900+ Volunteers Transform Denver in Xcel Energy Service Day

Olivia Ranta had never sanded playground equipment before Saturday morning, but she wasn't about to let that stop her from helping Denver kids get a safer place to play.

The Xcel Energy intern joined more than 900 volunteers at Mile High United Way's playground, part of the company's 16th annual Day of Service. They sanded equipment, cleared wood chips, and organized toys while 39 other teams tackled projects across the city.

"I wanna say, this is my first time sanding ever," Ranta laughed. "I feel like I'm getting the hang of it slowly but surely."

The massive volunteer effort looked very different from its humble beginnings. Xcel Energy started the event 16 years ago as a simple way to honor those lost on September 11th.

"Each year we have more and more volunteers, more and more projects," said Robert Kenney, president of Xcel Energy Colorado. The growth tells a story about what happens when companies make community service part of their identity, not just a checkbox activity.

The event welcomed Xcel employees, their families, friends, and community members who wanted to pitch in. Even volunteers from CBS Colorado joined the playground project, experiencing firsthand how quickly a group can transform a space.

The Ripple Effect

The 40 projects completed between Thursday and Saturday will touch countless Denver families in the months ahead. A refreshed playground means safer spaces for children to build confidence and make friends. Organized community centers can serve more families efficiently.

For Ranta, the day reinforced why she chose to work at Xcel Energy in the first place. "It really is important to us as a company, and everyone really shows out," she said. "It's a part of who we are as employees."

That culture of service creates a ripple beyond the immediate projects. When companies dedicate hundreds of employees to volunteer work, it normalizes community involvement and inspires other businesses to follow suit. When families volunteer together, children learn that helping others is simply what people do.

The annual tradition proves that remembering tragedy doesn't have to mean dwelling in sadness—it can mean building something better together.