Metro Denver: Mile High Advantages
Sustainability
Resources that support sustainability. And surroundings that inspire it.
You simply won't find such an intense focus on sustainability – plus all the essential elements to deliver on its promise – anywhere else in the nation.
It is impossible to work in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains and not feel a deep desire to preserve what makes our everyday lives so special. For all who call Metro Denver home, nature isn't just something we drive to on the weekends – it touches us every single day.
Far from a new passion, Metro Denver jumpstarted sustainability years ago. Today, we are reaping the rewards of being the "balanced energy capital of the West."
You'll see our momentum in Colorado's energy diversification, green infrastructure, and the brainpower to propel ingenuity forward. This region is a Petri dish for eco-friendly policies, with a reputation for attracting and nurturing energy-innovating companies.
- In 2006, members of the UK Sustainable Cities effort visited to learn from our regional approach.
- In 2007, Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter signed legislation requiring state utilities to get 20 percent of their electricity from renewable resources by 2020.
- Denver ranked the 9th greenest U.S. city in Sustainlane.com's national report card of the 50 largest cities for urban sustainability.
- Colorado State University is building the world's largest university-owned wind facility to power its entire campus.
It takes a sustained effort to become the nation's
renewable energy capital.
With the state's governor, local mayors, business leaders, universities, and companies in synch with sustainability efforts, Metro Denver has laid the groundwork for Colorado to quickly become the nation's renewable energy capital with:
- Greenprint Denver is integrating environmental impact considerations into the city's programs and policies.
- A Metro Mayor's Caucus MOU outlines actions for area communities to further energy efficiency and conservation.
- Colorado Energy Coalition, a group of leaders and stakeholders advancing Colorado's diverse energy industry.
- Xcel Energy, the nation's No. 1 wind provider, is making renewables a significant part of its energy mix.
- Download the Metro Denver EDC's Energy Industry Cluster Study.
- Colorado ranks No. 4 in the U.S. for renewable energy and energy research employment – Development Research Partners
- The National Renewable Energy Laboratory is the nation's primary laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency R&D.
- The Colorado School of Mines in Golden is one of the few universities in the world with degrees from baccalaureate through doctorate in all energy fields.
Mental energy. It's one of our most impressive natural resources.
From national labs to state-funded research facilities to private corporations, Colorado acts as a crucible for leading-edge research that maximizes the value of fossil fuels while investing in renewable resources.
Within a compact geographical area, hundreds of scientists collaborate to tackle some of the world's most pressing sustainability challenges.
And a new research partnership between the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, the Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University, and the University of Colorado – coined the Colorado Energy Collaboratory – is working closely with the private sector to develop renewable energy technologies for rapid commercialization.
Our research and education institutions are at the forefront of developing the nation's newest energy-efficient technologies:
- The Metro Denver EDC's Energy Efficiency Study details energy efficiency opportunities in the commercial sector.
- The Aardex Signature Center in Lakewood is the largest speculative LEED Platinum project in the U.S.
- The new Museum of Contemporary Art/Denver is expected to achieve LEED Gold certification – the first such museum in the country to earn the distinction.
- The National Renewable Energy Laboratory says its new Research Support Facility will be one of the "greenest" buildings ever constructed.
We have a growing reputation for building green.
Metro Denver's commitment to building green on municipal, commercial, and residential levels has other regions looking to us to set the pace for sustainable construction.
Our list of major green projects is long and growing:
In fact, the region's significant efforts in green building attracted the attention of the U.S. Green Building Council, which held its 2006 Greenbuild Conference in Denver.