October 10, 2016

 As communities grapple with how to create green economies that don't harm the environment, a multidisciplinary team of CU Boulder faculty and staff is focused on including underrepresented groups in that transition.

The team will speak about the topic at a Latino business conference in Longmont, Colorado, on Friday, Oct. 14. BoulderTalks and the Just Transition Collaborative are co-sponsoring “The New Green Economy,” a workshop that will run from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Plaza Convention Center in Longmont.

The workshop is part of the larger RISE Colorado Latino Business Conference 2016 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 14. The conference focuses on building connections with government agencies, corporations, nonprofits, small businesses and individuals in the local Hispanic business community. The Latino Chamber of Commerce in Longmont is hosting the free event. Click here to RSVP.

“The transition to renewable energy will be a catalyst for new jobs and businesses in Boulder County and throughout Colorado,” said Manuela Sifuentes, a workshop speaker who is a member of the CU Boulder-based Just Transition Collaborative and executive director of the Latino Task Force of Boulder County.

“This workshop is an opportunity to strengthen dialogue about how the Latino community can be a leader in this transition and benefit from the jobs and economic opportunities that it brings,” she said.

Other workshop speakers include Tiara Na'puti, a CU Boulder assistant professor of communication and David Ciplet, who is part of the Just Transition Collaborative and a CU Boulder assistant professor of environmental studies.

BoulderTalks is a center at CU Boulder that fosters community and knowledge through democratic engagement. The Just Transition Collaborative was created at CU Boulder this fall with support from a CU Boulder Outreach Award to work closely with local communities to ensure a socially just transition to affordable and clean energy.

The first part of the CU Boulder workshop will include presentations on market and job trends related to energy, including solar power, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, landscaping and ways local business owners and workers can take advantage of these changes.

For the second half of the workshop, focus groups will discuss how green business and employment can be a barrier and an opportunity for Latinos, and how to leverage investments, grants and networking opportunities.

For more information, contact:

• Tiara Na'puti, Assistant Professor of Communication, tiara.naputi@colorado.edu
  
• Manuela Sifuentes, Just Transition Collaborative, Executive Director of the Latino Task Force of Boulder County, msifuentes@latinotaskforce.org
  
• David Ciplet, Just Transition Collaborative, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, david.ciplet@colorado.edu