Earth Day Network
 Urban Environment Report: How Does Your City Perform?
 
CITY ENVIRONMENT DATA
Denver, Colorado
 
State Colorado
City Denver
County1 Denver*
City Population (2005)2 545,198 12.0% of state population
City Population Rank in United States, largest 50 Cities (2005) 23 (of top 50 in U.S.)
City Population Rank in Urban Environment Report (2005) 23 (of 72 in EDN study)
City Population Rank in State (2005) 1
City Size Classification - Population Large
City Size Classification - Population Density Medium Low Density
State Capitol City Denver
State Population (2005)2 4,562,244
 
 
CIVIC LEADERSHIP INFORMATION
Mayor Name (as of 1/1/2007) John W. Hickenlooper
Mayor/City Website (as of 1/1/2007) http://www.denvergov.org/Mayor/
Mayor/City Contact (as of 1/1/2007) 720-865-9000
Mayor Political Affiliation (as of 1/1/2007) Democrat
Next General Mayoral Election Tuesday, May 1, 2007
US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as of 10/18/06   Yes
State Governor Name Bill Ritter
State/Governor Website http://www.colorado.gov/
State/Governor Contact Information 303-866-2471
State/Governor Party Affiliation Democrat
State Governor Current Term Ends January 1, 2011
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Note: All rank information is out of 72 cities, though not all may have reported in every category.
1 is the 'best' (least polluting, most tree cover, etc) and 72 is the 'worst'.
 

(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
 
EDN VULNERABLE POPULATION INDEX (EDN VPI) 1.28    
Vulnerable Population Estimate 16.8%    
     Disability Status 13.3% 23  
     Emphysema 1.14% 25  
     Cardiovascular Disease 23.51% 31  
     Diabetes 4.88% 26  
     Pediatric Asthma 8.56% 63  
     Adult Asthma 8.91% 52  
     Adult Obesity 14.4%   1
     People Without Health Insurance 16.8%   37
     Age: Children under 5 years 9.2% 71  
     Age: 65 years and over 10.5% 33  
     Not Literate (Adult Level 1 Literacy) 20.0% 29  
     Adults without High School Degree (or higher) 17.9% 32  
     High School Drop-Out Rate 59.5% 10  
     Unemployed (Civilian Labor Force) 6.6% 19  
     Individuals Below Poverty 15.1% 27  
     Children (under 18 years old) Below Poverty 20.3% 34  
     Free or Reduced Lunch 59.9% 38  
     Other Languages Spoken at Home (primary language is not English) 28.0% 47  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
1 • TOXICS & WASTE     (metadata) (score) 2.5    
Overall Toxics Rank Average 18.0 (of 51) 14  
Cumulative Cancer-Causing Chemical Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 8,674,159 pounds   13
Cumulative Developmental Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 7,776,943 pounds 14
Cumulative Reproductive Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 597,392 pounds 10
Cumulative Suspected Neurological Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 67,211,203 pounds 12
Cumulative Suspected Respiratory Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 67,432,699 pounds 11
Dioxin Releases by State (grams in 2000) 8.3 grams 10
Number of Superfund Sites in County 5 sites 56  
Municipal Solid Waste Generation, tons per person (1997) 0.649 tons per person 4
Recycling Rate (1997) 18.0% 38
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Generated by State (2004) 7,930,426 tons 33
Municipal Solid Waste Generated Per Capita by State, tons/person (2004) 1.7 tons/person 46
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 995,156 tons 25
% Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 12.5% 38
% Municipal Solid Waste to Waste-to-Energy (2004) 0.0% 36
% Change in Municipal Solid Waste Generated (1997 to 2004) 161.9% 50
% Change in State Recycling Rate (1997 to 2004) -30.6% 36
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
2 • AIR QUALITY     (metadata) (score) 2.3    
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Released, Tons in 2002 87,700 tons   22
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Released, Tons in 2002 72,700 tons   22
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Released, Tons in 2002 44,504,100 tons   27
Mercury Released, Pounds in 2002 670.0 pounds   16
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2001-2003) 1.5 days 20  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2001 - 2003) 3.0 PM2.5 42  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2001 - 2003) 10.8 PM2.5 19  
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2002 - 2004) 1.5 days 21  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2002 - 2004) 0.7 PM2.5 20  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2002 - 2004) 10.0 PM2.5 15  
EPA Ambient Carbon Monoxide (CO) (8-hr ppm) 5 ppm 57  
EPA Ambient Lead (PB) Q Max (ug/m3) 0.17 ug/m3 25  
EPA Mean Ambient Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2 ppm) 0.022 ppm 43  
EPA Larger Particle (PM10) 24-hr (ug/m3) 38 ug/m3 50  
EPA Mean Ambient Sulfur Dioxide (SO2 ppm) 0.003 ppm 15  
EPA Days over 100 AQI (Warning Level) 20 days 41  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
3 • DRINKING & SURFACE WATER     (metadata) (score) 2.2    
DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Tap Water Quality & Compliance Grade Good ---  
Right to Know Report, What's in your Tap Water Grade Good ---  
Drinking Water Source Protection Grade Good ---  
WATERSHED & RESOURCES
Watershed Name Middle South Platte-Cherry Creek ---  
# of Units in Watershed 26 units 46  
# of Assessed Watershed Units 13 units 49  
# of Threatened & Impaired Watershed Units 7 units 17  
% of Watershed Units Assessed as Impaired or Threatened 53.8% 24  
% of Watershed Units Not Assessed 50.0% 56  
U.S. Census Annual Rainfall, inches (1961-1990) 15.40 inches 58  
Water Area Total, square miles 371 square miles 61  
Water Area Inland, square miles 371 square miles 57  
Water Area Coastal, square miles 0 square miles 35  
Water Area Great Lakes, square miles 0 square miles 10  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Station Denver ---  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Length of record in years 61 years 8  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Annual 89 days 48  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Station Denver ---  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Length of record in years 61 years 11  
Snow & Ice Pellets, Annual inches (thru 1998) 60.3 inches 5  
WATER WITHDRAWN
Water Withdrawn - Total, gallons/day 13,800,000,000 gallons/day 21  
Fresh Water Withdrawn - Per capita, gallons/day 3,690,000,000 gallons/day 5  
Ground water, gallons/day 2,270,000,000 gallons/day 26  
Surface water, gallons/day 11,600,000,000 gallons/day 21  
Irrigation, gallons/day 12,700,000,000 gallons/day 10  
Public Supply, gallons/day 732,000,000 gallons/day 39  
Industrial, gallons/day 191,000,000 gallons/day 51  
Thermo-Electric, gallons/day 115,,000,000 gallons/day 59  
Fresh Water Consumption, gallons/day 5,230,000,000 gallons/day 17  
WATER POLLUTION
Water Supplier Denver Water Board ---  
Number of People Served by Water Supplier 1,000,000 people 15  
Year(s) Included in Summary 1998-2002 ---  
Total Contaminants Detected 13 contaminants 21  
Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 3 contaminants 26  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected 3 contaminants 26  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected 3 contaminants 21  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Industrial Pollutants Detected 7 contaminants 26  
Industrial Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected 5 contaminants 17  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected, Over Health Based Limits 4 contaminants 39  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected 6 contaminants 32  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
WATER HEALTH & TESTING SUMMARY
Contaminants in Tap Water 13 contaminants 21  
Contaminants in Tap Water, Over Health Based Limits 3 contaminants 26  
Contaminants Reported as Tested by this Water Supplier 118 contaminants 29  
Contaminants with Federal Legal Limit in Tap Water 73 contaminants ---  
Regulated Contaminants Tested 101 contaminants 32  
Unregulated Contaminants Tested 17 contaminants 29  
WATER VIOLATION SUMMARY
Total Violations 0 violations 1  
Health Violations 0 violations 1  
Monitoring Violations 0 violations 1  
Reporting Violations 0 violations 1  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
4 • QUALITY OF LIFE (SITES4)     (metadata) (score) 2.7    
DENSITY & SPRAWL
Population Density, people per square mile of land area 3,616.8 people per square mile 30  
Housing Density, units per square mile of land area 1,639.6 housing units per square mile 26  
TRANSPORTATION
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2000) 24.5 minutes 43  
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2004) 23.3 minutes 45  
Means of Transportation - % Carpool (2000) 13.5% 33  
Means of Transportation - % Public (2000) 8.4% 22  
Means of Transportation - % Walk or Bike (2000) 5.3% 20  
Means of Transportation - % Work @ Home (2000) 3.7% 11  
Cost of Living: Transportation, % of National Average 110.6 55  
Motor Vehicle Registrations per 100 Residents (2003) 44.4 MV registrations   2
% Change in Motor Vehicle Registrations (1980 to 2003) -13.5%   2
Motor Vehicle Registrations - Autos Only per 100 Residents (2003) 19.5 MV registrations   1
Motor Vehicle Registrations per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.68 MV registrations   1
Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 86,821 miles   30
Total State Highway Mileage, Estimated % of Land Area (2003) 0.190%   12
Urban Highway Mileage, % of Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 20.9%   26
Total Highway Mileage per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.03 miles   35
Total Highway Mileage per Motor Vehicle Registration (2003) 42.83 miles   44
State $ Disbursements for Highways (2003) $1,788,000,000   30
State $ Disbursements for Highways, per highway mile (2003) $20,594 per mile   22
% Change in State Disbursements for Highways (1995 to 2003) 93.9%   45
Annual Person Hours of Delay, per person (2003) 31.0 hours per person 43  
Annual Congestion Cost, $ per person (2003) $530 per person 44  
Annual Congestion Delay and Fuel Cost (2003) $1,087,000,000 34  
Fuel Wasted, gallons per person (2003) 18 gallons per person 40  
INCOME & EMPLOYMENT
Median Household Income (2004) $43,777 17  
Median Household Income (2000) $39,500 27  
Per capita income (2004) $27,676 12  
Per capita Personal Income (2000) $24,101 10  
% of Families Below Poverty Level (2004) 10.6% 25  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (1999) 14.3% 29  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (2004) 15.1% 27  
% of Households with Public Assistance Income (2000) 3.4% 23  
% of Children Under 18 Years Old Below Poverty Level (1999) 20.3% 34  
People In the Labor Force, Unemployed (2005) 19,476 people 36  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 4.6% 20  
% of the Civilian Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 6.6% 19  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2000) 3.8% 29  
% of the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000) 5.7% 28  
% Change in the Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 17.9% 32  
% Change in the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 13.6% 29  
State Minimum Wage Laws (2006) Same as Federal ---  
State Minimum Wage Rates (2006) $5.15 per hour 28  
EDUCATION
# of School Age Kids K-12 (ages 5 to 17) 84,053 kids (1.8% of total pop.) 35  
Largest School District Enrollment 70,847 kids (1.6% of total pop.) 27  
% on Free or Reduced Lunch 59.9% 38  
Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI) Graduation Rate 40.5% 60  
Level of Education: % with High School Degree or Higher (2004) 82.1% 40  
Level of Education: % with Bachelor's Degree or Higher (2004) 35.9% 16  
Adult Level 1 Literacy Rate 20% 29  
State School Bus Efficiency (2002) Behind the Curve   ---
State School Bus Soot Pollution Grade D   ---
State School Bus Cleanup Program Rank (2006) Above Average   ---
State School Bus Smog Pollution Rank (2006) Poor   ---
HOUSING & COST OF LIVING
Occupied Housing Units (2004) 236,345 units 22  
% of Owner Occupied Housing 40.4% 52  
Cost of Living: Housing 120.6 47  
Cost of Living: Utilities 101.8 33  
Cost of Living: Miscellaneous 99.6 34  
Cost of Living: Overall 112.8 47  
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Voter Turnout in the Election of November 2004 68.41%   9
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2002 Election 46.20%   24
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2004 Election 61.60%   24
State Volunteering Rate: 2002-2005 Combined 32.2%   17
SAFETY/SECURITY
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 6,198.4 incidents per 100,000 people 34  
Violent Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 796.5 incidents per 100,000 people 36  
Property Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 5,401.9 incidents per 100,000 people 32  
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2003) 5,759.8 incidents per 100,000 people 25  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
5 • PARKS & RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES     (metadata) (score) 2.8    
Average # of Parks, per square mile 1.9 parks per square mile 11  
Average Area Dedicated to Parks, per city square mile 32.9 park acres per city square mile 25  
Park Area per 1000 Residents, acres 11.3 acres 26  
Parkland as % of City Area 6.4% 31  
Adjusted Park Spending, per resident $170 per resident 42  
Total City Tree Canopy % 0% 63  
Total City Urbanized Area % 67.7% 48  
Park Programs to Assist Low-Income Park Users Yes ---  
Disability Advisory Committees Yes ---  
Collection of Data on Crime in Parks Yes ---  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
6 • HUMAN & PUBLIC HEALTH     (metadata) (score) 2.4    
Pediatric Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.56% 63
Adult Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.91% 52
Chronic Bronchitis, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 3.09% 33
Emphysema, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 1.14% 25
Cardiovascular Disease, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 23.51% 31
Diabetes, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 4.88% 26  
% of Adults with Obesity (2001) 14.4% 1
Change in % of Adults with Obesity (1991-2001) 6.0% 3
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1992 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1992) <10% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1997) 10%-14% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (2003) 20%-24% ---
% of Adults Lacking Healthcare Insurance, ages 18 - 65 (2001) 12.0% 27
Infant Mortality Rate (2002) 6.1% 15
Number of Cancer Deaths per 100,000 people (2002) 173.1 6
Cost of Living: Health 129.5 62  
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2003-04 Average) 16.9% 36
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2004-05 Average) 16.8% 37
Rate of Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 -0.6% 23
Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 -0.1% 22
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farms 15 farms 17
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farmers' Markets 17 markets 19
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Restaurants 3 restaurants 16
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Groceries 4 grocery stores 11
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Other 5 other sources 14
Cost of Living: Food 114.0 62
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Men (1999-2003) 58.8% 13
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Women (1999-2003) 35.9% 17
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
7 • GLOBAL WARMING CLIMATE CHANGE     (metadata) (score) 2.6    
Mini-Kyoto Participant, US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (as of 10/18/06) Yes ---
Number of State and Local Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Programs 2 programs   6
Net Metering Net Metering Offered by Only One or More Individual Utilities   ---
Net Metering Residential Size Limit 2,000 kW   1
Net Metering Commercial Size Limit 2,000 kW   1
Completed Climate Action Plans Completed State Climate Action Plan   ---
Regional Initiatives Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Inventories Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Reporting & Registries No   ---
States with Public Benefit Funds None   ---
States with Renewable Portfolio Standards 10%   12
Date set for Renewable Portfolio Standards 2015   8
States with Green Pricing Programs Optional   ---
States with Renewable Energy Credit Tracking Systems Yes   ---
States with Mandates and Incentives Promoting Ethanol Excercises Tax Credit/Exemption and/or Grant Supporting Ethanol Use   ---
States with Residential Energy Codes No Residential Energy Codes   ---
States with Commercial Energy Codes No Commercial Energy Codes   ---
Green Building Standards for State Buildings LEED Required   ---
ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Participant (US CCP) Yes ---
% of State Generation that is from Renewable sources (2003) 3.1%   34
Average percentage of possible sunshine thru 1998: Length of record (years) 61 years 4
Average percentage of Possible Sunshine: Annual 67% 11
Annual Average wind speed, m.p.h. 8.6 mph 39
January Average wind speed, m.p.h. 8.6 mph 41
July Average wind speed, m.p.h. 8.3 mph 25
Heating Degree Days 6,020 days 44
Cooling Degree Days 679 days 18
Average Relative Humidity (%), Length of record (years) 35 years 39
Annual Morning Average Relative Humidity (%) 67% 5
Annual Afternoon Average Relative Humidity (%) 40% 5
Elevation, feet 5,279 feet 70
 
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
BACKGROUND INFORMATION      
SIZE & CLASSIFICATION
City Population (2005)2 545,198 23 (of 72 in EDN study) 12.0% of state population
City Population (2000) 554,636 24 (of 72 in EDN study)  
State Population (2005)2 4,562,244 22 (of 51 in EDN study)  
General Region West ---  
EPA Region 8 ---  
PHYSICAL QUALITIES
City Land Area, square miles 153.0 square miles 29 0.1% of state land area
State Land Area, square miles 103,729 square miles 8  
Watershed Name Middle South Platte-Cherry Creek ---  
Elevation, feet 5,279 ft. (1,605.7 m) 35  
Average Daily Temperature - January 29.2°F (-1.6°C) 51
Average Daily Temperature - July 73.4°F (23.0°C) 22  
DEMOGRAPHIC SUMMARY
Median Age 34.1 years 29  
18 years and older, % of population (2004) 75.3% 20  
65 years and older, % of population (2004) 10.5% 38  
Under 5 years of age 50,116 kids (9.2% of total pop.) 18  
One Race-White % (2005) 71.9% 22  
One Race - Non-white % (2005) 28.1% 51  
Hispanic or Latino, of any race % (2005) 35.1% 13  
% of Population who Speak a non-English Language at Home (2004) 28.0% 26  
Largest School District Name Denver County 1 ---  
 
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1 Use of the * within the County field indicates the city is in multiple counties. Typically the county for which the city serves as a county seat was selected.
2 Use of the * within the Population Rank Indicates year 2000 data was used since year 2004 data was not available.
3 Scores in parenthesis indicate partial scores, e.g. at least one scored indicator was not available or reported for this city.
4 SITES is an acronym developed by EDN as a summary for the 'Safety, Income, Transportation, Education and Sprawl' Topic.
 
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© 2006 Earth Day Network