We sat down with Alicia Russo, Social Impact Manager at Invenergy to learn more about their investment in Colorado energy and the Jeffco Open Space Foundation. Check back often for features on other awesome partners!
Tell us what Invenergy is all about.
On the national/world scene, Invenergy is America’s leading privately-held developer, owner, and operator of clean, affordable, and reliable energy solutions. The company has developed more than 34 gigawatts of generating capacity to date, including natural gas, solar, and wind power generation projects, transmission infrastructure, and advanced energy storage. Headquartered in Chicago, Invenergy’s teams work in four continents and hundreds of local markets worldwide – delivering clean energy for customers and communities.
On the local level, Invenergy is proud to support Colorado’s transition to clean energy through several utility-scale projects, including the Spring Canyon Wind Energy Center in Logan County and the Spindle Hill Energy Center in Weld County. These projects generate cleaner, more reliable energy for local communities and create economic opportunities through job creation, tax revenue, and community investment. We also have a regional office in the LoDo Denver neighborhood with over 120 employees.
How does Invenergy’s employee volunteer program work?
Invenergy’s volunteer program is a key part of its commitment to community engagement. Employees are encouraged to give back through Volunteer Time Off (VTO), paid hours designated specifically for volunteer work. Each year, employees receive up to one workday of VTO to participate in projects that align with Invenergy’s values, such as environmental stewardship, education, Veteran causes, supporting emergency responders and community resilience. Teams often volunteer together, fostering team building while making a positive local impact.
Why has Jeffco Open Space been the lucky beneficiary of your team’s volunteer time?
Jeffco Open Space (JCOS) is a natural partner for Invenergy’s environmental values. The organization’s commitment to preserving Colorado’s natural beauty and promoting access to outdoor spaces deeply aligns with Invenergy’s mission of building a resilient future. With many of our team members living and working in Colorado, supporting JCOS allows us to give back directly to the landscapes and communities we care about.
What JCOS projects have Invenergy teams participated in?
Invenergy’s employees have volunteered with JCOS since 2022, working on various projects like trail maintenance and habitat restoration. Most recently, Invenergy’s Denver team spent the day dismantling barbed wire fencing on public land.
What impact did you make?
Barbed wire fencing is harmful to local wildlife, like elk, deer, black bears, mountain lions, and coyotes. The team used wire cutters and handsaws to take the fencing down and cut away vegetation, and then JCOS took the materials to be reused, recycled, or thrown away. In one day, we removed over 2,000 ft of barbed wire fencing and 10 lbs. of trash.
What takeaways did Invenergy team members have?
“Volunteering with Jeffco is always rewarding. It’s inspiring to connect with others who care deeply about the outdoors, and with how often Colorado’s trails are used, it feels great to help maintain them for everyone. I also really appreciate working for a company that encourages us to give back to our local communities.” – Alicia Russo, Manager, Social Impact
“I’ve had amazing experiences volunteering with Jeffco over the years. The leads educate us on local wildlife, trail maintenance, and how to respect the land. Getting out in nature and seeing the impact in our community makes it even more special.” – Erica Meier, Associate, Brand and Creative
Why does your team also donate to Jeffco Open Space Foundation?
In addition to hands-on volunteering, Invenergy supports JCOS through charitable giving to amplify our impact. By donating to the Jeffco Open Space Foundation, we help fund critical initiatives that preserve open spaces, protect wildlife habitats, and ensure equitable access to the outdoors for future generations.
Which JCOSF Trust most aligns with Invenergy’s values? (Outdoors for All or Good Stewards)
Both Trusts align well with Invenergy’s mission, but Good Stewards resonates most deeply with our core values. Like JCOSF, we believe in responsibly managing natural resources and investing in long-term solutions to ensure we have clean air and water for future generations.