Bill to Support Jobs, Meet Workforce Demands in Construction and Building Trades Passes Committee

DENVER, CO - The House Business Affairs & Labor Committee today passed bipartisan legislation to extend funding to the Opportunity Now Colorado grant program. HB24-1365 would help communities address workforce shortages and create connections for Coloradans seeking high-paying, skilled careers. 

“Opportunity Now grants have fostered transformative changes for Colorado’s workforce, encouraged job growth and supported rural and mountain communities like mine in Northwestern Colorado,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “This bipartisan bill outlines the final round of funding for the grant program and has an important focus on the construction and building trades. We’re working hard to meet our workforce needs and that begins with helping Coloradans secure good-paying jobs in growing industries.”

HB24-1365, also sponsored by Representative Matt Soper, R-Delta, passed committee unanimously. This bill supports the fourth and final round of the successful Opportunity Now Colorado grants. The goal of this bill is to connect more Coloradans with in-demand, high-wage careers, specifically in the construction, infrastructure and building trades.  

This bill also creates the Regional Talent Summit Grant Program to help Coloradans get connected to these in-demand careers in their communities and establishes a workforce shortage tax credit to help with facility and equipment improvements needed to train workers in new, emerging fields by leveraging federal investments outlined in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, CHIPS and Science Act and others. 

Opportunity Now is a grant program that has awarded $27 million to 46 grantees representing 145 businesses and 78 education partners in 38 different industries.