Legs and Fingers Do the Walking on Boulder’s New Cell Phone Tours
Visitors wanting to know more about what’s gone green with a few of Boulder’s commercial buildings are only a dial away with a cell phone.
The cell phone tours now in place for three “green” sites: the Environmental Center of the Rockies, the Boulder Community Foothills Hospital and the Boulder County Recycling Center are the start of a pilot program being promoted by a partnership of the city of Boulder’s Water Conservation Office and the Boulder Convention and Visitors Bureau. Visitors may access information about the Pearl Street Mall as well, getting a quick taste of its culinary, shopping and arts offerings. Organizers hope other local businesses and attractions will see the appeal and convenience for visitors and will want to join the program.
“Boulder is a popular destination city and is well known for being green in so many respects,” said Paul Lander, city of Boulder water conservation specialist. “And travelers to cities worldwide are finding greater convenience and an enhanced visitor experience using cell phone and downloadable technology to tour attractions and facilities. Many sites charge a fee for this service, but we want to test the market and the potential for additional sites, so for now, it’s a free program.”
By dialing (703) 342-0606 on their cell phones, listeners will learn about the various investments made in green building for the three sites currently on the tour. These measures include solar electricity, xeriscape, strategies for dealing with storm runoff, efficient windows and heating and cooling systems, and the use of products made from recycled materials. The Boulder Community Foothills Hospital is the first hospital in the country to be certified through the U.S. Green Building Program.
“This is a great opportunity for visitors to Boulder to learn more about green building applications,” said Lander. He feels that in addition to being a good model of sustainability, Boulder has so many other features and attractions that could be promoted similarly -- “Being able to tour a location using a device you already own makes this program convenient for the listener and limitless in terms of businesses that could participate.”
All of the tours are free, take approximately 30 minutes, and are easy to reach by bike or by bus. The four tours and their offerings are:
- Historic Downtown Boulder-the Pearl Street Mall, on Pearl Street between 9th and 15th streets
(Dining, shopping and entertainment)
- The Environmental Center of the Rockies, 2260 Baseline Rd.
(On-site water treatment strategies, xeriscaping and smart energy design)
- The Boulder Community Foothills Hospital, 4747 Arapahoe Ave.
(LEED award-winning energy and environmental design, xeriscape and solar electricity)
- Boulder County Recycling Center at 1901 63rd St.
(Recycled building materials, xeriscape, wetlands protection/on-site water treatment)
For more information about the Boulder Cell Phone Tours, visit www.bouldercoloradousa.com, or call the Boulder Convention and Visitors Bureau at (303) 442-2911. For water conservation information, please contact Paul Lander at (303) 413-7407 or visit the city Web site: www.bouldersaveswater.net
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