Climate Change Data

City of Fort Collins

Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2006-2007, 2011, 2015, 2019)

Reporting Period: 2006-2007

Environmental Metrics

Total Carbon Emissions:1,827,549 tCO2e (2007, Platte River ownership allocation); 1,271,080 tCO2e (2007, Utilities direct load)
Renewable Energy Share:7% (2007, power generation)
Total Energy Consumption:18,577 MWh (2007, direct consumption)
Water Consumption:28,028 AF (2007, raw water diverted)
Waste Generated:39,030 tons (2007, waste ash); 9,990 tons (2007, biosolids)

ESG Focus Areas

  • Environmental
  • Social
  • Economic

Environmental Achievements

  • Reduced water consumption per capita from 172 gallons/day in 2006 to 162 gallons/day in 2007 (normalized for weather conditions).
  • Recycled 9,148 tons of biosolids in 2006 and 9,990 tons in 2007.
  • Used biodiesel for 36% of total fuel needs in 2006 and 38% in 2007.
  • Helped customers save 5,155 MWh with energy efficiency programs in 2006.

Social Achievements

  • No incidents of harassment or discrimination reported in 2006-2007.
  • Assisted 320 customers in 2006 and 349 customers in 2007 through low-income assistance programs.
  • Conducted outreach programs engaging 6,300 students and 970 adults in stormwater education.

Governance Achievements

  • Developed a comprehensive Sustainability Plan in 2008.
  • Aligned with state-level renewable portfolio standards (RPS) and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals in 2008.

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Achieve 80% GHG reduction by 2050 (from 2005 levels)
  • 100% of developed land actively managed with stormwater quality best management practices by 2035
Medium-term Goals:
  • Restore 21 miles of streams by 2035
  • Remove/protect 1,735 additional structures from floodplain by 2035
Short-term Goals:
  • Reduce GHG emissions by 20% by 2020
  • Provide a minimum of 10% of Utilities load from renewable energy by 2020
  • Achieve water consumption goal of 140 gallons per capita per day by 2020

Environmental Challenges

  • Climate change, future water supplies, aging infrastructure, security, land use, and community safety and well-being.
  • Significant reliance on coal for power generation (70% in 2007), leading to high GHG emissions.
  • Potential for increased cost of coal generation due to pending federal legislation.
Mitigation Strategies
  • Developed 21st Century Utilities initiative to address challenges.
  • Implemented energy efficiency programs to reduce GHG emissions and save customer money.
  • Increased renewable energy purchases (93,000 MWh in 2007).
  • Developed a water conservation plan to reduce future water demand.
  • Reused treated wastewater effluent for cooling needs at Platte River Rawhide Energy Station (4,200 AF).

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement
  • Preference for locally based suppliers
  • City’s environmentally-friendly purchasing guidelines

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks
  • Extreme weather
Transition Risks
  • Regulatory changes, market shifts (related to coal)
Opportunities
  • Energy efficiency improvements
  • Renewable energy development

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI G3, GRI Electric Utilities Sector Supplement (EUSS) (draft), R. W. Beck Water Utilities Indicators (WUI)

Awards & Recognition

  • Bronze Environmental Achievement Award (Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment)

Reporting Period: 2011

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

  • Social
  • Economic Development
  • Community Development

Social Achievements

  • Allocated nearly $1.4 million of Community Development Block Grant Funds (CDBG) and Human Services Program (HSP) funds for child care services since 2002, representing 14,490 child slots.

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Explore long-term funding options, such as a special sales tax
Medium-term Goals:
  • Increase General Fund contributions to childcare services
  • Create new incentives for childcare facilities
  • Develop new Land Use Code provisions
  • Monitor and advocate for childcare legislation
  • Collaborate on building new childcare centers
Short-term Goals:
  • Add new policies to existing plans addressing childcare
  • Remove barriers in the Land Use Code
  • Create incentives for childcare center construction
  • Prepare information on how to start a childcare facility
  • Conduct city outreach and education on childcare

Environmental Challenges

  • High cost of childcare
  • Limited availability of childcare slots, especially for low-income families and those needing non-traditional hours
  • State regulations and licensing requirements create challenges for providers
  • Lack of transportation for low-income parents
  • Insufficient employer-provided childcare benefits
Mitigation Strategies
  • Exploring policy changes to increase supply and affordability of childcare
  • Seeking federal grant opportunities for building new centers
  • Removing barriers in the Land Use Code
  • Creating incentives for construction and operation of new childcare centers
  • Promoting partnerships between the city, childcare providers, and employers

Supply Chain Management

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Period: 2015

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

  • Community Wellness
  • Diversity & Inclusivity
  • Community Prosperity
  • Housing

Social Achievements

  • Developed a strategic plan focusing on community wellness, diversity & inclusivity, community prosperity, and housing.
  • Completed several key analyses informing community needs (Social Sustainability Gaps Analysis, Housing Affordability Policy Study, Human Services Partners: A Community Snapshot).

Climate Goals & Targets

Short-term Goals:
  • Centralize information about City-offered programs and resources (year 1)
  • Develop and implement educational campaign for low-income households (year 2)
  • Encourage non-motorized transportation opportunities (year 3)
  • Support development of pedestrian, bicycle, and park amenities (year 4)
  • Collaborate with local organizations to ensure 24-hour availability of mental and behavioral health care (year 1)
  • Encourage mental health care programs for low-income persons (year 2)
  • Increase community awareness/acceptance of mental/behavioral health (year 2)
  • Support increased discharge coordination and planning for mental health (year 3)
  • Support development of halfway housing for persons with mental illness (year 3)
  • Partner to create a residential treatment facility for addictions (year 3)
  • Support creation of a detox facility (year 3)
  • Work with PDT Service Area on Nature in the City initiative (ongoing)
  • Work with PDT Service Area to ensure Land Use Code does not create food deserts (year 1)
  • Support local food programs (year 1)
  • Partner in local food development initiatives (year 1)
  • Help identify and promote local initiatives addressing food insecurity (year 1)
  • Support community entities encouraging SNAP acceptance (year 2)
  • Promote events and programs that recognize and celebrate social and cultural diversity (year 1)
  • Improve City ranking for LGBTQIA acceptance (year 1)
  • Work towards attaining Age-Friendly City designation (year 2)
  • Work with Human Resources to adopt an Equity and Social Justice policy (year 2)
  • Provide diversity, inclusivity, and social equity trainings (year 2)
  • Expand affordable housing opportunities in prime neighborhoods (year 3)
  • Research programs informing refugee and immigrant populations of their legal rights (year 3)
  • Support neighborhood revitalization projects (year 3)
  • Complete the Social Sustainability Department mapping project to identify gaps in transit services (year 1)
  • Engage in City Plan/TOD Plan updates (year 2)
  • Engage in development of Bike/Car/Ride share programs (year 2)
  • Advocate for expanding bus service (year 2)
  • Work towards expanding public transportation options for special needs populations (year 2)
  • Work with PDT Service Area and partners to develop affordable transportation options (year 2)
  • Work with City departments to ensure access to public transportation (year 3)
  • Facilitate collaboration among City departments to adopt equity and social justice policies (year 1)
  • Support policies integrating a diverse community population (year 2)
  • Assist with training on embracing diversity (year 2)
  • Research municipal best practices for cultivating diversity (year 2)
  • Develop a mentoring program (year 3)
  • Support programs offering diversity education and outreach (year 1)
  • Develop a strategy communicating the City’s diversity policy (year 2)
  • Support programs ensuring access and opportunity to employment, food, housing, etc. (year 1)
  • Support programs addressing basic human rights and needs (year 1)
  • Research how culturally disadvantaged youth are being served in mental health (year 2)
  • Partner with City programs and the business community to promote socially sustainable employment practices (year 1)
  • Partner with organizations to expand the homelessness services network (year 1)
  • Work closely with City departments to identify and support workforce needs and training (year 2)
  • Partner with workforce assistance and development entities (year 3)
  • Partner with education providers to support vocational training (year 3)
  • Aid in developing an employer network for former offenders (year 4)
  • Partner with community entities to promote career pathways (year 4)
  • Promote early childhood education initiatives and programs (year 1)
  • Support local schools’ initiatives to improve early elementary reading scores (year 2)
  • Encourage collaborative events promoting supplemental education programs (year 2)
  • Encourage programs providing for the safety and protection of vulnerable populations (year 1)
  • Support the Human Resources Department’s efforts towards financial literacy support (year 3)
  • Partner with community entities involved with financial literacy efforts (year 3)
  • Support financial literacy curriculum in schools (year 4)
  • Work with City departments to prioritize redevelopment projects (year 1)
  • Work with PDT Service Area to develop and maintain an inventory of available sites for affordable housing (year 1)
  • Work with City departments to assess land use policies (year 2)
  • Explore revising City incentives and fee waivers for affordable housing (year 1)
  • Provide Fair Housing education and outreach to housing providers (year 1)
  • Explore policies to incentivize landlords to provide affordable housing (year 1)
  • Explore activating the City’s Land Bank program (year 1)
  • Partner with housing providers to increase affordable housing for special populations (year 1)
  • Explore the housing needs of special populations (year 1)
  • Improve data gathered related to homelessness services (year 1)
  • Work with City departments to explore occupancy policy (year 3)
  • Promote the housing needs of special populations (year 4)
  • Promote HBA program through marketing and education (year 1)
  • Explore revising City incentives and fee waivers for affordable housing (year 1)
  • Explore Land Use Code changes to encourage accessory dwelling units (year 1)
  • Explore fee balancing to encourage smaller homes (year 2)
  • Explore opportunities associated with innovative small homes (year 3)
  • Explore opportunities to partner with utility providers and other vendors to decrease overall housing costs (year 2)
  • Assist low- and moderate-income homeowners in maintaining their homes and improving energy efficiency (year 2)
  • Support financial literacy education to residents (year 4)
  • Provide assistance to home-owning seniors with limited incomes and resources (year 4)
  • Implement strategies outlined in the Affordable Housing Relocation Displacement Mitigation Strategies Report (year 5)
  • Convene partners to explore the needs of residents who fall along the full housing continuum (ongoing)
  • Provide education and awareness of barriers encountered by vulnerable populations (year 1)
  • Explore options for innovative housing opportunities (year 3)

Environmental Challenges

  • Engagement in wellness activities
  • Transportation choices
  • Neighborhood mixed-use needs
  • Community activity engagement
  • Healthy food access and affordability
  • Mental health services access
  • Environmental impacts on health
  • Rising income disparity
  • Stagnant wages
  • Skills mismatch
  • Employment barriers/access
  • Underemployment
  • Outbound commuters
  • Labor force demographic shifts
  • Rising education costs
  • Stagnant incomes
  • Rising student debt
  • Disproportionate unemployment
  • Housing affordability concerns
  • Rising housing prices
  • Limited range of housing types
  • Lack of affordable housing
  • Challenges for special populations (disabled, seniors, low-wage earners)
  • Impacts to economic vitality and social well-being
Mitigation Strategies
  • Allocate City dollars to agencies supporting physical and mental health, healthcare services, healthy food providers, workforce development, and education.
  • Partner with community agencies to increase access to services and resources.
  • Promote programs encouraging physical activity, healthy choices, and social engagement.
  • Improve walkability and transportation options.
  • Develop and implement educational campaigns.
  • Support affordable housing options and initiatives.
  • Address homelessness through funding and partnerships.
  • Implement policies to support self-sufficiency and stability programs.
  • Increase opportunities for workforce development and remove barriers to employment.
  • Align with Homeward 2020 plan.
  • Explore revising City incentives and fee waivers for building affordable housing.
  • Provide Fair Housing education and outreach.
  • Explore policies to incentivize landlords to provide affordable housing.
  • Activate the City’s Land Bank program.
  • Partner with housing providers to increase affordable housing for special populations.
  • Improve data on homelessness services.
  • Explore occupancy policy.
  • Promote the housing needs of special populations.
  • Provide down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers.
  • Explore Land Use Code changes to encourage accessory dwelling units.
  • Explore fee balancing to encourage smaller homes.
  • Explore opportunities associated with innovative small homes.
  • Explore opportunities to partner with utility providers to decrease housing costs.
  • Assist low- and moderate-income homeowners in maintaining their homes and improving energy efficiency.
  • Support financial literacy education.
  • Provide assistance to home-owning seniors.
  • Implement strategies outlined in the Affordable Housing Relocation Displacement Mitigation Strategies Report.

Supply Chain Management

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Period: 2019

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

  • Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience
  • Environmental Stewardship
  • Water Management
  • Waste Reduction
  • Carbon Neutrality
  • Employee Well-being
  • Fiscal Responsibility

Environmental Achievements

  • Exceeded 2020 Climate Action Plan goal by reducing emissions by 21% in 2017
  • 96% diversion of forestry waste wood from landfill in 2010
  • First LEED Platinum municipal building in Colorado (2016)
  • 100% undergrounding of power lines (by 1989)

Social Achievements

  • Received the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2018 for performance excellence
  • Received a Gold Award for achievements in the State Electronics Challenge in 2017
  • Community-wide water demand declined from 198 gpcd in 2001 to 141 gpcd in 2017

Governance Achievements

  • Adopted community-wide goals to achieve 75% waste diversion by 2020, 90% by 2025 and zero waste by 2030
  • Adopted a 100% renewable electricity goal for municipal operations by 2030
  • City Council adopted environmentally preferable purchasing as best practice in 2010

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Become carbon neutral by 2050
Medium-term Goals:
  • City energy systems and supplies are 100% renewable by 2030
  • Achieve 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the 2005 baseline by 2030
Short-term Goals:
  • Increase electric vehicles in the City fleet by making 100% of light-duty vehicle purchases plug-in electric by 2025

Environmental Challenges

  • Increasing summer temperatures impacting air quality, human health, budgets, and public/employee safety
  • Less snowpack with earlier snowmelt runoff increasing water scarcity and wildfire risk
  • Longer and more intense droughts negatively impacting the environment
  • Fiscal health and staff capacity constraints
  • Emerald Ash Borer infestation
Mitigation Strategies
  • Integrating climate adaptation into operations
  • Scenario-based planning to address fiscal and staff challenges
  • Developing and fostering community relationships and partnerships
  • Implementing Low Impact Development (LID) infrastructure
  • Utilizing Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
  • Investing in 100% renewable electricity for municipal operations
  • Increasing electric vehicles in the City fleet
  • Developing a City-wide environmental management system

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement
  • Sustainable Purchasing Procedure No. 08

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks
  • Increasing summer temperatures
  • Less snowpack
  • Longer and more intense droughts
  • Severe storms
  • Wildfires

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI

Certifications: LEED, ISO 14001

Awards & Recognition

  • Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award
  • Gold Award for State Electronics Challenge
  • #3 Green Fleet Award for the Americas