Experience Serenity: AHWC's Green Roof
Welcome to The Green Roof at the CU Anschutz Health and Wellness Center!
The Green Roof at AHWC is an integral part of the campus environment, featuring a vibrant rooftop garden and a welcoming patio that offers sweeping views of the Front Range and breathtaking sunsets.
Managed by Green Roofs of Colorado, The Green Roof at AHWC not only enhances the aesthetics of our campus but also serves as a versatile venue and food production space. Green Roofs of Colorado was the initial installer of the gardens in 2012. Green roof expert and owner, Andy Creath and gardeners Brian Adams and Eliana Dzhikova bring an array of fresh ideas for the space, along with an intensive planting approach and organic practices to maximize our food production.
The Green Roof at AHWC also hosts a variety of special events, including rooftop yoga sessions and fitness gatherings, campus meetings, well-being retreats, and several other occasions, fostering wellness in a one-of-a-kind location. Come join us and experience a new level of wellness in our serene oasis.
Stay in touch! Sign up for our interest group using the form at the bottom of this page.
2024 Initatives
Lunch Lessons on The Green Roof at AHWC: Native Lawns
Tuesday, July 23rd, from 12 -1 p.m.
Cost: Complimentary; Sponsored by the CU Anschutz Health and Wellness Center (limit 36 people)
Are you interested in using native water-wise grasses and pollinator attracting plants to improve your traditional home lawn? Join our AHWC Gardeners, Eliana and Brian from GreenReap LLC for an informative talk on including some sustainable and low-maintenance, native plant options to replace or include in your home lawn. We will be outdoors, so please dress for the weather. Feel free to bring your lunch along.
If this class is full, you may join the waitlist by using the form at the bottom of this page.
Sign Up
Urban Agriculture:
The improved plantings and management of The Green Roof Vegetable Garden will provide fresh produce for groups on campus such as the Community Nutrition Programs, CU Anschutz Food Pantry, DAWN Clinic, and Aurora Wellness Community. Thanks to the team at Green Roofs of Colorado for providing extensive planting and maintenance of this exciting garden initiative.
Our current plantings include:
- Indeterminate Tomatoes (slicer & cherry)
- English Cucumbers
- Summer Squash
- Pattypan Squash
- Sweet Peppers
- Herbs: Basil, Rosemary, Oregano, Chives, Sage
- and more to come!
We are excited to announce our new citizen science project in collaboration with iNaturalist.org.
This initiative focuses on documenting and expanding our understanding of the biodiversity on our green roof. Through iNaturalist.org, participants can upload and share images of the various plants, animals, and other organisms found on the green roof. Over time, this project will help us monitor and appreciate the dynamic ecosystem we are fostering.
Ready to join us? Download the iNaturalist app and search for our project 'The Green Roof at AHWC'
iNaturalist App: Google Play Store; App Store
In an effort to enhance and expand its commitment to sustainability, the campus is teaming up with WOMPOST.
This collaboration aims to implement innovative waste management solutions, promote organic composting, and integrate eco-friendly practices.
The Positive Impact of Green Roofs
Excerpt by The Denver Botanic Gardens about the benefits of green roofs (November 13th, 2023): One of the most significant advantages of green roofs is their positive environmental impact. They act as natural insulators, reducing the energy consumption of buildings by moderating indoor temperatures. By absorbing carbon dioxide and filtering the air, vegetation on green roofs contributes to improved air quality and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. They also mitigate the urban heat-island effect, lowering ambient temperatures in densely populated areas. This is particularly important in a city like Denver, where average temperatures are up to five degrees warmer than surrounding rural and suburban areas. Continue reading here...
Learn more about The Green Buildings Ordinance passed in Denver in 2018 (CU Denver News, July 28th, 2020): The Green Buildings Ordinance permits new buildings over 25,000 feet to choose from a series of nine green-energy options in these areas: green roofs/green space, solar/renewable energy, energy efficiency, green building certifications (third-party programs), payment to the Green Building Fund, and the Energy Program (for roof replacement). Continue reading here...
Reservations & Inquiries
Thank you for your interest in reserving The Green Roof at AHWC for your event. For events organized by a department on the CU Anschutz Campus, please submit all requests through EMS. Reservation requests and space guidelines:
- To book the green roof, you must reserve ALL relevant spaces: V08-3007 (Classroom), V08-3008 (The Benson Board Room), V08-3009 (Wellness Lounge) and The Green Roof in your reservation request. These spaces are tied together.
- If food is served, please place a housekeeping request for after-meal trash pick up
- Include a speedtype to charge the room fee and services
- You are responsible to for reserving any furniture and trash cans that your group may need
- You must leave the space clean and tidy as found, or a cleaning fee will apply
- Any furniture that is moved must be returned to its original location
- Any events including alcohol must follow campus protocols and approval process
- Catering can be delivered. Please direct catering to arrive on the 3rd floor. They do not need an access code for the elevator. There is no access to a kitchen in this space.
For additional questions regarding The Green Roof at AHWC please contact:
Kristy Truesdale at kristy.truesdale@cuanschutz.edu or Valentina Dean at valentina.dean@cuanschutz.edu