The Western Colorado Conservation Corps

What The Western Colorado Conservation Corps does

The Western Colorado Conservation Corps (WCCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1999 and operated as a program of Mesa County Partners in Grand Junction, Colorado. WCCC recruits youth and young adults ages 17-28 for 5-to-25-week service terms on public lands across four western Colorado counties (Mesa, Delta, Montrose, Gunnison), deploying 8-10 person supervised crews that perform trail construction and maintenance, fence building, invasive species removal, riparian restoration, fuels reduction, and wildland fire response. Crew members earn AmeriCorps education awards and weekly stipends, and the program reports 100% of Corpsmembers learning academic and professional skills with 80% moving into at least temporary or part-time employment.

The organization's service portfolio is structured around five core programs: Traditional Crews (general conservation labor), Conservation Fire Crew (BLM-partnered wildland firefighting and fuels reduction), Restoration Strike Team (AmeriCorps riparian restoration with chainsaw, hand-tool, and herbicide treatment), Specialty Herbicide Crews (USFS-partnered 3-person remote-camp teams), and BLM/USFS Paid Internships. WCCC holds a Colorado Department of Agriculture Commercial Pesticide Applicator license that enables integrated herbicide-based restoration services and operates specialty equipment including a skidsteer/HydroAxe and wood chipper. Three-week advanced technical training covers trail development, chainsaw operations, fence building, and herbicide application.

WCCC operates a fee-for-service business model with crew rates standardized by the Colorado Youth Corps Association: Specialty Crew at approximately $8,500, Camping Crews at $7,500, Day Crews at $6,850, plus equipment rentals at $850-$1,000 per week. Pricing does not always fully cover project costs, requiring supplemental grants, donations, and partnerships. Primary customers are federal land managers (Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service), Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and local municipalities, alongside nonprofit collaborators including RiversEdge West, The Nature Conservancy, and Colorado Canyons Association. WCCC is accredited by the Colorado Youth Corps Association and The Corps Network, and its service is reported to deliver 65% cost savings versus NPS crews and 83% versus private contractors, averaging roughly $50,000 saved per project.

Name

The Western Colorado Conservation Corps

Legal name

Western Colorado Conservation Corps

Website

https://wcccpartners.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Western Colorado Conservation Corps (WCCC) is a Mesa County Partners nonprofit founded in 1999 that recruits youth and young adults ages 17-28 to staff fee-for-service conservation crews performing trail building, invasive-species removal, fuels reduction, and wildland fire response for BLM, USFS, NPS, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and local governments across western Colorado.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Conservation Land Management Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Forestry (1153), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Conservation, Restoration & Biodiversity Services (Habitat, Wetlands, Riparian) (IMAMAJAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildfire Risk Assessment, Prevention & Suppression Services (IMAMAJAG), Forest Management & Silviculture Services (Cruising, Planning, Compliance) (IMAMAAAD)

Keywords

• Conservation services
• Land management
• Trail building
• Habitat restoration
• Youth corps programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Grand Junction

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Fee-for-Service Projects: WCCC operates using a fee-for-service funding structure. Crew rates are established by the Colorado Youth Corps Association. Project partners pay for crew services including Specialty Crew ($8,500), Camping Crews ($7,500), and Day Crews ($6,850).
2. AmeriCorps Education Awards: WCCC experience provides AmeriCorps education awards to youth who work 300 hours or more, allowing youth to work towards completion of their GED and improves job and life skills. Corpsmembers earn a weekly stipend while serving in AmeriCorps.
3. Grants and Donations: The WCCC receives support from generous funders and supporting partners through grant support, program sponsorship, collaborative marketing, and gear support. They can provide tax deductible receipts for donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

WCCC provides trained, supervised conservation crews to federal, state, and local government land management agencies on a fee-for-service basis. Core offerings include Traditional Crews for general conservation work, Conservation Fire Crews (BLM wildland firefighting partnership), Riparian Restoration Strike Teams (invasive species treatment and native re-vegetation), Specialty Herbicide Crews (USFS partnership), BLM/USFS Paid Internships, and crew/equipment rental (Specialty, Camping, Day crews; Skidsteer/HydroAxe; Wood Chipper). All programs combine land stewardship with AmeriCorps youth development, providing education awards and weekly stipends.

Product overview

The Western Colorado Conservation Corps (WCCC) is a program of Mesa County Partners offering a portfolio of conservation service programs for youth and young adults ages 17-28. The organization operates as a fee-for-service model, providing trained crews to land management agencies for conservation projects. Core offerings include Traditional Crews for general conservation work, Conservation Fire Crews (BLM partnership for wildland firefighting), Restoration Strike Teams for riparian/invasive plant work, Specialty Herbicide Crews (USFS partnership), and BLM/USFS Paid Internships. The WCCC also offers crew hosting services with various crew types (Specialty, Camping, Day crews) and equipment rental (Skidsteer/HydroAxe, Wood Chipper). All programs provide AmeriCorps education awards and weekly stipends to participants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Traditional Crews Conservation crews that engage in habitat restoration, trail building, and skilled assistance for land management needs. Crews work 5 days a week, 9-hour days from 7 am to 4 pm. Targeted at federal, state, and local land management agencies in western Colorado.
• Conservation Fire Crew Crew partnered with the BLM that becomes trained and certified as Wildland Firefighters. Members engage in fuels reduction projects in spring and respond to fires during the remainder of the year. The 2026 season runs February 23 - November 20.
• Restoration Strike Team AmeriCorps Riparian Restoration Strike Team implementing initial and follow-up treatments of invasive plants using chainsaws, hand tools, and herbicide. Revegetates restoration sites with native plants through planting and seeding, with daily progress mapping using tablets. Based in Grand Junction, CO with restoration sites throughout western Colorado.
• Specialty Herbicide Crews 3-person herbicide specialty crews partnering with the USFS in Grand Mesa and Gunnison. Teams travel and camp in remote locations treating invasive species. Members must learn invasive plant management, herbicides, federal land management, and environmental service.
• BLM & USFS Paid Internships Internship program delivering direct service with Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service through Colorado Youth Corps Association. Positions range from hydrology work, cadastral surveying, travel management, botany, and others throughout Colorado. Open to young adults ages 16-30 (or veterans up to age 35).
• Crew Hosting Services Fee-for-service crew rental for land management projects. Options include Specialty Crews (~$8,500), Camping Crews (~$7,500), Day Crews (~$6,850), Skidsteer/HydroAxe (~$1,000/week), and Wood Chipper (~$850/week). WCCC is a licensed Commercial Pesticide Applicator with the Colorado Department of Agriculture; crews are self-contained and bring food, supplies, and equipment.

Quantifiable outcome

• 65% cost savings over NPS crews and 83% savings over contractor crews on average, with an average savings of $50,000 per project
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mesa County PartnerscoreOthers · 1 January 1999WCCC is a program of Mesa County Partners, a private nonprofit organization based in Grand Junction, Colorado. Mesa County Partners provides organizational oversight and operates alongside Partners' Mentoring and Restitution programs.
• Bureau of Land ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCCC collaborates with BLM Grand Junction, Uncompahgre (Montrose) and Gunnison Field Offices on fee-for-service projects. Projects include building mountain bike trails in Fruita Desert, treating tamarisk infestations on the Dolores River, and building habitat for Gunnison Sage Grouse.
• United States Forest ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCCC collaborates with Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, working with Grand Valley and Gunnison Ranger Offices and the GMUG Supervisor's Office in Delta. Projects include building Gunnison Sage Grouse habitat and constructing mountain biking trails on the Uncompahgre Plateau.
• National Park ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCCC partners with NPS on projects including building wildlife fences at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, partnering with Colorado National Monument's Maintenance Department for seasonal repairs, and maintaining trails at Curecanti National Recreation Area.
• Colorado Parks and WildlifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCCC works with CPW on projects including chainsawing through dense tamarisk at Escalante State Wildlife Area, seasonal maintenance at Chipeta State Park, and barbed wire fencing at Cimarron State Wildlife Area.
• Bureau of ReclamationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCCC service projects may include habitat restoration or fence construction with the Bureau of Reclamation.
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCCC service projects may include habitat restoration or fence construction with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
• Local GovernmentscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCCC partners with local governments throughout the region including City of Grand Junction (Matchett Park), Town of Crested Butte (Baxter Gulch trail), City of Fruita (Colorado Riverfront Trail), and Mesa County.
• The Corps NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Corps Network provides critical leadership to the Corps movement and to nation's Service and Conservation Corps. WCCC is accredited by TCN which helps maintain national standards for programming.
• Colorado Youth Corps AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCYCA creates opportunities for young people to participate in high-quality youth corps statewide. WCCC is accredited by CYCA and crew rates are established by CYCA. CYCA also helps find funding for projects and oversees AmeriCorps programs.
• 21st Century Conservation Service CorpsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCCC operates as a 21st Century Conservation Corps in partnership with this national initiative.
• RiversEdge WestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRiversEdge West advances the restoration of riparian lands through collaboration, education, and technical assistance. WCCC is a member of the Desert Rivers Collaborative and the Dolores River Restoration Partnership.
• Colorado Canyons AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerColorado Canyons Association fosters community stewardship of National Conservation Lands in Dominguez-Escalante, Gunnison Gorge and McInnis Canyons NCAs. WCCC has done extensive rafting trips, fighting invasive phreatophytes, restoring riparian habitat, and constructing new trails.
• Colorado Plateau Mountain Biking AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOPMoBA is a member-supported nonprofit organization of volunteer mountain bikers dedicated to advocating for, building, and maintaining sustainable singletrack mountain bike trails on the Colorado Plateau.
• Western Slope Food Bank of the RockiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Food Bank of the Rockies maintains a food pantry at the WCCC, ensuring that WCCC Corpsmembers do not go hungry on the weekends.
• The Nature ConservancyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Nature Conservancy conserves lands and waters. WCCC works with TNC on large projects with the Dolores River Restoration Partnership and in the Gunnison Working Group for Gunnison Sage Grouse.
• HilltopminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHilltop's mission is Leading through action to make a difference for people of all ages.
• The National Forest FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe National Forest Foundation is the nonprofit partner of the U.S. Forest Service, working to promote the health and public enjoyment of National Forests and Grasslands.
• Kohl'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKohl's Associates in Action volunteer program donated their time and money to construct a community garden for the WCCC. Volunteer efforts are rewarded with $500 grants from Kohl's.
• Recreation Equipment, Inc. (REI)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerREI partnerships connect with nonprofits through promoting events, raising visibility with customers, offering product donations, and selecting organizations for REI grants.
• United Way of Mesa CountyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUnited Way of Mesa County is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1959 that raises money from the community to fund programs that address community concerns.
• Grand Junction Lions ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe GJ Lions Club has helped WCCC purchase vehicles to get crews to and from projects through large donations.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• The Corps Network: National membership organization serving as the umbrella for over 130 service and conservation corps. Not a direct competitor but WCCC's accrediting body and national advocacy partner.

Direct peers

• Utah Conservation Corps: University of Utah-affiliated conservation corps running AmeriCorps service crews on federal lands. Very similar structure, youth development mission, and federal agency partner mix.
• Rocky Mountain Youth Corps: Colorado-based youth conservation corps operating in the northern Colorado mountains. Operates under the same CYCA umbrella with similar fee-for-service crew offerings, federal land manager partnerships, and youth development mission.
• Conservation Legacy: National nonprofit operating multiple regional conservation corps including Southwest Conservation Corps, Southeast Conservation Corps, and Appalachian Conservation Corps. Closest peer in scale, mission, and operational model.
• Northwest Youth Corps: Oregon-based conservation corps serving Pacific Northwest federal lands. Comparable AmeriCorps youth corps model, crew sizes, and conservation services portfolio.
• Montana Conservation Corps: Regional conservation corps providing fee-for-service crews to federal land managers in Montana. Comparable crew sizes, AmeriCorps integration, and project mix (trails, restoration, fuels reduction).
• American Conservation Experience: National conservation corps placing young adults on public lands projects across the western U.S. Operates a nearly identical fee-for-service crew model with AmeriCorps integration, serving federal land management agencies on similar project types (trails, habitat, fuels reduction).
• Southwest Conservation Corps: Operates in Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona with similar crew models serving BLM, USFS, and NPS. Direct geographic and operational overlap with WCCC's federal project work.

Broad incumbents

• California Conservation Corps: State-run conservation corps with thousands of members statewide. Much larger scale but identical service model: young adults performing conservation projects on public lands for government agencies.
• Student Conservation Association: National nonprofit placing volunteers and interns on conservation projects across all federal land agencies. Larger and broader portfolio than WCCC, but overlapping customer base and crew-installation service model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/goWCCC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/westerncoloradoconservationcorps
• Instagraminstagram.com/westerncoloconservationcorps
• TikToktiktok.com/@westerncoloradocc
• Xx.com/wcccpartners

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Western Colorado Conservation Corps