Learn About Sustainable Living

As your local CSU Extension office, we are pleased to be able to provide our community with trusted practical resources on a variety of sustainable living topics. We also look forward to collaborating with other community programs about sustainability. Find resources by topic area. Check back for updates.

Sustainable Energy

Learn about alternative energy, and energy-saving tips to save money and decrease energy consumption in your home.

• Air Sealing Colorado Homes (2/13)
• Energy Checklist for Homeowners (12/08)
• Energy Checklist for Renters (3/14)
• Harvesting Energy from the Sun: Solar Photovoltaics  (10/09)
• Heating Colorado Homes (9/13)
• Insulating Colorado Homes  (9/13)
• Introduction to Domestic Solar Hot Water Systems (8/13)
• Landscaping for Energy Conservation (3/09) Spanish Version
• Saving Energy in My Home: Coloring & Activity Book  (5/12)
• Solar Electric (PV) Calculator
• Solar-Powered Groundwater Pumping (8/12)
• The Sun-tempered Super-Insulated House (3/14)
• Using a Power Monitor to Control Your Electricity Costs (11/14) Spanish Version
• Water Heating in Colorado Homes (9/13)
• The Whole-House Approach to Energy Efficiency  (12/14)
• Wind Energy for Colorado Home Owners, Farmers and Small Businesses (5/15)

View all CSU Extension: Energy Publications

Sustainable Environment

• CSU’s School for Global Environmental Sustainability – Read blog posts, find upcoming lectures and events, and research data on environmental sustainability topics.

Sustainable Home, Garden, and Lifestyle

Yard, Garden, and Acreage

• Composting Yard Waste 7.212
• Colorado Mountain Gardeners – Composting Considerations
• Small Acreage Management program by CSU Extension – Colorado Small Acreage Management – Improving land stewardship by helping landowners understand and manage their property resources (soil, water, animals, plants, and air).

Sustainable Food

Don’t let any of your gardening produce go to waste. Depending on growing conditions and the plants, you may get a small yield, followed by a large production that is more than your household needs. Learning how to preserve, dry, and freeze fruits and vegetables allow you to spread that yield and reduce waste. Here are some recommended publications including from CSU Extension:

• High Altitude Food Preparation
• Herbs: Preserving and Using (10/14)
• Salad Greens: Health Benefits and Safe Handling (6/12)
• Canning Fruits (6/13)
• Canning Tomatoes and Tomato Products (5/12)
• Canning Vegetables (9/13)
• Cost of Preserving and Storing Food (8/08)
• Drying Fruits (6/12)
• Drying Vegetables (11/12)
• Food Preservation Without Sugar or Salt (10/12)
• Freezing Fruits (4/13)
• Freezing Vegetables (1/13)
• Herbs: Preserving and Using (10/14)
• Making Jellies (10/11)
• Making Pickled Peppers (8/12)
• Making Pickles (10/11)

Sustainability Resources Local to Clear Creek County

• Scraps to Soil
• What is Evergreen’s Alliance for Sustainability
• Clear Creek Middle/High School Eco Schools Club