The grant is just one of many that Xcel Energy Foundation awarded earlier this month through their Focus Area Grants, which include funds for STEM education, economic sustainability, and environmental stewardship programs that promote the restoration and preservation of public lands and natural resources. VOC will use the grant to provide critical support for close to 90 outdoor volunteer projects, which will engage nearly 5,000 volunteers in trail construction and maintenance, invasive species management, and habitat restoration work.

“Our success relies on strong corporate community partners,” said Anna Zawisza, Director of Community Relations and Strategic Partnerships for VOC, “With more businesses and job-seekers moving to Colorado, we need companies like Xcel Energy to take action and support the outdoor places where their customers and employees live, work and play.”

As part of their support, Xcel Energy employees and customers will participate in a volunteer project at Chatfield State Park this September, aligned with their annual Day of Service and led by VOC. It will be the fourth consecutive year that Xcel Energy has partnered with VOC for the Day of Service; in years past, employees have recruited community members to construct a trail in Cherry Creek State Park, remove flood debris and invasive weeds, and participate in forestry management projects at Genesee Mountain Park.

“We greatly value the work that VOC does for Colorado,” explained Kynnie Martin, Senior Foundation Representative for Xcel Energy, “Through this grant, we can positively impact both the environment and the economy in the communities we serve.”

To learn more about corporate sponsorship and volunteering opportunities, visit www.voc.org or contact Anna Zawisza at anna@voc.org or 303-715-1010 ext. 125.

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) is a statewide nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to motivating and enabling people to be active stewards of Colorado’s natural resources. Since 1984, VOC’s award-winning volunteer, youth, and leadership training programs have engaged nearly 110,000 people of all ages in caring for Colorado’s outdoors – a total donated labor value of $22 million. Such volunteer efforts have made a lasting impact on Colorado through hands-on work in fire and flood restoration, trail building and maintenance, tree planting and re-forestation, and more. For more information, visit www.voc.org or call 303-715-1010.

Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) provides the energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company is an industry leader in responsibly reducing carbon emissions and producing and delivering clean energy solutions from a variety of renewable sources at competitive prices. Through its foundation, Xcel Energy supports activities in four important focus areas: STEM education, workforce development, environmental stewardship, and access to arts and culture. In 2016, Xcel Energy invested over $13.9 million to support communities across its service territory.

Media Contact

Kellie Flowers, kellie@voc.org, 303-715-1010 ext. 130