Runnin’ Of The Green 7K Run
A family-oriented walk/run to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and spring, as well as raise money for Volunteers of America.
Sun, Mar 14, 10:15 am
17th and Wazee, LoDo, Denver
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By Caroline Schwarz, EcoMetro Guide Community Outreach Manager

As a Colorado resident for less than a year, I’ve been amazed by the strength of our frequently shining sun at a mile high – here, a walk on a sunny winter day that is in the 30’s or 40’s can feel substantially warmer and even warrant a shedding of layers mid-walk. Not only has this been a pleasantly surprising phenomenon to this girl from the gray lowlands of Michigan, it’s also gotten me thinking about spring and all things green already. More...

By Erin Russell

The Olympic spirit is something I find contagious whenever the games come around. It is always history in the making and the few days that I have been at Whistler last week were no different.  

History in the Making

When Vancouver won the bid for the winter Olympics, they made a pledge to have the first sustainable games in history. More...

By Pam Tanner, Denver EcoMetro Guide Market Director

The excitement of the holiday season is over and you may be feeling the pressure of either making a New Year’s resolution related to your health or fitness goals.

Most of us begin the New Year and the prerequisite fitness resolution with the best of intentions, only to hit a wall within two or three weeks and struggle to maintain our motivation to continue. Below are some suggestions to help you develop a routine and achieve your goals: More...

By Caroline Schwarz, Denver EcoMetro Guide Community Outreach Manager

As we say goodbye to 2009 and hello to a new year (and a new decade!) it is hard to resist the proclivity to both reflect on old habits and make determinations about new ones. Whether or not you are a fan of the New Year’s resolution in its traditional form, the start of a new year is undeniably a good time to think about ways to live happier and healthier. More...

Buy organic
Conventionally grown cotton is responsible for as much as 10% of pesticide use in the world and up to 25% of insecticide use annually, according to Grist. The chemicals can impact workers and leach into the groundwater. Because the United States produces more cotton than all countries except China, much of this is on our soil.

Next, ask about the processing method for cotton, wool, and other fabrics. Look for those that use natural dyes and avoid chlorine bleaching. Organic Consumers estimates that 1/3lb of chemicals are used in the production of a cotton T-shirt, so buying secondhand comes second to buying a product that avoids the conventional cycle.
 
Image: CreativeCommons/Cosmic Kitty More...

The following crops are ranked by highest pesticide load (1, peaches) to lowest (45, onions) by the Environmental Working Group. Download their wallet-sized pesticide guide. Prioritize purchasing organics for the lowest ranked crops, and head to the farmers markets listed in our Guide to support local farms.

Solar hot water and solar electric power
Hot water heating can account for as much as 25% of home energy use, especially if you take long showers and have less efficient appliances. A solar hot water heater costs less than solar electric panels and can reduce 50-80% of your water heating bill. The system usually consists of a collector plate installed on the roof, and a series of pipes connecting the plate to a solar storage tank. For grey days or winter months, there is also a backup water heater.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (eere.energy.gov), the price of a solar hot water system included in a 30-year mortgage equates to about $15 per month, which compared to water heating costs may make a system immediately profitable. More...

Scrub the tub Mix baking soda with water for an abrasive scrubbing paste, or substitute castile soap such as Dr. Bronner’s in place of water for extra power. To disinfect the bathroom, spray with hydrogen peroxide and rinse with water.

Claim the drain Pour baking soda in the drain, add 1 cup white vinegar, and watch the volcano, just like in grade school. Flush with hot water and repeat if necessary.

All hands on the pans Mix white vinegar with enough salt to form a paste, and watch the grease slip away. Add 1 tsp lemon juice for scent and extra power. More...