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Beautiful & Sustainable
Creating a unique and captivating urban destination connects communities and forms a thriving downtown for all. With this goal in mind, the Downtown Denver BID invests in programs and infrastructure, like trees, waste receptacles, flower planters and more that contribute to an inviting, sustainable pedestrian environment.
Downtown Sustainability Programs
Our programs are guided by recommendations from the Downtown Area Plan and the Outdoor Downtown Plan to create a greener and more sustainable downtown. With focuses on waste reduction, transportation, sustainable development, energy and greening, the Downtown Denver BID uses its operational capabilities to reduce resource usage, increase longevity of furnishings and infrastructure and create equitable public spaces.
Perennial Program
Caring for downtown in a sustainable way is a primary goal of the DDBID. Denver, like many cities, is experiencing the ongoing impacts of climate change, population growth, urban heat and a stressed water supply. The way we plant the urban core can help address many environmental, cultural and social issues facing our city today.
Historically, the DDBID’s 600+ planter fleet has been planted with non-native, semi-tropical annual plants. Since 2021, we have been testing the viability and impact of perennial planting schemes in the downtown area. Using native and locally adapted perennial plants in the public realm can reduce resource usage, provide visual interest and educate our community.
Tree Health
The BID provides a base-level of care for all trees adjacent to commercial properties throughout the district. Not only does this relieve property owners of some of the burdens associated with tree care, but also helps to support a healthy tree canopy by putting all the downtown trees under a centralized care system.
Interested in elevating your tree canopy? Commercial and non-commercial properties can also contract with the DDBID for tree watering, planting and tree health treatments. Contact us to learn more or to schedule a tree health consultation.
Urban Forest Initiative
Trees are transformative for our city's public realm and its people. The Urban Forest Initiative is reimagining how trees are planted and cared for in our downtown. Help plant the seeds.
YEAR 1
One 3" diameter tree will...
Reduce 30 lbs. of CO2
Reduce 30 lbs. of CO2
Reduce 30 lbs. of CO2
$1,500
Saved Per Year
YEAR 10
One 8" diameter tree will...
Reduce 165 lbs. of CO2
Conserve 44 kWh
Intercept 273 gal. of stormwater
$9,500
Saved Per Year
YEAR 30
One 18" diameter tree will...
Reduce 754 lbs. of CO2
Conserve 193 kWh
Intercept 1,494 gal. of stormwater
$43,500
Saved Per Year
12%
ECONOMIC
Increase in income for businesses on tree lined streets.
$5.82 ROI
ECONOMIC
As much as $5.82 ROI for every $1 invested in urban forestry.
12%
ECONOMIC
Decrease in crime with a 10% increase in tree canopy coverage
3-7%
ENVIRONMENTAL
Decrease in ozone for every 10% increase in tree canopy
10°F
ENVIRONMENTAL
Cooler temperatures are felt when walking under tree canopied streets.
60%
ENVIRONMENTAL
Reduction in particulates from car exhaust fumes on streets lined with trees.
By The Numbers
Help Beautify Downtown Properties for the Benefit of All
A healthy urban forest is an indicator of a robust economy, a driver of positive mental and physical wellness, and a sign of environmental resiliency.
A donation to the Urban Forest Initiative is an investment for tomorrow, for the future of our downtown, to make this city that we all love a little bit better and greener, for generations to come.
Join Us in Building a Greener Downtown
"Right away we knew building an urban forest was the project that would make a real impact on improving the quality of life in Downtown Denver"
Raju Patel
Denver President, Bank of America
"This could be an investment that pays big dividends to our children and grandchildren for many years to come"
Mike Zoellner
Managing Partner, ZF Capital
Waste Reduction
The BID manages a fleet of over 200 waste receptacles with volume monitoring capabilities. Each receptacle is equipped with a sensor in its lid that measures & reports the can’s fill level. Cans are addressed when they are 75% full or greater, enabling our team to empty a receptacle only when it has reached a critical threshold in order to prevent overflows.
If something breaks, we first focus on repair and restoration of infrastructure prior to replacement. When BID owned furnishings like planters, trash cans and banners are decommissioned, we seek to donate them to community partners.
Banner recycling....
Fair Chance Employment
Our maintenance contractor, Consolidated Services Group LLC. (CSG) encourages Fair Chance hiring, the employment of individuals who face disadvantages.
They work to improve the lives and futures of staff providing livable wages and benefits; allowing workers to build skills and competitiveness in the workforce; and providing opportunities for advancement. This may include individuals experiencing homelessness, housing challenges, food insecurities, and/or transitioning from recent incarceration and/or program obligations.
Annual Lighting Audit
LOREM IPSUM
The Downtown Denver BID team completes a streetlight audit annually to ensure each and every light bulb is functional. We report light outages to Xcel Energy and convert our light bulbs to long-lasting LED fixtures for optimal performances.
Urban Forest Initiative
Trees are transformative for our city's public realm and its people. The Urban Forest Initiative reimagines how trees are planted and cared for in our downtown.
UFI is a City-funded initiative that contributes to creating a tree canopy that is planted and cared for the right way. UFI works directly with property owners to build vibrant, large planting areas to provide a supportive environment for every one of our downtown trees.
BID Tree Health Program
As Downtown Denver continues to grow and thrive, the BID Tree Health Program aims to care for a growing urban forest by providing tree health services for commercial properties throughout the District.
In 2018, the BID made the benefits of the Tree Health Program a part of base services for commercial properties that pay BID assessments. Not only does this relieve property owners of the burden of tree care, but also helps to support a healthy tree canopy by putting all the downtown trees under a centralized care system. In our downtown environment, trees can always use more love. In addition to our base services, the BID can serve as a contractor for all your tree planting, removal, and additional health needs. The Tree Health Program cares for approximately 1,800 trees within Downtown Denver.