Index: Environment
Environment - Use of Resources
What We Measured:
Highlights:
- Between 2000 and 2010, the total acreage in the Larimer County Open Lands program increased from 12,198 acres to 44,633 acres. The majority of land held in the Open Lands Program (64%) is open or will be opened to public access. (Open Lands)
- The amount of solid waste collected at the Larimer County Landfill decreased approximately 31% from 2001 to 2010. According to the 2006 Waste Characterization Study, at least 25.5% of all waste collected at the Landfill is made up of paper products. (Solid Waste)
- Total annual consumption of electricity in Colorado increased 18% between 2000 and 2009, with the largest increases in the transportation sector (389%), followed by the industrial (36%) and residential (24%) sectors. According to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, the population of Colorado grew an estimated 18% between 2000 and 2009. (Electricity Consumption)
- Over the last decade, recycling in Larimer County peaked in 2007. The 40% increase in the collection of recyclables was due primarily to changes in collection regulations. (Recycling)
- The City of Fort Collins consumed 7.8 billion gallons of water in 2010 or 146 gallons per person per day. The City of Loveland consumed 3.6 billion gallons of water or 147 gallons per person per day. (Water Consumption)
- Wind energy consumption in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park continues to increase as the public becomes aware of the environmental impacts and more wind turbines are available. (Wind Energy Consumption )
Related Studies:
- Getting Off Oil: A 50-State Roadmap for Curbing Our Independence on Petroleum [pdf] explores the ways in which breaking our dependence on oil would improve the environment. (Environment America Research & Policy Center, July 2011)
- Feeling the Heat: Global Warming and Rising Temperatures in the United States [pdf] states that the summer of 2007 was the tenth warmest on record for the continguous United States. The report examines the long-term trend toward rising temperatures and extreme weather events resulting from global warming. (Environment Colorado Research & Policy Center, October 2008).
- Global Warming Solutions That Work: Cutting Edge Efforts to Curb Global Warming Pollution and the Lessons They Hold for America [pdf] (June 2008) details more than 20 examples of of cutting-edge policies and practices that communities, states, and countries are using to reduce global warming pollution.
- Environmental America Congressional Scorecard 2009 [pdf] (November 2009) takes a look at the key environmental votes taken between May 2007 and September 2009. (Produced by the Environment Colorado Research & Policy Center)
- Protecting the Lifeline of the West: How Climate and Clean Energy Policies Can Safeguard Water [pdf] (2010) - takes a look at how climate change is exacerbating the 11-year drought affecting the Colorado River Basin. (Western Resource Advocates)
- Guidebook of Best Practices for Municipal Water Conservation [pdf] (August 2010) - is a planning tool to be used in improving and enhancing water efficiency within Colorado. (Colorado WaterWise)
- Front Range Water Meter: Water Conservation Ratings and Recommendations for 13 Colorado Communities [pdf] (November 2007) - provides an snapshot of how Colorado Front Range communities (including Berthoud and Loveland) compare across many water conservation categories, including rates of per capita use, breadth and depth of implementation of conservation programs, water loss, conservation funding, and many others. (Western Resource Advocates)
- Losing Ground: Colorado's Vanishing Agricultural Landscape [pdf] documents Colorado's loss of 1.26 million acres of agricultural lands since 1997, and the impact to rural economies. (Environment Colorado Research and Policy Center - April 2006)
- Facing Our Future: A Balanced Water Solution for Colorado [pdf] - this report by the Western Resource Advocates, Trout Unlimited and the Colorado Environmental Coalition discuss how Front Range water demands can be satisfied over the next 25 years.
- Illuminating Facts: Federal Light Legislation Quick Reference Guide [pdf] (June 2011)
- Home Energy Use and Costs: Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) - provides information on the use of energy in residential housing units in the United States. This report is published by the United Stated Energy Information Administration, Department of Energy.
- Energy Use of Some Typical Home Appliances - this Consumer Energy Information brief includes a formula for calculating the daily energy usage of an electrical appliance, as well as wattage estimates for many common home appliances.
Related issues within Compass:
- Community Development: Transportation
- Environment: Quality
- Housing Units
- Miles of Road
- Population Size & Growth
- New Residential Units
Additional Resources:
- City of Estes Park Public Works
- City of Fort Collins Utilities
- City of Loveland Water & Power Department
- Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
- Colorado State University
- Colorado Water Conservation Board
- Colorado Water Institute - an affiliate of Colorado State University, exists for the express purpose of focusing the water expertise of higher education on the evolving water concerns and problems being faced by Colorado citizens
- Drought Monitor - provides a synthesis of multiple indices and impacts representing a consensus of federal and academic scientists
- Environmental Protection Agency- includes water and hazardous waste data.
- Larimer County Department of Health & Environment
- Platte River Power Authority
- Poudre Valley REA
- Xcel Energy