NEDERLAND — Today, Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera and Representative Joe Neguse announced the creation of the Colorado Climate Corps at an AmeriCorps service site in Nederland.

Colorado Climate Corps is a collaboration with the Colorado Interagency Climate Team. The Colorado Climate Corps will have a multi-pronged strategy to address climate change and advance the Governor's bold goals of moving Colorado's electric grid to 100% renewable sources by 2040 and protecting the environment for future generations.

"I am so excited about this initial commitment to the Colorado Climate Corps. The effects of climate change are being felt across our state, especially in marginalized communities. The Colorado Climate Corps will provide the boots on the ground we need to make a difference," said Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera. "As Climate Corps gets off the ground here in Colorado, we're excited to support President Biden's proposal to create a national Civilian Climate Corps."

"We've been working for more than a year to enlist a diverse, new generation of Americans in a Civilian Climate Corps to restore our public lands, suppress western wildfires and tackle the climate crisis," said Congressman Joe Neguse. "As we work to establish a program nationwide to meet this moment, we're thrilled to have the partnership of Governor Polis, Lt. Governor Primavera, and Serve Colorado in investing in the Colorado Climate Corps, and putting more Coloradans to work on our public lands immediately."

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Serve Colorado - the Governor's Commission on Community Service- has committed approximately $1.7 million to fund the Colorado Climate Corps. The first Colorado Climate Corps program will be administered by Colorado Youth Corps Association and will place 240 AmeriCorps members in 55 counties across Colorado.

Colorado Climate Corps AmeriCorps members will

• improve the overall health and resiliency of public lands, while helping to mitigate the threat of future wildfires and floods;
  
  
• increase public awareness of climate change and its impacts;
  
  
• provide resources and education to marginalized communities experiencing the effects of climate change including education on health impacts of climate change and resources to mitigate those impacts; and
  
  
• conduct energy and water weatherization and retrofitting in low-income households to conserve resources, lower utility bills, and decrease the need for burning fossil fuels that contribute to climate change.
  
  

"Building on decades of experience in environmental stewardship and proven pathways from service to employment, the Colorado Climate Corps is well positioned to conserve our lands and waters, expand renewable energy use, and increase community resilience," said Sonali Nijhawan, director, AmeriCorps State and National. "AmeriCorps serves as a modern-day Civilian Conservation Corps, focused on 21st century environmental challenges. Working closely with our partners at the Colorado State Service Commission, we will engage more members and volunteers each year in conservation, renewable energy, and projects that address the climate crisis."

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AmeriCorps members serving with the Colorado Climate Corps are eligible to receive a Segal Education Award to help pay education costs at qualified institutions of higher education, for educational training, or to repay qualified student loans. While in service, members also may receive a modest living allowance, student loan deferment, professional development, health insurance and childcare.

Serve Colorado administers the AmeriCorps program in Colorado and promotes community service throughout the state to build a culture of citizenship, service, and individual responsibility. Next week, Serve Colorado will begin accepting applications from organizations and other entities interested in hosting a Colorado Climate Corps or other AmeriCorps program.  For more information visit, servecolorado.colorado.gov

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, brings people together to tackle the country's most pressing challenges. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve in more than 40,000 communities with organizations around the country dedicated to the improvement of communities and making service to others a cornerstone of our national culture. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.

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