In a bold move to address Colorado’s growing workforce needs and affordable housing crisis, state leaders and local organizations have launched a series of ambitious initiatives that aim to reshape education, training, and opportunity for Coloradans. On December 10, 2025, Governor Jared Polis, House Speaker Julie McCluskie, and Senator Jeff Bridges unveiled plans to create a new state agency dedicated to workforce development. This effort is part of a sweeping strategy to help more students earn college degrees, certifications, and apprenticeships, while also meeting the needs of employers and the broader economy.
The announcement, made alongside representatives from state agencies, universities, and apprenticeship programs, coincided with the release of a new report commissioned by Governor Polis last spring. The report, developed through an executive order, recommended streamlining higher education and workforce development services under a single state department to better serve students, job seekers, and employers. As Polis put it, “If I can’t even name all of the state agencies that are involved in this programs, how can a job seeker possibly find what they’re looking for?” According to Colorado Politics, the governor stressed the importance of making pathways to opportunity easier to find, adding, “We can be better, we can be more efficient, and that means making pathways to opportunity easier to find.”
The scope of Colorado’s current postsecondary system is staggering. The state boasts 472 schools, more than 300 apprenticeship programs, over 4,500 eligible training programs, and nearly 10,000 degree options for high school graduates, all spread across seven state agencies. Yet, the complexity of this landscape can be overwhelming for those trying to navigate it. Senator Bridges highlighted the problem, stating, “The way that we have siloed all of the things that happen after high school in the state is not good for the people out there looking to get that education or postsecondary certification that they need to enter into the workforce and get those good-paying jobs.” Research backs up the urgency of these reforms, showing that three-quarters of all jobs in Colorado will require some postsecondary education by the end of the decade.
Speaker McCluskie, speaking to the upcoming legislative session, explained the next steps: “The initial piece of legislation that we are focused on now is: How do we build this department?” She emphasized the need for broad input in designing the new agency, which is expected to oversee workforce development programs across the state. “Who needs to be at the table to help design that? What are the steps that we need to take in order to figure out how we actually move the parts and pieces?” she asked. While the structure of the new agency has yet to be finalized, its mission is clear: to break down silos and create a more unified, accessible system for all Coloradans seeking education and training opportunities.
The urgency behind these reforms is underscored by Colorado’s current economic challenges. The Governor’s Office has described the situation as a “talent wall,” noting that over 900,000 Colorado workers earn less than $25 an hour and nearly 140,000 are unemployed. At the same time, the state faces a labor shortage, particularly in skilled trades such as construction, welding, and carpentry, driven in part by an aging population and fewer new residents. As Polis noted, “Colorado is a growing hub of innovation, attracting growing businesses, and fostering emerging sectors. That is why we are taking the necessary steps to grow our economy and ensure every Coloradan has more opportunities.”
To tackle these issues, the Colorado General Assembly has already passed significant legislation. In 2024, House Bill 1340 provided two years of free community college for students from households earning $90,000 or less. Two years earlier, House Bill 1215 established a task force to recommend statewide policies supporting work-based learning opportunities for students. These laws lay the groundwork for the more comprehensive changes now being discussed.
But policy shifts at the state level are only part of the story. On the ground in Boulder, a unique partnership is bringing these ideas to life in a very tangible way. On December 10, 2025, a Colorado city joined forces with a local school district and Habitat for Humanity to teach high school students trade skills by building affordable housing. According to KRBD, this initiative addresses two pressing national issues: the shortage of affordable housing and the need for more skilled trades workers.
The heart of this effort is a 32,000 square foot modular home factory, built by the city of Boulder for $13 million with support from federal, state, and private grants and loans. The factory, which sits on land owned by the Boulder Valley School District, opened in February 2025. Here, students earn course credit and gain hands-on experience building real homes, under the management of the local Habitat for Humanity chapter. All involved say this three-way partnership is the first of its kind in the nation.
Inside the bustling factory, high school student June Baker and teacher Darrin Rassmusen recently puzzled over blueprints for a modular home. Baker recounted a mix-up with drywall panels, saying, “We have one wall A that's right and then one that's not built because I had to take it apart. But I've learned from my mistake and they realized from that mistake that they need to start labeling each wall with numbers.” It’s a small but telling example of the real-world learning taking place every day.
In November 2025, the first two homes built by students were transported to the Ponderosa Mobile Home Park and placed on foundations. High school senior Sean McCormick, who helped with the project, reflected, “I think it was a big accomplishment for us and what we can do in the future. It's not like we're building a little mini project, it's real world type stuff.” McCormick, set to graduate in May 2026, plans to pursue a trade apprenticeship as an electrician or pipefitter—fields with strong job prospects, according to a 2025 report from the American Institute of Constructors, which estimates the U.S. will need over 500,000 skilled construction workers in the coming years.
The Ponderosa Mobile Home Park has its own story of resilience. After being devastated by a flood in 2013, the city bought the park, improved infrastructure, and began working with Habitat for Humanity to upgrade housing. The new modular homes, each 1,150 square feet with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, are priced between $350,000 and $450,000—a stark contrast to Boulder’s median single-family home price of over $1.3 million last year. Residents can stay in their existing mobile homes or purchase one of the new houses, with subsidized mortgages based on income and a requirement to put in “sweat equity” by working alongside students and professional supervisors.
For residents like Maribel Gonzalez-Rodriguez, a single mother of four who works in a downtown hotel kitchen, the program is life-changing. Speaking through an interpreter, she shared her excitement about moving into a spacious new home where she’ll finally have her own room and a view of the mountains. “This is their opportunity to own a well-built, energy efficient, environmentally safe home,” said Dan McColley, CEO of Flatirons Habitat for Humanity.
As Colorado pushes forward with statewide reforms and innovative local partnerships, the hope is clear: by investing in education, workforce training, and affordable housing, the state can build a future where opportunity is within reach for all. The lessons learned in Boulder may well serve as a blueprint for communities across the nation facing similar challenges.
