Agenda Date: 04/21/2026
Subject:
Title
Environmental Sustainability Program Update
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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Presentation: |
Laura Rosenbaum, Sustainability Coordinator |
PURPOSE:
Present updates to City Council on initiatives related to sustainability and the environment.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Sustainable Community with Natural Beauty
DISCUSSION:
Since October 2024, the City of Littleton has been working on numerous initiatives related to environmental sustainability, many of which are key milestones of the city’s adopted Environmental Stewardship Action Plan. This update will go into detail about the city’s climate planning journey, internal and external operations, and waste diversion.
BACKGROUND:
The presentation delves into three primary areas: climate planning, internal and external operations, and waste diversion. Climate planning is a four-phase process that is currently underway. The first phase was the Greenhouse Gas Inventory, which was presented to council in Fall 2025. Since then, Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) has conducted greenhouse gas goals & climate modeling. Currently, that modeling process is going through a feasibility analysis. The Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment was launched in February 2026. An update regarding that assessment will be brought to council study session in the coming weeks, by the Sustainability Coordinator and the external consulting team. Looking ahead to 2028, the intent is to take all these phases and combine them into a tangible and actionable Resilience and Adaptation Plan.
The Sustainability Coordinator, alongside the Tri-Cities Green Business Coordinator, has started the process of forming an internal “Green Team” at the City of Littleton. This first-of-its-kind volunteer group will have a representative from each city department to better coordinate environmental sustainability within Littleton city operations. The group is set to have its first meeting in the next 4-6 weeks.
The Sustainability Coordinator and Director of Public Works & Utilities are the staff liaisons for the Environmental Stewardship Board (ESB). New board members, appointed by council a few weeks ago, were onboarded at the April 1, 2026, meeting. There is renewed enthusiasm for waste diversion outreach and education, overseeing city plans and projects across departments, and overall excitement to participate in efforts such as the Littleton Boulevard Subarea Plan and upcoming Transportation Master Plan.
Waste Diversion efforts are well underway with updates on the city’s Equal Space Ordinance, Hauler Licensing program, and outreach and education.
The City of Littleton, in conjunction with the City of Centennial, is going back through the state technical assistance program called “STEPS” or “Strategic Technical Expertise for the Public Sector.” Through the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment (CDPHE)’s Colorado Circular Communities Enterprise (C3), the cities will work with an external consultant on hauler outreach and engagement as the program is co-implemented and developed.
Internally, Public Works and Finance are creating a draft hauler licensing program to bring to council for consideration. This could be included in the November fee schedule following proper vetting through city council.
The Sustainability Coordinator, alongside Community Development and the City Attorney’s Office, will be creating a draft equal space ordinance to bring before council for consideration in the coming months.
Furthermore, the Sustainability Coordinator and the Communications Department have been working together to create a comprehensive community engagement plan as it relates to these waste diversion efforts and to increase both recycling and composting in the city. The Sustainability Coordinator has submitted an application as part of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Program through Circular Action Alliance (CAA) to receive additional funds for outreach and education support, which are set to roll out in June 2026 and will go through November 2027.
Prior Actions or Discussions
• April 23, 2024, council study session, ESB presented their finalized 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. A key milestone identified in the plan was for the city to complete a baseline greenhouse gas inventory, which is now completed. 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 an equal space ordinance, hauler licensing, and outreach and education efforts moving into 2026.
• October 21, 2025, council meeting, council heard a report on the completed Greenhouse Gas Inventory and was able to ask questions related to that data, research, and final written analysis.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES:
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