Zach Higgins

This Energy and Resilience Action Plan for the City of Rifle aims to align the City, its collaborative partners, and community members around shared goals for clean energy and resilience. The plan addresses the impacts of a changing climate, advances energy efficiency measures, and works to develop a diverse economy with quality jobs. Its three overarching goals are to engage community members, provide tangible recommendations for municipal operations, and create options to reduce emissions, improve quality of life, and foster economic benefits for residents. The plan is organized around four key focus areas: built environment, transportation, municipal operations, and economic development.

This Concept Plan outlines the vision for an Energy Innovation Center, detailing various components including energy feedstock utilization, biodiesel conversion, waste-to-energy systems, and multiple bio-industries. The plan incorporates infrastructure such as wastewater treatment facilities, energy expo grounds, and solar fields (photovoltaic and thermal hydrogen). It also proposes demonstration ponds for carbon capture, algae production, and geothermal cooling/heating, along with a field research incubator, visitor center & bio-industrial showcase, and a well drilling/exploration center.

This document outlines the monthly distribution and associated costs for portable units across various designated locations including Picnic 1, Koper, Pull Off, Picnic 2, Antifill, Ruckman, Sawmill Gulch, Host Cabin, Comm House, and Rifle Creek. It details unit allocations for each month, with varying schedules based on weather conditions, for the years spanning 2023 through 2028.

The Safe Streets for All Action Plan outlines the City of Rifle's comprehensive strategy to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2045. It prioritizes promoting safety through low-cost, high-impact, and evidence-based strategies, ensuring equitable investment, and fostering community engagement. Key objectives include identifying projects that reduce crashes and protect vulnerable road users, planning for infrastructure and community connections, educating travelers, and securing future funding.

This Comprehensive Housing Needs Assessment for the City of Rifle analyzes the local housing market from 2024 to 2044, outlining key challenges and providing recommendations to address housing supply and affordability. The plan focuses on reforming zoning and density regulations, such as incorporating Form-Based Code, adopting density bonuses for affordable multifamily projects, and optimizing land use for vacant parcels. Additionally, it emphasizes proactive planning initiatives, including exploring a Community Land Trust, supporting modular home construction, establishing a Residential Development Co-op, developing pre-approved ADU plans, and implementing predictable by-right approvals. The overarching goal is to diversify housing types, increase supply, enhance affordability for various income levels, and ensure the city can accommodate projected population growth and workforce needs over the next two decades.