1 | LEED Certified Sustainable Convention Center

The Colorado Convention Center announced its certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB), awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The achievement makes the Colorado Convention Center the largest LEED certified building in the state and one of the three largest convention facilities to earn this designation in the U.S.

As part of the LEED process, the Colorado Convention Center in Downtown Denver made significant reductions in energy usage, as well as gains in the area of sustainable purchasing, green cleaning, building occupant comfort, improved air quality and waste diversion. The implementation of the USGBC standards translates to millions of dollars saved in operating costs for the City of Denver, an over 26 percent reduction in carbon emissions, and further enhances Denver's reputation as a healthy and desirable green destination for conventions and events. In a recent Watkins study, meeting planners rated the Colorado Convention Center as the 3rd greenest center in the nation.

Learn more about the Colorado Convention Center

2 | Denver B-Cycle

Bike sharing is a new eco friendly alternative way of getting around Denver. Pick up a bike at any conveniently located bike sharing stations and drop it off when you're done. It's green, simple, clean and affordable.

There are 83 bike stations located in convenient spots downtown near hotels, on the 16th Street Mall, by museums, at the Colorado Convention Center, in parks and at shopping centers. Other stations are located in nearby trendy neighborhoods like LoHi, LoDo, Highlands, Cherry Creek North, the Golden Triangle Museum District, and Old South Pearl Street.

Denver visitors can purchase a $8, 24-hour membership with a credit card at any B-cycle station. After becoming a member, riders can pick up a B-cycle from any station and drop it off at any other station. All rides of 30 minutes or less are free and rides up to one hour are only a dollar, with prices going up from there. Users can also sign up for 7-day ($20), 30-day ($30) or annual memberships ($80) online. Discounts are available for students and seniors. Once registered in the system as a member, there is no charge for the first 30 minutes every time the member checks out a B-cycle from a station. After 30 minutes additional usage fees apply that escalate every half hour thereafter.

Learn more about Denver's B-Cycle program

Download B-cycle's Group Pricing for Your Next Convention

3 | An Eco-Friendly Airport

It may be one of the largest and busiest airports in the country, but the Denver International Airport is also one of the greenest and most dedicated to reducing its carbon footprint. In 2004, DEN became the first commercial airport in the country to attain ISO 14001 certification for its Environmental Management System, which encompasses all activities within the 34,000-acre site. Furthermore, DEN recycles more than 19 materials on a regular basis as part of standard airport operations. DEN's fleet is 100 percent alternative and includes vehicles powered by compressed natural gas, hybrid technology and biodiesel. DEN completed its two megawatt solar power system in 2008, a 1.6 megawatt array in 2010 and plans to complete a 4.4 megawatt array in 2011. Learn more about Denver's green airport.

4 | Green Meeting & Conference Venues

To make Denver a leader in sustainability and to make measurable improvements in energy use, water consumption, waste management, air quality and other green environmental areas, 10 Denver venues have joined together to create the Rocky Mountain Greener Venues Partnership for Sustainable Communities (RMGVP).

Joining RMGVP as charter members are: Colorado Convention Center, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, Denver Coliseum, Denver Zoo, Pepsi Center, Dick's Sporting Goods Park, INVESCO Field at Mile High; Coors Field and Folsom Field at the University of Colorado.

Sponsored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other state and local agencies, each of the 10 charter venues have pledged to practice eco friendly environmental stewardship in nine areas:

• Energy conservation and efficiency
• Water conservation and efficiency
• Responsible materials and waste management
• Transportation and air quality
• Green buildings
• Local food and agriculture
• Environmentally preferable purchasing
• Green economy
• Community connections

5 | Denver Loves the Outdoors

The Mile High City is truly "green" and home to the largest city park system in the nation, with over 200 parks in the city and an additional 14,000 acres of spectacular mountain parks. When you're here in Denver, you can get to dozens of attractions on foot, thanks to 850 miles of off-road paved trails. Add in several pedestrian malls, including the famed 16th Street Mall, and it's clear that the city is the very definition of "walkable."

6 | Eco Friendly Hybrid Taxis

Their color-scheme is white, but chances are good when you hail a cab in the Mile High City, it's likely to be a "green" taxi. More than 120 hybrid, gas/propane and gas/electric taxis can be found on the streets of Denver from multiple taxi companies.

7 | Carbon Calculators

Our two easy-to-use eco friendly carbon calculators, one for events and one for individual travel, allow planners and attendees alike to calculate the environmental impact of their visit to Denver and, if desired, offset their stay with a "green" donation to the Colorado Carbon Fund.

8 | Greenprint Denver Initiative

Making an entire city Green takes a lot of work, and much of it is behind-the-scenes and technical. So it was with great vision that the former Mayor created Greenprint Denver, a comprehensive eco friendly program that focuses on energy management and energy efficiency goals, and addresses specific goals for cleaner water, air, and land. From utilities and transportation (including nearly 150 hybrid city vehicles) to parks and LEED-certified city buildings, Greenprint Denver offers a comprehensive and measurable plan of action that few cities can match. Learn more about the Greenprint Denver initiative.

9 | The Mile High Million

When you hear that Denver is going green, you can take that literally: in 2006, former Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper announced an ambitious tree planting program, with a goal of adding one million new trees in the metropolitan Denver area by the year 2025. Since then, the city's tree canopy has increased by more than 200,000 trees, reducing Denver's greenhouse gases, providing natural cooling and adding considerable beauty to the Mile High area. Denver is well on its way to a million new trees!

10 | Green Attractions

From global warming and renewable energy to environmental cleanup, Denver is emerging as one of the premier places in the nation for a "green" learning vacation. Denver offers two national research centers that have tours and exhibits about the Earth's climate and renewable energy, and a world-class museum of nature and science. The National Center for Atmospheric Research, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science all offer fascinating and educational tours and exhibits that highlight the prominent role Mother Nature plays in Denver.