Protecting Our Environment & Building a Sustainable Future
Longmont is defined by its natural beauty, and our community has no more valuable resource worth protecting. On council, Jake will work to ensure everything council does factors in how that decision—whether a policy choice or a new development—will impact our environmental sustainability and our community’s ability to enjoy our beautiful natural environment that drew so many of us to call Longmont home.
Furthermore, the existential threat climate poses to our community and our planet requires urgent action from all of us. Jake will advocate for expanding access to solar and wind power, improving energy efficiency, and ensuring that sustainability efforts don’t leave working families behind.
Climate change is not just an environmental issue—it’s an economic and public health challenge. From worsening air quality to rising utility costs, Longmont residents are already feeling its effects. On council, Jake will push for policies that build a resilient, sustainable future while protecting the natural beauty that makes our city special. It must be a piece of every choice we make.
By the end of his first term, Jake will introduce an ordinance requiring that every decision council makes is scored based on its environmental, economic, and social impact to fully assess how it impacts the well-being of our community. By embedding sustainability into every part of the decision making process, Jake will help ensure that Longmont’s growth and development align with our values of environmental stewardship and equity, as well as the goals outlined in Envision Longmont and Advance Longmont 2.0.
He strongly supports the city’s stated goal of reaching 100% renewable energy by 2030. However, in the last few years, it’s become clear that not every community partner needed to get there is on the same page. Jake will advocate for a clear roadmap that ensures we meet our renewable energy target without compromising the city’s long-term sustainability.
He’ll oppose the construction of new fossil fuel infrastructure, like the proposed $85 million gas plant, and work alongside city leadership, including our Mayor as our PRPA board representative, to ensure Longmont has an active and engaged voice in these discussions.
Jake will work to enhance Longmont’s composting program, making it accessible to all residents and expanding it to accept more types of compostable materials, reducing waste and supporting sustainable practices at the community level. Additionally, Jake will look for ways to incentivize green investments, such as solar energy, electric vehicles, and e-bikes, to make sustainability not only achievable but attractive to every Longmont resident.
