Commerce City Sentinel Express 3
June 2, 2022
ENERGY FROM PAGE 1
into renewable energy. Derichsweiler and Ben Burke, chief technology officer, co-founded Transitional Energy. Derichsweiler was the first Native American to graduate from Aurora Central High School and was valedictorian of the Colorado School of Mines’ chemical engineering and petroleum refining program and received an MBA finance from Pepperdine University. Her grandmother is of Alaskan descent. In 2018, Derichsweiler, Burke and their executive team, all with experience in the oil refinery business,
COFFEE FROM PAGE 1
“They put out a bid for a nonprofit to operate the coffee shop and Keely Thompson, the previous founder of CUP, had always dreamed of building a coffee house working with young adults,” Borrego said. “It was her idea.” CUP then shifted its mission to serving young adults, and in 2018, opened a second coffee house — the Reunion Coffee House. CUP opened its third coffee house, Taza, on Feb. 1. Taza is Spanish for cup, and the space is designed to feel like a home. “We named this coffee house Taza because Adams County has the high-
talked about helping oil and gas companies reduce carbon emissions to get to net carbon zero. Transitional Energy also developed the technology and innovative processes to generate renewable electricity at an oil site operated by Grant Canyon Oil and Gas. Its energy powered a section of Grant Canyon’s operations at its oil field and reduced total greenhouse gas emissions. Transitional Energy also collaborates with ElectraTherm, an Atlanta-based global leader in engineering low-temperature waste heat recovery solutions. “We are thrilled with the results of this pilot project and happy to see the success of our geothermal equipment,” said Matt Lish, man-
aging director at ElectraTherm. “We look forward to working with Transitional Energy to bring this technology to the oil and gas industry and further our shared goal of reducing carbon emissions and increasing availability of baseload, renewable energy.” Transitional Energy develops its geothermal energy in lower temperature zones because traditional geothermal development is barred in hotter climates in the Western United States, according to officials. Using a lower capital avenue developed in lower temperature climates creates a hybrid energy source with operational and abandoned oil and gas wells. Its renewable energy opportunities are more cost-effective and plentiful than alternative con-
ventional power generations. According to officials, the United States has 1 million well bores with geothermal facilities. It is Transitional Energy’s goal to provide an affordable and sustainable energy surplus between fossil fuels and renewable energy. “Just as the world is on a journey to a cleaner energy future, so are we,” Derichweiler said. “Transitional Energy’s initial goal with this pilot was to prove we could produce geothermal energy at an oil and gas site, and we’ve accomplished that. Next up is to optimize our operations for even greater results and scale them to provide an immediate solution that helps bridge the gap between fossil fuels and intermittent renewable energy.”
est population for Latinos,” Borrego said. Not only does Taza provide jobs for young adults, but it also teaches them life skills by providing a 12-week paid training course. The class focuses on self-awareness, introspection, leadership and character development, Borrego said. “When you learn life skills or job skills, you build a relationship,” Borrego said. “It was the idea behind the nonprofit. We used the same mission with families such as women and children.” When a young adult is not healthy in their household, Borrego said the whole house struggles. “If we help the young adult, we know we’re helping families,” Borrego said. Chris Churches is the coffee house director and has been with CUP for
four years. She sets up new coffee houses, runs the day-to-day operations and hires the employees. She started with CUP first as a donor, then worked as a barista and eventually moved up to shift lead and manager and now director. Churches ran her own nonprofit and a children’s theater company for 20 years. “Management also takes a two-hour training to have crucial conversations within the workplace, how to identify people skills and build teamwork,” Churches said. Taza coffee house teaches practical skills such as how to save money to buy a car and rent an apartment but also how to have a crucial conversation and handle relationships with friends, family, parents, roomates and partners. “We are trying to build lives,” Borrego said.
Aletta Torrez, 21, has been working with Taza since it opened. “I heard about the program from Chris Churches,” Torrez said. “It’s been a great experience, and I love the classes. I’m learning how to do their social media. It’s amazing. “It’s the best job I’ve ever worked at, and I used to dread going to work, and I look forward to being at work,” Torrez said. Jacqulyn Churches has been with CUP for two years. “I started as just a barista, and now, I do the marketing for all three-coffee houses, videos and signage,” Churches said. “I love working here.” The Cup also operates the Anythink Coffee shop in the Thornton Anythink Library and is planning to open a fourth location in the Greyhound Park Development in 2023.
