Colorado Springs, CO — In recognition of Earth Day, the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) is proud to highlight significant progress in its sustainability efforts through a strategic investment throughout the department. Through targeted investments and a commitment to long-term energy stewardship, CDOC has achieved a 19% reduction in electricity usage and a 20% decrease in water consumption across its state correctional facilities since fiscal year (FY) 2014-15.
These gains are the result of infrastructure upgrades, operational improvements, and data-informed decision making. CDOC has strategically leveraged existing resources to modernize systems, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and minimize water use. CDOC continues to deliver meaningful results while maximizing cost efficiency, as the long-term work has helped achieve cost avoidance in the face of increased energy costs.
CDOC’s Utility Management team has been instrumental in driving these results by using innovative technologies to monitor and reduce utility usage. Staff recently utilized Google Earth to identify and repair underground water leaks, resulting in measurable reductions in water waste. In the last fiscal year alone, the department replaced over 25,000 incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED lighting. These efforts, combined with advanced utility tracking through EnergyCAP software, have strengthened CDOC’s ability to measure impact and accelerate its energy-saving goals.
Sustainability gains also extend to CDOC’s fleet operations. Since FY 2014-15, the agency has achieved a 34.36% reduction in fleet-related greenhouse gas emissions, resulting in the elimination of over 2 million kilograms of CO₂. The fleet team has installed 40 DCFC charging ports across Colorado, actively reduced vehicle count through right-sizing efforts, and earned the 2024 Drive Clean Colorado Fleet Leadership Award for bold leadership in clean transportation.
“At CDOC, we take our responsibility as stewards of state resources seriously. These reductions reflect years of strategic planning, cross-agency collaboration, and a shared commitment to building a more efficient and environmentally conscious correctional system.” — Andre Stancil, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Corrections.
These achievements reflect more than operational efficiency, and they are part of CDOC’s broader strategy to modernize infrastructure, minimize environmental impact, and lead by example in sustainable practices across state government.
As we mark Earth Day 2025, CDOC reaffirms its commitment to sustainability efforts that benefit not only our operations but also the communities we serve.
For more information on CDOC’s energy management efforts, visit the EnergyCAP Success Story.
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PRESS CONTACT:
Alondra Gonzalez
Director of Communications
Colorado Department of Corrections
Cell- 719-487-5040
Email: DOC_pio@state.co.us
This press release may also be found on our press releases page.