Steps to make it a green building include waterless urinals in the men's bathrooms, non-toxic carpets made with recycled material, windows that open, a restored wetlands and lots of natural light. And 36 prairie dogs are happier, because instead of simply being bulldozed to oblivion, they were trapped and moved to open space before construction began.
The hospital expects to save almost $100,000 a year on its energy bills because of its green measures, about a 30% drop from its original projection. That alone, will pay for the 2% additional construction costs in 12 years.
The hospital may be the first LEED certified one in the country, but it likely won't be the last in Colorado. When Children's Hospital moves from Downtown Denver to Fitzsimons in Aurora, it, too, plans to be LEED certified.
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