1 Spring 2021 Community Update Newsletter

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SPOTLIGHT ON SUSTAINABILITY COORDINATOR KATIE BAUM We hear a lot about sustainability, but what does it really mean? Like any complex issue, sustainability means many different things to different people - it's constantly evolving and has no easy, quick solutions. Defined in 1987 by the United Nations Brundtland Commission, sustainability is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future genera- tions to meet their own needs. The City of Louisville recognizes our collective im- pact on our systems and that true sustainability is not based solely on environmental impact. Our sustainability vision utilizes the "triple -bottom line" approach when analyzing policy, operations and future decision -making. No solution can be fully sustainable unless it aims to fulfill all three pillars of the"triple-bottom line": environmental stewardship, social equity and economic vitality. How is Louisville becoming more sustainable? In November of 2016, City Council adopted Louisville's first Sustainability Action Plan. Since that time, our community has made significant progress to achieving our goals and strategies. In August 2019, City Council advanced its commitment to a healthy and sustainable community by unanimously voting to adopt Resolution 25-2019 Setting Clean Energy and Carbon Emission Reduction Goals. Shortly thereafter, the first Transportation Master Plan was adopted with a focus on enhancing and improving multi -modal options and accessibility. In 2020 alone, the Highway 42 underpass opened, providing a new, safe connection across a previous accessibility barrier, and buffered bike lanes and designated bus stops popped up along Pine Street. Conversations with Xcel Energy through the Energy Future Collaboration pushed the partnership to new, creative community -wide solutions and work continues to increase the efficiency of municipal facilities. An updated Louisville Sustainability Action Plan was adopted to reorient and continue to guide us forward. In November, Louisville residents voted and passed a disposable bag tax to reduce single -use plastics within our community and increase education and outreach on waste diversion (which will come into effect in 2022). In the midst of COVID-19, our resiliency amid the global pandemic was a priority, and City staff, our businesses and our residents worked tirelessly to ensure we remained safe as well as strong as we operated in unknown territory. Even with this colossal challenge, we continued to move forward and commit to the future.That says so much about the Louisville community, and I look forward to what we will achieve in 2021! What inspired you to become Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Louisville? I grew up in Montana, surrounded by untrammeled public lands and where conservation of these spaces is considered vital by all. My school trips involved national parks, high school readings were comprised of Norman Maclean, Loren Eiseley and Aldo Leopold and my"land ethic"was born. I went to Colorado State University where I majored in environmental policy and interned and later worked in sustainability at the City of Fort Collins for five years. I have worked in private sector green building as well as non-profit affordable housing, but I've always been drawn back to local government and building sustainable, resilient communities. Since I was raised in a rural state, I'm especially drawn to small communities and the unique solutions needed. I'm currently finishing my Masters in Urban and Regional Planning at University of Colorado Denver and will have worked at the City of Louisville for 3 years this March. What do you enjoy most about your position? In government, initiatives can move slowly, but seeing those efforts, the collaboration they take, and the good they can do come to fruition is exciting. Most days I find myself behind a computer, so hosting events and programming where I interact and get to work alongside residents is extremely rewarding. Bike to Work Day is a particular favorite, and hosting a pancake station with music, prizes and colleagues will never be a bad way to start a morning! The Louisville community is particularly engaged and interested in sustainability. I love to see it firsthand and I love finding new ways to engage with residents of all ages and experiences. Find out more Visit LouisvilleCO.gov/Sustainability to find out more about sustainability at the City of Louisville. Katie can be contacted by email KBaum@LouisvilleCO.gov or phone 303.335.4534. Visit LouisvilleCO.gov/EarthWeek to find out about Earth Week (April 18-25) events and resources. Spring 2021 • Page 3