A Day in the Life of a CEDC Satellite Office Coordinator
It’s not just about scenic views and clear skies! Our coordinators are driving change on the ground.
For the Circular Economy Development Center (CEDC), satellite offices serve as regional hubs for developing circular solutions and providing the necessary supporting infrastructure, systems, and logistics. With a main office in Broomfield, the CEDC currently has three additional satellite offices run by three local coordinators. The activities of each office depend on the needs of the region. Coordinators foster economic and business development, address transportation and logistics issues, curate public-private partnerships, and more. We’re delighted to introduce you to our three office coordinators in this issue of the newsletter. Enjoy!
Southwest Satellite Office Coordinator: Marianne Mate
I’ve been reaching out to communities across southwest Colorado, from Alamosa to the Utah border, and have been encouraged to discover that most communities have some access to recycling through municipal, county and private programs. They’re already recycling common categories of materials and moving the materials to end markets on the front range and beyond.
In areas where there are barriers to recycling, we are bringing communities into the circular economy in various ways. This includes working with community partners to establish free recycling drop-off sites where none currently exist and collaborating with nonprofit groups, businesses and towns to provide access to plastic film recycling through the Circular Transportation Network (CTN).
I’m excited to be working with a local community to develop a free recycling drop-off site with pick ups by the CTN.
And there are many more exciting opportunities ahead to grow the circular economy in southwest Colorado.
Western Slope Satellite Office Coordinator: Mike Ritter
My day starts with strong coffee and a full calendar, typically packed with meetings across industries. As an economic development director at the Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction, I oversee three programs, each focused on building our regional economy and supporting the launch and growth of small businesses.
As a CEDC satellite office coordinator, part of my job is to bring the statewide program’s benefits directly to our community. One tangible way I do that is by connecting businesses and entities with the Circular Transportation Network. By helping them to recycle materials like film plastics that they couldn’t recycle otherwise, the Western Slope gets to contribute more materials that directly feed into Colorado’s circular economy.
By late afternoon, I’m catching up on emails and planning for the next day. No two days are alike, but each one strengthens our small-business co.
Southern Colorado Satellite Office: Alicia Archibald
I cover the southern Front Range region of the state, and I’m pleased to announce the grand opening of Pueblo’s commercial recycling drop-off center, April 22. This drop off is part of a larger initiative and partnership between Front Range Transload (FRT) and the Circular Economy Development Center with funding from the Colorado Circular Communities Enterprise.
The drop-off is at Front Range Transload, 604 W. 3rd Street in Pueblo, just south of the downtown business district. The site will be open weekly Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9am to 3pm.
Acceptable materials include aluminum, tin and steel cans; cardboard; office paper and mixed paper; plastics #1 and #2; and flexible plastic film like pallet wrap, bubble wrap, air pillows, plastic mailers, and more. (For a complete list, click here). To use the site, businesses must register on the FRT website one time to assure that they are familiar with the rules of the site. Registration is coming soon!.