In a major boost to regional climate efforts, Atlantic Aviation has issued a $300,000 Climate Action Challenge Grant to a nonprofit addressing sustainable energy use in the Roaring Fork Valley.

Atlantic Aviation, the fixed-base operator at the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, has allocated the grant to the Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE), marking a new chapter in local public-private collaboration. 

The grant, announced as CORE celebrates its 30th anniversary, is structured as a 2-to-1 match: for every $2 raised by CORE, Atlantic will contribute $1, up to the full commitment. 

To unlock the funds, CORE must raise $600,000 by Dec. 31.

“This partnership with Atlantic Aviation represents an electrifying moment in our ongoing efforts to address climate change,” said CORE CEO John Dougherty. “The structure of this matching gift will build momentum in our philanthropy program and drive meaningful progress toward climate goals.”

CORE will direct the funds to programs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions through electrification, energy efficiency, and community resilience initiatives. 

Dougherty said the grant enables CORE to expand its advising, grants, incentives, and rebates — resources that will go directly into projects for multifamily housing and commercial buildings across the Roaring Fork Valley.

Framed as a community-wide opportunity, the match is intended to galvanize public participation. 

“As we move away from being strictly government-funded, this allows people who are learning to invest and be a part of climate action in the local community to see a benefit because Atlantic is bolstering their support,” he said. “This grant serves as what a good public-private partnership can look like.”

He explained that by leveraging remaining government dollars with private-sector investment and nonprofit implementation, organizations like CORE can more effectively respond to local climate priorities. 

“We can create a viable and healthy climate in our region,” he said.

The grant coincides with Atlantic Aviation’s 30-year lease renewal as the fixed-base operator at Aspen/Pitkin County Airport. Transportation accounts for nearly 35% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the Roaring Fork Valley, and aviation contributes over 30% of that figure. Atlantic’s investment signals a more direct role in local mitigation efforts.

“We are absolutely honored to partner with CORE,” said Jonathan Jones, general manager of Atlantic Aviation Aspen. “They are such a great organization and do such great things, every year, in this community. This is Atlantic Aviation’s opportunity to really invest in the local community and make a difference here in this valley.”

The Challenge Grant is Atlantic’s first major sustainability investment under its new lease agreement with Pitkin County, which includes commitments to reduce carbon emissions locally. 

Key areas include electrification of the built environment, energy advising for multifamily and workforce housing, and projects that deliver measurable reductions in emissions. CORE will assess progress against its strategic and annual operating plans by the end of 2025.

The grant comes at a critical time. Recent energy inventories in Eagle and Pitkin counties reveal the region is not on pace to meet its 2030 and 2050 climate goals. 

“We’re facing a pressing timeline,” he said. “This challenge grant from Atlantic Aviation will help us take bigger and bolder strides to reduce emissions and address climate change now, for the sake of our community, our environment, and future generations.”

Community members are encouraged to donate to CORE, take advantage of free energy advising, apply for funding, or help spread awareness. Every donation will be matched at a 1:2 ratio, increasing its impact by 50%.

For more information on how to contribute or get involved, visit aspenCORE.org.