Sustainability in Silverthorne

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Sustainability Strategic Plan

2024 Silverthorne Sustainability Strategic Plan

The Town of Silverthorne is upping its sustainability game and is creating it's first sustainability strategic plan. Silverthorne's sustainability plan centers on five focus areas:

Energy, to ensure that we use energy wisely, produce it responsibly, and ensure that our energy is always reliable, clean and affordable;
Water, to conserve the precious water source that we have relied on throughout our history, even as more people come here to live, work and recreate;
Materials, to minimize the waste we send to the Summit County Landfill so that can remain open for many decades;
Mobility, so that we have more options than just the car to go where we want when we want, in ways that make travel convenient, healthy and enjoyable; and
Greenhouse gas reduction, to do our part to prevent the worst harms that rapid human-induced climate change can do to our mountain environment and economy.

Learn More About the Sustainability Strategic Plan

As a special town with stunning scenery and a passionate community, the Town of Silverthorne recently created a road map to keep Silverthorne a healthy place to live, work and recreate for generations to come. In a series of blog posts over the next few months, we'll highlight the different components of Silverthorne's Sustainability Strategic Plan and what they mean for the community.

man recycling paper

Recycling and Composting in Silverthorne

The Silverthorne Recycling Center is located at:

0255 River Road, Silverthorne, CO 80498

The Silverthorne Recycling Center accepts:

#1 and #2 plastic bottles
Aluminum and tin cans
Paper
Cardboard
Glass
Cartons
Food waste

All items must be sorted and placed in the correct bins at the Silverthorne Recycling Center.

There is an additional glass recycling station at the Willowborok Bus Stop, at the entrance to the Willowbrook neighborhood. This drop-off station accepts GLASS ONLY.

For more information on what is and isn't accepted in recycling, please visit the High Country Conservation Center website.

Summit County Watering Schedule

Help Summit County be efficient with water and follow the Summit County watering schedule. The time to water is overnight from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m.

Last full number in address is even: Nights to water are Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
Last full number in address is odd: Nights to water are Wednesday, Friday and Sunday

For more information on how to water efficiently, please visit the High Country Conservation Center's website.

High Country Conservation Energy Efficiency Programs

The Town of Silverthorne partners with High Country Conservation Center on several programs to help residents and businesses save money while becoming more sustainable. Check out the programs below and learn more about the High Country Conservation Center here.

Solarize Summit

Energy Smart Colorado

Energy Smart CO rebates for Silverthorne Residents are available now!

High Country Conservation Center's Energy Smart Colorado program can help eligible households make energy improvements at home. Rebates for energy upgrades cover 100% of the total project cost, up to $4,000, for households earning up to 160% Area Median Income.

Eligible projects include:

Air sealing
Balanced ventilation
Boiler replacement
Crawlspace/basement improvement
Duct sealing
Electrical upgrades
EV charging
Induction cooktops and ranges
Insulation
Heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, heat pump clothes dryers
Programmable thermostats
Solar panels and solar thermal water heating
Window replacement

Interested community members should contact the High County Conservation Center for a free energy coaching phone call to start.

Resource Wise

The Town of Silverthorne partners with High Country Conservation Center to provide rebates for businesses looking to reduce energy use, carbon emissions, and waste while improving recycling, composting, and purchasing practices. These businesses can then save money while having a positive impact on Summit County's carbon footprint.

Silverthorne businesses can learn more about the Resource Wise program and schedule a free assessment here.

Do Exit 205 Right

There are plenty of ways to enjoy Silverthorne sustainably. Do Exit 205 right and help make Silverthorne a greener place for all by adhering to the following practices. For more ways to Do Exit 205 Right, click here.

Car-Free Mountain Travel

Enjoy your trip to Silverthorne completely car-free by using transit options:

Bustang or Pegasus can take you from Denver Union Station or the Federal Center to Frisco.
Once you arrive, use the Summit Stage to travel throughout the county. Or use local taxi services, as well as Uber & Lyft.
There are multiple airport shuttle services to transport you from DIA to Silverthorne, including Summit Express, Peak 1 Express or Epic Mountain Express.
Plus, there is a new way to carpool to the mountains! TreadShare is a carpool app that connects drivers and passengers heading in the same direction so they can share a route and split the associated costs.
Learn more about the many options available to get from the Denver metro area to the mountains at www.GoI70.com/transit

Trash Your Trash

If we all do our part, we can protect area wildlife and their habitat; keeping nearby streams, rivers, lakes and forests beautiful for all to enjoy!

Pack it in, pack it out. Or pick it up to leave a place better than you found it. Take litter, even crumbs, peels and cores with you, until you can dispose of them in the proper waste/recycling bins.
Bring along reusable water bottles or hot drink tumblers to limit waste and stay hydrated in our dry climate.
If you have to poo, walk at least 70 steps from trails, water and people. Dig a cat hole 6 inches deep, do your thing in the hole, cover it and pack out your TP. Or, use a wag bag (a disposable bag found in most outdoor stores) so you can pack out your waste. This goes for your furry friends as well- please pack out their waste.

Keep Wildlife Wild

Colorado is home to tens of thousands of furry, scaly and feathered creatures. To keep them — and you — safe, don’t approach them.
Do not feed wildlife no matter how hungry you think they might look.
Keep your furry buddies leashed when enjoying dog-friendly trails, and pack out their waste. All the way to a trashcan.
All wildlife, from squirrels to moose, have to work a lot harder to survive in winter. Observe all wildlife from a distance, and do not follow or pursue them. Fleeing forces them to burn energy they need to survive the colder months.
Spring can be a particularly sensitive time for wildlife since many species are nesting, having their young or coming out of hibernation. Be sure to travel quietly and give all wildlife extra space during this time.

Town of Silverthorne, CO