A Green Denver Top 10 The Mile High City is leading the way in urban green practices
With its abundant fresh air, crystal clear blue skies and wide variety of natural wonders, it’s no wonder that Denver takes being “green” seriously. The Mile High City has long been on the cutting edge of environmentally friendly technology and practices. From hybrid vehicles to eco-focused attractions, Denver is truly a metropolis of the 21st century. Here’s a quick look at 10 “green” aspects of the Mile High City.
1. Hybrid Taxis
Their color-scheme is still usually yellow, but chances are good when you hail a cab in the Mile High City, it’s likely to be a “green” taxi. In 2007, Metro Taxi, Inc., the Denver area’s largest taxi service, began converting its fleet of vehicles to eco-friendly hybrid-electric Toyota Priuses. In 2008, the Yellow Cab taxi company also introduced hybrids to its fleet.
2. Denver Loves the Outdoors
The Mile High City is home to the largest city park system in the nation, with over 4,000 acres of traditional parks and parkways, which include 2,500 urban natural acres, more than 300 acres of parks designated Rivers & Trails 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.”
3. The Green Fleet
In the early ’90s, Denver created the first “Green Fleet” program in the nation by purchasing alternative fuel vehicles for city use. Today, the city’s Green Fleet remains one of the largest in the country. More than 43 percent of the fleet is powered by alternatives, including 138 hybrid electric vehicles, as well as vehicles fueled by propane, compressed natural gas and biodiesel. And that’s just the beginning – the Green Fleet grows with each passing year.
4. The Greenest Democratic National Convention of All Time
When 50,000 Democrats and members of the media flocked to the Mile High City for the Democratic National Convention, Denver was more crowded than usual in August. But the city made certain that the convention was the greenest in the Democratic Party’s history, offsetting its carbon footprint by 100 percent. The city used renewable energy, reduced waste and maximized recycling, provided green transportation options, managed and mitigated all carbon emissions and used green building and design practices, in addition to a host of other eco-friendly activities.
5. Mayor John Hickenlooper’s 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 Mayor created Greenprint Denver, a comprehensive program that focuses on energy management and energy efficiency goals, and addresses specific goals for cleaner water, air, and land. From utilities and transportation to parks and Leed-certified city buildings, Greenprint Denver offers a comprehensive and measurable plan of action that few cities can match. www.greenprintdenver.org
6. An Eco-Friendly Airport
It may be one of the largest and busiest airports in the country, but the Denver International Airport is dedicated to reducing its carbon footprint. The airport is in the process of replacing its computer and flight monitors with energy-efficient LCD screens that require less heat and thus less energy for cooling. In 2004, DIA 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, DIA recycles more than 19 materials on a regular basis as part of standard airport operations. Also, the DIA fleet is 100% alternative and includes vehicles powered by compressed natural gas, hybrid technology and biodiesel. Finally, in 2007, DIA became the first airport nationwide to be accepted into the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Performance Track program.
7. The Mile High Million
When you hear that Denver is going green, you can take that literally: in 2006, 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 65,000 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!
8. 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 (www.eo.ucar.edu/visit), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (www.nrel.gov/overview) and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science (www.dmns.org) all offer fascinating and educational tours and exhibits that highlight the prominent role Mother Nature plays in Denver.
9. Denver Recycles
Denver Recycles is one of the city's most successful environmental programs. In 2007, city workers collected more than 26,000 tons of recyclable materials, which generated an average of $800,000 in annual revenue. Since the launch of the program in 2005, recycling tonnage has increased by 18 percent.
10. A Greener Arena
In March of 2008, the Pepsi Center, the home of the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche (not to mention a regular series of blockbuster concert events), announced that it would be the first the arena in the United States to go 100 percent green. Plans are afoot for the 19,000-seat arena, the main site of the 2008 Democratic National Convention, to operate entirely on renewable wind and solar energy. The switchover will also include new recycling bins, a hybrid vehicle-only parking area and a “no idling zone” outside the arena.
About VISIT DENVER The Convention & Visitors Bureau
Founded in 1909, VISIT DENVER is a nonprofit trade association that contracts with the City of Denver to market Denver as a convention and leisure destination, increasing economic development in the city, creating jobs and generating taxes. Tourism is the second largest industry in Denver, generating $2.9 billion in annual spending in 2007, while supporting 65,000 jobs. For more information on Denver call 800-2-DENVER or visit Denver’s official Web site at VISITDENVER.com.
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With press or photo inquiries, please contact:
Rich Grant
(303) 571-9450
rgrant@visitdenver.com
Jen Elving
(303) 571-9451
jelving@visitdenver.com