What can we expect in the future for both public and automobile transportation in the Pikes Peak Region? We hear from the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments (PPACG) and Mountain Metro (Colorado Springs’ bus system). John Liosatos, Transportation Director of Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments, discusses the recently adopted 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan for the Pikes Peak Region as well as the role the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments (PPACG) plays in bringing together local c...
Jul 03, 2025•53 min•Ep. 140
The state of housing affordability and attainability in Colorado Springs, and what the Pikes Peak Housing Network is doing to improve it. “Colorado Springs and El Paso County aren't building enough homes that typical buyers can afford, while smaller houses and other types of housing options are needed to make housing more attainable for many people, including young adults… and seniors….” That’s the conclusion of a recent report by the Pikes Peak Housing Network. Jill Gaebler, Executive Director,...
May 31, 2025•48 min•Ep. 139
Ever stopped to wonder what’s in the air you breathe? From invisible pollutants to visible smog, air quality affects us all—whether we realize it or not. Host Ally Richardson from Pikes Peak Permaculture sits down with activist and Peak Environment cohost Konrad Schlarbaum, alongside Pikes Peak Area Council of Government’s Air Quality Outreach Specialist Kenzie Courtney, to discuss air quality in the Pikes Peak region. In this episode, we’re diving into the challenges we face, the risks we can’t...
May 02, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 138
What do 68 monitoring sites and over $1.3 million annual investment in data collection tell us about Fountain Creek? Colorado Springs Utilities water quality expert Annie Berlemann provides some answers. She is Fountain Creek Watershed Project Manager for the utility. Fountain Creek is one of Colorado’s most closely monitored and ecologically diverse waterways—spanning urban neighborhoods, rural landscapes, and natural ecosystems from the top of Pikes Peak to Pueblo. The Fountain Creek Watershed...
May 01, 2025•57 min•Ep. 137
Spring is here, and it’s the perfect time to revitalize your space with sustainability in mind! Join Ally Richardson and Aaron Shaha, local permaculturists who dive into Zone 0, sharing their journey, expert insights, and practical resources for greener living in the Pikes Peak region. This episode covers essential topics like energy efficiency, water conservation, food production, waste reduction, and holistic well-being—helping you create a more mindful and regenerative home. Mentioned in this...
Apr 18, 2025•59 min•Ep. 136
A panel discussion with Fountain Creek Watershed District Executive Director Alli Schuch and Jim O’Donnell, author of Fountain Creek: Big Lessons from a Little River, followed by a dynamic community conversation. Alli provides an overview of watershed basics and shares insights on the current state of Fountain Creek. She highlights future opportunities and challenges facing the watershed. Jim dives into key themes from his new book. Together, they explore environmental issues, community engageme...
Apr 03, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 135
Get an update on exciting Great Outdoors Colorado investments and work statewide, from Christopher Aaby, the Generation Wild Program Officer with GOCO. Great Outdoors Colorado invests a portion of the Colorado Lottery proceeds through competitive grants open to local governments and land trusts in Colorado. GOCO just released their 2024 annual report available here: https://www.goco.org/annual-report/2024 . Chris was an active board member of Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future, and hosted ma...
Mar 03, 2025•48 min•Ep. 134
Components of nature connection and the basic skills that everyone's ancestors practiced. Host/co-producer Ally Richardson and guests Iraiah & Austin – who run Smokebrush’s Earth Skill Club – talk about facilitating opportunities in our local community to foster deeper connections, not only with fellow humans but with all living things in our surrounding ecosystems. Deeply engage your senses, so together we can witness how living closely with our earth is practical, accessible, & tangibl...
Feb 26, 2025•53 min•Ep. 133
Learn about the comprehensive vision for future investments and stewardship, with a focus on downtown Colorado Springs. We’ll hear from Chris Lieber, COO for Pikes Peak Waterways, Principal at N.E.S. Inc. and Chair of the Downtown Development Authority. He is joined by former city councilor Jan Martin, cofounder and board member for Pikes Peak Waterways. The COS Creek Plan establishes a comprehensive vision for the future investments and stewardship of the Fountain Creek Watershed with a specifi...
Jan 29, 2025•47 min•Ep. 132
Chelsea and Melissa at 350 Colorado discuss hope and art, in addition to specifics on exciting events in CO Springs coming up in 2025. This episode is a must listen! Also discussed: COP29 Climate Lobby Day – Friday, March 7 350 Colorado is the largest Colorado-based grassroots network focused on taking action to stop climate change. It’s an independent state affiliate of 350.org, the well-known global organization. Learn more at http://350colorado.org/ , or email Melissa @ [email protected]...
Dec 17, 2024•45 min•Ep. 131
There is a divide among sustainability advocates concerning urban development. At a glance, it may seem that halting all development would be beneficial. However, John Olson urges us to look beyond the surface and consider the implications of how we develop our cities, as well as the potential consequences of stopping development altogether. He believes we need to shift the status quo mindset of development. Rapid urbanization, suburban sprawl, and the degradation of natural resources have strai...
Dec 03, 2024•51 min•Season 1Ep. 130
Learn how local arts nonprofit Concrete Couch has turned a concrete dump into a community asset – a park and learning center. Caitlin Hannigan and Jorge Estevez also share how Concrete Couch has contributed to increasing interest and engagement in the arts and sustainability in Colorado Springs. Concrete Couch is a nonprofit that works with kids and community groups to create public art, build community, and create environments and experiences that humanize our world. Speakers: Caitlin Hannigan ...
Nov 04, 2024•55 min•Season 1Ep. 129
Discover how the symbiotic relationship between our environment and our economic development can lead to a more sustainable future with national speaker and Colorado author, John Giordanengo. John has spent the last three decades in the trenches of conservation, restoration ecology, non-profit development, and small-business ownership. That work, coupled with investigative research from across the globe, led to his recent book, Ecosystems as Models for Restoring Our Economies , which was a final...
Oct 09, 2024•55 min•Season 1Ep. 128
What is a permablitz? Ally Richardson invites fellow permaculturists Alexandra Malecki and Beth Carbone to discuss this engaging social permaculture event. We couldn’t contain our giggles! Together, we share our experiences with these community gatherings, which we believe truly enhance our ability to achieve the impossible. In alignment with Mayor Yemi’s initiative on 1,000 Neighborhood Gatherings Initiative, a permablitz not only tackles seemingly impossible tasks but also addresses mental hea...
Sep 13, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 127
Learn about the GRIT Program that offers training in a brief conversational intervention used to support effective coping for those in your natural social network. In these trying times, we could all benefit from free training in effective coping to build our collective grit. We get the details from Dr. Lauren Shaw, GRIT Program Manager at UCCS’ Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience. The program is intended to function as one element within more comprehensive planning to help individuals and ...
Sep 09, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 126
Learn how 350 Colorado can help you become a climate activist, or have more fun and be more effective if you’re already an activist. Chelsea Alexander and Melissa Burrell share what 350 Colorado is and does, and then drill down to some activities and events coming up in Colorado Springs and Pueblo. 350 Colorado is the largest Colorado-based grassroots network focused on taking action to stop climate change. It’s an independent state affiliate of 350.org, the well-known global organization. After...
Jul 29, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 125
Colorado’s Circular Economy Development Center facilitates connections in Colorado to create circular economy solutions using materials that Coloradans recycle. Archibald, Southern Front Range Satellite Office Coordinator for the CEDC shares details and case studies. The Center’s mission is to assist companies striving for circularity by helping them advance their business or locate to Colorado. The goal is to create individual, scalable pathways toward circular economies—and step one is creatin...
Jul 24, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 124
Learn about deep nature connection, nature deficit disorder, great programming in the area, and ways we all can engage to feel a belonging amongst the other species that live in the lovely Southern Colorado region. Co-host Ally Richardson, from local nonprofit Pikes Peak Permaculture, is joined by three permaculture guests who work and teach in the region, all who steward the gift of nature connection: Brian Fritz from Pikes Peak Permaculture, Frank Cordova “Ranger Frank,” and Angelina Perez fro...
Jul 14, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 123
Join host Ally Richardson as she ventures to the opposite slope of Pikes Peak to converse with master herbalist Mari Marques. Explore how plants nurture us, followed by a tour of her stunning and bountiful gardens. Discover additional advantages and applications for the plants thriving in our area, including those often deemed invasive or labeled as weeds! “Invasive plants are Earth’s way of insisting we notice her medicines.” -Stephen Herrod Buhner Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer htt...
Jun 26, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 122
Discover practical ways to reconnect your home landscape with nature. Learn how to provide food, water, and shelter to support pollinator habitats in your yard. David Woolley, Science Educator and Founder of the Manitou Seed Library shares fascinating information about the many pollinators and their favorite plant varieties. LINKS: Presenter’s Slide Presentation https://studio809podcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Native-Places-15-May-2024.pdf Manitou Springs Seed Library https://www.faceboo...
Jun 07, 2024•47 min•Ep. 121
Learn about water resource limitations and challenges for Colorado and Colorado Springs. Scott Winter, project manager in Water Resources and Demand Management for Colorado Springs Utilities, shares work being done to ensure our community is as efficient and as resilient as possible. He also reviews how and what you can do to participate in the efficient use of water both inside and outside of your home. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Presenter’s Slides https://studio809podcasts.com/wp-content/uploa...
May 01, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 120
Learn about a great resource in the Pikes Peak Region to help you recycle many items you can’t just toss into curbside recycling. This conversation also explores some opportunities for how we might improve Colorado Springs poor recycling performance – we divert only 15% of our waste from the landfill into recycling. Loveland diverts 60%, Boulder 51%. Mike Mazzola shares why he founded Galvanize Recycling and how this young business can solve many of our recycling challenge – whether you’re a fam...
Apr 23, 2024•56 min•Season 1Ep. 119
The Transition Town grassroots movement is a way you can impact your own neighborhood. Learn more about this as Peak Environment co-host Ally Richardson explores Transition Towns with Becky Elder and Brian Fritz from Pikes Peak Permaculture. If you would like to find out more about public forums, lectures, and community green movies, or if you would like to host such an event, please send Pikes Peak Permaculture an inquiry at https://www.pikespeakpermaculture.org/contact-us/ Pikes Peak Permacult...
Apr 11, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 118
Katie Helm, Conservation and Sustainability Program Manager for the City of Fountain, provides an update on the city's sustainability efforts. This episode includes an extensive impromptu discussion of recycling challenges and solutions across El Paso County. Katie Helm is the Conservation and Sustainability Program Manager for the City of Fountain, where she manages energy and water programs. In previous roles she has worked as a Water Conservation Specialist for the City of Aurora, a Park Rang...
Apr 04, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 117
Learn about City of Colorado Springs sustainability efforts – from both a strategic and an operational perspective. Ryan Trujillo, Deputy Chief of Staff – Operations, updates us and answers questions. Topics include decentralization of the city’s sustainability efforts, status of the yet to be launched Sustainability Advisory Board, a waste characterization study to determine rates we’re diverting waste from landfills, micromobility, and the 2050 Regional Transit Plan (see link to sign up for up...
Mar 01, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 116
What’s the law on plastic bags and polystyrene cups and take-out containers? What other legislation is in effect or potentially coming soon to move the state toward zero waste? How can you receive funding to support your organizational efforts? How can we all take part in moving to reduce this kind of waste? Find out in this update from Rachel Setzke of Eco-Cycle. In Colorado, restaurants have experienced as much as a 90% reduction in use (and costs) of single use items like straws, ketchup pack...
Jan 29, 2024•53 min•Season 1Ep. 115
Why might you want to attend a permaculture design certification course offered in our region? Ally Richardson, a permaculture educator and Peak Environment podcast co-producer, discusses this with other members of Pikes Peak Permaculture: Becky Elder, Brian Fritz, and Jayme Domejka. Mentioned in this episode: Pikes Peak Permaculture’s 2024 Permaculture Design Certification Since the early 1980s, permaculture has been taught through hands-on courses – PDCs – with experienced mentors handing down...
Jan 27, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 114
Richard Skorman shares an environmental vision and a unique community building opportunity that can help with the restoration efforts of our local watershed - creating natural landscapes that everyone can enjoy: Poor Richard's Rubbish Roundup! Join the weekly trash roundup team and help keep our community clean. Or, better yet, reach out to Richard for support in starting your own volunteer group near your local waters. The episode is hosted by Ally Richardson, a permaculture educator and P eak ...
Dec 31, 2023•34 min•Season 1Ep. 113
Do you approach the holidays mindful of the environmental impact of shopping, gifts and food? This episode explores sustainable options for this holiday season. Konrad Schlarbaum, sustainability director for the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, shares low-impact practices for gifts, food, decorations, and transportation. Konrad Schlarbaum is the Director of Sustainability at the University of Colorado–Colorado Springs (UCCS). He also serves on the Board of Peak Alliance for a Sustainable...
Nov 18, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 112
Current and upcoming legislation that will impact greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency, zero emission vehicles and consumer energy costs. Chris Piper, Director of Legislative Affairs at the Colorado Energy Office shares this and much more, in a very engaging presentation and discussion. Colorado Energy Office https://energyoffice.colorado.gov/ This episode was recorded at the Sustainability in Progress (SIP) virtual event on October 18, 2023. Sustainability in Progress is a monthly progra...
Nov 02, 2023•50 min•Season 1Ep. 111
