Steamboat Springs School District has received two Sustainability Awards for Climate Literacy Leadership at Steamboat Springs High School and for Green Skills Education within the district, including the Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Details from the district are below.

 

Press Release from Steamboat Springs School District; June 18, 2025.

Steamboat Springs School District Honored with Dual Lumies Sustainability Awards for Green Skills Education and Climate Literacy Leadership

Steamboat Springs, CO — June 18, 2025 — The Steamboat Springs School District RE-2 has been selected to receive two prestigious 2025 Lumies [sustainability] Awards, recognizing the district’s leadership in advancing environmental education and preparing students for a climate-resilient future.

The first Lumies Award honors Steamboat Springs High School (SSHS) for its bold and effective implementation of the Seal of Climate Literacy, a state-recognized diploma endorsement created under Colorado Senate Bill 24-013. SSHS is among the first rural school districts in Colorado to adopt the Seal, and celebrated its inaugural group of Seal recipients at this year’s graduation.

The second Lumies Award acknowledges the district’s innovative approach to green skills development, including the early integration of sustainability-focused competencies into Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. These initiatives are supported by a LERA (Local Environmental Resilience Advancement) grant and reflect a strategic vision for aligning education with the demands of a green economy.

“The Lumies Awards recognize the incredible collaboration between educators, students and our broader community,” said Jay Hamric, Principal of Steamboat Springs High School. “We’re proud to be leading the way on climate literacy and green skills in a way that’s meaningful, real-world and deeply student-centered.”

The Seal of Climate Literacy is granted to students who demonstrate an understanding of climate science and solutions through academic coursework and experiential learning. At SSHS, students qualify by:

• Completing Biology and Environmental Science courses
• Completing a pre-approved experiential project, such as:

• • Independent climate/sustainability research
  • Eco Club-led community initiatives
  • Peace & Justice projects related to climate
  • Internships or work-based learning in green careers
  • Creative projects in art, media or writing on sustainability themes

The district’s green skills initiative is in early stages but already gaining momentum. With LERA grant support, RE-2 is developing programs to define and embed green competencies into its CTE offerings, preparing students for sustainable careers across agriculture, energy, construction and more.