Worker Program FAQ

The Office of Just Transition ("OJT") is a Colorado state agency. Its main job is to lead and organize programs for workers and communities affected by the closure of coal-fired power plants.

OJT offers free services to help transitioning workers and their families. 

Core Services provided by OJT include:

• Planning: Career coaching, financial planning, and retirement help
• Peer Support Groups
• Financial Education and Private Financial Counseling
• Business Startup Training

If you qualify for Enhanced Services (which require 5+ years in the industry), you may qualify for payments of up to $11,250 in grants for business startup, education/training, bridging to retirement, or other needs specific to your transition plan. 

Most OJT services are available right now. You do not need to wait until the facility is about to close —it’s never too early to start planning, even two or more years ahead of time.

Start by contacting an OJT Transition Navigator. They will:

1. Confirm what services you qualify for.
2. Explain each program in detail.
3. Connect you with the resources you choose.

Email: navigator@state.co.us

Once your eligibility is confirmed, OJT can provide free services to you and your family:

• Peer support
• Financial planning (including one-on-one counseling and group classes)
• Career coaching
• Business Startup Assistance 
• Other support, depending on your needs

Enhanced Services include eligibility for payments up to $11,250 ($5,625 for half-time workers) to support your transition plan.  The funds can be used in specific ways.

• Support of Training, Education, and Professional Growth (STEP): You can be reimbursed for the cost of training, certification, or education that fits your transition plan goals.
• Business Start-Up Grants
• Retirement Support (this program is still being developed)

Important: You must create a Transition Plan with a Navigator before accessing these resources. 

A Transition Plan is a simple, required first step for accessing Enhanced Services.

What is it? It's a clear statement of what you and your family plan to do after the facility closes—for example, start a business, get new training, or retire.

• Is it permanent? No. It is not rigid or complicated, and you can change it later as your goals change.

Why is it important? It helps the Navigator guide you to the OJT services that will be the most useful and help you reach your goals. It's a required step for eligibility for many OJT programs.

You can enroll in Core Services if you are a Colorado resident and any of the following are true:

• You worked at a designated coal plant or mine for any amount of time.
• You are a supply chain worker who is “reasonably likely to be laid off” because of a closure.

You are the spouse, domestic partner, or legal dependent of one of the workers above. 

Designated Facilities are:

• Power Plants: Comanche, Craig, Hayden, Nucla, or Pawnee Station.
• Coal Mines: Colowyo, Deserado, New Horizon North, Trapper, or Twentymile.

You can get Enhanced Services (up to $11,250) if you are a Colorado resident and meet all three of these rules:

1. You worked at a designated facility or as a supply chain worker on or before January 1, 2020.
2. You have worked at least half-time (16+ hours a week) in the coal industry or supply chain for five or more years.
3. You have been laid off, or are “reasonably likely to be laid off,” because the facility is closing.
4. You have created a transition plan with an OJT Navigator..

You are a Supply Chain Worker if:

1. You work for a company that sells essential goods or services to a coal facility.
2. Your work duties primarily involve providing essential goods or services to the coal facility.
3. You lost your job or are “reasonably likely to be laid off” because your company is losing business due to the closure.

OJT decides eligibility for supply chain workers on a case-by-case basis.

This phrase is from the state law that governs the program. OJT has decided that these workers are “reasonably likely to be laid off”:

• All employees at power plants with approved closure dates on or before January 1, 2031 (Currently Comanche Station, Craig Station, Hayden Station, and Pawnee Station).
• All workers at Trapper and Colowyo mines
• All workers at Twentymile Mine
• All workers at Deserado Mine 

OJT decides eligibility for supply chain workers on a case-by-case basis.

Yes, you need documents to document your eligibility. The Navigator will help you gather them.

• To prove you are a Colorado resident (for Core or Enhanced Services): A valid Colorado ID or driver's license.
• To prove employment (for Core Services): A pay stub or W-2 form, or by authorizing OJT to check with your employer or state records.
• To prove 5+ years of employment (for Enhanced Services): Pay stubs or W-2s to show your years of employment, or by authorizing OJT to check records.
• To receive Enhanced Services payments: W-9, additional program documentation like tuition billing statements and transcripts or other invoices.

Generally, OJT needs to approve expenses in advance.  That means that you need to apply to the program before you complete your training or education.

However, reimbursement of costs for transition-related coursework completed after January 2024 will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  Contact cdle_ojt@state.co.us for more information.