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Denver Harnesses Sewage, Geothermal, Cutting Decarbonization Costs 75%

5/21/2026

50 11 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Denver will capture heat from sewage and geothermal wells for an energy network.
A pilot loop with water-source heat pumps will start in two years, serving two buildings and a sidewalk snow-melt system before expanding to nine buildings by 2030, using the Cherokee Boiler House as hub.
The $280 million-$320 million project is funded by city and a state grant and could cut decarbonization costs by 75 % to meet a 2021 ordinance.

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Story summary

Denver will capture heat from sewage and geothermal wells for an energy network.
A pilot loop with water-source heat pumps will start in two years, serving two buildings and a sidewalk snow-melt system before expanding to nine buildings by 2030, using the Cherokee Boiler House as hub.
The $280 million-$320 million project is funded by city and a state grant and could cut decarbonization costs by 75 % to meet a 2021 ordinance.