The Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado (ALCC) is the first state association to partner with the National Association of Landscape Professionals on the Industry Growth Initiative.

The ALCC has committed $15,000 in seed money and raised $75,000 from its members.

The Industry Growth Initiative supports various programs to raise public awareness of industry opportunities. To that end, the NALP uses advertising campaigns, media relation efforts, marketing and social media outreach.

The initiative also hopes to educate business owners about the value of investing in outdoor spaces and showcase experience offered by landscape professionals.

Recently their efforts included addressing the critical workforce shortage by creating National Landscape Career Day.

Colorado contributed $2.8 billion to the green industry in 2015 and from 1999-2015 the state's industry grew by 90 percent.

"In light of Colorado's unprecedented growth, coupled with historic low unemployment, we understand how crucial it is to demonstrate the career opportunities within the landscape industry," says ALCC executive director John McMahon. "Through IGI, we hope to reverse the decline of enrollment at trade schools as we increase the availability of related skills training in our state."