Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)

 

Two Sessions on May 4th

 

Cortez, 9 AM- 10:15 AM | Breakfast provided by Empire Electric Association (EEA) | EEA, 801 North Broadway in Cortez | RSVP by email or call Heather at 799-7718 | flyer 

 

Durango, 12- 1:15 PM | First National Bank of Durango,  259 W. 9th Street in Durango | RSVP by email or call Kathy at 382-5792| flyer 

 

Topics

Speaker: John Hatfield, Energywise Sustainable Products

 

full year schedule 

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Partner Events this Month:

La Plata Electric Association Annual Meeting

May 14th

 

Pagosa Home and Garden Show

May 21st and 22nd  

 

Energy Efficient Lighting for your Business

May 25th

 

Free Community Shred Day

May 27th 

 

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County Economic Development Self-Assessment Survey

The Governor has requested that each county develop or update its economic development plan based on current input from local citizens, businesses and other interested parties.  By May 15^th, the objective is to have the county plans rolled up into 14 regional plans, which collectively will roll up into a statewide economic development plan. More on this process 

  

Take the survey now  

Regional map
Fact Sheet 

 

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Executive Director Aileen Tracy Departing  

Looking Back and Moving Forward     

 

The founding director of 4CORE is moving on after three years of dedicated service to making the organization a successful resource efficiency information hub. Her last day is scheduled for June 30th.  

 

Aileen Tracy started as director in May of 2008 and evolved 4CORE into what it is today. Her departure is a natural progression for 4CORE as it transitions into its next phase. The 4CORE board and adept staff are working together, along with coalition partners, on 4CORE's future.   

  

"4CORE is an incredible organization with a talented, diverse and dedicated staff. I will miss each and every one of them, our volunteer board members, and our supportive coalition partners," says departing Director Tracy. "This is a close-knit, unique community. My plans are to be self-employed and return (from Colorado Springs) to Southwest Colorado within the next three to five years with my family, which will include a new granddaughter."

 

Thank you Aileen for advancing 4CORE in order to provide the community with such high quality services! 

 

For more information, please contact info@fourcore.org.

City of Durango News

Highlighting a 4CORE Coalition Partner

 

The City of Durango Sustainability Office is dedicated to increasing the practice of sustainability in city operations and in the Durango community. Through the
enhancement of recycling and waste reduction, energy efficiency and green building practices in city operations, and through partnerships to promote these practices in the community, the Sustainability Office is working to make Durango a better place.

The Sustainability Office has four primary objectives in 2011:

1. Working to increase the availability of all types of recycling options for Durango residents and businesses through an expansion of the Durango recycling center.
2. To adopt the Sustainability Action Plan for city operations.
3. To begin a dialogue on zero waste with city residents, businesses and nonprofits, ultimately resulting in a community-wide zero waste plan.
4. Promote the practice of sustainability in Durango in partnership with community
organizations.

Recharge Colorado Appliance Rebate Re-Opened 

Currently open and accepting new reservations

 

The program has been closed since mid-February; however some funds have been released due to the expiration of reservations in the system. Approximately $100,000 in funding will be made available on a first come, first serve basis.

 

The program offers rebates for ENERGY STAR® appliances, including clothes washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, storage water heaters and boilers. The GEO anticipates that funds will be exhausted quickly, and the program will be closed again when this happens. Be sure to review all rebate details prior to purchase as not all ENERGY STAR appliances qualify.   

 

For more information, see the new GEO Rebate enewsletter, visit www.RechargeColorado.com or call 1-800-462-0184.

 

In addition to appliances, there may be other rebates available! The GEO has collected the most comprehensive resource of energy-related rebates and incentives available anywhere; use this tool to find Recharge Colorado rebates, federal and local incentives, and offers from manufacturers and retailers. Your search will also enable you to find Better Business Bureau (BBB) listed and accredited contractors from throughout the state. Click here to get started.

Get Ready for Summer

Air Conditioning Tips to Save Money 

If you have central air conditioning or a window air conditioning unit, you can save money on your electric bill by following these energy-saving tips this summer:

Replace the filter monthly during the cooling season and have a professional service your system at the beginning of each cooling season. Keeping your filters clean can cut energy consumption 5 to 15%. An annual pre-season check-up by a contractor should include the following...

Read more on our blog Energy to Evolve

Newsletter Challenge Question

 

Challenge Question: 

 

2 part question~ Compare an incandescent light bulb to a compact fluorescent -  

 

1. What % of energy input goes into light production?
2. What % of energy input goes into heat production?

The first person to correctly answer this question will win an energy saving prize from 4CORE. Prizes and winners to be announced in next month's newsletter. Send responses by May 20th.

 

Last month's Question:

Are you wasting energy by over cooling? What temperature should you set your refrigerator and freezer at?

 

The Answer is...

Ideal temperatures:  

• Refrigerator: 36 to 39 °F 
• Freezer: 5 to 0 °F

It is best to keep separate thermometers in both compartments to make sure these temperatures are maintained.  

 

The winners are...

Ken Haynes
Steve Miller

Leila Hanson

 

Winners, stop by the 4CORE office for your free Energy Conservation Kit! 

 

Note: We received many answers that were just a bit out of the range from the recommendations listed on our source, which is AM Conservation, a nationally distributed thermometer for freezers and refrigerators. Other correct answers came after these first three. Get your answers in quickly to win!