As the High Country Conservation Center expands its green business program and partnership with towns in 2012, more businesses in Frisco and beyond could benefit from funding for energy savings and waste-reduction measures.

During last year's pilot program in Frisco — called Frisco Clean Tracks — many businesses benefited from free energy and waste audits (paid for by the town), which gave them insight into cost-savings and environmentally friendly practices owners could implement. High Country Conservation Center (HC3) staff provided free technical assistance to the 10 Frisco businesses that wanted to take action on items recommended through the audits.

This year, that program continues and expands to Silverthorne and Breckenridge, HC3 energy programs manager Lynne Greene said. The concept remains the same: technical support, cash for improvements and help applying for Xcel rebates that fuel the program.

Greene said the program is gaining momentum both in Frisco and beyond as a way to engage businesses and provide incentives for owners to improve operations — and there are few, if any, obstacles.

“I can't think of any downfalls with the business program,” said Greene, who lists time and knowledge as the only obstacles for a business wanting to take advantage of the program. “They're getting free money and free support.”

Peppino's Pizza & Subs in Frisco is first to sign onto Frisco Clean Tracks in its second year of operation. Greene said it helped for the owners to see their neighbors, the Shoe Inn boutique, rework their lighting virtually cost-free — and then to realize the savings on the energy bill.

“It makes good business sense,” Greene said, referencing a plethora of recent studies published in Forbes, The Economist and more about how sustainable operations is friendly to the bottom line.

“These businesses are turning to sustainability because it's a good business decision,” Greene said.

Silverthorne & Breckenridge

In Silverthorne, the new Energy Smart program is part of a quartet of initiatives being rolled out this year by the town's Economic Development Advisory Committee — including a lowered threshold for the “enhanced sales tax incentive program,” providing a Silverthorne-branded marketing program, and a matching grant program for aesthetic improvements.

According to town spokesman Ryan Hyland, Energy Smart hasn't been officially launched with its associated marketing and promotion so there's no feedback on who's opted in and how they like it.

“We're really proud of Silverthorne,” Greene said. “They got complaints, when Lowe's came in, from businesses about local businesses not being supported. This is part of their response.”

As Silverthorne looks to roll out Energy Smart, Breckenridge is creating a task force of business, restaurant and lodging representatives to brainstorm ideas for bringing business into the town's SustainableBreck initiative.

“We need to figure out how the town can involve the business community and get them to help with sustainable efforts,” Breckenridge spokeswoman Kim Dykstra-DiLallo said. “The town wants to educate the task force and let them come up with some ideas that will work with their peers.”

The first meeting is slated for 4 p.m. Feb. 7 on the third floor of Breckenridge Town Hall. Dykstra-DiLallo said the discussion could include encouraging reusable bags, composting, waste reduction and more. Town officials plan to present research gleaned from programs elsewhere in the nation — from Frisco to Aspen to California. One idea is to create a brand for SustainableBreck businesses, for example.

Which is exactly what Frisco is planning for 2012.

Taking Clean Tracks up a notch, Frisco and HC3 staff have worked together to establish a scored benchmark for businesses wanting to be branded “Clean Tracks.”

“Frisco is making the move beyond just offering cash. They want businesses to really incorporate sustainability into their operations and planning,” Greene said.

Greene said the list touches on efficiencies in the built environment, utilizing renewable energy, transportation incentives for employees, product purchasing policy and waste stream management to determine whether a business meets the minimum for becoming “Clean Tracks” certified.

It's a pilot program, Greene said.

“We might be being a little hard on businesses with this, so we'll see,” she added.