Throughout the month of September, Xcel Energy staffers partnered with Arvada City Councilmember Lisa Smith to collect backpacks and school supplies for the Action Center, a nonprofit based in Lakewood. The back-to-school drive collected 4,500 backpacks for Jefferson County Public School students in need.

Smith said she was thankful for Xcel’s philanthropic efforts, which were headed up by Xcel’s West Metro Community Service Manager Daniel Trujillo.

"There are always children and families in need that often go unnoticed in our community,” Smith said. “Something as simple as getting a few members at your work to collect supplies can impact a young child's life more than you know. Having leaders in the business community that care enough to step up to help the community is the example we hope to see in all our leaders.”