Denver officials heading up the National Western Stock Show Center redevelopment project plan to offset pollution at the complex with renewable energy.
The U.S. Department of Energy and Xcel Energy will help The National Western Center project team meet its "ambitious" energy goals, the groups announced Tuesday.
The federal government and Xcel will work with the Office of the National Western Center to make the complex "a fully integrated, net zero campus,” said Kelly Leid, executive director of the office, in a statement.
If successful, the energy consumption of buildings at the complex will be offset by its production of renewable energy on an annual basis. To meet its goals, the team is considering treating stormwater on site, using a biogas digester to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and installing solar panels and wind turbines.
In November, voters approved borrowing and tourist tax extensions that will provide the bulk of the $1.1 billion in funding that will go to making over the National Western Center complex. The city’s goal is to transform the National Western Complex and Denver Coliseum from the home of a roughly two-week agriculture event (complete with professional rodeos, a horse show and a western trade show) to a year-round destination and global hub for agriculture and innovation.
It’s expected to take nearly a decade to finish the first two phases of the stock show renovation. The goal is to have the complex hit net zero at least five years after full build out.
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Business & data reporter Adrian D. Garcia can be reached via email at [email protected] or twitter.com/adriandgarc
