Denver's urban tree care sector currently faces a worker shortage crisis. To meet Denver's climate goals, 60,000 trees need to be planted in the next three years, 200 additional tree care jobs with family-supporting wages need to be filled, and a network for urban forestry stewards needs to be cultivated. Urban forestry is growing as trees gain recognition for their climate-resilient properties, and that's expected to grow, too.
The Park People's program Treeforce provides career pathways and connections into this growing, stable field. Launching as a pre-apprenticeship in 2022, TreeForce will prepare adults that face barriers to employment for meaningful career paths with family-supporting wages. Upon completion of the program, pre-apprentices will be encouraged to apply to the Colorado Arborist Apprenticeship Program or pursue employment opportunities in private tree care, municipal forestry, seedling production, tree planting, urban wood reuse, or higher education. Learn more about this environmentally, economically, and socially beneficial program here.


