CORE FAQs

1.  Why should my company join CORE? What are the benefits of membership?

If you or your organization is interested in learning how to make environmentally and socially responsible business practices the cornerstone of a successful business strategy, CORE is where you will meet others who think the same way and where you can learn how to make that happen. You will receive discounted registration on all CORE events as well as events at some other local business associations.

CORE also provides opportunities for its members to present their sustainability accomplishments to large audiences, thereby generating a competitive advantage through increased visibility for their business model.

Finally, CORE members contribute to our numerous committee activities, which give them the opportunity to achieve a sense of personal satisfaction by helping to fulfill the mission of creating a more sustainable economy.

2. Who are CORE’s members? How much does membership cost?

CORE’s members range from the largest public corporations in the region to entrepreneurial companies and one-person sustainability consulting firms. They also include individuals as well as representatives of local academic institutions and governmental entities. Annual membership prices are shown here.

3. What is CORE’s mission?

CORE’s mission is to promote more environmentally and socially responsible practices in business with a goal of creating a more sustainable economy. CORE believes that the world faces major challenges in terms of resource constraints, environmental degradation and social inequity associated with our present economic model. We also believe that those companies imaginative enough to find business practices, products and services that address those challenges stand to reap very significant rewards.

4. How do you accomplish your mission?

CORE organizes and hosts meetings, events and programs for the purpose of sharing ideas and best practices among organizations and individuals that share a commitment to making the current economic model and businesses more responsible and sustainable. We also offer programs like CORE Catalyst to directly assist member companies in their sustainability initiatives.

5. Define “sustainability.”

Sustainability means utilizing the world’s natural and human resources to create economic value for the current generation in a manner that conserves and renews those resources so that future generations may use them to achieve an equal or greater quality of life.

6. How can businesses balance sustainability and profitability?

Balance implies trade-offs: but sustainability at its best isn’t about trade-offs. The most successful companies of the future will integrate sustainability considerations into every aspect of their strategic thinking in such a way that they will improve their financial performance AS WELL AS do good for the planet and protect its natural and human resources.

7. How do companies measure sustainability? Can it be quantified in dollars and cents like other performance indicators?

Yes. Larger corporations, and an increasing number of smaller companies, are rigorously measuring the results of their commitment to a sustainable business strategy. Measurements include quantifying cost savings such as reduced energy usage, lower premiums on environmental and health care insurance, and reduced resource inputs per unit of output. But many companies also can identify incremental revenues gained from the introduction of new products and services and/or increased market share through improved products and/or increased customer loyalty.

8. CORE is well-known in the region for its annual Sustainable Opportunities Summit. Tell us about the Summit.

The Sustainable Opportunities Summit has been well-attended by forward-thinking, innovative business leaders since 2006, and is the largest business sustainability conference in the region. The Summit features international, national and local speakers presenting the latest developments in business sustainability. CORE, the City of Denver, and the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship at the Leeds School of Business, CU Boulder have been organizers of the Summit.

9. Tell us about CORE’s history.

In 1995, CH2M Hill sponsored the formation of the Colorado Environmental Business Alliance (CEBA), a trade association for Colorado-based environmental engineering, technology and consulting firms. CORE was created in late 2004 through a merger between CEBA and People Planet Profits (P3), the former Colorado chapter of Business for Social Responsibility (BSR).

10. What does "CORE" stand for? Is it an acronym?

When CORE was founded, it was an acronym for "Connected Organizations for a Responsible Economy." After a while, people became so accustomed to saying simply "CORE" that the acronym faded into history. Now when people ask, we say "CORE stands for sustainable business!"