Letters of Endorsement
Endorsement of I-300, Denver Green Roof Initiative
The Colorado Native Plant Society endorses Denver’s I-300 initiative. We support the measure’s requirements to include edible gardens, wildflowers, or solar panels on large buildings. We believe that this measure highlights a few measures that we can take where we live and work to help preserve the special environment that Coloradans value.
Endorsement of I-300, Denver Green Roof Initiative
Food & Water Watch champions healthy food and clean water for all. We stand up to corporations that
put profits before people, and advocate for a democracy that improves people’s lives and protects our
environment.
Food & Water Watch endorses the Denver Green Roof Initiative, initiative I-300.
Initiative I-300 will contribute to improving Denver’s air quality, increasing the energy efficiency of its
buildings, mitigating the urban heat island effect, managing storm water runoff, and creating habitat for
pollinators and other insects.
We are dedicated to a more sustainable future in Denver and believe that passing this green roof
initiative will be a vehicle for asserting our human desire for cleaner air and water, and cooler urban
temperatures.
We will contact our followers who are Denver residents and urge them to support the initiative by
voting YES on I-300 on November 7th. Thank you for working toward a greener future in Colorado.
Lauren Petrie
Food & Water Watch
10/13/17
Endorsement of I-300, Denver Green Roof Initiative
Peak 1 Enterprises, LLC are a Colorado-based general contractor and developer of real estate projects in
the Denver, Colorado area. For more than 30 years, Peak 1 Enterprises, LLC and its principals, Dave Fox
and Pat Tjaden have been creating quality new residential housing and historic restoration projects
characterized by innovative design and uncompromising craftsmanship.
Peak 1 Enterprises, LLC endorses the Denver Green Roof Initiative, initiative I-300.
Initiative I-300 will contribute to improving Denver’s air quality, increasing the energy efficiency of its
buildings, mitigating the urban heat island effect, managing storm water runoff, and creating habitat for
pollinators and other insects.
We are dedicated to building quality residential housing while creating a more sustainable future in
Denver, and we believe that passing this green roof initiative will be a vehicle for asserting our human
desire for cleaner air and water, and cooler urban temperatures.
Dave Fox and Pat Tjaden
Peak 1 Enterprises, LLC
October 11, 2021
STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR I-300
The Denver Green Roof Initiative
The Energy & Environment Study Group is a subcommittee of the Public Policy Committee of
the Democratic Party of Denver. At its August and September meetings, the Study Group
considered and discussed a proposal by proponents of a citizens’ initiative that would place on the
November, 2017, ballot “The Denver Green Roof Initiative”.
Initiative 300 would create a new building code requiring large buildings across Denver to
devote a portion of their rooftops to vegetation and/or solar energy collection. The requirement is
modest – calling for a range of 20% to 60% coverage, depending on the size of the building.
Residential dwellings of four stories or less are exempt, and exceptions are provided for buildings
where physical limitations make coverage impractical. The code would include technical standards
to ensure that specifications remain up to date, and no new taxes will be imposed.
Placing vegetation and/or solar panels on roof tops reduces the incident sunlight, increases
energy efficiency of the building (thereby reducing consumption of electricity generated largely by
fossil fuels), reduces rain water runoff, improves air quality, enhances esthetic appeal, and
generally increases the value of the building.
The platform of the Democratic Party of Denver calls for “increased energy efficiency and
conservation, and increased utilization of renewable and green energy to reduce the use of fossil
fuels.” The Energy & Environment Study Group believes that Initiative-300 is in full accord with these
objectives, and unanimously urges a favorable vote on “The Denver Green Roofs Initiative.”
Thyria Wilson, Chair
Energy & Environment Study Group
Louis Irwin, Chair
Public Policy Committee
Democratic Party of Denver
24 September 2021
Denver Greens endorse Green Roof initiative I-300
Acting on Green Party key values of ecological wisdom, future focus and sustainability, the Denver Green Party endorses the Denver Green Roof Initiative (I-300), in a unanimous vote on September 20, 2017.
I-300 is a grassroots campaign, powered by volunteers and personal donations, with only around $1,000 raised to date, per campaign staff.
Denver has the third most intense urban heat island (UHI) effect in the country, after Las Vegas and Albuquerque. Poor air quality, specifically particulate and ozone pollution, is also a serious health concern, with working class and homeless peoples being most vulnerable and affected.
Green roofs are energy efficient, reduce the UHI effect, improve air quality, provide storm water management and habitat, lessen noise pollution, and create opportunities for urban agriculture and education.
We encourage Green voters and our allies to vote for this important initiative and to contribute time, talent or treasure as possible.
OMNI ECOSYSTEMS STATEMENT
OF SUPPORT FOR DENVER GREEN ROOF INITIATIVE
“At Omni Ecosystems, we believe vegetated roofs are integral to creating healthier, happier and more sustainable urban landscapes. That’s why Omni is proud to endorse the Denver Green Roof Initiative, a smart and progressive proposition that would improve the environment and create new opportunities for Denverites to experience nature. Omni Ecosystems urges citizens to vote in favor of I-300, and follow the growing trend of adding financial and ecological value to cities via green infrastructure.
With almost 10 years of experience in the living infrastructure industry, we know just how beneficial green roofs are to their surrounding communities. Aside from creating pathways for native pollinators, providing significant rainwater retention, reducing the urban heat island effect, and greatly improving air quality, green roofs also provide spaces for educational engagement, hyperlocal food production, and jobs in construction and maintenance.
Other major cities throughout the U.S. have adopted similar legislation that incentivizes or requires vegetated roof space, and they are reaping the benefits. Chicago was an early adopter, implementing a sustainable development policy that embraced green roofs in 2004. Since then, Chicago has become the de facto “green roof capital” of North America, for many years topping the annual list of cities with the most green roof installation. In recent years, Toronto and Washington, D.C. have replaced Chicago on the top of list as these cities have enacted
green roof incentives, too. Strong policy for green roofs enables the stormwater and beautification benefits of green roofs to be better realized because many green roofs can work together, forming a network of greenery and resiliency in a city.
October 6, 2021
Roofmeadow supports efforts that encourage the installation of vegetated roofs, photovoltaic arrays, or solar-thermal systems on roof tops. Roofmeadow has been designing and installing vegetated roofs for 20 years. Aside from economic and environmental benefits, roof gardens enliven the urban landscape and improve quality of life. The Denver climate engenders the development of new vegetated roof design approaches; a truly original American green roof style. Successful large-scale urban projects in Denver will lead to widespread adoption of green roofs in surrounding cities and states. The potential to foster a robust green roof industry, centered in the greater Denver area, should not be overlooked.
We support the proposed I-300 ballot initiative and look forward to its adoption.
Sincerely,
Charlie Miller, P.E., Principal and Founder Roofmeadow
Endorsement of I-300, Denver Green Roof Initiative
350 Denver and 350 Colorado are working locally to help build the global grassroots movement to solve the climate crisis and transition to a sustainable future.
350 Denver and 350 Colorado endorse the Denver Green Roof Initiative, initiative I-300.
Initiative I-300 will contribute to improving Denver’s air quality, increasing the energy efficiency of its buildings, mitigating the urban heat island effect, managing storm water runoff, and creating habitat for pollinators and other insects.
We are dedicated to a more sustainable future in Denver and believe that passing this green roof initiative will be a vehicle for asserting our human desire for cleaner air and water, and cooler urban temperatures.
We will contact our followers who are Denver residents and urge them to support the initiative by voting YES on I-300 on November 7th. Thank you for working toward a greener future in Colorado.
Barbara Donachy 350 Denver Team Leader and 350 Colorado Board Member
Micah Parkin Executive Director, 350 Colorado
October 6, 2021
