Douglass Colony Becomes Corporate Sponsor for Groundwork Denver’s Green Initiative

Douglass Colony Group, the roofing and solar installation subcontractor for the new 2020 Lawrence apartment complex in Denver, Colorado, is now a corporate sponsor of Groundwork Denver’s (GWD)
By: Douglass Colony
 
Nov. 12, 2013 - PRLog -- Denver’s (GWD) “Groundwork Greens,” a social enterprise that will provide gainful job training experiences to low-income youth by growing and selling fresh produce to local urban neighborhoods.  Douglass Colony’s sponsorship will support GWD’s first hydroponic growing operation – a 2,600 ft2 greenhouse located on the roof at 2020 Lawrence, an 11-story LEED Gold building, designed and constructed by Zocalo Community Development.  Groundwork Greens provides a viable solution for underutilized roof space by combining local food production with green roof technology.  Energy efficiency will be achieved by utilizing the exhaust air from the building to heat and cool the greenhouse.

Groundwork Greens will sell two-thirds of its 15,000 pounds of produce per year to “community supported agriculture” members, both inside the building and within surrounding blocks, making the operation financially sustainable, and therefore a “social enterprise.” It will contribute the remaining one-third of produce for low-income families through both farmer’s markets and local food banks. GWD’s “Green Team” program, which uses the platform of youth employment (ages 14-22) for leadership and skill development, will leverage the project by providing low-income youth experience in the operation of the greenhouse, giving tours and workshops, distributing CSA shares, and enabling marketing and promotion activities.

The expected annual environmental offsets of the greenhouse include:

-          255,000 gallons of water saved compared to traditional farming

-          12,700 therms of natural gas saved by utilizing the building exhaust for heating in winter

-          10,000 kWh of electricity saved by utilizing the building exhaust for cooling in the summer

-          83 tons CO2 emissions reduced by using the exhaust air for heating and cooling

Douglass Colony is proud to partner with Groundwork Denver (www.groundworkdenver.org), a grass-roots, community-based organization whose mission is to bring about the sustained improvement of the physical environment and promote health and well-being through community-based partnerships and action. GWD works with low-income communities to implement environmental improvement projects, cultivate environmental leaders, and support volunteerism and civic engagement. In 2012, GWD had the assistance of 1,173 volunteers contributing 11,041 hours of their time to help accomplish environmental improvements in Denver’s low-income neighborhoods. GWD was awarded the Outstanding Non-profit Award from the Governor’s Commission on Community Service in 2011.

About Douglass Colony Group:

Servicing Metro Denver since 1947, Douglass Colony Group specializes in roofing, metals, solar, waterproofing and so much more.  From project planning to completion, Douglass offers knowledgeable, friendly staff, and quality materials to help you get the job done right.  Douglass Colony Group has you covered from the ground up!

For more information, please contact Christy Maraone at 303-565-8729 or visit www.douglasscolony.com.
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