Colorado Convention Center Awarded LEED Certification

1 of the Top 3 Largest Convention Centers in the Country

In what’s becoming a more common occurrence—emphasizing the importance venues are placing on sustainability both for environmental and marketing impacts—the Colorado Convention Center (CCC) has been awarded LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. According to the facility, this places it in the top three largest convention centers with this distinction.

According to CCC management, the facility focused efforts in energy usage, sustainable purchasing, green cleaning, building occupant comfort, improved air quality and waste diversion.

The Colorado Convention Center, which is owned by the city of Denver and operated by SMG, began practicing sustainability following an expansion in 2004 that doubled its size, culminating in the hiring of what it claims as the industry’s convention center director of sustainability. That director, Lindsay Smith, partnered with Boulder-based UHG Consulting in 2009 to lead the 18-month LEED certification process.

Key Sustainable Standards for the Colorado Convention Center

• 32 percent of employees use alternative commuting options (the CCC participates in the city's bike-sharing program B-Cycle, with a 'B-Station' shown at right)
• New plumbing fixtures reduce water usage by 27 percent
• $1 million saved through energy efficiency
• The facility produces 26 percent less carbon.
• 50 percent of waste is diverted from landfills
• 100 percent of durable goods are recycled
• 30 percent of purchases for consumables are sustainable