The Colorado Bluegrass scene has become synonymous with sustainable living, especially thanks to the efforts of Planet Bluegrass. In 2007, Governor Ritter declared June 23rd Colorado Bluegrass day as thanks for all the work the Ranch does to create a renewable music festival experience. 

Here are some of the action steps Planet Bluegrass is taking, including reusable beer cups, zero waste compost facilities, free water canteens for performers, organic options for festival retail, etc. 

In Boulder, we are lucky to find the bluegrass music scene throughout the community maintaining these missions all year, not just during festival season. Ozo Coffee hosts a Sunday Bluegrass Jam every week from 12-2pm (at 53rd and Arapahoe by Snarf’s). Ozo not only embraces organic, fair trade coffee and local products, but really involves itself with community sustainability. They often hold benefits, for example, to support victims of the apartment fires, or raise money for organizations like Conscious Alliance, or sell products to benefit Columbine Elementary Outdoor Education. Ozo has friendly baristas, customers, and musicians, and seems to dig the mindful life…

Combining this kind of atmosphere with the guttural experience of local bluegrass jamming is AWESOME. If anyone plays a bluegrass instrument, come on by–or grab a soy chai and kick back and listen to some raw music!