LEAF’s State-Funded Sustainability Upgrades Take Shape
LEAF (Lyons Elevating All Fund) is taking major steps toward creating a more sustainable, energy-efficient, and environmentally resilient center. These improvements are designed not only to reduce pollution and operating costs, but also to strengthen LEAF’s ability to deliver essential human and behavioral health services.
After completing major renovations to its aging 1970s facility through a successful capital campaign, LEAF is now moving forward with five sustainability projects funded 100% by the State of Colorado through its Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) program. These initiatives are designed to reduce pollution, lower operating costs, and strengthen the long-term delivery of essential human and behavioral health services.
A major highlight is LEAF’s new electric ID. Buzz van, which replaced an aging fossil fuel vehicle that faithfully served LEAF for years picking food and essential items. Paired with an on-site charging station, the van is now in regular use. Each week, the van covers roughly 55 miles between Community Food Share (CFS) and a roundtrip run to Our Center, Sam’s Club, and back to LEAF. Even accounting for fluctuations in fuel prices, we conservatively estimate the switch is saving LEAF about $500 a year in fuel costs, savings that go directly back into serving our community. It’s a cleaner, quieter, and more reliable way to support our community, and it’s already becoming a familiar, welcome sight around Lyons.
Solar panels and backup batteries are nearly installed on the facility, providing renewable energy to help offset the electricity needed to keep LEAF’s pantry refrigerators and freezers running efficiently. This clean energy investment is expected to lower utility costs while reducing the organization’s carbon footprint, helping ensure critical food and services remain available to families who depend on them. We look forward to tracking our savings over time and will report back on our reduction in energy costs by the end of the year.
LEAF is also transforming its outdoor space with a food pantry and pollinator garden, and has added new garden beds that will supply the pantry with fresh herbs, tomatoes, peppers, and more. These efforts will provide nutritious produce to clients while supporting local ecosystems.
That outdoor transformation is now entering an exciting new phase: the backyard rework is nearing completion. Once finished, this space will serve as the site for upcoming programming and, in the interim, as the primary entrance to the food pantry while LEAF builds a new front porch. The new porch will be ADA compliant, feature covered seating, and create a warmer, safer and more welcoming entry for everyone who comes to LEAF for support.
Finally, LEAF is beginning to consider opportunities to incorporate more sustainable purchasing practices over time. Along with our composting and recycling efforts, we continue to look for thoughtful ways to reduce landfill waste and model environmental stewardship at the center.
As these upgrades are near completion, the LEAF center is emerging as a local model of sustainability and community-centered design. What was once an inefficient, deteriorating structure is becoming a safe, environmentally responsible home for essential services. Every dollar these improvements save on fuel and energy is a dollar that goes further toward the programs and services our community relies on. This work is made possible through the State of Colorado’s Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) program, undertaken in connection with the settlement of an enforcement action by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Air Pollution Control Division for air quality violations, and we’re grateful for the opportunity it’s created to reinvest in our community.