Colorado Climate Corps (CCC) is a multi-pronged strategy to address climate change and advance the Governor’s bold goal of moving Colorado’s electric grid to 100% renewable sources by 2040 and protecting the environment for future generations, by any of the following:
Providing critical capacity and support to local governments, especially county commissions, to develop and execute climate action plans and/or projects;
Building upon and expanding existing conservation and youth corps to do hands-on projects, including wildfire and flood mitigation;
Implementing additional environment and energy projects with nonprofits, higher education, Tribes, and local or state government that accelerate the adoption of clean, renewable resources and energy efficiency, advance electrification efforts in our transportation sector, mitigate against droughts, floods, and wildfires, and ensure the conservation of our public lands and wildlife.
Colorado Climate Corps is a collaboration with the Colorado Interagency Climate Team. The first members that served as part of the Colorado Climate Corps focused on wildfire mitigation and water & energy efficiency.
The reach of the Colorado Climate Corps expanded to include members supporting local governments and nonprofits in planning for and addressing sustainability and climate change issues. Serve Colorado is working with additional partners to expand Climate Corps which will create a holistic approach to addressing climate change in Colorado.
Issue Areas
Programs focus on increasing the ability of local government to develop climate resiliency and policy.
Programs focus on improving soil health by restoring degraded soils through various practices.
Programs focus on learning how to develop and evaluate forest and fire management plans as well as provide technical assistance to keep forests and grasslands healthy.
Programs develop food systems that deliver food security and nutrition for all in such a way that the economic, social, and environmental bases to generate food security and nutrition for future generations are not compromised.
Any energy type that is generated from natural resources, such as sunlight, wind or water. Future energy programs look to support solar solutions and identify energy opportunities for communities across Colorado.
Housing weatherization helps increase comfort, and better Coloradans homes and environment through proven, energy conservation solutions with a focus on energy and water.
Programs seek to improve environmental literacy, which is the ability of individuals to understand issues, make informed decisions, and act to support sustainable communities.
Programs work with natural resource professionals and the public to determine uses of public lands. Land management combines information about the physical environment with biological factors such as wildlife habitat and human factors such as recreation.
Programs sample watersheds to help collect data and make important decisions about water quality and quantity.
Programs focus on increasing the ability of communities to withstand and recover quickly from disaster events by providing mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery support.
Volunteer Generation Fund
Serve Colorado was awarded an AmeriCorps Volunteer Generation Fund grant, expanding our capacity to increase youth engagement in environmental projects in 2023 and beyond! The grant will partner with identified local nonprofits to maintain and enhance the state’s world-class recreation amenities, provide Colorado’s underrepresented youth STEM education, leadership, and career opportunity education, and support National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in their ongoing work to support communities in Colorado in mapping urban heat islands.
Ways to Get Involved
Apply for Funding: Grants are available for nonprofit organizations, federally recognized Tribes, institutions of higher education, and state/local agencies to plan or operate an AmeriCorps program. Learn more here.
Serve in a Program: Contact a program above to learn more and apply!
Partner to Increase Impact: Strategic partnerships strengthen AmeriCorps programs and their service impact in local communities. Interested in partnering? Contact Jackie Rader, jackie.rader@state.co.us for more information on how you or your organization can get involved.