News

OSKAR BLUES BURNING CAN BEER FESTIVAL RAISES $16,500+ FOR TOWN OF LYONS PARKS AND RECREATION AND COLORADO BREWERS GUILD

Lyons, Colo. – The third annual Oskar Blues Burning Can Beer Fest (www.burningcan.com) drew a mountainous crowd as part of the 2013 Lyons Outdoor Games (www.lyonsoutdoorgames.com ).  More than $16,500 was raised for local benefactors and more 265 lbs. of aluminum cans were recycled throughout the weekend. 

All proceeds from the beer festival went to the Lyons Department of Parks and Recreation and the Colorado Brewers Guild, two groups that embody the soul of Oskar Blues.   Ball Corporation, Novelis Inc. and Alcoa Inc. spearheaded an initiative that recycled all of the empty cans from the weekend and donated the proceeds to American Whitewater.  American Whitewater is a national non-profit organization with a mission “to conserve and restore America's whitewater resources and to enhance opportunities to enjoy them safely.”  

Burning Can drew more than 40 innovative canning craft breweries from across the country that served a diverse mix of canned craft brews amidst live music by Chain Station, food trucks, the Lyons Outdoor Games 5K, Rugby, and the BMX/Mountain Bike dirt-jump & best trick bike competition all while world class kayakers ran the river. 

Now in its 12th year, the multi-sport competition of Lyons Outdoor Games has grown into a world-class celebration of mountain sports and draws heavy hitters from the outdoor, beer and music industries over three days. 

A big funky addition to the 2013 Lyons Outdoor Games was the Friday night kick off concert featuring New Orleans’ Dumpstaphunk (www.dumpstaphunk.com) and local band Interstate Stash Express.  More than1,500 craft beer and music enthusiasts came out to enjoy the views and live music in Bohn Park.

 

EnergySmart offering new rebates for energy efficiency upgrades

$495,000 now available to businesses, commercial property owners

Boulder County, Colo. – A new round of rebates for energy efficiency upgrades are now available to businesses and commercial property owners in Boulder County looking to make building and equipment improvements that save energy and money.

The EnergySmart program, available throughout Boulder County, is offering $495,000 in rebates to businesses and commercial property owners for eligible projects completed between June 10 and the end of this year, or until funds are committed. This funding is available in addition to existing utility rebates and applies to qualifying projects in lighting, heating and cooling, refrigeration, food service, motors and drives, server virtualization and more.

Interested businesses are encouraged to call an Energy Advisor at 303-441-1300. The Advisor helps to ensure that projects qualify for both EnergySmart and local utility rebates, and can assist in identifying contractors and completing rebate applications. Payments will be made to qualifying applicants upon completion of projects on a first-come, first-served basis.

“We’re extremely pleased with the success of EnergySmart since it launched in January 2011, and value the ongoing collaboration with our partners to continue to make the program accessible to businesses and homes in Boulder County,” said Boulder County Commissioner Cindy Domenico. “The program helps businesses and residents make educated decisions about the most cost-effective improvements to do in their businesses and homes.”

More than 750 businesses throughout Boulder County have implemented energy efficiency upgrades that will save more than 12 million kWh a year – the equivalent of taking 1,800 passenger vehicles off the road. Since November 2010, EnergySmart has awarded $1.6 million in rebates to businesses, supporting the investment of over $8.5 million in energy efficiency improvements in commercial buildings located within Boulder County. EnergySmart rebates are funded by Boulder County and the City of Boulder’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) tax.

EnergySmart provides a full suite of services to help local businesses identify valuable energy-saving opportunities and guide businesses through the energy upgrade process. For more information and to review eligibility requirements, call an Energy Advisor at 303-441-1300 or visit www.EnergySmartYES.com.  In addition to servicing Boulder County businesses, EnergySmart provides services to residents in all Boulder County communities.

The program is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the U.S. Department of Energy’s BetterBuildings grant program and is sponsored in partnership by Boulder County, the cities of Boulder and Longmont, Xcel Energy and the Platte River Power Authority.

 

-BoulderCounty.org-

 

March 7, 2013

Elevations Energy Loan Program now available to all Xcel Energy Trade Partners 

Over $1 million in Energy Loans made to homes and businesses in Boulder County and the City and County of Denver

Boulder County, Colo. – Elevations Credit Union’s Energy Loans program, which provides low interest financing for energy efficiency in homes and businesses across Boulder County and the City and County of Denver is pleased to announce that it is now available to all current Xcel Energy Trade Partners. This makes low cost financing available to an additional 1,500 contractors in the Front Range to help them sell more energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. 

 

Xcel Energy trade partners are contractors that are knowledgeable about Xcel Energy’s Efficiency and Renewable Energy rebates and promote these services to their customers. Due to the pilot nature of the Energy Loans program, these trade partners were not originally allowed to use the loan, but now that the Energy Loans has a proven track record 1,500 new contractors will be able to promote and use this lending product.

“Elevations is thrilled to have Xcel trade partners enter the lineup.  Expanding our contractor base is key to the program’s success,” said Jay Champion, Chief Lending Officer at Elevations Credit Union.

The Elevations Energy Loan was created through seed money provided by a Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant.  Boulder County, City and County of Denver and Elevations Credit Union have teamed up to provide $35 million in lending capital available for eligible energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

Additionally, Elevations Credit Union’s Energy Loans program has surpassed its first $1 million in Energy Loans since launching last August. 

“We expect to see continued uptake and momentum with the Energy Loans Program as we open up to more contractors, and word continues to spread in the community about the benefits of this program,” said Jeremy Epstein, Sustainability Finance Specialist for Boulder County.  

 

For more information about the Elevations Energy Loan Program, to apply, or to speak to a free Energy Advisor about how you can save energy, increase comfort, and have a more healthy and efficient home or business, visit www.elevationscu.com/energyloans or call an energy advisor at (303) 544-1000 (home) or (877) 505-6722 (business).

-BoulderCounty.org-