DEN has incorporated sustainability and resiliency as a key part of its vision and strategic plan.
Thankfully, DEN is already positioned to meet its sustainability goals through renewable energy generation, reduced energy consumption, water efficiency, sustainable development practices and creative waste diversion programs.
- DEN’s Environmental Management System (EMS) is fundamental to the airport's environmental performance. In place since 2004, DEN was the first commercial airport to adopt an ISO-certified EMS certification and the longevity of this system is an indicator of the airport’s long-standing commitment to managing its environmental impacts.
- DEN continues to partner with the state of Colorado through the Colorado Green Business Network (formerly Environmental Leadership Program). Participants in this program meet criteria aimed toward recognizing businesses and organizations that go above and beyond in developing sustainable practices and DEN has remained a gold member for 20 years.
- Year over year, Denver International Airport leads the industry in aircraft deicing fluid collection rates. Of all the deicing fluid applied to aircraft at DEN, approximately 70 percent is captured each year. Instead of entering the environment, DEN's new a state-of-the-art system allows the airport to close the loop and reprocess the deicing waste back into deicing fluid that can be used by airlines.
- DEN started installing solar arrays in 2008 and has been expanding ever since. Currently, the airport solar program spans more than 150 acres of land and is one of the largest hosts of solar energy of any airport in the world.
- DEN continues to grow under Vision 100, DEN’s goal to serve 100 million annual passengers. Since opening the first expansion area in 2020, DEN has opened 39 new gates, adding over 530,000 square feet of space. With these new gates and holdrooms (passenger waiting areas at gates), DEN has now commissioned the largest space since the Westin Hotel and Transit Center in 2015. They have focused on strategic investments that have resulted in projects that have significantly exceeded the base number of credits for LEED Gold. DEN currently has a total of five LEED certified buildings, including a LEED Platinum on-airport hotel that sits directly above an electrified commuter rail that transports passengers to and from downtown Denver.
- Denver International Airport strives to reduce, reuse and recycle however it can. Some of the programs and offerings that help accomplish this include:
- Pre-security liquid dumping stations and post-security water filling stations to reduce single-use plastic water bottle consumption
- Airport-wide single-stream recycling
- Back of house composting
- Partnerships with local non-profits to donate food, luggage, toilet paper and baby gear
Learn more about Denver International Airport’s commitment to sustainability.
Airport Rail Service
It's now easier than ever to get from DEN to downtown Denver, which provides a green way to travel.
At a cost of $10 each way (with discounts available), travelers can use the new rail service, known as the A Line, from the airport to Denver Union Station and vice versa courtesy of the Regional Transportation District (RTD), metro Denver's public transit provider.
The A Line, accessible on Level 1 of the airport's main terminal, whisks travelers to the heart of downtown, specifically the recently restored Union Station, which is the city's new transportation hub and "living room," thanks to its plush surroundings. From Union Station, travelers can access additional local and regional transportation services, such as light rail, regional and local buses, Amtrak rail service, taxis, and the free 16th Street Mall shuttle (MallRide) and free downtown MetroRide buses that provides access to most downtown hotels. Union Station itself is a beautiful 1914 Beaux-Arts building and the location of hip, locally owned restaurants, bars, shops and a boutique hotel.
The airport rail has six stops along the way and takes approximately 37 minutes. It opened on April 22, 2016.
