Greening
a mountain community
Estes Park, Colorado takes steps toward renewable energy
By Janice Mason, Rocky Mountain journalist, June 2009
The community of Estes Park, nestled in the Rockies at the base of Rocky Mountain National Park, consists of educators, wildlife biologists, park rangers and general nature lovers. In recent years, renewable energy legislation has moved the community to ask one simple question,
“If we can’t save the planet here, what does that say about our community —
a community dedicated and literally connected to nature?”
Protecting the environment has been the goal of Estes Park founders since the town’s beginning in 1917. Rocky Mountain National Park had been established two years prior, and forest service and national park personnel took on the task of managing the vast landscape. During the 1960s, Congress passed significant environmental laws to protect public lands. With the current climate crisis looming, the ability to do whatever possible, as soon as possible, rests heavily on the shoulders of those responsible for protecting this patch of the Rockies.
With the dedication of those persons and others, the process of adapting the town’s energy resources to renewables is beginning to gain in momentum. A program established by the town utilities department makes it possible for residents of the Estes Valley to purchase renewable energy credits. For a few more dollars a month, residents can claim that all their electricity (per kilowatt) comes from the Medicine Bow wind farm in Wyoming. Homeowners have received rebates for adding solar and wind energy, thanks to recent legislation handed down from the Governor’s Energy Office to the town of Estes Park. Others went completely off the grid long before any rebate money was available.
The roofs in this mountain valley are not covered with solar panels, but it’s a start. As far as community organization is concerned, the Estes Park League of Women Voters has been working hard on changes in the recycling program. A group formed a couple years ago, which has pushed legislation, the Sustainable Mountain Living group, has leaned on local legislators and utility personnel to make renewable energy a priority in the Estes Valley.
The Platte River Power Authority, which provides energy to the community, and the Estes Park Light & Power department have also been an integral part in moving the town forward.
Protecting
wild lands also goes a long way to the preservation of the environment. Congress
passed a combined wilderness bill on March 25, 2009, declaring approximately
250,000 of backcountry in Rocky Mountain National Park as wilderness. The
Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, signed by President Obama on
March 30, 2009, also ensures wilderness protection for seven other national
parks.
Some may say, “If you have too far to travel, why even begin the journey?” The community of Estes Park has another view, “You have to start somewhere.” The town has a ways to go, but these small steps taken over the past several years can encourage any size community to get started.
Of course, many local old-timers will tell you, “It’s always been the goal of a community who stands as the stewards to the 'Gem of the Rockies,' Rocky Mountain National Park.” They were the gatekeepers. Now it’s time for this generation to combine efforts with the community of preservationists across the globe, to find a way to stop polluting the earth, one mountain town at a time.