Recognition

Awards and Recognition

National Climate Leadership Award – U.S. Mayors’ Climate Protection Awards | 2025

City of Colton was awarded top honors by the United States Conference of Mayors for its innovative Urban Heat Resilience Program. Under the leadership of Mayor Frank J. Navarro, and with the work of Colton Electric, Water, and Sustainability staff, the program addresses extreme heat through tree planting, energy and water conservation, and long-term climate planning.

Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) – Gold Designee | 2025

Awarded by the American Public Power Association for operational excellence. Colton Electric demonstrated dedication to operating an efficient, safe, and reliable distribution system.
First Place Award Winner – Small City; recognized under Mayor Frank J. Navarro for the Urban Heat Resilience Program.

Smart Energy Provider (SEP) – Designee | 2024

Recognition from the American Public Power Association for commitment to energy efficiency, distributed energy resources, renewable energy, and environmental initiatives.

Smart Energy Provider (SEP) – Designee | 2021

Recognition from the American Public Power Association for commitment to energy efficiency, distributed energy resources, renewable energy, and environmental initiatives.

Smart Energy Provider (SEP) – Designee | 2020

Recognition from the American Public Power Association for commitment to energy efficiency, distributed energy resources, renewable energy, and environmental initiatives.

Beacon Spotlight Awards best practicesBeacon Spotlight Awards | 2019

The City of Colton was recognized by the Beacon Program (Institute for Local Government) with a Gold Beacon Spotlight Award for Best Practices in Sustainability and Community Climate Action. This program honors voluntary efforts by cities and counties to save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and adopt policies and programs that promote healthier, more efficient, and sustainable communities.

The City also received recognition for its ongoing sustainability efforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, saving energy, and reducing costs: “A Decade of Progress in Advancing Prosperity, Equity and Environmental Quality.” Clean air is a right every human being deserves, even in disadvantaged communities like ours.

SCAG Sustainability Award – Honorable Mention | 2019

Honored by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) in its 12th Annual Sustainability Awards. Recognized for excellence in coordinating land use and transportation to improve mobility, livability, prosperity, and sustainability with the City’s Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure and Customer Incentive Program (Clean Cities – Alternative Fuels and Infrastructure).

Beacon Award Table

Beacon Spotlight Awards energy savingsBeacon Spotlight Awards | 2018

Received the Beacon Spotlight Award for Energy Savings (8% Energy Reduction) from the Beacon Program (Institute for Local Government), an initiative of the League of California Cities, the California State Association of Counties, and the California Special Districts Association.

  • Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) Top 10 Utility Solar Ranking – #7 in Annual Watts per Customer for Colton Electric Utility (SEPA Rankings).
  • Excellence in Public Power Communications – Award of Merit (Print/Digital Category) by the American Public Power Association.
  • SCAQMD MSRC Local Government Partnership Program Awardee – Purchase of medium and heavy-duty alternative fuel vehicles (MSRC).
  • CalFire Urban and Community Forestry GGRF Grant – Development of the City’s adopted Urban Forest Management Plan (Cal Fire Urban Forestry).

2016

  • SCAQMD Curbside Multifamily Electric Vehicle Charging Grant Awardee (SCAQMD).
  • SCAQMD Electric Commercial Lawn Mower Awardee (SCAQMD).

2015

Become a City of Colton
SUSTAINABILITY BUSINESS PARTNER


What is a Sustainability Partner?

Colton Sustainability partners are champions of the environment, stewards of efficiency and are committed to the goals of our community. As a partner you show civic pride, a dedication to sustainability and actively seek out incentives that benefit both you and the community at large. We want to celebrate your proactive vision.

How do I become a Sustainability Partner?

Its easy…as a participant in one of our commercial/industrial efficiency incentive programs you automatically become one of our Sustainability Partners, even if you have participated in the past we would love to hear from you and reward you for your decision to make a more sustainable future for our city. What qualifies me as a partner? There are three components where you may participate, and of course we would love to see you take on all three.

Three ways you can Participate:

  1. Energy Efficiency – Equipment upgrades, demand-side management, renewables
  2. Water Conservation – Drought tolerant landscaping, installation of water efficient devices (such as smart irrigation controllers)
  3. Recycling – Participation in the Commercial Recycling Program, innovative implementation of Commercial/Industrial Recycling & Organics program

What happens next?

As a participant we want to celebrate you…and celebrate you in a very public way. “We want it to be known that your business is an environmental steward of the City of Colton”.

Below is a list of ways we make you feel number one in the eyes of the community. We will highlight your business and its Sustainability Partner status in the following ways:

  1. Press releases
  2. Social Media, Facebook/Community Facebook
  3. Local Newspaper
  4. Location signage and plaque
  5. Channel 3/Public Access channel
  6. Presentation in Front of City Council
  7. Chamber of Commerce recognition