Denver, Orlando, and Pasadena were among five cities the EPA singled out in its Smart Growth Achievement awards, given for strategies that include reusing previously developed land, preserving natural spaces, and increasing transportation options. Lakewood, Colo., and Redding, Conn., also received awards. Denver took home the “Overall Excellence” honor, for its redevelopment of an old amusement park, Elitch Gardens, into a mixed-use neighborhood. Called Highland's Garden Village, the development features a mix of single-family homes and apartments, low-income and senior housing, as well as parks and playgrounds and xeriscaping – a type of landscaping that uses drought-tolerant native plants to save water.

Lakewood, a suburb of Denver, won the “Built Projects” award for a newly built downtown area called Belmar. The city previously had no downtown. Pasadena won for a development plan promoting foot and bicycle traffic. Land-use planning is a key way to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and generally make smarter use of natural resources.