All Colorado businesses and organizations are invited to join us for the Colorado Green Business Network’s (CGBN) Rooted in Collaboration: Sprouting Sustainability Solutions—an interactive networking event designed to connect, inspire, and empower sustainability-minded professionals.
Through speed networking, roundtable discussions, and open collaboration, you’ll have the chance to share insights, tackle sustainability challenges, and explore partnerships that drive meaningful operational improvements.
Enjoy a complimentary spread of sandwiches, salads, fresh fruit, and refreshing mocktails while engaging in thoughtful conversations with like-minded professionals.
This event is about collaboration, idea-sharing, and peer learning—not sales. While we encourage genuine connections, this is not a space for soliciting new clients.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and celebrate sustainability with us!
Learn more about the Colorado Green Business Network with the Program Coordinator!
Are you in a business in Colorado interested in improving your operational sustainability? Are you looking for support in starting your business's sustainability journey? Have you heard about the Colorado Green Business Network and want to learn more? You have come to the right place! These virtual meetings are an opportunity to ask questions, learn about the Network, and get started on your sustainability journey to green Colorado and grow your business.
Program overview
The Colorado Green Business Network (CGBN) is a free and voluntary program that encourages, supports and rewards organizations that push toward true operational sustainability.
Our goal is to support businesses of all sectors and sizes throughout the state to increase energy, water, and fuel efficiency, reduce waste, and implement sector-specific sustainability best practices within business operations.
Our program:
- assesses opportunities for cost savings, energy, water, fuel, and waste efficiency, and sustainable growth
- recognizes the successful implementation of sustainability projects and policies, and
- provides connections to like-minded businesses throughout the state
We have two main offerings in the program:
- Technical Assistance: Provide free sustainability coaching to any business or organization that requests it, no matter where they are on their sustainability journey.
- Recognition: Award and certify businesses that implement projects and practices that lead to the reduction of pollution and increased efficiency.
To learn more about our program, please check out our CGBN program overview (Spanish version), as well as the pages below! Check out our 2024 Impact report for more information on our program, our current list of certified businesses, and our other award winners!
Technical assistance
Learn more here about our free Technical Assistance (Sustainability Coaching).
Incentives for joining our network!
There are lots of reasons to join the Colorado Green Business Network! All of these benefits are completely voluntary and free of charge.
By simply registering for the program in GreenBizTracker, you receive:
- Individualized Recommendations: A custom Sustainability Report (Opportunity Assessment) with a list of recommendations, resources, and funding opportunities to help you save resources and money—specifically tailored to your business size and sector— no matter where you are on your sustainability journey
- A Sustainability Coach: A trained Green Business Specialist is assigned to your business to answer your questions and provide ongoing, long term support for you and your organization
- Connections to funding and other resources: Information and introductions to organizations and government programs that can provide grants, rebates, loans, and other resources
- Monthly Newsletter: Email highlighting events, businesses, and funding opportunities
- Events & Networking: Connection to our network of 900+ businesses that value sustainability
- Mentoring/ Mentorship: Learn from (or teach) other businesses in your sector best practices
- Workshops: Quarterly trainings on specific sustainability topics and skills
- Marketing Opportunities: Listed in the statewide directory of businesses in our Network, a pin on our Green Business Map, and opportunities to be featured on our LinkedIn and monthly e-newsletter
- Recognition for Businesses: Awarding and certifying businesses at the state level as Bronze, Silver, and Gold.
Contact
With questions and interest in technical assistance, contact CDPHE.greenbusiness@state.co.us
Meet our staff
Alyssia Chinda graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder with a degree in Environmental Studies. Previously, she worked as a Community Engagement Corpsmember at Mile High Youth Corps in the Energy and Water Conservation Program. She also completed an internship for our local partners PACE (Partners for a Clean Environment) in Boulder County. Alyssia is very excited to continue her work as the Green Business Specialist for CDPHE.
Contact: alyssia.chinda@state.co.us
Colorado native and Army veteran Konrad Schlarbaum has over a decade of experience as a sustainability consultant, working with a variety of organizations. He led sustainability programs at Pikes Peak State College and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. Konrad holds a master’s degree in Environmental Studies and Sustainability from Unity Environmental University and certifications including LEED Green Associate, Permaculture Design, and ISSP Sustainability Excellence Associate. Passionate about community and nature, he enjoys volunteering with local non-profit organizations and exploring Colorado’s landscapes. As a Green Business Specialist, he is excited to provide technical support for Colorado businesses, helping them reap the benefits of sustainability.
Contact: konrad.schlarbaum@state.co.us
A Boston native, Rayna Oliker joined CDPHE as the Colorado Green Business Network Administrator early in 2021. Rayna brings 12 years of experience in operational sustainability as well as education and outreach, with a Master’s degree in Education from CU Boulder. Rayna’s focus is on providing exemplary service to the State of Colorado businesses while centering equity, engagement, and sustainability in all the work that she does.
Contact: rayna.oliker@state.co.us
Oakley holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical and Biological Engineering from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She began her career working in the chemical manufacturing industry. Inspired to shift her career, she founded her own consulting company, Level Up Planet, and served as the Director of Circular Economy for Smart Waste USA. She is thrilled to now be a Green Business Specialist for the Colorado Green Business Network and help chemical manufacturers and other organizations across Colorado improve their operational sustainability!
Contact: oakley.jennings-fast@state.co.us
Holly Pummell graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Economics and Management. Her past work experiences in local government and higher education have focused on operational sustainability, equity, policy, project management, and engagement. Holly looks forward to her role as our Green Business Program Coordinator for CDPHE.
Contact: holly.pummell@state.co.us
Adrien Juan Horton is a passionate environmental justice advocate originally from Elgin, IL, and holds a BA in Environmental Studies, Spanish, and Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences from the University of Colorado (CU) Boulder. In addition to working for the University's Green Labs Program, he helped write oil & gas regulations while interning with Boulder County Public Health and has held various leadership roles at Sierra Club, Un-PAC, Denver Public Schools, and BlocPower—where he administered a Building Electrification Program for the City of Denver's Climate Office. He brings this experience and his passion for sustainability to the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment & The Colorado Green Business Network!
Contact: adrien.horton@state.co.us
Regional partnerships
The below cities are supported by the CGBN as Regional Partners. As a Regional Partner, these cities were trained with all of the resources to implement the State-Wide CGBN program in their area. In this way, each of these cities can offer the prestige and resources of a state-wide program while providing the tailored and personal approach of a local program!
Interested in starting a local Green Business program in your area?
The quality of support a local program can provide is leaps and bounds above what we can do, working to serve all businesses across the state. We strive to make starting a local green business program as simple as possible by providing all the resources a new program might need including:
- Policies and procedures.
- Criteria, data management support, and recognition.
- Training for new business specialists.
If you or an organization you know in your community might be interested in starting a local green business program as a member of the Colorado Green Business network, reach out to us and let us know! Contact cdphe.greenbusiness@state.co.us to get started.