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April 2012 In This Issue: · April is Earth Month – Take Mayor Hancock’s Community Challenge! · Free Weatherization Services Available for Low-Income Residents and Why Permits Matter · B-cycle at Denver Public Schools · 2012 is the Year of Water – Take the Mayor’s Challenge · Libraries Saving Energy · Solar Summit Highlights Work of Coloradans · Upcoming Events · About Greenprint Denver Note: Please view the attached pdf version if you are unable to read this newsletter in your current inbox! | |||||||
April is Earth Month – Take Mayor Hancock’s Community Challenge!
Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock has issued a community challenge to residents and businesses to take steps this April to create a more sustainable Denver in observance of Earth Month. “This is a great opportunity to raise awareness about working together to make Denver one of the most sustainable cities in the nation,” Mayor Hancock said. “From apartments to skyscrapers, I urge residents and businesses to take advantage of the many city-sponsored programs that aim to help us save water, conserve energy and reduce pollution.” In February, Mayor Hancock accepted President Obama’s Better Buildings Challenge, committing the City and County of Denver to reduce energy use 20 percent by 2020. Better Buildings Denver includes several programs to help residents and businesses conserve water and energy while achieving cost savings through education, rebates and implementation of sustainability practices. Mayor Hancock also recently signed onto the National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation, a nationwide competition from March 30 to April 30 between cities to see who can be the most “water wise.” Denver residents are asked to make a series of informative, easy-to-use online pledges to conserve water and cut pollution. “To realize the Mayor’s vision of delivering a world-class city where everyone matters, we must work towards building a sustainable city for generations we may never meet,” said Michele Weingarden, Director of Greenprint Denver. “By signing up for one of our many free programs, you can help Denver make significant progress towards attaining these goals.” In addition to promoting Better Buildings Denver and the National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation, Denver’s Department of Environmental Health, Greenprint Denver and its community partners will be hosting a series of Earth Month events including the Earth Day Denver 2012 in Civic Center Park on April 18. The Mayor will also be posting “Earth Month Tips of the Day” on Facebook to encourage sustainable actions throughout April. Originally confined to April 22nd, Denver’s focus on sustainability has gone so green; we now need a whole month to celebrate! Check out the following events and get out and get green. April 10 – Mariposa Community Groundbreaking featuring LEED Platinum apartments, 1:30-4 pm, W. 10th Ave. & Navajo St. April 11 – “The Climate of Colorado” talk by Nolan Doesken, State Climatologist, 2-3, Denver Museum of Nature and Science April 18 – Denver Earth Day Fair, 10-2, City & County Building Plaza, 1437 Bannock Street April 19 – Seven Principles of Water-Smart Gardening, 6:30-8:30 pm, Denver Botanic Gardens April 20 – Colorado School of Mines Earth Day, 3-7 pm, Stratton Common April 21 – Stapleton United Neighbors Recycling Event, 10-2, Sam’s Club Parking Lot April 21 – Road Runners Give Back, 8-5, Comcast Cares Day – Clean up the South Platte River April 21 – Wild About Our World Celebration, 10-5, The Wildlife Experience, 10035 S. Peoria, Parker April 21 – Audubon at Chatfield State Park April 21 – Mountain Area Earth Day Fair, 10-4, Evergreen Lake House April 21 – Lakewood Earth Day Fair, Lakewood Heritage Center April 22 – Bluff Lake Nature Center Earth Day Celebration, 1-5, 3400 Havana Way April 22 – Denver Botanic Gardens Earth Day Celebration, 9-5, York Street, free admission April 22 – Denver Museum of Nature and Science Earth Day Celebration, free admission April 23 – Auraria Campus Sustainability Fair, 10-4 April 24 – AWRA Colorado Luncheon Presentation, 12-1:30 pm, Denver Water, 1600 W. 12th Avenue April 26 -- Seven Principles of Water-Smart Gardening, 6:30-8:30 pm, Denver Botanic Gardens Throughout the month, celebrate the growing season! Denver Urban Gardens can accommodate groups or individuals to work on community gardens. Contact Lavell at lavell@dug.org. | |||||||
Free Weatherization Services Available for Low-Income Residents and Why Permits Matter
Denver has many non profits that provide free weatherization services to low-income residents, in thanks to funding from the City and County of Denver, the State of Colorado, the federal government and private foundations. You may qualify if you already receive assistance from the following programs: • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) • Aid to the Needy and Disabled (AND) • Old Age Pension (OAP) • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) • Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) If you don’t receive assistance from any of these programs, you may still qualify for weatherization services if your annual gross household income falls within an organization’s specific program guidelines. You may contact each organization directly to discuss program guidelines and to determine your eligibility: 720-236-1321 Denver Urban Renewal Authority 303-534-3872 866-432-8435 303.825.8750 Rebuilding Together Metro Denver 720-524-0840 303-455-5600 303-433-1206 Why Permits Matter Always ensure that your home improvement contractors obtain permits. There are many reasons why it’s important to ensure that any contractor you hire for your home improvements has obtained the proper permits for the job. The risks involved in completing home projects without a permit may include subpar results and unsafe conditions in your home, as well as legal and financial hardships for you as the homeowner. Remember: • A permit ensures that the person/company performing the work is qualified to do it. • A permit ensures that an independent third party will inspect the work upon completion. • Work done by someone who is not qualified to perform it could result in safety issues in your home (structural problems, risk of electrical fire, etc.). • You have little to no legal recourse if you contract to do work without a permit and the resulting work is incomplete, subpar, or creates safety issues in your home. • Failure to obtain a permit could cost you more in the long run. Examples include costly repairs to correct subpar work and after-the-fact permit fees from the city. • Unpermitted work could void your home insurance coverage. • Re-financing or selling your home could be hampered by unpermitted work, in part because unpermitted work may not comply with minimum city building code requirements. Some small projects do not require a permit. To find out if your project is exempt, please contact Development Services or by phone at 720-865-2982. Denver B Cycle Comes To Denver Public Schools Denver Public Schools (DPS) and Denver B-cycle are proud to announce the upcoming first B-cycle station located on a DPS school site. South High School was chosen because of its location and willingness to host the station, all made possible through collaboration with DPS Facility Management, DPS Sustainability and Denver B-cycle, with funding and project support provided by Transportation Solutions and the University of Denver. DPS and South High School are excited to offer the automated bike sharing system to students and neighborhood residents. Also, the collective visions of both Denver B-cycle and DPS sustainability support not only the partnership opportunity but the energy and environmental benefits of bicycling as a sustainable alternative transportation source as well.
Denver B-cycle has over 500 bikes located at 52 stations throughout Denver. The South High School station is strategically located next to Washington Park offering easy access from Franklin Street’s bike route and filling an important gap in the overall network of B-stations. This South High School station will offer commuters the ability to bike to-and-from the Louisiana/Pearl Light Rail Station and connect more easily to the network of B-stations in the surrounding neighborhoods and downtown Denver. Denver’s vision as outlined in its Greenprint Denver Sustainability Action Agenda and its Strategic Transportation Plan is to change the culture of transportation – from moving automobiles to moving people. Implementing bike sharing moves us toward this goal while reinforcing the innovative and environmentally-focused way Denver and its leadership are working to reduce obesity, lower carbon emissions, build community, and provide affordable, clean-burning transportation. As the City of Denver continues work to deliver a world class, sustainable city where everyone matters, the City looks forward to partnering with Denver Public Schools to grow the leaders for our country’s future. Denver B-cycle users must be 18 years of age, or 16 with a valid driver’s license. Students can receive $20 off a fully priced Annual B-cycle membership by visiting www.denverbcycle.com.
2012 is the Year of Water 2012 marks a milestone for water in Colorado. It is the 75th anniversary of legislation that created the Colorado Water Conservation Board, the Colorado River Water Conservation District, and the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, the organizations that built the foundation for management of Colorado’s water resources. Colorado Water 2012 is celebrating these anniversaries and helping Coloradans celebrate water, its diverse uses and the values of this precious resource. Water awareness is key to ensuring limited water supplies and the future need for water will be met for future generations. Events are scheduled throughout the year, including virtual book clubs, programs, conferences, festivals, workshops, education events, speakers series, library and museum displays. All Coloradans are invited to join the Water 2012 Coalition of Partners. Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock has signed the National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation, which is a nation-wide month-long campaign for clean water in April. Under this program, Mayor Hancock will be challenging residents to conserve water and energy through an online pledge, and Denver will be competing with other cities on who can gain the most participation! Enter your zip code and make a series of online pledges to conserve water in Denver. Given the dry weather conditions this spring, there is no better time to make these pledges and be part of a safe, sustainable summer ahead of us. The city with the highest percentage of pledges wins and residents of that city are entered into a drawing for a Toyota Prius Hybrid and other prizes. The program is sponsored by the Wyland Foundation, U.S. EPA Office of Water, U.S. Forest Service, NOAA, Toyota, CBS/KCAL, and other organizations. | |||||||
Libraries Saving Energy Small changes in our daily routines can make a big impact in supporting sustainability efforts. Employees at the Eugene Fields Branch of the Denver Public Library (DPL) learned firsthand that they could protect the environment and save money with just a few targeted efforts. As a participant in a 3 month energy efficiency behavioral change pilot program, employees made simple adjustments such as turning off lights in unoccupied rooms and turning off computers/monitors at the end of the day. As a result, electricity usage in 2011 dropped 13.5 percent compared to the three year average. This energy reduction represented a $641 cost savings. With help from the City’s Department of General Services, these engaged employees decided to take their efforts even farther, making a few lighting modifications and installing blinds on south facing windows to increase their newly-founded efficiencies. This project was a result of DPL’s efforts to meet their Environmental Management System Annual Plan goal of reducing energy use by 5 percent. Based on sincere staff ownership of actions and outcomes, this pilot surpassed the original goal. And because the pilot is easily replicable, it has opened the door to rollout behavior change programs at other library branches and City of Denver facilities. According to Christian Williss of General Services, “If each branch achieved the same reductions, Denver Public Library could save tens of thousands of dollars annually.”
Solar Summit Highlights Work of Coloradans
Coloradans have played groundbreaking roles in bringing solar energy to remote corners of the world. On March 27, key players gathered at a packed Denver Museum of Nature and Science to share their stories of how sun power is transforming communities in some of the world’s poorest areas. “Solar for a Small Planet” was hosted by Greenprint Denver, Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association, and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. The event was made possible through funding from a Department of Energy Solar America Cities grant. From Nepal and Namibia to the Navajo Nation, solar energy is changing lives in unexpected ways, bringing new energy to areas far from any power grid. Blake Jones, founder of Boulder-based Namaste Energy, shared his story about getting started in the solar industry in remote parts of Nepal. With compelling slides from areas near the top of the world, he showed how solar energy has made the lives of villagers easier through water pumps, electric panels, water purification systems and other technologies. Denver lawyer Doug Vilsack described his first experience bringing solar-powered flashlights to Namibia through his nonprofit Elephant Energy. More recently, he developed Eagle Energy to work with the Navajo Nation, the area including a Native American reservation located on about 26,000 square miles of land in northeastern Arizona, southeastern Utah, and northwestern New Mexico. Despite its location within the United States, about 38 percent of households in the Navajo Nation lack electricity, and more than 50 percent of Navajo live below the poverty line. Despite requests for modern, grid-based power, the remote location of many Navajo households makes electricity extremely expensive, forcing many families to rely on wood and kerosene for energy. Solar lights are making a big difference for many families, and Eagle Energy is working with Navajo entrepreneurs to increase their availability. Neal Lurie, COSEIA Executive Director, explained that Colorado ranks number one in the nation for solar jobs per capita according to the most recent survey. “Solar advancements taking place right here in Colorado are lowering the costs of solar throughout the world, making solar available to areas without easy access to electricity or heat,” Lurie said. Greenprint Solar Program Coordinator Jessica Scott provided an overview of Denver’s Solar Program, which includes an installed capacity of 9.4 MW on 17 City and County of Denver facilities, 8 MW of which is at DIA. Through a joint solar power purchase agreement with Denver Public Schools, an additional 3 MW is installed on 28 schools that also incorporate solar education into the curriculum. In addition to renewable energy adoption, the City has implemented aggressive energy efficiency measures resulting in a 23 percent reduction in energy use in core City facilities since 2006. Jessica introduced Greg Ching from Solar Gardens Institute and Jim Hartman from Clean Energy Collective who both spoke about a new solar option called Community Solar Gardens which are perfect for renters or those whose homes are not suitable for solar PV. Greenprint Volunteer Chuck Woodward said, “It was fun being involved and I really enjoyed the speakers. Those working in areas such as helping the Navajo or working in areas of rural Africa really brought home the message of what solar can achieve in many different ways. Also, the solar power being generated by Denver buildings and Denver schools is a great start and early steps on what we all can achieve. Great to see the city so committed to seeking many ways to conserve energy and use alternative sources (and lead the way for others). Keep up the good work.” Attendees were able to talk with solar installers and exhibitors including: Namaste Solar, Elephant Energy, Solar Gardens Institute, Clean Energy Collective, Denver Energy Challenge, Juwi Solar, Lighthouse Solar, SMA-America, Syndicated Solar, SunTalk Solar, COSEIA, and Greenprint. Click here for more information about Denver’s Solar Program.
Upcoming Events Free webinar: Practical Energy Reduction Through Employee Action, April 5. Learn the best ways to engage employees in becoming more energy efficient; Find out how to quantify those savings earned; Hear the importance of communicating a strong message across your organization. Global New Energy Summit, April 9-11, Colorado Springs. The Summit brings together the four primary disciplines - science/innovation, industry/markets, policy and capital; to discuss the inter-relationships across the entire supply and distribution economy - oil, gas, nuclear, solar, wind, storage, bio-fuels, transmission and smart grid. This year there will also be extra attention given to skilled workforce and manufacturing leadership opportunities represented by the industry. EnvirOvation – A Climate Wise Showcase, April 12, Fort Collins. Join Mayor Karen Weitkunat and Chief Sustainability Officer Bruce Hendee to celebrate the environmental stewardship of Climate Wise business partners. Event will be held at the Hilton Fort Collins from 2 to 5 p.m. Registration is required. USGBC Colorado Presents: Rocky Mountain Green, April 12-13, Denver. Come for the AIA/GBCI approved continuing education credits, stay for the networking! Just don't miss Rocky Mountain Green - USGBC Colorado's annual educational conference happening on April 12-13 in downtown Denver. NEW for 2012 is a sustainability bike tour through downtown Denver and a learning track featuring one session from each GBCI reporting category. City of Denver Earth Day Fair, April 18, 10-2, City & County Building Plaza (1437 Bannock St). The Fair is on Facebook. Stapleton Recycling Event, April 21, 10am – 2pm, Sam’s Club Parking Lot. An Earth Day event organized by the Stapleton United Neighbors Sustainability Committee. Recycling opportunities will include: Electronics, Shredding (documents, hard drives, DVD, CD, floppy disks), Latex Paints, Moving Boxes, Plastic Grocery Bags, Pet Food and Accessories, Home Furnishings: Furniture, Appliances, Tools, Plumbing Fixtures, Building Materials (nails, wood, etc.), & Bicycles….plus more. TEDxCSU “Growing Greener Generations,” April 23, Fort Collins. TEDxCSU will feature 12 interdisciplinary talks on Technology, Entertainment, and Design with a focus on sustainability. World Renewable Energy Forum, May 13-17, Colorado Convention Center. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to join renewable energy enthusiasts from 100 countries around the world as the American Solar Energy Society and World Renewable Energy Congress combine conferences for the first time. The theme of the 2012 conference is “EmPowering the World with Renewable Energy,” focusing on how renewable energy technologies can address the environmental and energy crisis from an international perspective, and what it will take to integrate renewables into the world’s energy infrastructure on a very large scale. To accomplish this energy transition, we not only need to power our electric grids with renewable energy, but we also need to empower people to play active roles in our energy transition, especially in developing nations. Colorado Water 2012, a year of events around the use of water and water conservation across the State of Colorado Fostering Sustainable Behavior with Doug McKenzie Mohr, May 21-23, 9-5, CU-Boulder campus. The workshop includes one-day introductory and two-day advanced instruction. Enrolment is limited and organizers expect the workshop to sell-out. Deadline for Rocky Mountain Cleantech Open Competition, May 8. The Cleantech Open runs the world's largest accelerator, providing entrepreneurs and technologists the resources needed to launch successful cleantech companies. The mission is to find, fund, and foster entrepreneurs with big ideas that address today's most urgent energy, environmental, and economic challenges. | |||||||
Greenprint Denver is the City of Denver’s initiative designed to help residents, businesses and the municipal government conserve resources, save money and protect the environment to improve the quality of life for the Denver community. Through Better Buildings Denver, residents, business owners, large commercial buildings, nonprofit organizations and municipal buildings are investing in energy and water efficiencies and saving money on utility bills. With a U.S. Green Building Council LEED Gold goal for municipal construction, Denver is constructing world-class buildings designed for the future. The Colorado Medication Take Back Program has diverted over 7 tons of medicine from Front Range waterways, including Denver’s South Platte River since 2010. And the Mile High Million Tree Program celebrated its 250,000 tree planting in 2011.
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