Clean Up The Lake removed nearly 9,000 pounds of trash from lakes around the basin this past summer and are spearheading a massive 72-mile cleanup in the summer that had originally been postponed due to COVID-19.

Matt Levitt, Tahoe Blue Vodka founder and CEO donated $100,000 to help finance CUTL’s 2021 72-mile Lake Tahoe cleanup and Tahoe Fund is raising funds to match the $100,000 donation. 

“From day one we’ve donated a portion of our proceeds to support the ongoing efforts of organizations that work to protect Lake Tahoe,” said Levitt in a press release. “When the Tahoe Fund came to us with this opportunity to help clean up the lake, we didn’t hesitate — it’s perfectly aligned with our brand promise and our ongoing commitment to give back to help maintain Lake Tahoe’s clarity.”

Colin West, founder and executive director of CUTL, says that level of support is “life-changing” and a “monumental step” for the organization. 

The estimated projected cost of the 72-mile clean up is $225,000. Along with numerous grants, small donations and nonprofit fundraising, Tahoe Blue Vodka and Tahoe Fund have helped make the organization’s “dream come true.” 

West even said that until now, in addition to a global pandemic, funding has been a challenge and their grassroots days have included laughable scenarios like a free diver duct-taping a rock to his lower back to act as a weight belt. 

In summer 2020, CUTL began the first phase of the cleanup and collected over 2,200 pounds of trash from only 6 miles of the lake. Tires, golf balls, sunglasses, towels, plastic bottles, aluminum cans, iPhones, boat anchors and pieces of boats were some of the items picked from the water. 

This funding will help shift CUTL’s focus and energy from funding through small campaigns to the logistics of successfully cleaning up the circumference of Lake Tahoe. 

The 72-miles cleanup will be conducted with a SCUBA dive team of professionals and volunteers. 

“This will help propel our organization to a new level.” West said that they now have the ability to start planning for future cleanups, even one for 2022. “Huge thanks to Matt Levitt of Tahoe Blue Vodka, The Tahoe Fund, the local community and anyone who has donated.” 

To see a video of last summer’s 6 mile cleanup, visit https://vimeo.com/486589899.

If you would like to donate to support this campaign visit, tahoefund.org/donate.