Denver seeks $3.7 million increase for school climate programs
The proposed expansion for Denver Public Schools would fund clean-energy academies, paid internships, student-led projects and garden programs, with annual targets for interns, student participation and produce.
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Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency is seeking a $3.7 million increase to its agreement with Denver Public Schools, raising the proposed total from $480,000 to $4.18 million and extending the term through Feb. 6, 2032. The city’s request proposes that the expanded scope and budget take effect Dec. 18, 2026, using Denver’s Climate Protection Fund.
The proposed programs combine climate education with career preparation. They include renewable-energy and electric-vehicle academies, paid internships in clean energy and related fields, and a Climate Champions program that would fund at least 10 student-led climate projects each year. The request also proposes garden and horticulture programming at up to 60 schools, along with work on sustainable purchasing, waste reduction and student transportation.
The proposed agreement’s scope sets additional annual targets: enroll at least 10 interns, with an 80% completion rate; provide garden programming for at least 10,000 students through at least 1,000 contact hours; and grow, harvest and distribute at least 5,000 pounds of produce. These are planned deliverables in the agreement, not reported results.
The programs would be citywide or district-wide, with under-resourced students a priority. The request does not identify participating schools.