What is a Cooperative?
A cooperative (co-op) is a business owned and governed by the people who use its services.
Unlike traditional businesses that prioritize profits for outside investors, cooperatives exist to meet the shared needs of their members — and to reinvest in the communities they serve.
Co-ops operate across industries — from food and housing to banking and agriculture — and are built on values of democracy, equity, sustainability, and community empowerment.
How Co-ops Work
Member-Owned:
Members purchase a share or membership and collectively own the business.Democratically Governed:
Every member has an equal voice — typically following the principle of one member, one vote.Profits with a Purpose:
Surplus earnings are reinvested into the co-op, returned to members, or used to strengthen community programs — not extracted by external shareholders.Community-Centered Impact:
Co-ops prioritize the local economy, fair labor practices, and environmental responsibility.
Why Choose a Co-op?
Choosing to join and support a cooperative means investing in:
Affordable, High-Quality Goods and Services rooted in community needs
Stronger Local Economies that support farmers, makers, and small businesses
Democratic Ownership where your voice matters
Sustainability and Public Good over profit extraction
Community Wealth-Building and food sovereignty
The Urban Oasis Cooperative Model
At Urban Oasis Cooperative, we take these principles a step further — combining fresh food access, regenerative urban agriculture, and community economic development under one shared mission.
Our West Colfax Grocery Co-op, Mobile Markets, Food Forest, and Rooftop Greenhouses are all part of an interconnected system designed to build a resilient, healthy Denver — owned and shaped by the community itself.
