Colorado Circular Communities Enterprise (C3)

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About C3

On May 8, 2024, HB24-1449 established the Colorado Circular Communities Enterprise (C3). As a result of this legislation, communities throughout Colorado will benefit from a single statewide program that employs a circularity framework for reducing and averting waste. The new C3 enterprise replaced the Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity (RREO) program and the Front Range Waste Diversion (FRWD) program on July 1, 2024. This new program modernizes pollution prevention, establishes a single board of directors, and will provide greater flexibility for grants, project funding, and technical assistance for all of Colorado.

C3 Board of Directors

Meeting information

C3 Enterprise Board of Directors Meeting October 8, 2024 Agenda

Please contact Deborah Nelson at Deborah.nelson@state.co.us if you would like to observe this meeting.

Learn more about the C3 Enterprise Board Members

Commissioner Matt Scherr, Eagle County

Representation:

• Local government.
• Waste hauler or landfill operator.
• Outside the Front Range.
• Organization works to reduce burdens that communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change experience.

Areas of expertise:

• Circular economy.
• Producer responsibility.
• Environmental health and safety.
• Economic development.
• Public finance.
• Statewide or community-wide waste diversion and aversion planning or implementation.

Commissioner Scherr serves as an Eagle County Commissioner. He represents Eagle County on the I-70 Coalition, I-70 Collaborative Effort, Intermountain Transportation Planning Region, the Climate Action Collaborative of Eagle County, the Education Foundation of Eagle County, and the Community Office for Resource Efficiency. He previously served on the Eagle County EcoTransit board and EcoBuild committees. He is engaged in Colorado Counties Inc., Counties and Commissioners Acting Together, Colorado Communities for Climate Action, the National Association of Counties, and Club 20, a coalition of 22 western Colorado counties. He regularly serves on committees that address issues related to energy, the environment, and land use. He previously served as the Executive Director for the Eagle Valley Alliance Sustainability, which is now part of the Walking Mountains Science Center.

Tyler Bandemer, Solid Waste Manager for the City of Loveland

Representation:

• Local government.
• Waste hauler or landfill operator.

Areas of expertise:

• Circular economy.
• Producer responsibility.
• Environmental health and safety.
• Circular economy or renewable energy business development or investment.
• Economic development.
• Public finance.
• Statewide or community-wide waste diversion and aversion planning or implementation.

Mr. Bandemer is a certified Manager of Landfill Operations and has established numerous community-wide waste diversion projects for the City of Loveland and previously Laramie, WY. He is a member of the American Public Works Association Solid Waste Committee, the Solid Waste Association of North America, the North Front Range Wasteshed Coalition Policy Advisory Committee, and Recycle Colorado. Loveland is a state leader in waste diversion and has one of the first pay-as-you-throw systems in the nation and offers single-stream, curbside recycling that services 30,000 households. Loveland’s full-service recycling center services 140,000 customers annually, while keeping nearly 24,000 tons of green waste out of the regional landfill, annually. Mr. Bandemer has also implemented organics waste collection and processing and single-stream recycling in Laramie, WY. Along with industry and “boots on the ground” knowledge, he brings an advanced understanding of public finance and enterprises. Mr. Bandemer previously served on the Front Range Waste Diversion Board.

Steven Bruce, General Manager for Operations at Republic Services (statewide operations)

Representation:

• Waste hauler or landfill operator.
• For-profit business.
• Organization works to reduce burdens experienced by disproportionately impacted communities.

Areas of expertise:

• Producer responsibility.
• Environmental health and safety.
• Circular economy or renewable energy business development or investment.
• Economic development.
• Statewide or community-wide waste diversion and aversion planning or implementation.

Mr. Bruce is a people leader who will bring a strong understanding of industry operations, infrastructure investment considerations, and expertise in environmental health and safety. His experience with hauler operations in Denver and Commerce City will bring invaluable insight to the board. Mr. Bruce has a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a Master in Business Administration in progress.

Winn Cowman, Owner of Cowgirl Compost CO in Routt County

Representation:

• Waste hauler or landfill operator.
• For-profit business.
• Outside the Front Range.
• Organization works to reduce burdens that communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change experience.

Areas of expertise:

• Circular economy.
• Producer responsibility.
• Environmental health and safety.
• Circular economy or renewable energy business development or investment.Statewide or community-wide waste diversion and aversion planning or implementation.

Ms. Cowman has a Master of Environmental Policy and Management, and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. She is a consultant in the areas of community circularity planning, zero waste services, and environmental regulatory management, and is the owner of Cowgirl Compost CO, a certified silver Colorado Green Business, which is a compost facility serving the greater Yampa Valley. She previously served as a landfill operator in Routt, Eagle, Mesa, Gunnison, and Rio Blanco counties. She helped with their engineering design and operation plans, environmental monitoring and reports, new cell development expansions, compost facilities, solidification basins, transfer facilities, and recycling facilities. Ms. Cowman currently serves on Routt County’s Climate Action Collaborative Waste Sector Working Group. She has supported the Extended Producer Responsibility Needs Assessment and the CDPHE Organics Management Plan 2.0. She is affiliated with Recycle Colorado, the Solid Waste Association of North America, and the Colorado Compost Council. She has worked on Recycle Colorado’s Construction and Demolition Committee. Along with expertise in composting, Ms. Cowman will bring the experiences and needs of rural Colorado and small businesses to the board’s deliberations. Ms. Cowman previously served on the Pollution Prevention Advisory Board’s Assistance Committee.

Jeff Engell, Colorado State University 16-County Western Region Specialist out of Grand Junction and faculty

Representation:

• Outside of the Front Range.
• Nonprofit business in the form of higher education.
• Organization works to reduce burdens that communities disproportionately impacted communities experience.

Areas of expertise:

• Circular economy.
• Producer responsibility.
• Environmental health and safety.
• Circular economy or renewable energy business development or investment.
• Economic development.

Mr. Engell supports community and economic development work across 16 counties in western Colorado and regularly serves as a liaison to and for rural communities along the western slope. He is an affiliate of the Regional Economic Development Institute at Colorado State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Western Regional Food Business Center. He is an advisory board member for the Colorado Mesa University Tech Business Management Program and a Colorado liaison to the Western Region Extension Risk Management Education Center. He previously worked for Colorado’s Small Business Development Center as a consultant and center director. Along with economic and community development, he brings agriculture and food business expertise. He is affiliated with the Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Grower’s Association and has worked to promote the Colorado Proud producer endorsement program. He has a Master of Science in Economics and Entrepreneurship from Lund University in Sweden and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Colorado State University. His fifteen years in the Middle East, North and East Africa, Eastern Europe, and Asia have shaped his view on resource management, scarcity, and the need for innovation and new approaches, and Colorado State University’s Extension Program perspective will support C3 as it moves to a statewide service model.

Scott “Hutch” Hutchings, Waste Management Government Affairs for the Four Corners Area (statewide operations)

Representation:

• Waste hauler or landfill operator.
• For-profit business.
• Organization works to reduce burdens that communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change experience.

Areas of expertise:

• Circular economy.
• Producer responsibility.
• Statewide or community-wide waste diversion and aversion planning or implementation.

Hutch brings policy and statewide infrastructure expertise as he has contributed to creating a wide network of transfer stations, materials recovery facilities, and landfills. He also brings a multi-state perspective that will support the work of the C3 Enterprise and the Circular Economy Development Center to create sufficient supply and demand. Hutch is engaged in Colorado Counties Inc., the Colorado Municipal League, multiple Chambers of Commerce, Colorado Motor Carriers, Coloradans for Energy Access, Recycle Colorado, the Colorado Clean Fuels Alliance, and the City of Denver Energy Efficiency Advisory Board. He also currently serves as the Rocky Mountain Representative to the National Waste and Recycling Association Board of Governors. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Western American History from Metro State University.

Joshua Kirschner, Environmental Health and Safety Specialist for Valor Tactical in Grand Junction

Representation:

• Outside the Front Range.
• For-profit business.

Areas of Expertise:

• Circular economy.
• Producer responsibility.
• Environmental health and safety.

Along with environmental health and safety expertise, Mr. Kirschner brings a deep understanding of manufacturing operations which can assist the board and the Circular Economy Development Center in its work to advance circularity across the state. Valor Tactical is a member of the Colorado Green Business Network (CGBN). The CGBN previously recognized the organization for its commitment to sustainability after reducing emissions and hazardous waste produced by the facility’s processes. Mr. Kirschner has a Master in Business Administration in corporate responsibility and a Bachelor of Science in Ecosystem Science and Sustainability from Colorado State University. He is also certified in Carbon Management from Colorado State University and as a Sustainability Professional by the Global Resources Institute. He currently serves as a member of Mesa County’s Safety Council.

Maggie Nichols, Vice President for Transportation and Logistics at Iron Woman Trucking

Representation:

• Waste hauler or landfill operator.
• For-profit business.
• Experience working with communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change.

Areas of expertise:

• Statewide or community-wide waste diversion and aversion planning or implementation.

Along with an advanced understanding of construction and demolition material, Ms. Nichols brings expertise in trucking and transportation which is a significant challenge to achieving waste diversion and circularity in Colorado. She is a member of Recycle Colorado, the Association of General Contractors of Colorado, Hispanic Contractors of Colorado, the Construction and Demolition Recycling Association, and the Colorado Motor Carriers Association. Iron Woman Trucking also has experience working with Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZones) and communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change.

Jeannine Rustad, Director of Planning and Business Development for the City of Aurora

Representation:

• Local government.
• Organization works to reduce burdens that communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change experience.

Areas of expertise:

• Economic development.
• Public finance.

Ms. Rustad brings an understanding of business development opportunities and needs when working with historically underrepresented communities. Along with the Aurora business development work, she is engaged in the Aurora South Metro Small Business Development Center. She partners with the Center for Community Wealth Building on projects such as Shop BIPOC and Feeding Anchors. She is a member of the Colorado Chapter of the American Planning Association, Urban Land Institute, and Commercial Real Estate Women. Ms. Rustad has a Bachelor of Science in Finance, a Master of Urban and Regional Planning, and a Juris Doctorate.

Sanjay Rajan, MAANUKA Consulting dba Konbit.One + ClimateResilient.Earth, Superior, Boulder County, CO

Representation:

• For-profit business.
• Organization works to reduce burdens that communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change experience.

Areas of expertise:

• Circular economy.
• Producer responsibility.
• Environmental health and safety.
• Circular economy or renewable energy business development or investment.
• Economic development.

Mr. Rajan is an innovation strategist and systems thinker with extensive experience in developing public-private partnerships and infrastructure globally. He specializes in driving circularity in food systems and textiles. Mr. Rajan collaborates with startups, incubators, and accelerators to advance social entrepreneurship, sustainability, and climate resilience. Currently, he is working on redesigning food systems with Native American communities and on the island of Crete as part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Big Food Redesign Challenge. Previously, Sanjay served as President of the United Nations Association in Denver, where he championed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) locally. He also spent seven years as a board member and chair of the board’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee for Seva Foundation, a non-profit eye care organization that builds sustainable, equitable eye care systems globally.

Nina Waysdorf, Waste Diversion and Recycling Manager for the Solid Waste Management Division within the City and County of Denver, Department of Transportation and Infrastructure

Representation:

• Local government.
• Organization works to reduce burdens that communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change experience.

Areas of expertise:

• Circular economy.
• Statewide or community-wide waste diversion and aversion planning or implementation.

Ms. Waysdorf holds a Masters of the Environment from CU Boulder with a specialization in sustainable food systems policy. She brings communications, education, and outreach expertise as well as local government policy and project management experience. She previously served as the Sustainability Programs Manager at the Walking Mountains Science Center in Eagle County, served on Recycle Colorado’s Construction and Demolition Committee, and as adjunct faculty at Colorado Mountain College for its Sustainability Studies program. She is a member of Recycle Colorado. Ms. Waysdorf previously served on the Front Range Waste Diversion Board.

Alex Wise, Executive Director for Community Enterprise Development Services (CEDS Finance), Aurora, CO

Representation:

• Nonprofit business.
• Organization works to reduce burdens that communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change experience.

Areas of expertise:

• Economic development.

Ms. Wise is an accomplished leader with extensive experience in small business financing, economic development, and inclusive community engagement. Ms. Wise has significantly advanced CEDS Finance’s mission of empowering refugees, immigrants, and low-to-moderate-income entrepreneurs. Over her eight-year tenure, she has driven a remarkable $11 million increase in total assets and facilitated an additional $13 million in economic investment. Her leadership has ensured that 80% of funds were deployed to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) business owners, with 70% supporting low- to extremely low-income entrepreneurs. Under Ms. Wise’s stewardship, CEDS Finance has been recognized twice as Colorado Community Lender of the Year by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and received the Diversity & Inclusion Champion Award from the Aurora Chamber of Commerce. Before joining CEDS Finance, Ms. Wise gained invaluable experience in strategy consulting with Booz Allen Hamilton and The Monitor Group, and in international economic development with organizations such as DAI and Global Communities. Ms. Wise has a Master of International Business from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, specializing in emerging market finance.

Rachel Roussel-Diamond, Division of Environmental Health and Sustainability Policy Manager

Representation:

• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Areas of expertise:

• Circular economy.
• Producer responsibility.
• Environmental health and safety.
• Circular economy or renewable energy business development or investment.
• Public finance.
• Statewide or community-wide waste diversion and aversion planning or implementation.

Ms. Roussel-Diamond has extensive experience partnering and negotiating agreements between local, state, and federal partners, industry and community-based organizations, and stakeholders to advance Colorado’s sustainability goals. She currently serves as the Division of Environmental Health and Sustainability Policy Manager and, in this capacity, coordinates across the department and with stakeholders on a variety of initiatives. Along with her extensive background in sustainability, Ms. Roussel-Diamond has long championed environmental justice as it dovetails into the economic, environmental, and social pillars of sustainability. She previously represented the department on the Front Range Waste Diversion Board and the Pollution Prevention Advisory Board.

Funding Opportunities

All grants previously awarded under the RREO and FRWD programs will continue through this transition.

• The FRWD program will repeal on July 1, 2025; however, existing and awarded contracts will continue under C3 as of July 1, 2024.
• The RREO program will repeal on October 1, 2025, with existing and awarded contracts continuing through September 30, 2025.

There will be no additional requests for applications under the RREO or FRWD programs. The next funding opportunity will be available with the C3 program after the new board of directors convenes. We anticipate that an application will be available in early 2025. To stay informed of program and funding developments, please sign up for the mailing list at the bottom of this webpage.

Technical Assistance Service Provider Program

The Technical Assistance Service Provider (TASP) program assists local governments, K-12 public school districts, and tribes across Colorado with their efforts to avert and divert waste by implementing sustainable, long term solutions that meet the unique needs of each community. TASP delivers technical assistance to Colorado communities ranging from workshops to multiple-month direct no cost consulting support.

The TASP team has compiled a list of resources to help local governments achieve their waste diversion potential. Visit the TASP Resource Library to learn more.

The TASP program was originally developed under the Front Range Waste Diversion Program in 2022 and was restricted to communities in the Colorado Front Range. As a result of HB24-1449, the TASP program is being redesigned to expand statewide under the C3 Enterprise. During this time the program is not accepting new communities. We anticipate relaunching the program in early 2025. To be notified when technical assistance is available, please sign up for the mailing list at the bottom of this webpage.

Contact us

Join our email list to stay up-to-date on C3 information, or email us at c3.inquiries@state.co.us