Adams County, Colorado
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2021)
Reporting Period: 2021
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:7,181,627 MTCO2e (2019)
Renewable Energy Share:24% (2019, county facilities)
Total Energy Consumption:4,072 GWh (2019)
Water Consumption:60 million gallons/year potable water (county facilities)
Waste Generated:520 pounds of compost from 900 pounds of food waste (2019)
ESG Focus Areas
- Energy
- Waste
- Water
- Land
- Sustainable Infrastructure
- Transportation
- Healthy and Resilient Neighborhoods
- Air Quality
Environmental Achievements
- County facilities have reduced energy consumption by 49% per square foot since 2012
- Reduced VMT for gravel operations by 24% by hiring more efficient contractors
- Increased use of recyclable materials in county building materials and supplies
- Waste diversion efforts at Adams County Fair increased the amount of waste diverted from the landfill
- Adams County was the first county in Colorado to become an Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure ENVISION Supported Agency
Social Achievements
- Weatherization services for income-qualified customers are available
- Minor Home Repair program helps residents make health, safety, and energy efficiency repairs
- Community Development Block Grants are available to support minor home repairs
- Adams County recently approved several positions to bolster staff capacity to build health, resiliency, and equity programming
- OneAdams facilitates a socially distant neighborhood connection during COVID-19 restrictions
- Community Enrichment Grants support neighborhood beautification and social cohesion efforts
Governance Achievements
- Adams County voters approved a permanent extension to the County Open Space Sales Tax in 2020
- Oil and gas development regulations that include a 2,000-ft. setback from residences, schools, water resources, and buildings
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Net zero emissions by 2050
Medium-term Goals:
- Achieve a FEMA community rating score of 7 by 2030
- Increase number of regional flood control/detention facilities by 1 to 2 by 2030
Short-term Goals:
- 15% reduction in energy use intensity by 2030
- 50% renewable energy supply by 2030
- Electrify 75% of eligible light-duty vehicles by 2030
- Convert 25% of medium- to heavy-duty vehicles to alternative fuels by 2030
Environmental Challenges
- Projected population growth will lead to increased demand for resources and added stress on existing systems
- Climate change impacts (drought, increased heat, poor air quality from wildfires)
- Inequitable distribution of resources and services
- Gap between water supply and demand
- Landfill sites, industrial operations, and oil and gas development disproportionately impacting communities
- Limited access to alternative transportation networks, especially in rural areas
- Poor air quality impacting public health
Mitigation Strategies
- Integrating sustainability across the county
- Implementing water-saving technologies and landscaping
- Promoting the use of non-potable water supplies
- Conserving land and supporting the POST plan
- Incorporating sustainable infrastructure practices into county projects
- Supporting EV mobility and infrastructure
- Supporting alternative modes of transportation
- Reducing indoor and outdoor air quality impacts
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Develop countywide sustainable procurement policies
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Drought
- Increased heat
- Wildfires
- Flooding
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GPC Protocol