We have a bold vision to make Denver Startup Week the most sustainable free entrepreneurship event in the North America — and we need your help!

Denver Startup Week is right around the corner from September 24 – 28, 2018 and Cottonwood Institute is excited to team up with an impressive coalition of partners, including: Colorado State University, Copia, Downtown Denver Partnership, The Alliance Center, The Commons on Champa.

For 2018, we are focusing our sustainability efforts to encourage attendees and venue hosts to:

1. Go for zero waste:

Only 18% of waste in Denver is recycled or composted, which is nearly half of the national average of 34%. We can do better!

Consider the following tips to reduce waste at Basecamp Launched by Chase for Business and other Denver Startup Week venues:

• Minimize food waste by only taking what you can eat at events with food
• Avoid food items and drinks with plastic packaging (i.e., wrapped candy, bagged snacks, single-use coffee cups, etc.)
• Recycle or compost your waste at venues with zero waste bins
• Bring your own reusable water bottle and coffee cup
• Bring your own reusable plate and cutlery to events with food
• Refuse non-reusable swag/giveaways
• Avoid creating more paper waste by taking pictures of printed collateral

2. Reduce your carbon footprint:

Help reduce SOVs (Single Occupant Vehicles) on the road to reduce carbon emissions and improve Denver’s air quality! Travel to and from Denver Startup Week using alternative transportation:

• Ride or carpool with Lyft
• Car share with Zipcar or car2go
• Ride RTD bus or light rail
• Ride a Denver B-Cycle bike
• Ride a Lime or Bird scooter
• Walk

Get Involved:

If you would like to serve on the Sustainability Committee, become a Sustainability Volunteer, or if you would like your venue to meet this year’s sustainability benchmarks, contact: Ford Church, Founder and Executive Director, Cottonwood Institute, via email, or at 303.447.1076 x700.

Sustainability Partners:

A special thanks goes out to the following partners for helping to drive sustainability efforts at Denver Startup Week this year and beyond!