Stapleton, Denver
When the people of Denver voted to transform the city’s historic Stapleton International Airport into a new landmark neighborhood, they were determined to do it right. That included incorporating sustainability practices into every aspect of the redevelopment effort. The guiding principles for Stapleton are embodied in the Stapleton Development Plan, also knows as “The Green Book”. This comprehensive resource provides key guidelines that provide the foundation for Stapleton’s sustainability efforts as well as a framework for the community’s continuing growth. 

Sustainability at Stapleton is a practical, common sense strategy that involves understanding and planning for the long-term viability of the community’s natural resources as well as its social and economic systems. Stapleton has garnered local, regional, national and international attention and awards for its commitment to sustainability. Here are just a few examples of what sustainability looks like at Stapleton:

 -  6 million tons of concrete from the runways and 200,000 tons of asphalt from airport parking lots, commuter runways and runway aprons has been turned into aggregate and used in construction project around the metro area.

 - When complete, Stapleton will increase the amount of Denver City Parks by nearly 30%. Park and parkway design are patterned on historic precedents and include native plantings and water-conserving landscapes.

 - Instead of running storm water runoff through underground concrete culverts, Stapleton routes storm runoff through carefully designed constructed wetlands created the open space which enhances the quality of the natural areas and creates wildlife habitat.

 - As of the end of 2006, over 21,320 trees had been planted at Stapleton. Trees are important to the physical, social and emotional health of a community.

 - In Stapleton south of I-70 there will be approximately 428,944 linear feet, or over 81 miles, of sidewalk. Sidewalks encourage residents to be more active in their community by providing opportunities to walk or bike to homes, schools, parks and shopping.

 - All of the builders at Stapleton are part of the government’s ENERGY STAR program which requires third-party testing of building performance by a home energy rater to ensure that strict energy efficiency requirements are met. Stapleton is the largest community in Colorado and one of the largest master-planned communities in the United States to have 100% builder participation in the ENERGY STAR program.

 - Four residential builders at Stapleton are participating in the U. S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Homes Pilot Project.