A coalition of Colorado partners, including Lyra, Colorado Succeeds, the Colorado Workforce Development Council, and three rural education collaboratives, has been awarded a $750,000 grant over three years from Jobs for the Future (JFF) as part of its Quality Green Jobs Regional Challenge.  

This funding will advance the Green Rural Opportunity Workforce Network (GROWN), a transformative initiative aimed at connecting youth in rural Western Colorado to quality green job opportunities through education, training pathways, and exposure. 

GROWN, led by Lyra, is one of six initiatives across the U.S. selected from an initial pool of more than 100 proposals to help close the gap between employer demand for a skilled green workforce and the number of people ready for these opportunities. The JFF grant is made possible through the organization’s Quality Green Jobs Regional Challenge, which the Ares Charitable Foundation funds through Climate-Resilient Employees for a Sustainable Tomorrow (CREST), a five-year, $25 million initiative that seeks to close the gap between employer demand for a skilled green workforce and the number of people ready for these opportunities to help advance economic mobility.  

“These recipients embody the forward-thinking solutions we need when it comes to addressing the dual challenges of climate change and economic inequality,” said Taj Eldridge, Managing Director, Climate Innovation at JFFLabs. “We’re proud to support these organizations as they create new opportunities for their communities and develop solutions that contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future.”  

“Today marks a significant milestone as we come together as partners to support the GROWN initiative,” said Mary Seawell, CEO of Lyra. “This funding represents our collective commitment to empowering rural youth with essential skills for the green economy. Together, we are nurturing the next generation of leaders who will drive economic and environmental resilience in their communities.”

The demand for green jobs in Colorado is robust and growing, quickly exceeding the pool of workers ready to step into these positions. Colorado’s projected job growth in green careers is 10.33% over the next five years, well above the national average of 5.7%. The green economy is projected to create an estimated 100,000 new jobs in Colorado over the next decade. Education plays a crucial role in preparing future generations for these jobs of tomorrow.

GROWN facilitates green skills pathways through courses and work-based learning opportunities to prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow. By partnering with rural collaboratives—regional intermediaries formed through partnerships between K-12 school districts, higher education institutions, and local industries—GROWN prepares students for careers in in-demand regional industries such as green construction, skilled trades, energy, agriculture, and environmental conservation. GROWN includes three key rural collaboratives: the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative in Southwest Colorado, the Western Slope Schools Career Collaborative in West Central Colorado, and the Yampa Valley Partnership for Students, Stewardship, and Sustainability in Northwest Colorado. Collectively, these collaboratives serve dozens of schools and communities across Western Colorado, preparing students for meaningful careers in the green economy.

“We are thrilled to be a partner in GROWN to enhance career-connected learning opportunities for rural students in La Plata, San Juan, Dolores, and Montezuma Counties,” said Clara Raley, Executive Director of the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative. “This grant will not only support our programming, including our Summer Institute, but also help us uplift sustainable green jobs, building a brighter future for our communities and the environment.”

By partnering with Colorado Succeeds, GROWN helps accelerate employer engagement and alignment with industry needs and shares best practices statewide through the Colorado Workforce Development Council to transform rural green workforce development systems.

“Colorado Succeeds is excited to be a key partner in the GROWN initiative, not only accelerating workforce development in green jobs but also forging vital connections with industry partners to ensure our students are prepared for the careers of tomorrow,” said Scott Laband, President of Colorado Succeeds.

As GROWN progresses, it will leverage insights from its regional efforts to inform statewide workforce development strategies and contribute to the adoption of Colorado’s new Seal of Climate Literacy. This collaborative approach ensures that the skills taught align with the evolving needs of the green economy, ultimately benefiting the youth and communities of rural Colorado.

“The Green Rural Opportunity Workforce Network (GROWN) embodies our commitment to fostering a sustainable future by equipping the next generation with essential green skills,” said Elizabeth Harbaugh, Vice President of Lyra. “By partnering with local schools and communities, we are not only addressing the pressing challenges of climate change but also creating equitable opportunities in the green economy for youth in rural Western Colorado. Together, we are supporting youth agency and building more resilient rural economies and a healthier planet.”

For further details on the Quality Green Jobs Regional Challenge and the Ares Charitable Foundation's CREST efforts, visit www.jff.org/crest.

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About Lyra Colorado 

Lyra incubates and accelerates high-impact initiatives that tackle some of the biggest challenges facing education. Lyra's focus is on building coalitions and providing capacity, resources, infrastructure, and expertise to partners with innovative ideas that lead to greater student and educator success. One of Lyra’s key initiatives, Climatarium, is focused on ensuring the next generation is prepared to address the impacts of climate change and build a more economically and environmentally resilient future. Learn more at www.lyracolorado.org. 

About Jobs for the Future (JFF)  

Jobs for the Future (JFF) drives transformation of the U.S. education and workforce systems to achieve equitable economic advancement for all. Learn more at www.jff.org.   

About the Ares Charitable Foundation  

The Ares Charitable Foundation (the “Ares Foundation”) is a 501(c)(3) qualifying organization of Ares Management LLC (“Ares” or the “firm”) that aims to accelerate economic equity and equality through strategic investments in career preparation and reskilling, entrepreneurship and personal finance. Established in 2021, we execute our philanthropy with the same rigor, discipline and entrepreneurial spirit that Ares brings to its investment activities and business operations. We act in accord with the firm’s core values—to be collaborative, responsible, entrepreneurial, self-aware and trustworthy—by engaging in grantmaking and mission-aligned initiatives that strengthen the communities where Ares stakeholders live and work, and where the firm does business. 

About Colorado Succeeds

Colorado Succeeds is a nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition of business leaders invested in improving schools, changing educational outcomes for all students, and shaping the future of Colorado’s workforce. Since 2006, Colorado Succeeds members have worked to build a system where learners are educated to their greatest potential, employers can recruit homegrown talent, and policymakers are responsive to critical needs. We believe great schools are good business. Learn more at www.coloradosucceeds.org.

About Colorado Workforce Development Council

The Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC) is dedicated to enhancing the state's workforce by aligning education, training, and employment opportunities. By fostering collaboration among public and private sectors, CWDC aims to create a skilled workforce that meets the demands of Colorado's economy. Their initiatives focus on building equitable pathways to employment and supporting industry-driven training programs. Learn more at www.cwdc.colorado.gov. 

About Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative

The Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative strengthens diverse communities by providing pathways in career readiness and higher education for students to build 21st-century skills and economically viable futures. Learn more at www.swcoedcollaborative.org. 

About Western Slope Schools Career Collaborative

The Western Slope Schools Career Collaborative (WSSCC) was formed in 2021 by educators from Delta County, Gunnison County, Montrose County, and Ridgway school districts who see the need for collaboration to better serve rural students with high-quality career preparation both in our schools and through work-based learning. By partnering with Colorado Mesa University - Montrose, the Technical College of the Rockies, and Western Colorado University, they are working to expand access to career pathways throughout the region. Learn more at www.wsscareercollaborative.org. ‍

About Yampa Valley Partnership for Students, Stewardship, & Sustainability 

The Yampa Valley Partnership for Students, Stewardship, and Sustainability (YVPS3) is a partnership between four K-12 school districts, two institutions of higher education, and multiple industry partners. YVPS3 has the common goal of providing shared educational pathways and career connections for students valley-wide. Providing students with the resources, skills, and credentials needed to obtain high-need jobs supports our vision for a more resilient region. Learn more at www.yvps3.org.