Gore Creek- the clear, Rocky Mountain stream that runs through the heart of Vail- is threatened by landscaping chemicals and polluted runoff. It has been on the state's 303d list of impaired waterways since 2012 for "low aquatic life." The Town of Vail has undertaken a multi-million dollar effort to Restore the Gore but we need your help. Learn more by visiting LoveVail.org/gorecreek.    

GORE CREEK

The creek that runs through Vail is facing some challenges. Watch this short video to learn what you can do to help.

THE HEART OF VAIL VIDEO

Gore Creek’s importance in the Vail community is hard to overstate. Watch experts weigh in on how development has impacted the creek and what needs to be done to turn things around.

Did you know that storm drains, the open grates in our roadways and curbs, flow directly into Gore Creek without filtration? In Colorado, it is against the law to dump anything other than rainwater down a storm drain. Unlike sanitary sewers, the water in storm drains is not treated before entering waterways. Avoid dumping ANYTHING down storm drains and consider washing cars and emptying hot tubs onto lawns or gravel areas rather than onto roadways or into storm drains.

Learn more at lovevail.org/gorecreek.

With 16 miles of recreation paths throughout Vail, you can bike, hike or blade to your destination instead of driving your car. All Eagle Valley residents are encouraged to sign up today at www.solepower.org and help us reduce our carbon footprint. The Challenge runs from Memorial Day to October 1st each year. Win prizes, get fit, and save the planet!

If you love it here, recycle here. Vail is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Which is why those of us lucky enough to live, visit, and play here care about keeping our footprint small, our resources plentiful, and our contribution to sustainability top of mind. It’s the least we can do for the place we all love. www.lovevail.org.

In order to address environmental and waste issues associated with plastic bags, the Vail Town Council approved Ordinance 2, Series 2015 on March 3^rd, 2015 adopting the “Kick the Bag Habit” Program. On August 1^st, 2015 single-use plastic carry out bags will no longer be available in the town grocery stores. Paper bags will continue to be available at a $0.10 fee. Both plastic and paper bags are included in the program as part of an effort to reduce the town’s total resource consumption.

Why did the Town of Vail decide to ban plastic bags and charge for paper?
Over 4 million plastic bags are distributed by grocery stores in Vail alone and over 100 billion are used in the U.S. each year. While plastic has its place in our society, film plastic like plastic bags are very difficult and expensive to recycle, and just doesn’t happen in very high numbers. Bags get caught up in recycling machinery causing added cost and down-time for the recyclers, and they take a heck of a lot of resources to produce in the first place. Plastic bags tend to persist in our environment, breaking down in rivers and littering the highway. One ride up to the Eagle County Landfill shows us just how big the impact of these everyday convenience items really is. The Town of Vail thanks you for joining us in reducing waste in our community by bringing your own bag. Plus, they are a lot easier to carry and look much more stylish!

Why can’t we just recycle or re-use the plastic bags?
Many people do recycle and re-use the grocery store check out bags and that is great. However the truth is that these items are not recycled or re-used in large numbers. Depending on reports, anywhere from 1%-15% of plastic bags actually end up being recycled. Of that number, half of the plastic bags must be shipped overseas to be recycled due to lack of capacity domestically. We estimate that around 4 million of these bags are used each year in Vail. Paper bags are recycled at around a 60% rate and tend to break down quickly in the environment. Ultimately while some of these items end up re-used, the vast majority end up as trash in the landfill or litter in our natural environment. In addition, natural resources are consumed in the production of the bags, it’s best to choose to reuse!

What about using the bags for Pet Waste?
We appreciate everyone who has found a re-use for pet waste and regret that this is no longer an option for pet owners. We do love pets here at the Town of Vail and have been providing pet waste bags at our parks, trails, and open space areas for years. There are still a number of options for pet waste collection from our use of every-day products. Bread bags and other product packaging items from our purchases can be great for this purpose. Biodegradable bags are also available in bulk, and our favorite dog owning employees think they do the job!

I reuse my plastic bags as garbage liners, lunch totes, etc., what should I do?
There are a number of options. There is so much packaging with our regular purchases that can be re-used. Think about the bread or bagel bag. This type of plastic tends to be sturdier than the single-use bags and can be re-used many times. The best option is to review what waste bins in your home really need to have a liner? Most waste generated outside of the kitchen is dry and it is easy to go without a liner.

Will we still be able to recycle the bags at the grocery stores?
Both grocery stores have agreed to continue to provide plastic bag/film recycling as long as their customers are utilizing the service. This can include plastic wrap from produce, dry cleaner bags, etc. Please be sure your plastic bags and film are clean and dry before depositing in the collection bins, a dirty or wet bag could result in the whole load being thrown away.

What is the deal with the Proposition 65 labeling on one of the Vail bags?
You may have noticed the bags have a warning containing the following language; “This Product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and/or birth defects or other reproductive harm.” Proposition 65 refers to the “Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986” which required labeling and notification in the State of California. The Town of Vail believes that an informed consumer is a smart consumer. Please view toxicity test results from our bags. These bags are certified and tested for toxicity and have been found safe for human use. Proposition 65 does not require companies to list what or where chemicals are used and has become abused to the point that many companies will post this warning to protect themselves from capricious lawsuits. In 2014, more than $17.5 million were awarded to trial lawyers in Proposition 65 lawsuits. It is not uncommon to see warning labels in restaurants, coffee shops, hotels, grocery stores, even on organic food! Many compounds that occur naturally are on California’s list. We feel that these bags are safe for normal use and have been produced responsibly. These bags are made from recycled plastic bottles, and therefore contain the compounds that exist in plastic that is used in our daily life. There is no more risk from these bags than there is from drinking out of a plastic bottle, using toothpaste, eating ice cream from the carton, etc. For more information on One Bag at a Time and corporate responsibility visit 1bagatatime.com/people-2/corporate-responsibility-policy. For more information on Bagito visit www.bagito.co.

Why were these bags produced in China?
The Town of Vail issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the production of reusable bags as part of the Kick the Bag Habit initiative. The RFP included guidelines for companies to provide information on the price, quality and sustainability of the bags produced. Ultimately, a U.S. based company with production facilities overseas - 1 Bag at a Time - was selected to produce the bags. The submittal from this company was a good balance of price, quality of construction and sustainable business practices that would allow the town to purchase a large number of bags at a competitive price to distribute to the most people possible. Other submittals simply did not include sustainability information or were not at a price point that was practical for this large of a purchase (40,000 bags). The sustainability portion of the RFP looked at what the bags were produced from and how the bags were produced. This bag is made from 85% recycled PET. PET is the plastic that is commonly found in drink bottles and has the recycling number 1. A large amount of recycled plastic in the U.S.is shipped overseas to be produced into new consumer goods such as these reusable bags, synthetic fill for clothing and other consumer goods. In addition, the selected vendor, 1 Bag at a Time, provided information on third party independent monitoring from www.verite.org to provide verification of fair labor practices. Lastly, information was provided on testing from UL quality assurance to ensure that all federal standards for toxicity were met. As a result, the vendor was selected based on its ability to meet the criteria established in the RFP.

Where can I get a bag?
The Town of Vail provides free reusable tote bags for residents and guests. You may visit the Town of Vail Municipal Building, Community Development Department, or the Vail Village or Lionshead Welcome Centers while supplies last.

How does the Bag Share program work?
The Bag Share is a program in which anyone may visit a Bag Share location to take a bag, or leave a bag. In other words, if you need a bag and are near a Bag Share basket, take one, and if you have extra clean reusable bags that you would like to donate, please do! No need to return any bags. Bag Share locations: Municipal Building, Lionshead Transit Center (indoors at the bus stop), and the Vail Village Transportation Center (indoors at the bus waiting area).

Are the Town of Vail bags washable?
Yes both of the bags distributed by the Town of Vail are machine washable, on cold. The Bagito bag (the blue stuff sack bag) may be put in the dryer on low, and the One Bag at a Time bag (the square, purple bag) must be line dried.

How will the Town of Vail accommodate guests who don’t travel with their bags?
The Town of Vail is in the process of distributing bags to every lodging and rental company in Vail, and there are free bag giveaway days at both Safeway and City Market scheduled for every Friday in August, between 4 and 5 p.m.

Can I buy a bag?
At this time, all Town of Vail bags are free, however with growing popularity, they may be available for sale in the future.

If I’m out of town, how can I get my bag?
If you are an out of town resident or guest and would like a free Vail bag, please contact Beth Markham, environmental sustainability coordinator at bmarkham@vailgov.com, or 970-479-2333.

The Town of Vail hosts a Community Recycling Drop off Center behind the Community Development Department at 75 S. Frontage Rd. Accepted items include office paper, newspaper, magazines, plastics (numbers 1,2,3,4,5,6,7), metal, glass, aluminum, cardboard and paperboard. No plastic bags, hardcover books or trash are permitted. For information, call 970-479-2333.

The Town of Vail has installed rooftop solar on the Vail Village Welcome Center, Golf Course Clubhouse, Lionshead Transit Center, Lionshead Welcome Center, and Red Sandstone Parking Structure. These projects help offset the energy use of those facilities and can feed power back into the electrical grid when excess power is generated. Combined, these facilities have generated over 100 Megawatt hours of electricity. That is enough energy provide a year’s worth of electricity for 10.4 homes. Are you interested in installing solar at your property? Please call the Community Development Office at 970-479-2138 to speak with a planner.

Check out real time solar production of the Lionshead Welcome center and Lionshead Transit Center Below:

• Transit Center
• Welcome Center

The Town of Vail hosts two annual Community Wide Hard to Recycle Events located at Ford Park. The next event will be held in November, 2021 and will include the opportunity for electronic waste recycling and paper shredding. Details will be available soon. The Hard to Recycle events are free and open to those who live, work, or own property in the Town of Vail. The $0.10/bag fee collected from paper bag sales at grocery stores  through the Kick the Bag Habit program fund both of the Hard to Recycle events each year. For questions, please reach out to Beth Markham, environmental sustainabililty coordinator at bmarkham@vailgov.com or 970-479-2333. 

Participate in the town's annual clean up day held each spring, or adopt a section of public land and keep it clean year-round.

The 2018 event was held on Sunday, April 29. Over 60 volunteers attended the event, donating their time on behalf of 27 Eagle County Non-Profit organizations.

Each year the town partners with the Eagle River Watershed Council for the county-wide Highway Cleanup in the Spring and River Cleanup in the Fall. The 2021 River Cleanup will occur on September 11, 2021. Contact Pete Wadden, Watershed Education Coordinator, at pwadden@vailgov.com if you would like to participate. Or visit ERWC.org.

The Town of Vail collects used oil and antifreeze free of charge from Vail households. Oil or antifreeze may be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the Town of Vail’s Public Works fleet facility at 1309 Elkhorn Drive. Oil and antifreeze should not be contaminated with any other product. Freon is not accepted. For more information, call 970-479-2162.

Program Suspended in 2021: Due to extensive construction currently taking place at Town of Vail Public Works facility, the collection of used oil and anifreeze is currently suspended. Once construction is complete, the program will be reinstated. Thank you for your patience. 

Free Energy Assessments and Double Rebates
For Town of Vail Homes & Businesses

Town of Vail homes and businesses qualify for free energy assessments, free site visits and free energy coaching in addition to double rebates on residential or commercial energy efficiency projects. 

A partnership between the Town of Vail and the Walking Mountains' Energy Smart program, you may qualify for up to $1,000 in available rebates for Town of Vail homes or $2,000 in available rebates for Town of Vail businesses. 

Examples of projects and equipment eligible for rebates:

• High-efficiency HVAC equipment
• Energy STAR appliances
• Insulation & air sealing upgrades
• LED lighting upgrades
• Programmable thermostats

Wondering if your project qualifies? Want to schedule your free energy assessment? Click HERE and enter your email and phone number. An energy coach from Walking Mountains will reach out to you. 

Did you know the average low-income household spends 17 percent of its income on residential energy as opposed to only four percent for the average American family, according to the Department of Energy?

Vail’s Environmental Sustainability Office is encouraging qualifying households, including renters, to apply for free home energy improvements. Services include caulking, weather stripping, insulation, furnace tune-ups, plus installation of storm windows, new energy-efficient furnaces and refrigerators. More than $2.75 million has been awarded to the region to help supplement an ongoing energy assistance program as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the federal stimulus recovery plan.

The program is sponsored locally by the Northwest Colorado Council of Governments (NWCCOG) which provides weatherization services to a 13-county region, including Eagle County. Steve Getz, energy management director of NWCCOG, says the improvements are intended to provide households with additional income to spend within their communities due to reduced energy consumption and heating costs. “Due to the increased funding provided by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Governor’s Energy Office, we will be able to provide a complete package of cost-effective services to all households,” he said. There is no cap on individual awards and the funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

To qualify, annual household income must meet the following guidelines: $21,660 for one-person; $29,140 for two-people; $36,620, for three-people; $44,100 for four-people; $51,580 for five people; and $59,060 for six people. The program is available to qualifying property owners as well as renters. Applications are available by clicking here or by calling NWCCOG at 1-800-332-3669, ext. 103.

Applications are accepted year-round with an estimated 30-day processing period. Once approved, weatherization specialists from NWCCOG are assigned to create an estimate for the work, perform the improvements and conduct inspections.

For information on the free home energy improvements, contact Getz at 1-800-332-3669, ext. 103, or Kristen Bertuglia at 970-477-3455.

As hosts, producers and sponsors of events in the Town of Vail, we have a responsibility to contribute to the preservation and enhancement of the environment we and our guests enjoy. In 2009, Vail’s Sustainability office launched the green events program to help our events go green!

Zero Waste - All events hosted in the Town of Vail are expected to divert as much event-generated waste as possible from the landfill. Any event that has one or more food vendor and is either 500 plus attendees  or receives funding from the Town of Vail (Town Council, Commission on Special Events, etc.) to produce the event is required to offer zero waste services, including compost.  

Check out the green events check list and resource guide to see how other producers are reducing their environmental footprints!

Producers must complete the check list that is included in the special events permit.

 For more information contact Beth Markham, environmental sustainability coordinator at 970-479-2333 or bmarkham@vailgov.com. 

Interested in offsetting your event, your vacation, or your overall carbon footprint?

The Town of Vail partners with the Colorado Carbon Fund to encourage verified, local, renewable energy projects in the State of Colorado. The Colorado Carbon Fund provides high quality carbon offsets to consumers as a way to support new energy efficiency and renewable energy projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our state. Visit www.coloradocarbonfund.org to get more information.

Over 33 percent of the Town of Vail has been purchased by the town to be saved as open space for future generations.

The town offers free curbside Christmas tree recycling during the holidays. The town composts and/or chips all branches, grass clippings and leaves to be used for mulch and compost. Left over mulch is then provided free to Vail residents.

Currently, mulch is available at the North Trail parking lot in West Vail on the North Frontage Rd. on a first come, first basis. Please be prepared to load the material on your ownby bringing a shovel and collection containers. Commercial landscapers are asked to make alternative arrangements for acquiring mulch for their businesses. 

Mulch helps conserve water by decreasing soil temperatures and the amount of soil exposed to wind and sun. Combustible mulch, such as that given away by the town, should be placed in beds more than five feet away from any structure. The use of large, continuous mulch beds should be avoided. Use non-combustible mulches such as stone or cobble for these areas and for landscape beds next to the structure.

To check availability, call the Vail Fire and Emergency Services chipper number at 970-477-3509.

$3.2 million Energy Efficiency Overhaul

In 2011-2012, the Town invested $3.2 million in upgrading its facilities to reduce energy and water use. Upgrades include new LED lighting in the Vail Village and Lionshead Parking Structures, building envelope changes, new windows, low flow fixtures.

Demonstrating its commitment to environmental stewardship, the Town of Vail operates 8 hybrid buses on its in-town routes, and several hybrid fleet vehicles, including Toyota Highlanders and Prius', in use by the Community Development and Transit departments. As older vehicles come out of service, the town replaces them with more fuel efficient, lower emission vehicles including hybrids and smaller cars whenever possible.

View electric car charging information.

More than 1 million passengers a year rely on Vail's pollution-reducing transportation alternative, known as one of the largest free transit system in the U.S. This, along with an aggressive schedule of route expansions offered by the ECO regional system, creates opportunities to reduce, even eliminate vehicle dependency. In 2021, Town of Vail integrated 4 fully electric buses in its fleet which provide a zero tailpipe emission mode of transit.