Customers can create schedules specific to their travel needs, including only designated stops or stations; feature available in 10 languages
Photo courtesy: RTD
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) has launched a new option for customers to create and download personalized trip schedules from its website and Next Ride app. The enhancement to RTD’s website provides a convenient way to find a bus or train schedule and tailor it to specific needs, such as only the starting and destination points of a trip. Customers can also print a PDF version of their personalized schedule that only displays selected stops or stations. The customized schedules can be downloaded in 10 different languages to make trip planning more accessible. Schedule customization includes the direction of travel, day of the week, and time of day, as well as only displaying stops or stations that a customer wants to see.
To create a custom schedule, visit RTD’s website at www.rtd-denver.com and click on the “Find a Schedule” link (www.rtd-denver.com/routes-services/find-a-schedule) in the “Plan a Trip” section of the home page. Alternatively, customers can select “Routes and Services” from the home page menu bar and select “Find a Schedule” in the third column of the menu list. Customers can check “Select stops” under “Day of travel” and choose only the desired stops from the pop-up menu to create a personalized schedule.
Customers who browse RTD’s website in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Vietnamese, French, Nepali, Somali, or Amharic, will see customized schedules automatically translated into their selected language when downloaded.
Users of the Next Ride mobile app can also generate personalized schedules from the schedule detail page by inputting direction, day of the week, and then selecting the stops or stations relevant to their travel. RTD also offers the Next Ride app in 10 different languages for customer convenience and accessible travel planning. Most recently, RTD added French, Somali, Nepali and Amharic translations to its digital resources.
RTD plans to add other digital enhancements in the future to make trip planning more accessible and convenient for all customers.
Community Celebrates First-of-its-Kind Air Quality Education at Point of Care
The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE), alongside Mayor Mike Johnston and community partners, celebrated the expansion of the Love My Air program into Denver community health clinics. This milestone event marks a major step in delivering environmental health education and real-time air quality data directly to residents alongside trusted health care providers.
Love My Air is Denver’s air monitoring network, providing real-time air quality information through a mobile app using cutting-edge pollution monitoring technology. Through partnerships with schools and community organizations, the program also offers workshops, training and outreach focused on connecting air quality and health. Since the program began in 2018, Love My Air’s educational efforts have been focused in Denver Public Schools. The expansion into health clinics brings this work to the point of care for the first time.
“Monitoring air quality in real-time helps us better understand local environmental impacts and empowers communities to make informed decisions about their health,” said Mayor Mike Johnston. “Thanks to Kaiser Permanente, Tepeyac Community Health Center, and Inner City Health for partnering with us to bring air quality education directly into the spaces where people seek care and support.”
In 2024, DDPHE’s Love My Air program received a grant from the Kaiser Permanente Community Health Fund at the Denver Foundation. The grant supports the placement of air monitors and interactive education kiosks at three locations: Tepeyac Community Health Center, Inner City Health, and the Kaiser Permanente East Denver Medical Offices. This expansion will increase access to local air quality data for both patients and providers, helping residents make informed decisions about their health.
“Poor air quality has significant negative health impacts, and access to real-time air quality information will be a game-changer for communities who have long suffered the worst effects of air pollution in Denver,” said Mike Ramseier, president of Kaiser Permanente in Colorado. “Love My Air’s work aligns perfectly with Kaiser Permanente’s mission to provide high-quality, affordable care and improve the health of the communities we serve.”
The event celebrated the installation of the first air monitor and kiosk at Tepeyac Community Health Center. Mayor Johnston unveiled the new kiosk alongside Kaiser Permanente President Mike Ramseier, Tepeyac CEO Jim Garcia, and Inner City Health CEO Charles Gilford III.
The addition of these monitors will complement the existing Love My Air sensor network by increasing data points across Denver neighborhoods, allowing DDPHE to survey a broader range of pollutants with greater accuracy. The expansion also strengthens community connections by placing environmental health tools in trusted, accessible spaces. A key component of the project includes a redesigned Love My Air mobile app and updated kiosks to better communicate air quality data to users.
President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to enforce federal law with respect to sanctuary jurisdictions to protect their citizens from dangerous illegal aliens. Sanctuary jurisdictions that do not comply with federal law may lose federal funding. President Trump is following through on his promise to rid the United States of sanctuary cities.
Colorado Governor
The State of Colorado filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration’s abrupt cuts to funding and services that help Colorado prevent wildfires, support student success, and ensure Coloradans’ access to mental health care through AmeriCorps. “In Colorado, AmeriCorps members are on the front lines: supporting wildfire mitigation, helping students succeed in school, and expanding mental health access. Their work touches every part of our state, and these cuts are taking important services away from Coloradans and our communities,” said Governor Jared Polis.
Denver Mayor
The City and County of Denver is announcing the continuation of the Mayor’s YouthWorks Initiative in alignment with the city’s Family Friendly goal. Applications are now open for eligible youth ages 14-21 to apply for a $500 bonus when they have completed 100 hours of work between April 1-Aug. 15, 2025. “Denver’s future is in the hands of our youth, and it’s crucial they have the opportunity to gain work experience,” said Mayor Mike Johnston.
African migrants killed in American strike on Yemen
Officials from the Houthi-run media in Yemen said at least 68 African migrants were killed by a US air strike on a detention center. Reports suggest that another 47 migrants were injured, most of them critically. The United States has yet to comment on the incident. The detention center was holding around 115 people at the time of the attack.
Namibian minister accused of rape
Mac-Albert Hengari, Namibia’s agriculture minister, has been fired after being accused of raping a 16-year-old girl five years ago. He was arrested Saturday after allegedly attempting to bribe the victim to withdraw the case against him. Hengari has denied any wrongdoing and was denied bail.
Asia
North Korea confirms it sent troops to fight for Russia
During a report on North Korean controlled media, officials from North Korea’s army claimed its soldiers helped Russia “liberate” the Kursk border region. It is the first time the country has confirmed it sent troops to fight for Russia in Ukraine. Officials believe at least 1,000 of the 11,000 North Korean troops fighting for Russia have been killed over the past three months.
Six officers killed in Thailand plane crash
At least six police officers were killed in Thailand when their plane crashed into the sea. Police were participating in a parachute training at the time of the incident. Initial investigations showed that the plane was heading towards houses and its pilots maneuvered it to the sea to avoid further fatalities.
Europe
Teenager killed in school stabbing
Officials in France have arrested an attacker who stabbed and killed a teenage girl at a private school. Three other students were also injured in the incident. French leaders are urging intense checks for knives in schools. The country is planning to release more details about the attack in the coming days.
Vatican looks ahead toward new pope
Cardinals are set to meet on May 7 to begin the process of electing a new pope. Around 135 cardinals from across the world will be involved in the process. Recent conclaves lasted only two days, but it is unknown how long it will take to elect the next pope. Meanwhile, over the weekend a funeral was held for Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88.
Latin America
Ex-Brazil president health worsens
Doctors of former Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro said his health has worsened after intestinal surgery that took place earlier in April. He is in intensive care and is set to undergo new tests. Bolsonaro is facing charges that he directed an alleged right-wing coup attempt after he lost the 2022 presidential election.
Ecuador earthquake leaves 20 injured
At least 20 people were injured when a 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit Ecuador. Multiple buildings were also seriously damaged, and several homes and public buildings were left without power. Ecuador’s national oil company also said it briefly suspended operations at its refinery in Esmeraldas because of the quake.
North America
Car drives through Canada street fest, leaves 11 dead
Officials in Vancouver have arrested a 30-year-old man who is accused of driving a car into a crowd at a street festival. At least 11 people were killed, including a five-year-old girl. Vancouver Acting Police Chief Steve Rai called the attack “the darkest day in the city’s history.” The suspect, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, appeared in court last Sunday.
Two-year-old US citizen deported
Judge Terry Doughtry said a two-year-old American may have been deported to Honduras with her mother and sister without due process. The child and her family were arrested during an appointment at a New Orleans immigration office. The judge asked to arrange a call with the girl’s mother, but was told it may not be possible because she was just released in Honduras.
He was, without a doubt, the shepherd for not only the world’s 1.4 billion Roman Catholics, but for millions of others who found a quality in him that shone like a spiritual beacon.
December 17, 1936 – April 21, 2025 Photo courtesy: Vatican News Twitter
Pope Francis died on Monday following a difficult two-month period in which the frail 88-year-old pontiff battled various health problems, including a life-threatening bout of pneumonia. While hospitalized, his condition once worsened to the point that his doctors weighed halting treatments and allowing him to die peacefully.
But he rallied and was discharged from the hospital March 23rd and returned, albeit weakened, to an abridged papal schedule. His last public appearance was on Easter Sunday where he was greeted by a crowd chanting “viva il papa,” long live the Pope. One other public appearance was also on Easter Sunday when he received Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife.
Pope Francis, who succeeded Pope Benedict XVI and chose his papal name in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, was the first pope born outside of Europe. He was also the Church’s first Jesuit. He assumed the papacy on March 13, 2013, and took the world by storm. He was Pope, but he was different.
He was the son of Italian immigrants who had fled their native country to escape the percolating fascist movement under Benito Mussolini. He was born in the town of Flores, just outside Buenos Aires on December 17th, 1936, and christened Jorge Mario Bergoglio.
After leaving high school, he received a chemical technician’s diploma. While in college, Bergoglio worked as a bouncer and janitor.
Pope Francis often explained his journey into the priesthood as one of curious happenstance. As a young man, he recounted, that he was on his way to a local springtime celebration but stopped by a church for a quick confession. There he met a young, charismatic priest who somehow inspired him and made him curious enough to study the Jesuits. His curiosity led to three years in the seminary and on March 12, 1960, he was ordained.
As a Jesuit, an order known for valuing education, he taught literature and psychology at a high school. He later taught the same courses at Buenos Aires’ Colegio del Salvador.
As he rose in the church, he took on a number of roles. After completing his last training as Jesuit and committing his final vows of the order, he was named provincial superior of the Society of Jesus in Argentina in 1979.
Bergoglio held a number of titles as he rose in the church hierarchy, including bishop and archbishop. In 2001, he was elevated to the rank of Cardinal. His papacy began following the decision by Pope Benedict XVI to step aside. Bergoglio had been runner up to Benedict.
But never had there been a Pope like Francis. In many ways he was different than all of those before him. But in so many others he was the same.
Pope Francis made no secret of his love of his country’s national sport of futbol, or soccer. His team was the San Lorenzo de Almagro club. He also enjoyed the national dance of Argentina, the Tango. He also considered himself an environmentalist and he, unlike previous Popes, elevated women in the church though stopped short of advocating for their ordination as priests.
Another issue that he embraced was his acknowledgement and acceptance of the LGBQT community. On a 2013 flight aboard Shepherd One en route from Rio de Janeiro to Rome, he was asked about gay priests. His reply: “If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I go judge?”
Pope Francis also separated himself from previous Popes on those who divorced and remarried. He stated firmly that such couples “are not excommunicated” and should not feel “discriminated against.” Going even farther, he opened the door for them to receive the Eucharist which he called “a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak.” However, he made no move to change the church’s official position on remarriage after divorce as a sin.
He also moved the Church closer to a modernity with women. He allowed baptism by lay people, including women. He also named women to leadership positions within the Vatican.
He also met with survivors of sexual abuse at the hands of priests and tried to establish new reforms within the Church. Still, as he moved in the right direction on this historically dark chapter of the Church, more and more victims of priestly sexual abuse continued to come forward.
But despite his openness on previously uncompromising social position, Pope Francis was immovable on the subject of abortion. He was steadfast calling abortion “murder” and a “grave sin.” But he also announced in 2015 that he would allow priests all over the world to grant forgiveness for abortions.
Following the announcement of Pope Francis death, President Trump ordered all flags on public buildings and grounds to be lowered to half-staff until the day of internment. Trump, in addressing the Pope’s passing, called him a “good man.”
Former President Barak Obama paid tribute to Pope Francis with a statement calling him “the rare leader who made us want to be better people.” Obama, who met several times with Pope Francis during his presidency, said “his humility and his gestures at once simple and profound—embracing the sick, ministering to the homeless, washing the feet of young prisoners—he shook us out of our complacency and reminded us that we are all bound by moral obligations to God and one another.” As in the simple life he lived across the arc of his priesthood and through his papacy, Pope Francis will be buried at the papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major instead of the crypt of St. Peter’s Basilica where many of his predecessors are buried.
The Denver Nuggets had a tough night at home at Ball Arena Monday night against the L.A.Clippers as did the Colorado Avalanche in Dallas. The Nuggets hosted the Clippers at home and came out strong in the first quarter but faltered in the second trailing by three at the half.
The next two quarters were well fought out but the Nuggets remained behind by 3 most of the game ending up losing 105-102 after winning game 1 of their series. The series now shifts to L.A. on Thursday at 8 p.m.
The Denver Nuggets took game one of their seven game series beating the Clippers over the weekend 112-110. The Clippers had won 9 of 10 closing out the regular season while the Nuggets shifted gears by firing coach Michael Malone. Nikola Jokic was just one rebound shy of a triple double in Saturday nights game.
The Colorado Avalanche played a well-fought game with the Dallas Stars on Monday night with Colorado taking an early lead. Dallas responded quickly with a goal of their own as both teams scored three goals in regulation sending the game to overtime.
Dallas fell in game one to Colorado in Dallas 5-1 over the weekend as Colorado dominated them from puck drop. The Avs will now host the Dallas Stars Wednesday night at Ball Arena for game three at 7:30 p.m.
In other sports the NFL draft is approaching rapidly and rumors are circulating that the Denver Broncos are looking to move up in the draft to select a running back in the first round.
The NFL Draft kicks off later this week (April 24 – 26) and the Broncos currently have the number 20 pick with six more drafts in seven rounds. Denver is in need of a running back, wide receiver and corner back. They are expected to concentrate on those needs later on this week.
The Colorado Rockies have now lost 8 games straight to the Washington Nationals, the L.A. Dodger and the San Diego Padres. Colorado’s last win came on April 10th against the Milwaukee Brewers. This week the Rockies are in Kansas City to face the Royals in at three game series before returning home this weekend to host the Cincinnati Reds.
The America 250 – Colorado 150 Commission announced its aligned giving program, created in partnership with leading statewide foundations.
This initiative will allow community organizations to participate in the 2026 commemoration. Through this program, the Commission will act as a clearinghouse, connecting organizations with funding opportunities for programs and projects celebrating Colorado’s deep history and promising future. With more than $4.5 million already committed from philanthropic partners, this initiative will support commemorative projects such as local events, educational programs, public art installations, historic preservation, and additional community-driven efforts.
Organizations across Colorado are encouraged to submit project descriptions for review, with a streamlined process to connect selected proposals with funding partners.
“The America 250 – Colorado 150 dual anniversary is about bringing people together to reflect on our past, celebrate our communities, and look toward our future,” said Commission Co-Chair Nathan Richie, Director of the Golden History Museum & Park.
“The Anschutz Foundation is proud to be part of the America 250 – Colorado 150 initiative,” said Christian Anschutz, President of the Anschutz Foundation and a 250-150 Commissioner, who committed $1 million to the effort. “We have always believed that our shared history, as a nation and as a state, should be a source of pride. We look forward to working with nonprofit organizations around the state to mark this momentous occasion.”
Several of Colorado’s foundations have pledged funding to support this historic milestone:
Hanna Skandera, President & CEO of the Daniels Fund, emphasized Colorado’s enduring spirit, stating, “For 150 years, Colorado has been a land of opportunity, grit, and resilience. A key part of that 150-year story is the spirit of community, generosity, and giving that continues today.”
El Pomar Foundation, which has also committed $1 million, echoed this sentiment. “As a foundation with more than 85 years of philanthropic giving to Colorado nonprofits, El Pomar is pleased to partner with the America 250 – Colorado 150 Commission to commemorate and celebrate our shared history,” said Kyle H. Hybl, President & CEO of El Pomar Foundation.”
How to Apply for Aligned Giving
Beginning April 1, 2025, organizations seeking funding can submit a project description through the official website. The Commission will review each submission, evaluate its alignment with commemoration objectives, and forward the program narratives to foundation partners for consideration.
The objectives of the America 250 – Colorado 150 Commission are described in Colorado Senate Bill 22-011, which established its mission. The legislation charges the Commission with promoting awareness and appreciation of Colorado’s shared history while supporting commemorative and historical events statewide. Through education, engagement, and celebration, the Commission seeks to honor Colorado’s past, highlight its cultural richness, and inspire future generations.
The submission process follows these key steps:
Organizations complete an online interest form with project details.
The Commission reviews submissions and assigns an alignment rating.
Organizations are notified of their project’s rating: Highly Aligned, Aligned, or Forwarded.
All proposals are submitted to funding partners for consideration.
Organizations will be informed if an aligned funding partner requests a full proposal.
Selected organizations submit proposals directly to the requesting foundation.
“Gates Family Foundation is happy to join with our philanthropic colleagues and other partners in celebrating the milestone of 150 years of statehood and supporting the work of the Commission,” said Tom Gougeon, President of Gates Family Foundation.
Katie Kramer, President & CEO of the Boettcher Foundation, which has committed $500,000, highlighted the lasting impact of this effort. “At Boettcher, we believe in the promise of Colorado and the potential of Coloradans. Supporting the America 250 – Colorado 150 Commission is both a testament to our mission and honors our state’s history by elevating leadership and innovation while paving the way for generations of impact.”
David Conde, Senior Consultant for International Programs
The Denver Nuggets are back in the playoffs again. Also, Nikola Jokic is back in the running for a 4th Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. This year, the final choice for the National Basketball Association (NBA) MVP award appears to be between Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite the best season of his career, Jokic apparently stands to lose the award to SGA who is leading his team to what seems to be the Promise Land.
Gilgeous-Alexander, a Black player, does not need some powerful person in the NBA media to put a thumb on the scale on his behalf. But that is exactly what is happening as ESPN Black Analyst Kendrick Perkins is at it again. Perkins cannot help himself. He let everybody know that that he voted for SGA for MVP, possibly influencing the vote that is still going on.
I remember the 2022-2023 Denver Nuggets campaign and the excitement of winning it all. Nikola Jokic and his supporting cast had done an excellent job of taking on all comers and achieving the ultimate success that was the NBA Championship trophy.
Jokic was also the favorite to win the MVP award that year. He had won it the previous two years and that had apparently irritated some people that feel that the NBA is a basketball playground for Blacks only.
So, ESPN leading analyst Kendrick Perkins pulled out the race card and insisted that Jokic was benefiting from racial bias of White MVP voters. That appeared to change the dynamics of the vote that year and center Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers (a Black player favored by Perkins) got the award. Since then, Embiid has not lived up to his billing and has become largely unavailable to his team.
Meanwhile, in 2024 Jokic went on to win his 3rd MVP. For reasons of his own, Perkins publicly decided that he would not take part in the MVP vote this year. He then took that promise back and decided to “help?” SGA.
It is true that the NBA is a majority-Black institution. It is also true that the face of ESPN has turned Black in the last years. That fact however, calls for a better sense of responsibility and a more even approach to the sport and to the media business. This is not the time to act like the oppressor that the Black community has long complained about.
Also, over the years, the Black community has produced young men and women hungry for success in sports and the entertainment industry among others. At the same time, that success does not give anyone the right to lord over others.
Besides, it is very possible that the new hungry kids in the NBA and other sports are Eastern Europeans. If we look around the college and professional ranks we will find a very large and growing number becoming the new superstars.
Black America has achieved a measure of success in many industries both public and private. It can be said the African Americans have even become the face of a major political party.
Although the Black community has been able to achieve power and influence in important sectors of everyday life, not everyone has gotten the message that there is an important duty that comes with the notion of leadership.
That seems to be lacking in folks like Kendrick Perkins that achieved some power. They continue to voice their own racial biases while calling for justice.
The views expressed by David Conde are not necessarily the views of LaVozColorado. Comments and responses may be directed to News@lavozcolorado.com.
Every day in Pueblo Dave Tinnell sees the familiar faces of his city’s homeless. They’re the men and women living a reality that he has learned not to question. It’s not his job, he says. His job is to make sure they’ve got a safe place to warm up when it’s cold, to cool down when it’s hot and lay their heads when it’s time to rest.
Tinnell is the manager of the Pueblo Shelter, also known as the Pueblo Rescue Mission. But, until just days ago, Tinnell was not sure if he would be adding ‘former’ to his title. But an April 14th vote to approve $464,000 by the Pueblo City Council kept him employed and the doors open for many of the city’s homeless. The money should keep the shelter running through the end of 2025.
“I am a believer in the good Lord,” Tinnell said. “I just didn’t feel like we were going to get closed.” But things got dicey before the mayor cobbled together funds initially earmarked for other city agencies, including the fire department, unused housing consolidation funds and last year’s Mayoral Runoff Election project.
The shelter, which is open “seven days a week,” has the capacity to serve a combined 45-50 men and women. It also serves a single meal each day, with dinner being served at 4:30 each day. “Yesterday,” he said, “I cooked,” chicken being the entrée. Tinnell also said every meal also includes a salad.
Nearly all of the food served at the shelter, the burly, bearded Tinnell said, is donated. “We do have a tiny budget. If there is a shortfall, we can go to the store.”
The men and women who rely on the shelter, Tinnell said, all have a story. But it’s their story. “Why is it that you choose to be homeless and live on the street,” he said, is not something he needs to know. “We only ask that you not bring narcotics or paraphernalia,” and that “you get right before you come here.”
There have been times when the shelter’s peace is broken, but it is rare, Tinnell said. That usually happens when “we’re getting a new crowd of people,” who might not be familiar with the rules. But, in the main, he said it’s a safe place. “You build a rapport with them, especially with some of our regulars. You get to know them by name, and they respect you. You don’t want to turn anyone away.”
Beyond providing a meal and a bed, Tinnell said the shelter can sometimes offer clothing and other necessities. “They’re thankful.” A helping hand, he believes, can go a long way.
While the shelter is open to both men and women, those staying over night are separated by gender. But, Tinnell said, “at the present time we do not allow minors.”
Pueblo City Councilman Dennis Flores praised the mayor for finding the money for keeping the shelter open along with his council colleagues for their unanimous vote in approving the funds.
“We have an obligation to manage our homeless situation,” the term-limited Flores said. “This is a position I am totally comfortable with. It’s based on simple morality.”
While Flores said there will be opponents to spending the money on the homeless, “If the shelter is closed down, you’ve got more problems.” “You’ve got to do something about it,” Flores said.
He describes what the city is doing as simple pragmatism. It’s a matter of public health and safety. “You’ve got people with some real mental health problems, and you’ve also got criminals, too.” To deal with the homeless situation, the city has recently begun cleaning up some of the homeless encampments that have proliferated along the Fountain Creek.
Airport Celebrates Progress on Five-Year Sustainability Plan on Earth Day
Four years ago, Denver International Airport (DEN) announced a series of ambitious projects intended to improve DEN’s sustainability as it planned for 100 million annual passengers. On Earth Day 2025, DEN is proud to announce significant progress on all the sustainability initiatives it outlined in 2021, the same year airport officials announced DEN’s Vision 100 strategic plan.
“We’re on track to not only complete the sustainability initiatives we set out to achieve but also surpass expectations in many areas,” DEN CEO Phil Washington said. “The significant progress we’ve made and the determination with which we continue to expand our sustainability efforts demonstrate our long-term commitment to be one of the greenest airports in the world.”
Since setting out its five-year plan, DEN has seen significant sustainability impacts and achieved several milestones:
2021 Commitment : To implement extensive energy and water retrofits across the existing airport facility, including LED lighting upgrades, heating and cooling improvements, and water reduction across DEN restrooms.
2025 Results: DEN is more than two years into construction of the largest Energy Performance Contract (EPC) project in Colorado’s history, which is implementing deep energy and water efficiency retrofits throughout the airport. Measures completed to date will result in savings of 20 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, 300,000 therms of natural gas and 125 million gallons of water each year. Upon completion at the end of 2025, the project will reduce overall energy use by 20 percent, water use by 28 percent and utilities costs by more than $4,000,000 each year.
2021 Commitment: To open four sustainably designed, high-performance concourse expansion projects that are certified to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold level.
2025 Results: Three of the four recently completed Concourse Expansion projects have been certified. B-West achieved LEED Gold, and A-West and B-East achieved LEED Platinum, the highest level within the LEED rating system.
2021 Commitment: To construct and energize additional solar arrays and investigate battery storage opportunities to power the airport’s growth with electricity that is low-carbon, cost-effective, reliable and resilient.
2025 Results: Since 2021, DEN has energized three new on-site solar arrays that are among the largest solar projects in Denver, totaling more than 30 megawatts of new solar capacity over more than 100 acres of land. DEN also worked with Xcel Energy to install a solar-powered 2.4-megawatt, 4.4-megawatt-hour battery energy storage system that provides emergency backup power to the Automated Guideway Transit System (AGTS), also commonly called the trains to the gates.
2021 Commitment: To plan for the transition to electric vehicles and install additional charging stations for passengers, employees, transportation providers and the DEN fleet.
2025 Results: DEN has increased its electric vehicle fleet by 33 units — a 413 percent increase since 2021. It has also installed the airport’s first Level 3 fast-charging stations at the Commercial Vehicle Holding Lot for use by transportation network company vehicles. Installation of four Level 3 direct current fast chargers at the Maintenance Center fuel site is underway, with an expected opening in late summer 2025. DEN is also awaiting delivery of the nation’s first fully electric paint-striping truck, which will be used for airfield striping operations.
2021 Commitment: To improve recycling and composting infrastructure to make reducing trash easier for customers and business partners, which may include resources like new recycling bins, better signage and additional partnerships with our concessionaires.
2025 Results: With the support from a State of Colorado grant, DEN introduced the Zero Waste Valet pilot program in partnership with Scraps to test recycling and composting improvements for concession partners on Concourse B. The program has diverted 200 tons of material from the landfill into compost and recycling since it started in June, 2024. DEN’s airport-wide diversion rate has surpassed 25 percent as of February 2025, a milestone made possible largely through the dedicated efforts of the Zero Waste Valet pilot program.
2021 Commitment: To build a new closed-loop aircraft de-icing fluid recycling plant to localize and strengthen the supply chain and reduce costs and environmental impacts.
2025 Results: DEN completed construction of the glycol recycling system in 2023 and fully commissioned the system in 2024. The system is recycling used glycol to a level that allows deicing fluid to be remanufactured and reapplied to aircraft in a closed loop.To learn more about DEN’s sustainability efforts, visit www.flydenver.com/business-and-community/sustainability/.
