This summer, an incredible group of interns, seasonal staff, and volunteers contributed thousands of hours working for a healthier planet and community.

From growing food and engaging youth to supporting Zero Waste events, they’ve made a lasting impact across C4, Lake County & beyond!

The stories behind the miles: Leadville was once the richest city in the U.S., during the 1880s Silver and Gold boom, but when it ended, what remained was a community facing abandoned mines, polluted land and a struggling local economy. That is why resilience has become a way of life here. At Cloud City Conservation Center, Emily and her community work to confront the legacies of pollution and economic decline, turning these challenges into opportunities for environmental restoration, economic recovery, and a healthier, more sustainable future.

As athletes push their limits and prove their grit on Leadville’s legendary trails, another dedicated team is grinding away behind the scenes to protect the places that make these races possible. For the past 13 years, the Leadville Race Series (LRS) has partnered with local nonprofit Cloud City Conservation Center (C4) to reduce race waste and support sustainable practices through a comprehensive Zero Waste initiative.

Cloud City Conservation Center (C4) and the Lake County Landfill are partnering to improve the county’s waste systems.

Isabel Lisle, C4’s Sustainability Manager and Robin Moody, Lake County Landfill forewoman, are working together through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Sustainable Communities and Action Network (SCAN). Through collaboration and SCAN’s resources, Lisle and Moody hope to find solutions to Lake County’s waste management issues.

Cloud City Farm in Leadville is the newest location in the state to offer Colorado SNAP Produce Bonus, making healthy food more affordable for Lake County families!

Across the U.S., the primary uses of energy for homes are heating and cooling, followed by water heating and appliances. In high-altitude areas, home and water heating are even larger pieces of the pie.

Richie Moutoux, energy program director for the Cloud City Conservation Center (C4), says energy efficiency doesn’t mean your thermostat has to sit at 68 while you pile on warm layers.

During energy audits, the biggest savings often come from small things like lighting.

To celebrate Earth Week in Lake County, Cloud City Conservation Center (C4) recently hosted a Climate Action Workshop, a High-Altitude Gardening Workshop and a Recycling Center Tour. 

After five-years of inactivity, the solar garden south of Leadville on County Road 10 is operational as of April 15 and is projected to produce around 960,000 kilowatts annually for its 26 subscribers. Cloud City Conservation Center (C4) purchased the facility on April 30, 2024 with the goal of repairing its equipment and bringing solar energy back to its subscribers.

Digging Deep and Dreaming Big at 10,200 Feet

What do you get when you mix construction, sub-zero temps, a talented farm team, and a whole lot of determination? A winter farming experiment that actually worked. 💪❄️

Take a behind-the-scenes peek at recent expansion at Cloud City Farm—and find out what our plants taught us about patience, resilience, and growing food during high-altitude winter.

What is the Tool Library? How can I start using it? What does it have to do with sustainability? The Lake County Public Library offers an abundance of innovative programs and special resources for Lake County community members to take advantage of at no cost. Learn more about these programs and how you can start benefitting today!

Is it worth it to recycle? What happens to all of my recycling anyways? Who takes it, and where does it go?? How can I make sure I’m making a difference and that it’s going to the right place?

The Leadville Herald recently reported on C4’s Zero Waste program and partnership with the Leadville Race Series. Read more about our results, including collecting 15,300 pounds of waste from the Leadville Race Series alone, including diverting 75% of that waste away from the Lake County Landfill and into compost & recycling.  

This fall, the Lake County Conservation District (LCCD) and Cloud City Conservation Center (C4) wrapped up the first year of a collaborative project aimed at reducing barriers to urban agriculture for Lake County residents. The project titled “Growing Gardens, Cultivating Community” was funded by the National Association of Conservation Districts’ Urban and Community Conservation Grant Initiative.