Published: March 16, 2018

Boulder County last month awarded the city of Longmont, in partnership withÌýÅ·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ Boulder's Foundations for Leaders Organizing for Water and Sustainability (FLOWS) program, a $15,000Ìý.

The award will be used for a pilot project toÌýhelp train Longmont employees andÌýcommunity members on climate justice, as well as energy and water conservation work to incubate a FLOWS-like program in the city. FLOWS, a program of the Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ Environmental CenterÌýinvolvingÌýstudents, partnersÌýwith primarily low-income communities and residents on the installation of efficient energy and water fixtures in homes, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and utility bill costs while building the community's capacity.

The grant project will involve program development, community engagement, staff and resident training, supplies, equipment and evaluation.

In addition to furthering sustainability among area households, the grant seeks to provideÌýworkforce development opportunities for underrepresented communities.ÌýThe award is one of nine given for 2018 with the other recipient communitiesÌýincludingÌýBoulder, Erie, Jamestown, Lafayette, Louisville, Lyons, Nederland and Ward.

In the city of Boulder, FLOWS works with Boulder Housing Partners to provide community-appropriate services to its clients. In 2017, FLOWS met with 473Ìýresidents in 169 homes, installing over 1,000 LEDs and over 150 upgraded showerheads. The program anticipates serving at least that many homes and residents this year.