Pictured: Staff from Grand Junction (Colorado) Parks and Recreation participate in a paint, lightbulb and battery collection at the South West Arbor Fest. Photo courtesy of Trish Rothwell, Grand Junction Parks and Recreation.

Sustainability in Colorado takes many forms. From the religious-like following of the mantras “leave no trace” and “don’t bust the crust” to decades-long sustainability action that stretches across Rocky Mountain peaks and high desert plains, Coloradoans are committed to sustainability, reflecting the state's deep environmental commitment. At the forefront of this movement stand local park and recreation departments, serving both as stewards of natural spaces and catalysts for community action. The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) recently explored how the centennial state is implementing sustainability initiatives on the local level. Generously, the cities of Aspen and Grand Junction spoke with NRPA, allowing us to hear about their experiences and to celebrate their successes.  

Park and recreation agencies serve as dedicated community hubs and cherished third spaces where sustainability action can be naturally incorporated. Coloradoans, arguably more than the average American, take their parks seriously. While Colorado is well known for its wild, remote mountains and beautiful open spaces, it is important to keep in mind that people interact with this wilderness every day, in every setting. It is a part of us, and the respect that one shows for the wild, the outdoors in all its enormity, can best be demonstrated in small, daily activities in your local park and recreation systems. 

Parks and recreation provides an accessible and familiar venue for sustainability action. These community spaces serve as living laboratories where environmental values translate into practical habits and where local governments can model responsible stewardship. Our conversations with the City of Aspen and the City of Grand Junction emphasize the significance of community buy-in, legislative accountability, the value of a long-term vision, and the difference dedicated staff can make.  

A Comprehensive Approach 

For the cities of Aspen and Grand Junction, sustainability is not a new concept. Both have been implementing sustainability-focused initiatives for decades. Matt Kuhn, director of parks and open spaces for the City of Aspen, started at the department as a seasonal staff person in 2005. He notes the recycling program for the department predates his tenure with the city. From the seemingly humble beginnings of a dozen recycling bins placed in public spaces in the 1990s, the City of Aspen’s sustainability approach has grown to serve both local residents and international tourists. The city currently has a dedicated department of environmental health and sustainability that supports the parks and open spaces department in achieving the sustainability goals of their community. From educational signage to requirements for sustainable event management in parks, the City of Aspen takes a comprehensive approach to sustainability and intragovernmental collaboration. Their particular focus is waste reduction on a high level.  

Aspen's park and recreation professionals and other city employees strive for the reduction of all waste, including food waste generated at events and facilities. Listening to community needs and priorities, the city adopted an Organic Waste Ordinance that affects how the parks and open spaces department manages its operations. This multi-phased ordinance is helping people within city limits rethink waste disposal, asking them to create nutrient-dense compost or donations for people and animals rather than filling landfills. The final phase of this ordinance is set to have every owner or occupant of a premise within city limits comply by 2028. For this to be done correctly and successfully, the City of Aspen has utilized public-private partners, working up gradually to ensure proper education, infrastructure and implementation. The parks and open spaces department has been instrumental in modeling these practices at recreation centers and public events. 

Jimena Baldino, waste diversion and recycling specialist for Aspen’s environmental health and sustainability department, highlighted both the importance of perspective and long-term planning when considering sustainability action and recycling. One of Baldino’s most astute observations related to the importance of global action in a local setting: Aspen is an international destination, serving both Americans and international tourists with events ranging from the X-Games to the Aspen Music Festival and School (AMFS). 

Having the unique perspective of so many individuals and their day-to-day experiences with sustainability infrastructure provides both challenges and opportunities. Individuals who are familiar with single-stream recycling in one part of the United States or another country may not be familiar with how to interact with local recycling infrastructure in the City of Aspen. This is a particular issue in the Rocky Mountains due to wildlife concerns, especially bears attracted to improperly disposed waste in recycling receptacles. The most impactful way the city staff of the park and recreation department have addressed this issue is through community and visitor engagement, as well as education around how to practice safe recycling in public spaces. 

Scaling with Intention 

Similarly, the City of Grand Junction has been scaling its sustainability efforts with intentionality and a multiphase approach. The Western Slope, while still considered remote relative to other parts of the United States, has grown considerably. With growth comes an increased need for resources and infrastructure usage. When speaking with employees of the parks and recreation, community development and general services departments for the City of Grand Junction, their passion for the work and collaborative spirit shines through. 

Angela French, the waste reduction coordinator for the City of Grand Junction, leads recycling outreach and education for the city’s recycling division. The sustainability efforts on the Western Slope are championed by her kind, consistent and collaborative leadership. From leading tours of the local, city-owned material recovery facility (MRF) — among the largest municipal MRFs on the Western Slope — to innovating sustainability efforts through long-term planning and intentional community engagement, the City of Grand Junction’s approach to sustainability provides a roadmap for accessible and scalable resource management. 

Currently, the City of Grand Junction is implementing its sustainability plan, which includes everything from recycling to water conservation and community engagement. The Grand Junction Parks and Recreation Department has been instrumental in helping "close the loop" through participation in various city initiatives, including the Green Vendor program. To help bridge the gap in community understanding of sustainability on the local level, this program supports food vendors who are leaders in environmental stewardship through their sustainable business practices. Food vendors who meet the set of criteria for the Green Vendor program receive a Green Vendor sticker, symbolizing their commitment to environmentally friendly practices and easily identifying themselves to customers as environmentally responsible businesses. Additionally, Green Vendor businesses are highlighted on the city's official approved vendor list. This list is used by the park and recreation department and other local government departments when considering food vendors. Staff reference the Green Vendor lists for event planning, such as the upcoming Southwest Arbor Fest event, which will take place this year on Saturday, April 26. Importantly, Grand Junction Parks and Recreation values the congruity of words and action. Each Southwest Arbor Fest begins with a recycling collection of hazardous waste, with this year’s waste including materials such as tires, motor oil and antifreeze. Previous events have collected other materials, with 18,000 pounds of electronics from community members being diverted from the landfill in a single day.  

Partnering for Success 

Many programs for the City of Grand Junction function on partnerships. The city relies on partners to support and ensure the success of many of its programs. Through collaboration with the Mesa County Composting Facility, the city offers residents yard waste collection to repurpose organic materials. Collected yard waste is transported to the facility for processing, where it is turned into mulch and compost called "Mesa Magic," both available to local government departments and residents. Through innovative programs and thoughtful collaboration, the City of Grand Junction is invested in creating a more sustainable place for its residents to live.  

The City of Aspen, City of Grand Junction and other local governments in the state of Colorado are able to rely on both the state government, NGOs, and other partners for resources and support. The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) has provided guidance for sustainable actions as it relates to statewide recycling efforts. Both the City of Grand Junction and the City of Aspen are committed to serving their communities and creating a sustainable future for everyone within them. Their innovative approaches remind us that environmental responsibility isn't just about grand wilderness preservation but also about the small, daily choices made in community spaces.  

A Valuable Lesson 

The sustainability initiatives in Colorado exemplify how collaboration within local government can create meaningful environmental impact, with park and recreation departments being key partners in this sustainability journey.  From Aspen's international tourist education to Grand Junction's Green Vendor program, these communities demonstrate that effective environmental stewardship happens at the intersection of thoughtful policy, dedicated leadership and genuine community engagement. 

As cities across America face their own environmental challenges, Colorado’s model offers valuable lessons; most importantly starting small, building partnerships, engaging your community authentically, and maintaining a long-term vision. From the importance of principles like “leave no trace" to building collaborative programs that create greener spaces, these environmental actions reflect a profound evolution in how we view our responsibility to the environment and our fellow community members. We are not visitors passing through pristine wilderness, but rather permanent stewards of the everyday spaces where we live, work and play. 

Through these concerted efforts, Colorado's park and recreation departments aren't only preserving natural beauty; they're cultivating a culture of sustainability that resonates from mountain trails to neighborhood parks and recreation centers, proving that meaningful environmental change begins right in our own communities. 

Barbara Kapustin (she/her) is a program manager for community and environmental resiliency at NRPA.   

Special thanks to everyone who makes this work possible and NiagaraCares for partnering with NRPA in our recycling initiatives.    

Special thanks to the following individuals:  

• City of Aspen:  

• • Matt Kuhn – Parks and Open Space Director 

• • Jimena Baldino - Waste Diversion and Recycling Specialist 

• City of Grand Junction: 

• • Tricia Rothwell - Event Coordinator 

• • Angela French - Waste Reduction Coordinator   

• • Andrea Brush White – Sustainability Specialist