatically impact business as usual as the
result of changing climate conditions.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A – Sustainability Report
Attachment B - Aspen Sustainability Action Plan – updated 2024
Attachment C – ASAP Snapshot
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS:
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ASPENSUSTAINABILITYREPORTENERGY & BUILDINGSThe City of Aspen’s electric system uses 100% renewable energy and has maintained its 100% renewable electricity profile for 8 years.Completed audits of 8 local buildings. Aspen Utilities began offering a new rate structure forall-electric single-family residences. Residences that qualify will be eligible for the all-electric rate that incentivizes a property’s choice to transition to an all-electric home.Adopted the 2021 International Energy Conservation code with amendments to support energy efficiency and electrification.Benchmarked 19% of all the square footage of buildings in the city, including city-owned buildings and large commercial buildings, for the second year of our Building IQ program.Coordinated a targeted irrigation audit and rebate program for Aspen water customers. 25 properties received free irrigation assessments in 2023. This annual report shares key highlights and successes of what the City of Aspen accomplished in climate and sustainability in the past year. For more information on these wins, please visit aspen.gov/climate.8
TRANSPORTATIONWASTEADDITIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:• Named an “A-List” city by the environmental impact nonprofit Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) for our environmental leadership and transparency. As an “A-List” city, Aspen is taking 4 times as many climate and mitigation and adaptation measures as non-A listers. • Developed an internal sustainable procurement program to prioritize the purchasing of goods and services that embrace the City’s sustainability goals and environmental stewardship. This includes purchasing goods that are supplied locally, made from recycled content, made in the USA, and include sustainability certifications.Installed 3 electric vehicle (EV) chargers in 2023. This includes a Level 3 fast charger located in the Rio Grande Garage, a Level 3 fast charger located on Monarch Street, and a Level 2 charger on North Spring Street.Implemented a $0.25/kWh EV charging pricing policy for Level 2 chargers in May. The policy pays for electricity costs, ongoing maintenance costs, and future installations of EV chargers. Established EV-ready, EV-capable, and EV-installed requirements in Aspen’s building code that are above the state’s requirements. Supported community EV charging events alongside our partners, Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE) and Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER).Joined a regional EV cohort to build out templates and resources in support of EV charging in multifamily residences.A new Organics Diversion Ordinance passed by Council, made it illegal for restaurants to throw away their food as trash, all restaurants are now composting their organics.Tripled the number of residents composting at the free organics drop-off shed at the Rio Grande Recycle Center. Partnered with APCHA to start a sustainable move-in program and rehomed 3,000 pounds of household items from the trash, generated by seasonal move-outs.Implemented a plastic bag recycling program at City Hall collecting over 400 pounds of plastic film for recycling.Collected 11,000 pounds of electronics for recycling at the annual e-waste recycling day.Partnered with Aspen Skiing Co. to host a ski drop off event, where we collected over 600 pairs (4,000 pounds) of skis and snowboards.Updated the Construction Mitigation Plan to include waste diversion requirements for construction materials recyclable at Pitkin County Solid Waste Center.9
2024
ASPEN
SUSTAINABILITY
ACTION
PLAN
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The City of Aspen developed the Aspen Sustainability Action Plan as a
roadmap of the goals, objectives, and action items for us to accomplish
our science-based targets of
REDUCING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
(GHG) BY 63.4% BY 2030 AND 100% BY 2050.
This plan looks at what the City of Aspen can achieve or plan for in the
next five to seven years. This document will be updated regularly as we
accomplish items and adapt to changing science, climatological conditions,
and national dynamics.
ASPEN SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN
ASPEN SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN | 211
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
ASPEN SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN | 3
Guiding Principles _________________________________ 04
Key Takeaways ____________________________________ 05
Vision For A Sustainable Future _________________ 07
Energy Supply _______________________________ 12
Buildings _____________________________________ 15
Vehicles & Transportation _________________ 18
Waste _________________________________________ 21
Aviation & Airport __________________________ 24
Conclusion _________________________________________ 27
Appendix A _________________________________________ 28
Acknowledgments ________________________________ 29
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We will adapt and update this plan as we
receive new information, resources, and
community direction.
ADAPTABLE
The goals, objectives, and action items in this
plan must be accomplished with intentional
internal and external collaboration.
COLLABORATIVE
The contents of this plan are within the City’s
scope of control and direction, where we can
meaningfully make progress.
SCOPE
Nearly all the objectives and actions in this plan have
co-benefits such as fostering economic sustainability,
improving local environmental quality, enhancing public
health and safety, and building resilience.
CO-BENEFITS
Plan implementation and resource allocation
will be equitable, focused on community
members most in need of support to achieve
community climate goals.
EQUITABLE
GUIDING
PRINCIPLES
ASPEN SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN | 4
These are values on which the City of Aspen
developed and will implement this plan.
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Reaching the City’s climate goals requires decarbonizing
the Roaring Fork Valley’s electrical grid, maximizing
efficiency, switching from non-renewable fuels to
clean electricity and other sources, and eliminating the
landfill disposal of recyclable and reusable materials.
While these actions are clear, we need the community
and region’s input on how we build programs, offer
support, provide resources, and change policies. Getting
the community’s input and feedback will be a vital
component of implementing this plan.
KEY
TAKEAWAYS
We will measure the success
of this plan in two ways:
By seeing year over
year reductions in our
emissions inventories.
By accomplishing action items,
which will be reported in
annual sustainability reports.
Greenhouse gas emissions know no
boundaries. The Roaring Fork Valley
has both unique challenges and
opportunities we’ll need to tackle as a
region to be successful.
We are facing a climate crisis, and we need to
work quickly to mitigate the worst effects of
climate change. Simultaneously, we need to
ensure that our progress is driven thoughtfully,
intelligently and leaving no one behind.
INCORPORATE ADAPTATION
AND RESILIENCE.
As the City adjusts to new climate realities
facing the Roaring Fork Valley, we look to
solutions that will strengthen our local and
regional environment and prepare us to
bounce forward when faced with climate
change impacts.
WE NEED THE COMMUNITY'S INPUT
ON HOW TO IMPLEMENT AND
CONTINUOUSLY UPDATE THIS PLAN.
REGIONAL COLLABORATION
IS KEY.
WE NEED TO WORK
FAST AND SMART.
ASPEN SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN | 514
ASPEN SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN | 6
GROUND
SETTING
WHERE
WE’VE
BEEN
WHERE
WE ARE
WHERE
WE’RE
GOING
Aspen has been
committed to
protecting the
health, prosperity,
and safety of its
residents and
environment
through
sustainability
efforts for more
than 30 years.
More info:
Appendix (pg. 28)Aspen’s 2017 inventory showed that the Aspen
community reduced emissions by 21% compared to
the 2004 baseline. Since then, we have updated our
methodologies and emissions inventory boundary to
better reflect our emissions profile.
Aspen will investigate its
2023 GHG emissions profile
for the second time as part of
a regional cohort comprised
of Town of Basalt, Town of
Snowmass Village, Pitkin
County, and Unincorporated
Pitkin County.
The Aspen Sustainability
Action Plan is the blueprint
for what’s next.
We need your help to
implement it.
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ASPEN SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN | 7
VISION FOR A
SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
The picture of what a bright climate future looks
like for the community of Aspen if we work
together includes:
The City featuring multimodal
corridors that are safe for
pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.
Electric vehicle
charging stations
around Aspen providing
ample and convenient
opportunities to charge
zero-emission vehicles.
Visitors and community
members alike sharing the
same sustainability ethos.
Single-use
materials are eliminated
and all materials are diverted
from the landfill to be
either recycled, reused, or
repurposed.
Buildings having been designed with indoor waste
storage to keep people and local wildlife safe
Building occupants benefiting from highly efficient,
comfortable structures that provide a great place to
work, live, and play
Newly constructed buildings containing recycled
materials that have been sourced and processed
locally.
Buildings receiving energy from 100% renewable
sources, which are produced regionally.
Local businesses are thriving.
Aspen investing in the future of its
environment and ecosystems with
water, snowpack, and the risk of
wildfire being ever-present issues
that we’ll continue to adapt to.
All community members and visitors having
access to efficient, comfortable, and zero-emissions
public transit to get them anywhere in the Valley.
Local flora and fauna
thriving throughout
the Valley.
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ASPEN SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN | 8
WHY A SUSTAINABILITY
ACTION PLAN?
We’re facing a climate emergency and need to act, but governments
need to work quickly to mitigate climate change. Business-as-usual
operations are not responsive to the emergency.
According to the 2023 report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), human
activities, principally through emissions of greenhouse gases, have unequivocally caused global
warming, with global surface temperature reaching 1.1°C (33.98°F) above 1850-1900 in
2011-2020.
Aspen’s emissions are contributing to this climate reality and we’re already experiencing impacts
such as warmer temperatures, shifting rain and snow patterns, and more precipitation arriving
as rain rather than snow. As a community that relies on its environment as part of its appeal for
recreation and tourism, we have a responsibility to reduce emissions.
Electricity
Natural Gas
Fugitive Emissions
Propane
Vehicles and Transit
Aviation
Waste Emissions (mt CO2e)2030 Goal: 63% reduction from 2017
ASPEN’S BUSINESS-AS-USUAL EMISSIONS FORECAST
2050 Goal: Net-zero emissions
https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr/downloads/
report/IPCC_AR6_SYR_SPM.pdf
The average number of
consecutive frost-free days
in Aspen has increased by
forty-six days since 1940 and
by thirty days since 1980,
representing the loss of more
than a month of winter in less
than a lifetime.
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ASPEN SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN | 9
Aspen updated longstanding climate goals in 2022 with new
science-based targets which are more representative of its fair
share of global emission reduction needed to fight the worst
impacts of climate change. Aspen’s commitment to Race to Zero
and adoption of science-based targets position local climate
action amongst global efforts to draw-down emissions:
Aspen’s first Climate Action Plan (Canary Action
Plan) was approved which set ambitious goals
to reduce GHGs by 30% below 2004 levels by
2020, and 80% below 2004 levels by 2050.
Aspen published its most recent
Climate Action Plan and accompanying
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Toolkit.
Aspen City Council adopted ambitious
science-based targets to reduce GHGs
by 63.4% below 2017 levels, and
100% below 2017 levels by 2050.
The City updated the 2017 Climate
Action Plan to create the 2023 Aspen
Sustainability Action Plan.
We have science-based targets to
measure GHG reduction.
We need an updated, adaptable
roadmap to act on climate and reach
our community’s science-based
targets.
63.4%
reduction of 2017 GHG levels by 2030
100%
reduction of 2017 GHG levels (net-zero) by 2050
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ASPEN SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN | 10
The City of Aspen performs Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories (GHG inventories) of both its community wide emissions and its
municipal operations every 3 years. The 2020 GHG inventory is the latest inventory depicting Aspen's community wide emissions
footprint. The next inventory will be compiled in 2024.
SUMMARY OF
THIS PLAN The Aspen Sustainability Action Plan provides recommendations
in five high-impact sectors that are based on extensive analysis,
modeling, deliberation, stakeholder input, and community
engagement to ensure buy-in and feasibility.
ENERGY
SUPPLY
Generating electricity
to power the
community.
BUILDINGS
Energy use in
commercial and
residential buildings.
AVIATION
& AIRPORT
Aircraft operations
and energy use and
transportation directly
attributable to airport
operations and
passengers.
TRANSPORTATION
The on-road movement
of people, goods, and
services in private,
transit, and fleet
services.
WASTE
Solid waste generated
in the community and
transported to the
landfill.
Source: City of Aspen 2020 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report
(published in January 2022).
11%
ON-ROAD
VEHICLES
30%
RESIDENTIAL
BUILDINGS
27%
COMMERCIAL AND
INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS
16%
SOLID
WASTE
0.3%
WASTEWATER
TREATMENT
1%
FUGITIVE
EMISSIONS
ASPEN’S
2020
EMISSIONS
BY SOURCES
15%
AVIATION
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ASPEN SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN | 11
Basalt
Snowmass Village
Aspen
Unincorporated
Pitkin County
The Aspen Emissions Inventory Boundary (EIB) is seen in the center of the
image. The regional EIB includes neighboring jurisdictions in Pitkin County.
ASPEN’S
GHG EMISSIONS
The 2019-2020 GHG Inventory
is different to previous
inventories as it analyzed two
years of data to get a more
accurate representation of
the impacts of COVID-19 and
broader trends both before
and during the pandemic.
In 2020, other governments
in the region, including
Pitkin County, the Town
of Basalt, and the Town of
Snowmass Village, joined in
partnership with the City of
Aspen to conduct a region-
wide inventory. According to
global reporting protocols,
Aspen’s GHG boundary
became about 20% smaller
(more reflective of the City’s
municipal boundaries) to not
double count areas where
other governments were
claiming responsibility for the
emissions. All areas covered
in the previous Emissions
Inventory Boundary that
are not included in Aspen’s
legal boundary are captured
in emissions totals for
unincorporated Pitkin County.
The Greenhouse Gas
Emissions Inventory also
encompasses a smaller
geographic area. All of
Aspen’s past inventories
collected data from a
geographic region that was
similar to the Urban Growth
Boundary and included
the City of Aspen and parts
of unincorporated Pitkin
County around the city,
including ski areas, residential
neighborhoods, and the
Aspen/Pitkin County Airport.
This roadmap is guided by data outlined in the 2019-
2020 Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) Inventory
which is a semi-annual (every 3 years) inventory of
both Aspen’s municipal-operations emissions and
community-wide emissions.
ASPEN EMISSIONS INVENTORY BOUNDARY
Pitkin County
Muncipalities
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ENERGY SUPPLY
• The City will continue to monitor infrastructure
development and support resource allocation and
field advancement that serve this plan’s goals.
• All utilities serving the Aspen community
will procure energy supply solely through
renewable energy resources by 2050.
• The City will balance increased
demand for electricity with energy
conservation and efficiency and
support the development of
electricity infrastructure to
lay the groundwork for
electrification.
• The City of Aspen Utilities’ 100% renewable energy
achievement and the speed at which Holy Cross Energy is
looking to secure its goal of reach 100% renewable energy
by 2030 provides a strong foundation for GHG reductions
in all sectors.
• By working with partners to eliminate carbon-sourced
energy from Aspen’s grid, the City will be positioned to
take full advantage of electrification initiatives.
• There is still a significant opportunity to support and
expand local renewable energy sources, including utility-
scale generation. Due to the costs involved with upgrading
local infrastructure, a push for greater local renewables
would require full commitment from City Council and
voters.
KEY TAKEAWAYS SECTOR GOALS
ASPEN SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN | 1221
Energy Objectives (EO)Action Items
EO1
Continue to encourage Holy Cross Energy,
and Black Hills Energy to decarbonize Aspen’s
energy supply by 2050.
1 Identify gaps and support opportunities to help Holy Cross Energy, Black Hills Energy, MEAN, and
other regional utilities to move towards and continue 100% renewable energy.
2 Participate in regional and state collaboratives of governments, businesses, and utilities (e.g.
MEAN) to drive clean energy transition.
3 Support policies that retire, convert or sell fossil-fuel plants serving the area.
4 Assess opportunities including rate assessments, grants, and incoming technologies, to help
utilities and customers prepare for electrification.
EO2
Support efforts to maximize local and
regional production of renewable energy.
5 Explore opportunities for consumers to purchase and generate renewable energy including the
development of micro and utility-scale renewables.
6 Support distributed and utility-scale energy storage to address the intermittency of wind and solar
resources as well as grid delivery.
7 Assess local codes and policies to enable renewable energy development.
8 Encourage regional renewable energy development.
EO3
Support relevant federal and state energy
policies through active legislative and
regulatory engagement.
9 Through continued engagement with community members, elected officials, and partner
organizations, Aspen will advance relevant energy related policy to the benefit of the community.
Given the dynamic nature of the policy landscape, Aspen will continue a formal process for
prioritizing and advocating on key issues including grants and expanded rebates.
Energy Supply
ASPEN SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN | 1322
Energy Supply
Source: City of Aspen 2020 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report
(published in January 2022).
Source: Holy Cross Energy. 2022 Energy By Fuel Source
https://www.holycross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/HCE_
PowerSupplyRoadmap2023_upload.pdf
27%
RESIDENTIAL
ELECTRICITY
25%
RESIDENTIAL
NATURAL GAS
18%
COMMERCIAL
ELECTRICITY
28%
COMMERCIAL
NATURAL GAS
2%
FUGITIVE EMISSIONS
Source: Aspen Electric, 2022, aspen.gov/1202/Renewable-Energy
46%
HYDRO
1%
LFG
53%
WIND
36%
WIND50%
FOSSIL FUELS
7%
BIOMASS
3%
HYDRO
4%
SOLAR
ASPEN SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN | 14
ASPEN’S
2020
STATIONARY
ENERGY
EMISSIONS
DETAILS
ASPEN
ELECTRIC
ENERGY
SOURCES
HOLY CROSS
RENEWABLE
ENERGY MIX
50% RENEWABLES
23
Embodied carbon refers to the greenhouse gas emissions arising from the manufacturing,
transportation, installation, maintenance, and disposal of building materials.”
• Increase efficiency and reduce energy and water
consumption in buildings.
• Buildings are fully electric when feasible.
• Newly constructed buildings and remodels
have goals and pathways to reduce embodied
carbon.
• Ensuring decarbonization plans
consider utility costs and energy
transformations, and an equitable
transition for customers
• Ensure City development
regulations support building
and energy sector goals.
• Advancement in the building sector towards community
climate goals needs to prioritize the lowest income
community members in both reducing costs and realizing
benefits.
• The building sector will be through energy and water
conservation and efficiency, renewable energy transition
(e.g., electrification), and addressing embodied carbon*
for new and existing buildings.
• Cost, available technology, and feasibility are key
factors in determining the speed and scale of building
decarbonization.
• Workforce development will be key to the success of this
section’s implementation.
KEY TAKEAWAYS SECTOR GOALS
BUILDINGS
- CARBON LEADERSHIP FORUM
ASPEN SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN | 1524
Buildings
Building Objectives (BO)Action Items
BO1
Support and incentivize the reduction of
energy and water consumption and high-
efficiency performance of buildings.
1 Model best practices in City of Aspen buildings and properties through design review for new construction, and
assessments, cost analysis, capital planning, and electrification and efficiency retrofits for existing buildings.
2 As part of the Building IQ ordinance and program, implement benchmarking and explore opportunities to
expand to include additional building types and sizes.
3 As part of the Building IQ ordinance and program, develop and implement a building performance standard
that aligns with the City’s climate goals and provides resources for support.
4 Identify and work with community partners to support the activation of a sustainable building workforce.
5 Require energy performance disclosure at the point of lease or sale.
6 Evaluate sub-metering requirements for buildings, and implement if beneficial and allowed by utility provider
7 Leverage business licenses renewal and/or permitting process to increase benchmarking participation and
performance.
8 Explore opportunities to decarbonize residential buildings.
BO2
Support electrification in residential and
commercial properties where financially
and practically feasible while mitigating
energy burden faced by tenants
electrifying.
9 Consider a component in building performance standards guidelines to require electrification over time
10 Leverage electrification task force to develop a roadmap to electrify buildings in Aspen.
11 Encourage and incentivize conversions and retrofits to high-efficiency electric for space and water heating and
cooling.
BO3
Mandate no- to low-carbon standards for
new construction and major remodels
including considerations for energy use
and embodied carbon.
12 Integrate space and water heating and cooling equipment standards into building codes.
13 Develop roadmap for all-electric, highly efficient building and energy codes that align with building
performance standards.
14 Limit GHGs from future development using controlled growth with careful consideration for developments like
affordable housing.
15 Explore incentives and requirements to address embodied carbon."
BO4
Support utility rates optimization.
16 Support the adaptation of the City of Aspen's Electric Utiltiiy rates as necessary to incentivize and balance
current and future priorities (i.e., electric vehicles, fuel switching, peak shaving, energy efficiency, demand side
management).
BO5
Support relevant federal and state
buildings policies through active
legislative and regulatory engagement.
17 Through continued engagement with community members, elected officials, and partner organizations, Aspen
will advance relevant buildings-related policy to the benefit of the community. Given the dynamic nature of the
policy landscape, Aspen will continue a formal process for prioritizing and advocating on key issues.
ASPEN SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN | 1625
Source: Group 14 Engineering, Building Performance Standards Stakeholder Group Meeting, published in January 2023.
ASPEN SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN | 17Carbon Emissions (mt CO2e)Years
Natural Gas Carbon Emissions
Electric Carbon Emissions
Emissions Reduction Goal
Buildings
account for
of our
community’s
greenhouse gas
emissions, so
action in this
sector is especially
important and
impactful.
BUSINESS AS USUAL EMISSIONS FROM BUILDINGS
26
ASPEN SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN | 18
VEHICLES & TRANSPORTATION
• Reduce solo vehicle miles traveled, both locally
and regionally.
• Promote public (mass) transit and mobility-
as-a-service, which describes more
connected and on-demand mobility
services often accessed through a digital
app or platform, and the associated
infrastructure.
• Incentivize electric and zero-
emission vehicle adoption
for individuals and fleets,
including supporting
charging infrastructure
build-out.
• As a starting point, the City aim to prioritize active and
shared transportation options i.e. walk, run, bike, or ride
transit. If one must drive, then electric and zero emission
vehicles are preferred. Aspen is supporting policy and
building the infrastructure to support large-scale adoption
of EVs.
• Opportunities to reduce transportation sector emissions
will only be realized through collaboration across multiple
city departments and community partners.
• Beyond saving the community time and money, low and
zero-emission transportation offerings and programs need
to remove accessibility barriers.
KEY TAKEAWAYS SECTOR GOALS
27
Vehicles & Transportation
Transportation Objectives (TO) Action Items
TO1
Reduce vehicle miles traveled
by promoting alternatives
to single-occupancy vehicles
including active, shared, and
public transportation.
1 Collaborate with employers to subsidize transit and mobility options for employees.
2 Further support the development of bicycle infrastructure (e.g., more bike and shared lanes in key
locations, bike parking, and solutions to key locational conflict/hazard areas).
3 Enable the growth of on-demand mobility services (e.g., ridesharing, bike-sharing, car-sharing, etc.) for the
first- and last-mile of transit connections and/or full trips.
4 Advocate for pedestrian and bicycle safety in ongoing and future projects.
5 Support and research policies to disincentivize single-occupant vehicle travel.
TO2
Enhance first- and last-mile
connectivity to transit.
6 Support expansion of feeder transit networks to increase access to primary transit stops (e.g., circulators,
on-demand mobility).
7 Support and expand mobility offerings for the first- and last-mile and/or full trips.
TO3
Promote the adoption of
electric and zero-emissions
vehicles for individuals and
fleets.
8 Support opportunities for equal access to charging (e.g. public charging, and multifamily housing charging).
9 Facilitate partnerships to create electric vehicle charging hubs for taxis and other fleets.
10 Prioritize electric vehicle charging stations in visible, accessible locations.
11 Communicate wins and share lessons learned from internal fleet electrification efforts with the wider
community.
TO4
Support relevant federal and
state transportation policies
through active legislative and
regulatory engagement.
12 Through continued engagement with community members, elected officials, and partner organizations,
Aspen will advance relevant energy-related policy to the benefit of the community. Given the dynamic
nature of the policy landscape, Aspen will continue a formal process for prioritizing and advocating on key
issues.
ASPEN SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN | 1928
ASPEN SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN | 20
78%
ON-ROAD GASOLINE
0.5%
ELECTRIC VEHICLES*
19%
ON-ROAD DIESEL
3%
TRANSIT
Source: City of Aspen 2020 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report (published in January 2022).
EVs are listed as having a
0.5% emissions footprint due
to vehicles being charged on
non-renewable resources. As
surrounding utilities transition
to greater renewables, this
percentage will shift to zero.
ASPEN’S 2020
TRANSPORTATION
EMISSIONS
Vehicles & Transportation
29
ASPEN SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN | 21
WASTE
• Reduce organic material going from
Aspen to the landfill by 25% by 2025 and
by 100% by 2050.
• Reduce construction and demolition
debris buried in the landfill by 50%
by 2030 and 80% by 2050.
• Divert 70% of all solid waste
from the landfill by 2050.
• Landfilling resources adds to Aspen’s GHG emissions
and shortens the usable life of the landfill. Once the
Pitkin County Landfill closes, solid waste will have to be
transported out of the Roaring Fork River Valley, increasing
emissions from the miles traveled for disposal.
• Opportunities exist to divert organic materials, recyclables,
and construction and demolition debris away from the
landfill and into a circular economy.
• The two largest categories of solid waste generated
in Aspen are construction and demolition debris and
organic material.
KEY TAKEAWAYS SECTOR GOALS
30
Waste
Waste Objectives (WO)Action Items
WO1
Decrease municipal solid waste
generation.
1 Implement City of Aspen ordinance changes related to resource reduction, reuse, and recycling
(e.g., organics and single-use materials).
2 Enforce regulations related to waste avoidance, diversion, and reduction.
3 Incentivize waste diversion practices, such as composting, recycling, and reusing materials.
4 Educate and inform the community about systems, ordinances, practices, and rules regarding
waste diversion, such as composting, recycling, and reusing materials.
WO2
Decrease construction and demolition
debris generation.
5 Phase out the practice of demolition through deconstruction standards.
6 Establish recycled content standards in all construction activity.
7 Introduce or enhance City ordinances and codes to promote and incentivize recycling and the
reuse of building materials.
8 Align with City, Pitkin County, and regional waste codes that promote recycling and reuse of
building materials.
WO3
Support relevant waste-related federal
and state policies through active
legislative and regulatory engagement.
9 Through continued engagement with community members, elected officials, and partner
organizations, Aspen will advance relevant waste-related policy to the benefit of the community.
Given the dynamic nature of the policy landscape, Aspen will continue a formal process for
prioritizing and advocating on key issues.
WO4
Reduce vehicle emissions from solid
waste haulers.
10 Incentivize and support GHG reductions through route optimization and zero-emission technology.
ASPEN SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN | 2231
Source: Pitkin County Solid Waste Center,
2022 Waste Characterization Study
LANDFILL
Over 80% of buried
materials at the local
landfill could have been
repurposed or reused.
METHANE
Burying organic waste
generates methane, a very
harmful GHG, due to the
absence of oxygen.
COMPACTOR
Removes air in the landfill to
save space, which creates an
environment without oxygen.
Waste
ASPEN SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN | 23
SUMMARY OF
MATERIALS
BURIED IN THE
PITKIN COUNTY
LANDFILL 2022
56%
CONSTRUCTION &
DEMOLITION MATERIALS
23%
ORGANICS
13%
SINGLE-STREAM
RECYCLABLE
6%
NON-RECYCLABLE
PLASTIC
2%
HAZARDOUS
WASTE
32
ASPEN SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN | 24
AVIATION &AIRPORT
• Support policy and initiatives
that reduces airport and aircraft
emissions.
• Work with Pitkin County and key
partners on driving sustainable
tourism practices and
education.
• Support sustainable
mass transit
connection between
the city and the
airport.
• Within the transportation sector, aviation is the greatest
emitter, accounting for 58% of transportation emissions in
2020 (and 57% in 2019).
• Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (also known as Sardy Field) is
the state's third busiest airport.
• Pitkin County manages the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversees
the majority of airport activities and as a result, at the
community level, we have little say. The Climate Action
Office's role is to collaborate with Pitkin County and
encourage sustainable action in acknowledgment of
Aspen's role as a destination for tourism and air traffic
emissions.
• Due to limitations caused by FAA regulation, the greatest
opportunity for emissions reductions at the Aspen/Pitkin
County Airport is through aircraft operator and tenant
emissions.
KEY TAKEAWAYS SECTOR GOALS
33
Aviation & Airport
Aviation Objectives (AO)Action Items
AO1
Encourage the reduction of airport
controlled GHGs.
1 Support the use of electric vehicles or other zero-emissions vehicles for ground support vehicles
and ground support equipment.
2 Encourage taxi and airport shuttles to electrify fleet vehicles.
3 Support Pitkin County in efforts to incorporate net zero design into future Aspen/Pitkin County
Airport development.
AO2
Encourage the reduction of aircraft and
aviation related GHGs.
4 Promote and incentivize the use of sustainable aviation fuels in aircraft servicing the local airport.
AO3
Encourage passengers to use transit and
mobility services to access the airport.
5 Encourage rental car companies to have electric vehicle options and support infrastructure
development.
AO4
Support relevant aviation and airport-
related federal and state policies
through active legislative and regulatory
engagement.
6 Through continued engagement with community members, elected officials, and partner
organizations, advance relevant aviation and airport-related policy to the benefit of the
community.
ASPEN SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN | 2534
Source: City of Aspen 2020 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report
(published in January 2022).
58%
AVIATION
33%
ON-ROAD
GASOLINE
8%
ON-ROAD DIESEL
1%
TRANSIT
Emissions (mt CO2e)ASPEN'S 2020
TRANSPORTATION
EMISSIONS
Aviation & Airport
With Airport Without Airport
ASPEN SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN | 26
ASPEN'S 2020 EMISSIONS BY SOURCE
with and without aviation contributions
35
CONCLUSION
ASPEN SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN | 27
1 ___ https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/climate-at-a-glance/county/time-series
Aspen’s average annual temperatures are increasing,
and according to projections, this trend is expected to
continue.1
Without prioritizing the current climate
challenge, hotter springs and summers
will lead to more frequent wildfires
and increased demand for our limited
water supply.
It is critical that we respond to the climate challenges
now. The City of Aspen believes that we all have a
responsibility to preserve the habitats of our local plant
and animal species, our water supply, and the outdoor
recreational activities that make this community unique.
We look forward to our continued work with the
community so that we can successfully reach our
zero-carbon goal by 2050.
The Aspen Sustainability
Action Plan’s successful
implementation is contingent
on collaboration and feedback
from the community and our
regional partnerships.
The City of Aspen will update
this plan annually, prioritizing
the feedback that we receive
from readers like you, and
continuing to center equity in
climate solutions.
Please email climate@aspen.gov
with feedback and questions.
36
ASPEN’S CLIMATE ACTION
HISTORY
2021
Passed the Electric
Vehicle Public Charging
Infrastructure Master
Plan
Adopted science-based
targets to reduce GHG
emissions 63% by 2030
and 100% by 2050
Signed the Race to Zero
Agreement
ASPEN SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN | 28
2000
Partnered with CORE
and Pitkin County
to form the nation’s
first Renewable
Energy Mitigation
Program (REMP)
2007
Created the first
Climate Action Plan
2012
Banned single-
use plastic bags
from Aspen
grocers.
2018
Became a
professional
certifying
organization for
the Qualified
Water Efficient
Landscaper
(QWEL) Program
2023
Passed organics
waste diversion
ordinance
Adopted 2021
Aspen Energy Code
and changes to the
Renewable Energy
Mitigation Program
to reduce building
energy use.
1997
Developed the
solid waste code to
require appropriate
disposal of waste
As one of the first cities in the United States to establish a climate division, the City of
Aspen prides itself on working for decades to pave a path towards a more sustainable
world. This timeline represents some key moments in the history of the City of Aspen’s
climate action accomplishments. These wins would not be possible without the
collaboration and support from all City of Aspen departments, regional partnerships,
Aspen City Council, and the community.
1885
First city in the
U.S. west to
light streets and
businesses with
hydroelectric
power
2003
Implemented
rigorous air quality
improvement
efforts to regain
Environmental
Protection Act (EPA)
attainment
2005
Founded the
Canary Initiative
to promote local
environmental
stewardship
Completed the first
GHG inventory
2010
Assisted in expanding
the composting
operations at the
Pitkin County Solid
Waste Center
2015
Transitioned our municipal
electric system to use
100% renewable energy
Installed the first public
electric vehicle charging
station
1996
Approved its
first Water
Conservation
Plan
2016
Passed the
Community
Electric Vehicle
Readiness Plan
2017
Adopted an
updated Aspen
Climate Action
Plan
Passed the
Water Efficient
Landscaping
Standards (WELS)
2022
Passed the Building IQ
ordinance
Committed to transition
100% electric & zero
emission vehicles in
municipal fleet by 2050
and integrated five Tesla
electric vehicles into the
Aspen Police
vehicle fleet.
37
The 2023 Aspen Sustainability Action Plan is an initiative of the City of Aspen in partnership with the Roaring Fork Valley
Community. The updated plan builds on the work that was done with the partner organizations listed in this section. The
authors of this document thank both Council and the community for their support of the plan’s successful implementation.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ASPEN SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN | 29
Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES)
Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA)
Aspen Global Change Institute
Aspen Skiing Company
Black Hills Energy
City of Aspen Departments
Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE)
Institute for Market Transformation
Holy Cross Energy
Pitkin County
Pitkin County Solid Waste Center
Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA)
Town of Basalt
Town of Carbondale
Town of Snowmass Village
We-Cycle
350.org
WE THANK THESE ORGANIZATIONS
FOR SUPPORTING THE PREPARATION OF THIS PLAN:
ASPEN’S CLIMATE EFFORTS LEVERAGE SUCCESSES
AND COMMITMENTS AT THE STATE, NATIONAL, AND
INTERNATIONAL LEVELS.
REGIONAL PARTNERS INCLUDE:
Pitkin County
Town of Snowmass Village
Town of Basalt
Eagle County
Town of Carbondale
City of Glenwood Springs
Garfield County
OTHER PARTNERS:
Compact of Colorado Communities
Colorado Communities for Climate Action
Global Covenant of Mayors
America’s Pledge/We are Still In
Climate Mayors
Carbon Disclosure Project
International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives USA and Carbon
Urban Sustainability Directors Network
38
City of Aspen - Climate Action Department
climate@aspen.gov
aspen.gov/climate
CONTACT US
39
ASAP SNAPSHOT
As a community that relies on its environment as part of its appeal for
recreation and tourism, climate change has far-reaching implications.
The City of Aspen is prioritizing climate work with a vision for a vibrant,
just, and sustainable future.
WHY CLIMATE ACTION?
We’re facing a climate emergency and need to act! Business-as-usual
operations are not responsive to the emergency. Climate change is
evident in Aspen—we are seeing impacts such as:
The City of Aspen performs Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories (GHG inventories) of both
its community wide emissions and its municipal operations every 3 years. The 2020 GHG
inventory is the latest inventory depicting Aspen's community wide emissions footprint. The
next inventory will be compiled in 2024.
Source: City of Aspen 2020 Greenhouse Gas
Emissions Report (published in January 2022).
11%
ON-ROAD
VEHICLES
30%
RESIDENTIAL
BUILDINGS
27%
COMMERCIAL AND
INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS
16%
SOLID
WASTE
0.3%
WASTEWATER
TREATMENT
1%
FUGITIVE
EMISSIONS
ASPEN’S
2020
EMISSIONS
BY SOURCES
15%
AVIATION
The City of Aspen developed the
Aspen Sustainability Action Plan
(ASAP) as a roadmap of the goals,
objectives, and action items
for us to accomplish our
science-based targets of
reducing greenhouse gas
emissions (GHG) by 63.4%
by 2030 and 100% by 2050.
WHAT DOES THE ASAP FOCUS ON?
We focus on climate action work in sectors with the largest greenhouse
gas emissions contributions in Aspen. The ASAP includes goals the City of
Aspen can achieve or plan for in the next five to seven years.
ENERGY
SUPPLY WASTE
BUILDINGS TRANSPORTATION
AVIATION & AIRPORT
WHAT IS THE ASPEN
SUSTAINABILITY
ACTION PLAN?
Warmer temperatures and
more frequent droughts
Shifting rain and
snow patterns
More precipitation arrives
as rain rather than snow
Greater risk of local wildfires
that cause poor air quality
40
The Aspen Sustainability Action Plan’s successful implementation is contingent on collaboration and
feedback from the community and our regional partnerships. The City of Aspen will update this plan
annually, prioritizing the feedback that we receive from readers like you.
We know the “what” – we need the community’s guidance on the “how.” While the key areas for high-
impact climate action are clear, we need the community's input on how we build programs, offer support,
provide resources, and change policies.
HOW CAN I HELP THE CITY OF ASPEN
REACH ITS ASAP GOALS?
If you answered yes to any of these
questions, please contact us and get
involved!
Email
with feedback and questions.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO
LEARN MORE AND
READ THE ASAP?
THE ASAP’S
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
EQUITABLE
ADAPTABLE
COLLABORATIVE
SCOPE
CO-BENEFITS
Are you a member of the
community that wants to
get involved in climate work?
Do you want to participate in creating
Aspen’s bright climate future?
Do you think we missed something
in the ASAP?
https://aspen.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10918/
Aspen-Sustainability-Action-Plan-2023-PDF
climate@aspen.gov
41
INFORMATIONAL ONLY MEMORANDUM
TO: City of Aspen Mayor and Council
FROM: PJ Murray, EIT – Clean River Program and Stormwater Manager
THROUGH: Trish Aragon, PE – City Engineer
MEMO DATE: March 7, 2024
MEETING DATE: March 12, 2024
RE: Numina Streetscape Sensor Pilot Program
REQUEST OF COUNCIL: Staff is updating Council on the installation of new sensor
technology aimed at gathering comprehensive data regarding movements of street users,
including pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles. This update is provided to ensure Council
remains informed about ongoing innovative initiatives related to safety of the traveling
public.
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND: In 2023, the Engineering Department participated in
the Colorado Smart Cities Alliance Connected Colorado (C2) Challenge, an initiative
aimed at fostering creativity in addressing urban challenges. This challenge offers an
open-ended proposal process for government procurement, allowing for the exploration
of novel solutions to specific community problems. The goal of the C2 Challenge is to
empower communities with innovative approaches to tackle their most pressing issues.
Through a collaborative approach, urban and rural communities can explore, vet, and
implement regionally applicable solutions.
The Challenge presents participating jurisdictions with problem statements derived from
survey results on the top issues faced by member jurisdictions. In 2023, these statements
focused on Accessibility, Safe Streets, and Public Safety. To ensure accessibility and
efficiency, the proposal cap for all submitting solutions is set at $25,000. This cap aligns
with most jurisdiction’s procurement thresholds, streamlining the process and ensuring
timeliness.
Each supplier answers the Request for Innovative Ideas (RFI2) document through the
Alliance to be included in the Challenge. Reviewing jurisdictions then evaluate all
applications within their selected problem statement to determine if there is a technology
that will assist in addressing an issue.
Engineering staff reviewed the proposals submitted for the Safe Streets problem
statement which aimed to improve the safety, convenience, or comfort of active mobility
within communities. Over the course of the challenge, staff reviewed more than 20
proposals showcasing unique technologies tailored to address this statement. These
42
technologies spanned a diverse range, from robotic snow removal to vehicle-mounted
cameras for inspecting asphalt conditions, and beyond.
DISCUSSION: The Engineering Department staff has identified Numina sensors as a
suitable candidate for piloting in Aspen in 2024. Numina employs its proprietary computer-
based sensor technology to detect the presence and movements of pedestrians,
bicyclists, vehicles, and other objects in streets and public spaces, converting this
anonymous behavior data into valuable analytics for municipalities. The compact design
of the sensors, measuring 22 inches tall and 4.5 inches in diameter, allows for easy
mounting on light poles or buildings, and is easily relocatable based on data collection
needs.
Figure 1. Numina Sensor and Installation Diagram
The continuous transmission of data over the cellular network by Numina sensors offers
significant insights, particularly in safety use cases. These insights include identifying
instances where vehicles obstruct bike lanes, isolating bike lane counts from sidewalk
counts, monitoring the density of crosswalks or midblock crossings, and detecting safety
events involving bicycles and vehicles. Additionally, the collected data can be utilized to
generate heat maps of user pathways, visualize user paths, and count users across a
screen line or "trip wire." Such analytical tools empower planners and engineers to gain
a deeper understanding of the impact of the built environment and municipal
programming on traffic safety and the distribution of public right-of-way (ROW) space.
43
Figure 2. Numina Planning Dashboard
The deployment of Numina sensors in 2024 will be strategically guided by
recommendations from the Engineering Department staff in consultation with the
Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Team (PABST). By leveraging continuous 24/7 data
collection, Engineering staff and PABST will gain comprehensive insights into user
patterns, facilitating informed decision-making in identifying future project locations and
designing safety improvement projects. This shift from relying on daily or hourly data
collection to continuous monitoring eliminates the need for assumptions and anecdotal
data, thereby enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the design process.
It is important to note that Numina sensors prioritize data privacy and security. By
conducting all image processing on the device itself, the sensors transmit only critical,
anonymous count and location data over the cellular network, with no transmission of
personally identifiable information (PII). Numina adheres to best practices in data security,
including minimization, aggregation, and visualization, to mitigate the risk of re-
identifiability.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS: The Numina sensor pilot program is $24,916.50 and includes 3
sensors, the data service fee, shipping, installation support, and data analysis support for
a 12-month period.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS: The Numina sensors draw minimal power from the
electric circuit, no significant environmental impacts are expected.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS:
44