Main Points:
The annual Fort Collins Green House Gas (GHG) reports tell us what happened to Fort Collins, not what Fort Collins programs are achieving.
City management has not been able to accurately report the expense, employee hours, or performance of tax-funded climate action programs.
City Council needs this information to make educated funding decisions.
The Climate program should get an independent audit to maximize performance.
Preliminary research suggest that despite City efforts Fort Collins does not compare well with our peer cities on GHG reductions (household GHG per zip code).
Emails to Fort Collins City Council
Audit Fort Collins Climate Action Program
There seems to be a problem with City climate action accounting. The City wants to claim credit for anything that reduces emissions. For example: The Lemay Street overpass reduces vehicle idling and so reduces GHG emissions. A logical question might be, “How do you account for the GHG reduction portion of the overpass project?” One City report had the entire cost of the project accounted as a GHG expense. This makes it look like we spent tens of millions of dollars to reduce idling at one intersection.
Another example: The Roundhouse wind project supplies electricity to Fort Collins. The City had something to do with getting this project on-line, but claims the GHG credit as if they did it all by themselves. In addition, this project came online five or six years ahead of schedule. If weren’t for this pleasant surprise Fort Collins would have missed their 2020 GHG goal by a wide margin. The City doesn’t talk about that.
City Council needs to know how effectively our tax dollars are being spent to make educated funding decisions.
An independent, ASQ certified, audit will give us the clearest picture of climate program performance and avoid any bias that could sway City Council and budgeting decisions.
In 2019, Councilpersons Cunniff, Pignataro, Gutowsky, and Summers supported this idea. Councilperson Gorgol recognizes the importance of accountability and is following up with City staff. We have not yet met with Councilperson Stevens. Mayor Wade Troxell’s response can be found here.
2022 update: The current City Council is directing staff to provide greater transparency, however, without historical context it seems unlikely that they will have more success than previous councils. Fortunately Mayor Arndt and Councilperson Pignatero have asked staff for accountability
Please write a short email to your city councilperson. Ask her/him to commission an ASQ certified audit of City climate action programs. Adding your personal thoughts always helps council members remember your concerns.
If you live in this part of town... then councilperson is...
East of College, North of Drake Susan Gutowsky - sgutowsky@fcgov.com
East of College between Drake and Harmony Julie Pignataro - jpignataro@fcgov.com
East of College, South of Harmony Tricia Canonico - tcanonico@fcgov.com
West of College, South of South of Horsetooth. Shirley Peel - speel@fcgov.com
West of College between Horsetooth and Prospect Kelly Ohlson - kohlson@fcgov.com
West of College, North of Prospect Emily Francis - efrancis@fcgov.com
If you are unsure of who your councilperson is then you can email Mayor Jeni Arndt - jarndt@fcgov.com
Thank you!