by Michele Weingarden

With a long and proud history of environmental innovation that includes the nation’s 9th most nationally recognized municipal “Green Fleet” and one of the country’s first ISO 14001-certified Environmental Management Systems that covers each municipal agency, Denver’s commitment to becoming one of the greenest cities in the country is well underway.  Mayor John Hickenlooper institutionalized the city’s green commitment with the creation of Greenprint Denver in 2006. 

Greenprint Denver is a community-wide sustainability plan demonstrating that local government can be an effective force for innovation and leadership to improve the environment. The Greenprint Denver plan, currently in its second year of implementation, covers programs in energy and water conservation, waste reduction, alternative transit development, renewable energy installations, green building and green economic development opportunities for the municipal government’s operations and the broader community.  Mayor Hickenlooper further formalized the City’s green vision by adopting Denver’s first Climate Action Plan in 2007. This ambitious plan commits Denver to a 25% reduction in carbon emissions by 2020. 

Several implementation strategies are currently underway, and Mayor Hickenlooper is appreciative of the recognition Siemens has bestowed on the city’s efforts to engage the community in energy efficiency efforts.   This award-winning effort is the Neighborhood Energy Action Program, which is run by a consortium of city agencies, nonprofit organizations and the state energy office to help residents reduce energy use, save money on utility bills and improve home comfort. The consortium brings weatherization services to residents’ doorsteps, one neighborhood at a time, connecting residents to federal weatherization assistance for low-income families; free or subsidized energy audits; service rebates and contact information for weatherization and water efficiency assistance; free CFL porch bulbs; recycling service signups; household hazardous waste collection information; and free tree plantings in the right of way, as part of the Mile High Million program. 

“This nationally recognized program has been a tremendous win-win for Denver residents,” said Mayor Hickenlooper.  “Through a public-private partnership, our Greenprint Denver initiative and this collaborative are providing immediate costs savings to Denver residents on utility bills and helping them save energy in the process.  The Institute for Research on Poverty reports that every effort to reduce utility and energy costs and supplement the income of low-income parents has a direct correlation with increasing the scholastic achievement of children. Our program offers residents the true picture of sustainability – benefits for the environment, society and the economy.”

The Mile High City knows how to paint a city green.  From green building to the state’s first methane-gas-to-electricity (waste-to-energy) plant, both Mayor Hickenlooper and Denver continue to gain national recognition for innovative approaches to sustainability, transit alternatives, and hosting the greenest national political convention ever.  Denver is well recognized as one of the most sustainable cities in the country.  For more information, please visit www.greenprintdenver.org

Michele Weingarden is the Director of Greenprint Denver