PUEBLO TAKES CHARGE! AGAIN!

On Saturday, January 28, 2012 volunteers from Black Hills Energy (BHE) partnered with Groundwork Colorado, Pueblo City Schools, Pueblo Community College, the Pueblo Workforce Center, and the City of Pueblo Volunteer Center to reach out to Pueblo residents regarding low-to no-cost energy efficiency services.  Over 40 high school and college Student Energy Ambassadors, partnering with adult volunteers, canvassed the Bessemer neighborhood to change out front porch lights with compact fluorescent bulbs, discuss energy efficiency measures, and sign up residents for energy efficiency programs. The volunteers called on about 500 homes. This was the third time that the Energy Services Department has taken a lead role in this event.

Energy efficiency and renewable energy resources for Pueblo, Colorado:

·     Black Hills Energy http://www.blackhillsenergy.com/services/energyefficiency/

·     NeighborWorks http://hstrial-neighborworksofp.intuitwebsites.com/Free-Services.html

·     Pueblo County Weatherization http://county.pueblo.org/government/county/department/housing-and-human-services/weatherization

·    Pueblo Department of Health and Human Services http://county.pueblo.org/government/county/pueblo-city-county-health-department

Green jobs resources for Pueblo, Colorado:

·  The Pueblo Workforce Center http://www.puebloworkforcecenter.com/

·  Pueblo Community College http://www.pueblocc.edu/

·  The SESP Green Jobs Info website http://www.greencareersco.com/

Local organizations, clubs, and schools focused on community service and/or energy:

·   Pueblo Community College Upward Bound http://www.pueblocc.edu/StudentServices/StudentSupport/UpwardBound/

·   Centennial High School http://centennial.pueblocityschools.us/

·   Health Academy http://healthacademy.pueblocityschools.us/

Pueblo City encourages broad sustainability, from promoting renewable energy to improving city design in order to facilitate walking and biking.  The city partners with the Pueblo County Sustainability Team, which has been working on a county-wide sustainability plan.  The city works closely with the Pueblo City-County Health Department and Pueblo Active Community Environment (PACE) in order to make the city more bike- and pedestrian-friendly.  The city is also undergoing a full energy audit of public facilities.  Based on this audit, it will work to reduce energy consumption throughout the city.  It plans to start by installing solar panels on a fire station.  Finally, the City has been adding water-wise western landscaping to most of its public projects, which will reduce water demands in the desert west.

Pueblo is creating a Strategic Sustainability Plan (STRATEGY), designed to reduce energy demand by both the public sphere and the community at-large.  The planning process is ongoing, and officials are seeking citizen input. Visit the website for project updates and event improvements: http://county.pueblo.org/government/sustainability.