BuildStrong Foundation

The BUILD Scholars Summer 2026 Final Report is here, and this cohort delivered.

18 paid undergraduate and graduate leaders. 8 weeks. 2,880 hours. 30+ housing and community development projects. 200+ Colorado municipalities engaged. 800+
partners and community members reached.
They more than doubled last year’s program (7 → 18) and turned just over $180,000 into statewide work: Prop 123 research, tenant-protection analysis, RFP playbooks, affordability dashboards, community reports, education campaigns, and real time with the people shaping housing policy.
They connected with Governor Jared Polis, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade, Attorney General Phil Weiser, DOLA, CHFA, and dozens of mentors who opened the door and kept it open.
This is what happens when young leaders are supported, mentored, and put at the table.
Read the full Summer 2026 Final Reportattached to this post and see the work by region. 
Huge thanks to Housing Colorado and every funder, mentor, and host who made this possible — including CHFA, DOLA, OEDIT, Amazon, U.S. Bank, Walmart, Daniels
Fund, Denver Foundation, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, Pikes Peak Real Estate Foundation, Weld Trust, Bloom Foundation, Colorado Concern, Colorado Gives Foundation, College Track, Housing Equity, Joseph Henry Edmondson Foundation, Lane Foundation, David
Lord, Ted Leighty, and our retreat partners.
Questions or want to get involved: Ethan Gutterman,

[email protected]
BuildStrongFoundation HousingColorado

Today, a few of our BUILD CO Scholars got to meet with Denver Mayor Mike Johnston at a community event they supported. These interns are part of the incredible 18-person cohort currently working all across Colorado on all things community development and affordable housing. Mayor Mike Johnston

Momentum builds as Colorado Housing Consortium convenes at Gary Community Ventures to move affordable housing plan into action!

This week, we welcomed 18 extraordinary young leaders from across Colorado into our most ambitious summer yet. Over the past few days, these scholars dove headfirst into an immersive opening retreat in Denver, touring the State Capitol, meeting with the Mayor’s Office, visiting Urban Peak, exploring modular housing innovation at Vederra, and engaging directly with state leaders, including Attorney General Phil Weiser.

This isn’t just another internship.

The BUILD CO Scholars program is a transformative leadership accelerator designed to cultivate the next generation of affordable housing and community development leaders. Through hands-on projects, deep stakeholder engagement, powerful mentorship, and real-world advocacy, these scholars aren’t just learning about housing: they’re actively engaging urban and rural communities across our state to foster meaningful partnerships and collaboration.

We are incredibly proud of this cohort and deeply grateful to our mentors, partners, and the entire BUILD CO community for pouring into these young leaders. The future of housing in Colorado looks brighter because of them.

Here’s to an impactful summer of growth, connection, and real change.

The next generation isn’t just coming, they’re already leading.

Today at his State of the State address, Governor Polis discussed the importance of building more housing across Colorado and mentioned the important work of the Housing Consortium that the BuildStrong Foundation launched this year: “Under Maria De Cambra’s leadership in partnership with the Housing Consortium, we launched the innovative Housing Hub to make it easier to apply for affordable rental housing tax credits.” -

Thank you Governor Polis & Maria De Cambra for your leadership! We are just getting started!

Thank you Governor Polis & Maria De Cambra for your leadership! We are just getting started!

“Under Maria De Cambra’s leadership in partnership with the Housing Consortium, we launched the innovative Housing Hub to make it easier to apply for affordable rental housing tax credits. “ -

Thank you Governor Polis & Maria De Cambra for your leadership! We are just getting started!

Congratulations to the BuildStrong Academy for being recognized as a Partner in Philanthropy! Investing in the community train our workforce with the skills they need to succeed!

We’re excited to announce the launch of the new BuildStrong Foundation Website!
 
This new interactive site highlights our commitment to workforce development, education, affordable housing, and community investment — making it easier than ever to explore our programs, partnerships, and impact. Find updates from the BuildStrong Academy, stories from the communities we serve, and ways to get involved.

The BuildStrong Foundation is growing! We moved the BuildStrong Academy to the Community College of Aurora, we expanded affordable housing solutions through our housing consortium, we supported innovative education initiatives like the STEAD School, and we invested in communities through the Carmel Classic!

Take a look and learn more about how we are building stronger communities together!Link in bio.

Big Summer for the Colorado Youth Engagement Collaborative! Seven paid interns rolled up their sleeves to work on affordable housing this summer with Housing Colorado & BuildStrong Foundation! Empower Youth & they will lead!