Colorado Review

I’ll be honest. I’m not one to worry about the impact my family’s annual trip to Mexico has on Mother Nature. We’re not going to not hit the tropics in the dead of winter because of our plane’s emissions. Similarly, we take regular weekend road trips in our non-hybrid car. (Oh, and we are often pulling a pop-up camper behind the minivan.)

However, I know that many travelers are more green than I am. (My family does recycle and we use energy-saving light bulbs!) Many want to offset their carbon footprint. As a result, Aspen, which has long been an eco-conscious ski resort, is offering the new Aspen ZGreen Carbon Offset Package, valid September 15 to December 22, 2007.

With the Aspen ZGreen Carbon Offset Package, visitors who book two or more nights at any participating Aspen lodge will receive a “Canary Tag� certificate, confirming that $60 has been invested in a third-party, verified energy efficiency and renewable energy project through the City of Aspen. (Note: $60 offsets the carbon footprint for three commercial airline passengers from New York City to Aspen, plus average area driving and hotel stay for one week. Verification of Canary Tag offsets will be from a reputable third-party carbon verifier such as the Chicago Climate Exchange or the Environmental Resources Trust.)

Many Aspen lodges are participating, including the Gant and Sky Hotel, and bookings can be made through Stay Aspen Snowmass. To reserve the Aspen ZGreen Carbon Offset Package call 800-670-0788 or visit the Aspen Chamber Resort Association website or StayAspenSnowmass.

Aspen encourages guests to use the free bus system, walk or bike while visiting. Participating lodges will include free parking. In addition to the carbon offsets, the City of Aspen will give participants two complimentary passes per reservation ($30 value) to the Aspen Recreation Center.

The City of Aspen’s Canary Initiative is investing in a variety of economically sound, third-party verified energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, which will keep carbon and other greenhouse gases out of the environment. Some of these initiatives include coal-methane capture, hydroelectric power and solar hot water projects. The City of Aspen’s “Canary Tags� is a voluntary offset program through which individuals, businesses and special events held in Aspen can purchase CO2 offsets to mitigate greenhouse gases associated with their activities. The “Canary Tag� program is the first carbon offset program created by a municipal or state government in the United States, and is being used as a model for similar programs being developed in Colorado.

For additional information on the City of Aspen’s Canary Initiative, click here.