Sustainability

Solar Energy Production and Electric Vehicle Project

By replacing the generation of electricity with solar energy, E-470’s efforts alone will stop the production of 24,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions over 20 years. We began the E-470 Solar Project in 2012 with the goal of eliminating the need for imported oil to be used in the conventional generation of electricity. In 2021, E-470 Public Highway Authority purchased all solar generating facilities on Authority property and now offsets an average of 44% of total energy cost on a yearly basis.

In 2017, we launched another green initiative with our Electric Vehicle Project. At E-470, we’re demonstrating our commitment to sustainability and providing green options to customers, employees, and our community. In 2022, we upgraded the vehicle charging stations with two ChargePoint Express 250 high-power DC chargers. The Authority is proud to continue to offer free charging at these stations to customers, employees, and the community.

Since December 2012, we have produced over 12 million kWh of solar energy, enough to cancel out 6,000,000 vehicle miles traveled. The highest producing areas are the arrays at the 6th Pkwy./Stephen D. Hogan Pkwy. and Colfax Ave. ramps.

Solar Project By the Numbers

solar arrays

years energy production

million total kWh solar energy produced

ramps with solar arrays

E-470’s Electric Vehicle Project

E-470 offers free electric vehicle fast charging at our Aurora headquarters (22470 E. Stephen D. Hogan Parkway). The four Chargepoint stations can charge most EVs to 80% in about 30 minutes and include CHAdeMO and SAE combo plugs. Find the chargers in the northwest corner of our parking lot—just sign up with ChargePoint to start charging today!

Customer Policies and Procedures (PDF)

E-470’s Role in Protecting Local Waterways

E-470 helps keep the Cherry Creek and Barr Milton Watersheds clean through a Municipal Separate Stormwater Permit (MS4) with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, renewed through 2026. This permit supports recreational use and aquatic life in Colorado by managing stormwater runoff along the E-470 corridor. The Authority educates customers about reducing pollutants like trash, motor vehicle fluids, sediment, fertilizers, and pet waste that can enter waterways during rain or snow. E-470 also uses spot spraying to minimize herbicide use and prevent chemicals from reaching local waterways.

Keep Roadways Clean: No Littering or Illegal Dumping

Throwing trash or debris on public or private property without permission is illegal dumping, prohibited on and around E-470 with fines up to $500. If you see someone illegally dumping, call E-470 Roadside Assistance at (303) 537-3400 anytime, 24/7. The team proactively removes litter and debris to keep travel lanes clear and prevent pollution from reaching waterways.

Secure Your Load and Maintain Your Vehicle

Unsecured loads cause about 80% of roadway debris—make sure nothing can slide, shift, fall, or become airborne while driving. Vehicle fluids that leak onto the road wash into storm drains and waterways when it rains or snows. Fix leaks immediately, and use a drip pan or kitty litter to catch drips until repairs are made. Never wash away oil or fluids with water. Recycle leftover paint for free at PaintCare drop-off locations—find one at paintcare.org or call 1-855-724-6809.

Reduce Nutrient Pollution

Excess nutrients like phosphorous and nitrogen from fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and pet waste are major stormwater pollutants affecting Cherry Creek, Barr Lake, and Milton Reservoirs. Too many nutrients cause algae overgrowth, which depletes oxygen levels and harms fish and aquatic life, creates green scum and odors, and can pose public health risks. Learn how to reduce nutrient runoff by viewing brochures from E-470, the Barr Milton Watershed Association, Colorado Stormwater Council, and Arapahoe County SPLASH. E-470 partners with these organizations to educate the public on improving water quality.

Who Can Use It?

Electric vehicles outfitted with a DC fast charge port can utilize these charging units. including: BMW i3; Chevy Bolt EV; Chevy Spark EV; Kia Soul EV; Mitsubishi i-Mi EV; Nissan LEAF; Volkswagen eGolf; Tesla (requires a CHAdeMO adapter; please note you may need to adjust the amps down to a lower level in your vehicle’s settings in order for the unit to charge your vehicle).

E-470 Water Quality FAQs

Illegal dumping occurs when any junk, garbage, or debris is left on public or private property without the consent of the owner, including roadsides.

No, illegal dumping is prohibited on and around E-470, with fines up to $500.

Call E-470 Roadside Assistance at (303) 537-3400 for help, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In addition to responding to calls, Roadside Assistance proactively removes litter and debris along E-470 to keep travel lanes clear and prevent debris from ending up in waterways.

Most leftover paint can be recycled at no cost at one of the many sponsored PaintCare drop-off locations.

Paint products can be harmful to the environment if not properly disposed of.

Use PaintCare’s online search tool at paintcare.org or call the PaintCare hotline at 1-855-724-6809.

Unsecure loads contribute to about 80% of debris on roadways and can wash into storm drains and waterways.

A load is secure when nothing can slide, shift, fall, or become airborne while the vehicle is driven.

Motor vehicle fluids that leak onto the roadway are washed into the nearest storm drain when it rains or snows, which then carries those fluids to the nearest waterway.

Fix car leaks right away. Until a repair can be made, use a drip pan to catch leaks when possible, or use kitty litter to absorb dripping fluids, then sweep it up and dispose of it in the trash.

No, never use water to wash away oil or other leaky fluids, as this will cause them to enter storm drains.

Excess nutrients are one of the most abundant pollutants in stormwater runoff that impact waterways, including the Cherry Creek, Barr Lake, and Milton Reservoirs.

Phosphorous and nitrogen can be found in fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and pet waste.

Too much nitrogen and phosphorous in the water causes algae (including chlorophyll a) to grow faster than ecosystems can handle, resulting in low dissolved oxygen levels which impacts fish and other aquatic life.

Although algae are a natural part of freshwater ecosystems, too much of it can cause aesthetic problems such as green scum and odors, and could become a public health concern when found in high concentrations.

There are several things you can do to reduce the potential of nutrients from getting into our waterways. For more information, view helpful brochures from E-470, the Barr Milton Watershed Association, Colorado Stormwater Council, and Arapahoe County SPLASH.

E-470 partners with the Colorado Stormwater Council, Arapahoe County SPLASH, Cherry Creek Basin Water Quality Authority, and Barr Milton Watershed Association to take a collaborative approach to educate people about ways to improve water quality with a strong focus on the Cherry Creek, Barr Lake, and Milton Reservoirs.