Boulder County and Colorado CarShare Partner to Boost Transportation Options for Community of Affordable Homes in Louisville
One of Colorado CarShare’s new electric vehicles!
Boulder County, Colo. – Boulder County Mobility for All, Boulder County Housing and Human Services (BCDHHS), and Colorado CarShare are thrilled to announce the launch of a pilot car share program into Louisville.
Located at Kestrel, a community of affordable homes in Louisville located just northwest of Highway 42 and South Boulder Road, the pilot program will support an inclusive, multi-generational community development to help meet the region’s growing demand for accessible and connected transit serving neighborhoods of affordable homes. The new carshare service will complement existing transit at the Kestrel community in Louisville, which includes 71 permanently-affordable homes for adults 55-and-over and 129 multi-family homes.
“This is a first in Louisville and a great opportunity to make it easier than ever to save money on transportation expenses,” said Angel Bond, Mobility for All Program Manager. “We are really excited to add carsharing to the suite of transportation options that help Kestrel residents meet all of their transportation needs without having to own their own car. Residents have access to RTD FlexRide, 228 & DASH Routes with a free RTD EcoPass; Boulder County offers a new on-demand, Ride Free Lafayette service that can take residents to Lafayette; Via Mobility Services and RTD Access-a-Ride provide paratransit services for older adults and individuals with disabilities; pedestrians and bikes can travel by trail to Waneka and Harpers Lakes; so this provides a natural complement.”
The pilot car share program, which is currently funded through 2021 by Boulder County, is expected to continue into next year, with the hope that funding can be secured to provide a shared electric vehicle (EV) with a charging station that may be available for both the Colorado CarShare EV and local residents. The initiative will include free carshare credits and deeply discounted membership and rates to Kestrel residents. This initiative is complemented by a similar carshare program in downtown Longmont that is also supported by Boulder County.
The Kestrel CarShare launch event in Louisville, Feb. 7th, 2021.
“It has long been a fundamental tenet of Colorado CarShare to serve our community in mixed-income areas, and we are excited to take this step forward in sustainability with Boulder County,” said Colorado CarShare’s CEO and Executive Director, Peter Krahenbuhl. “We expect this initiative to act as a catalyst for additional car share vehicles and hopefully shared EV charging stations in the community,” Krahenbuhl continued.
The Kestrel carshare launch event in Louisville was held on Feb. 7, and included children of Kestrel families, who were able to hand stamp the parking space in bright paint colors.
“Carsharing is such a needed service for neighborhoods all over Boulder County, and especially for communities such as Kestrel, where older adults and busy working families live,” said BCDHHS Property Manager Haley Jory, who is helping organize the launch event. “We are proud to partner with Colorado CarShare and Boulder County’s Mobility for All Program to help bring more transportation options to our residents.”
*If you or anyone you know lives in a BCHP or other qualified affordable housing program, please contact [email protected], as you may qualify for a greatly discounted carshare service!
About Boulder County Housing and Human Services:
The Boulder County Department of Housing and Human Services is a 500-person integrated services delivery organization that is focused on supporting whole families and individuals through a Two-Generation, Social Determinants of Health approach. BCDHHS serves more than 90,000 distinct clients with a wide range of wrap-around services, including food, housing, health coverage, childcare, safety, education and skill building, parenting supports, and much more. Follow Boulder County Housing and Human Services via social media at www.Facebook.com/BCDHHS and visit www.BoulderCountyHHS.org to learn more about BCDHHS’ prevention-based wrap-around community supports and services.
https://carshare.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/CoCarshare_horiz_color-300x56.png00CO CarSharehttps://carshare.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/CoCarshare_horiz_color-300x56.pngCO CarShare2021-03-18 22:07:092021-03-23 22:53:40New Affordable Car Sharing Option in Louisville
Colorado CarShare and The Alliance Center are excited to announce a partnership that will improve community mobility while reducing carbon and costs! The goal — tackle climate challenges and maximize positive impacts for business and society.
Earlier this year, The Alliance Center announced a vehicle-to-building (V2B) project in collaboration with Fermata Energy. The pilot will connect electric vehicles (EVs), grid electrification and building resiliency to combat climate change in a unique way. Colorado CarShare strengthens this project by incorporating EV car sharing into the equation. Specifically, the shared EV will be available to The Alliance Center staff and tenants along with the broader community. The electric vehicle’s battery will serve as a demand resource by providing power to The Alliance Center when it is parked.
Bi-directional charging where vehicle provides power to the building
“Not only will this effort help reduce the building’s reliance on energy during high-cost demand events, but the community will be able to access a zero emission vehicle,” said Chris Bowyer, director of building operations at The Alliance Center.
The car will also replace an estimated 9 to 13 individually-owned vehicles due to its carsharing model. This would be equivalent to the CO2 emissions equivalent to between 4,600 and 6,800 gallons of gasoline per year.
This opportunity allows The Alliance Center, Fermata Energy and Colorado CarShare to be at the forefront of V2B and EV technologies and is one of the first partnerships of its kind in the world combining carsharing and V2B to a building business model.
As a fundamental tenet of Colorado CarShare is to serve our community by providing sustainable mobility solutions, including shared electric vehicles, we are excited to partner on this national first with The Alliance Center and Fermata Energy. We expect this initiative to act as a catalyst for many more shared electric vehicle (V2B) charging stations in similar communities around Denver and beyond.
https://carshare.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/[email protected]476640Peter Krahenbuhlhttps://carshare.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/CoCarshare_horiz_color-300x56.pngPeter Krahenbuhl2021-03-09 03:17:422021-09-15 19:42:02Nation’s first Electric CarShare Vehicle-to-Building (V2B) Technology!
Colorado CarShare is now offering *free CarShare rides to COVID-19 vaccine appointments for our community’s most vulnerable!
In pursuit of our mission to support increased social, economic and mobility access and equity, we are currently providing free car share use for people at higher risk of illness. This includes 65+ year old adults, front-line workers, and other qualifying members gain access to vaccines.
How?
First of all, make sure that you are a Colorado CarShare Member! If you are not yet, click here to join and choose a carshare rate plan, including plans for residents of qualified affordable housing programs.
Just schedule your vaccine appointment, reserve a Colorado CarShare vehicle for your appointment time, and send us verification of your appointment time and place! Then, we will then cover the cost of your car share fee for your time during that appointment (read: No you can’t add on a ski trip to the freebie!).
We’re happy to extend this offer to new members as well – so tell your family and friends! They can contact us via email ([email protected]) for more information on how to receive a waived application fee and free ride to their vaccine appointment!
When?
Now until we run out of credit for this program!
* Compensation up to $25, must provide verification of appointment time and location, for a limited time only – general population vaccine distribution do not qualify.
https://carshare.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Covid-Vaccin-Older-Adults-AARP.jpeg170296Peter Krahenbuhlhttps://carshare.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/CoCarshare_horiz_color-300x56.pngPeter Krahenbuhl2021-03-08 18:44:192021-03-08 18:44:44Free CarShare Use for COVID-19 Vaccinations!
The Community Education & Outreach Intern will help us develop and implement targeted strategic communications and marketing campaigns to maximize the usage of our fleet and improve messaging around other aspects of our mission related to social equity and mobility. This includes supporting campaigns around “multi-modal” mobility (ex. Boulder B-cycle partner campaigns). Responsibilities will include developing communications material; educating and engaging community members, current CO CarShare members, and local partners; supporting social media efforts. Assist with fleet maintenance as needed.
If interested, please review the full position description below and our website. Then, email us at [email protected] with your resume, availability, and a cover letter that speaks to your skills, passions, & reasons why you would be an ideal fit for this opportunity.
Spring is right around the corner, and that means more time spent outside gardening, hiking, skiing, home improvement projects, and spring cleaning. Colorado CarShare offers affordable truck share for your every need! Want to freshen up your landscaping, but don’t have a way to transport your yard waste? Our awesome 2020 Toyota Tacoma pick-up trucks can fit all of your yard clippings in a spacious truck bed! Want to take your family or friends skiing in the mountains or camping in the desert, but don’t have access to an all-wheel drive vehicle to do so? We can help!
Rent one of our Toyota RAV-4s, Subaru Outbacks, or Volkswagen Tiguans. In addition to all-wheel drive, we got you covered with bike racks and ski racks, 5 seats with folding back seats, and plenty of room in the trunk to fit camping gear! Not to mention, our Rav4 SUVs are hybrids, so you’ll be driving cleaner and greener into the mountains!
Colorado CarShare trucks and AWD vehicles are conveniently located all around the Denver-Boulder metro area. Our Tacoma pick-up trucks are equipped with four-wheel drive, folding rear seats and have a bike tailgate rack/bag option. And right now, they even are fitted with winter tires, perfect for spring skiing trips to the mountains.
Colorado CarShare’s AWD 2018 Toyota RAV-4
Don’t Forget:
Not only are our trucks and all-wheel drive vehicles spacious and durable, they are also super affordable. We cover all gas, insurance, and regular maintenance, so you can buy that extra lift ticket or camping chair!
We are also still offering our incredibly affordable Weekly Rate Plan! Rent a CarShare vehicle for a week and pay a flat rate of $297* or $363* for trucks or AWD vehicles. Gas, insurance, and the first 250 miles are on us! If you are a regular day-plus user, consider joining our Simply Hourly plan, which includes 100 miles for the first full day.
How do I rent trucks or AWDs?
Go online to check out our rates and sign up to join the car share revolution!
If you’re already a Colorado CarShare member, you can go online now to book your truck or all-wheel drive vehicle for all your springtime transportation needs! To do so, simply add “Vehicle Types” (e.g. “AWD”) or Required Features (e.g. “ski rack”) to your search criteria.
*taxes not included
https://carshare.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Tacoma-final-1-e1614204941404.png24613931CO CarSharehttps://carshare.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/CoCarshare_horiz_color-300x56.pngCO CarShare2021-02-24 23:14:162021-02-25 01:00:15Spring into Spring w/ CO CarShare Trucks & AWDs!
Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency (CASR), Colorado Carshare and Denver Housing Authority (DHA) are thrilled to announce the expansion of an electric vehicle (EV) car share program into six under-resourced communities in Denver.
With support under the federal CARES Act this includes the deployment of six shared EVs and associated “charging stations” in order to improve local mobility options in these communities. Colorado CarShare is offering deeply discounted rates for residents in qualified housing programs (see below for locations). The project seeks to alleviate the economic, public health and safety impacts of the COVID-19 emergency, while meeting the City’s social equity, mobility and climate change goals.
Why is it important?
Many lower-income residents are experiencing challenges related to reaching necessities and services during the worst health and economic crisis in modern history. Safe, reliable, and affordable mobility options are a critical lifeline for groceries, employment, medical care and other basic human necessities. Yet many people deemed vulnerable do not own a personal vehicle.
CASR, in partnership with Colorado CarShare, previously piloted an electric carshare site in Denver’s Mariposa neighborhood in 2019 and based on the success of this location sought opportunities to expand the program. They worked closely with Denver Housing Authority, the affordable housing provider for Denver, to find potential sites that were located in under resourced communities and which could support additional shared EVs as compliments to other mobility options.
“It has long been a fundamental tenet of Colorado CarShare to serve our community in mixed-income areas, and we are excited to take this step forward in sustainability with CASR and Denver Housing Authority,” said Colorado CarShare’s CEO Peter Krahenbuhl. “We expect this initiative to act as a catalyst for many more shared electric vehicles in similar communities around Denver,” Krahenbuhl continued.
2855 Tremont St, Denver Motor Vehicles Building, Five Points/Whittier Neighborhoods
330 24th Ave, Denver Housing Authority, Five Points Neighborhood
10th and Decatur, Denver Housing Authority, Sun Valley, Sun Valley Neighborhood
1024 Navajo, Denver Housing Authority, Lincoln Park Neighborhood
2004 Chestnut Place, City lot, Union Station/Five Points Neighborhoods
1600 N Downing St, Urban Land Conservancy, City Park West Neighborhood
If you or anyone you know lives in a DHA or other qualified affordable housing program, please contact [email protected], as you may qualify for a greatly discounted carshare service!
https://carshare.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/image0-e1611193974866.jpg383560Peter Krahenbuhlhttps://carshare.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/CoCarshare_horiz_color-300x56.pngPeter Krahenbuhl2021-01-21 02:28:402021-01-22 04:17:29Colorado CarShare & City of Denver Launch Electric Car Share Program
We are super excited to announce the fact that we enter 2021 with nearly 25% of our carshare fleet electrified! That’s right, we now have a dozen electric vehicles (EVs) or plug-in hybrid electric (PHEVs)! The journey has been an adventure, one that we’re just beginning!
The Adventure Began!
In the summer of 2017 Colorado CarShare (then eGo CarShare) commissioned the development of a roadmap to electrify our fleet. Our intent was to become the nation’s first electric vehicle (EV) car share nonprofit in order to better align our mobility, social equity and environmental values. The goal: to create a replicable, scalable model that could amplify shared electric mobility across Colorado and beyond.
Our roadmap included a 2-tiered analysis regarding how we could (attempt to) accomplish this:
Internal considerations: operations, finances, etc.
External issues: EV technology/costs, charging stations, and related location partnerships (i.e. we don’t own buildings)
Needless to say, we were admittedly a bit optimistic and perhaps slightly naive regarding how difficult it would be. But…we’re stubborn, and by 2018 we decided we’d give it a go, starting with our one existing plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV). By 2019 we had 3 EVs/PHEVs. We added a few more in 2020, and we’re launching 2021 now with a dozen shared EVs on the road!
For us this is huge, as it means we’re approaching 25% of our fleet of 50 vehicles that are now electrified. While serving mixed income communities we’re getting carbon out of the air! Plus our EVs are just super fun to drive…like a spaceship! As a part of this, we are now partnering with the City of Denver to launch electrified car sharing in low-income neighborhoods. Read more about that here. And we will continue to strive toward full electrification just as soon as we possibly can.
If you know of any potential partnerships that would help us to achieve our goals (especially locations with charging stations), please let us know!
https://carshare.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/IMG_2445.jpg480640Peter Krahenbuhlhttps://carshare.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/CoCarshare_horiz_color-300x56.pngPeter Krahenbuhl2021-01-21 01:47:262021-01-21 16:15:09Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it’s all EV Carsharing we go! (ish)
As we move into another round of COVID-19 resurgence, we want to reiterate that the safety and wellbeing of our staff, members and the general public, is a core value of Colorado CarShare. This guidance is to mitigate the chance of transmission for COVID-19 and other seasonal diseases through surface exposure from the daily operation of our car share fleet vehicles and equipment. By employing regular cleaning and disinfecting practices to our fleet vehicles and equipment we can effectively minimize the transmission of these diseases while utilizing these vehicles and equipment.
Cleaning and disinfecting these surfaces with approved cleaners and disinfectants removes the vast majority of bacteria and viruses that cause flu, colds and other seasonal illnesses reducing the probability of transmission.
Definitions
Cleaning: refers to the removal of germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. Cleaning does not kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection. Cleaning is typically performed using soap, detergents, cleansers and clean water before using a disinfecting method.
Disinfecting: refers to using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection. Disinfecting is typically performed using approved commercial or household disinfecting solutions.
Staff Guidance for Fleet Vehicles and Equipment. All employees operating or servicing car share fleet vehicles must:
Clean commonly touched surfaces before and after operation and before disinfecting with an approved disinfectant; wearing nitrile gloves* is highly recommended.
Using a UV light “wand” to disinfect high touch surfaces is recommended. This can kill 99.9% of microorganisms by physical sterilization according to the approved laboratory research.
All commonly touched surfaces used to access and control the vehicle should be cleaned and disinfected; common surfaces include but are not limited to:
Door Handles and grab bars Interior door handle and surrounding surface
Instrument panel, gear shift and control knobs and devices
Mirrors or mirror control buttons
Vehicle keys and Seatbelts
Steering wheel, Dashboard, Radio and temperature controls
Repeat cleaning and disinfecting practices at end of shift or vehicle exchange.
Wash hands after cleaning for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol based hand sanitizer.
(*Note: Wearing gloves will not stop transmission if you touch a potentially contaminated surface and then touch your face or other surface with the gloves on.)
Note: Employees will use cloth face coverings while in vehicles with two or more employees, public, partners, or cooperators until further notice.
Availability of Approved Disinfectants. In addition to commercially available disinfectants, alcohol solutions with at least 70% ethyl or isopropyl alcohol may be used to meet the intent of this guideline. Alcohol is effective against Coronavirus. Isopropyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol (70%) is a powerful broad- spectrum germicide and can be used to disinfect plastic, glass and metal vehicle surfaces. Since alcohol is flammable, limit its use as a surface disinfectant to small surface-areas and use it in well-ventilated spaces only away from ignition sources. Allow the ethyl alcohol (70% or greater) solution to set on the surface for at least 45 seconds before wiping it off with a disposable towel.
Wear disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. Gloves should be discarded after each cleaning. If reusable gloves are used, those gloves should be dedicated for cleaning and disinfection of surfaces for COVID-19 and should not be used for other purposes. Clean hands immediately after gloves are removed.
Refueling. Drivers should wear gloves when refueling if available. If gloves are unavailable, drivers should wipe down the fuel pump handle with sanitizing wipes. If you don’t have wipes, then consider using a paper towel to grab the fuel dispenser handle. Drivers shall dispose of gloves in a refuse receptacle before re-entering the vehicle. Drivers should sanitize their hands after the completion of the fueling of a vehicle.
COVID-19 Exposed Vehicles. Vehicles exposed to the COVID-19 virus should be thoroughly disinfected and cleaned. The extent of cleaning must be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Fleet Manager, assigned vehicle supervisor, and the individual who is assigned to the vehicle.
Stock Disinfectant / Wipes. Fleet Managers should make sure each vehicle is stocked with a disinfectant (spray or wipes) and an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol where possible.
Carshare Member Vehicle Use
Stay Home if Sick. If you have a fever, respiratory symptoms, or are just not feeling well, please stay home and do not enter a carshare vehicle. If you do, please contact use right away so that we can ensure nobody else enters the vehicle until it is fully disinfected / deep cleaned.
Vehicle Sanitizing / Cleaning. We recommend that our members clean/wipe down the vehicle in high touch point areas prior to use with wet wipes provided, wearing nitrile or vinyl gloves if you have them. Where possible, do not travel in vehicles with anyone outside of your family household, and limit the number of people in the vehicle so that all riders can remain a minimum of 6 feet apart. It is recommended that the same people share the same vehicle to minimize exposure. The driver or passenger must clean the vehicle after use!
To properly clean a vehicle:
Put on a pair of gloves (if available) that are appropriate for the disinfectant you are using, or use disinfectant sanitation wipes provided (or cloth with hand sanitizer). If there are no sanitation wipes in the vehicle please let us know right away.
If surfaces are noticeably dirty, clean soiled surfaces with a detergent or soap and water before you disinfect them.
Use a disinfectant to clean all soft and hard surfaces:
Door Handles and grab bars Interior door handle and surrounding surface
Instrument panel, gear shift and control knobs and devices
Mirrors or mirror control buttons
Vehicle keys and Seatbelts
Steering wheel, Dashboard, Radio and temperature controls
Remove (from the vehicle) and throw away used gloves, sanitizing wipes, etc. in the trash.
Vehicle Fueling. Drivers should wear gloves when refueling if available. If gloves are unavailable, drivers should wipe down the fuel pump handle with sanitizing wipes. If you don’t have wipes, then consider using a paper towel to grab the fuel dispenser handle. Drivers shall dispose of gloves in a refuse receptacle before re-entering the vehicle. Drivers should sanitize their hands after the completion of the fueling of a vehicle.
22 years ago (we turned 22 on 8/22/2020 to be exact!), we were founded as Boulder Car Share, a small neighborhood nonprofit sharing a little red car and a big dream: Improving lives in our community by enabling a car-free lifestyle.
A lot has changed in the last 22 years, both in the world of transportation and the world around us. We’ve seen one after another private car sharing agency come and go in the metro area. We’ve also seen a wider adoption of private electric vehicles, and a massive expansion in the world of microbility.
Meanwhile, we here at eGo have steadfastly continued to support our community mission, expanding to dozens of locations in Denver and Boulder. We’ve continued to provide environmentally conscious, socially equitable transportation options in service of the local communities where we live, work, and play.
With reflection on these past 22 years, and many conversations on our future to come, our board felt that our birthday was the perfect time to reaffirm who we are and what we stand for.
And so,
In recognition of our continued love for serving our home state of Colorado
In commitment to our goal of being the nation’s first 100% electric carsharing nonprofit
In dedication to building a stronger, more resilient organization and a more sustainable future for Coloradans
Allow us to reintroduce ourselves!
We’re Colorado CarShare. Same mission, with a fresh commitment to our principles and to our shared future. Buckle up—we’re just getting started.
https://carshare.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/CoCarshare_horiz_color-300x56.png00Peter Krahenbuhlhttps://carshare.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/CoCarshare_horiz_color-300x56.pngPeter Krahenbuhl2020-09-29 01:55:082020-09-29 01:55:08Say Hello to Colorado CarShare!
As we celebrate the 50th Earth Day, it is hard to believe what an incredibly difficult time we’ve all been through. At eGo CarShare we’ve already had to take over a quarter of our fleet offline, at least for now. But…in a world where millions are now unemployed and business windows are permanently shuttered, we know that life is more important, and…we are still here. Because of you.
The Earth has had a chance to breathe, if briefly, and we’ve experienced new levels of gratitude. So we give thanks for everything that we have — for life, for family, for those we have lost, and for those on the front lines who have sacrificed for the rest of us. We are also thankful for you, our Members, our volunteers, our community, and our rock star staff, who took voluntary time and pay cuts to keep eGo alive during this difficult time. We especially want to thank those of you who believed in us enough to have made an extra donation. You have made a difference.
We’re almost there. Governor Polis has already pointed to the light of a brighter future and of hope for some semblance of normalcy. But we can still use your help, so that we can be there for you and for the most vulnerable members of our community during and beyond this crisis. So if you feel so inclined please help us to help eGo survive, thrive and build a more prosperous, resilient and sustainable Colorado.
And again, from all of us here at eGo CarShare, from our Board, from our staff and from our amazing volunteers, thank you, be safe, be healthy and be well.
Save our Fleet — Sponsor an eGo Car & Get Prepaid Credit!
We’ve lost a quarter of our fleet to the current crisis! If you want to ensure that your neighborhood car stays put, consider sponsoring an eGo vehicle while getting free carshare credit as a win-win!
$100 earns you a 10% bonus ($110 in credit) + neighborhood car stays put for 1 week
$500 earns you a 15% bonus ($575 in credit) + neighborhood car stays put for 1 month
$1000 earns you a 25% bonus ($1250 in credit) + neighborhood car stays put for 2 months
Just give us a call at 303-720-1185 and mention “Credit 100/500/1000” depending on how much of a bonus you want.
Free Credit for Medical/Healthcare & Volunteers
If you are a medical or health professional, or a volunteer for a nonprofit like Boulder Food Rescue, Denver’s ALittleHelp.org or part of a formal Covid-19 response effort, we want to show you our gratitude and help the helpers with free eGo CarShare usage. Give us a call at 303-720-1185 to redeem.
If everyone donates just $10-$25, we can continue to offer you low cost access to vehicles when you need them, now and beyond the crisis. Your impact will be doubled as our Board will match every penny donated up to $5,000!
It took a global pandemic for the world to finally acknowledge that nature is in fact a critical, “essential” human service, one that we all need now more than ever! So enjoy Spring, Get Outdoors, but #BeCovidSafe and keep your distance!
We continue to work hard to keep you safe, with increased sanitation efforts. We also ask that you please use the provided wet wipes / sanitation before and after your trips. For more information visit the CDC’s website.
Thank you for supporting your community carshare! ~ eGo CarShare
eGo CarShare’s mission is to empower our community to live a car-free lifestyle and have a positive impact on our health, wealth, and shared environment. We aim to make Colorado a “Cooler”, healthier and more socially equitable place to live.
New Affordable Car Sharing Option in Louisville
Boulder County and Colorado CarShare Partner to Boost Transportation Options for Community of Affordable Homes in Louisville
One of Colorado CarShare’s new electric vehicles!
Boulder County, Colo. – Boulder County Mobility for All, Boulder County Housing and Human Services (BCDHHS), and Colorado CarShare are thrilled to announce the launch of a pilot car share program into Louisville.
Located at Kestrel, a community of affordable homes in Louisville located just northwest of Highway 42 and South Boulder Road, the pilot program will support an inclusive, multi-generational community development to help meet the region’s growing demand for accessible and connected transit serving neighborhoods of affordable homes. The new carshare service will complement existing transit at the Kestrel community in Louisville, which includes 71 permanently-affordable homes for adults 55-and-over and 129 multi-family homes.
“This is a first in Louisville and a great opportunity to make it easier than ever to save money on transportation expenses,” said Angel Bond, Mobility for All Program Manager. “We are really excited to add carsharing to the suite of transportation options that help Kestrel residents meet all of their transportation needs without having to own their own car. Residents have access to RTD FlexRide, 228 & DASH Routes with a free RTD EcoPass; Boulder County offers a new on-demand, Ride Free Lafayette service that can take residents to Lafayette; Via Mobility Services and RTD Access-a-Ride provide paratransit services for older adults and individuals with disabilities; pedestrians and bikes can travel by trail to Waneka and Harpers Lakes; so this provides a natural complement.”
The pilot car share program, which is currently funded through 2021 by Boulder County, is expected to continue into next year, with the hope that funding can be secured to provide a shared electric vehicle (EV) with a charging station that may be available for both the Colorado CarShare EV and local residents. The initiative will include free carshare credits and deeply discounted membership and rates to Kestrel residents. This initiative is complemented by a similar carshare program in downtown Longmont that is also supported by Boulder County.
The Kestrel CarShare launch event in Louisville, Feb. 7th, 2021.
“It has long been a fundamental tenet of Colorado CarShare to serve our community in mixed-income areas, and we are excited to take this step forward in sustainability with Boulder County,” said Colorado CarShare’s CEO and Executive Director, Peter Krahenbuhl. “We expect this initiative to act as a catalyst for additional car share vehicles and hopefully shared EV charging stations in the community,” Krahenbuhl continued.
The Kestrel carshare launch event in Louisville was held on Feb. 7, and included children of Kestrel families, who were able to hand stamp the parking space in bright paint colors.
“Carsharing is such a needed service for neighborhoods all over Boulder County, and especially for communities such as Kestrel, where older adults and busy working families live,” said BCDHHS Property Manager Haley Jory, who is helping organize the launch event. “We are proud to partner with Colorado CarShare and Boulder County’s Mobility for All Program to help bring more transportation options to our residents.”
Click here to sign-up for Colorado CarShare!
*If you or anyone you know lives in a BCHP or other qualified affordable housing program, please contact [email protected], as you may qualify for a greatly discounted carshare service!
About Boulder County Housing and Human Services:
The Boulder County Department of Housing and Human Services is a 500-person integrated services delivery organization that is focused on supporting whole families and individuals through a Two-Generation, Social Determinants of Health approach. BCDHHS serves more than 90,000 distinct clients with a wide range of wrap-around services, including food, housing, health coverage, childcare, safety, education and skill building, parenting supports, and much more. Follow Boulder County Housing and Human Services via social media at www.Facebook.com/BCDHHS and visit www.BoulderCountyHHS.org to learn more about BCDHHS’ prevention-based wrap-around community supports and services.
Nation’s first Electric CarShare Vehicle-to-Building (V2B) Technology!
Colorado CarShare and The Alliance Center are excited to announce a partnership that will improve community mobility while reducing carbon and costs! The goal — tackle climate challenges and maximize positive impacts for business and society.
Earlier this year, The Alliance Center announced a vehicle-to-building (V2B) project in collaboration with Fermata Energy. The pilot will connect electric vehicles (EVs), grid electrification and building resiliency to combat climate change in a unique way. Colorado CarShare strengthens this project by incorporating EV car sharing into the equation. Specifically, the shared EV will be available to The Alliance Center staff and tenants along with the broader community. The electric vehicle’s battery will serve as a demand resource by providing power to The Alliance Center when it is parked.
Bi-directional charging where vehicle provides power to the building
“Not only will this effort help reduce the building’s reliance on energy during high-cost demand events, but the community will be able to access a zero emission vehicle,” said Chris Bowyer, director of building operations at The Alliance Center.
The car will also replace an estimated 9 to 13 individually-owned vehicles due to its carsharing model. This would be equivalent to the CO2 emissions equivalent to between 4,600 and 6,800 gallons of gasoline per year.
This opportunity allows The Alliance Center, Fermata Energy and Colorado CarShare to be at the forefront of V2B and EV technologies and is one of the first partnerships of its kind in the world combining carsharing and V2B to a building business model.
As a fundamental tenet of Colorado CarShare is to serve our community by providing sustainable mobility solutions, including shared electric vehicles, we are excited to partner on this national first with The Alliance Center and Fermata Energy. We expect this initiative to act as a catalyst for many more shared electric vehicle (V2B) charging stations in similar communities around Denver and beyond.
Free CarShare Use for COVID-19 Vaccinations!
Colorado CarShare is now offering *free CarShare rides to COVID-19 vaccine appointments for our community’s most vulnerable!
In pursuit of our mission to support increased social, economic and mobility access and equity, we are currently providing free car share use for people at higher risk of illness. This includes 65+ year old adults, front-line workers, and other qualifying members gain access to vaccines.
How?
First of all, make sure that you are a Colorado CarShare Member! If you are not yet, click here to join and choose a carshare rate plan, including plans for residents of qualified affordable housing programs.
Just schedule your vaccine appointment, reserve a Colorado CarShare vehicle for your appointment time, and send us verification of your appointment time and place! Then, we will then cover the cost of your car share fee for your time during that appointment (read: No you can’t add on a ski trip to the freebie!).
We’re happy to extend this offer to new members as well – so tell your family and friends! They can contact us via email ([email protected]) for more information on how to receive a waived application fee and free ride to their vaccine appointment!
When?
Now until we run out of credit for this program!
* Compensation up to $25, must provide verification of appointment time and location, for a limited time only – general population vaccine distribution do not qualify.
We’re looking for Community Education & Outreach Interns!
The Community Education & Outreach Intern will help us develop and implement targeted strategic communications and marketing campaigns to maximize the usage of our fleet and improve messaging around other aspects of our mission related to social equity and mobility. This includes supporting campaigns around “multi-modal” mobility (ex. Boulder B-cycle partner campaigns). Responsibilities will include developing communications material; educating and engaging community members, current CO CarShare members, and local partners; supporting social media efforts. Assist with fleet maintenance as needed.
If interested, please review the full position description below and our website. Then, email us at [email protected] with your resume, availability, and a cover letter that speaks to your skills, passions, & reasons why you would be an ideal fit for this opportunity.
CO CarShare Com. Ed & Outreach Intern – Job Description.docx
Spring into Spring w/ CO CarShare Trucks & AWDs!
Happy Springtime, Car & Truck Share Enthusiasts!
Spring is right around the corner, and that means more time spent outside gardening, hiking, skiing, home improvement projects, and spring cleaning. Colorado CarShare offers affordable truck share for your every need! Want to freshen up your landscaping, but don’t have a way to transport your yard waste? Our awesome 2020 Toyota Tacoma pick-up trucks can fit all of your yard clippings in a spacious truck bed! Want to take your family or friends skiing in the mountains or camping in the desert, but don’t have access to an all-wheel drive vehicle to do so? We can help!
Rent one of our Toyota RAV-4s, Subaru Outbacks, or Volkswagen Tiguans. In addition to all-wheel drive, we got you covered with bike racks and ski racks, 5 seats with folding back seats, and plenty of room in the trunk to fit camping gear! Not to mention, our Rav4 SUVs are hybrids, so you’ll be driving cleaner and greener into the mountains!
Colorado CarShare trucks and AWD vehicles are conveniently located all around the Denver-Boulder metro area. Our Tacoma pick-up trucks are equipped with four-wheel drive, folding rear seats and have a bike tailgate rack/bag option. And right now, they even are fitted with winter tires, perfect for spring skiing trips to the mountains.
Colorado CarShare’s AWD 2018 Toyota RAV-4
Don’t Forget:
Not only are our trucks and all-wheel drive vehicles spacious and durable, they are also super affordable. We cover all gas, insurance, and regular maintenance, so you can buy that extra lift ticket or camping chair!
We are also still offering our incredibly affordable Weekly Rate Plan! Rent a CarShare vehicle for a week and pay a flat rate of $297* or $363* for trucks or AWD vehicles. Gas, insurance, and the first 250 miles are on us! If you are a regular day-plus user, consider joining our Simply Hourly plan, which includes 100 miles for the first full day.
How do I rent trucks or AWDs?
Go online to check out our rates and sign up to join the car share revolution!
If you’re already a Colorado CarShare member, you can go online now to book your truck or all-wheel drive vehicle for all your springtime transportation needs! To do so, simply add “Vehicle Types” (e.g. “AWD”) or Required Features (e.g. “ski rack”) to your search criteria.
*taxes not included
Colorado CarShare & City of Denver Launch Electric Car Share Program
Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency (CASR), Colorado Carshare and Denver Housing Authority (DHA) are thrilled to announce the expansion of an electric vehicle (EV) car share program into six under-resourced communities in Denver.
With support under the federal CARES Act this includes the deployment of six shared EVs and associated “charging stations” in order to improve local mobility options in these communities. Colorado CarShare is offering deeply discounted rates for residents in qualified housing programs (see below for locations). The project seeks to alleviate the economic, public health and safety impacts of the COVID-19 emergency, while meeting the City’s social equity, mobility and climate change goals.
Why is it important?
Many lower-income residents are experiencing challenges related to reaching necessities and services during the worst health and economic crisis in modern history. Safe, reliable, and affordable mobility options are a critical lifeline for groceries, employment, medical care and other basic human necessities. Yet many people deemed vulnerable do not own a personal vehicle.
CASR, in partnership with Colorado CarShare, previously piloted an electric carshare site in Denver’s Mariposa neighborhood in 2019 and based on the success of this location sought opportunities to expand the program. They worked closely with Denver Housing Authority, the affordable housing provider for Denver, to find potential sites that were located in under resourced communities and which could support additional shared EVs as compliments to other mobility options.
“It has long been a fundamental tenet of Colorado CarShare to serve our community in mixed-income areas, and we are excited to take this step forward in sustainability with CASR and Denver Housing Authority,” said Colorado CarShare’s CEO Peter Krahenbuhl. “We expect this initiative to act as a catalyst for many more shared electric vehicles in similar communities around Denver,” Krahenbuhl continued.
Carshare Locations
The new EV carshare locations include:
If you or anyone you know lives in a DHA or other qualified affordable housing program, please contact [email protected], as you may qualify for a greatly discounted carshare service!
Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it’s all EV Carsharing we go! (ish)
We are super excited to announce the fact that we enter 2021 with nearly 25% of our carshare fleet electrified! That’s right, we now have a dozen electric vehicles (EVs) or plug-in hybrid electric (PHEVs)! The journey has been an adventure, one that we’re just beginning!
The Adventure Began!
In the summer of 2017 Colorado CarShare (then eGo CarShare) commissioned the development of a roadmap to electrify our fleet. Our intent was to become the nation’s first electric vehicle (EV) car share nonprofit in order to better align our mobility, social equity and environmental values. The goal: to create a replicable, scalable model that could amplify shared electric mobility across Colorado and beyond.
Our roadmap included a 2-tiered analysis regarding how we could (attempt to) accomplish this:
Needless to say, we were admittedly a bit optimistic and perhaps slightly naive regarding how difficult it would be. But…we’re stubborn, and by 2018 we decided we’d give it a go, starting with our one existing plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV). By 2019 we had 3 EVs/PHEVs. We added a few more in 2020, and we’re launching 2021 now with a dozen shared EVs on the road!
For us this is huge, as it means we’re approaching 25% of our fleet of 50 vehicles that are now electrified. While serving mixed income communities we’re getting carbon out of the air! Plus our EVs are just super fun to drive…like a spaceship! As a part of this, we are now partnering with the City of Denver to launch electrified car sharing in low-income neighborhoods. Read more about that here. And we will continue to strive toward full electrification just as soon as we possibly can.
If you know of any potential partnerships that would help us to achieve our goals (especially locations with charging stations), please let us know!
COVID-19 Fleet Vehicle Policies & Procedures
Background
As we move into another round of COVID-19 resurgence, we want to reiterate that the safety and wellbeing of our staff, members and the general public, is a core value of Colorado CarShare. This guidance is to mitigate the chance of transmission for COVID-19 and other seasonal diseases through surface exposure from the daily operation of our car share fleet vehicles and equipment. By employing regular cleaning and disinfecting practices to our fleet vehicles and equipment we can effectively minimize the transmission of these diseases while utilizing these vehicles and equipment.
Cleaning and disinfecting these surfaces with approved cleaners and disinfectants removes the vast majority of bacteria and viruses that cause flu, colds and other seasonal illnesses reducing the probability of transmission.
Definitions
Staff Guidance for Fleet Vehicles and Equipment. All employees operating or servicing car share fleet vehicles must:
(*Note: Wearing gloves will not stop transmission if you touch a potentially contaminated surface and then touch your face or other surface with the gloves on.)
Note: Employees will use cloth face coverings while in vehicles with two or more employees, public, partners, or cooperators until further notice.
Availability of Approved Disinfectants. In addition to commercially available disinfectants, alcohol solutions with at least 70% ethyl or isopropyl alcohol may be used to meet the intent of this guideline. Alcohol is effective against Coronavirus. Isopropyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol (70%) is a powerful broad- spectrum germicide and can be used to disinfect plastic, glass and metal vehicle surfaces. Since alcohol is flammable, limit its use as a surface disinfectant to small surface-areas and use it in well-ventilated spaces only away from ignition sources. Allow the ethyl alcohol (70% or greater) solution to set on the surface for at least 45 seconds before wiping it off with a disposable towel.
Wear disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. Gloves should be discarded after each cleaning. If reusable gloves are used, those gloves should be dedicated for cleaning and disinfection of surfaces for COVID-19 and should not be used for other purposes. Clean hands immediately after gloves are removed.
More information can be found on the CDC website and FDA website.
Refueling. Drivers should wear gloves when refueling if available. If gloves are unavailable, drivers should wipe down the fuel pump handle with sanitizing wipes. If you don’t have wipes, then consider using a paper towel to grab the fuel dispenser handle. Drivers shall dispose of gloves in a refuse receptacle before re-entering the vehicle. Drivers should sanitize their hands after the completion of the fueling of a vehicle.
COVID-19 Exposed Vehicles. Vehicles exposed to the COVID-19 virus should be thoroughly disinfected and cleaned. The extent of cleaning must be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Fleet Manager, assigned vehicle supervisor, and the individual who is assigned to the vehicle.
Stock Disinfectant / Wipes. Fleet Managers should make sure each vehicle is stocked with a disinfectant (spray or wipes) and an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol where possible.
Carshare Member Vehicle Use
Stay Home if Sick. If you have a fever, respiratory symptoms, or are just not feeling well, please stay home and do not enter a carshare vehicle. If you do, please contact use right away so that we can ensure nobody else enters the vehicle until it is fully disinfected / deep cleaned.
Vehicle Sanitizing / Cleaning. We recommend that our members clean/wipe down the vehicle in high touch point areas prior to use with wet wipes provided, wearing nitrile or vinyl gloves if you have them. Where possible, do not travel in vehicles with anyone outside of your family household, and limit the number of people in the vehicle so that all riders can remain a minimum of 6 feet apart. It is recommended that the same people share the same vehicle to minimize exposure. The driver or passenger must clean the vehicle after use!
To properly clean a vehicle:
Vehicle Fueling. Drivers should wear gloves when refueling if available. If gloves are unavailable, drivers should wipe down the fuel pump handle with sanitizing wipes. If you don’t have wipes, then consider using a paper towel to grab the fuel dispenser handle. Drivers shall dispose of gloves in a refuse receptacle before re-entering the vehicle. Drivers should sanitize their hands after the completion of the fueling of a vehicle.
Say Hello to Colorado CarShare!
Happy Birthday to US!
22 years ago (we turned 22 on 8/22/2020 to be exact!), we were founded as Boulder Car Share, a small neighborhood nonprofit sharing a little red car and a big dream: Improving lives in our community by enabling a car-free lifestyle.
A lot has changed in the last 22 years, both in the world of transportation and the world around us. We’ve seen one after another private car sharing agency come and go in the metro area. We’ve also seen a wider adoption of private electric vehicles, and a massive expansion in the world of microbility.
Meanwhile, we here at eGo have steadfastly continued to support our community mission, expanding to dozens of locations in Denver and Boulder. We’ve continued to provide environmentally conscious, socially equitable transportation options in service of the local communities where we live, work, and play.
With reflection on these past 22 years, and many conversations on our future to come, our board felt that our birthday was the perfect time to reaffirm who we are and what we stand for.
And so,
Allow us to reintroduce ourselves!
We’re Colorado CarShare. Same mission, with a fresh commitment to our principles and to our shared future. Buckle up—we’re just getting started.
eGo Alert – Celebrate Earth Day!
Dear eGo Amigos & Amigas!
As we celebrate the 50th Earth Day, it is hard to believe what an incredibly difficult time we’ve all been through. At eGo CarShare we’ve already had to take over a quarter of our fleet offline, at least for now. But…in a world where millions are now unemployed and business windows are permanently shuttered, we know that life is more important, and…we are still here. Because of you.
Save our Fleet — Sponsor an eGo Car & Get Prepaid Credit!
We’ve lost a quarter of our fleet to the current crisis! If you want to ensure that your neighborhood car stays put, consider sponsoring an eGo vehicle while getting free carshare credit as a win-win!
Just give us a call at 303-720-1185 and mention “Credit 100/500/1000” depending on how much of a bonus you want.
Free Credit for Medical/Healthcare & Volunteers
Not a Volunteer? Please Donate!
Donate Now
Now Offering Weekly Flat Rates – $238
Includes gas, insurance, & 250 miles ($0.20/mi after) for Standard 2WDs
Get Out(side)!
We continue to work hard to keep you safe, with increased sanitation efforts. We also ask that you please use the provided wet wipes / sanitation before and after your trips. For more information visit the CDC’s website.
Thank you for supporting your community carshare! ~ eGo CarShare