Our History
We Began in 2000, Long Before "Sustainability" Was a Household Name
Through decades of dedication and endurance, the Sustainable Living Association has touched the lives of tens of thousands of people pursuing a more sustainable lifestyle. We’ve built networks, collaborations, organizations and local businesses who all believe there is a better way to live in balance with nature.
We invite you to join us in a New Decade of Action as we empower people to Find Their Voice, Embrace Change and Make a Difference by developing policies and practices that will uplift the wellbeing of our planet for many more years to come.
Awards We Picked Up Along the Way
E-Chievement Award
2007 - eTown “Celebrating those who are making a positive difference in their communities and beyond.”
Environmental Business Ripple Award
2009 - Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce
Local Hero Award for "Best Non-Profit"
2009 - Readers of Edible Front Range
Environmental Entrepreneur Award
2011 - Northern Colorado Business Report
Outstanding Organization Award
2011 - Colorado Renewable Energy Society
Northern Colorado Super Woman
2014 - Mind+Body Magazine for our Executive Director, Kellie Falbo
Woman of Distinction Nomination
2019 & 2020 - Biz West for our Executive Director, Kellie Falbo
Sustainable Living Association's Timeline
2000–2005
The Early Years
2000
Sustainable Living Fair
The Sustainable Living Fair was founded.
2001
Zero Waste Event
We first established a Zero Waste event in 2001 when 850 pounds of waste was produced during the Sustainable Living Fair and only 17 pounds went to the landfill. Fort Collins now has regulations requiring eventers to conduct Zero Waste events. In 2006 Zero Hero was formed out of core volunteers who now provide zero wasted services for national events.
2001
"Powered by Nature"
Our tag line was established.
2002
Sustainable Living Day Proclamation
Former Fort Collins Mayor Ray Martinez proclaimed September 8th Sustainable Living Day in honor of the efforts put forth by SLA and the City.
2002
Straw Bale Structure
A straw bale shed was built by fair attendees and auctioned off to a community member. This was the first straw bale structure officially approved in the City limits.
2003
Hollywood Hits Fort Collins
Actor Woody Harrelson spoke at the Sustainable Living Fair and attracted great attention to our efforts which helped push us into the national spotlight. He was joined by activist Julia “Butterfly” Hill and Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde.
2003
Biodiesel in Colorado
SLA partnered with BlueSun Biodiesel to open the first biodiesel pump in Colorado at Bartcus Oil in Boulder.
2004
Friendly Food Market
The Fair established policies around serving only conscious food in an earth friendly manner.
2004
Human Organics Art Show
Formally curated, this art show focused on utilizing repurposed material to create works of art that were then sold to the public.
2005
Bike Valet
SLA began providing a free bike valet program for fairgoers which housed hundreds of bikes over the weekend.
2006–2010
In the Mainstream
2006
Be Local
Launched in 2006, this coupon book was designed to energize healthy, face-to-face, local-to-local commercial relationships and help direct this economic impact towards a deeper integration of place, prosperity and community—the three dimensions of sustainability.
2006
Drinks with Really Interesting People
An annual fundraiser on the Friday night before the fair, featuring nationally renowned speakers who spoke at the fair.
2006
Adoption of Highway Clean Up Area
SLA adopted a three-mile stretch of highway along the designated ”wild and scenic” Poudre River and volunteers conduct a highway-cleanup two times a year.
2006
Tour de Farm
We developed this bicycling event designed to educate people about healthy eating, active living and supporting our local food system.
2007
SLA's Director Received the E-Chievement Award
This award was from eTown, “celebrating remarkable individuals who are working hard to make a positive difference in their communities and beyond.”
2007
Electronics Waste Recycling
SLA coordinated the first local collection event.
2007
Local Living Economy Network
We formed a new alliance with the Local Living Economy Network to help build long-term economic empowerment and prosperity through local business ownership, cultural diversity and environmental responsibility.
2007
Carbon Offsets
We began offering carbon offsets for attendees traveling to the Sustainable Living Fair.
2008
Year-Round Workshop Program
The SLA’s year-round workshop program was developed to further meet the educational needs of our communities.
2008
Environmental Film Fest
We launched the Environmental Film Fest featuring regional and national short films on some of the most timely topics of sustainable food systems, energy production, consumption, environmental & social responsibility and more.
2008
Tour de Coop, "The Urban Chicken Spirit Revival"
A community-based bike ride from coop to coop where participants can see a variety of urban backyard chicken coops and learn about chickens from beak to butt from experienced backyard chicken owners.
2008
1% for the Planet
SLA became an approved 1% for the Planet recipient and became eligible to receive contributions from member companies.
2008
Future Friday
This program was a “green field day” for local High School students designed to connect local youth with the national and regional sustainability experts that gathered in Fort Collins during the Sustainable Living Fair.
2009
Cimate Wise
SLA become an active member of Climate Wise; a City of Fort Collins program designed to help area businesses reduce their impact on the planet.
2011–2015
Change Is in the Air
2011
Earth Day Fort Collins
SLA began coordinating Earth Day for Fort Collins.
2012
NoCo Rebuild Project
During the High Park Fire, SLA became the fiscal agent for the NoCo Rebuild Project which helped victims of the High Park Fire rebuild their lives and their homes. They raised $250,000 the first year.
2012
Green Drinks
SLA took over coordination of Green Drinks Fort Collins, a monthly business networking group with nearly 1000 members at the time.
2013
Sustainability Contribution Awards
We launched the Sustainability Contribution Awards Dinner celebrating those making a significant and positive impact on our community.
2013
Colorado Flood
The Sustainable Living Fair was cancelled due to the floods in 2013 and a massive fundraising event takes place.
2014
Poudre RiverFest
SLA partnered with Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory, Save the Poudre, the Discovery Science Museum and Wildland Restoration Volunteers to organize the Poudre River Fest, celebrating the importance of the river to our community.
2015
Regroup
2015 marked the final year of the Sustainable Living Fair. SLA took this year to reevaluate what the need for sustainable education was in our community at this time verses when we first started back in 2000. This led to the development of new programs and outreach efforts that are still in place today.
2016–2020
Two Decades of Action
2016
Recycling Summit
SLA joins forces with the Colorado Association for Recycling to host the annual summit.
2016
Rocky Mountain Climate Organization
Our Executive Director became the Outreach Coordinator for this organization working on issues around climate change that are facing Colorado communities.
2017
Sustainability Leadership Program
SLA developed this business-oriented program to help develop the next generation of sustainability leaders.
2018
Environmental Leaders & Energy Managers Conference
SLA teams up with ELEMCON to help provide sustainability professionals information about the best products to help them achieve their energy and sustainability management goals.
2019
Impact Series on Climate Change
A new program is launched to help people understand what causes climate change, how to reduce their impact and how to talk about the issue with others.
2019
Solar United
SLA works joins forces with Solar United to encourage residents to sign up for co-op solar power.
2020
SLA Celebrates 20 Years of Action
2020
Register to Vote Campaign
SLA adds a political focus and launches a register to vote campaign to get more people involved in the elections.
2020
Launching into a New Decade of Action!!!
2021–2025
Fueling the Future
2021–2022
Reimagining ClimateWise
SLA joins forces with the city as a strategic lead partner to evaluate and reimagine this program for local businesses.
2022
Youth Climate Action
Our Youth Climate series is launched when 6 high school students ask us to help them organize around climate change.
2023
Building Performance Standards
SLA served on this task force to help the city develop building efficiency recommendations that are proposed to city council.
2024
ClimateCon! Conference
SLA plays a lead role in bringing ClimateCon! to Fort Collins, highlighting local efforts and strengthening networks among municipalities, businesses and organizations.
2025
Youth Climate Leadership Summit
SLA hosts the Youth Climate Leadership Summit, bringing together 432 students between 8th-12th grade from 20 different schools for their own climate summit.
2025
SLA Celebrates 25 Years in Action!!