Three Colorado schools, including one in Wellington, have received a Green Ribbon Award, an honor given to 78 schools in 29 states and Washington, D.C., for demonstrating a commitment to reducing environmental impacts on their communities.

Wellington Middle School in Wellington, Flagstone Elementary in Castle Rock and Denver Green School in Denver and were all named as recipients of the inaugural awards, announced Tuesday by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

“Science and environmental education play a central role in providing children with a well-rounded education that prepares them for the jobs of the future,” said Duncan. “Green Ribbon Schools demonstrate compelling examples of the ways schools can expand their coursework while also helping children build real world skill-sets, cut school costs, and provide healthy learning environments.”

The program was developed in 2011 by the Education Department with input from the Environmental Protection Agency and the White House Council on Environmental Quality.