In just one month, hundreds of green building advocates from coast to coast will gather in Denver for the annual Green Schools Conference and Expo (May 3–4) and Rocky Mountain Green (May 3).
Both conferences will be held at the Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center, offering attendees an unmatched opportunity to connect with today’s green building experts and influencers, such as keynote speakers Janine Benyus and Emily Pilloton, and all those actively working to green our schools.
Traveling into Colorado’s capital city for the events? We’ve created a guide on where to stay, shop and visit in Denver.
Quick facts about Denver
- Population: Approximately 693,060, as of July 2016
- Nickname: The Mile High City, for being exactly one mile above sea level
- Number of LEED-certified buildings in the metro area: 766
- Recent green building achievements: In February, Denver was named one of six recipients for the LEED for Cities Grant Program, which recognizes the sustainability and green building achievements of U.S. cities pursuing LEED for Cities certification.
- Fun fact: The city averages around 300 days of sunshine annually.
Hotel
Plan to stay at the conferences’ venue, the Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center, using a special room rate reserved only for attendees. Learn more about the rates on greenschoolsconference.org, and book your room soon, since this offer ends Wed., April 11.
Transportation
For those flying into the city, the closest airport to the Hyatt Regency Denver is the Denver International Airport.
The venue is located downtown, where there are several options for getting around, including a shuttle bus and light rail service. Visit the Hyatt Regency Denver's website for nearby transportation options, and Denver.org for other ways to get around the city without a car.
Where to visit
Art districts and museums
Denver is home to numerous art districts, such as the Art District on Santa Fe, and nationally recognized museums that are LEED-certified. Some spots to check out include:
Parks and recreation
A city of more than half a million people, Denver boasts plenty of green spaces, with more than 200 parks in the area and 20,000 acres of parks nearby, in the mountains. Other outdoor spots to check out include:
Research centers and education
Looking to learn more about renewable energy and climate change? Two national research centers near Denver offer tours and exhibits, where you can learn more about Earth, the environment and alternative energy sources:
Shopping
Denver features several pedestrian malls, including the 16th Street Mall, and retail centers like the Belmar Shopping District, which has approximately 9,000 solar panels. Other shopping centers include: