Green Experiences Near Denver

Just a short drive from the Mile High City, you'll find these illuminating eco-friendly attractions, with free exhibits detailing global warming, alternative energy and much more.

National Center for Atmospheric Research

Where: 1850 Table Mesa Dr., Boulder, CO 80305

Hours: Mon. to Fri., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Weekends/Holidays, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

More Info: www.ncar.ucar.edu

The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), 25 minutes from downtown Denver, is the world’s foremost attraction for learning about the 21st century’s hottest topic: global warming.

The NCAR lab is open to the public free of charge seven days a week, and offers a wide array of hands-on educational exhibits that visitors are welcome to explore on their own, on a guided tour, or with an audio tour. In the Weather Gallery, see a hailstone the size of a softball, watch as a miniature tornado is whipped up in front of your eyes, and get an up close look at how lightning is created. The new Climate Gallery’s comprehensive view of Earth’s climate conditions from prehistoric times to the present, offers keen insight into the phenomenon of global warming and climate change – as well as some visions of what the future might hold. 

Located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains amidst scattered pine trees and grazing mule deer, the striking I.M. Pei-designed NCAR building (which film buffs may recognize from Woody Allen’s Sleeper) is the workplace of more than 120 Ph.D. researchers and hundreds of visiting scientists. Conducting interdisciplinary research with state of the art research tools, these scientists study practically everything weather-related, including how the Sun influences the Earth, how climate change can be predicted, and how to better forecast the weather. NCAR researchers also study how weather and climate change affects people and environments around the globe.

After exploring the inside of the NCAR lab, take a stroll on the Walter Orr Roberts Weather Trail, named after the organization’s founding director. Along the 0.4-mile long, wheelchair-accessible looped trail, stop at 11 locations, each explaining some of the mesa’s environmental conditions. Surrounded on all sides by the unparalleled natural splendor of the Rocky Mountain foothills, this is an easy hike with enormous payoffs.

Directions from Denver:

·         Follow US 25 N.

·         North of Denver, take the left lane exit to US 36 N.

·         From US 36, exit at Foothills Pkwy/S. Boulder Rd.

·         Curve right at exit towards S. Boulder Rd.

·         Turn left (west) at light onto S. Boulder Rd.

·         In one mile, S. Boulder Rd becomes Table Mesa Dr.

·         Continue through a residential area and up the Mesa until the road ends.

National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL)

Where: 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden, CO 80401-3305

Hours: Mon. to Fri., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed on weekends and major holidays.

More Info: www.nrel.gov/visitors_center

Renewable energy and energy efficiency are good for homes, communities and the planet. The National Renewable Energy Lab Visitors Center in Golden (just 20 minutes from downtown Denver) showcases technologies that can save energy, improve the environment and lower the cost of energy bills.

The NREL building itself is a model for energy-efficient design, taking advantage of the sun for heating and lighting. An innovative Trombe wall—the building's most striking architectural feature—lights and heats the exhibit hall. The huge, undulating wall has five sections, each angled in a "V" shape. Windows on the south side of the "V" provide natural daylight and early morning heat. Horizontal beams in front of the windows prevent direct sunlight from entering during the summer. On the other side of the "V" is a thick concrete wall coated with black paint and faced with glass. A small airspace separates the wall from the glass. Direct solar radiation is absorbed by the wall, trapped by the glass and conducted inward to gradually heat the exhibit hall later in the day.

Take a self-guided tour through the interactive exhibit hall and learn about energy from the sun, wind, biomass, and other sources of renewable energy. Find out how scientists capture alternative energy resources to produce electricity and fuels, investigate the future of transportation and visit several outdoor exhibits for a demonstration of the sun's power. Then find out about energy-conserving strategies for your home that can be implemented today.

Directions from Denver:

• Take I-70 to Exit 263, Denver West Boulevard, and turn north.
• Head toward the Denver West Marriott Hotel and turn left at the traffic light on to Denver West Parkway.
• The Visitors Center is the first building on your right past NREL's entrance sign.