Three weekday drop-off sites will be open this year through December 7 
The leaves changing colors are a pretty sight, but when they fall, make sure they don’t end up in the trash! Give those leaves a second life through Denver’s LeafDrop program, which will turn those fallen leaves into compost. Starting Monday, October 1, three free weekday drop-off sites will be open to Denver residents through Friday, December 7. The leaves collected through this program will be turned into a high-quality compost, which will be made available for residents to purchase in May. Learn more here!
 
Weekday Drop-Off Sites
Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 2:00pm

• Cherry Creek Transfer Station – 7301 E. Jewell Ave. (Quebec Street & Cherry Creek Dr. South)
• Havana Nursery – 10450 Smith Rd. (Just south of I-70 on Havana St.)
• South Platte – 678 S. Jason St. (Enter on W. Exposition Ave.)

Please note, all leaves dropped-off at Havana Nursery and South Platte must be in bags (paper bags are preferred) and dropped-off during hours of operation, otherwise it is considered illegal dumping.
 
Another way to be environmentally friendly, break the plastic bag habit and use paper bags when raking fallen leaves instead – paper bags can also be composted! Denver Recycles, Denver Parks & Recreation’s Be A Smart Ash program, and Ace Hardware are teaming up to give away 50,000 paper leaf bags this year! Beginning Monday, Denver residents can print or download a coupon for a free 5-pack of paper leaf bags at www.denvergov.org/leafdrop. The coupon can be redeemed at participating Denver area Ace Hardware stores.
 
Help us manage the LeafDrop program by following these guidelines:

• Bring your leaves in paper leaf bags, if possible.
• Drop-off sites and free Ace Hardware paper bag offer is for Denver residents only.
• Jack-O-Lanterns and pumpkins will be accepted for composting at drop-off sites.
• Make sure leaves do not contain branches or other materials.
• Never rake or blow leaves into the street, as they can clog storm sewers and street sweepers.

 
Weekend LeafDrop sites will be coming soon in November! More details on dates and locations can be found at www.denvergov.org/leafdrop.

The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) recently signed the Energy Future Partnership with Xcel Energy that will help Denver meet climate and energy goals through clean and renewable technology, energy efficiency, electric vehicles and grid resilience.

Through July 18, Xcel Energy and DDPHE are encouraging residents to sign up for the Renewable Connect program to help Denver achieve its renewable energy goals. The program aims to deliver clean, affordable solar energy to Denver residents with no equipment necessary.
​
Renewable Connect Benefits

• Flexible - Choose your subscription length: month-to-month, 5-year or 10-year.
• Affordable - Low cost solar with the potential to save money.
• Choice - Choose your amount of renewable energy.
• Local - Clean energy from an additional 50 MW solar resource in Deer Trail, Colorado.

To learn more, email RenewableConnectCO@xcelenergy.com or call 800-895-4999.

Save yourself time and energy this growing season by grasscycling, which is the process of leaving your grass clippings on your lawn after mowing. Grasscycling makes mowing quicker and easier, and is the natural way to return nutrients to your lawn.

More than a quarter of Denver’s household trash is composed of yard debris, and grass clippings account for a large portion of this material from April to September. By grasscycling, you can help stop this material from ending up in landfills and have a real impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. If you’re not already a grasscycling pro, give it a try this summer!  
  
TIPS FOR HOW TO GRASSCYCLE SUCCESSFULLY:

1. USE ANY MOWER. Remove the mower collection bag to allow clippings to fall back on the lawn. If your mower does not have a safety flap covering the opening over which the bag fits, then you may need to purchase a retrofit kit from your local hardware store.
2. MOW WHEN IT’S DRY. Wet grass clippings clump together and do not feed your lawn as well as dry grass clippings.
3. FOLLOW THE “1/3 RULE.” To foster healthy grass, do not cut more than 1/3 of the length of the grass at any time, and make sure that clippings are no more than one-inch long. Lawns are healthiest when they are mowed to a height of 2 ½ to 3 inches.

If you hire a landscaper to mow, be sure to ask them to adopt grasscyclingmethods when mowing your lawn.
 
Visit DenverGov.org/DenverRecycles for more information about grasscycling and other resources for reducing your waste.

Progress to date and extended work hours:
Excavation of Sanderson Gulch in order to prepare for the installation of large capacity, underground box culverts, is underway.  Heavy equipment and crews will be working on the gulch between Sanderson Gulch Park and S. Platte River Drive.  In order to meet schedule deadlines, construction crews will begin working extended hours.  Work crews and heavy machinery will operate between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., six days a week, Monday through Saturday.  Noise levels are being monitored.  Please see the notice of extended work hours for further details: 
https://www.denvergov.org/content/dam/denvergov/Portals/711/documents/capital-projects/sanderson-gulch-may2018-notification.pdf

Detours and bicycle safety:
Two City of Denver infrastructure projects are occurring at the same time and geographically close to one another: the Sanderson Gulch storm water project and the Mississippi Avenue Bridge rehabilitation project.  The South Platte River Trail is closed to pedestrians and cyclists where it passes under the Mississippi Avenue Bridge.  Cyclists are urged to use the designated detour onto Huron Street in order to get back onto the bike trail.  It is not safe for bicycles to be on S. Platte River Drive which is an active construction site, or on Lipan Street which has heavier than normal traffic due to a related construction detour.
 
Traffic
Traffic detours and delays continue on both the west and east sides of the Sanderson Gulch project site.

S. Platte River Drive:
S. Platte River Drive is closed in both directions from S. Santa Fe Drive to W. Florida Avenue. Northbound traffic on S. Platte River Drive will continue to be detoured onto W. Florida Avenue and north on S. Lipan Street.  Through traffic on southbound S. Platte River Drive will be detoured onto S. Huron Street.  

S. Huron Street, S. Inca Street, and S. Jason Street will remain open to business traffic at W. Louisiana Avenue, but will have no access to S. Platte River Drive.

S. Lipan Street and W. Arkansas Avenue:
S. Lipan Street remains open in both directions, but traffic lanes will be shifted to the west away from the active construction zone.  Flaggers will help direct traffic.  There will be no access to S. Lipan Street from W. Arkansas Avenue.  W. Arkansas Avenue will be closed for one block between S. Mariposa Street and S. Lipan Street.

Cyclists can rejoin the South Platte River bike trail at the intersection of S. Huron St. and S. Platte River Drive.  Please follow the orange detour signs.  Cyclists may not enter S. Platte River Drive, it is closed. 
 
Project Background
The Sanderson Gulch construction project between S. Lipan Street and S. Platte River Drive will reduce flood risk to nearby properties, improve water quality flowing into the South Platte River and create a more pleasant public area for the community to enjoy.
The project involves installing larger storm drainage pipes to provide greater protection during bigger storm events, and improving the naturalized channel to manage and clean water during smaller storm events. The project will take approximately 12 months to complete.Questions? CCD.constructionupdates@gmail.com

For urgent, construction-related questions call Dave Shaw,  Project Manager at 303 446-3456
For non-urgent questions that will be answered within a few hours during regular business hours,
call 720 460-9055
Learn more at: http://denvergov.org/sandersongulch

On April 30, Denver adopted administrative rules and regulations (PDF) for implementing the green roofs ordinance as passed by voters in November 2017. These rules apply to all projects subject to the green roof requirement and should be read in conjunction with the ordinance (PDF). Adoption of the rules and regulations comes after a public review process held earlier in 2018.

The Green Roofs Review Task Force has created a draft proposal (PDF) for strengthening the benefits of the ordinance, while reducing the costs. The proposal is open for public review and comment through noon on June 3. To comment, use this form or email your feedback. Responses received by noon on May 18 will reach the task force before its next meeting. 

A cost analysis and methodology are available on the green roofs web page.
​
Two public briefing and input sessions will be held at 201 W. Colfax Ave., Denver:

• Friday, May 11, 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. in room 4.G.2
• Monday, May 14, 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. in room 1.B.6

Any changes to the initiative will require the support of two-thirds of City Council, or 9 votes.

​Beginning on Monday, April 30th the next phase of work on Sanderson Gulch will begin.  The Denver Water and electrical utility lines running next to S. Platte River Drive have been relocated.  The open trench will be backfilled with dirt.
Excavation and soil testing will begin at two separate locations within the project site.  Both locations will experience traffic impacts.

In the vicinity of S. Platte River Drive:
S. Platte River Drive will close in both directions from S. Santa Fe Drive to W. Florida Avenue. S. Platte River Drive will be closed intermittently between April 30 and the end of 2018.  Northbound traffic on S. Platte River Drive will continue to be detoured onto W. Florida Avenue and north on S. Lipan Street.  Through traffic on southbound S. Platte River Drive will be detoured onto S. Huron Street.  

S. Huron Street, S. Inca Street, and S. Jason Street will remain open to business traffic at W. Louisiana Avenue, but will have no access to S. Platte River Drive.

Gas line relocation work will begin in S.Platte River Drive.  Drill rigs at this location will begin soil sampling.

In the vicinity of S. Lipan Street and W. Arkansas Avenue:
Crews will begin excavating Sanderson Gulch at the upper reach of the project site.  S. Lipan Street will remain open in both directions, but traffic lanes will be shifted to the west away from the active construction zone.  Flaggers will help direct traffic.  There will be no access to Lipan Street from W. Arkansas Avenue.  W. Arkansas will be closed for one block between S. Mariposa Street and S. Lipan Street.

Here's what this program provides:

• Thorough energy audit and safety inspection 
• New insulation in your attic, walls and crawlspace 
• Furnace replacement or repair
• Weatherstripping, air-sealing, and LED light bulbs 
• Refrigerator replacement

Renters and owners are eligible for this program. Learn more by downloading the PDF here. 
En espanol.

The construction of the utility trench along S. Platte River Drive is complete.  Construction crews will now begin working around the clock, 24 hours a day, Monday through Saturday, to relocate the Denver Water line and the electrical utility line in the new trench.  ​

Soil sampling using drill equipment will continue in Sanderson Gulch between S. Platte River Drive and the BNSF railroad.

People in the area will notice heavy construction machinery, construction trailers, and more crews moving into the vicinity of S. Lipan Street and W. Arkansas Avenue.  With the utility line relocation coming to a close toward the end of April,  construction crews are preparing for excavation work on Sanderson Gulch itself.

S. Lipan Street is open to traffic in both directions.  S. Platte River Drive remains closed northbound at W. Florida Avenue.

When: Thursday, May 17 | 10a.m. – 2p.m.

Where: Washington Park | Franklin & Mississippi
2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the most powerful and important bird-protection law ever passed. We’re celebrating this milestone during World Migratory Bird Day which also brings attention to one of the most spectacular events in the Americas-- bird migration! Join Denver Parks & Recreation, Audubon Society of Greater Denver, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Washington Park on May 17! We’ll have fun, educational activities for all ages including crafts, nature walks, games & more!

Learn more at MigratoryBirdAct.org, and share the Facebook event with your friends and neighbors!

The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) and Walk2Connect invite residents to participate in the Climate Reality Walking Series in Denver, a free, four-part series about how the City and its partners are working to improve environmental resiliency in a changing climate.
 
Each walk will feature a different climate change theme and will explore a different part of the city being uniquely affected. Walks average two to three miles in distance and will cover a variety of walking surfaces. Participants should prepare for inclement weather by wearing appropriate footwear and outerwear — and should bring water and a snack. Walks are open to residents of all ages and abilities. Spanish translation is available upon request.
 

• March 15, 10 a.m. — Denver and Its Water: How Denver Water is Staying Afloat in a Changing Climate
  
  • With a shallow snow pack and less precipitation, climate change is already impacting Denver’s water resources. Featured speaker Steve Snyder, executive communications manager at Denver Water, will discuss how snow pack becomes drinking water.
    
• April 5, 10 a.m. — The Green Roofs Initiative: How Rooftop Gardens Impact Denver’s Temperatures
  
  • In November 2017, Denver residents passed the Green Roof Initiative. This walk will lead participants on a tour of several existing green roofs and explain why this initiative could impact climate resiliency and the urban heat island effect in Denver. Andy Creath, founder of Green Roofs of Colorado and technical advisor and spokesperson for the Denver Green Roof Initiative, will be the featured speaker.
•  April 26, 10 a.m. — Denver’s Urban Forest: Surviving Climate Change
  
  • Trees are an extremely valuable urban resource, providing attractive landscapes and much-needed shade, improving water and air quality, and more. During this walk, participants will learn how Denver’s urban forests are a vital tool to climate resiliency. Stay tuned for more details.
•  May 9, 10 a.m. — Gardening in Denver’s New Weather with Denver Urban Gardens
  
  • This walk will visit two gardens managed by Denver Urban Gardens to explore how both produce and backyard livestock can be cultivated to adapt to a changing climate. Shannon Spurlock, director of external relations for Denver Urban Gardens, will be the featured speaker.

 
For more information about DDPHE, visit www.denvergov.org/PublicHealthandEnvironment or follow them on www.twitter.com/DDPHE.

Denver Water will continue working to relocate a water line and electrical utility in S. Platte River Drive. The construction crew is shoring up a trench for placement of the new utilities. You will see the metal trench plates being driven into the ground by heavy machinery as you drive by the area.
 
Northbound traffic on S. Platte River Drive at W. Florida Avenue will continue to be closed, with a detour to S. Lipan Street. The timing of the traffic lights at S. Platte River Drive at W. Florida Avenue has been adjusted to move traffic more efficiently.
 
Red roll-off containers are arriving on site that may be used to store excavated dirt as part of the project’s materials handling plan.  The empty containers will be temporarily stored on S. Jason Street before they are moved to the construction site.  The 'no parking' signs on S. Jason Street will be removed as soon as the soil containers are moved on site. 

Today at the Climate Leadership Conference, Mayor Michael B. Hancock and Xcel Energy President - Colorado David Eves signed the Energy Future Partnership, taking a significant step toward building a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

The Energy Future Partnership will focus on advancing Denver’s renewable energy and emissions reduction goals through innovation, clean energy, economic development and technology.

Working together, local governments and energy companies can achieve greater progress toward key outcomes, including climate action, economic development and technological innovation. Denver and Xcel Energy’s partnership will focus on scaling up clean and local energy that comes from the sun, wind or other renewable technologies, as well as innovative approaches to pilot and demonstration projects. Denver and Xcel Energy have agreed to a set of values and guiding principles including community and stakeholder engagement, regional collaboration, and supporting public policy in alignment with Denver’s renewable energy goals.

“Climate change is real, and it’s increasingly up to cities like Denver, with partners like Xcel Energy, to do what we can to stem the tide of climate change and make our communities more resilient to its affects,” Mayor Hancock said. “We are excited that this new Energy Future Partnership agreement with Xcel will further enable us to collaboratively pursue innovations in technology, clean energy and energy efficiency, and to expand electric vehicle infrastructure access and more to reduce carbon emissions.”

“We are pleased to partner with Denver in this ‘Energy Future Collaboration’ to jointly advance its energy-related objectives by combining Denver’s vast expertise on many energy issues with our core business capabilities,” said Eves.  “Denver is the second community to take part in this new collaborative framework, which can be adopted by other Colorado communities to partner with Xcel Energy in achieving their local energy priorities – ranging from sustainability objectives to economic development and energy innovation goals. Denver and Xcel Energy have a 100-year tradition of working together — we’re excited to move forward with this comprehensive collaboration that can lead the way for communities and their energy providers to achieve local energy targets in a scalable fashion.”

Partnerships like this will help Denver reach the climate goal of reducing community greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by the year 2050.

For more information about Denver’s efforts to address climate change, visit www.denvergov.org/climate.

Construction Update 
Denver Water will continue to work on the relocation of the water line and electrical utility in S. Platte River Drive. The construction crew will begin to dig and shore up the trench for the new utilities. You may see the metal trench plates and large water pipes as you drive by the area. Northbound traffic on S. Platte River Drive at W. Florida Avenue will continue to be closed, with a detour to S. Lipan Street. The timing of the traffic lights at S. Platte River Drive at W. Florida Avenue has been adjusted to move traffic more efficiently.
Finally, you may have noticed another construction project on the east side of S. Platte River Drive at W. Florida Avenue. This project is not associated with the Sanderson Gulch Stormwater project, it is a sewer project being constructed by the Metro Wastewater Reclamation District.

Project Background
The Sanderson Gulch construction project between S. Lipan Street and S. Platte River Drive will reduce flood risk to nearby properties, improve water quality flowing into the South Platte River and create a more pleasant public area for the community to enjoy. The project involves installing larger storm drainage pipes to provide greater protection during bigger storm events, and a naturalized channel to manage and clean water during smaller storm events. The project will take approximately 12 months to complete.

Check out these two unique opportunities to get up to Denver's Mountain Parks!
​
Buffalo Bill Museum Birthday Celebration
​On Sunday, February 25, the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave will offer FREE admission to celebrate the western legend’s 172nd birthday. Guests are invited to sing “Happy Birthday” and enjoy free cake and ice cream, photo-opportunities with Buffalo Bill re-enactors, and children’s activities. For more information call 303-526-0744 or visit www.buffalobill.org.

When: February 25, 2018, 12pm – 4pm
Where: Lookout Mountain Park, 987 1/2 Lookout Mountain Road, Golden, CO 80401

Annual Bison Auction
Please join us for the annual Bison Auction on March 2, 2018. If you haven’t yet been to this event, it is a great reason to get up to our beautiful Mountain Parks. Please let me know if you have any questions about this event, and if you are planning to attend.

When: Friday, March 2, 2018, 12:00 PM 
Where: Genesee Park Bison Ranch, 26771 Genesee Lane, Golden, CO 80401

The Sanderson Gulch construction project between S. Lipan Street and S. Platte River Drive will reduce flood risk to nearby properties, improve water quality flowing into the South Platte River and create a more pleasant public area for the community to enjoy. The project involves installing larger storm drainage pipes to provide greater protection during bigger storm events, and a naturalized channel to manage and clean water during smaller storm events. The project will take approximately 12 months to complete.

Construction Update 
Denver Water will continue to work on the relocation of the water line and electrical utility in S. Platte River Drive. You may see the large pipes being used for this water line relocation as you drive by the area. Northbound traffic on S. Platte River Drive at W. Florida Avenue will continue to be closed, with a detour to S. Lipan Street. The timing of the traffic lights at S. Platte River Drive at W. Florida Avenue has been adjusted to move traffic more efficiently.
​
Finally, you may have noticed another construction project on the east side of S. Platte River Drive at W. Florida Avenue. This project is not associated with the Sanderson Gulch Stormwater project, it is a Denver Metro Sewer project.

​After more than a year of community outreach, the Game Plan is looking at strategies that will help achieve the Guiding Principles and Goals established in October 2017 as a result of the public feedback gathered thus far. Thanks for your involvement!

Feedback on these strategies was gathered during public meetings in November. If you didn't make it to these meetings, you can now review the presentation boards, introduction video and slideshow to catch up! You're then invited to take a survey on how our draft strategies measure up to the unique challenges our parks and recreation system face.

Take the survey now!

This survey consists of 5 pages, where you will be asked to rank what you think are the most important strategies for the future of Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR). This survey is confidential and should take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

If you attended the public meetings in November, these questions will be the same as the handout you filled out and turned in. You are welcome to give it another look or pass it along to a friend!

At the end of the survey, you will be given the opportunity to enter to win a gift card to the NFL Shop! Survey closes March 1, 2018.

Survey in ENGLISH: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GamePlanDPR
Encuesta en Español: https://es.surveymonkey.com/r/GamePlanESP

The Game Plan is currently reviewing the preliminary action strategies and recommendations for the draft plan. A plan should be out this Spring for public review.

Check out this neat new tool that lets you see how your neighborhood is doing as it relates to tree coverage and what types of trees are in your neighborhood! Click here to get your neighborhoods "report card."

Want to help reach our goal of 18% tree coverage? Learn how you can apply for a free tree here.​

 For many, the beginning of a new year is a time of renewal, reflection, and committing to making a difference in the world. Local nonprofit, The Park People, makes it easy to keep these resolutions with their Denver Digs Trees program. Each year, through this program, they provide free and low-cost trees to Denver residents. The entire city and county of Denver is eligible to apply for trees, and people may request as many trees as they have space for. By participating in this unique program, tree recipients can support Denver’s urban forest while improving air and water quality, beautifying neighborhoods, and much more. Applications are available Jan. 1-Feb. 15, 2018. The tree distribution and sale is on Earth Day weekend, April 21 and 22, 2018.
 
Additionally, The Park People and the Office of the Denver City Forester are working together to lessen the negative impact on Denver’s tree canopy by the impending Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infestation. The Denver Digs Trees program is the only program offering free and low-cost trees for planting both in the public right-of-way and on private property, enabling residents to be a part of the solution.
 
 “It’s estimated that 333,000 Denver trees will be lost to Emerald Ash Borer, and that 90 percent are located on private property. That’s 300,000 Ash trees on privately-owned spaces,” says Kim Yuan-Farrell, executive director of The Park People. “That will be a huge loss that impacts us all, because private trees offer millions of dollars in community-wide benefits like reducing flooding, moderating summer temperatures, and removing air pollution from the atmosphere. So we’re proud that our Denver Digs Trees program helps meet a critical need for affordable private property trees in addition to what the program and the City’s planting efforts provide for public lands.”
 
Yard trees are just $10 for those who live in the targeted Denver neighborhoods, which were selected based on their low tree coverage, and $35 for homeowners in the remaining areas of the city. All street trees are free. Treeships (free trees) also are available for those who are experiencing financial hardship. Tree delivery/planting support is offered for those who need assistance. The typical retail cost of a tree is approximately $125, making Denver Digs Trees an affordable, easy way for residents to contribute to the health and beauty of their yards and the entire city.
 
To complete an application or get more information, text ‘TREE’ to 797979, visit www.TheParkPeople.org, or call 303-722-6262 for a paper application.
 
For more information on Emerald Ash Borer, visit the City of Denver’s Be a Smart Ash site, www.BeASmartAsh.org.
 
In addition to Denver Digs Trees, The Park People offers Community Forester classes for people interested in leading tree planting and care activities, and local businesses can get involved through the Mile High Tree Champions program, a tree planting experience for small and large employee groups. To get more information about how to support Denver’s parks and trees through one of these programs, visit www.TheParkPeople.org.
 
The Park People is dedicated to preserving, enhancing and advocating for Denver’s parks, recreation resources, open space, and urban forest. Through the Denver Digs Trees program, The Park People has added more than 50,000 trees to Denver’s skyline over the past 27 years.

Denver Environmental Health and the Sierra Club Colorado Chapter are hosting Denver on Climate: Film, Food & Conversation on Nov. 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the McNichols Building, 3rd floor (144 W Colfax Ave). The free event will include a screening of the documentary “From the Ashes,” followed by an expert panel that will discuss the local impacts of climate change and actions being taken in Denver.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to provide public input on the city’s 80x50 Climate Goal Stakeholder Report, and to help shape Denver’s efforts to address climate change. Based on the Stakeholder Report and public input, Denver’s 2018 Climate Action Plan will be released in early 2018.

“From the Ashes” is a compassionate documentary presenting compelling stories from coal communities, and what is at stake for our economies, public health and climate. It features the voices and perspectives of environmentalists, coal miners, climate scientists, law makers, ranchers, elected officials and residents of coal communities.

The event is free, and those interested can RSVP at DenverOnClimate.eventbrite.com. 

For more information about Denver’s efforts to address climate change and to provide feedback on the 80x50 Climate Goal Stakeholder Report via survey, visit www.denvergov.org/80x50. 

Just under a year after passing Energize Denver, an ordinance that requires large commercial and multifamily building owners to measure and publicly report their building’s energy performance, Environmental Health staff reports 85% of buildings over 50,000 square feet are in compliance.  The City will publish building energy performance data each year to enable the market to better value energy efficiency, like MPG ratings for cars or nutrition labels on food. 

Passed by City Council in December of 2016, Energize Denver aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the largest source in Denver, commercial and multi-family buildings. In its first year, Denver’s benchmarking ordinance requires owners of buildings over 50,000 square feet to annually benchmark the energy performance of their building, using the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager Tool. Next year buildings over 25,000 square feet will be phased into the requirement.
 
Benchmarking the energy performance of buildings is the first step to understanding and reducing energy consumption because you can’t manage what you don’t measure.

When passed, Denver joined over 20 other large cities, including New York, San Francisco and Washington DC with similar benchmarking requirements. Based on data from other cities, Denver expects to see 2-3 percent energy savings each year in the covered buildings.

The ordinance was developed as part of a 12-month stakeholder process, which has been followed by ongoing training and support for property owners and managers to meet compliance deadlines.  There is a $2,000 penalty for any building owner that does not comply.

As Denver’s nationally-accredited local public health agency, the Department of Environmental Health (DEH) is dedicated to advancing Denver’s environmental and public health goals. The divisions of DEH include: Denver Animal Protection, Community Health, Environmental Quality, Office of the Medical Examiner, and Public Health Inspections.

For more information about Environmental Health visit www.denvergov.org/EnvironmentalHealth. Follow us on Twitter.com/DenEnviroHealth.