Posted April 24, 2025
Mayor Mike Johnston and Denver Public Schools (DPS) Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero joined students at Polaris Elementary School to celebrate Earth Week and learn about the school’s solar outdoor learning lab and other student-led sustainability projects. Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency (CASR) and DPS have collaborated since 2022 to create hands-on opportunities for students to learn about clean energy and resiliency, beautify their campus, and generate interest in green career pathways.
“I am so inspired and optimistic about our city’s future, knowing it is in the hands of amazing DPS students and teachers who are driven to make our city and our planet a better place,” said Mayor Mike Johnston. “Denver is committed to climate resiliency, and we’re finding win-win solutions to bring more clean energy online, plant more trees to keep our neighborhoods cool, and create opportunities for good, clean energy jobs to power our future.”
DPS has a long-term commitment to sustainability, has a community-driven Climate Action Plan and was recently recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council and the Green Schools National Network (GSNN) with a 2025 Best of Green Schools Award.
“Our students and our community inspire DPS’ vision and action around climate change,” said DPS Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero. “Our partnership with the City and County of Denver and Mayor Johnston has made a tremendous impact. Our schools feature solar carports that charge your car, solar canopies that provide shade and power to students, and fantastic gardens and greenhouses.”
The collaboration between Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency (CASR) and Denver Public Schools harnesses Denver’s voter-approved Climate Protection Fund to support these projects:
- The Climate Champions Program, which funds student-teacher led teams with up to $25,000 to execute sustainability projects at their schools. More than 2,000 students across DPS have participated in a Climate Champions project at their school.
- The Xplore and Renewable Energy Academy Programs, which have trained 968 DPS high school students since 2022 to gain experience and training in renewable energy careers.
- Solar Outdoor Learning Lab installations, which have created shade and hands-on learning opportunities for 14 schools. Each Solar Outdoor Learning Lab is paired with renewable energy curriculum to inspire the next generation of climate leaders to pursue careers in clean energy.
- Renewable Denver Community Solar carports at DPS’ Northeast Early College High School and Abraham Lincoln High School, with plans for solar at seven more DPS high schools. The power generated at community solar projects across Denver power nearby buildings and generate enough electricity to provide bill credits to almost 300 DPS families. More than 700 families are expected to take part in the energy bill savings program once Denver completes all community solar projects by 2027.
“In 2023, DPS published the District’s first-ever Climate Action Plan, highlighting the importance of sustainability and commitment to making a better world for students. Now, more than two years later, the fruits of our success are clearly visible,” said the Planet Protectors, Polaris Elementary School’s student green team.
