Index: Environment
Environment - Use of Resources
Quick Data Links
What's New (updated 8/1/07)
Feeling the Heat: Global Warming and Rising Temperatures in the United States [pdf] states that the summer of 2006 was the second warmest on record for the contiguous United States. The report examines the long-term trend toward rising temperatures and extreme weather events resulting from global warming.(Alison Cassady and Emily Figdor of Environment Colorado Research & Policy Center, July 2007)
Feeling the Heat: Global Warming and Rising Temperatures in the United States [pdf] states that the summer of 2006 was the second warmest on record for the contiguous United States. The report examines the long-term trend toward rising temperatures and extreme weather events resulting from global warming.(Alison Cassady and Emily Figdor of Environment Colorado Research & Policy Center, July 2007)
What We Measured:
- Electricity Consumption
- Natural Gas Consumption
- Open Lands
- Recycling
- Solid Waste
- Water Consumption
- Wind Energy Consumption
Highlights:
- The total acreage in the Larimer County Open Lands program increased by 19% from 1999 to 2003. In terms of square miles, the total acreage increased from 13.2 square miles in 1999 to 25.6 square miles in 2003 (640 acres = 1 square mile). (Open Lands)
- The amount of solid waste collected at the Larimer County Landfill decreased 10.6% from 2005 to 2006. According to the 2006 Waste Characterization Study, at least 25.5% of all waste collected at the Landfill is made up of paper products. (Solid Waste)
- From 2004 to 2005, electricity consumption in Fort Collins and Estes Park, in terms of megawatt-hours, increased by 1.5% and 0.02% respectively. Consumption in Loveland decreased 4.4% during this same time. (Electricity Consumption)
- From 1997 to 2006, consumption of natural gas in Fort Collinsincreased by 158%, while the number of natural gas customers increased by 46%. Between 2004 and 2005, Fort Collinsexperienced a 167% increase in natural gas consumption. (Natural Gas Consumption)
- Recycling in Larimer County decreased by 10% from 2000 to 2001 due to changes in collection regulations. Recycling has since rebounded, increasing by 34% from 2001 to 2006. (Recycling)
- Larimer County utilized 83% of water resources for crop irrigation (2000). Of all community water systems, the City of Fort Collins had the highest usage (8.9 billion gallons, 2007), however the City of Loveland had large increases in both residential (26%, 2003-2007) and commercial (6%, peaking in 2006) sectors. (Water Consumption)
- Wind energy consumption in Fort Collins increased from 1999 to 2004, expanding from 4 million kilowatt hours to 31 million kilowatt hours (an increase of 675%). This is due to the increase in the number of wind turbines at the Medicine Bow Wind Project site and the increase in number of commercial and residential customers purchasing wind-generated electricity. (Wind Energy Consumption )
Related Studies:
- Losing Ground: Colorado's Vanishing Agricultural Landscape [pdf] documents Colorado's loss of 1.26 million acres of agricultural lands since 1997, and the impact to rural economies. (Environment Colorado Research and Policy Center - April 2006)
- Facing Our Future: A Balanced Water Solution for Colorado - this report by the Western Resource Advocates, Trout Unlimited and the Colorado Environmental Coalition discuss how Front Range water demands can be satisfied over the next 25 years.
- Larimer County 2004 - Water Supply Issues [pdf] - a report by the Larimer County Division of Health & Human Services, which explores efforts to ensure our local water supply. (September 2004)
- The Colorado Drought [pdf] (August 2004) - this report contains information on the impact drought is having on wildfires, tourism and agriculture. (Larimer County Division of Health & Human Services)
- A Roadmap for Natural Capitalism [pdf] (Harvard Business Review, May/June 1999 Issue) - this article discusses the benefits of using a natural capitalism business approach, which include protecting the biosphere while improving profits and competitiveness.
- Statewide Water Supply Initiative [pdf] (July 2004) - According to this study, commissioned by the Colorado Water Conservation Board, Colorado water providers have planned for nearly all the State's increased water needs through 2030, with approximately 68,000 acre-feet still needed. See the study for more information on projected demand and shortfalls, and public comment on the initiative process.
- Home Energy Use and Costs: Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) 2005 - provides information on the use of energy in residential housing units in the United States. This report is published by the United Stated Energy Information Administration, Department of Energy.
- Energy Use of Some Typical Home Appliances - this Consumer Energy Information brief includes a formula for calculating the daily energy usage of an electrical appliance, as well as wattage estimates for many common home appliances.
Related issues within Compass:
- Community Development: Transportation
- Environment: Quality
- Housing Units
- Miles of Road
- Population Size & Growth
- New Residential Units
Additional Resources:
- City of Estes Park Public Works
- City of Fort Collins Utilities
- City of Loveland Water & Power Department
- Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
- Environmental Protection Agency- includes water and hazardous waste data.
- Larimer County Department of Health & Environment
- Poudre Valley REA
- Xcel Energy