About Garfield Clean Energy Collaborative
The purpose of Garfield Clean Energy Collaborative is to help residents, businesses and governments throughout Garfield County, Colo., become more energy efficient and tap clean energy as a means to creating a stronger, more resilient economy.
The Collaborative uses state legislation that allows governments to cooperate with one another to provide a service or function that is most efficiently provided on a regional basis rather than by single governments. The Garfield Clean Energy Collaborative (GCEC) held its first official meeting Jan. 11, 2012.
The formation of the Collaborative is one of many results of a Colorado Department of Local Affairs grant originally awarded to a partnership of governments in Garfield County in 2008. The grant was overseen from 2009 through 2011 by the Garfield Clean Energy Advisory Board, which reported to the Garfield Board of County Commissioners.
In 2012, the member governments formed the Garfield Clean Energy Collaborative. It is an independent local government authority that oversees programs and services that help residents, businesses, and local governments become more energy efficient and reduce energy costs. CLEER: Clean Energy Economy for the Region, a nonprofit, delivers the programs and services of Garfield Clean Energy under an annual contract.
Members of Garfield Clean Energy Collaborative are the town governments of Parachute, Rifle, Silt, New Castle, Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, along with Garfield County, Colorado Mountain College, and the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority. (The Garfield County Public Library District was a member from 2012 to 2015.)
The governing board consists of a representative appointed by each entity. Meetings are held the second Fridays of January, March, May, July, September, November and December, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., alternating between Glenwood Springs and Rifle. Members of the public are welcome to attend at either venue; meeting agendas are posted at all town halls. Click here for board members, meeting schedules and agendas.
Vision, Mission and Goals
Garfield Clean Energy Vision Statement
Garfield County will be the most energy efficient county in the country.
Garfield Clean Energy Mission Statement
The mission of the Garfield Clean Energy Collaborative is to provide energy efficiency solutions, education and alternative and renewable energy opportunities to all individuals and organizations, in order to build a stronger, more resilient economy benefiting citizens of Garfield County.
Garfield Clean Energy Goals
Goal No. 1: Increase per capita energy efficiency by 20% by 2030, over a baseline 2015.
Goal No. 2: Reduce petroleum consumption 25% by 2020, over a baseline 2009.
Goal No. 3: Obtain 35 to 50% of our energy from renewable sources by 2030.
Goal No. 4: Identify and implement adequate and sustainable funding for Garfield Clean Energy.
Results That Count
Energy Efficiency
Since 2009:
- 340 businesses, churches and organizations
- 1,241 households
have made energy upgrades with help from Garfield Clean Energy.
Altogether, these upgrades deliver annual energy cost savings of $1.4 million.
Garfield Clean Energy member governments work every year to increase efficiency in buildings and facilities, and to use alternative fuel vehicles in their fleets.
Renewable Energy
Garfield Clean Energy used some of its original DOLA grant funds in 2010 and 2011 to install 23 renewable energy systems on public buildings countywide, generating 365 kW of solar electric power. Details here.
Today in Garfield County, 32 government buildings and facilities, schools and libraries are powered by solar energy, generating 4.6 megawatts of clean, local power.
Garfield County is also home to 6 community solar gardens generating 6.6 megawatts of electricity.
Economic Benefits
Since 2009, these projects have stimulated investments of $40 million in materials purchased from retailers and work by contractors, benefitting 353 businesses in the region.
Cumulative energy savings are valued at more than $7 million.
It’s a partnership effort that boosts the local economy, building resilience and diversity.
(Results updated April 2019)