CONTACT INFORMATION
Drive Clean Colorado
Maddie Garbalagtys
Maddie@drivecleanco.org
920-296-5665
RELEASE DATE
October 17, 2023
DRIVE CLEAN COLORADO HOSTS STAKEHOLDER SUMMIT TO COMMEMORATE 30TH ANNIVERSARY
Outstanding achievements of member fleets and partners were celebrated with awards at the Drive Clean Stakeholder Summit.
Denver, Colo., Oct. 17, 2023 – Drive Clean Colorado, a non-profit coalition working to accelerate the equitable adoption of clean transportation, concluded its highly anticipated Drive Clean Stakeholder Summit on Monday, October 9. The event, hosted at the Colorado Department of Transportation Headquarters in Denver, brought together stakeholders and partners for a day of collaboration, recognition, and networking.
The summit served as a platform for stakeholders in the clean transportation sector to engage, collaborate, and share innovative ideas. The event fostered meaningful connections and discussions that are essential to advancing the cause of clean mobility across Colorado.
A highlight of this year’s summit included the commemoration of Drive Clean Colorado’s 30th anniversary. The organization was founded in 1993 as Denver Clean Cities, the second Clean Cities coalition ever designated by the U.S. Department of Energy. In 2001, the coalition was renamed Denver Metro Clean Cities and in 2021 evolved into Drive Clean Colorado, an organization serving communities around the state to support clean and equitable transportation.
The Drive Clean Summit introduced the organization’s new strategic plan that outlines a comprehensive roadmap for the organization’s work for the next three years to achieve the organization’s mission to accelerate the equitable adoption of clean transportation. These efforts include programs to 1) provide guidance and support for fleets in their transition to clean fuels and advanced technology, 2) provide coaching for deployment of charging stations and alternative fuel infrastructure, especially pertaining to incentives and grants, and 3) conduct brand-neutral consumer education for electric vehicles, charging and incentives. Drive Clean Colorado staff and board members were on hand to talk with coalition members about on-going initiatives, new programs, and the crucial role of stakeholders in the continued growth of the coalition.
Wrapping up the event was the Drive Clean Colorado Stakeholder Appreciation Awards, which recognized outstanding contributions and achievements in the field of clean transportation. These awards celebrated the individuals and organizations that have demonstrated leadership and vision for clean and equitable mobility and transportation. The awards honored the following recipients:
2023 Fleet Leadership Awards – In recognition of bold leadership in accelerating clean transportation, the following recipients were acknowledged:
- Aurora Public Schools
- For local and national leadership in clean transportation with low and zero emission school buses and charging that has resulted in millions of GHGs reduced in the last decade, and for providing access to EV charging for staff, teachers, and students in the district that has accelerated the adoption of EVs in the area
- Pueblo Police Department
- For leading the way in law enforcement fleet electrification with the most EV patrol vehicles deployed in the state and more to come. Pueblo’s visionary leadership demonstrates their commitment to clean air and the well-being of their community.
- Via Mobility Services
- For innovative leadership in providing essential transportation services for people with limited mobility in ways that are sustainable. Via does not shy away from doing difficult things in the transit and mobility space and is eager to share their knowledge in ways that inspire others.
2023 Partners of the Year – In appreciation of a commitment to collaboration that accelerates equitable clean transportation, the following recipients were recognized:
- City and County of Broomfield
- For long-standing peer leadership, always being the first to raise their hand when the coalition needed meeting and training space, and for constructive feedback on grants and incentives that have helped improve the process and program for fleets and municipalities in the state.
- Colorado Department of Transportation
- For inspirational guidance and support for coalition initiatives and for always being first in line to offer resources and opportunities to other stakeholders and the coalition as a whole.
- Boulder County
- For setting the standard for effective collaboration with your Transportation Electrification planning process which has built positive and productive relationships across the county and the state. DCC was honored to be included in this inspiring effort that contributed towards Boulder County being one of the top counties in the U.S. for EV adoption. (Fifth with 22% after four counties in California.)
30th Anniversary Inspiration & Achievement Award – In appreciation of exceptional guidance and longstanding commitment to the success of the coalition, the following recipients were celebrated:
- John Gonzales has been a leader of the coalition from the very start and has been instrumental in the growth of the organization every step of the way. As a member of DCC’ Board of Directors, John’s wisdom, extensive experience, balanced viewpoint, and sense of humor continue to play an important role in the success of the coalition.
- Wendy Dafoe has been a mentor and big-picture guide for the coalition for many years. Her role as a Clean Cities leader and a mentor to coalition staff has been instrumental in Drive Clean Colorado’s efforts to expand to serve more areas of the state, especially rural and underrepresented communities.
2023 MVP – With deep gratitude for dedication to the success of the Drive Clean Colorado team and coalition stakeholders, the following individual was recognized:
- Tom Pacheco, Electrification Program Manager, Colorado Department of Transportation
- The “godfather of transportation electrification in Colorado” and a leading expert on EV training for fleet and automotive technicians
- For providing excellent contributions to the coalition as a leader in the eFleets Working Group, an advisor to many coalition stakeholders on topics ranging from charger and fleet telematics to workforce recruitment, a guiding force behind the growing EV Safe Tech training program which will undoubtedly save lives, and a mentor to DCC’s staff.
These award recipients represent the driving force behind the advancement of clean transportation in Colorado. Their unwavering dedication and remarkable contributions continue to inspire and shape the future of clean mobility in the state. Drive Clean Colorado extends its gratitude to all awardees, members, and stakeholders who made the 2023 Drive Clean Colorado Stakeholder Summit a success.
For more information about Drive Clean Colorado and its initiatives, please visit www.drivecleancolorado.org.
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About Drive Clean Colorado, a Clean Cities Coalition
Drive Clean Colorado (DCC), a Clean Cities coalition designated by the U.S. Department of Energy, is a non-profit organization that delivers a variety of programs to accelerate the equitable adoption of clean transportation with the vision of cleaner air and economic growth for Colorado. DCC runs the Drive Electric Colorado initiative which is a clearinghouse for all things EV in Colorado, the Watts@Work program for workplace charging, the EV Safe Tech training project, and hosts four ReCharge coaches for the Colorado Energy Office to provide grant coaching and EV awareness outreach. Learn more at DriveCleanColorado.org.
