Climate Action

Pitkin County is an organization with a long history of environmental stewardship that values the natural and built environment which is reflected in the Pitkin County Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan strives for Pitkin County to “continue to be a healthy, safe, vibrant and sustainable community, enhancing the quality of life for everyone who lives, works and visits here, while conserving the natural environment” and prioritizes a “flourishing natural and built environment” as a Core Focus Area.

In 2021, the Board of County Commissioners declared a Climate Emergency and adopted a set of long-term climate action goals in BOCC Resolution No. 042-2021. The three goals direct the County to mitigate and adapt to climate change by:

1. Reducing annual greenhouse gas emissions by 90% from 2020 levels by 2050 through the measurable implementation of policies that preserve community character and equitably distribute policy impacts among those of different socioeconomic and racial backgrounds. 

2. Cooperating with other jurisdictions, special districts, utilities and organizations, to adapt infrastructure, land-use, and regional and environmental resources for the impacts of Climate Change. 

3. Equitably involving citizens and stakeholders of all socio-economic and racial backgrounds in outreach and education programs to determine and provide best practices for Climate Change adaptation and mitigation. 

Greenhouse Gas Inventory

Pitkin County has partnered with the Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE) since 2014 to conduct greenhouse gas inventories every three years to measure and plan efforts to reduce carbon emissions. In 2020, the County partnered with CORE, the City of Aspen, Town of Snowmass Village and Town of Basalt to conduct a joint inventory. Visit CORE's website to see the interactive dashboard.

Download the report here: Pitkin County Regional Greenhouse Gas Summary Report 2019 & 2020

The County will create a GHG inventory for 2023 to assess our progress towards meeting our 2050 GHG reduction goals.

Climate Action Plan

Pitkin County adopted an internal Climate Action Plan (CAP) in 2017 that guided its work until 2020. The County will develop an updated CAP in 2024. More information coming soon.