About the Sustainability Plan
In 2015, the Adams County Board of County Commissioners formally adopted the Sustainable Adams County 2030 Plan, affirming the county’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. The plan details a “triple bottom line” approach to sustainability, where the environmental, fiscal, and social impacts of county activities are taken into consideration with every decision. See the timeline below for a summary of actions related to the plan.
Adams County Identified eight key topics, shown below, to organize county-focused and community-focused goals. Within these topics, the plan has 87 action-oriented strategies and 28 metrics to track plan progress. Many different departments throughout the county are assigned strategies including Facilities and Fleet Management, Community and Economic Development, Public Works, Parks, Communications, Information Technology and Innovation, Finace, and the County Manager’s Office.
Sustainability Plan Documents
Annual Reports
More Sustainability Resources
- 2030 Adams County Sustainability Plan
- Low-Waste Meeting Guidelines
- Low-Waste Event Guidelines
- Waste Reduction Guidelines for Vendors
- Sustainable Design Guidelines for County Facilities
Highlights for 2023 from the Sustainability Plan
- 41% of Adams County's facility electricity use powered with renewable energy
- 1 new solar co-op created
- 1,845 total solar permits issued since 2016
- 170,812 lbs. of e-waste and household hazardous waste collected
- $397,500 grant funding awarded to develop a Countywide Water Master plan
- 11,337 acres of land in County conservation easements
- 430 stormwater ponds inspected
- 13 stormwater education activities
- 305 publicly available EV charging ports in Adams County
- 1 new air quality monitor installed
- 203 Tool Shed rentals
Project Highlight: Tree Planting
Public Works, Parks and Open Space, and Community Safety and Well Being (CSWB) joined forces to implement their tree-planting program. Piloted in 2022, where 50 trees were planted – this year they were able to double that number!
This effort addresses two strategies – one headed by Public Works to expand the tree amenity program, and one headed by CSWB to explore options to expand plantings in areas with significant air quality impacts. Parks was engaged as an additional partner due to their expertise with tree procurement and planting.
This program is focused on improving environmental quality in neighborhoods with environmental quality concerns. Together, the three departments planted 100 new trees at Monaco Elementary School in Commerce City. As these trees mature, they will help cool the area during hot summer days and help contribute to better air quality.
Adam County staff getting ready to plant trees at Monaco Elementary School. (Credit: Public Works Department)
