Groundwork Denver, Incorporated
Groundwork Denver is a Denver-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that partners with youth and environmental justice communities across metro Denver to deliver programs in energy efficiency, water conservation and quality, climate adaptation, and paid youth workforce development.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersDenver, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Groundwork Denver, Incorporated does
Groundwork Denver, Incorporated is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit environmental justice organization founded in 2002 and headquartered at 3280 N. Downing Street, Unit E in Denver, Colorado. It operates as an independent affiliate of the Groundwork USA national network and partners with youth and communities across metro Denver — particularly Globeville, Elyria-Swansea, Sheridan, Westwood, Montbello, and NE Park Hill — to deliver environmental programs in health, energy, water, and urban green spaces. Core programmatic offerings include the Community Health Program (heat resiliency, air quality monitoring, climate adaptation), the Home Energy Efficiency Program (free weatherization for income-qualified residents, completing 100+ assessments annually), the Rain Barrel Program (sliding-scale installations by youth crews), Water Conservation and Water Quality Programs (rain gardens, graywater systems, Bear Creek E. coli monitoring under the 2014 Bear Creek Watershed Plan), Clean Air for Globeville, and the Green Teams (ages 14-21) and GRIT (ages 18-24) youth employment and workforce-development programs.
The business model is a hybrid of foundation and government grant funding, individual donations, and small fee-for-service training revenue. Anchor funders include the City and County of Denver (Human Rights and Community Partnerships Department), Energy Outreach Colorado, Xcel Energy, the EPA Environmental Justice program, the Colorado Water Conservation Board, the Rose Community Foundation, and the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education. Fee-for-service income is generated through professional certification courses such as the QWEL Irrigation Auditor Course ($495 registration, with Denver rebates available) and Laundry to Landscape Graywater Classes offered at the Environmental Training Center at Red Rocks Community College. Services to end residents are delivered free or on a sliding scale, with go-to-market executed via direct community programs, door-to-door canvassing, volunteer events, and earned media through community partners. The organization is led by Executive Director Derek McCoy (since 2023), employs 15+ full-time staff, and reports a board chaired by Silvia Fuentes; the broader team holds advanced credentials from institutions including Yale School of the Environment, Emory, Clark University, UC Berkeley, and the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.
Groundwork Denver, Incorporated firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Groundwork Denver, Incorporated
- Legal name
- Groundwork Denver
- Website
- https://groundworkcolorado.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Groundwork Denver is a Denver-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that partners with youth and environmental justice communities across metro Denver to deliver programs in energy efficiency, water conservation and quality, climate adaptation, and paid youth workforce development.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Groundwork Denver, Incorporated industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Justice and Community Resilience Services
- NAICS
- Landscape Architectural Services (541320), Landscaping Services (561730)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Agricultural Services (700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Forestry, Land Use & REDD+ Programs (BPADALAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Grounds & Exterior Services (Landscaping/Snow Removal/Parking Lot Maintenance) (IMAIAAAF), Tree Care & Arborist Services (BPABADAD)
Keywords
Where Groundwork Denver, Incorporated is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Denver
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Groundwork Denver, Incorporated business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Foundation and Government Grants: Primary funding from foundation grants (e.g., Rose Community Foundation) and government contracts including City and County of Denver Human Rights and Community Partnerships Department, Energy Outreach Colorado, and Xcel Energy.
- Individual Donations: Community donations from individuals supporting environmental justice mission and youth programs.
- Fee-for-Service Training Programs: Professional certification courses including QWEL Irrigation Auditor Course ($495 registration fee) and Laundry to Landscape Graywater Classes with subsidized tuition.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Free home energy assessments for income-qualified Denver residents |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Rain barrel installations with sliding scale pricing |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | QWEL Irrigation Auditor professional certification course |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Groundwork Denver, Incorporated product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Groundwork Denver is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers environmental justice programs across community health, home energy efficiency, water conservation and quality, and paid youth workforce development in metro Denver neighborhoods disproportionately impacted by environmental burdens. Core offerings include free home energy assessments and weatherization for income-qualified residents, rain barrel installation on a sliding scale, Bear Creek water quality monitoring, green infrastructure implementation, and youth employment through Green Teams and the GRIT program. Programs are funded primarily by foundation and government grants with select fee-for-service professional training courses (e.g., QWEL Irrigation Auditor certification).
Product overview
Groundwork Denver offers a portfolio of environmental justice programs focused on community health, energy efficiency, water management, and youth development. The core offerings include the Community Health Program addressing climate impacts, the Home Energy Efficiency Program providing free weatherization services, the Rain Barrel Program with sliding-scale pricing, Water Conservation and Water Quality Programs for watershed protection, and Youth Programs including Green Teams and GRIT workforce development. These programs work together to build community resilience while providing paid employment opportunities for local youth.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Community Health Program Addresses climate change impacts in communities with higher populations of people of color and low-income residents, focusing on heat resiliency, air quality monitoring, and emergency preparedness. Works to improve housing infrastructure and implement nature-based solutions.
- Home Energy Efficiency Program Provides free home energy assessments, weatherization, appliance upgrades, and energy-saving services to income-qualified residents in the City and County of Denver. Completes over 100 assessments annually, reducing utility bills and improving home safety for low-income households.
- Rain Barrel Program Distributes and installs 55-gallon rain barrels to Denver residents using a sliding scale pricing model based on the Green Bottle framework. Professional installation is performed by trained youth crews; self-installation kits are available at a flat rate. Distributed 81 rain barrels across Denver neighborhoods in 2025.
- Water Conservation Program Works with residents to conserve drinking water through rain barrel installation, rain garden design and installation, and graywater irrigation system programs including Laundry to Landscape systems.
- Water Quality Program Monitors water quality in Bear Creek and surrounding watersheds, conducting regular E. coli testing and implementing the 2014 Bear Creek Watershed Plan to address water contamination issues in partnership with state and local agencies.
- Green Teams Youth Program Year-round paid employment program for youth ages 14-21 who work on environmental projects including community gardens, rain barrel installations, and environmental justice advocacy in Metro Denver neighborhoods.
- GRIT Program Two-month workforce development program for young adults ages 18-24 focusing on community leadership, urban resilience job skills, environmental career exploration, and certifications in tree planting, rain garden installation, and water quality conservation.
- Clean Air for Globeville Addresses air quality concerns in Globeville, Elyria, and Swansea neighborhoods through odor investigation, air sampling, community surveys, and advocacy related to the I-70 expansion project.
- QWEL Irrigation Auditor Certification Course Professional certification course for landscape professionals ($495 registration fee) covering irrigation auditing for water-efficient landscape design. Full cost is eligible for a rebate for individuals who live or work in Denver. Delivered at the Environmental Training Center at Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood, CO.
- Laundry to Landscape Graywater Classes Subsidized training classes for residents teaching design and installation of Laundry to Landscape graywater irrigation systems, delivered in partnership with the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment and Colorado Water Conservation Board.
Quantifiable outcome
- Completes over 100 home energy efficiency assessments annually for income-qualified residents
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Groundwork Denver, Incorporated
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Groundwork Denver, Incorporated technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Groundwork Denver, Incorporated partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.
- Groundwork USAcoreNational network organization that Groundwork Denver is an independent affiliate of. Shares overlapping missions focused on sustained regeneration and improvement of the physical environment through community-based partnerships. Groundwork Denver was created in response to a feasibility study as part of the Groundwork USA network.
- City and County of Denver Human Rights and Community Partnerships DepartmentcorePrimary funder of Home Energy Efficiency Program providing services to income-qualified Denver residents. Partnership enables free weatherization and energy assessments for community members.
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)coreEPA Environmental Justice program grants funded Globeville air quality investigation. Ongoing partner in water quality monitoring and Clean Water Act compliance for Bear Creek watershed.
- Denver Department of Public Health and EnvironmentcorePartner in water quality testing and graywater program. Provides subsidized training courses and installation kits for Laundry to Landscape systems.
- Denver WatersecondaryWater municipality partner in Bear Creek watershed monitoring and restoration efforts.
- City of SheridancorePrimary focus area for water quality program. City partners on watershed planning, septic system outreach, and Sheridan Inspire Coalition community initiatives.
- City of LakewoodsecondaryPartner in Bear Creek water quality testing and monitoring program.
- Water Quality Control DivisionsecondaryColorado state agency partner in water quality monitoring and watershed planning.
- River WatchsecondaryVolunteer water quality monitoring program partner for Bear Creek sampling activities.
- University of Colorado BouldersecondaryAcademic partner in Globeville air quality research and investigation.
- National Jewish HealthsecondaryHealthcare partner conducting air quality health research in Globeville and Elyria-Swansea neighborhoods.
- Metro Water RecoverysecondaryWater utility partner in creek clean-up events and watershed restoration.
- The Greenway FoundationsecondaryNonprofit partner in creek clean-up events and urban waterway restoration.
- Colorado State University ExtensionsecondaryAcademic partner providing growing advice for Colorado climate and rain garden installation guidance.
- Denver WatersecondaryWater provider with Xeriscaping resources and demonstration garden.
- Generation WildcorePartner organization supporting Sheridan Inspire Coalition youth outdoor programming and experiences.
- The Denver FoundationsecondaryCommunity foundation partner featuring Groundwork Denver programs and youth stories.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Groundwork Denver, Incorporated competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Trust for Public Land: National conservation nonprofit building parks, protecting land, and advancing equitable access to green space. Comparable on urban green infrastructure, park development, and EJ-focused community greening — but at a much larger scale.
- Groundwork USA: National network organization of which Groundwork Denver is an independent affiliate. Comparable because it sets shared methodology, advocacy, and federal-funder access for all Groundwork affiliates, including GWD.
- The Corps Network: National membership body for service and conservation corps — many of which run youth green-workforce programs structurally similar to GWD's Green Teams and GRIT. Comparable on youth workforce-development model and federal-funder access.
- River Network: National nonprofit supporting local water-protection groups through training, convening, and funding. Comparable to GWD's water quality monitoring and watershed work from a national-capacity-building lens.
Direct peers
- Groundwork Cincinnati / Mill Creek: Sister Groundwork USA affiliate running youth green-jobs, brownfield remediation, and watershed programs in another U.S. metro. Operates the same community-based environmental justice model and youth employment pipeline as Groundwork Denver.
- Environmental Learning for Kids: Denver-based nonprofit providing youth environmental education, outdoor experiences, and career pathways for kids from underrepresented communities. Comparable youth-and-environment mission and Denver geography.
- Groundwork Richmond: Another Groundwork USA affiliate delivering youth environmental employment, green infrastructure, and community-based environmental justice programs. Closely comparable mission, structure, and funder mix.
- Groundwork San Diego: Sister Groundwork USA affiliate with youth green-jobs training, urban greening, and environmental justice programming. Operates the same multi-program structure and community-based delivery model as Groundwork Denver.
- My Outdoor Colorado: Colorado nonprofit connecting families and youth to outdoor experiences and stewardship opportunities. Comparable on the youth-outdoor-workforce and community-connector functions performed by GWD's Sheridan Community Connector and Green Teams.
- The Greenway Foundation: Denver-based nonprofit focused on urban waterways, creek clean-ups, and water-related youth programming. Partners with GWD on Bear Creek watershed restoration and shares the metro-Denver water-program focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks1 record
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Groundwork Denver, Incorporated social profiles
Digital presenceGroundwork Denver, Incorporated financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Groundwork Denver, Incorporated leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles18 records
Groundwork Denver, Incorporated funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Groundwork Denver, Incorporated M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Groundwork Denver, Incorporated
What does Groundwork Denver, Incorporated do?
Groundwork Denver is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers environmental justice programs across community health, home energy efficiency, water conservation and quality, and paid youth workforce development in metro Denver neighborhoods disproportionately impacted by environmental burdens. Core offerings include free home energy assessments and weatherization for income-qualified residents, rain barrel installation on a sliding scale, Bear Creek water quality monitoring, green infrastructure implementation, and youth employment through Green Teams and the GRIT program. Programs are funded primarily by foundation and government grants with select fee-for-service professional training courses (e.g., QWEL Irrigation Auditor certification).
Is Groundwork Denver, Incorporated a public or private company?
Groundwork Denver, Incorporated is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Groundwork Denver, Incorporated founded?
Groundwork Denver, Incorporated was founded in 2002. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Groundwork Denver, Incorporated based?
Groundwork Denver, Incorporated is headquartered in Denver, United States, in the North America region.
How does Groundwork Denver, Incorporated make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Foundation and Government Grants are the primary driver. The others are individual Donations and fee-for-Service Training Programs.
Who are Groundwork Denver, Incorporated's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Trust for Public Land, Groundwork USA, The Corps Network and River Network. Direct peers are Groundwork Cincinnati / Mill Creek, Environmental Learning for Kids, Groundwork Richmond, Groundwork San Diego, My Outdoor Colorado and The Greenway Foundation.
Does Groundwork Denver, Incorporated have an API?
No public API is recorded for Groundwork Denver, Incorporated.
What industry is Groundwork Denver, Incorporated in?
Groundwork Denver, Incorporated's product category is Environmental Justice and Community Resilience Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADALAF, Forestry, Land Use & REDD+ Programs, with a secondary code of IMAIAAAF, Grounds & Exterior Services (Landscaping/Snow Removal/Parking Lot Maintenance). Its NAICS code is 541320 and its SIC code is 8731.