About C3

Program Overview

The Colorado Circular Communities (C3) Enterprise is a statewide program dedicated to supporting Colorado’s communities, businesses, nonprofits, schools, and institutions of higher learning to advance the state’s transition to a circular economy. We provide financial and technical assistance to enhance circularity across the state, and help organizations achieve their waste diversion and aversion goals. The enterprise also funds the Colorado Circular Economy Development Center which assists companies striving for circularity by helping them advance their business or locate to Colorado.

The Enterprise is funded through user fees at Colorado landfills, is administered by C3 program staff within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), and is guided by the C3 Board of Directors. For information regarding the C3 Board of Directors, including their meeting agendas and minutes, please visit the C3 Board of Directors webpage.

A circular graphic depicts a circular economy where raw materials are the only input & minimal waste is the only output. Remaining materials cycle through sustainable design, production, distribution, consumption/reuse/repair, collection, & recycling

Source: Circular Colorado

What is a Circular Economy?

A circular economy recognizes that every by-product and material has value. It uses a systems-focused approach and involves industrial processes and economic activities that:

  1. Are restorative or regenerative by design;

  2. Enable resources used in industrial processes and economic activities to maintain their highest values for as long as possible; and

  3. Aim to eliminate waste through the superior design of materials, products, and systems, including business models.

Circularity strategies include designing for durability, reuse, remanufacturing, repairing, recovering, and recycling, while prioritizing renewable inputs, maximizing product usage and value, and supporting a more sustainable food system.

Close up of child's hands separating plastic bottles
Elk grazing in Colorado fall forest
Bale of flattened cardboard

History & State Statute

On May 8, 2024, HB24-1449 established the Colorado Circular Communities (C3) Enterprise. On July 1, 2024, C3 officially replaced the Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity (RREO) program and the Front Range Waste Diversion (FRWD) Enterprise program. All open contracts executed under the RREO and FRWD programs were transferred to the C3 program. By consolidating these initiatives, C3 modernizes pollution prevention efforts across the state, streamlines operations, and provides greater flexibility for funding and technical assistance for all of Colorado.

Modern architecture at Denver train station
small shovel digging into garden compost
Hand placing plastic bottle into reusable bag for recycling

Strategic Plan & Annual Reports

The C3 strategic plan outlines the program’s priorities, objectives, and detailed action steps for advancing circularity across Colorado. The CY2025-CY2029 plan was approved by the C3 Board of Directors in November 2024 and includes the following three strategic goals: 

  1. Increase participation in the State’s circular economy; 

  2. Reduce material consumption;

  3. Increase material capture for in-state marketability.

Annual reports will provide insights into the program’s progress, showcase successes, and highlight the impact of funded projects and initiatives. These reports will serve as a valuable resource for stakeholders to understand how C3 is driving sustainability statewide. The first C3 Annual Report is anticipated to be complete in Q4 of 2025. For previous FRWD annual reports, please reach out to c3.inquiries@state.co.us.