PARC Aspen acknowledged among local businesses with sustainable practices

PARC Aspen was granted the Colorado Green Business Network Bronze Award July 29, joining nine other Aspen businesses recognized by the CGBN.

The Bronze Award recognizes business’ steps towards sustainability and helps those businesses receive technical support when applying for and receiving state grants that further their eco-responsibility. The awards come in four tiers: recognition, bronze, silver, and gold. 

According to Steven Trom, director of Operations and Human Resources at PARC, his restaurant has always focused on local sustainability.

“We really try to kind of bring sustainability into our culture,” Trom said. “It’s the little things, if one restaurant is doing it, that’s great, and then, you get another restaurant and another restaurant … and then it’s actually making an impact.”

Of the nine other CGBN recognized Aspen businesses, PARC is one of two specialty restaurants along with Bosq. Some of the other businesses include the St. Regis Hotel, the Aspen Community Church, and Mountain Flowers of Aspen. 

And sustainable practices aren’t happening in Aspen but across the Roaring Fork Valley as a whole. Charles Ford, chef and owner of Tiny Pine Bistro in Carbondale, noted that there is a strong community of sustainability-focused restaurants and food producers throughout the valley. Although Tiny Pine is not CGBN recognized, Ford thinks he likely checks many of the same sustainability boxes as a locally-focused, farm-to-table restaurant, intentionally and methodically using as many local producers as possible. 

“You have to really work at it,” he said. “If you take Felix at Milagro (Ranch), I’ve known him for four years … that’s where I get my beef from, developing those things is a process. It’s not a switch.” 

PARC was initially a farm-to-table restaurant, but was challenged by the seasonal change in food production, according to Trom. PARC does have all Energy Star certified appliances in their kitchen and compost, which is mandated for Aspen restaurants, he confirmed. They also try to send all leftover food home with their employees to minimize waste. 

“We’re watching our waste, the composting, the composting materials, and promoting that zero waste operation as best we can locally,” he said.

For Mountain Flowers of Aspen, CGBN support allowed them to modernize their air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, and connected them with additional local resources.

“They’ve been a really helpful resource, connecting us with other florists in order to share green practices amongst ourselves, and checking in and being supportive,” said Keegan Amit, the owner and creative director of Mountain Flowers of Aspen.

Businesses in the Roaring Fork Valley work with an Aspen chapter of the CGBN. According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment website, businesses that qualify for bronze or above qualify for a sustainability consultant, an individualized sustainability report and recommendations, and connections to funding or grants, all free of charge. 

For information on the CGBN in Aspen and the surrounding area, visit greenbiztracker.org/search?lat=39.1866933&lng=-106.8210523&radius=Any%20distance.