Press Releases

New Bill Will Help Coloradans Get High-Quality Jobs in Renewable Energy Sector To equip Coloradans with the skills they need to obtain jobs in the growing renewable energy sector, Governor Jared Polis signed HB21-1149 into law on June 16, 2021. The bill will also help ensure that employers in the sector have the talent they need long term; it also advances one of the governor’s “Wildly Important Goals:” to transition the state to 100 percent renewable energy by 2040.

Colorado Apprenticeship Awards Highlight Importance of Programs

Expected Revisions to Colorado Nonfarm Payroll Jobs

Through Grant, Workers Affected by the Pandemic Can Get Temporary Jobs

Unemployment Rate Declines to 5.4%; Colorado Job Recovery Continues to Outpace U.S.

In honor of National Apprenticeship Week, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s (CDLE) Office of the Future of Work (OFOW) will be highlighting how apprenticeships help employers address their skills gaps, future-proof their workforce, and improve their bottom line, serving both the supply and demand sides of the labor market to the benefit of workers, employers, and the economy. “Millions of workers nationwide are eager to upskill in order to remain competitive in a rapidly changing labor market. At the same time, employers are struggling to find the skilled talent they need to succeed,” said Katherine Keegan, Director of the OFOW. “National Apprenticeship Week gives us an opportunity to raise awareness of the employer benefits of hosting an apprenticeship program and we encourage employers to contact one of our Apprenticeship Consultants, who can help them determine if an apprenticeship program is right for their organization, and, if so, provide a wide range of services at no cost to employers, supporting them before, during, and after a program is launched.”

Thanks to the COResponds grant, employers can mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic on their business by connecting with the temporary workers they need. In addition to providing employers with the talent they need to recover from COVID-19, the grant covers 100 percent of these workers’ wages.

In recognition of the critical role apprenticeships play in strengthening Colorado’s workforce development pipeline and economy, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) will spend November celebrating Colorado Apprenticeship Month, which raises awareness of the benefits of apprenticeship programs to both employers and workers.

On October 29, 2021, the Colorado Division of Labor and Employment’s (CDLE) Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) honored employers and individuals who help advance workplaces inclusive of people with disabilities during its 5th annual Shining Stars of Disability Employment Awards ceremony.

On October 1, 2021, Lisanne McNew assumed her role as chair of the Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC), a Governor-appointed, public-private partnership with the purpose to advise, oversee, and integrate the work of the Colorado talent development network to meet the needs of employers and workers.