The City of Aspen is a leader in the use of renewable energy. With our own municipal utility and through purchase of wind power we are proud to say that 75% of our electricity comes from renewable sources. Over the next five years and in conjunction with the Canary Climate Action Plan, our goal is to bring this number up to 100%. The break down of our current renewable sources is as follows. Aspen get approximately 28% of its electricity from wind power farms and 31% from local hydroelectric sources. The remaining 16% is part of our contracts for non-carbon energy through the Western Area Power Authority and the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska.

Unlike other systems that charge an extra fee for wind energy or "green power" sources, the Aspen Electric Department provides this service without additional charge to customers. At the same time, electric rates are still in the lowest twenty-five percent of all electric utilities operating in Colorado. The City is also pursuing using the existing Ridgeway Dam and reservoir for generating another thirty percent of the City's electricity from hydropower.

The City of Aspen operates seven shuttle routes that provide free transit service to residents and tourists. The City's fleet was recently upgraded to the cleanest, quietest diesel buses available.

In addition, the City offers free carpool matching and carpool parking. Roaring Fork Valley Vehicles provides local residents the opportunity to Car Share, or share the use of a personal vehicle on an hourly basis. City employees routinely commute to work by carpool, RFTA bus, bicycle, or on foot.

The Environmental Health Department routinely monitors the water quality in the Roaring Fork River. To educate people about how to properly dispose of waste water, the Department affixed adhesive storm drain markers to city storm drains. They warn people in English and Spanish to not dump into these drains, since they go directly to the river.

The City of Aspen collects mosquitoes throughout town to determine whether West Nile Virus carrying mosquitoes occur at this altitude. If so, the City will treat standing water breeding areas with the least environmentally harmful method, instead of using harmful pesticides. The City is also educating citizens about how to protect themselves: drain all standing water, and wear long sleeves and insect repellant at dawn and dusk.

Residents can bring old computers to City Hall, to the Finance window, to be donated to Computers 4 Kids or recycled. There is a $20 fee to cover costs. Call 920-5075 if you have questions.

In order to maintain adequate stream flows in Maroon and Castle Creeks, the City Water Department continuously monitors stream flow, and adjusts treatment plant intake to protect fish. Improvements to the Mill Street well allow the city to use well water if needed to keep stream flows high enough for fish, especially in winter when flows are low.

The Aspen Parks Department composts or chips all branches, grass clippings and leaves, to be used for mulch or compost. A new larger compost demonstration project has just started at the golf course.

Parks uses only organically derived tree and shrub fertilizer, instead of chemical fertilizers.

In the last five years, most herbicide use has been replaced with Integrated Pest Management practices. Instead of spraying an area each year, it is restored to its natural state, so native grasses can reestablish themselves, and noxious weeds do not thrive. When trees must be treated for insects like pine beetles, systemic injection into trunks or roots has replaced aerial spraying of trees.

The Parks Department replaced its solvent-based parts washer with one that uses water.

Wetlands have been constructed at Marolt, Snyder Park, and the roundabout. Ponds are designed and planted with wetland plants to filter out heavy metals and other pollutants before water enters the river. The historic Maroon Creek wetland was reconstructed, providing wildlife habitat, natural beauty, and improved water quality.

During the 2002 drought, over 1100 Aspen water customers received refunds for their contributions to meeting the City's targeted goal of a 10% reduction.