Denver, May 7, 2002 �  As a response to the pending drought the Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association has prepared a two-page guideline to help its members conserve water.  �Let's do our part.  It's not only good for our environment and the concerns of the upcoming drought but conserving water also saves us money as a company,� states Joyce Scoggins from the Raintree Plaza Hotel & Conference Center in Longmont.  
 
Project Planet and studies conducted by Six Continents Hotels, Inc., American Hotel and Lodging Association and NGI Marketing Corp estimate that thousands of dollars can be saved from decreased water, energy, and detergent use, labor, and sheet/towel replacement costs (savings will vary slightly depending on your geographical location). Environmentally, Conserving For Tomorrow® , a Project Planet initiative, makes a large impact, saving 6000 gallons of water monthly and 40 gallons of detergent monthly (based on average-sized 150 room hotel).  

Many establishments have given guests the choice of reusing towels and not having bed linens changed daily.  Low flow showerheads and flow restrictors for toilets are easy ways in adding to the gallons of water that could be saved.  �We�ve teamed with Project Planet to offer hoteliers one consistent, high-quality program to help preserve the environment and save operators valuable time and resources. It�s a win-win program for everyone� states Joseph A. McInerney, President and CEO, American Hotel & Lodging Association.  

A simple recycled-paper towel rack hanger is currently being offered to hotels by the "Green" Hotels Association® which says, "Please decide for yourself. Towels on the towel rack mean, "I'll use it several times". Towels on the floor mean, "Please exchange"." Guests should encourage hotels to place these hangers in all rooms. Because hotels are extremely large-volume users of water, detergents, cleansers and other solutions detrimental to our habitat, hotel management must be especially conscious of the impact on our life resources. Guests should let hotel managers know that they want hotels to be conservationists, and that they, as guests, wish to participate.

�Instead of our commercial washers and dryers, we may have to go back to an electric wringer washer and clothes lines� adds Donna with the Pine River Lodge in Bayfield Colorado.

Other Great Ideas

Ice machines can be monitored for use, and possibly run ice machines on every other floor and not all, or go to ice being offered on a request basis.  The washing of company vehicles and cleaning of parking garages can be cut back, as well as dramatically reduce the amount of times the sidewalks are washed. Use more blowing and vacuuming. 

Outlets where tablecloth service is not imperative can go to using paper place mat and napkin. 

Behind the scenes, establishments are saving water and money in the following ways:

Laundry
Make sure all laundry loads are full and look at limiting water and chemicals used in the laundry, which may help limit usage.  

Grounds
Reduce overall watering of grounds and water in non-peak hours and not during the heat of the day.  Xeriscape plants are recommended for drought conditions.

Swimming Pools / Spas
Pools can be covered with a solar cove at night, which will also reduce evaporation.  
�Living with Rocky Mountain National Park in your back yard we realize the extreme danger both to the park and to the lodging industry if there is a fire. We will be alerting ALL guests as to the danger and ask them to do their part to conserve our water� states John and Susan Baptista, owners of the Miles Motel and Cottages in Estes Park Colorado.
  
Sources available to the lodging industry include websites such as www.projectplanetcorp.com, www.greenhotels.com and www.americanwater.com/49ways.htm.  Resources offered include in room literature promoting guest choice options such as using towels more than once, or having sheets changed every third day instead of daily.

The Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association (CH&LA) is a non-profit trade association representing more than 550 lodging properties in Colorado.  Formed in 1938, CH&LA has provided a forum for Colorado hoteliers to discuss issues of mutual concern for more than 60 years. CH&LA is a federate member of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA).