A city, as is the case with the people who comprise the town populace, will ultimately be judged not by its talk – State of the City proclamations or Chamber of Commerce press releases – but by its walk: how it allocates its time and resources. Here’s what we can look forward to:

Civic Center will be home to the 39th annual Capitol Hill People’s Fair the weekend of June 5-6. Denver’s largest downtown park will be filled for two days with vendors and entertainers – some local, and some not – celebrating the marvelous diversity that is at the heart of the spirit of the Capitol Hill community.

Civic Center Park will be jammed to overflowing once again on Labor Day weekend, Sept. 3-5, for the Taste of Colorado, a vibrant, three-day celebration of I’m-not sure-what that brings tens of thousands of people to downtown Denver to browse booths, listen to local and big-time musical acts and to purchase expensive food that becomes more expensive because the requirement is that you purchase tickets which you then exchange for food. Unless you’re Einstein, there’s no way to accurately purchase the exact amount of tickets required, so inevitably excess tickets (read “money”) go home in your pocket, and eventually into the trash/recycling bin.

Denver will devote the entire month of July to the Biennial of The Americas, a month-long cultural celebration centered on the McNichols building in Civic Center Park, honoring the innovation, imagination and the artistic achievement of the Western Hemisphere.

And, until it was cancelled at the last minute, our city leadership had contracted for a 30-night outdoor film festival in Civic Center Park this July, in conjunction with the Biennial, that would have brought some 1,500 filmgoers each night, paying $15-20 each to see first-run and classic films on a three-story-high screen with state-of-the-art surround sound.

And in 2008, the city found a way to raise tens of millions of dollars to turn our town over to the Democratic party for a week or so in celebration of the fine job our two-party system is doing for the citizenry.

The over-arching concept for all these celebrations is to show the world what a vibrant, compelling, dynamic, world-class city Denver has become.

Oh, by the way, the City and County of Denver, by direction of the powers that be, has proclaimed its commitment to the preservation of the planet Earth by marking the 40th anniversary of Earth Day with an Earth Day Fair in Civic Center Park from 10a.m. to 2p.m. on April 22, a day when the vast majority of the world will either be in work or at school. Should be one whale of a turnout.

What the hell?!

We have been deluged with press releases about the Biennial for months, we had both sides of the planned Civic Center film festival pleading their case to curry our favor, I don’t want to talk about the flood of info the Democratic convention generated, and we found out about the Earth Day Fair by googling for the date, and then awaiting a phone call from Denver Recycling, the city agency spearheading the event, upon their return from the César Chávez holiday.

Did I mention the city’s effort will take place on a Thursday, from 10a.m. to 2p.m.? No big-name speakers, no big-name entertainment, no big-name anything. There should be some interesting booths on solar energy, recycling and other conservation-related activities that you might find worth your time. If you’re not working or in school.

When articles appear in national papers focusing on topics of interest to the “green” community, the cities most regularly acknowledged are Seattle, Portland and Boulder. Denver does get some press as well, and there are some worthy initiatives under way, but the Mile High City is still not seen in the same light as the leaders of the green revolution.

So, if you’re from Mars and reading the local media, and you set up an outpost at Civic Center Park, what will you report back to your alien honchos as to the concerns of the Great Powers of the city of Denver? I’m guessing you’ll make notes about rock n’ roll, cotton candy and funnel cakes and lots of chotzke.

A quick internet search tells you that: “Earth Day 2010 (Sat., April 24, 10a.m.-7p.m.) will be engaging all of Portland ... in the annual Celebration of Localization. Earth Day is a project of City Repair ... for the 11th year in a row! This year’s theme – Re-Seeding The World – will focus on how we all can positively contribute to creating the world we want. A world with an infrastructure that is sustainable, community focused, empowering to its citizens, respectful of the natural world and provides places for people to gather. Be part of this sea change; volunteer, sponsor, get a booth or just come to Earth Day 2010, which will feature booths of sustainable local businesses and delicious eateries in Portland, music, speakers and interactive activities such as parades, and the Kids Village.”

“Earthfest Boulder is a complete celebration of sustainability and community on Sun., April 25, in honor of Earth Day. Earthfest is a combination of activities including the EarthDay5K (a 5th annual Bolder Boulder qualifier), the 5th annual Dirt Day Adventure Challenge and Expo, and the Kids and Adults Cruiser Parade. In addition, there are hands-on family activities, such as: leave-no-trace clinics, renewable energy demos, live music, fly fishing and climbing classes, and plenty of good local organic food!

“The vision of Earthfest Boulder is ‘edu-tainment’ at its best. From the activities, to the sponsors and partners, we intend to build an event that is a true celebration of Earth Day – educationally, visually, stylistically, musically and environmentally.”

“Terra Roots is proud to be partnering with the Earth Day Network to produce Seattle’s 40th anniversary Earth Day Celebration Event, Sun., April 25, 3-11p.m., as part of a Billion Acts of Green. We’ll have a green village (info and sign-ups), family activities and a full schedule of music and speakers. More info to come.”

Folks, it’s about focus. A time when environmental issues are screaming for our attention is not a time to wait for others to lead the way. There are individuals in the city administration and legions in the public sector working hard to shine a light on environmental crises facing our planet.

It would be inspiring if there were more of a push from the mayor and City Council to keep that flame burning bright.