Climate & Energy 

Renewable Energy

As of March 2020, all facility electricity comes from carbon-free sources. City facilities participate in Xcel Energy's premium renewable programs, Windsource and Renewable*Connect, community solar gardens (CSGs) in Boulder and Weld counties and on-site solar at the Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants.

Energy Efficiency

In June 2021, the five main facilities (Recreation and Senior Center, Library, Police and Court, City Services and City Hall) have undergone ASHRAE Level 1 audits with ClearResult and Xcel Energy. A Level 1 audit establishes a baseline of where the building currently stands in regards to energy use and efficiency, how it compares to other similar buildings, and what areas need further investigation or improvement.

Other efficiency initiatives include facility energy benchmarking and the participation of the Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants in Xcel Energy’s Strategic Energy Management (SEM) program, which is a holistic approach to managing energy for persistent savings and continuous improvements. 

By the end of 2021, $600,000 in efficiency upgrades will be completed across municipal facilities. 

LED Streetlight Replacement

Beginning late summer and early fall, the City of Louisville will begin a five-year phased project with Xcel Energy to convert 1,100 decorative streetlights to dark sky compliant LED fixtures across the community.  The project will build on previous efforts in 2016 that replaced 700 cobrahead streetlights through Xcel’s Colorado LED Streetlight program. We took feedback from the community on the previous conversion and have adjusted the color temperature and brightness.  By 2025, all of Louisville’s remaining streetlights will be dark sky compliant and energy efficient.

Energy Future Collaboration

On September 7, 2018, the City of Louisville and Xcel Energy entered into an Energy Future Collaboration. For Louisville and Xcel Energy, the MOU provides a strategy and framework for cooperation and achievement of a shared vision through broad collaboration, focusing on innovation, clean energy, economic development opportunities, customer choice programs and technology – known as the Energy Future Collaboration Partnership.

Transportation

Transportation Master Plan (TMP)

The Transportation Master Plan is being led by the City’s Planning Department and managed by an external consultant. In 2018, the TMP conducted extensive citizen outreach and ongoing analysis and was formally adopted in 2019. 

Electric Vehicles

The City currently owns and operates three Level II electric vehicle charging stations - one station at Coal Creek Golf Course, one station at the recently renovated Recreation and Senior Center, and one in the parking garage beneath the Louisville Library downtown. 

Walkability & Bikeability

Louisville has 32 miles of contiguous bicycle trails throughout the city. We are very proud of our walkable downtown with a Walk Score of 82!

• The City ran the first Bike to Work Day station in years in June of 2018. Serving morning pancakes, over 150 participants stopped at the station. The City will be hosting the "Pedal for Pancakes" station again in September 2021. 
• Improvement to bike lanes are made as we repave major roadways.
• The City recently completed the Highway 42 underpass, further connecting Louisville. 

Waste Management 

Recycling & Composting

The City implemented a residential “pay-as-you-throw” priced recycling and composting program in 2009, which, along with yard waste collection, diverts approximately 45 percent of Louisville’s waste stream from the landfill. 

All City facilities provide recycling and composting for employees and facility guests, and in 2018, the City required all special events permitted through the City to include waste diversion plans and mapping. In 2019, the City increased recycling capabilities at Parks and Open Spaces as well as strategic implementation for composting at high-use areas, such as shelters. 

Green Purchasing

The City is committed to purchasing green products for special events. All cutlery, plates and cups used at City events are entirely compostable! 

Water 

Reuse Water

Coal Creek Golf Course, the Louisville Sports Complex, Miners Field and Dutch Creek Park are all irrigated with recycled water. City staff are currently evaluating new scenarios to expand the reuse system in the next 3 to 5 years.

A new, more efficient Waste Water Treatment plant (supported in part by a state grant) has been completed. This allows us to meet more rigorous standards in water treatment, reducing contaminants into Coal Creek.  The new plant uses more efficient pumps and blowers as well, reducing its energy use.  

Local Food & Agriculture

Community Garden

The City currently hosts one community garden, maintained by local residents and managed by Denver Urban Gardens (DUG). Learn more at Home | Louisville Community Gardens (wixsite.com). 

Backyard Chickens

The City of Louisville has approved the raising of a small number of chickens in residential back yards.