Denver Faces Rising Temperatures: How is the Office of Climate Action

Scorching heat waves are sweeping the globe, leaving billions to swelter. Meanwhile the planet endures the relentless impact of a fossil-fueled, human-driven climate crisis. Denverites are already feeling the heat of this global phenomenon. This summer, Denver experienced multiple intense heat waves with temperatures over 100 degrees.

Denver's Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency (CASR) is taking action to address this issue by partnering with Denver Department of Health and Environment (DDPHE)to launch a series of Heat Summits that took place throughout spring and summer 2024. Denver's Heat Summit series brought together city-wide agencies, community-based organizations (CBOs), and businesses to:

1. Document current heat response efforts within the city
2. Assess community needs for heat relief
3. Identify ongoing projects and gaps within city agencies
4. Co-develop actionable solutions to help keep Denverites safe, cool, comfortable, and healthy

Once the city identified the issues and gaps in addressing extreme heat in Denver, city agencies, community and business representatives came together for a final heat summit that took place on July 26, 2024. The event called for urgent and concerted efforts to enhance cooperation in four critical areas:

1. Caring for vulnerable populations
2. Protecting outdoor workers
3. Developing forward-looking climate projections to inform heat resilience planning
4. Investing in energy efficiency and electrification in building and homes

Summary of Suggested Solutions from Heat Summit Series

In total, we gathered insights from:

• 32 community-based organizations and NGOs
• 16 Denver agencies and affiliates
• 6 businesses
• 2 academic institutions
• 3 other government entities.

The themes below outline the broad categories of solutions proposed by the community. Our goal is to address extreme heat through policy, programs, and partnerships.

Community Suggestions on Programs:

• Urban Greening and Tree Canopy:
  • Protect and maintain the established tree canopy.
  • Speed up tree planting and green infrastructure initiatives.
• Cooling Infrastructure and Access:
  • Enhance access to cooling options. This can include water features, fountains, short term home cooling, and heat pumps. This is particularly critical for vulnerable populations.
• Funding Cooling Pilot Programs:
  • Create and support a Heat Mitigation Pilot Fund. This fund will support innovative heat mitigation projects and programs.

Community Suggestions on Policy:

• Renters' Protections:
  • Create heat safety measures such as a maximum indoor temperature for rental properties. This would be similar to heating requirements for rental properties to keep tenants warm during the winter.

Community Suggestions on Partnerships:

• Community Engagement and Partnerships:
  • Improve community outreach efforts on extreme heat.
  • Support community-based organizations in their efforts to increase cooling and green spaces.

Together, these strategies will form a comprehensive blueprint for Denver to address extreme heat. Comprehensive action will keep Denverites safe and cool while protecting our communities from the long-term impacts of the climate change.

Learn what Denver is currently doing to build a resilient city for all current and future Denverites:

• Fundingto nonprofits and community-based organizations. The fund helps these entities reduce the impacts of extreme heat and unhealthy indoor air quality.
• By 2025, we are going to plant over 2,100 treeson residential properties. As of July 2024, we have planted 1,374 trees.
• Community solar gardensexpand Denver's clean energy future. The 16 arrays we have built so far share the benefits of solar with our most vulnerable communities.
• We've built free-to-use electric car charging stations throughout the city. When it is easier and more convenient to charge electric cars, more people can adopt them. This improves our air quality and reduces heat in the city.
• Funding organizations to build or expand green workforce training. Organizations can get up to $49,000in 2024.
• A partnership with Denver Public Schools to fund student-led climate action projects. We awarded funds to 15 schools in this year as a pilot for the program.
• Rebatesto support building electrification. These rebates make it more affordable for buildings to install heat pumps instead of gas heating and cooling.
• Healthy Homes Program isproviding full home upgrades to improve indoor air quality. This includes weatherization, heat pumps, induction cooktops, and more. The pilot for this program will help 100 single family and 100 multifamily homes.