Groundworks canvass Sunnyside to bring energy savings

by Elisa Cohen

SUNNYSIDE – Saving electrons is just as important as producing new ones, so says presidential candidates. Groundwork Denver, an organization whose mission is to bring about the sustained improvement of the physical environment and promote health and well-being through community-based partnerships and action, took this message to the streets of Sunnyside recently. Over 100 volunteers knocked on doors helping residents reduce energy use and prevent unwanted junk mail.

Over the course of nine days volunteers associated with Groundwork Denver achieved the following environmental improvements: 270 compact fluorescent bulbs installed; 102 households signed up for recycling; 112 households signed up for street trees; 216 households reduced their junk mail; 279 households signed up for energy audits. They claimed in a letter sent out to participants that these changes will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 83 tons.

The volunteers from Greenprint Denver, Denver Department of Environmental Health and Office of Economic Development, the Governor’s Energy Office, Sun Power, Mile High Youth Corps, Energy Outreach Colorado, and LEAP canvassed over 2400 homes and connected with 465 families.

According to Groundwork Denver executive director Wendy Hawthorn, Groundwork Denver selected Sunnyside for its pilot efforts due to the fact that residents of Sunnyside had a higher than average energy use due to the age and construction of the homes. They also selected Sunnyside because of the potential to register new LEAP and weatherization clients. Sunnyside’s mixed demographics also contributed to its selection for the canvassing. Hawthorn explained in an email, “The partners felt that it was also important to pilot the program in a mixed income neighborhood so we could also engage residents who might have the resources to make energy efficiency improvements without the help of significant public resources.” Strong ties to Sunnyside as well as its ability to improve its participation in curbside recycling also prompted the group to work the neighborhood.

Over the next few months Groundwork Denver and the Mile High Youth Corps will be doing the energy audits and installing energy saving devices in lower-income homes. The street trees will be planted in the spring.

Volunteers interested in working on projects to improve the environment should contact Groundwork Denver at 303.455.5600 or visit www.GroundworkDenver.org.