Colorado Youth Corps Association

What Colorado Youth Corps Association does

Colorado Youth Corps Association (CYCA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit association founded in 1997 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, that coordinates a statewide network of eight accredited conservation corps serving youth, young adults, and military veterans across Colorado. CYCA operates as a coordinating association rather than a direct service provider, administering grant programs (notably the Great Outdoors Colorado Conservation Service Corps grants worth approximately $2.5 million annually), managing AmeriCorps funding (a $1.55 million grant, the largest in Serve Colorado's portfolio), and brokering partnerships between member corps and project sponsors including the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Colorado Parks & Wildlife, and corporate funders such as REI and Denver Water.

The association's core operational model centers on grant administration, workforce development, and ecosystem coordination. CYCA co-founded the Careers in Natural Resources Initiative with the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education to develop career pathways into natural resource professions, and operates a BLM internship program that places corps alumni directly into federal land management positions. Member corps deliver hands-on conservation services including trail construction and maintenance, invasive species removal (tamarisk, Russian olive), wildlife habitat restoration, riparian and wet meadow restoration using specialized techniques (Zeedyk restoration methods, log and fabric headcut structures), beetle kill hazard mitigation, chainsaw crew operations, and energy/water conservation measures.

CYCA's revenue model is structured as a grant-administered nonprofit, with primary funding from state conservation lottery proceeds (GOCO), federal AmeriCorps and BLM sources, state agency contracts (CPW, CWCB), and corporate/foundation grants. The 9-employee central association earns grant administration fees while the bulk of program funding flows through to member corps for direct service delivery. In 2025, CYCA-coordinated corps served 1,021 members (64% low-income), improved or maintained 5,018 miles of trails, removed 51,000 hazard trees, and delivered $1.2 million in lifetime household savings from energy and water conservation measures.

Name

Colorado Youth Corps Association

Legal name

Colorado Youth Corps Association

Website

https://cyca.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CYCA is a Colorado nonprofit association that coordinates eight accredited conservation corps, administering state and federal grants and brokering partnerships to deliver conservation service, workforce training, and AmeriCorps education awards to youth and military veterans across the state.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Conservation and Youth Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dropout Prevention, Alternative Education & Re-Engagement Nonprofits (BPAGADAL), Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning) (THAAAOAA)

Keywords

• Conservation corps services
• Youth workforce development
• Land stewardship programs
• Grant administration services
• Trail construction services

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver, CO

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Administration (GOCO): CYCA administers Conservation Service Corps grants on behalf of Great Outdoors Colorado, with GOCO investing about $2.5 million annually including $1.75 million for Conservation Service Corps grants, $115,000 for program administration, and nearly $600,000 through GOCO's partnership investments with Colorado Parks and Wildlife
2. AmeriCorps Education Awards: CYCA manages AmeriCorps grants that distribute education awards to corpsmembers for college tuition or student loan reduction. The AmeriCorps grant grew from $1.39 million to $1.55 million, the largest in Serve Colorado's portfolio
3. BLM Partnership and Internships: Bureau of Land Management allocates funding for youth corps projects and internship programs. Award of $175,824 for 19 interns in 2018, and $284,000 for projects benefiting northwest, southwest and Rocky Mountain regions
4. Corporate and Foundation Grants: REI grants ($15,000-$30,000 for trail projects), Colorado Water Conservation Board grants ($30,510-$60,000), U.S. Forest Service grants ($10,000-$20,000), Roundup Riders of the Rockies grants ($20,000), Denver Water contracts ($27,346)

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Colorado Youth Corps Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that coordinates eight accredited conservation corps across Colorado, administering state and federal grants (GOCO, AmeriCorps, BLM) and connecting corpsmembers with project sponsors for conservation, trail, habitat, and fire mitigation work. CYCA delivers career development programming, including the Careers in Natural Resources Initiative and BLM internship pipeline, while member corps perform field services such as trail construction, invasive species removal, riparian restoration, and energy/water conservation installations.

Product overview

The Colorado Youth Corps Association (CYCA) serves as a statewide coordinating body for eight accredited conservation corps organizations. Rather than a single unified product, CYCA operates as an association offering grant administration services (Conservation Service Corps Grants), career development programs (Careers in Natural Resources Initiative), and AmeriCorps program coordination. Member corps provide hands-on conservation work including trail construction and maintenance, invasive species removal, wildlife habitat improvement, riparian restoration, and energy/water conservation. CYCA also administers a BLM Internship Program that places corps alumni in federal land management positions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Conservation Service Corps Grants A grant program administered by CYCA in partnership with Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) that supports eligible organizations (Colorado cities, towns, counties, special districts, land conservation organizations, and Colorado Parks & Wildlife) in hiring conservation service corps for outdoor recreation and natural resource stewardship projects.
• Careers in Natural Resources Initiative A CYCA co-founded initiative developed with the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education that provides career development resources, training workshops, train-the-trainer sessions, and guidance for youth pursuing careers in natural resources.
• AmeriCorps Education Awards Program A program that allows corpsmembers to earn education awards for college tuition or to reduce student loans through their conservation service work, administered by CYCA under its AmeriCorps grant ($1.55M, the largest in Serve Colorado's portfolio).
• BLM Internship Program A career-oriented internship program created in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management that places corpsmembers in BLM field offices for one year of service with mentorship from BLM staff, providing direct career pathways into federal land management.
• Conservation Corps Field Services Field services delivered through CYCA's network of eight accredited member corps, including trail construction and maintenance, invasive species removal (tamarisk, Russian olive), wildlife habitat improvement, riparian restoration, beetle kill hazard mitigation, forest health activities, energy and water conservation installations, fence construction and deconstruction, and wildland fire mitigation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,021 members serving in corps with 64% low-income demographics served (2025)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGOCO partners with CYCA to offer grants supporting eligible organizations in hiring conservation service corps for outdoor recreation and natural resource stewardship. GOCO invests approximately $2.5 million annually through this program including $1.75 million for Conservation Service Corps grants, $115,000 for program administration, and nearly $600,000 through partnership investments with Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
• AmeriCorpscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmeriCorps provides education awards to corpsmembers for college tuition or student loan reduction. CYCA manages an AmeriCorps grant that has grown to $1.55 million - the largest in Serve Colorado's portfolio - supporting approximately 350-400 youth corps members annually.
• Bureau of Land Management (BLM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBLM partners with CYCA for youth corps projects across Colorado's northwest, southwest and Rocky Mountain regions ($284,000 in 2018) and an internship program ($175,824 for 19 interns in 2018) where BLM field staff mentor corps-employed interns for career development in natural resources.
• Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCYCA co-founded the Careers in Natural Resources Initiative with CAEE to develop pathways for youth interested in natural resource careers. Partners deliver the 'How-To Guide for Pursuing a Career in Natural Resources' through train-the-trainer workshops and career awareness programs across Colorado.
• Denver WatermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDenver Water has invested $27,346 for conservation work by youth corps over three weeks, including trail stabilization at Cheesman Reservoir, fence repair at Dillon Reservoir, and brush/tree removal at Denver Water canals.
• Colorado Parks & WildlifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerColorado Parks & Wildlife allocated $500,000 to engage conservation corps on 40+ projects in state wildlife areas and state parks across Colorado, including trail construction, fence maintenance, and habitat restoration.
• Serve ColoradocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerServe Colorado, the Governor's Commission on Community Service, administers the AmeriCorps grant for CYCA and conducts the Governor's Service Awards recognizing outstanding corpsmembers and leaders.
• The Corps Network (TCN)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWestern Colorado Conservation Corps is accredited by The Corps Network, a national association of conservation corps. TCN recognizes outstanding corps projects and provides advocacy for the corps movement.
• Colorado Municipal LeagueminorGTM or Marketing PartnerColorado Municipal League published feature article about CYCA and conservation corps in the August 2019 edition of Colorado Municipalities Magazine, highlighting the corps movement in Colorado.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• California Conservation Corps: State-run conservation corps in California performing trail, fire, and habitat work. Comparable in scope and mission but operates under state-government sponsorship in a different geography.

Direct peers

• Student Conservation Association: National nonprofit conservation service organization engaging youth and young adults in land management projects. Closest national-scale analog to CYCA's mission and operates overlapping federal-agency partnerships.
• Southwest Conservation Corps: CYCA-accredited corps operating in southwestern Colorado; recipient of a 2018 Project of the Year from The Corps Network. Runs nearly identical trail, fire-mitigation, and habitat restoration crews.
• The Corps Network: National membership association of conservation and service corps. The Corps Network provides the national accreditation and federal advocacy layer that mirrors CYCA's state-level role; several CYCA member corps carry dual accreditation.
• Utah Conservation Corps: AmeriCorps-affiliated conservation corps hosted at Utah State University. Runs near-identical youth conservation service, AmeriCorps education-award delivery, and federal-land partnership model.
• Mile High Youth Corps: CYCA's largest member corps and a flagship Denver-area conservation corps. Operates the same AmeriCorps/federal-funding model and trains youth in conservation service; CEO Brigid McRaith sits on CYCA's board.
• Rocky Mountain Youth Corps: CYCA-accredited corps serving northern Colorado with comparable youth conservation service programming and AmeriCorps education-award delivery.
• Western Colorado Conservation Corps: CYCA-accredited corps under Mesa County Partners; executes the same Zeedyk and chainsaw-crew restoration methodologies described in CYCA's technology stack.

Emerging players

• Groundwork USA: National network of local Groundwork trusts that engage youth in environmental and brownfield-remediation work. Comparable youth-development-through-conservation mission with a different federal partner (EPA).

Broad incumbents

• AmeriCorps National Service: Federal parent program that funds CYCA's $1.55M grant. While not a peer organization, AmeriCorps is the umbrella funder whose programmatic decisions directly determine CYCA's capacity and is the natural policy-level comparator.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/coloradoyouthcorpsassociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/colorado-youth-corps-association

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Colorado Youth Corps Association