Hillary Larson, Colorado Sierra Club, (781) 552-1106 or hillary.larson@sierraclub.org
Summit County, CO – On Tuesday, February 13, 2018, the Summit County Board of County Commissioners unanimously voted to approve a resolution committing the unincorporated Summit County community to shift away from fossil fuels and to transition to 100 percent clean, renewable electricity by 2035.
The Colorado Sierra Club Ready for 100 campaign joins the Board of County Commissioners in celebrating Summit County as the first county in Colorado, and 5th in the nation, to set this goal. Across the country, 58 cities and towns have already committed to transition to 100 percent renewable energy.
“It’s exciting to see the first countywide commitment to a clean, renewable energy future in Colorado. said Jim Alexee, Colorado Sierra Club Director. "It’s imperative we take bold action on climate in order to protect our health and the livelihoods of the many communities in Colorado that depend on a ski economy, which is already suffering from the consequences of a changing climate.”
"If there's one thing that's becoming very clear, it's that climate action requires strong partnerships and effective collaboration across all sectors," said County Commissioner Dan Gibbs. "We're very excited to work together with our utility providers and our local, state and regional partners to achieve this goal in an efficient and cost-effective manner."
"It's exciting that we are joining our sister county, Summit County in Utah in committing to a 100 percent clean energy future," said County Commissioner Karn Stiegelmeier. "I hope that other counties and communities across Colorado will follow our lead and take clean energy actions to protect our health, climate, and way of life."
"For Summit County, our whole way of life is completely and inextricably tied to our natural environment and all that it provides. The threat to our future is so very real and so all encompassing. This commitment is our obligation to future generations that will call Summit County home. I promise to do all that I can to achieve clean energy for all," said County Commissioner Thomas C. Davidson.
Summit County follows the lead of several cities across Colorado, including other mountain towns like Breckenridge and Nederland, in committing to a future powered entirely by clean energy.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.