With roots as an American frontier town, Denver has long been a hub for an eclectic population of residents. A recent population boom of 20-30-somethings is spurring investments in new urban enclaves and long-standing communities alike to further attract and keep this younger generation. This September, Denver serves as host, teacher, and hands-on urban lab for the 2016 EcoDistricts Summit — including a draw of dozens of regional experts across a full day of presentations and four mobile tours.
(It’s Back!) Summit Flash Sale
Save 25% off your Summit registration when you register by Friday, Aug. 12. Simply use the discount code S16SALE.*
*Sale ends a midnight August 12, 2016
Here are our top 5 reasons you won’t want to miss this year’s Summit as we crack open and explore the Mile High City’s unique urban regen story:
1. Hot New Hubs
Denver’s moving on from its days as a sprawling, disconnected city with a blighted downtown. Today, catalytic development projects like historic Union Station are breathing new life into the city’s urban core. Take a tour of Union Station and Lower Downtown (LoDo) with the developers and city leaders who worked to regenerate the historic building and neighborhood. Or, tour Mariposa, an innovative success story in place-based affordable housing with a focus on livability, equitable transit access and community health.
2. From Mountains to City, Green Rules
Known for its location in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Denver also has more than 6,000 acres of park space within its city limits, including the nation’s first urban whitewater space, Confluence Park. Denver leaders are prioritizing sustainable infrastructure development as well. The city’s multiple Zero Energy District (ZED) projects aim to make Denver a national leader in sustainable district-scale development. Hear from ZED project leaders and national sustainability experts on our Summit main stage “Mile High ZED” plenary session. Then, hit the streets on a bike tour of the Cherry Creek Trail along the Platte River and an abundance of additional parks along the way.
3. Art and Culture at Center Stage …
Literally! With the largest art museum between Kansas and the West Coast and several burgeoning arts districts, Denver is an active showcase of integrating art and culture in urban regeneration. Join us each day for main stage Summit presentations in the world renowned Denver Art Museum and History Colorado Center. Tour the gritty and growing RiNo Arts District, a former industrial area that’s come alive with local galleries, street murals and innovative entrepreneurs. And experience a live art installation at the EcoDistricts Block Party.
4. Past Meets Future
Look around at Denver’s eclectic mix of old and new buildings, gritty streets and rapidly rising skyline and you’ll see a city actively moving from a pioneer town of the old west to a vibrant, diverse urban hub. At the Summit, hear first-hand from Denver’s leading urban change makers, from a main stage panel exploring catalytic development to tours of LoDo and Five Points — two of Denver’s oldest neighborhoods.
5. It’s Always Sunny (in Denver)…
So get out of the building and into the fresh air! Each day of the Summit, hit up the more than 75 food trucks that line Civic Center Park for lunch. Kick back with your Summit peers, brews and live music and art at our outdoor EcoDistricts Block Party. And experience some of Denver’s most important district-scale projects, from the affordable housing development Mariposa to the up and coming RiNo Arts District, with our half-day mobile tours.
Ready to come to Denver? Explore the full EcoDistricts Summit program, and register for the conference to secure your seat!