FORT COLLINS - ClimateWise business partners saved $13 million in 2011 and reduced carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 149,000 tons, officials said Monday.

The reduction in emissions is the equivalent of 13 million trees being planted or a reduction of 2 million round-trips between Fort Collins and Denver.

ClimateWise is a voluntary program sponsored by the City of Fort Collins. More than 300 businesses participate by reducing their waste and transportation and by conserving water and energy.

Since 2000, ClimateWise partners have saved $59 million and diverted more than 254,000 tons of waste from the landfill. The program's "partners" have also achieved cumulative water savings of 9 billion gallons.