No Trash Talkin' the Rock & Rails Gargoyles

Rock & Rails' 2024 season has begun.

The Left Hand Valley Courier will be featuring volunteers at the event that are a major aspect of the weekly concerts. Volunteers are integral in the organization and operation leading up to and during Rock & Rails every year.

The organizers of Rock & Rails have made great efforts to make it a zero-waste venue. If you are a regular or returning patron to the Thursday night concerts, you're probably familiar with the people who sit on top of the recycling and compost bins to help ensure zero-waste is maintained.

You may have thought, "They kind of look like gargoyles." In fact, that is exactly what they are.

The Rock & Rails Gargoyles are a group of student volunteers between the ages of 11 and 18, dedicated to the mission of keeping Rock & Rails zero-waste all summer long. The Gargoyles ensure that no trash enters the bins utilized at Rock & Rails and other events. "One of the biggest compliments we receive every year," said Julie Breyer, head supervisor of the Gargoyles for the past three years, "is how efficient and friendly they are." Not only do the Gargoyles help patrons determine whether or not their serviceware is compost versus recycling, but there is an additional team of "runners" who make their way through the crowds collecting plates, cups, napkins, cutlery, and cans no longer in use.

Gargoyles have received training and education on what can and cannot be collected and how it gets sorted. Keeping up-to-date can be a challenge as Boulder County and Western Disposal changed their rules around composting last year.

Fortunately, thanks to the efforts of Co-Manager Vicki Maurer and volunteer Michael Springer, Rock & Rails were able to retain Wompost (Women-Owned Composting) to help maintain the long-established rules and organization system that have been in place at Rock & Rails since its early days.

Maintaining a zero-waste policy can be a challenge. For example, the cups used for alcoholic beverages at the Depot in Whistle Stop Park are potato-based, however Western Disposal's compost contractor deemed them too difficult to separate from other cups that could easily be mistaken as trash. All vendors at Rock & Rails have to agree to only provide serviceware that adheres to the zero-waste policies.

This year, 36 students have signed up to help with that mission initially organized by Niwot resident Jill Whitener over 13 years ago. For the past three years, the organization and supervision of the Gargoyles has been handed off to Julie Breyer. "[Gargoyles] often get college recommendations," added Breyer. "It gives them experience in leadership, planning, supervision, team-work, education, and customer service."

Gargoyles often receive credit for service hours as well, but according to Breyer, kids will sign up every year and return just to be a part of the program with their friends.

In the past, Gargoyles have also assisted at events such as the RISE concert, the Niwot Community Association's National Night Out, and Lobsterfest. The biggest aspect of the Gargoyles' mission is to ensure that if "you bring [trash] in, you pack it out," said Breyer.