SILVERTHORNE, COLO.—The Pad team isn’t just talking about their commitment to sustainability for their new boutique hotel/hostel that opens this summer in Silverthorne, Colo., they’re taking action and joining more than 3,000 global sustainability leaders in pledging to adopt a new business model and culture that prioritizes purpose alongside profit.
The Pad, a 36-room boutique hotel with hostel-style rooms, was recently certified as a pending B Corp with plans of achieving the full B Corp certification once they’re eligible after being open for 12 months. The Pad is on track to becoming the first B Corp certified company in Summit County, as well as one of the only hospitality properties in the United States to commit to the rigorous standards of B Corp certification.
Widely recognized as the gold standard for sustainability in business, B Corp businesses are committed to practicing the highest social and environmental standards. The Pad owners, Rob and Lynne Baer, couldn’t imagine doing business any other way.
“It’s easy to say you’re committed to doing the right thing by your employees and being an environmentally-friendly company,” says Lynne. “It’s much harder to do the actual work and to invest your time, finances and energy into adhering to a higher level of standards and protocols required by the B Corp certification. But it is the right thing to do. We knew we had an opportunity to create a business rooted in deep values—of protecting the planet and people while still generating a profit. The B Corp certification aligns with our personal values and we’re proud of being a leader in our community and industry.”
Companies Vetted by Third-Party Nonprofit
B Corp companies are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, suppliers, community and environment. Companies are vetted by a third-party nonprofit and must meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose.
“At The Pad, we believe we have a unique opportunity and obligation to protect our backyard—the Colorado Rockies—and, at the same time, to protect the quality of life in our small-town mountain community of Silverthorne,” says Rob. Situated on the Blue River with views of the Rockies, The Pad is in the epicenter of one of the most popular outdoor recreation areas in the country—within a 30-minute drive to six world-class ski resorts of Vail, Copper Mountain, Arapahoe Basin, Loveland, Breckenridge and Keystone.
“I was drawn to Summit County for its skiing, fishing, rafting, hiking, and outdoor recreation. Summit County has the unique ability to be within an hour of a major metropolitan area while keeping its small-town community vibe,” Rob adds. “Our world-class recreational opportunities are why our guests will travel here and stay with us at The Pad. It’s critical that we do everything we can to lessen our impact on the environment and do the right thing for our community, our employees and partners.”
According to the Baers, it was important to create a framework to protect their mission from the outset. “We were determined to seek out best practices for sustainability and to measure and manage our social and environmental performance using the most intentional standards and best available tools,” says Lynne, explaining why they chose to use the B corp certification process. “By participating in the B Corp program, we will have 3rd party verification of our commitment, while also getting the support and inspiration from other certified companies and the top sustainability experts in the program.”
Includes 18 Shipping Containers
It all started during the planning and design phase of The Pad when the Baers spent extra time ensuring the use of upcycled materials, like the 18 shipping containers that are now incorporated into the design, and the use of sustainable building techniques, including the strategic orientation of the building to utilize passive solar for heating the larger common areas.
Before they even broke ground, The Pad team deviated from the typical development practice of simply razing the original building on the plot of land. The most environmentally friendly practice is to reuse a building in its entirety, however when that was not possible for various reasons, the crew meticulously deconstructed the Robinson Dairy Building and Rob salvaged as much material for reuse in the new structure or to recycle or donate, which dramatically reduced the construction waste. The most visible example will be with the siding which was de-nailed and processed and will be reused for the back bar, as well as for the ceiling in some areas.
Now, as the team prepares for their opening day, every purchase, partnership, and operational decision is vetted through the lens of sustainability. The team asks the critical question: “Are we doing the right thing for our community, our employees and our environment?”
Examples of Green Actions
Everything we do, says Lynne, must align with our purpose. Examples include:
- Designing the bar areas in the lobby area, as well as the rooftop, with more taps to reduce waste. Kegs and larger containers hooked up to taps reduce the shipping and packaging waste. The bars will feature the usual craft beer on tap, along with wine, cocktails, kombucha, seltzer, and non-alcoholic beverages.
- Selecting Graze and Torreys as their restaurant partner—a business that shares their values of local sourcing. Alyssa Block, the owner/chef, is committed to serving fresh Colorado food in a creative way with locally sourced meat, vegetables, and fruit.
- Composting food and bar scraps and organic waste at the property through a partnership with the local nonprofit, High Country Conservation Center.
- Purchasing eco-friendly, sustainable products and working with vendors who also have the mission of using their businesses as a force for good.
- Sourcing items from Colorado to reduce the carbon footprint, such as mattresses made in Colorado and custom bunk beds fabricated by Where Wood Meets Steel in Denver.
The Pad joins more than 3,000 other companies across the world, such as Ben & Jerry’s, Patagonia, and New Belgium Brewing, in committing to using business as a force for good through the B Corp certification program.
For more information about The Pad’s commitment to sustainability and pending B Corp certification, visit www.thepadlife.com or their Facebook page and Instagram account.
