Manitou Springs Hosts Climate & Energy Extravaganza

First city in Southern Colorado to join Cities for Climate Protection

shares energy information, seeks input from citizens

MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. – Oct. 19, 2007 – Manitou Springs residents and those seeking to reduce their energy bills are invited to learn about energy savings and give their input into Manitou Springs’ Climate Action Plan during a Climate and Energy Extravaganza.

The event will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 4 at Manitou Springs City Hall, 606 Manitou Ave. The extravaganza will give participants the chance to learn how to save energy at home, hear ideas from energy experts, get a say in Manitou Springs’ Climate Action Plan, and win energy-related prizes. The event is free and open to the public and will feature activities for kids, exhibits and information from environmental sustainability organizations, and a drawing for a $300 energy audit from Atlantic Heating.  Colorado Springs Utilities has donated over 1500 Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs to be distributed at the event.

In March 2007, Manitou Springs became the ninth Colorado community – and the first city in southern Colorado – to join Cities for Climate Protection and commit to reducing greenhouse gas pollution that contributes to global warming and local air pollution.

Cities for Climate Protection is the United States branch of ICLEI, an international membership association of local governments dedicated to addressing environmental issues through local action.

Other Colorado ICLEI members are Aspen, Boulder, Carbondale, Denver, Golden, Gunnison County, San Miguel County and Fort Collins.  Manitou Springs is now among the more than 190 cities in the U.S. and 770 worldwide that belong to Cities for Climate Protection.

The Manitou Springs Climate and Energy Extravaganza will gather community input in developing the city’s plan for reducing emissions. As event organizer Jeff Pratt explains, “We want to empower people to create change, rather than just tell them what we are going to do.” 

To support Manitou Springs City Council in reducing greenhouse gases, the Manitou Springs Climate and Air Quality Committee was established to perform the following functions:

• Conduct a local emissions inventory and forecast of greenhouse emissions
• Recommend an emissions reduction goal and target date
• Research and propose a local action plan to meet the reduction goal
• Work with Manitou Springs City Council to implement the plan
• Monitor and report regularly to the council on progress toward the goal

Manitou Springs Climate and Energy Extravaganza Schedule

Sunday, Nov. 4

1-3 p.m. Energy and sustainable living exhibits/programs/demonstrations
3-4 p.m. Speakers
4-5 p.m. Community forum

5 p.m. Drawing for prizes

Exhibits:

• Renewable-alternative energy exhibits
• Sustainable living methods
• Ways to reduce your energy bills
• Recycling
• Youth events
• Compact fluorescent light bulb giveaway

Speakers:

• (Invited) Randy Udall, former director of Aspen-based Community Office for Resource Efficiency, “The Global Energy Picture, and What You Can Do to Save Energy”
• Colorado Rep. Michael Merrifield, “Energy Action at the State Level”

Community Forum:

• Introduction – Manitou Springs’ plan to become a model of an energy-efficient community
• Breakout groups
  • Residential
  • Economic development  and businesses
  • Recycling and waste reduction
  • City actions
• Summarization of major points from breakout groups

###