Pepsi Center Goes Green For Democratic National Convention

Pepsi Center going green, and not just for St. Patrick's Day (video):

Governor Bill Ritter was on hand at the Pepsi Center as he and other officials got into the St. Patrick's Day spirit with a very green announcement on Monday.

Ritter announced that the Pepsi Center is the first arena in the country to go 100 percent green. And it had nothing to do with new paint, rather it's about reducing the Pepsi Center's environmental footprint to zero.

New solar panels are being installed, according to officials.

Ritter also unveiled renewable energy and recycling programs for the Democratic National Convention, which will be hosted at the Pepsi Center.

Ritter's announcement Monday morning is part of an ongoing effort by city and convention officials to be environmentally friendly during the four-day August event. A spokesman for Kroenke Sports, the company that owns the Pepsi Center, says it will be the first sports arena in the country to operate completely on renewable energy through the wind energy they bought.

Nuggets coach George Karl, Kroenke Sports vice president Dave Jolette and officials with the regional Environmental Protection Agency attended the event.

Officials with the Pepsi Center also plan to announce a new major Play Clean fan recycling and energy conservation initiative.

Part of this initiative includes new recycling bins, a hybrid-only parking area and a "no idling zone" outside the arena, officials say.

There will still be plenty of smug, however.