This project provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58) for groundwork denver to conduct eligible technical assistance-related activities as authorized by…

Groundwork Denver Inc. received a $500,000 cooperative agreement from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 8 under the Brownfields Job Training Cooperative Agreements program (CFDA 66.815), effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028. The award provides funding authorized under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (P.L. 117-58) to deliver comprehensive workforce development and technical assistance services targeting unemployed and underemployed young adults aged 18-26 residing in the City of Sheridan and the City and County of Denver.

The recipient will recruit and train at least 100 young adult participants in environmental remediation careers by conducting outreach and recruitment activities (October 2025–September 2027). Training curricula will include mandatory certifications such as OSHA-10, Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER-40), and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/First Aid, supplemented by specialized instruction in green remediation technologies, stormwater management, water quality assessment and protection practices, chemical safety, and the TreeForce program. Upon completion, graduates will possess the skills and certifications necessary to secure full-time employment in hazardous substance management and environmental site remediation. No sub-awards are included in this assistance agreement. Progress will be tracked and reported through the EPA's Assessment, Cleanup and Redevelopment Exchange System (ACRES) using the Property Profile Form.

This project provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58) for groundwork denver to conduct eligible technical assistance-related activities as authorized by comprehensive environmental response, compensation, and liability act (cercla) 104(k)(7). The recipient will recruit, train, and place unemployed and underemployed residents of the city of sheridan and the city and county of denver in environmental careers with skills needed to safely conduct remediation work at solid and hazardous waste-contaminated sites, as well as appropriate training in green remediation technologies, storm water management, emergency planning and chemical safety.activities:this project will train graduates to earn skills and certifications necessary to enter into environmental careers. Activities to be performed during under this project are OSHA-10, hazwoper-40, CPR/first aid, treeforce program, introduction to GI, practices for assessing and protecting water quality on brownfield sites, and resident engagement and education coursework. Also, the recipient will report on interim progress and final accomplishments by completing and submitting relevant portions of the property profile form using EPA's assessment, cleanup and redevelopment exchange system (acres). This project will provide training to serve underemployed young adults aged 18-26 who are living in the city of sheridan and the city and county of denver.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:this project will provide training to serve underemployed young adults aged 18-26 who are living in the city of sheridan and the city and county of denver. The anticipated deliverables are: 1. Outreach and recruitment: conduct outreach and recruitment targeting at least 100 potential young adult participants (october 2025-september 2027). Measurements: track social media posts, outreach flyers, online and in-person informational sessions, direct communication, and direct outreach to current GWD participants. 2. Onboarding: engage and onboard up to 14 grit participants per cohort (october 2025-september 2027). Measurements: completion of onboarding and employment documents. 3. Training: deliver and complete training curriculum for each cohort (october 2025-september 2027). Measurements: finalize syllabus, number of sessions offered, number of unique trainers, training session sign-in sheets, training sessions completed per participant, training satisfaction surveys. 4. Graduation: at least 70% of grit participants graduate (october 2025-september 2027). Measurements: graduation certificates. 5. Job placement: place at least 50% of grit graduates in environmental positions or further education within six months of graduation (january 2026-september 2028). Measurement: number of positions applied for per participant, number of interviews held per participant, number of job offers per participant, job placement records per participant. All data will be collected via post-graduate survey offered at three-, six-, nine-, and 12-month intervals. 6. Job retention: at least 40% of grit graduates employed in environmental positions 12-months post-graduation (january 2026-september 2028). Measurement: postgraduate survey collected at 12-month interval. Expected outcomes from this project include the following: -help residents of communities take advantage of jobs created by the assessment and cleanup of brownfields and the assessment, cleanup, and management of solid and hazardous waste sites and facilities while addressing sustainable community revitalization concerns. -provide training that leads to sustainable employment in the environmental field. -improve community involvement and stimulate the development of constructive partnerships. -reduce exposures to hazardous substances and other contaminants and improve the health of workers, occupants, and residents. -foster self-sufficiency and enhanc