Renew America Success Stories

The Vail Environmental Strategic Plan

The Vail Environmental Strategic Plan was adopted to maintain and improve environmental quality in the Vail valley and to ensure the prolonged economic health of the region. The plan is designed to achieve both goals through a series of efforts to monitor and improve air and water quality, to preserve open space and to protect the area's natural wildlife. 

Vail's environment has gone through a dramatic transition from sheep farming in the 1930's and 1940's to an internationally renowned ski resort. Since the opening of the Vail ski resort in 1959, the rate of development in Vail has been rapid. This rapid growth recently raised concern among residents that more needed to be done to protect the area's natural environment, particularly because the health of the local economy is tied directly to the ability to offer visitors clean air, clean water and open space. 

In 1993, 54 representatives from neighborhoods, businesses, developers, recreationalists, special interest groups and governmental entities met for two days to discuss how Vail could create a more environmentally and economically sustainable community. From this conference and many more public forums, the Vail Environmental Strategic Plan was created that now provides a framework for sustainable development in the Vail valley. 

The plan recognizes the link between environmental quality and economic development and that a balance is needed between these two elements. It also recognizes the need to ensure a healthy environment and economy for future generations while protecting historical and cultural values in the community. 

The plan outlines actions designed to achieve four goals: 

• Sustainable land use regulation and economic development. To ensure that new development is consistent with the carrying capacity of the area's natural environment and man-made resources and to provide information to encourage community support for environmental quality.
• Protection of the area's ecosystem. To protect the area's natural resources and recognizes that they are interdependent.
• Increase environmental efficiency. To improve efficiency in water, energy and waste management in businesses, residences and in government.
• Improve environmental management, compliance and promotion. To ensure environmental compliance through proactive environmental management.

Program Highlights 

Air Quality 

• Incentives have been provided to convert dirty-burning fireplaces to cleaner-burning natural gas fireplaces.
• The town and major employers are offering incentives to encourage residents to commute by bus.
• To address suspended particulate pollution, the town has switched from applying sand to applying volcanic cinders to roads during the winter to aid in traction. Cinders are less likely to become airborne than sand.

• A study of water quality in the town's stream has led to the creation of a Nonpoint Source Water Quality Plan designed to reduce storm water runoff. An analysis conducted for the plan found that nutrient and sediment concentrations had increased significantly during the last 10 years. To help reverse this trend:
• An erosion control guideline manual and educational programs have been developed for landscapers and home owners to reduce erosion and the application of chemical fertilizers.
• A U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) water quality and biological monitoring station will be installed on Gore Creek.
• A watershed management program, including habitat improvement projects and the adoption of best management practices to reduce runoff, is being developed.

• A 48-acre parcel, slated for development as a residential subdivision, was identified by the town and the National Heritage Program as a sensitive wildlife habitat. A collective purchase agreement saved the parcel from development.

• The Vail Board of Realtors helped provide recycling containers in all commercial areas.
• The Division of Wildlife, the town and local trash haulers have provided five bear-proof garbage cans to help raise awareness about the interaction between human behavior and the environment.

• Housing costs in Vail are high; consequently, many of Vail's lower-income employees, many of them Hispanic, are forced to live 30 to 60 miles away from their work. Vail is currently working on a project that would provide 60 to 80 affordable housing units for employees in the town.

• The town and Vail Associates (the ski company) have created a program of economic incentives/disincentives to ensure skier numbers do not exceed the town's carrying capacity (e.g., sewage capacity, transportation network and air quality).
• The plan establishes a monitoring program that reviews air quality, water quality, aquatic biological indicators, solid waste generation, energy consumption, water usage, skier days and sales tax receipts to measure the program's effectiveness.

Vital Statistics

Program Management/Partnerships: The Vail Environmental Strategic Plan was designed through a collaborative arrangement of individuals, businesses and government entities, and is managed by the Town of Vail. In developing and implementing the plan, the Town of Vail has entered into partnerships with numerous individuals, groups and agencies, including Vail Associates, the Vail Recreation District, the Vail Board of Realtors, the School District, the Colorado Department of Health, the U.S. Geologic Survey and local neighborhoods, recreational groups and residents. 

Budget: The latest figures are available by contacting the program. 

Community Served: The approximately 3,500 residents of Vail, and the tens of thousands of visitors to the Vail area annually. 

Measures of Success:

Approximately 400 dirty-burning fireplaces have been replaced with cleaner-burning technologies.

The "We Recycle" program diverts 5% of solid waste from landfills.

A Nonpoint Source Water Quality Management Plan has been implemented.

Since the plan's adoption, more than 75 acres of open space have been acquired.

Nearly 33% of Vail's land area is protected open space.

Vail's Board of Realtors has created a standing environmental committee.