SUBJECT:
Title
A Resolution of the Town of Erie Town Council Adopting the Town of Erie Resilience Action Plan
Department
DEPARTMENT: Environmental Services
Presenter
PRESENTER(S): Emma Marino, Sustainability & Water Conservation Specialist
Eryka Thorley, Sustainability Manager
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Time
TIME ESTIMATE: 0 minutes
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Fiscal
FISCAL SUMMARY:
N/A
Policy
POLICY ISSUES:
Erie’s first Resilience Action Plan supports resilience related goals and best practices identified in Erie’s 2019 Sustainability Action Plan, 2025 Beneficial Electrification Plan, 2024 Comprehensive Plan, and 2023 Home Rule Charter. Additionally, it supports the currently in progress Sustainability Action Plan update which identifies resilience as one of four main Guiding Principles.
Recommendation
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt the resolution approving the Resilience Action Plan (RAP).
Body
SUMMARY/KEY POINTS
• Erie’s first RAP identifies and solidifies the Town’s support and commitment to increase resilience of residents and businesses through intentional strategies and focus areas.
• The U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimates that for every one dollar invested in resilience, $13 is realized through avoided future impacts in economic loss and infrastructure rebuilding. The plan will allow the Town to target strategic investments including State and federal grant opportunities.
• Next steps include high level integration of the RAP into the Sustainability Action Plan update as well as a second project with the CU Boulder Masters of the Environment Capstone program (recently accepted through the first round of consideration) to begin implementation of the Plan.
BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
Town staff are proud to present the Town of Erie’s first Resilience Action Plan. This new Plan is designed to strengthen the Town’s ability to adapt, thrive, and grow in the face of climate, economic, and social challenges. The Plan identifies risks and adaptive strategies for the Town to improve community preparedness for extreme weather events and social vulnerabilities. Erie stands at a pivotal point in its development with evolving environmental concerns, rapid population growth, and increasing infrastructure demands. The Plan outlines a forward-looking vision with concrete actions to ensure the Town remains secure, sustainable, and equitable in the future.
This Plan is grounded in an understanding of Town priorities, research, environmental sustainability, and best practices for long-term growth. Developing this plan was supported by a Vulnerability Assessment conducted by the University of Colorado Boulder’s Masters of the Environment (MENV) students. This assessment evaluated environmental risks and social equity hazards and included robust community engagement. Town staff, local and regional partners, and Erie residents played a vital role in shaping the recommendations presented in this Plan.
The three key areas for building long-term resilience included in this Plan are:
1. Infrastructure
2. Land Management
3. Community
Each chapter provides background on the topic, a list of current progress, accomplishments, goals, strategies, and potential community partnerships.
The Town compensated the three MENV students $1,000 for each of the three months they worked full time on the plan in the summer of 2025, totaling $9,000 for this Plan’s development plus up to $1,000 budgeted to support event engagement materials.
priorities
attachments
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Resilience Action Plan 2025
2. Resolution 25-191