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Welcome to the second edition of the Sustainable Business Partnership (SBP) newsletter! These quarterly newsletters share updates, resources, and upcoming opportunities that support your journey toward sustainability and operational efficiency.
Program News & Highlights
Celebrating 12 Tri-City Businesses With Statewide Recognition
These businesses have shown leadership in sustainability by achieving or maintaining recognition in 2025.
Gold Level
Silver Level
Bronze Level
Thank you for celebrating these businesses at the 2025 Colorado Green Business Network Recognition Event. If you would like to get certification for your business, reach out today!
Lady Justice Brewing is brewing sustainably with CGBN Grant Support (Pictured Below)
Lady Justice Brewing in Englewood received a Colorado Green Business Network Mini Grant to purchase four Spunding Valves. The new equipment allows the brewery to cut carbon dioxide emissions during brewing while also eliminating the need to purchase CO2, saving money in the process. A win for both sustainability and business.
 New Perk: Stand Out on OpenRewards
Recognized businesses will have their CGBN badge displayed in the OpenRewards app (available in Littleton and Englewood—known locally as Shop Littleton and Englewood EARN). Shoppers get 5% back for supporting local businesses, and your statewide green recognition helps you stand out.
FEAP offers expert support to help you plan and implement fleet electrification. This includes a low-to-no cost, data-driven assessment of your current fleet, and we provide a comprehensive report with actionable recommendations for EV fleet procurement planning and charging site design. To be considered for the program, submit your information via the intake form and Xcel's advisors will connect with you.
The Fix-It Clinic will be on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Malley Center. This event helps community members repair everyday items and reduce waste. If you are interested in volunteering and have some special skills or areas of expertise, we would love to have you at this event. Whether you are experienced with sewing, fixing small household appliances or carpentry, your help will make a big difference. Register to Volunteer Here!
If you have any questions, please contact Mel Englund at menglund@englewoodco.gov. We appreciate your time and talent and look forward to having you at the event!
Put Your Surplus to Work
Have leftover building materials you don’t want to toss? Teach by Tech, a local nonprofit, trains newcomers for construction careers and needs usable lumber, plywood, MDF/melamine, Romex (new), tile, metals, and safe tools. Power tools are especially helpful. Keep good materials in circulation, contact Linnie to donate: lpawlek@teachbytech.org
Program Update: Virtual Support While I Recover
I recently sustained an injury, but the Sustainable Business Partnership is continuing without interruption. All coaching and resources are available virtually while I recover. Any onsite visits already scheduled or newly requested will be handled by our Colorado Green Business Network state team.
How to reach me:
- Englewood & Sheridan Email: alawton@englewoodco.gov
- Littleton Email: alawton@littletongov.org
- Phone: 720-666-5609
The program is still moving forward. I will provide all support virtually during my recovery, and the CGBN state team will conduct any onsite assessments and walkthroughs. Thank you for your patience and support.
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SBP - Honorable Mention, 2025 US Mayors Climate Protection Award
The Sustainable Business Partnership of the Tri-Cities was recently honored with the 2025 Mayors Climate Protection Award by the United States Conference of Mayors. It would not have been possible without the commitment and leadership of the businesses in our community, thank you for being the driving force behind this achievement.
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Grant Information
Engines Off Grant Helps Food Trucks Go Clean and Quiet = October 31 Deadline
The Engines Off grant helps food trucks replace gas or diesel generators with clean, quiet battery power. The grant covers up to 80% of the cost (up to $20,000) and can make a big difference for breweries and venues that host food trucks.
Benefits include:
- Less noise and fumes, creating a more pleasant atmosphere for guests
- Cleaner operations, reducing emissions and supporting a healthier environment for staff and customers
- Lower costs for trucks, with fuel and maintenance savings that keep them profitable and consistent
Learn more and apply: Engines Off – Food Trucks
CGBN Mini Grant LAST DAY TO APPLY September 30th
Unfortunately, the Colorado Green Business Network’s mini-grant—used by many of you—is pausing after September 30. If you haven’t applied for quick energy efficiency or water conservation upgrades, please use this link to submit your order by end of business on September 30. We’re working to bring a new grant online soon, so stay tuned.
Business Highlight: Cafe 180
Did you know? Cafe 180 made the news on Denver7 after leveraging a CGBN Mini-Grant to install a Boss Defrost, reducing water use for food defrosting. Check out the article here.
What sustainability improvements or practices are you most proud of so far?
We grow some of our own herbs and produce in our garden, just three blocks south of the cafe. Our Garden Coordinator works with and mentors volunteers each week to plant, harvest, and tend to this beautiful community space.
Can you share a little about your business story and what makes you unique?
Our story starts in 2010, when our founders saw the issue of food insecurity in our Englewood neighborhood. They opened CAFE 180 with the mission of feeding everyone. We do this through meals that are being paid for at the restaurant as well as strategic partnerships in the Englewood and Denver Metro area helping to assure that those who are food insecure are receiving nourishing meals. We deliver hundreds of free meals each week, and since we started 15 years ago, we’ve served more than 200,000 meals to people who are in need of food. We offer dine-in, take-out, catering, and volunteer opportunities.
How has being part of SBP supported your business and community impact?
SBP is a wonderful way to be part of our community and connect with neighbors. The more people who know about and support the cafe, the more folks we are able to serve. Since all our proceeds go toward feeding those who are experiencing food insecurity in the Denver Metro Area, sustainable business practice and an increase in our customer base allow us to provide more free meals to those who need it most.
What inspired you to join the Sustainable Business Partnership program?
We connected with Aidan [Green Business Program Coordinator] at an Englewood Chamber of Commerce networking event and learned about the Sustainable Business Partnership program and the number of great opportunities it provides. As a nonprofit that is passionate about sustainability, joining the program seemed like a great next step.
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Huge thank you to Brian Hart at Frame de Art, who donated these incredible custom certification plaques for our three Bronze Recognized Englewood businesses. They look awesome, and I can’t wait to see them on display.
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Upcoming Events
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Grow With Us - October 1 | 3:30pm - 5pm - Register Here
- Grants, Tools & Support for Local Business
- 901 Englewood Parkway Suite 102, Englewood, CO 80110
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Fix-It Clinic - October 14 | 1-4pm, Malley Center Englewood
- Repair your items like clothes and household appliances
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Volunteer here if you have skills you can share
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CGBN Webinar Series | 3 Webinars to support your sustainability journey
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Embedding Sustainability Across Operations - October 14, 1pm
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Waste Less, Save More: A Food Waste Playbook - November 12, 1pm
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State Program Updates and Review Workshop - January 14, 1pm
I hope you have a wonderful fall and a strong Q4. I know it’s a busy season, so please reach out with any questions or concerns. We now have 47 businesses registered, pretty exciting for a program just a year old. Thank you for being part of it. Take care, Aidan
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