About the Colorado Climate Network
In May 2009, the Mayor of Denver, the Mayor of Fort Collins, and the executive directors of the Colorado Municipal League (CML) and the Colorado Association of Ski Towns (CAST) announced a new Colorado Climate Network to support local climate programs in Colorado. The initial members of the Network have so far grown to include CML, CAST, and 14 local governments.
The mission of the Network is to support efforts by local governments and allied organizations in Colorado to reduce heat-trapping gases and to adapt to climate change – whether those efforts are styled as climate, sustainability, energy, or adaptation programs. The Network helps its members develop and implement those programs, learn of funding and other resources, and interact more productively with other local and state programs in Colorado. The Network is open to members with established local programs as well as those just getting their programs underway.
Members of the Network include any general-purpose local government in Colorado wishing to join. Also, any nonprofit or for-profit organization that is allied with a local government in cooperative action on climate, is nominated for membership by such a local government, and is approved by the Network Steering Committee may join.
The Network works cooperatively with other organizations serving local governments. The Colorado Municipal League and the Colorado Association of Ski Towns have officially endorsed the Network.
The Network is administered by the Rocky Mountain Climate Organization (RMCO) and is guided by a Steering Committee of representatives of members. The Network’s principal services are the information and opportunities for interaction it offers to its members. Initial services being offered by the Network include:
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Opportunities through a members-only portion of this website for representatives of Network members to communicate with one another about their local programs, so they can share information, ask and answer questions of one another, and learn of other local programs and activities.
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Information about grants and other funding opportunities for local programs. An example is this Network Update summarizing the elements of the federal stimulus legislation that provides billions of dollars to local climate and energy programs.
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Information about state and federal actions relevant to local climate actions. RMCO has a lobbyist who will keep network members informed about actions in the Colorado General Assembly; the Network itself, however, is not currently expected to lobby the state or federal government on behalf of any Network positions, although a decision could be made in the future to do so.
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Workshops and other opportunities to learn from experts and interact other Network members. An example is a Network workshop held at the Governor’s Energy Office in December 2009 for local governments in Colorado receiving direct, entitlement grants under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program.
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Assistance in forming and implementing regional collaborative efforts among local programs. A first example is a Northern Mountains Climate and Energy Initiative of Network members and other local governments in Eagle, Grant, Routt, and Summit counties, convened by RMCO, which is currently developing plans for coordinated regional efforts.
The services provided by the Network will grow over time. It is currently expected that the Network’s additional services will soon include:
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A library of resource materials, including comprehensive and detailed information on local climate programs in Colorado and other states, for the use of Network members. This library, now being compiled, will be more detailed than any other existing source of information on local-government climate programs.
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Individualized program assistance in implementing local programs.
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A regular newsletter for Network members and interested others.
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Training materials and programs for officials and staffs of Network members.
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