Nonprofit organization WorkingNation is releasing a series of multimedia reports and analysis highlighting how green jobs are impacting Colorado’s economy, and how this may alter the future of work.
According to the “Green Jobs Now: Colorado” reports, there are 28,000 workers part of the state’s green economy, making it the third largest green workforce in the US.
Emsi Burning Glass, which compiled and analyzed data for the project, predicts that there will be a 10.3% increase in employment demand within this industry over the next five years.
“Colorado’s a very forward looking state, so we like to lean into trends to have the good jobs of tomorrow rather than the good jobs of yesterday,” said Colorado Governor Jared Polis. “That aligns well with our forward-looking vision on air quality and climate, to make sure that Colorado is a leader in the clean energy revolution in jobs across the continuum.”
According to “Green Jobs Now: Colorado,” workers that adopt new green skills could see an increase in pay as demand grows, with some of these talents offering an average salary boost of $1,200 or more.
In fact, Emsi Burning Glass projects that there are currently around a million Colorado workers from various industries and educational backgrounds that could adopt green skills.
Currently, the most common green jobs in Colorado are solar installers, energy efficiency specialists, and building and general maintenance technicians.
Emphasizing such findings rejects the common trope that a shift to a greener economy will lead to a loss in jobs, and instead can help usher in the future of work that supports a sustainable economy.
