Denver thrives as a pioneer in sustainable tourism

Denver’s commitment to sustainability is visible to travelers in various initiatives in the city. Below you will find some important examples. For more information and to plan an environmentally conscious trip or meeting, check out the Visit the DENVER website.

Sustainable transport: The city encourages visitors to explore Denver using environmentally friendly transportation options such as public transit and bicycle rental programs. From the moment visitors arrive at Denver International Airport they are directed to the A Line train that connects them directly from the airport to Denver Union Station in Denver’s compact, walkable downtown. From there, visitors can continue on foot or take the free 16th Street MallRide (currently at 15th and 17th Streets due to construction) or connect to the city’s extensive regional buses, light rail, or even take a pedi taxi, making it all is easily accessible. easy to explore the city without driving!
Last summer, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) offered the Zero Fare for Cleaner Air program at a time when carbon emissions are typically higher due to additional vehicles on the road. It was a successful sustainable transportation program. In the winter months, travelers can enjoy a car-free adventure to the ski slopes with direct train service on the Winter Park Express from Denver Union Station.
In addition to traditional ride-sharing options, the city is also home to unique transportation options such as GEST Carts Denver, electric-powered carts that can reach speeds of 25 miles per hour. GEST relies on advertising to support free rides.

Eco-friendly accommodations: The city’s pursuit of sustainability made it a clear choice for a new innovative hotel concept from Urban Villages, the Populus Hotel. The Populus will open in the summer of 2024 and will be the first carbon-positive hotel in the country.
In addition to the Populus, hotels across the city are leading the way in sustainable practices and offering unparalleled hospitality. Kimpton Hotels’ Hotel Monaco is another local leader, with refillable toiletries, motion-activated HVAC units and low-flow water systems as just a few of its green features. The River North Art District’s (RiNo’s) popular Source Hotel has been green since its groundbreaking, built with recycled and local materials for a LEED certification, and features water-efficient and bicycle-friendly features in the final product. The historic Brown Palace Hotel & Spa’s green initiative has reduced electricity and water use while promoting five rooftop beehives that make honey for spa products and other uses. Visitors can feel good about their impact on the environment when they stay at these and many other Denver hotels.

Sustainable food scene: Restaurants across the city are taking farm-to-table dining to a whole new level, using new urban farming techniques. Fast-casual options like Farm & Market in RiNo have delicious vegetarian options, as their produce is harvested on-site daily via hydroponics and vertical farming. Meanwhile, restaurant group Edible Beats built a 300-square-foot vertical hydroponic farm in Vital Root’s backyard, called BeatBox Farms, which is equivalent to producing 2.5 hectares of farmland per year and provides an estimated 120 kilos of fruit and vegetables every week. . Restaurants across the city are partnering with Altius Farms, which was founded on a rooftop in Denver in 2018. The 7,200-square-foot rooftop farm harvests more than 30,000 pounds of produce annually and supplies more than 40 restaurants in the Denver area.

In addition to urban farming practices that support our environment, many Denver restaurants are also implementing practices to be more mindful of food waste. Sullivan Scrap Kitchen opened in 2020 after TBD Foods owner Terence Rogers worked to reuse their waste from the catering industry. The business model allows guests to enjoy a quality meal while reducing food waste. Sullivan Scrap Kitchen is joined by many other Denver-based restaurants (Carboy Winery, DiFranco’s, Serendipity Coffee Bar, Tavernetta, Mercantile Dining and Provision, BRUTØ and Annette) as a member of Zero Foodprint, the award-winning nonprofit organization dedicated to mobilizing of the food world around agricultural climate solutions. While dining at these establishments, guests donate a few cents of their total bill to a local climate solution. Zero Footprint raises money and supports farmers, ranchers and local agricultural experts in building and growing healthy food production that helps restore our environment.

These eco-friendly practices in the city were recently recognized by the Michelin Guide, which awarded green stars for sustainable practices to The Wolf’s Tailor and BRUTØ, both restaurants run by Chef Kelly Whitaker.
Visitors can also enjoy some of the city’s best libations while being mindful of environmental impact. To help the popular beer industry become more sustainable, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment launched a sustainable brewing program in 2017. The program has worked with more than 25 breweries, such as Great Divide Brewing Company, which has worked to reduce their water use. and donate grains to farmers for animal feed. Denver Beer Co. uses CO2 capture equipment and operates in a 100% solar-powered facility. Visitors can enjoy a delicious meal and toast with friends and family while supporting the environment.

Green attractions: Denver attractions are committed to preserving our environment and educating visitors about the importance of sustainability. Denver Botanic Gardens is a leader in sustainable horticulture. The attraction has created the Mordecai Children’s Garden on the roof of the parking garage, which alleviates the urban heat island, provides wildlife habitat and other environmental benefits. Meanwhile, the Denver Zoo has set ambitious goals to reduce waste by 90 percent, energy consumption by 25 percent and water use by 50 percent by 2025. Other attractions, such as the popular Meow Wolf, feature sustainability with special events. This spring the museum is organizing Absolute Rubbish: Bloom, a ‘trashion show’, an exhibition of fashion with upcycled options. As part of the City of Denver’s Environmental Management System, Red Rocks Amphitheater has been ISO (International Organization for Standardization) certified since 2009; The site uses a waste collection system with three bins located across the site, while behind the scenes Red Rocks’ waste sorting team hand-sorts all waste to capture and maximize the amount of waste going to compost and recycling. In addition, several improvement projects in recent years have converted lighting, equipment and sanitary facilities to ensure the most efficient and effective models. Visitors will enjoy reducing their carbon footprint as they explore some of the city’s best attractions.


Additional citywide conservation efforts: The city of Denver has developed policies that reduce the amount of waste to support businesses like The Waste No More Ordinance, a resident-led ballot initiative passed in 2022. This ordinance requires Denver buildings to offer compost and recycling to their customers, employees and tenants. Demonstrating its commitment to sustainability, Denver has been recognized as a leader in ecotourism and has received accolades such as No. 1 on Architectural Digest’s “Top 50 Most Climate Resilient Cities” list, in part due to factors such as reduced threat from extreme weather. damage and city-level initiatives to support clean energy, and Nat Geo UK’s list of the world’s most sustainable destinations. Additionally, Denver is proud to be the first destination in the world to be certified at the Platinum level under the Event Industry Council’s Sustainable Event Standards. The city worked with venues, hotels, the Colorado Convention Center and other partners to achieve this recognition.

VISIT DENVER has a variety of resources to help visitors plan an environmentally conscious trip. Check out the Travel Carbon Footprint Calculator and our annual sustainability report.