The Rock Creek HOA recently sent an email encouraging residents to contact the Town Council about waste collection and fence maintenance. The Town has received numerous questions from residents. Some highlights of that statement related to sustainability are below; you can read the full statement on the Town website.

The current Town waste contract provides waste collection services to approximately 1,200 homes. The Town sought a reliable trash, recycling, and compost service that would align with community goals around sustainability, waste reduction, service accountability, and transparency. Republic Services won the bid and currently provides the following services as part of the contract:

• Pricing that rewards lower waste. Residents can choose different trash cart sizes, with lower prices for smaller carts. This gives households a direct way to reduce their bill by reducing landfill waste.
• Curbside compost included. Compost collection is included as part of the standard Town service, not offered only as an optional add-on. Composting food and yard waste helps reduce methane emissions from landfills.
• All-electric collection trucks. Transportation accounts for nearly 40 percent of Superior's greenhouse gas emissions. Electric collection trucks reduce emissions and air pollutants in the neighborhoods they serve.
• Verified service and reporting. The Town receives detailed monthly reporting from Republic Services, including weight tickets and customer service metrics. This allows staff to verify data, track performance, and address service issues in real time.

These features align with climate and sustainability, ranked among residents’ top priorities in the most recent community survey, and with the adopted goals in the Town’s Sustainability Action Plan. Plan progress is published on the Sustainability Dashboard.

No final decision has been made. The Town has not entered into any contract to provide trash service for Rock Creek, The Summit, or Saddlebrooke, and any decision is not expected until 2027. The Town’s goal remains to ensure that waste collection is cost-effective, transparent, equitable, and consistent with Superior’s sustainability goals.

Though the Town recently lifted voluntary water restrictions, we ask that residents be mindful of how we use this precious resource. According to Drought.gov, 96% of the state is still in drought conditions despite recent precipitation. Many communities across Colorado continue to face significant water concerns, and we must all do our part to conserve water.

Your water usage plays a meaningful role in preserving our shared resources and maintaining system reliability. By taking simple steps to improve irrigation efficiency, each household can help conserve thousands of gallons of water over the course of the season.

The following measures support the long-term sustainability of Superior’s water system and help ensure adequate supply for essential needs:

• Water early in the morning (before 10 a.m.) or in the evening (after 6 p.m.) to minimize evaporation.
• Adjust sprinkler heads to ensure water lands on landscaping, not pavement.
• Install dripline irrigation to deliver water directly to the roots and reduce water loss from evaporation and runoff.
• Install a rain barrel to capture and use runoff.
• Install smart controllers or rain sensors to adjust watering schedules automatically.

The Town offers a variety of water conservation programs and resources, including free sprinkler audits, and rebates for rain barrels, smart controllers, rain sensors, dripline irrigation, and efficient household water appliances. Visit the Town’s water conservation page to learn more.

Come celebrate National Trails Day and meet the goats before they move on to greener pastures outside of Superior! This free, family-friendly event, hosted by the Open Space Advisory Committee (OSAC), will have interactive community booths, goat feeding, and live animal presentations. Attendees can learn about the Town’s various open space projects and activities. We’re sad to see them go, but the goats will be back in Town this July.

The Superior goats help sustainably manage nearly 600 acres of our parks and open space, providing valuable ecosystem services:

• Goat saliva serves as a natural herbicide, preventing the seeds they eat from growing the next season.
• They operate as natural (fossil fuel-free) lawnmowers, reducing vegetation overgrowth that could lead to wildfires.
• Goats break up the soil as they move around, allowing for better water and air flow.
• They remove noxious weeds, enabling native prairie plants to grow in their place.
• Goats convert the vegetation they eat into valuable soil amendments (manure)!

Power Ahead Colorado is a program run by the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG). In 2024, DRCOG received nearly $200 million in federal funding to help cut air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. That funding is being used to improve homes and buildings across the Denver metro area by making them healthier, more comfortable, and more energy-efficient.

Power Ahead Colorado is your one-stop shop for financial support and technical advice for property owners, as well as training programs to support contractor upskilling. The program supports:

• Cleaner, safer air: electric heat pumps and other electric appliances eliminate on-site combustion and improve indoor and outdoor air quality for everyone.
• Year-round comfort: Modern heat pumps reliably heat and cool, even in Colorado’s coldest and hottest weather.
• Value and efficiency: Homeowners can get more for their money with heat pumps, which are up to three times more efficient than traditional systems.
• Economic opportunity: Robust support and training provide pathways for contractors and workers to expand their businesses and grow their careers.

Whether you’re a contractor or a property owner, learn more at PowerAheadColorado.org. Keep an eye out for rebates coming soon!