MillerCoors continues to be a leading force in water conservation in Colorado, adopting best sustainable practices from farms to breweries. In 2013, the U.S. Water Alliance awarded MillerCoors a United States Water Prize in recognition of innovative water conservation efforts through its agricultural supply chain, a process that accounts for 90 percent of the company’s water use. MillerCoors collaborates with over 850 independent barley farmers (150 of which are located in Colorado’s San Luis Valley) to save more water, maintain soil health, and reduce pollutant runoff. MillerCoors uses an average of 3.36 barrels of water to brew a barrel of beer, compared to an industry standard of over 6 barrels of water to produce a similar barrel of beer.
For over three decades, MillerCoors has been an integral partner in the continued efforts to preserve and protect the South Platte River watershed, both upstream and downstream of Chatfield Reservoir. Since 2013, MillerCoors, under the brand of Coors Light, has been the title sponsor for The Greenway Foundation’s South Platte RiverFest, enabling thousands of River enthusiasts to engage with Confluence Park– the birthplace of Denver. In addition, MillerCoors’ support of The Nature Conservancy provides critical support of initiatives to protect the headwaters of Denver’s greatest natural resource, the South Platte River. Since 2014, MillerCoors has also provided support for the creation of nearly 30 water quality management jobs at Denver Water and surrounding municipalities in partnership with Emily Griffith Technical College.
It is for these reasons and so many more that The Greenway Foundation is honored to recognize MillerCoors as the 2015 Friend of the River.
