#9 Denver: On the Fast Track

Denver was one of the few cities in the country to boom during the oil crisis of the 1970s. At a time when almost every city’s downtown experienced blight and "white flight," Denver was building skyscrapers and actually putting money into its downtown. But when oil prices fell, so did Denver’s economy. A generation later, Denver experienced a similar boom and bust with the rise and fall of the high-tech industry, much of which was based in its surrounding suburbs. These experiences have led the city to pursue a more diversified and sustainable economic future.

With the leadership of Mayor John Hickenlooper, Denver is at the forefront of a new economy--one based on sustainability. A petroleum geologist by training, he left that industry to become a brewmaster, in part, he says, "Because microbrew was the more profitable liquid fuel in those days." One of his major concerns is how to minimize the impact of an oil crisis. He realizes that when oil prices rise, they affect not only the cost of driving, but also the cost of producing and transporting goods and services, and consequently the entire economy.

To address these issues, Hickenlooper launched the Denver Sustainable Development Initiative, a collaborative effort to reduce waste; improve air and water quality; and promote multi-modal, transit-oriented land use, energy conservation, green building, solar energy, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The city’s GreenPrint Denver program, a collaborative planning effort among government, thought leaders, business and citizens groups, was hatched in July 2006.

Healthy Living

Both water quality and public park availability need improvement, though air quality receives a relatively high ranking. The South Platte River Water Quality Initiative was created to address Denver’s tap water quality (#18) and supply. This multi-partner program provides education and outreach to measurably improve water quality in the Denver watershed. The fresh mountain air maintains high quality (#14) for a city of this size. Though parks in Denver are conveniently located near downtown, shopping, and restaurants, Denver falls in the bottom half of the study for its overall city land devoted to parks, ranking #29.

With eight farmers markets, Denver residents benefit from a good supply of locally grown food; it ranks #10 for food and agriculture. The Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) provides the opportunity for dozens of low- to moderate-income urban neighborhoods throughout the city to go local. DUG operates or supports over 50 community gardens. Through the gardens, residents supplement their diet with food that they raise themselves.

Getting Around

Denver currently ranks #22 for commuting and #19 for public transportation, but these rankings should dramatically increase soon. In 2004, the public passed FasTracks, a $4.7 billion initiative to increase light rail, commuter rail, and bus rapid transit service. It even includes a ski train for folks to access the nearby Rockies resorts. The initiative was the largest single local transit measure in the history of the nation.

Many recent articles attribute the increase of commercial activity downtown, especially retail, to light rail and other public transportation. The first rail lines in 2001 drew 43 percent more riders than projected. As Denver’s director of planning, Peter Park, noted, "It is easier to add light rail cars than it is to widen highway lanes."

The city has made a commitment to alternative-fueled vehicles, which account for 31 percent of its present vehicle fleet, one of the highest percentages in the nation. The Mile High City has made a commitment to have a 100 percent alternative fuel city fleet by the end of 2007.

Economic Factors

Mayor Hickenlooper is devoted to incorporating sustainable measures into every aspect of Denver’s emerging economy. Denver International Airport realized unprecedented success in 2004 by becoming the first major American airport to become ISO 14001 certified for its Environmental Management System. Other innovative projects include the anticipated installation of solar panels on the south-facing roof of the Colorado Convention Center. A city proposal went out in mid-2006 for the nation’s first municipally owned urban solar power plant to provide power to a jail.

As a leader in sustainability, Denver is bringing other cities together. At the Denver Green Cities Forum in November 2005, sustainability directors from Portland, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Oakland, and Chicago met to discuss best practices and strategies--another event is planned for 2007.

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