Environment - Use of Resources

Index: Environment

Environment - Use of Resources

What We Measured | Highlights
Related Studies | Additional Resources

What We Measured:

Highlights:

Between 2001 and 2011, the total acreage in the Larimer County Open Lands program increased from 13,180 acres to 45,193 acres. The majority of land held in the Open Lands Program (63%) is open or will be opened to public access. (Open Lands)
The amount of solid waste collected at the Larimer County Landfill decreased approximately 31% between 2003 and 2010. Since 2010, the landfill’s intake has increased nearly 33%. (Solid Waste)
Total annual consumption of electricity in Colorado increased 15% between 2002 and 2011, with the largest increases in the industrial sector (43%), followed by the residential (18%) sector. According to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, the population of Colorado grew an estimated 15% between 2002 and 2011. (Electricity Consumption)
Over the last decade, recycling at the Larimer County Landfill increased nearly 46%. (Recycling)
The City of Fort Collins consumed 8.8 billion gallons of water in 2012 or 166 gallons per person per day. The City of Loveland consumed 4.2 billion gallons of water or 166 gallons per person per day. (Water Consumption)
Wind energy consumption in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park saw large increases between 2006 and 2009. Since 2009, wind energy consumption has leveled off. (Wind Energy Consumption )

Related Studies:

When it Rains, it Pours: Global Warming and the Increase in Extreme Precipitation from 1948 to 2011 - this analysis of more than 80 million daily precipitation records from across the contiguous United States reveals that intense rainstorms and snowstorms have already become more frequent and severe. (Environment America Research & Policy Center, July 2012)
Charging Forward: The Emergence of Electric Vehicles and Their Role in Reducing Oil Consumption (Environment America Research & Policy Center, July 2012)
Getting Off Oil: A 50-State Roadmap for Curbing Our Independence on Petroleum [pdf] explores the ways in which breaking our dependence on oil would improve the environment. (Environment America Research & Policy Center, July 2011)
Corporate Agribusiness and America's Waterways - this report looks at how corporate farming is polluting the country's waterways. (Environment America Research & Policy Center, November 2010)
Fracking Our Future: Measuring Water & Community Impacts from Hydraulic Fracturing [pdf] - (Western Resource Advocates, June 2012)
Filling the Gap: Commonsense Solutions for Meeting Front Range Water Needs [pdf] - (Western Resource Advocates, February 2011)
Illuminating Facts: Federal Light Legislation Quick Reference Guide [pdf] (June 2011)
Home Energy Use and Costs: Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) - 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:

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
Colorado State University
Colorado Water Conservation Board
Colorado Water Institute - an affiliate of Colorado State University, exists for the express purpose of focusing the water expertise of higher education on the evolving water concerns and problems being faced by Colorado citizens
Drought Monitor - provides a synthesis of multiple indices and impacts representing a consensus of federal and academic scientists
Environmental Protection Agency- includes water and hazardous waste data.
Larimer County Department of Health & Environment
Platte River Power Authority
Poudre Valley REA
Xcel Energy