Sustainability Efforts at the Denver Zoo

LEED Platinum • Water Conservation • Alternative Transportation • Zero Waste • Local Food • Energy Conservation

Energy Conservation

At Denver Zoo, we are working hard to reduce our energy consumption. By performing an energy audit of our entire campus, Denver Zoo will utilize this baseline information to modify our existing buildings to make them more efficient; working towards our zoo goal of reducing energy usage by thirty percent by 2020.

In order to accurately measure our baseline energy usage, Denver Zoo performed an ASHRAE Level II Energy Audit in over 39 buildings and exhibits, totaling 543,000 square feet. With the information obtained from this audit, we have developed an energy conservation and management plan.

Working on reducing our energy usage, by maximizing energy efficiency and increasing use of renewable energy sources on site, we also will decrease the Zoo's impact on climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy generation. Our waste to energy system, under development, is estimated to take ninety percent of our waste stream to generate approximately twenty percent of all the zoo's energy needs, equivalent to 1 million kWh/year of electricity. This system will be the first of its kind to convert a complex and diverse waste stream into a uniform, stable fuel on a consistent basis. Once complete, this system will serve as a model for such systems at other campus-like settings, from business and amusement parks to resorts, schools and small communities.

Part of our energy conservation plan is supported by the purchasing and use of Energy Star rated equipment and following EPEAT standards for computer equipment. EPEAT® is the global registry for greener electronics. Denver Zoo only purchases desktop computers that meet EPEAT's highest certification level in order to support the use of products that are less toxic, longer lasting, more energy efficient and easier to recycle. To support our proactive purchasing policy, Denver Zoo also encourages employees to change and improve their energy conservation behavior. Throughout the zoo employees are reminded to turn off the lights, unplug computers and turn off any unnecessary devices. Staff are also provided with tools to track their energy usage and decrease their energy consumption whenever possible.

In order to decrease our energy usage, we have made multiple modifications to our events and exhibits to ensure their efficiency. We converted 100 percent of the bulbs in our annual Zoo Lights event to LEDs (light-emitting diodes), saving seventy to ninety percent more energy than regular incandescent holiday lights. Additionally, through small-capital projects performed in 2009 (new motors, variable frequency drives, lighting upgrades, boilers, water heater upgrades, etc.) our zoo team has completed projects that are estimated to reduce our overall energy usage greater than 550,000 kWh. Currently, Denver Zoo tracks energy usage through billing statements; however we are working with independent contractors to help determine exact energy savings measurement that accurately considers any influence of weather and the effect of zoo construction activities.

Download Energy Conservation Flyer (pdf)