Denver Environmental Health’s Sustainable Neighborhood Program is excited to announce the addition of Congress Park and Highland neighborhoods to the program. This addition increases participating neighborhoods to 10, joining Barnum, Chaffee Park-Regis, North City Park, Villa Park, West Colfax, Green Valley Ranch, East Montclair/East Colfax, and Baker.

Congress Park will focus on sustainability initiatives that engage residents and local organizations, including:

• Create a dynamic inventory of the neighborhood’s “green” assets such as community gardens, food producing trees, solar installations, Certifiably Green Denver businesses, and more
• Improve home energy efficiency by promoting energy conservation measures through workshops and a local resource guide
• Promote sustainable landscaping by providing education around water conservation, pollinator-friendly practices, and food gardens
• Increase participation in the City’s recycling and compost collection programs

Highland will focus on sustainability projects aimed at promoting resource efficiency and historical assets, including:

• Educate residents on alternatives to individual automobile transportation and complete an inventory of sidewalks using the WalkScope tool
• Work with the neighborhood’s community gardens to coordinate produce donations to local foodbanks
• Publish a walking tour of historic buildings and homes for neighbors and area visitors
• Promote home energy efficiency and educate residents on alternative energy options through programs such as the Denver Energy Challenge

The Sustainable Neighborhoods program helps residents strengthen their sustainability efforts by providing support and recognition from the City. Participating neighborhoods receive in-kind support in the form of outreach materials, printing, venue fees, food, and staff time to assist with outreach and project development.

Applications are solicited twice a year from registered neighborhood organizations; up to two are chosen each round. Applying neighborhoods are evaluated based on their ability to implement a variety of projects tied to the program’s five focus areas: Air, Land, Energy, Water and People.

“It is encouraging to see neighborhoods propose sustainability projects that tie in with existing City programs such as the Denver Energy Challenge, Certifiably Green Denver, and Denver Recycles,” said Program Coordinator Taylor Moellers. “Leveraging existing programs will enable neighborhoods to achieve their own sustainability goals with even more resources.”

Participating Sustainable Neighborhoods earn credits for achieving sustainability goals by completing projects such as offering xeriscaping workshops, holding work days at a local community garden, installing artwork in neighborhood alleys, or encouraging neighbors to commit to making their homes more energy efficient. Depending on the number of credits earned in a given year, neighborhoods can be designated as a “Participating Sustainable Neighborhood” or an “Outstanding Sustainable Neighborhood.”

To learn more about the program, visit SustainableNeighborhoodNetwork.org/Denver.