At the close of the 1990s, the Denver-metro region had 60,000 union members striving for fair wages and working conditions.  At the same time a wide variety of non-profits were working to eliminate poverty.  In spite of the natural connections between these goals, there was no institutionalized movement to join efforts and maximize the power of these two progressive movements.  In addition, most organizations were focused on state-wide issues, but few had the capacity to pursue a local or regional approach. 

When FRESC was founded in the Spring of 2002, an opportunity to forge a lasting connection and grow the capacity of both movements was created.  FRESC also filled a critical gap by including a strong focus on local government spending and policy.

FRESC was founded by the Denver Area Labor Federation (DALF) but quickly incorporated as an independent 501(c)(3) organization with a strong base of foundation funding.

Government-supported redevelopment and economic development policy was a place where the interests of the union and community movements came together.  Since the mid-1990s, Denver had committed more than a half billion taxpayer dollars to subsidize redevelopment projects.  Although the city benefited in many ways from this economic investment, Denver didn't have a comprehensive approach to ensure these economic benefits would uplift communities or working families.  FRESC provided a bridge for the union and community movements to join together on large-scale projects and policies with significant potential impact on creation of affordable housing, expansion of good jobs, and the environment. 

FRESC's creation expanded a budding national movement across major metropolitan areas to improve local communities and the lives of working people.  FRESC and many others joined organizations like Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE), which piloted the community-benefits approach, to form The Partnership for Working Families (PWF) network.  By working at the local level, FRESC and other national partners can establish higher standards for their local communities and build on the momentum of victories to establish stronger communities nation-wide.

FRESC has grown from just one founding staff member in 2002 (now City Council member, Chris Nevitt) to a diverse staff which speaks three languages and includes community organizers, a staff attorney, graduate-level researchers, and an ordained minister.  Originally founded as the Front Range Economic Strategy Center, the organization formally shortened its name to FRESC and added the new tag line "Good Jobs, Strong Communities" in January of 2008.