Colorado Springs Utilities received a top award at the Green Transportation Summit's annual Western Region Sustainable Fleet Awards in Portland, Ore., in April.

The municipal-owned utility earned the Leading by Example award in the government large fleet (more than 100 vehicles) category for setting a great example for other utilities and fleets to follow.

Colorado Springs Utilities' fleet includes 15 hybrid-electric vehicles, three battery-electric vehicles, 284 ethanol flex-fuel vehicles, and 25 compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles. The utility also completed construction on its second public/private CNG fueling station in 2016 with the assistance of more than $900,000 in grant funding. 

Fleets were judged on efforts to conserve fuel, promote efficiencies, minimize environmental impacts and embrace innovative practices. 

“Colorado Springs Utilities is committed to promoting compressed natural gas (CNG) use in Colorado Springs for fuel independence and environmental stewardship,” said Fleet Supervisor Wayne Griffin.  “Not only do we see the cost benefit of using CNG, but also an improvement to local air quality through emissions reduction.”

The utility also supports a nationwide effort to increase the availability of CNG fueling stations, especially along the Front Range.

Colorado Springs Utilities serves customers in the Pikes Peak region with electricity, natural gas, water and wastewater services. The utility’s fleet includes natural gas, electric and hybrid vehicles.