GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. – The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, in cooperation with the Pollution Prevention Advisory Board and the Colorado Environmental Partnership, has designated Alpine Bank a “Gold Leader” for its environmental leadership.  Alpine Bank is the first financial institution in Colorado to be recognized with this award by the State for its environmental commitment and continuous improvement.

The Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) is a statewide environmental recognition and reward program administered by the Department of Public Health and Environment’s Sustainability Program.  The ELP program offers benefits and incentives to members that voluntarily go beyond compliance with state and federal regulations and are committed to continual environmental improvement. 

The awards consist of three tiers, Bronze, Silver and Gold.  This year’s ELP awards program welcomed 15 new Gold Leader members, who join 18 past companies and organizations designated as Gold Leaders. 

Three years ago Alpine Bank formalized an employee grassroots effort called the Green Team.  The Green Team’s first projects were aimed at recycling and eliminating paper waste.  These efforts quickly evolved into a comprehensive Environmental Management System.  

In 2006 Alpine Bank earned and now maintains “ISO 14001” certification – the universally recognized standard for environmental management.

In line with the State of Colorado, the Alpine Bank branches have adopted the following goals to “Green the Banks” by 2012:

            20% reduction in energy use

            20% reduction in paper use

            10% reduction in water consumption

            25% reduction in courier fleet fuel consumption

(targets are measured against baseline year 2006)

For further information about Alpine Bank’s environmental efforts, visit online at www.alpinebank.com and click on Green Team.  

Alpine Bank is a $2.6 billion asset community bank with 37 locations spanning western and southwestern Colorado, serving more than 100,000 customers with retail, business, trust, asset management, mortgage and electronic banking services. Employee-owned by in excess of 520 committed men and women, Alpine Bank takes pride in supporting its local communities.

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