When Alliance for Sustainable Colorado debuted its newly renovated, LEED-certified digs in July, the 10-year-old nonprofit put more than just the latest in green building features—such as low-flow toilet and water fixtures, cork floors, and low-VOC paints and adhesives—on display. It also showcased a new model for workplace citizenship. All the companies who contract for space inside the 40,000-square-foot LoDo building also agree to a set of “cultural norms” that include using mass transit or bikes when possible to get to work (Alliance Center tenants all receive free eGo CarShare memberships); printing on both sides when appropriate; powering computers down at the end of the day; taking the stairs instead of the elevator; ditching space heaters in most circumstances; and potentially joining Ubuntu, a CSA that serves all tenants of the Alliance Center. Oh yeah, and your morning cup of joe from the Bob Marley coffee cart in the lobby? Locally roasted, of course.

5280.com Exclusive: Two more new and innovative ways to work.

5280 December 2014
More From The Issue

Modworks

Modworks is one of the latest incarnations of a co-working space in the Mile High City. This 10,000 square-foot, 13th floor spot on the corner of Broadway and the 16th Street Mall, aims to land the increasingly common concept in new territory. John Borst, co-founder of Modworks, describes the environment as somewhere between “executive suites and hipster co-working warehouses.” The membership-based service starts at $195 and gives customers access to more than just a desk. Modworks users also get access to training rooms and private telephone spaces; printing, energy snacks. There are also pick up and drop off services such dry cleaning, bike repair, and shoe shines, and discounted Car2Go memberships. modworks.com

Denhac

Members of the nonprofit shared-space Denhac focus on science, technology, and engineering projects from a modest space in the Sante Fe Art District. More of a community space than a co-working environment, Denhac members often gather for classes in areas such as computer programming. And thanks to having won a recent contest run by a Chicago-based company called Inventables, the Denhac space recently got a tech boost: Members of the nonprofit now have access to a rare 3D carving machine, which can create precise parts, objects, or designs from materials such as wood and metal. denhac.org