Green Colorado Gear Companies Win Praise

Colorado, gear, outdoors | dlacord | Friday, January 22nd, 2010 at 8:33 am

If you try to keep your gear purchases green, check out some of the Colorado gear companies given the Green Steps designation at the Outdoor Retailer show going on now in Salt Lake City. Participants in the show, sponsored by Outdoor Industry Association, are recognized as Green Steps companies for their ecologically sound practices in products, policies and business tactics.

The list is filled with Colorado companies. Among them:

Chaco, based in Paonia. Focuses on using durable materials that allow its shoes to be resoleable and re-webbable, not disposable. The company donates a percentage of after-tax profits to environmental groups.
Chaos Headwear, based in Steamboat Springs. Offers an organic line using natural dyes; concentrates on natural fibers
cotton, hemp, linen.
Colorado Trading & Clothing Co., based in Denver. Features garments of soy and bamboo blends.
Honey Stinger, based in Steamboat Springs. Makes honey-based gels, chews, protein bars and energy bars. Uses wind power in its office space and warehouse; marketing materials printed using a percentage of recycled, post-consumer waste paper products.
Katie’s Bumpers, based in Golden. Makes dog toys from pre-consumer recycled materials including Chaco webbing.
Optic Nerve, based in Denver. An eyewear company which supports three local charities and uses some biodegradable materials.
Osprey Packs, Inc., based in Cortez. Features recycled materials in its daypacks and courier packs; pro purchase program requires donation of $2 per transaction with proceeds going to non-profits such as The Grand Canyon Trust.
Sierra Designs, based in Boulder. Headquarters is wind-powered; working on products with Cocona, a wicking fiber made of coconut shells.
SkirtSports, based in Boulder. Makes exercise wear for women. Uses Eco-cycle recycling systems to reduce waste from import and export shipments.
TrapTek LLC and Cocona, based in Boulder. Develops natural technology products including Cocona fabric, made by using activated carbon from coconut shells.