DENVER—The Colorado Convention Center recently announced its certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB), awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The achievement makes the Colorado Convention Center the largest LEED certified building in the state and one of the three largest convention facilities to earn this designation in the United States.
As part of the LEED process, the Colorado Convention Center made significant reductions in energy usage, as well as gains in the area of sustainable purchasing, green cleaning, building occupant comfort, improved air quality and waste diversion. The implementation of the USGBC standards translates to millions of dollars saved in operating costs for the City of Denver, a more than 26 percent reduction in carbon emissions, and further enhances Denver’s reputation as a healthy and desirable destination for conventions and events. In a recent Watkins study, meeting planners rated the Colorado Convention Center as the third greenest center in the nation.
“LEED certification confirms the Colorado Convention Center’s national leadership in sustainable operations,” said Mayor John Hickenlooper. “It is an objective standard that illustrates Denver’s progress in becoming a more sustainable city to millions of visitors each year.”
Millions Will Benefit
“The recent renovation and expansion of the Colorado Convention Center created a truly magnificent space for millions of visitors every year,” said John Adams, general manager of the Colorado Convention Center. “With this certification, we continue the intention to create the most healthy and enjoyable experience for all who visit Denver and for all who live in the Denver metro area.”
“The national Watkins study of meeting planners found that when everything else is equal, four out of ten conference planners say they will choose the ‘greenest’ city for their convention,” said Richard Scharf, president & CEO of VISIT DENVER, the Convention & Visitors Bureau. “That makes the LEED certification an important marketing tool in selling Denver for future meetings.”
LEED is an independent, nonprofit, third-party rating system established by USGBC that seeks to recognize and reward buildings that have taken a comprehensive approach to sustainability. The LEED rating system is completely voluntary and consensus based, incorporating both established industry principles and innovative environmental technology. LEED certification for existing buildings is gained by satisfying stringent efficiency requirements in the areas of building operations and maintenance.
Director of Sustainability Hired in 2008
Following an expansion in 2004 that doubled its size, the Colorado Convention Center began implementing sustainable practices, with policies aimed at increasing energy efficiency, conserving water, reducing waste and assisting meeting and event planners with reducing the environmental impact of their conferences and events. In 2008, the Colorado Convention Center became the first convention center to hire a director of Sustainability, Lindsay Smith, who partnered with Boulder’s UHG Consulting in 2009 to help spearhead the 18-month application process to attain LEED-EB.
“When we first made the decision to pursue LEED certification, the Colorado Convention Center was already well known within the industry for our sustainable initiatives,” Smith said. “The LEED certification process was a valuable tool that helped us define our sustainability programs with the intention to increase our building efficiency, reduce our environmental impact, raise awareness amongst stakeholders, and benefit the local Denver community.”
“We are pleased to spearhead this successful LEED application process for the Colorado Convention Center team,” said Darren Johnston, principal at sustainability consulting firm UHG. “Through a collaborative effort we were able to effect significant environmental and economic gains, and make the facility a more comfortable, healthy place for employees and visitors in the process.”
Go to the Colorado Convention Center.
