Agenda Date: 09/15/2026
Subject:
Title
Resolution 60-2026: Approving a subaward agreement with Circular Action Alliance (CAA) for waste diversion education and outreach
Body
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From: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
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Prepared by: |
Brent Soderlin, Director of Public Works & Utilities |
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Laura Rosenbaum, Sustainability Coordinator |
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Presentations: |
N/A |
PURPOSE:
To seek council approval of a subaward agreement with Circular Action Alliance (CAA) for the City to conduct education and outreach related to recycling and waste diversion.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Sustainable Community with Natural Beauty
DISCUSSION:
This subaward funding became available to the City of Littleton via application in January 2026. The City applied for the funds in January, and submitted a secondary application in April clarifying allowable uses for education & outreach. In that application, the City outlined which allowable activities to conduct based on funding available per household and community need. The City plans to craft dedicated education & outreach to ensure residents understand best practices for recycling and composting as well as changes happening through the state program. This will include an article series in the print and online Littleton reports, a social media campaign with a specific focus on an empathetic marketing push. Train-the-trainer session(s) to activate community champions to pass along key knowledge around recycling and composting best practices. Furthermore, these funds will provide resources to bridge the gap between state laws, campaigns, and other messaging from outside entities. The City plans to utilize these funds to contract with an external consultant to carry out the stated allowable activities.
BACKGROUND:
HB22-1355, Colorado’s Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling Act, creates an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system to fund and manage recycling for certain materials statewide. Part of the legislation states that the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment (CDPHE) designates a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO), which is a nonprofit organization designated to carry out key parts of the law, such as coordination plans, rules, increasing recycling rates, expanding recycling services, and, in some cases, providing recycling services for a specific type of covered material. CDPHE designated Circular Action Alliance (CAA) as the state’s PRO. The final program plan was approved in late 2025, which stated that implementation would start in June 2026. That plan includes funding for jurisdictions across Colorado to communicate changes and engage in local outreach and education. Those Education & Outreach (E&O) funds are the most relevant part of the plan for Littleton right now.
Prior Actions or Discussions
April 23, 2024, council study session: ESB presented their finalized version of the Environmental Stewardship Action Plan.
June 4, 2024, council study session: Council supported and endorsed the Horizon 2027 Strategic Plan, which includes implementing ESB’s Environmental Stewardship Action Plan. Section 3.0 of the Environmental Stewardship Action Plan focuses on “Consumption and Waste Diversion.” The Environmental Stewardship Action Plan is attached for reference.
July 22, 2025, council study session, council heard a presentation on the South Metro Waste Diversion preliminary draft final plan.
October 21, 2025, council meeting, council adopted the South Metro Waste Diversion Plan by resolution, and in doing so, allowed staff to explore education and outreach efforts moving into 2026. The South Metro Waste Diversion Plan is attached for reference.
April 14, 2026, council meeting, council heard a comprehensive sustainability update, including progress on these funds related to waste diversion education and outreach.
August 18, 2026, council meeting, council heard a presentation on hauler licensing and an equal space ordinance. In that presentation, these funds were discussed.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
This $68,540.94 subaward requires no matching funds from the City.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the subaward agreement with CAA.
ALTERNATIVES:
Council may decide to delay or deny approval of this subaward for additional changes or discussions. If this subaward agreement is not approved, the City of Littleton will not be able to make the most of these funds.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve Resolution 60-2026 approving a subaward agreement with Circular Action Alliance (CAA) for waste diversion education and outreach.