Jeffco Students and Parents Celebrate School Board Vote on New Sustainability Policy

Students and parents are celebrating a new “Ends” policy focusing on sustainability and energy efficiency efforts for the school district. Earlier this year, students proposed a policy to urge the district to focus on reducing emissions, prioritizing energy efficiency, reducing waste and ensuring that schools are doing their part to prepare students for the future ahead.

Jeffco School Board members unanimously approved the new “Ends”, which adds sustainability as a core value and priority across the district. In addition, last month the Board approved adding 6 electric school buses to their fleet, reducing CO2 emission by approximately 1.6 million pounds compared to diesel buses and saving the district over $500,000.

A local coalition of parents, students and nonprofits including Mountain Mamas and Evergreen Sustainability Alliance came together to form Jeffco Students and Parents for Climate Action to urge the school district to adopt sustainability policies and practices to reduce emissions, save money through energy efficiency and ensure students are properly prepared for greener jobs and environmental stewardship. Schools are major public energy users and polluters. Integrating sustainability into operations, curriculum, and culture can reduce costs, save resources and help prepare students for the future.

“Mountain Mamas has been so impressed with the incredible work of these students who brought their passion and ideas to this policy proposal, as well as with Jeffco’s openness to embrace sustainability as a core value of the district,” said Sara Kuntzler, Colorado State Director for Mountain Mamas. “We’re excited about the possibilities for Jeffco to save money that can be put back into the classroom, cleaner air for the community and reduced waste in our schools. As we watch federal progress on climate get rolled back, it’s critical that these kids see there are adults and institutions fighting alongside them for a healthy climate for future generations.”

Jeffco Public Schools can look to neighboring districts for proven strategies to reduce emissions and cut costs. Denver Public Schools has avoided over $5.6 million annually through energy efficiency efforts and is adding electric buses with state and federal support, benefiting both air quality and budgets. Aurora Public Schools cut building energy use by 12% in just four years, saving over $1 million. Cherry Creek’s energy-saving initiative is expected to reduce emissions by 25% and save $20 million over 20 years. Meanwhile, Boulder Valley is leading in waste diversion and low-emission transportation, with a goal to cut transportation emissions by 25% by 2026. Sustainability is not just about protecting the future climate; it can deliver real financial returns for schools at a time when districts are tightening their belts.

It’s also critical for students to see schools doing their part to reduce emissions and protect their future climate. Children are uniquely vulnerable to the climate crisis, not only because they will face its escalating impacts throughout their lives, but also because they are more physically and emotionally susceptible to its effects. From extreme heat and natural disasters to the psychological toll of climate anxiety, the crisis is already disrupting children’s development, well-being, and sense of security. For many, fears about the future are affecting their daily lives, making climate change not just an environmental issue, but a growing mental health crisis for today’s youth.