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Greenprint Denver

In his State of the City address on July 12, 2006, Mayor Hickenlooper announced a long-term, city-wide initiative called Greenprint Denver to promote the importance of sustainable development and ecologically friendly practices throughout the community.
Take a look at the green future of Denver! View the complete Greenprint Denver report (PDF.)
Check out Denver Park and Recreation's strategic Game Plan to improve and connect Denver's parks.

Sustainable DPL

Books & Magazines

Resources

Easy Ways to be Green

The Take 5 Pledge

Visit Greenprint Denver: Take 5 for the Environment to take the pledge online! View the Take 5 PDF.

On Earth Day – April 22, 2008 –Mayor John Hickenlooper announced the Take Five pledge. Through this pledge the Mayor is asking Denver residents to change five simple habits today, and contribute to sustaining the environment for future generations.

The 5 pledges are:

Energy: Replace 4 light bulbs with 4 compact florescent light bulbs
Water: Reduce your shower time by 45 seconds
Air: Replace at least 1 car trip each week with walking or biking
Land: Plant a tree
Waste: Replace plastic shopping bags with reusable ones

Why should I make this pledge?

To make a positive impact on the environment for future generations
To save energy, money and resources by reducing, reusing, and recycling
To help Denver become the most environmentally friendly city in the nation

How do I make my Take Five pledge?

Pledge online at www.greenprintdenver.org/take5

What else can I do?

With each pledge, Greenprint Denver will send you a free toolkit with more quick and easy tips and resources you can do to live green. (Please allow eight weeks for delivery)

Books & Magazines at the Denver Public Library

	Worldchanging : A User's Guide for the 21st Century This book not only shows what is already possible, but also helps all of us imagine what might be. -- Al Gore
	Denver Water, The Legacy Continues This educational video traces the story of Denver Water from its historic beginnings to the state-of-the-art system that serves Denver today. Also includes mini-videos on planning and water efficiency, and a special offering just for kids.
	The Last Straw Since 1993, the quarterly journal The Last Straw has been sharing news and developments from around the world about straw-bale construction and natural building.
	E/The Environmental Magazine E/The Environmental Magazine is a bimonthly clearinghouse of information, news and resources for people concerned about the environment who want to know “What can I do?” to make a difference.
	The Mother Earth News Explore the exciting world of natural building, including log, timber frame, straw bale, earth-sheltered and cordwood homes; solar designs; and energy efficient heating and cooling options.
	More Straw Bale Building by Peter Mack, Chris Magwood and Tina Therrien Leads the potential builder through the entire process of building a bale structure, tackling all the practical issues: finding and choosing bales; developing sound building plans; roofing; electrical, plumbing, and heating systems; building code compliance; and special concerns for builders in northern climates. View all Library materials on Straw Bale.
	The Rammed Earth House by David Easton By rediscovering the most ancient of all building materials - earth - forward thinking home builders can now create structures that set new standards for beauty, durability, and efficient use of natural resources. View all Library materials on Earth Building.
	Passive Solar House Basics by Peter van Dresser Provides a beginner's course in adobe construction and passive solar heat collection, including suggestions for natural heat circulation and heat storage in thermal mass. Includes sample house plans and ideas for solar hot water heaters. View all Library materials on Solar Energy.
	Wind Energy Basics by Paul Gipe Includes detailed information on planning, siting, and installing a wind system. View all Library materials on Wind Power.
	Permaculture : A Designers' Manual by Bill Mollison Permaculture is humans working with, not against, nature. It's about causing land, water, plants and animals to synergistically cause multiple benefits and to improve an ecosystem simultaneously. Here is complete knowledge to create your personal permaculture, a place to work and live in harmony with nature, a place that will nurture your body and your soul. View all Library materials on Permaculture
	An Inconvenient Truth book and DVD by Al Gore Reviews the research into global warming and suggests ways to change the trend. View all Library materials on Global Warming.
	Last Child in the Woods : Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv Last Child in the Woods is the first book to bring together a new and growing body of research indicating that direct exposure to nature is essential for healthy childhood development. Visit the Children & Nature Network online.

Resources

Recycle Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Coloradans can now drop off used compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and mercury-containing thermostats for free recycling at any Ace Hardware store in the state. The spiral shaped bulbs contain a small amount of mercury and should not be thrown away in the trash. CFLs are also accepted in Denver's Household Hazardous Waste collection program.

Idling Gets You Nowhere
The myths and realities of warming up your car.

Green Kids
Books and links for eco-friendly kids.

Xeriscape Resources
Visit the Library's xeriscape page.

Colorado Drought Information
Library resources and water conservation tips.

Recycling
Sign up for residential recycling and learn about other resources.

RTD
Leave your car at home and ride the bus! Find route information and download schedules online.

Solar*Rewards from Xcel Energy
Solar photovoltaic or PV electricity generation is a clean and sustainable source of renewable energy for Colorado. Xcel's solar program allows you to receive cash back for installing a PV system at your home or business.

Colorado Straw Bale Association
COSBA is committed to expanding and sharing knowledge, experience and techniques for straw bale and sustainable building. COSBA promotes quality building practices and serves as a resource to building professionals and homeowners.

Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.

Solar Energy International
SEI offers hands-on workshops in solar, wind and water power and natural building technologies in 17 locations including Colorado.

Development Center for Appropriate Technology
DCAT works to enhance the health of the planet and communities by promoting a shift to sustainable construction and development through leadership, strategic relationships, and education. The DCAT web site lists helpful links and information on building codes. Building Codes for a Small Planet lays the groundwork for a major shift in the way the building regulatory community views and carries out its work.

Pew Center on Global Climate Change
The Pew Center on Global Climate Change was established in 1998 as a non-profit, non-partisan and independent organization. The Center's mission is to provide credible information, straight answers, and innovative solutions in the effort to address global climate change.

Energy Policy Act of 2005
Summary of federal tax credits for certain home improvements, hybrid cars and efficient appliances purchased in 2006 or 2007.

DSIRE
DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is the nation's primary laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development.

American Solar Energy Society
A national organization dedicated to advancing the use of solar energy for the benefit of U.S. citizens and the global environment.

Colorado Renewable Energy Society
This organization works to increase the awareness of the environmental and economic benefits of solar, wind, biomass, geothermal and energy efficient technologies.

U.S. Green Building Council
The U.S. Green Building Council is working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
The Green Building Rating System^® is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings.

Take the Ecological Footprint Quiz
This Ecological Footprint Quiz estimates how much productive land and water you need to support what you use and what you discard. After answering 15 easy questions you'll be able to compare your Ecological Footprint to what other people use and to what is available on this planet.

Easy Ways to be Green

Take the bus, bike or walk! Every mile driven in a passenger car creates almost a pound of air pollution.
Move toward a xeriscaped yard. Xeriscaping dramatically reduces water use.
Plant lots of trees and then register them at Tree by Tree, the Mile High Million. Check out Greenprint's tree resources.
Recycle - it's free in Denver! Call Denver Recycles at 720-865-6805 or e-mail them at denverrecycles@ci.denver.co.us
Buy energy saving appliances. Look for the “ENERGY STAR” label when you shop. Visit www.energystar.gov for more information.
Install efficient shower heads.
Lower the temperature in your hot water tank to 120 degrees.
Insulate your ceiling, walls, floors, hot water heater, and all water pipes.
Buy products that are made of recycled materials including recycled paper for your printer.
Keep car tires inflated. This cuts down on fuel costs, unnecessary emissions, and lengthens the life of your tires.
Invest in “Green Power” for electricity in your home. See www.epa.gov/greenpower for more information or visit Xcel Energy to learn about wind power options.
If buying a new car, invest in a hybrid. If you live in a city and do a lot of stop-and-go driving, the new hybrids are a great way to help cut back on emissions. Check out GreenerCars.org for information.
See Xcel Energy's Save Energy & Money.