There are are growing number of Colorado DBE-certified firms that provide Sustainability Services to help enhance the use of natural resources, minimize environmental impacts, and promote “greening” initiatives for a sustainable future.

The focus on sustainability for public projects is a growing trend with momentum. Sustainability is a central goal of Denver’s Comprehensive Plan of 2000 (including Greenprint Denver) and the Obama Administration instituted an executive order that sets sustainability goals for Federal agencies. Construction, development, transportation, housing and building projects are incorporating more and more sustainability requirements.

As such, a new industry has emerged which is being serviced by both small and large businesses that provide services such as sustainability planning, “greening,” managing social and environmental impacts, creating energy efficiencies, reducing waste, and providing LEED certifications. DBE firms that offer Sustainability Services would like to be able to promote their capabilities to public agencies and prime contractors, and have these services count toward DBE project goals.

Therefore, we are respectfully requesting that the City of Denver in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) add a new work code for Sustainability Services to the list of approved DBE Program work codes under Section 5 - Other Professional Services.

Instituting this separate work code will benefit (1) purchasing organizations that need to identify sustainability experts, (2) prime contractors that need to meet DBE goals on projects that incorporate sustainability requirements, and (3) DBE firms that offer these specialized services but are not currently categorized as such.

We greatly appreciate your consideration and look forward to gaining recognition as a DBE firm that provides Sustainability Services.