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November 15, 2018

Hello Lakewood Residents!

As the Thanksgiving holiday nears, our team has been reflecting on what we are thankful for – and guess what? One of the things we are most grateful for is YOU! We love working with such a passionate group of people who are dedicated to protecting our environment, connecting with one another and are building a vibrant and resilient local economy. We want to thank you for all you do for our community and to wish you and your families a very relaxing and happy Thanksgiving. And if you are frying a turkey – don’t forget to recycle your used oil at the City's recycling center!

Keep reading to learn how to turn your leftover turkey bones into delicious soup stock, to make some money by drawing us a picture, and to get a bunch of other exciting opportunites and project updates.

- Lakewood Sustainability Team

Design Lakewood's Earth Day Poster
(and make some cash too!)

The City is getting ready for another exciting Earth Day Celebration on April 27, 2019. This free, community festival will feature music, food, art, exhibits and activities that spread environmental awareness and bring the community together. Past activities have included sustainable gardening demonstrations, youth poetry, bicycle valets, recycled art crafts, fitness classes, home energy efficiency demonstrations and information on Lakewood’s parks and Colorado’s wildlife.

We are looking for talented artists to design this year’s poster that reflects the spirit of Earth Day. The winning design will be used on posters, banners, t-shirts and other materials and the artists will also receive $200. This year’s event will focus around the theme: "Every day is Earth day, but today we celebrate!"

Submit your design online at www.Lakewood.org/EarthDay!

Go Go GoTober!

This October, 32 City of Lakewood employees participated in DRCOG’s GoTober employee commuter challenge. In just one month, employees logged 532 work-related trips using alternative modes of transportation, traveling 3,856 miles via bike, transit, carpool and by foot, burning 54,210 calories walking and biking, and saving $1,303 in gasoline costs!

Other Lakewood employers also joined in the GoTober challenge, including Red Rocks Community College and Michael Baker International. Did your employer participate? If not, don’t worry; you can choose sustainable commutes year round! Visit MyWaytoGo.org to explore new ways to get to work and find out how much you can save.

Lakewood Residents Save Time,
Money and the Environment!

Through the Mile High Youth Corps Energy & Water Conservation program, 44 homes in Lakewood have received energy and water assessments, replacing 14 toilets which will save 741,534 gallons of water each year and we're not done yet! Over the next year, 350 homes will receive energy and water conservation services through the program, which engages young adults (Corpsmembers) for a year of service providing energy- and water-efficiency measures to low-income households and nonprofit facilities.

Low-income residents can find out if they are eligible at MileHighYouthCorps.org.

Save Those Turkey Bones and Make Stock

By Christy Cerrone
Sustainable Southern Gables Resident

Thanksgiving is just around the corner! One way to make your Thanksgiving celebration a little more sustainable this year is to use your turkey bones to make soup stock before you discard them. Homemade turkey soup stock is delicious and helps reduce the waste associated with packaging and shipping of store-bought turkey stock. Try this simple recipe that we have used for turkey stock (it really is easy!) while you’re cleaning up and relaxing after your Thanksgiving meal.

Easy Homemade Turkey Stock

Ingredients:

Bones of 1 cooked turkey
5 quarts water
2 onions, quartered
1 carrot
1 celery stalk
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
1 dried bay leaf

Directions:
In a large stockpot, combine turkey bones, water, onions, carrot, celery, peppercorns and bay leaf.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, skimming occasionally, about 2 hours.
Strain into airtight containers; cool completely. Cover, and refrigerate up to 3 days, or freeze up to 6 months.

It’s as simple as that! Let us know how it goes and how you use your delicious stock by emailing Sustainability@lakewood.org.

WANTED: Stories of sustainability in your community! We'd love to hear from residents and businesses alike about an experience, person or organization that inspires you to live a more sustainable life!

Send your story to Sustainability@Lakewood.org and look for it to be featured in one of our newsletters.

Upcoming Events

Used Cooking Oil Recycling
Nov. 24 & 25
Quail Street Recycling Center
1068 Quail St.

Holiday Lights Recycling
Nov. 23-Jan. 20
Quail Street Recycling Center
1068 Quail St.

Lakewood Sustainability Team

Looking for ways to contribute to sustainability in Lakewood?

Join the Lakewood Sustainability Cooperative (SCOOP) to volunteer your knowledge and experience.

The City of Lakewood is committed to the Global Covenant of Mayors to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions and enhance our resilience to climate change.

Design Lakewood's Earth Day Poster (and make some cash too!)