March 29th, 2010
Green Denver
If going Green is your criteria for picking a place to live, then consider Denver, Colorado. Denver has committed to being green in all aspects of city life. Denver has one of the most spectacular urban settings in the United States, and the city wants to keep it that way.
Denver’s Convention Center has a full-time sustainability program manager and over 30,000 square feet of solar panels on the roof, which eliminates 435 tons of carbon emissions per year. Denver has placed 30 downtown bike rental stations for visitors or locals who are carbon footprint aware, and would rather park their cars and ride a bike on over 850 miles of off-street bike trails and paved street bike paths. Denver also has the largest light-rail program, with 122 miles of new track in the planning, which will connect the Denver International Airport to downtown, to Boulder, to Golden and beyond.
Speaking of the Denver International Airport , it has its own solar power program that has reduced carbon emissions by 6.3 million pounds a year. Denver tax dollars have paid for a free hybrid shuttle bus program that runs up and down Denver’s mile long pedestrian mall call the 16th Street Mall. Most, if not all downtown hotels have committed to sheet and towel recycling programs.
Denver’s leisure and entertainment industry has joined the Green bandwagon like the Red Rock Amphitheater, which has reduced the venue’s wast stream by 85 percent. The Denver Zoo and Coors Field both have committed with the Environmental Protection Agency to implement sustainable practices. The city council has implemented an ‘Engines Off’ program that limits bus and taxi’s idling time to 5 minutes; many residence have taken up the same cause on their own and not idled their cars in the freezing morning to warm up their engines, and they have joined the ‘Green’ movement, with water conservation practices, recycling and composting programs, and using Green seal products for all their cleaning needs. Denver’s actions just might surpass all the actions of Seattelites.
Denver has a great appreciation for the natural beauty that surrounds them, and they truly understand the importance of implementing sustainable programs in all that they do. If this hasn’t convinced you to move here, then come on over for a visit and see for yourself, this Mile-high city’s Greening will capture your heart.
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