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Greenprint Denver What is Greenprint Denver? The Mile High City has a long and proud history of environmental innovation. First “Green Fleet” program in the nation in the early 1990s First North American international airport to attain ISO 14001 certification for its Environmental Management System Pioneering use of energy-efficient LEDs in traffic signals First city in the country to voluntarily create an ISO 14001-certified Environmental Management System that covers each municipal agency First city to have a hydraulic hybrid trash truck in its fleet First city in the state with a methane-gas-to-electricity plant, implemented at the Denver Arapahoe Disposal Site One of the first cities nationwide to have a comprehensive bike sharing program The first city to host a green political convention Denver’s commitment to becoming one of the greenest cities in the country was institutionalized in 2006 with Mayor John Hickenlooper’s creation of the Greenprint Denver office. Greenprint Denver developed a community-wide sustainability plan demonstrating that local government can be an effective force for innovation and leadership to improve the environment. The City of Denver’s first Climate Action Plan was adopted by Mayor Hickenlooper in 2007, and the Greenprint Denver Office works to ensure that the City reaches its Climate Action Plan goal of reducing carbon emissions 25% by 2020. Greenprint Denver creates programs to help Denver residents, businesses, and city government Conserve resources Save money Protect the environment These efforts are accomplished through water and energy conservation, waste reduction, alternative transit development, renewable energy installations, green building and green economic development opportunities. Initiatives Neighborhood Collaborative Program A consortium of city agencies, nonprofit organizations and the state energy office is helping residents reduce energy use, save money on utility bills and improve home comfort by bringing weatherization services to residents’ doorsteps, one neighborhood at a time. The collaborative connects residents to federal weatherization assistance for lowincome 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. Denver Bike Sharing Building off the momentum from the 2008 Democratic National Convention, the City of Denver is creating a community-wide bicycle sharing program to encourage multi-modal transportation. Bike sharing provides a low-cost alternative transportation option for Denver residents and visitors to get around town without burning fuel and increasing carbon emissions. Look for the launch of Denver B-cycle in the late summer of 2009. Bicycles will be available at 20-25 stations around the City, including Denver’s two major university campuses. Bikes will be available through annual membership cards or credit cards with nominal hourly charges after the first free half hour. 2009 marks just the beginning of this program, building from the core downtown area into a regional network. Renewable Energy Denver received a Solar America City award from the U.S. Department of Energy in 2008, and is committed to increasing renewable energy penetration in the residential, commercial and government sectors. Solar arrays can already be found at four city facilities, including DIA, the Colorado Convention Center, Museum of Nature and Science, and the Human Services Building. The City is now reviewing the next round of buildings for solar investment. In an effort to further increase access to renewable energy, Greenprint Denver is working to reduce the upfront costs of energy projects for homeowners and businesses. This effort will allow low-income homeowners, middleincome business owners, public schools and nonprofit organizations to invest in renewable energy. Expanding Recycling Denver is moving forward on several programs to reduce waste, including a recently launched compost collection pilot program for Denver residents; a reusable bag campaign with major grocery stores; the replacement of plastic bags with reusable ones at all Denver Public Library branches; and Denver Public School students selling reusable bags as a fundraiser. Just in time for the 2009 festival season, event planners can now check out recycle bins, courtesy of Corporate Express, from the Denver Parks and Recreation Department to help vendors and festival goers cut down on waste. Green Building Denver plans to adopt the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code standards by early 2010. These standards will allow Denver to show leadership in energy efficiency by helping builders go 15% above current standards. The City is partnering with the EPA and the Governor's Energy Office to provide significant education and incentives to encourage builders to adopt the Energy Star for New Homes standards, and is leading a regional effort to adopt a common green building standard across the Front Range. As part of the City’s commitment to green building, a City sustainability committee is spearheading sustainable design and construction of all municipal construction and renovation projects, helping projects reach LEED Silver or equivalent. The City has a new green standard for all City-supported affordable housing, and Denver’s Building Department is developing a green remodeling guide to help residents and contractors use the most sustainable products and services available. Also in 2009, the City is exploring best practices to reduce energy, water use and reduce utility bills in municipal buildings through energy audits and performance contracting. Water Conservation Denver Water has partnered with the City of Denver to install water-efficient fixtures in the City and County Building, Colorado Convention Center, police and fire stations, libraries and recreation centers. The retrofits completed in the City and County Building alone save over a million gallons of water each year. Denver Water is partnering with Denver Parks to replace acres of irrigated bluegrass with natural grasses as part of the Sustainable Landscape Initiative, helping to reduce water use by 50 percent; increase wildlife habitats; and improve water quality from less chemical fertilizer use. Mile High Million Tree Planting Mayor Hickenlooper challenged the Denver Metropolitan Region to plant one million trees by 2025. Trees help reduce the urban heat island effect, provide natural insulation for homes and buildings, and absorb stormwater runoff, thereby aiding in the improvement of water quality in the Platte River. The city of Denver is leading this effort. To date, over 130,000 trees have been planted. Green Economic Development Denver is one of seven cities across the country participating in the Climate Prosperity Project, an effort led by Global Urban Development and the Rockefeller Brothers Foundation. Recognizing economic prosperity and environmental sustainability are intertwined; the City’s Office of Economic Development is launching a business outreach program to promote sustainability practices, green workforce training programs, and is assisting business districts in energy and water efficiency, transit connections, bicycle parking, and street recycling. Green Fleet As part of Denver’s ongoing commitment to invest in alternatively fueled vehicles, the City of Denver entered a formal partnership with the City of Chongqing, China, Ford Motor Company and Changan Auto Group to develop an Eco-Partnership under the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Strategic Economic Dialogue Program with China. Both cities have committed to plan for and procure electric and plug-in electric vehicles for their municipal fleets. Denver is taking this commitment a step further by also planning for the development of electric charging stations in municipal garages as well as cultural center garages to prepare for community plug-in electric vehicle use. This ties into a broader regional effort to develop 200+ charging stations across the Front Range, encouraging a reduction in petroleum use across the metropolitan region. For more information, please visit www.greenprintdenver.org