The Stapleton United Neighbors (SUN) Sustainability Committee would like to wish everyone a joyful holiday season. As we approach the end of the calendar year, we are grateful for the opportunity to share some of our successes from 2018 as well as look ahead to what’s in store for 2019.

Stapleton: Outstanding Neighborhood Status in the Sustainable Neighborhoods Program

In 2018, the SUN Sustainability Committee was accepted into the City and County of Denver’s Sustainable Neighborhoods Program, giving residents the opportunity to become active partners in making their neighborhood a vibrant and sustainable community through credit-based workshops, projects, and other events that enhance the livability of the neighborhood. Successful initiatives to date include:

• 250 reusable grocery bags distributed at Eastbridge Town Center King Soopers
• Removal of 19 garbage bags of trash (and a suitcase) from the Sand Creek Regional Greenway
• A pollinator basics course hosted by The Urban Farm at the Sam Gary Branch Library
• Community Day of Reflection on the topic of Benjamin Stapleton’s life and legacy moderated by Colorado State Historian Patty Limerick
• A new-renter outreach campaign at five Stapleton apartment complexes

SUN’s Sustainability Committee established a year-one goal for its participation in the Sustainable Neighborhoods Program of 100 credits. The number of credits awarded for any given program event is a function of an event’s relative impact on the community and the number of residents participating in that event. To learn more, visit: www.sustainableneighborhoodnetwork.org.

Reaching 100 credits in a year earns the community “Outstanding Neighborhood” status in the eyes of the City and County of Denver. At 97 credits and with more waiting to be tallied, Stapleton is all but certain to reach that milestone. As this is a resident-lead effort, SUN thanks and congratulates the many residents who have participated.

Going Solar: Making the Right Choice for Your Home

SUN’s Sustainability Committee’s most recent event was also its first digital event, a webinar entitled Going Solar: Making The Right Choice For Your Home. Hosted by Yun Lee, Stapleton resident and Director of U.S. Solar for Panasonic, the webinar is a practical, step-by-step overview of the process of making the smartest, most efficient decision for how to add solar panels to your home. Persons interested in a link to the webinar should contact sunsustainability@gmail.com.

Engaging Area High Schools

The SUN Sustainability Committee recently held two information sessions with Northfield High School students and faculty about opportunities to participate in the Sustainable Neighborhoods Program. Students can use this program to complete volunteer hours required for National Honor Society and other service-based organizations. Participation is also an outlet for students passionate about the topic of sustainability. A meeting with students and faculty at DSST: Stapleton is scheduled for December 11. Schools interested in learning more about how high school students can participate in the program should email sunsustainability@gmail.com.

A Community-Driven Effort

As the SUN Sustainability Committee begins preparations for year two in the Sustainable Neighborhoods Program, the queue of planned projects includes:

• A Tree Planting Day
• A Movie Night/Fundraiser
• A Community Sustainability Fair

Individuals or groups interested in learning more about any of these 2019 opportunities, or hosting an event as part of this community-lead Sustainable Neighborhoods Program should please reach out. The committee seeks to provide residents every opportunity to share their own ideas for how Stapleton can be a more sustainable neighborhood. Achieving Outstanding Neighborhood status within the Sustainable Neighborhoods Program was accomplished because engaged residents have been willing to give of themselves and take action. Continued support of motivated residents is essential for this program to grow and achieve the ultimate goal of a community and city that are vibrant and sustainable. No idea is too big or too small—all that matters is that there are residents who are passionate about and excited about making their idea a reality. To request information or share ideas, contact the committee via email or Facebook: SUNsustainability@gmail.com, facebook.com/snpstapleton.

SUN Meetings in December

Monthly SUN outreach meeting, Tuesday December 18, Central Park Rec Center, 6:30-7:30pm, followed by a SUN board meeting 7:30-8:45pm.

Additionally, as the SUN board did not meet in November, a board meeting will be held December 12 at 7pm for discussion of potential proposed changes to the organization bylaws around voting procedures, prompted by concerns of ambiguity and a desire to be more inclusive in the modern era of communication, location TBD.

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