About Greenway

Revitalizing Rivers. Reconnecting Communities.

We are a Denver-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Since 1974, we have been leading efforts to reclaim the South Platte River and its tributaries from a virtual cesspool to a place of environmental and recreational pride.

There is a lot to be proud of and we love working with our community to make big things happen.

Explore Our History

The South Platte River Flows Through Denver - by Tom Cotton

The River is for Everyone

At The Greenway Foundation, we believe in the importance of creating equal opportunities for everyone and are passionately committed to welcoming everyone into an inclusive environment. We are stronger stewards together, learning, caring, and protecting the river for all of us.

Our Commitment to Stewardship

1965 – to – Now

Greenway has been a catalyst for enhancing the South Platte River for more than 50 years. We invite you to dive into our rich history and experience the vibrant growth of the river as it evolved from a virtual cesspool to a place of environmental pride.

View Our Interactive Timeline

The Greenway Foundation’s Mission

We are a group of passionate stewards who care for the South Platte River, its tributaries, and the people who live, work, and play along its banks. We get up every morning to work on behalf of our community to restore and protect this priceless lifeline that flows through the heart of that very community. We provide access, expert education, and numerous opportunities for people of all ages to experience the wonders of our riverfront habitat.

We roll up our pants legs and literally jump in as we work with children and their families and we roll up our sleeves to advocate and expand support for a world-class riverfront. From family fishing expeditions to comprehensive region-wide flood mitigation, The Greenway Foundation is taking constant action to ensure a sustainable water future. We are bringing the community to the river and the river to the community.

Since 1974, we’ve been leading efforts to reclaim the South Platte River and its tributaries, transforming our community’s vital watershed from a virtual cesspool to a place of environmental and recreational pride. As we look to the future, we believe our work is just getting started.

As a Denver-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we love working with others, bringing all the right people together to make big things happen. The health and happiness of our neighborhoods depend on a vibrant riverfront. Please join us in investing in our river, our city, and the future of our shared community.

Thoughtful Stewardship Brings Many Rewards

Don Cohen

President, Riverfront Park Association

As both an individual donor and community partner, the Greenway Foundation is at the top of the list of civic organizations that make an exceptional difference in both community and environmental quality. I am a Denver native born in the mid 1950’s and in my lifetime have seen both Cherry Creek and the South Platte go from neglected ditches to vibrant waterways. Greenway’s highly focused vision and persistent advocacy are crucial component to our city’s success.

Laura Kroeger

Executive Director, Mile High Flood District

Successful partnerships are about leveraging each other’s strengths to reach a shared vision. A great visionary established both TGF and MHFD, Joe Shoemaker, to complement each other in making our communities safer and stronger through engaging our waterways. TGF brings passion, awareness, and stakeholders to the table while MHFD works directly with local governments on management and implementation. Together we are able to accomplish holistic solutions that revitalize rivers and reconnect communities to protect people, property, and our environment.

Jennifer Williams

Engineering Supervisor. City & County of Denver. Department of Transportation & Infrastructure | Infrastructure Project Management

Creating moments. Moments that create memories leading to generational momentum around the importance of water and our South Platte River. This is what The Greenway Foundation and their South Platte River Environmental Education (SPREE) provide to the residents of Denver. From overnight camping, to s’mores, to SPREE summer day camps, I have had so many great moments and memories along the South Platte River with my daughter. A truly special thanks to The Greenway Foundation, as well as Denver’s Department of Parks and Recreation, for continuing to champion and improve both the resiliency and the recreation along our beloved South Platte River.

Donny Roush

Stormwater Education & Outreach, Department of Transportation & Infrastructure, City & County of Denver

Today, our river is much healthier because of the work of The Greenway Foundation. In particular, I work closely with TGF’s education wing – South Platte River Environmental Education (SPREE). SPREE helps the City and County of Denver mightily with our stormwater education and outreach requirements, obligations rooted in the Clean Water Act.

Each year, SPREE delivers lessons about water quality to about 10,000 students. These young people learn the how and why of sustainable water behaviors. This impacts their environmental behaviors now and into the future. They share what they learn with their families and friends. I love working with SPREE because of these positive, lasting results. Among Colorado environmental education programs, I know of none better than SPREE.

Kyle Chism

Turner Construction Company

As a third generation Denverite, I am proud to support The Greenway Foundation’s success in returning the South Platte to something we can be proud of. While TGF’s impact on Denver and her surrounding communities is immeasurable, the work is far from over. Their continued efforts toward science education and green initiatives make them an essential partner to the success of our city.

Kayla Eckert Uptmor

Chief, Civil Works Omaha District, US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)

USACE works in partnership with other federal and state agencies, non-governmental organizations and academic institutions to find innovative solutions to challenges that affect everyone – sustainability, climate change, endangered species, environmental cleanup, ecosystem restoration and more. The Greenway Foundation has been one such stakeholder who has assisted our projects’ public processes to engage in important advances for a sustainable water future for Colorado.

The Greenway Foundation has:

Provided recreational opportunities for people throughout the area

Constructed more than 100 miles of hiking and biking trails
Created 20+ parks and natural areas
Designed and built numerous whitewater boat chutes
Hosted hundreds of free events providing access to the river and creating opportunities for families to learn and enjoy the river together

Guided learning and leadership training for generations of youth

Provided environmental education to more than 100,000 school children
Employed more than 100 teenagers in youth employment programs
Developed award-winning environmental education curriculum and programming for ECE through high school

Improved the health of the South Platte River watershed and its habitats

Helped create over $500 million of green improvement to the South Platte River and its tributaries, facilitating over $15 billion in residential and commercial development throughout the Denver Metro area
Hosted numerous community events and annual volunteer river clean up days
Worked with key partners to create ambitious environmental and recreational projects including the recent $350 million of federal funding from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for our South Platte River watershed
Protected neighborhoods and businesses along the South Platte River from flooding
Restored ecosystems and natural habitat

Brought cost savings, revenue, and additional benefits to our metro area

Created almost $14 billion in benefits from increased tourism, transportation, recreation, and health benefits
Achieved cost savings from the ecosystem services provided by improved landscapes – natural storm water filtration, air, water, and heat pollutant capture
Helped create additional public based revenue for the City and County of Denver ($65 million) and Denver Public Schools ($100 million) thanks to waterfront restoration and commercial development.