A Grand Junction-based manufacturer whose products includes chairlifts and gondolas for ski resorts has joined in efforts to sustain the outdoors sports industry in the face of climate change.

Leitner-Poma of America announced it’s sponsoring Protect Our Winters. The company also has launched its own initiatives, which will include the installation of charging stations for electric vehicles at its Grand Junction facility and the installation of a wind turbine at a new facility in Utah expected to open this summer.

“Protect Our Winters’ advocacy, education and activism is a critical element to keeping the outdoor sports industry vibrant amidst our changing climate,” said Daren Cole, president and chief executive officer of Leitner-Poma of America. “Our support of POW is just one part of our greater sustainability efforts to reduce our carbon footprint, decrease waste and make thoughtful decisions that don’t negatively impact the environments in which we operate.”

Founded by professional snowboarder Jeremy Jones in 2007, Protect Our Winters works with businesses, athletes and the community to harness the collective power of the outdoor sports industry to take action against climate change.

In addition, Leitner-Poma launched several company initiatives as part of its climate change mitigation efforts.

Leitner-Poma hired Neva Modric, a sustainability coordinator who will focus on efforts to reduce the company’s environmental footprint. That will include calculating a carbon footprint and developing plans to set emission and waste reduction targets.

An electric vehicle charging project will include the installation of charging stations at Leitner-Poma facilities in Grand Junction.

At the company’s new facility in Tooele, Utah, Leitner-Poma installed a wind turbine. The turbine is 162-feet tall and capable of generating 250 watts of electricity, enough to cover the needs of the facility. Phase two of construction of the new facility includes the installation of solar panels.

If demand develops as expected, the new facility could manufacturer turbines to serve the North American market.

“We look forward to being a part of POW’s advocacy work as it complements the work that we are doing to be a thoughtful, sustainably minded supplier in the ski industry,” Cole said.