About DUG
Get to know Denver Urban Gardens.
Denver Urban Gardens started as a grassroots movement in the late 1970s when gardeners in Denver’s Northside neighborhood came together to create a space for a group of local Hmong women to grow their own food. Working collaboratively, they transformed a vacant parking lot into what is now the Pecos Community Garden, and over the following years, more community gardens began to spring up as the group helped other neighbors do the same.
DUG was formally incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 1985 to support Denver residents in creating sustainable, food-producing neighborhood community gardens. Over the past 40 years, our network of community gardens has expanded across six metro Denver counties. We currently oversee 200 community gardens, including 66 school-based community gardens, and 24 food forests.
In addition to our gardens, DUG programs provide access, skills, and resources to help people grow food in community and regenerate urban green space. We offer youth programming, skill-building workshops for adults, community-centered events, volunteer workdays, free and reduced-cost seeds and seedlings, and compost training.
Our Mission
To provide access, skills, and resources for people to grow healthy food in community and regenerate urban green spaces.
Our Vision
A sustainable urban future where people are deeply and directly connected to the earth, each other, and the food they eat.
Our Values
- Earn TRUST
- Demonstrate INTEGRITY
- Embrace EQUITY
- Build COMMUNITY
- Inspire CURIOSITY
Our Pillars
Food
Access to fresh and healthy food is a basic human right. We believe in promoting food sovereignty and elevating the role of ancestral foodways in metro Denver.
Community
Deep social community connections is a lost art. Congregating around green space builds lifelong friendships, reduces feelings of loneliness, and gives members a third place to feel safe and welcome.
Climate
Regenerating urban green spaces improves soil quality, reduces urban heat, and enhances our biodiversity.
Meet Our Team
Learn more about the dedicated team of staff and board members at DUG.
Get Involved
Join the DUG community to get involved with our garden workdays and other special projects.
