Many aspects of the Better Denver projects lend themselves to green solutions - solutions that help to sustain our environment through design and construction approaches that incorporate energy efficiency, recycling, and wise use of land, water and other materials. Sustainable design and construction approaches can also save capital, operations and maintenance costs.
The Better Denver Program will seek sustainable elements that can be readily implemented, are environmentally responsible, and are deemed appropriate for any individual project. The Program’s sustainable development approach will attempt to balance the environmental, social, and economic aspects of each project in a holistic manner so as to preserve natural resources and protect the environment for future Denver generations. Techniques under consideration include using post consumer recycled materials; recycling, salvaging or reusing construction or demolition waste; and reducing water through the use of efficient landscaping and irrigation.
One key to realizing sustainable solutions will be the ability of the Program to identify projects that could achieve LEED certification (described below) for Better Denver projects. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The Better Denver sustainable development approach and the achievement of LEED certification for specific Better Denver projects will be consistent with, and will help further the City’s Greenprint Denver 2012 Climate Action Plan Goals.
LEED Certification for Better Denver Projects
Where practical and possible, the Better Denver Program will pursue opportunities to build and design its projects to achieve
LEED certification. LEED is a building rating system that provides a suite of world-recognized standards for environmentally sustainable design, construction, and operation of high-performance buildings for sustainability. The rating system promotes design and construction practices to reduce the negative environmental impacts of buildings, improve occupant health and well-being, and lower operating costs. The LEED method recognizes performance in five design categories of human and environmental health:
1. Sustainable site development
2. Water savings
3. Energy efficiency
4. Materials selection
5. Indoor environmental quality
LEED standards cover new commercial construction and major renovation projects, interiors projects, existing building operations, commercial "core & shell" construction, new home construction, and neighborhood developments.
LEED certification is only obtained through a rigorous third-party commissioning process by an independent, third-party verification. There are four certification levels for new construction - Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum - that correspond to the number of credits accrued in the five design categories of human and environmental health mentioned above. The LEED rating system was developed by the
U.S. Green Building Council, a nonprofit coalition of building industry leaders.