Partner Events
Earth Day In Pagosa Town Park
Saturday, April 14th
12-6 PM
Home Buyers Class
Regional Housing Alliance (RHA)
Wed, April, 18 5:30 - 8:30 pm
Sat, April, 21 8:30 am -1:00 pm
4CORE will present info on the 21st on how to make improvements and save money on bills.
Call for location and to sign up: 970.259.1418
Green Business Roundtable
The Big Picture of Energy Options
Wednesday, April 18th, 12:00 PM
Green Living Expo
La Plata County Fairgrounds
2500 Main Avenue Durango
April 21 and 22, 2012
Saturday 10:00-5:00
Sunday 10:00-3:00
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Waste Resources for Southwest Colorado
Resource Energy Action Plan
Find waste-related projects in the recently revised REAP.
Materials Conservation Inventory Report
A report outlining recycling and waste disposal resources locally.
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Volunteer Visitors Reducing Use
Groundwork Denver brought together an awesome group of volunteers on a grassroots canvasing campaign in March. Groundwork visited 731 homes in Durango and changed 121 front porch lights to energy efficient CFLs. In addition the volunteers personally discussed simple energy saving techniques with area residents. The most cost effective way to save energy is still simply modifying our own behavior and energy using actions. Groundwork also implemented energy saving pledges with 82 FLC college students. Hats off to Groundwork and all of the volunteers for taking the time to discuss energy savings with people in our communities!
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A Big Thanks!
For Hosting the Community Energy Coordinators
Last month Community Energy Coordinators from around the state met in Durango for their monthly meeting. The Rochester Hotel put them up and LPEA hosted the meeting in their mulit-purpose room.
4CORE thanks you!
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Have You Liked us Yet?
On Facebook, that is...
Find us on Facebook here!
Or, login to your Facebook account and search for 4CORE. Be sure to "like" our page, so you get tips about saving energy, breaking news, and photos.
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Join Our Mailing List!
Energy News you Can Use is published monthly
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Thank you
to our Partners! 
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Resource News You Can Use
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This month our 4CORE newsletter focuses on reducing waste. Each of us produces an astounding average of 4.4 pounds of waste per day, so whether you are taking part in waste-reduction at the large-scale project level or starting at home with your own trash can, waste reduction makes sense.
Many projects are in the works to help reduce waste in our region. Read on to learn how you can make a significant difference, even by making a few changes in your daily routine.
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 Did You Know?
Reduce your waste stream!
- Become a part of the recycling chain! Purchase and use recycled materials whenever possible, and then recycle them again.
- Buy products with little-to-no packaging. While you're at it, try eating simple, non-processed foods; then you can generate compost instead.
- Stop using single use water bottles and coffee cups.
- Use Microfiber cloths instead of paper towels for cleaning up messes. One cloth can replace as many as 60 rolls of paper towels.
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What is Your Triple-R Priority?
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle- in that order!
Many of us take time to recycle, as it is "the right thing to do," but what about taking the other two "Rs" into account? When we say "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle," they are meant to be to prioritized in that order. Let's take a closer look:
Reduce: means using less resources in general. Minimizing consumption will equate to minimizing waste.
Reuse: means utilizing an item more than once for the same function, or re-purposing for a different function.
Recycling: means breaking down an item (which takes energy) and converting waste into a DIFFERENT product. Many municipalities have created incentives for recycling, or at least making it extremely easy, and this is the "R" that seems to have become most popular, even though it is last and lowest in priority and takes the most effort and energy.
When you are going to get a coffee at a local shop on your way to work, keep your mug handy in the morning and you'll be on your way to reducing and reusing, without ever having to think about recycling!
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HomeRx Makeover Contest
Enter to Win a Free Home Energy Makeover
4CORE is hosting this event to launch the Home Performance Prescription Program (HomeRx), which will provide a suite of weatherization services for residents in Southwest Colorado.
Could your home use insulation, air sealing, new windows, or perhaps a new furnace? Enter to win by clicking below!
Register to Win a Free Home Energy Makeover Here
For more information or to sponsor this event, contact 4CORE.
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Resource Recovery Park
A Waste-Reducing Project in the Works
Americans are currently producing an average of 4.4 pounds of waste per person per day. In La Plata County alone, this means we are producing a ton of waste every 12 minutes, enough to fill more than 2,000 semi-trucks every year. When the waste from Archuleta and Montezuma Counties is included, we produce a ton of waste every 7.5 minutes, enough to fill 3,500 semi-trucks annually. Unfortunately, rural residents generally produce more waste than urban residents, so our waste problem is actually larger than the 4.4 pounds per person per day would suggest. Finally, the recycling rate in this region is half of the state average and five times lower than the national average.
A Resource Recovery Park (RRP) is currently being proposed in our region that could be a potential solution to waste and economic development issues. An RRP would provide a better outlet for all recyclable and reusable material resources, by expanding recycling services to meet current and future demand, and by increasing opportunities for employment and self-employment...
Read more on the Energy to Evolve Blog
For more information, contact 4CORE.
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Changes to 4CORE
Newest Developments for Office and Staff
4CORE is now consolidated into one office. We're in room 440 of the West Building, in what used to primarily be our Weatherization office. Drop in to see us any time!
4CORE also said goodbye to several great Weatherization Program Manager Kirk Coppinger, Program Specialist Heather Wyatt, Weatherization Program Specialist Amanda Herron, and Weatherization NEAT/MHEA Techician Don McCord. 4CORE appreciates their dedication and they will be missed!
 With abrupt reductions in funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program from the Department of Energy and from other sources, the duties of these staff were consolidated into other staff positions. Your new program contacts are listed below. Just call the 4CORE office at 970.259.1916 with the staff extension listed below:
- Weatherization Client Coordination and Dispatch: Sandhya Tillotson, ext. 115
- Weatherization Production Coordinator: Tom Zajicek, (970) 799-2305
- Montezuma County Community Energy Coordination: Amanda Saunders, ext. 119
- Dolores County Community Energy Coordination: Teresa Shishim, ext. 112
- Sustainable Business Education Program: Cori Andreatta, ext. 111
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A Closer Look at the Energy Efficient Hotel Industry
By Intern Lily Oswald
When you stay at a hotel for more than one night, do you toss your towel on the floor, or do you hang it up for a second use? Most people do not do the simple act of re-using towels, which accounts for an extra 17 gallons of water to wash towels per room. Millions of gallons of water can potentially be saved by reusing towels at hotels. There are multiple hotels in the region that have "gone green" including the historic Strater Hotel, which has received the acclaimed EPA Energy Rating for their efforts. Other awards have been donated to hotels and motels in the region, from the Green Eco-Leaf Rating to being members of the Green Hotels Association.
Read the rest on our Energy to Evolve Blog
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As always, if you have any feedback or questions about becoming more energy efficient, please contact us. |
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