Vail Adopts Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan 

The Town of Vail’s Electric Vehicle (EV) Readiness Plan was officially adopted by the Vail Town Council in May 2023. The plan is a high-level, strategic approach to implementing the goals of the GoEV City Resolution, which was adopted by Town Council in October of 2021 and is a pledge to move the town toward 100% zero emissions transportation. The EV Readiness plan was developed with robust input from residents, the Planning and Environmental Commission, various town departments and the town council. The plan promotes a vision of clean transportation and mobility and is divided into five sections, including infrastructure, fleets, policy, community and micro-mobility.  

Work is now underway to implement the plan, including a fleet charging project at Public Works, upgraded DC fast chargers in the Lionshead Parking Structure, community engagement around EV test drive events, rebates and incentives, building code updates and more. 

Continuing Success for the Shift Bike Program 

Following a successful inaugural year in 2022, the Shift Bike community e-bike share rolled into the Eagle Valley bigger than ever in 2023. The program now boasts 155 bikes at 32 hub stations across the communities of Vail, Avon, EagleVail and Edwards. Half of those stations and 80 e-bikes are located in Vail and available for use from June through October. The pedal-assisted electric bikes have a top speed of 18 miles per hour, allowing a rider to get from Vail Village to Avon in about 30 minutes. In 2023, users took 10,330 rides covering 33,600 miles and offsetting 26,880 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions – the equivalent of taking 2.7 cars off the road for one year. 

Turf Grass Reduction Project 

The Town of Vail continued its efforts to conserve water by reducing areas of non-functional turf grass. An additional 12,000 square feet of irrigated turf was converted to low-water native grass during 2023, bringing the total turf grass reduction to over 30,000 square feet and saving over 1.1 million gallons or 3.5 acre-feet of water per year. 

Lunch with the Locals Hosts Over 500 Attendees in 2023 

Lunch with the Locals, a program hosted by the Town of Vail and its partners, focuses on environmental education and outreach. In addition to lunch, stickers and informational materials are provided to all attendees. The sessions take place from 10 to 12 times per year at the Grandview Room in Lionshead. Topics in 2023 ranged from reducing outdoor water use to best practices for the storage and charging of lithium-ion battery devices such as electric vehicles and e-bikes. Over 500 people attended sessions in person during the year, with additional participants attending virtually. The series is available for viewing at www.highfivemedia.org/series/lunch-locals. 

Ten Feet for the Creek 

On Jan. 1, 2023, a new ordinance went into effect to protect Gore Creek and its tributaries. The regulations established new building setbacks from waterways and prohibits mowing and most vegetation removal within 10 feet of a stream or creek. The goal of the ordinance is to establish robust vegetative buffers along waterways to restore and protect water quality and aquatic animal populations. 

2023 Annual Report: Commitment to Community