The 11th Annual La Plata County Energy Tour

“Sustainable development is a dynamic process which enables all people to realize their potential, and to improve their quality of life, in ways which simultaneously protect and enhance the Earth's life support systems.”
(Forum for the Future Annual Report 2000).

I really like the quote above. It expresses, in one sentence, what my philosophy is all about: Sustainable living can improve your quality of life while also protecting and conserving the earth's resources. The question is, who wouldn't want to improve their quality of life? If I am not mistaken, this is a desire that every single human being on this planet has in common. We all dream of a higher quality of life. For some, that means earning more money so that they can afford beautiful homes and cars. For others it means moving out of an urban area to be closer to nature. For others still, it could be saving money on energy costs in order to spend that money on something more important, such as school fees or healthier food. 


You do not have to be an environmentalist, by any means, to want to live a sustainable lifestyle. Whether you get your home weatherized or you invest in renewable energy, the end result is the same. You are doing something good by becoming more energy efficient and conserving resources (whether you intend to or not), and you are saving money on energy costs: That is what I like to call a "win-win". 

To show you all that this is not just a theory, but that there are lots of people out there who invest in renewable energy and save money because of it, 4CORE is putting on the 11th Annual La Plata County Energy Tour. The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is the umbrella organization for this event. On October 2nd, 2010 there will be Solar Tours taking place in 42 states all over the country. The La Plata County Energy Tour  taking place right here in Durango, will showcase various houses and buildings in and around town that have invested in renewable energy, including solar, wind, or geothermal power. 

The tour will start at the Farmers Market in downtown Durango. Take a self-guided tour or a guided bicycle tour of homes close to downtown. Please car pool if you go on the self-guided tour. 4CORE will have a booth set up at the Farmers Mark where can purchase a $5 map of showcased buildings, and you can also purchase them online this year. We will also be handing out information on each of the houses on the tour. Home owners and/or installers will be present at each location to answer any questions you might have.  

The goal of this event is to help spread information on renewable energy. If you have ever thought about installing renewable energy, or are just interested to see how it works, we invite you to come out on October 2nd for the Energy Tour. Stop by our booth to get your map and a hot beverages before you head out. Come before 9 am if you would like to join the bicycle tour.

In the meantime, if you have any questions about the tour or anything related to it, feel free to contact me, Vanessa. I think that this will be a great event and I am really looking forward to being a part of it. I hope to see you out there! 

About Vanessa Von der Heyde, 4CORE Outreach Intern

Vanessa was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and moved to the States in 2005 to attend the University of Alabama on a swimming scholarship. After graduating from University with a Bachelor’s in Marketing, she decided to experience living in different parts of the States and promptly moved to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to work and give tours at a dog sledding kennel for the Winter Season. There she met a Durango Native, which opened up the door to live and work in Durango for a couple of months. Vanessa appreciates natural beauty and the outdoors, and loves animals. She wants to dedicate her life to preserving the natural environment, and educate people in becoming more environmentally conscious.

It’s Easy To Be Green in the Summer

By Beverly McAllister

Living green is an omnipresent theme here in Southwest Colorado. Since beginning my Internship at 4CORE, I have discovered that although there are many ways my lifestyle supports a conscious approach to zero waste living, there are always new ideas to employ toward this goal. The summer season offers a variety of opportunities to improve our efficient use of resources.

One obvious change is to use alternative transportation while the weather is cooperative. The Clean Commute Week, organized by the City of Durango in June, encouraged many alternatives to diminish our reliance on less efficient methods of transportation, and promote cleaner ones. For summertime fun and a healthier lifestyle, participate in zero carbon activities such as utilizing mass transit, walking, biking, and sharing rides. Attend the 3rd Annual Verde Fest in Cortez, CO or the 4 Corners Green Living Expo in Durango, CO for lots of product vendors, sustainability advocates, and fun!

Reducing our footprint by using less electricity can be accomplished a number of ways. To help fund sustainable energy sources you can purchase a Green Power Block from local electric providers La Plata Electric Association and Empire Electric Association.

Our region receives abundant solar energy, and there are tax credits and rebates for adding photovoltaic panels or solar thermal systems to your home or business. This is also a good time to apply for the income-based free weatherization services

Switching to newer, more energy efficient appliances or adding a solar shade to your home could be a summer improvement project. To reduce additional wasted heat and power, turn off unnecessary lighting, use the air-dry setting on your dishwasher, set your water heater temperature lower, switch to compact fluorescent bulbs, and utilize power strips to shut down electric power to appliances and electronics when not in use.

In and around your home consider using a “solar powered’ clothes dryer, an old-fashioned clothes line. Xeriscape your yard or use a push mower to cut your grass (and exercise!). If you have a garden or access to the summer’s bounty of fresh foods, try a solar dehydrator as a preservation method. Build one yourself for almost free.

Recycle and compost your personal waste. Set your thermostats to 78 degrees and run ceiling fans on medium, blowing down in summer, and close shades and drapes during the day to keep the heat out. If you use air-conditioning, have your system checked out by a HVAC technician and remember to clean filters monthly. Evaporative cooling is especially well suited for climates where the air is hot and humidity is low, since it is relatively cheap and requires less energy than many other forms of cooling.

Support the economy by buying locally, and save resources by buying recycled or used items. Shop the flea market, farmer’s market, thrift stores, and yard sales to reuse, recycle, and save money. As an alternative to discarding useful items, donate them, have a sale, or list them on sites such as the Freecycle.

Pay a visit to the “Really Really Free Market" at the Riverfront Park on Sundays 1-3 pm, and not only get free stuff but also free food from “Durango’s Food Not Bombs”.

When dining out, ask if the restaurant uses recyclable food containers for packaging your leftovers. Even if they do not, you can help raise their awareness that their customers feel strongly about this issue. Also, consider bringing your own containers and cutlery if they use disposable utensils (available locally at Nature’s Oasis).

After calculating my carbon footprint (12.47) and interning at 4CORE, I have realized so many more ways to be on a “carbon diet”. It is my hope that some of these suggestions will be beneficial in your life this summer, help you reduce your energy bills, save you money, and make it so you can grow more green.

About Beverly McAllister, Intern
Beverly has lived in Durango for the last 30 years. Before coming to 4CORE, she worked with the Mercy Medical Center's Gift Shop trying out her innovative ideas on customers. Beverly enjoys going to punk rock concerts and taking time off for fishing vacations. She has become an integral part of the 4CORE team by taking on multiple duties and tasks that are requested of her.