DENVER -- The Democratic National Convention is promising to be the most environmental convention ever. And all of Denver is attempting to live up to that promise, especially hotels.

The Hyatt Regency Denver is completely sold out for the week of the convention. And that means guests in all 1,100 rooms will expect their hotel to be one of the greenest in town.

"We have people showing up on our doorstep saying, 'What are you doing to do your part as an industry to make the world a greener place?'" said hotel general manager John Schafer.

The Hyatt Regency Denver opened two years ago. Schafer admits that's one big advantage.

"As you design a building, things like high-efficiency chillers and boilers are built in," said Schafer.

For example, 95 percent of the lighting is provided with energy-saving fluorescent bulbs, and low-flow plumbing fixtures are standard throughout the building.

During a recent tour of the hotel, Schafer pointed to the additional efforts that make his hotel so efficient and why they are on track to become the first Green Seal-certified hotel in Denver.

The first thing he pointed out were the recycling cans. They are everywhere.

"We are the first hotel in Denver to use single-stream recycling. We are recycling everything that we possibly can," said Schafer.

That means recycling cans are located next to every trash can. They are in the lobby, in each guest room, in each meeting room, and in every employee area.

Recycling has reduced the Hyatt's landfill waste by 25 percent in the past two years.

"Not only do customers demand it, but employees demand it. Our people have kids too and see the future and see this as a way to help," said Schafer.

A culture of environmental awareness and education of its staff helped hotel efforts.

Employees are from all over the world. The environmental message was translated for all to understand.

"It included Russian, English and Burmese. Everybody understood the message," said Schafer.

Instructional signs written in a variety of languages decorate the employee areas. There is no question the environmental movement affects the entire staff.

"There's an old message that says, 'Lead, follow or get out of the way.' I think we're hoping to be a leader in this and have other people look and say 'Wow, how can I do the same kind of thing?'" said Schafer.

There's one additional note from the tour about the little containers of shampoo in each guest bathroom. Any unused product is donated to a local nonprofit shelter. Shafer said that's one more way the hotel recycles and does what's right for the environment.

For more information, visit the following Web sites.

Green Seal

Hyatt Regency Denver