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Save the Date!
May 19, 2010

CORE Sustainability Breakfast:
Strategies for Building a Bona Fide Sustainable Brand

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)
Sustainability Reporting Training Course
Denver, Colorado: May 11 – 12, 2010

Sustainability reporting has become an integral component of stakeholder communications, and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is the world’s most widely used framework . Understanding the GRI’s guidelines allows you to create a communications framework in accordance with international standards that will support the effective communication of your sustainability efforts.

This is a GRI-certified course on sustainability reporting in which participants will gain an understanding of the GRI framework in a uniquely North American context. The course will be delivered by nominated trainers of LEAD Canada as a Certified Training Partner for the US. LEAD Canada is the first and most experienced GRI-certified training provider in North America working in partnership with Jantzi-Sustainalytics as the foremost expert in analyzing corporate sustainability reporting and performance.

Full description and details of course.

The course is sponsored by Deloitte and will be held in their Denver offices.

Film Screening & Networking: TAPPED

This is the new event series for CORE members. Come to watch a film about sustainability that hopefully will spur discussions with your CORE fellow members. Network and have fun!

Is access to clean drinking water a basic human right, or a commodity that should be bought and sold like any other article of commerce? Stephanie Soechtig’s debut feature is an unflinching examination of the big business of bottled water.

From the producers of Who Killed the Electric Car and I.O.U.S.A., this timely documentary is a behind-the-scenes look into the unregulated and unseen world of an industry that aims to privatize and sell back the one resource that ought never to become a commodity: our water.

From the plastic production to the ocean in which so many of these bottles end up, this inspiring documentary trails the path of the bottled water industry and the communities which were the unwitting chips on the table. A powerful portrait of the lives affected by the bottled water industry, this revelatory film features those caught at the intersection of big business and the public’s right to water.
When: May 13
Time: 6-9:00 p.m.
Where: Forest Room 5, 2532 15th St., Denver, CO 80211

PRICE: Free of Charge (you might like to purchase drinks and food at the bar)
Open to CORE members only
REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Tap the Power!

Recognizing the Metro Denver real estate community for efforts to reduce energy and water use, save on operating costs, and prepare their buildings for the future.

How it works

Participating buildings will use the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool to share energy and water use with the Watts To Water program. ENERGY STAR experts will be available to help any participant with this process.

A benchmark year is set – in the case of this inaugural round, that year is 2008 – and a subsequent year’s data is compared against the benchmark year to determine which properties will be awarded recognition in three different categories.

Register Now! Entry deadline May 31, 2010

Contact: 303.534.6161 or info@wattstowater.org

Learn more at http://wattstowater.org/

Denver International Airport has recently issued their 2009 Environmental Management Annual Report. To view it and the DIA Environmental Policy, visit flydenver.com/environmental.

Join Greenprint Denver and KBCO for a fun Earth Day Fair and volunteer appreciation party at the City Park Pavilion on:

Saturday, April 24
Noon – 4:00p.m.

If you’re volunteering for Earth Day – part of energy efficiency neighborhood canvassing, planting trees, creating gardens – or if you just want to celebrate Earth Day, come to the City Park Pavilion.

Thanks to:
Waste Farmers, who have just received the 2010 Greenest Business Award, who are helping us make this a zero-waste event. They will be there to talk to you about ways that you can reduce your waste.
The Governor’s Energy Office
Walmart
Anthony’s Pizza
Moe’s Bagels

Vendors attending are:
EPA
EcoMetro Guide
ReDirect Guide
Pedro’s Planet
Inter Faith Power and Light
Engines Off Program
Denver Water Recycled Water Program
Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado
Xcel
Veterans Green jobs

The first U.S. comprehensive citywide bike share program begins TODAY – April 22, 2010 – in Denver.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the environment. Denver is always host to numerous celebratory events and this year is no exception. Many of them are posted on the Greenprint Denver website, but here are a few that offer opportunities for you to get involved:

Thursday, April 22nd in Civic Center Park
The City of Denver will host an Earth Day Fair on the west lawn of Civic Center Park off Bannock street. Activities and displays at the event will provide information and inspiration that will encourage visitors to honor the Earth and take steps toward conservation and preservation of the planet for current and future generations.

The fair begins at 10:00 a.m. and will run until 2:00 p.m. and is open to the general public, schools and City employees. Learn more at www.denvergov.org/DEQ  

Saturday, April 24th – Residential Green Teams
Unite to Green Their Communities
Five Denver neighborhood Green Teams (Mayfair, City Park West, City Park South, Bellevue-Hale and Hilltop) are teaming up with Greenprint Denver to bring energy efficiency services and savings to their communities. The project is an exciting outreach effort that will help residents save money on utility bills, provide services and resources to weatherize homes and have an immediate positive impact on the environment. Owners and renters are both eligible to receive these important services.

The outreach will take place on Saturday morning, April 24th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Neighbors and volunteers will canvass door-to-door offering a suite of energy efficiency services and resources including CFLs, recycling, energy efficiency upgrades, Windsource, and more.

Contact us at greenprint@denvergov.org or call 720-865-9017 to learn more. A special volunteer appreciation party and Earth Day Fair will be held right after the canvass at the City Park Pavilion. Sponsored by KBCO, the Fair is also open to the public.
The event is from Noon – 4:00p.m.

Saturday, April 24th – NEAP (Neighborhood Energy Action Partnership )
Working in Five Points and Swansea Neighborhoods
What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to help residents reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy bills? On April 24, Groundwork Denver will lead the Neighborhood Energy Action Partnership (NEAP) through two neighborhoods – Five Points and Swansea. Volunteers from all over Denver will bring neighborhood energy action to these communities. In teams of two, they will be knocking on doors offering to swap out front porch incandescent bulbs for CFLs, providing resources to reduce energy use, and signing people up for recycling, free trees and free weatherization.

Call Groundwork Denver at 303-455-5600 or email reggie@groundworkdenver.org for more information.

Neighborhood Energy Action Partnership (NEAP) Will Bring Energy Efficiency to South East Denver

Volunteers will bring neighborhood energy action to Denver’s Five Points and Swansea neighborhoods.

Who: The collaborative partners in the Neighborhood Energy Action Partnership (NEAP) include: Denver Department of Environmental Health, Greenprint Denver, Groundwork Denver, LEAP, Mile High Youth Corps, Denver Office of Economic Development, Veterans Green Jobs , Denver Office of Strategic Partnerships, Energy Outreach Colorado, and the Governor’s Energy Office.

Time: 9:30 a.m. training. Canvass from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Contact (on date): Julie Connor 303-478-4493; Wendy Hawthorne 720-327-1327

The Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) is offering rebates for various energy upgrades as part of the state’s ‘Recharge Colorado’ campaign.
 
Residents can tap into the campaign at www.RechargeColorado.com, where they can reserve a rebate on-line. As a supplement to the web site, a call center will also be available at 1-800-462-0184. Please note: The web site and call center will not be operational until 8 a.m. April 19. There will be no information at the web address or call center number prior to that time.
 
The GEO and its local partners expect brisk consumer action, particularly for ENERGY STAR dishwashers, clothes washers and refrigerators. The ENERGY STAR appliances account for about 16,000 of the rebates available. In light of that, it’s important for consumers statewide to have realistic expectations and recognize the “sweepstakes” nature of the program.

 
The Recharge Colorado website and call center were developed to help people across the state learn how to make energy savings a simple part of their everyday lives. The new site will offer personalized energy planning tools and a comprehensive, first-of-its-kind database that will pull in energy-related information from around the state. The site will also help consumers find the latest rebates on energy-efficient appliances, insulation and solar power, the simplest ways to weather-proof their homes at the lowest cost and the newest energy innovations and opportunities available where they live. 
 
Recharge Colorado creates a one-stop clearinghouse of information and resources by bringing details about products, rebates, tax breaks and other benefits offered by the Governor’s Energy Office, utilities and local governments across Colorado to a single place. The Recharge Colorado campaign is also teaming with the Better Business Bureau to help consumers connect with the many outstanding energy efficiency and renewable energy service providers.
 

“We want citizens to plug into our Recharge Colorado campaign, and learn what they can do to save money and create jobs,” said Governor’s Energy Office director Tom Plant. “This comprehensive resource will give Colorado residents the opportunity to participate in energy conservation in a way that no other state can currently offer.”
 
For more detailed information about the Recharge Colorado rebates prior to April 19, visit the GEO website at www.colorado.gov/energy.

Rebates overview: 
 

Through the Recharge Colorado campaign, the Governor’s Energy Office, utilities, cities and counties across the state are partnering to offer money-saving rebates and programs to enable Coloradans to participate in the New Energy Economy. Rebates can be reserved through the Recharge Colorado website beginning April 19 and will be available until the money runs out. Rebates include:

• Replacement appliance rebates for clothes washers, refrigerators and dishwashers
• Home upgrade rebates such as insulation, furnaces and water heaters
• Solar electric and hot water rebates and wind rebates

 The GEO and its partners are providing roughly $18 million worth of rebates for Colorado with this program. The money is expected to provide approximately 75,000 rebates, including about 16,000 rebates for ENERGY STAR refrigerators, dishwashers and clothes washers.   

BE A PART OF THE TWO-WHEEL REVOLUTION DENVER B-CYCLE KICK-OFF EVENT

Earth Day, Thursday, April 22 – Civic Center Park

You’ve seen B-stations popping up throughout the City. You’ve heard the buzz…

On April 22, celebrate with hundreds of fellow bicycle supporters & be part of the launch of the nation’s first large-scale citywide bike sharing system.

8:30AM – Press Conference at Webb Municipal Building

9AM – Special Music Celebration at Civic Center Park Mayor Hickenlooper & Jonny 5 of the Flobots Music from DJ Cavem & the Serafin Sanchez Jazz Quintet (free and open to the public)

9:45AM – Bike Parade around Civic Center Park led by Mayor John Hickenlooper (all bicyclists welcome to join!)

NOON – Denver B-cycle System Turned On and Fully Operational!

Denver B-cycle members can pick up a B-cycle from any of the conveniently located B-stations and drop it off at any other B-station. It’s an affordable, clean and fun way to get around town that’s good for your health, your pocket, and your environment. Visit http://denver.bcycle.com for more information!

Become a Denver B-cycle member, click here.

FrontRange Earth Force and Denver Zoo are hosting the 13th Annual Youth Summit at Denver Zoo on Wednesday, April 21 and Thursday, April 22 from 10 am – 1 pm in the Conoco Zoo Gardens.

The event hosts 1000 youth over two days who will present service-learning projects they have been working on throughout the year in partnership with both organizations. In addition to interactive booth presentations, some classes will give a stage performance of their project during the Speak Out competition. The event is open to the public and is free with zoo admission.

For more information, please contact Liz Henry at lhenry@earthforce.org or 303-433-0016.

The City of Denver will host their annual Earth Day Fair on Thursday, April 22, 2010 and everyone is invited to participate. The fair will take place on the west lawn of Civic Center Park off Bannock street.

The fair will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Civic Center Park (weather permitting). The fair will be open to the general public, schools and City employees to attend. There will be many “Earth Friendly” table exhibits and displays from various non-profit organizations, private companies and of course, City agencies.

Learn more about the fair at www.denvergov.org/DEQ

Denver International Airport said Monday it is launching a composting program at restaurants in Jeppesen Terminal and at some employee break rooms.The program follows a pilot project last year to test the feasibility of the idea.

DIA said it is partnering on the initiative with Denver-based A-1 Organics, which will provide about 20 “totes,” or composting containers, each holding up to 65 gallons of organic waste.
The waste to be composted includes food, cardboard boxes and paper items, including coffee filters, napkins and cups.

“We’re thrilled to be moving forward with a permanent composting project at DIA,” Janell Barrilleaux, DIA’s director of environmental programs, said in a statement. “Denver International Airport is a real trailblazer among airports in terms of innovative environmental initiatives, and this new program will allow us to compost organic waste that would otherwise end up in Denver’s landfills.”

Plan to attend the Spring “Growing our Urban AgriCULTURE” Potluck and Networking Party!

Friday, May 14 – Grow Local Colorado Day
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

at DENVER URBAN HOMESTEADING – A Local Market and Reskilling Center
200 Santa Fe

Learn more about Grow Local.

Like Bikes? Love Denver? Ready to help launch a transportation revolution?

Apply right now to be a Denver B-Cycle Launch Volunteer! Submit your application by clicking this link: Volunteer Application for Denver B-Cycle Launch Days

This is a high-profile short term volunteer opportunity to assist the City of Denver and Denver Bike Sharing in the launch of Denver B-Cycle, Denver’s new bike sharing program.
Deadline to apply is April 6th.
Visit http://www.bikedenver.org/news/bcyclelaunchvolunteers/ for more information

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released a list of U.S. metropolitan areas with the largest number of energy efficient buildings in 2009– buildings that have earned EPA’s ENERGY STAR label. 

During the past year, Denver jumped from seventh to fourth place, and now boasts 136 ENERGY STAR commercial buildings.  Los Angeles, CA; Washington, DC; and San Francisco, CA, round the top three cities.  ENERGY STAR buildings typically use 35 percent less energy and emit 35 percent less greenhouse gases than average buildings.

Buildings accounted for 52% of Denver’s greenhouse gas emissions in a 2007 study. Commercial and industrial buildings contributed 35% alone. With 31.5 million square feet of floor space under the ENERGY STAR label, Denver now is better positioned to meet its 2012 greenhouse gas reduction goals of 10% per capita below 1990 levels.

Although most city government buildings such as police and fire stations, recreation centers and libraries are not ratable in the program, Denver currently has two ENERGY STAR office buildings, and two more pending. By Executive Order, new city office buildings are required to be designed to achieve the ENERGY STAR rating.

A program to recognize the Denver area’s most energy and water efficient office buildings and hotels will be launched this summer. “Watts to Water,” sponsored by Denver, the Downtown Denver Partnership, the Denver Metro BOMA, Xcel Energy, Denver Water and U.S. EPA, is expected to further drive energy and water savings in the region.
View a list of the Top 25 Cities in 2009 with Energy Star labeled buildings: http://www.energystar.gov/ia/business/downloads/2009_Top_25_cities_chart.pdf

To see specific Denver buildings on the list:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=labeled_buildings.locator

This Spring, Denver will become one of the first U.S. cities to launch a full-scale comprehensive public bicycle sharing system. The vision is to change the culture of transportation in Denver by implementing bike sharing. Not only will the initiative define bike sharing in the U.S., but it will also reinforce the innovative and environmentally-focused way Denver and its leadership will be working to reduce obesity, lower carbon emissions and provide affordable transportation.

You can become part of this exciting program by pre-registering at www.denverbikesharing.org

Date:                      Saturday, April 24, 2010

Time:                      9:00 a.m. to Noon

Where:                   At your front door

Neighborhoods:         Mayfair, City Park West, City Park South, Bellevue-Hale, Hilltop

Who:                      Home, duplex, and/or townhome residents – owners or renters

Five Denver neighborhood Green Teams are teaming up with Greenprint Denver to bring energy efficiency services and savings to their communities. The project is an exciting outreach effort that will help residents save money on utility bills, provide services and resources to weatherize your home and have an immediate positive impact on the environment. Owners and renters are both eligible to receive this important material.

The event will take place on Saturday morning, April 24th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  Neighbors and volunteers will canvass door-to-door offering to install a free CFL porch light bulb, register you for free curbside recycling, reduce your junk mail, sign you up for subsidized home energy audits and give you a free reusable bag. Plus, free weatherization and energy efficiency programs will be available to income qualifying households. These services can include the installation of a free programmable thermostat, faucet and shower aerators, additional CFLs and an attic insulation assessment.

The event will be followed by an Energy Efficiency VOLUNTEER Thank You party at the City Park Pavilion sponsored by KBCO radio station from 12:30 to 3:00p.m.

The City of Denver has a Climate Action Agenda with a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 10 percent by 2012. You can help the City reach that goal, PLUS save money on your utility bills by taking part in this event.  Look for your neighbors on the morning of Saturday April 24th!

 For more information email us at:  greenprint@denvergov.org