As a young boy, DU alumnus Craig Harrison was already accomplishing small acts of community service by picking up the trash people left behind on a ranch in rural Timnath, Colo., where he and his family lived.

Now, he is being recognized for his numerous commitments to community service and his contributions to the Pioneer Leadership Program (PLP) by the Colorado Leadership Alliance (CLA).

Harrison was among 10 alumni of a Colorado university to receive the award for “Outstanding Alumnus or Friend of the Colorado Leadership Alliance” on April 9.

Harrison graduated with a degree in finance and a minor in leadership in 2003.

His positive experience in PLP was the driving force that led him to become a founding member of a distinguished speaker series, in which business and community leaders from around Denver share their experiences with members of PLP.

Harrison has also helped establish an annual $5,000 scholarship fund for PLP students and an endowment fund for outstanding junior and senior achievement outside of academics.

“The big thing I took away from the PLP program is the idea that anything is possible, and the importance of taking calculated risks in business and the significance of serving your community,” Harrison said.

Linda Olson, director of PLP, nominated Harrison for the award because he has “been instrumental in furthering PLP.”

“Craig holds a strong belief in helping the participants of PLP learn the lessons of being active in their community, while demonstrating the words he speaks,” Olson wrote in a letter to the CLA Selection Committee.

Harrison joined PLP because he knew the group promoted community involvement, and he was passionate about entrepreneurship and community service.

Harrison’s achievements in leadership and community involvement can be traced back to his days as a child when his parents taught him lessons of kindness and empathy toward others.

Harrison felt “really lucky” that his parents instilled in him an appreciation for giving back to others in community.

One of his fondest memories was when he was in elementary school and was paired up with a high school mentor.

“I looked forward to that one hour a week that I got to spend with the mentor,” Harrison said. “I was fortunate to get a good perspective on helping others and how rewarding it can be.”

Before college, Harrison was involved in Habitat for Humanity and the Junior Achievement program, in which he taught elementary students the fundamentals of economics.

Following in the footsteps of his father, who was also an entrepreneur, Harrison co-founded US Capital LLC, a Colorado-based investment firm. He also co-founded HouseFront, a mobile real estate information services company and Scout Cleaning and Maintenance, a full service residential and commercial cleaning company.

Harrison still utilizes the skills he has gained from PLP in his business ventures: “In the business realm, PLP has been significantly helpful in the effort of trying to motivate and inspire employees to do good not only in their professions, but in every aspect of their lives,” Harrison said.

Harrison was one of three recipients for the 2006 University of Denver Alumni of the Year award.