Climate Action Plan

The Climate Action Plan is guided by the Town’s strategic goal to “act on urgency of climate change”. We are beginning to see the impacts of climate change, and the Town plans to do its part to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) while preparing for the changes we know are coming. This plan will evaluate where the Town is in meeting its greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals informed by a partnership with the Brendle Group, update the goals moving forward, and prioritize what additional actions are needed to ensure the Town meets those goals. We will commit to reducing our climate impacts, becoming more resilient, and setting an example that others can learn from.  
CAP Goal: Crested Butte will act on the urgency of climate change by setting the example of what is possible for mountain communities to take responsibility for our climate impacts and strategically drive down Crested Butte's GHG emissions. 
 
Climate Action Plan Priority Actions:

1. Buildings: Empower and incentivize the community to reduce energy use, electrify buildings to maximize the future benefits of a renewable-energy grid, and encourage efficient land use policy.

2. Renewable Energy: Leverage advocacy and investments to accelerate the grid-wide shift to renewable energy ensuring buildings can fully transition to clean power.

3. Waste: Create and expand programs that simplify waste reduction making it easy for the community to engage in climate action.

4.Transportation: Advance the Town’s Transportation Mobility Plan and Community Plan by prioritizing investments in walking, biking, and transit, preparing for an electric vehicle future, and improving land use policy to support efficient transportation infrastructure.

 
Community emissions increased by five percent from 2017 to 2022 because we increased our natural gas use, vehicles miles traveled, and our solid waste generation; however, we also reduced our electricity usage and vehicles became more fuel efficient.

CAP Process: How the CAP was Developed

  • The plan development followed the Community Compass decision-making framework to establish a goal, define success measures, develop alternatives, and make decisions using informed consent. The general timeline for the plan includes:

    • Phase 1 (January – March 2024): Defined the challenge and goal statement 
      • Brendle Group performed a 2022 GHG Emissions Inventory, and staff worked with the Climate Action Plan Committee (CAPC) to develop a challenge and goal statement for the plan.
    •  Phase 2 (April– July 2024):Identified success measures, created alternatives
      • Staff is worked with the CAPC to refine proposed success measures and develop potential climate action alternatives. Staff also went to the community for feedback on the plan 
    •  Phase 3 (July – October 2024): Refined and filtered climate action alternatives, Drafted climate action plan
      • The Town of Crested Butte is pleased to present the Draft 2030 Climate Action Plan, developed in partnership with Brendle Group. This plan and its associated documents were published for public comment from Monday, October 21 - Monday, November 18. The Town always welcomes comments on its plans. Should you have additional comment outside of the designated public comment period, please submit your comments and questions to sustainability@crestedbutte-co.gov.
        • Draft 2030 Climate Action Plan: This draft plan includes proposed climate actions, strategies, and implementation timelines for the Town of Crested Butte and the Crested Butte community to 2030. We welcome your comments! Please submit comments and questions to sustainability@crestedbutte-co.gov.
          • Appendix 1: 2022 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventory Report: The 2022 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventory shows how emissions have changed from 2017 to 2022 for both the community and Town operations. This inventory helped inform the strategies and actions in the Draft 2030 Climate Action Plan. Please submit comments and questions to sustainability@crestedbutte-co.gov.
          • Appendix II: Crested Butte Action Analysis Technical Appendix: This document provides explanation on the cost and GHG emissions reduction analysis used to inform the Draft 2030 Climate Action Plan. Please submit comments and questions to sustainability@crestedbutte-co.gov.
Staff worked with the CAPC, BOZAR, and Town Council to refine the proposed alternatives and filter them through the success measures. Brendle has shown what alternatives will have the biggest effect on GHG emissions reductions and community benefit. The plan was published for public comment during this period. 
    • CURRENT PHASE: Phase 4 (October 2024 – March 2025): Make an informed decision: Complete Climate Action Plan and Council Adoption
      • Town Council, staff, and the CAPC will consider public comment on the CAP, make final edits, and adopt the plan.