Mountain dwellers are often drawn to the breathtaking views and the serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Those who feel a deep connection to nature are often the first to find ways to help support their natural environment, which can take the form of sustainable, green living and learning how to be more eco-conscious in everyday life. Living in an area such as Steamboat Springs has a wide array of benefits, with the stunning landscapes and the crisp fresh air near the top of that list. Let’s do our part to keep the environment clean, healthy, and thriving!
Mountain living can present unique challenges for any homeowner, especially when it comes to living sustainably while still being mindful of weather conditions, limited access to resources, and the delicate balance between comfort and conservation. Sustainable home design can represent a sizable piece of the puzzle, such as passive solar heating and insulated structures. Whether you’re building a home from the ground up or you’re looking to transform your current abode into a more eco-friendly residence, these are some of the best tips for living green in the mountains of Northern Colorado!
Water Conservation is Your Friend
It’s no secret that water is a precious resource everywhere, this becomes even more obvious in mountainous environments. Depending on your property, access can sometimes be limited due to droughts or reliance on well systems. This is where water conservation comes into play to ensure a sustainable supply of water throughout the year. Several tactics to conserve water naturally include rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and low-flow fixtures. Check out how fixture flow can result in potential savings here. In many cases, water conservation goes hand in hand with landscaping, such as reusing sink, shower, and laundry water for irrigation to reduce waste. Low-flow shower heads, faucets, and dual-flush toilets have also been shown to significantly decrease a home’s water consumption.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (& Compost!)
One of the many challenges of living in a more remote area is the limited waste management services. This can make trash pickup more uncertain, though it also increases the importance of recycling and composting. These practices can help to alleviate the strain on landfills, while also minimizing pollution and promoting self-sufficiency and sustainability. Repurposing materials like aluminum, glass, and plastic can reduce the need for waste transport. If you’re looking for ways to lower your carbon footprint — this is a great way to get started! Composting systems help break down food scraps and assorted yard waste, resulting in nutrient-rich soil for gardening projects. The City of Steamboat Springs is working on an initiative to divert 85% of their waste stream through composting and recycling by 2050.
Make Energy-Efficient Appliance Upgrades
One of the most effective ways to promote sustainability within your own home is to improve energy efficiency in any way possible. This can include proper insulation to maintain indoor temps without excessive energy use, which can reduce heat loss in the winter and keep your home comfortably cool in the summer months. Investing in energy-efficient appliances is one of the first steps that many homeowners take on their journeys to becoming more sustainable, whether they live in the capital city or near a mountain town. While there’s no need to replace working appliances, keep in mind that an upgrade might be in your future when the fridge is on the fritz or your dryer isn’t working as it should. Over time, you’ll be able to upgrade your appliances to their energy-efficient counterparts and save yourself money on utility bills while lowering your carbon footprint year over year.
Install Smart Home Tech
Depending on how remote your home is, smart home tech may seem counterintuitive to some. Your internet access and local connectivity solutions will determine whether this is a feasible route. Smart home tech can go a long way in reducing unnecessary energy waste, optimizing your resources, and lowering the overall environmental impact of your home. Smart home tech such as smart thermostats can adjust heating based on the outdoor temperatures and can even do so hands-free if you’re away for an extended period! This is great for those who commute to the city during the week or who plan on taking vacations to escape the cold during the winter months. Smart lighting is also a great addition to any eco-friendly home, such as taking advantage of motion sensors and scheduling so that lights are only on when they’re needed. Depending on your budget, you can opt for small, affordable changes like smart plugs and work your way up to smart lights and a smart thermostat.
Seek Out Renewable Energy Sources
Effectively harnessing renewable energy sources can come in several shapes and sizes, such as solar power and even hydropower systems. In Steamboat Springs, the high-altitude sunlight exposure makes solar especially efficient. Installing panels is a great way to store excess energy for the nighttime or a cloudy day, therefore improving energy independence. Solar energy is not only abundant in Colorado, but it’s environmentally friendly, contributes to a reduction in fossil fuels, and helps to keep more money in your wallet when it comes time to pay your electricity bill. Check out more information on solar by the numbers in Steamboat. While not as common as solar, wind energy is another possibility. Small turbines can be installed on property to generate electricity from the wind, especially in areas with consistent wind patterns.
Opt for Eco-Friendly Building Materials
If you’re building from the ground up or even renovating a mountain home, choosing sustainable building materials can reduce the overall environmental impact of construction. Such materials include reclaimed wood and stone, which have the added benefit of providing that rustic mountain charm that so many love. Non-toxic paints and finishes can be utilized to reduce indoor air pollution and improve air quality. The initial investment in durable and high-quality materials will contribute to longevity and reduce the need for frequent replacements. In other words, you’ll thank yourself in the short and long term!
Utilize Native Plants for a Sustainable Landscape
Maintaining the traditional landscape of suburban homes near the city can be incredibly water-intensive and even more so in a mountain environment. That’s why homeowners often opt for xeriscaping techniques, which take advantage of drought-resistant plants and natural features. Oftentimes, mountain landscapes will feature wildflowers, sagebrush, and aspen trees that require less water and have the added benefit of attracting local pollinators. Working to create a self-sustaining ecosystem is the goal. Even if you’re an avid gardener, a low-maintenance landscape is one of the most sustainable. There’s always room for side projects such as home veggie and herb gardens! Stay up to date on watering schedules and restrictions implemented within the city limits of Steamboat.
Implement Sustainable Heating Solutions
Once you’ve spent one winter in the mountains, you’ll know how important it is to have surefire heating solutions ready to go once the first snow falls! Heating can be a major expense for mountain homeowners, meaning it’s all the more essential to utilize sustainable methods whenever possible. High-efficiency wood stoves and pellet stoves are proven strategies for heating large spaces and the modern variations produce fewer emissions than traditional fireplaces. Radiant floor heating is another consideration. This type of heat is distributed evenly while using less energy than a traditional forced-air system. Either way, pairing your heating system of choice with a smart thermostat can streamline optimization.
Learn to Peacefully Coexist With Wildlife
One of the unique factors of living in a mountain environment is the fact that you’ll likely have an abundance of wildlife paying your yard a visit at one point or another. In an effort to prevent conflicts and to promote the delicate balance of the ecosystem, homeowners should take care to secure trash bins, compost piles, and any pet food to prevent bears from stumbling upon something enticing. Motion-sensor lights and noise deterrents can also be effective measures to keep unwanted visitors at bay. When working in your garden, take care to avoid chemical pesticides and herbicides so as not to damage the local ecosystem and ensure a healthier environment for both humans and the wildlife that call the mountains home.
Cut Down on Food Waste
Another unique factor of living in a mountain town is the somewhat limited access to groceries as compared to a similar home in the city. Shopping can be noticeably more expensive in Steamboat than it is in lower altitude, more populous areas of the state, which is tied to higher transportation costs to bring the supplies in, limited competition, and the mountain town’s status as a tourist destination. When living in such an area full-time, it’s all the more important to reduce food waste to both conserve resources and save money. This may result in spending more time carefully planning meals for the week, properly storing food, and getting creative with leftovers. Shopping strategically at local farmers’ markets is another great sustainable way to support local agriculture and reduce the carbon footprint associated with transporting pantry staples and fresh foods across long distances. The Steamboat Farmers Market operates from June through September!
Ditch the Single-Use Plastic
While Steamboat Springs does have recycling options, they’re not always as straightforward as what you’d find in a suburban environment. In a mountain town, homeowners can make an outsized impact by switching to reusable alternatives and ditching single-use plastic altogether. Instead, opt for glass or stainless steel for water bottles and grab some reusable grocery bags and beeswax wraps to store leftovers. Mountain residents typically have a deeper resonation with keeping their surrounding natural space clean and with protecting local wildlife. Small changes to daily habits can lead to reaping significant long-term benefits — not just in your home but throughout the community as well.
Support Local Whenever & Wherever Possible
We’ve all heard the refrain over and over again — buy local! However, this is especially important in a mountain town such as Steamboat. The relatively remote location means that any goods and foods must be transported across significant distances to reach the end consumer, which drives up the carbon footprint and cost. Opting for locally sourced products, goods, and food can reduce the community’s reliance on items that require extensive fuel and packaging to reach them. Local farmers and ranchers not only offer fresher, more seasonally-driven food with fewer preservatives, but they’re also your neighbors and fellow mountain community members. Make the conscious decision to support local businesses and build relationships with your neighboring growers and producers.
Connect with businesses that are championing eco-friendly practices and environmental stewardship, such as Best of the Boat “Top 5 Green/Sustainable Organizations” winner LiftUp Thrift Store, and finalists like Deja Vu Consignment, Dusky Grouse Coffee, Ski Town Cleaners and Emerald. Not only will you benefit from a fresher diet, but these bonds can carry the entire community forward. Read more about the Green Businesses of the Yampa Valley to see how companies balance the needs of the planet, people, and economy while still successfully making a profit.
Mountain Town Sustainability in Steamboat Springs!
While it’s true that making eco-friendly choices and implementing green practices into your day-to-day life requires intentionality and at times, sacrifice, it’s all worth it in the end. Balancing environmental responsibility with the challenges that mountain living brings isn’t always going to be the easiest road. Homeowners can minimize their carbon footprint by embracing energy efficiency and reducing waste wherever possible, as well as by conserving water and utilizing their local resources. By making thoughtful, eco-conscious choices and creating a sustainable living environment — Steamboat Springs homeowners can help to ensure that their beautiful surroundings stay beautiful for generations to come.