Summer 2012

 Four of Denver’s most cherished free outdoor festivals have joined forces to create Green Up Denver to recruit the largest green volunteer group in their event histories. 1,000 Green Up Denver volunteers will help festivalgoers accurately sort trash, recycling, and compost this summer.

WHO & WHEN:

• Capitol Hill People’s Fair:                                               6/2 – 6/3

• PRIDEFest:                                                                 6/16 – 6/17

• Cherry Creek Arts Festival:                                            7/6 – 7/8

• Denver County Fair:                                                     8/10 – 8/12

WHY:

• Collectively, these four events create over 57 tons in waste

• Our goal is to divert 20 – 40% of this to recycling and compost through triple waste stream bins with signs in English and Spanish

• Education is key; studies show that guests are much more likely to recycle and compost correctly when assisted by a green educator near the bins

 WHAT:

• Sign up for 3-hours or more and help us keep our waste streams uncontaminated

• Volunteers receive free meals, refreshments, Green Up Denver wayfarer sunglasses and more

• Volunteer for all four festivals and receive special prizes at our fall celebration on September 27^th where we will announce our waste diversion totals

 TRAINING:

• You don’t have to be an expert!

• Free orientations are being held to provide key education and information; for more information about times and locations, please visit: http://greenupdenver.wordpress.com/

VOLUNTEER TODAY:

Sign up to help your favorite festival or help all four! We can only make Denver’s favorite events greener and reduce 57 tons of waste with your help! http://greenupdenver.wordpress.com/volunteer/

Garden-In-A-Box simplifies water-wise gardening by providing a selection of colorful low-water-use plants that adapt well to our dry Colorado climate, and professional plant-by-number designs.

Denver Water customers can purchase these kits for 50% less than retail.  Choose from different water-wise garden varieties specifically designed for the following:

• Sunny Areas
• Shady Areas
• Flowers that attract birds, bees, and butterflies
• Parkway strips that border the street
• Edible perennial gardens

Prices for Denver Water customers who purchase the garden kits range from $60-110.  Each kit includes approximately 25 to 51 low-water perennial plants, a plant-by-number design plan, and planting and care instructions.

Call 303-999-3820, ext. 217 to place your order.

Denver Water discount offer is limited to no more than three garden kits per customer.  The Garden-In-A-Box kits will be available for pickup in May and June at locations throughout the metro area during scheduled days and times.

·         Demos of electric vehicles from 7:30a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at 14th & California

 ·        Electric Vehicle Charging station manufacturers

·         Food and drink vendors

The second edition of the curriculum is tied to Colorado Academic Standards for science, math, social studies, and advanced placement. It has been tested in the classroom by over a dozen teachers and almost 1,000 students. Participants receive: 

• Background information on Colorado clean energy
• Hands-on experience teaching selected lesson plans on energy efficiency, solar, wind, and geothermal energy
• Course completion certificates for license renewal credits
• Access to additional materials and support
• Lunch, the curriculum, and a mini-kit

Pre-registration is required – space is limited. Cost is $10 payable at the door. Contact Sharal Foss at (970) 491-6281 or sharal.foss@colostate.edu to register.
Visit www.ext.colostate.edu/energy/k12.html for locations, dates, times and more information.

“Our customers have done a good job of using water wisely, but this year saving water matters even more,” Greg Fisher, manager of demand planning for Denver Water, said. “We need customers to cut back water use and be mindful of the impact of the dry conditions on supply availability.”

Denver water says customers can cut their outdoor water use by:

• Watering only two days a week, and using a day of rain to skip watering.
• Only watering the areas of your yard that are dry. For example, if shady areas look fine, only water the dry areas that get the most sun exposure.
• Watering early in the morning or in the evening to avoid evaporation.
• Adjusting sprinkler systems throughout the summer, starting with using less water this spring. Don’t just set your sprinkler system once and forget about it.
• Watering two minutes less.

“We’re seeing conditions very similar to the drought that began in 2002, where we learned that reservoir storage is only one indicator of drought, and those reservoir levels can drop quickly when we don’t get much rain and snow,” Fisher said. “If the dry weather continues, our reservoirs may not fill and we will be vulnerable if there is low snowpack in 2013. We need to maintain our reserves in case we are entering the first in a series of dry years. We must consider the long-term potential supply outlook.”

Denver’s mandatory watering rules for summer will begin May 1. The following rules are always in effect during the summer in Denver, but the board says they could change based on conditions:

• No lawn watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
• Do not water more than three days per week (there are no assigned days for watering).
• Do not waste water by allowing it to pool in gutters, streets and alleys.
• Do not waste water by letting it spray on concrete and asphalt.
• Repair leaking sprinkler systems within 10 days.
• Do not water while it is raining or during high winds.

“Improving Denver’s recycling and waste diversion is a leading component of our Greenprint Denver initiatives,” Hancock said in a statement. “We’re excited to partner with Waste Management, the Carton Council and WhiteWave Foods to bring this new recycling opportunity to our residents.”

The mayor reminded everyone that the recycling program is free to Denver residents. All they have to do is sign up.

Mayor Hancock today accepted a $350,000 grant from EPA for South Platte River projects in Denver.  The Sun Valley neighborhood near Sports Authority Field at Mile High is among several communities that will benefit from EPA funds for South Platte River improvements. These EPA resources will be used by the City and County of Denver and the Greenway Foundation to advance several projects, including the extensive restoration of the riverfront and water quality improvements at the Denver Housing Authority’s redevelopment project in Sun Valley.  The Environmental Protection Agency grant prioritized Denver as one of seven U.S. cities committed to revitalizing urban waterways.

These projects “will increase access to a clean and healthy South Platte River,” EPA assistant administrator Nancy Stoner said Thursday.  The EPA aims “to extend the vitality that we see along Lower Downtown’s riverfront to neighborhoods that still struggle with economic and environmental challenges,” Stoner said.

Denver officials will use grant funds for restoration work — improving the meandering characteristics of river, reducing erosion and stormwater runoff, filtering pollution through vegetation — near the Sun Valley neighborhood west of the river between Sports Authority Field at Mile High and West Sixth Avenue. Officials also will accelerate recreation-oriented improvements at the Johnson Habitat Park area along Interstate 25 and Santa Fe Drive.

Today, Mayor Michael Hancock is expected to attend a ceremony with drivers of Denver’s Greenway Foundation, who have led river projects for more than three decades.

“When you have a healthy park system, it adds to the economic vitality and quality of life in adjacent neighborhoods,” foundation director Jeff Shoemaker said.”The South Platte is Denver’s greatest natural resource.”

This weekend, 1,200 volunteers have been enlisted to conduct a cleanup of plastic bags and other debris littering the South Platte and lower Cherry Creek.