Skico\u2019s recent contribution was to the POW Action Fund, which will target key Congressional races in six states this year to try to get climate leaders elected in November.<\/p>\n
The efforts will be focused on Congressional districts in Colorado, Nevada, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Maine, according to the plan.<\/p>\n
POW Action Fund will work to rally voters on climate issues in Colorado\u2019s 3rd Congressional District, which includes the Roaring Fork Valley. Rep. Scott Tipton, a Republican from Cortez, is seeking re-election. He might not be unseated this election, Schendler said, but POW will aim to build momentum for success down the line.<\/p>\n
\u201cTruth is, Aspen Skiing Co. has been spending money against Rep. Tipton for years while Rep. Tipton has continued to protect our public land and water,\u201d Tipton\u2019s campaign strategist Michael Fortney wrote in an email to The Times. \u201cBut it\u2019s their money, they can spend it however they see fit.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Action Fund is a sister organization and essentially the political arm of Protect Our Winters, which was formed in 2007. Its goal is to \u201cmake action on climate change a top policy priority for the outdoor sports community.\u201d<\/p>\n
The POW Action Fund says its goal is to educate outdoor-oriented people about climate issues and how they can be part of the solution through voting and activism.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s what\u2019s really important this election cycle,\u201d said Schendler, who also serves on POW\u2019s board of directors.<\/p>\n
The strategy involves more than a traditional \u201cget out the vote\u201d effort, POW Action Fund executive director Mario Molina told The Aspen Times. The idea is to educate outdoor enthusiasts about climate issues and turn them into ambassadors, he said.<\/p>\n
The U.S. has an $887 billion outdoor recreation economy that supports 7.6 million jobs, according to the POW Action Fund\u2019s website. To harness the sleeping giant, the organization works with the most inspiring athletes, photographers, artists, musicians and moguls from outdoors businesses to deliver a message to outdoor enthusiasts and turn them into climate advocates.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the window to address the climate crisis closing, we can no longer simply rely on the traditional climate movement to help us in these critical elections,\u201d Molina said in the organization\u2019s 2020 Strategic Plan. \u201cWe need to bring passionate new voters into the fold to build decisive, sustainable political and cultural power.\u201d<\/p>\n
POW Action Fund\u2019s strategic plan said it will strive to get a few thousand outdoor enthusiasts to the polls in key Congressional races to influence the climate debate. The targets are areas where a 5% to 10% voter swing can tip the district toward supporting climate policy.<\/p>\n
The Action Fund is trying to raise $1 million for its political agenda in 2020. It\u2019s about one-quarter to one-third of the way there, but contributions tend to increase as the political season heats up, Molina said.<\/p>\n
He is looking beyond the 2020 elections. Effective political action groups have year-round influence even in off-election years, he noted, initially citing the National Rifle Association as an example, but then saying that might not be a good model.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we need to move past the election-cycle mentality,\u201d Molina said.<\/p>\n
POW Action Fund has scheduled 150 events to educate people on climate issues prior to the 2020 election. Molina said the ski industry is \u201cmoving in the right direction\u201d on climate activism but wants to do more.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019d love to partner with ski areas to reach their customers,\u201d Molina said.<\/p>\n
Skico has been one of the biggest supporters of POW from the ski industry. In addition to its financial commitments, it sends company executives on lobbying missions and to testify in support of legislation in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n
Skico held its Give A Flake flash sale Dec. 3 to 6 to benefit POW. Give A Flake is Skico\u2019s campaign to build awareness about climate issues. The company donated 10% of proceeds from the four-day sales of lift tickets, group lessons and rentals to the POW Action Fund.<\/p>\n
Over the past two years, Skico has raised $40,000 for Protection Our Winters and $60,000 for POW\u2019s sister organization, Schendler said.<\/p>\n
Skico, Alterra Mountain Co. and Powdr Corp. stand out within the industry for embracing POW\u2019s efforts, Schendler said. He also credited National Ski Areas Association, a trade association, for its lobbying work on climate initiatives.<\/p>\n
Alterra is Skico\u2019s sister organization. Alterra executive vice president of sustainability and special projects David Perry, former second in command at Aspen, was recognized by POW this fall for his support of the organization through lobbying trips to Washington, D.C., and participation on panels coordinated by POW.<\/p>\n
In addition, Alterra\u2019s Ikon Pass has been a \u201cPOW Summit Level Partner\u201d at $25,000 annually for the past two years.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of Alterra Mountain Company\u2019s values is to protect our environments to ensure our future, and partnering with POW is one way we can support that ideal and an organization that shares that vision,\u201d Alterra said in a statement when asked about its philosophical reasons for supporting POW.<\/p>\n
Powdr Corp. bills itself as an adventure lifestyle company and owns several ski resorts.<\/p>\n
Schendler said the ski industry is just a small part of the broader outdoor industry that POW is trying to engage. That includes everything from outdoor clothing manufacturers and retailers to outdoor recreation resorts to rank-and-file people that enjoy getting outdoors.<\/p>\n
Molina said he is excited about recent efforts to engage climbers and trail runners to a higher degree.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat will add thousands of people to our group,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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