180 reasons not to drive your car to work

Here’s a way to not only save the $4/gallon you’d be burning on your way to work, but actually make money by taking alternate modes of transportation.

If U.S. 36 (Boulder - Westminster) is part of your commute, starting July 1, 36 Commuting Solutions will pay you $3 each day you choose to bicycle, carpool, ride transit, telework, vanpool or walk to work. Applicants can participate for up to three months and earn as much as $180 - while saving money and reducing their carbon footprint.

The 36 Commuter Cash program hopes to attract 665 participants and reduce vehicle miles traveled by 15 million miles, equivalent to 615,000 gallons of fuel saved (based on 24.4 mpg average).

Now, if you're one of those people who will stand in line for two hours for a free Chipotle burrito, or one who spends most of Sunday afternoon clipping coupons to save 55 cents on cereal, certainly you can pony up the extra few minutes of planning a carpool to earn $3. Just think of all the burritos and Captain Crunch you could buy....