GETTING COLORADANS BACK TO WORK: WORKFORCE INVESTMENTS PASS BIZ AND LABOR COMMITTEE

DENVER, CO– The House Business Affairs and Labor Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Tom Sullivan and Mary Young to get help Coloradans back to work. The bill is part of the Colorado Comeback state stimulus, a package of legislation that will invest roughly $800 million into helping Colorado recover faster and build back stronger.

“This bill invests in Coloradans, the workers across our state who are going to power the Colorado Comeback, help our state recover faster and build back stronger,” said Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, a member of the Colorado AFL-CIO Board of Directors. “Companies want to hire, and there are rapidly growing industries across our state that need qualified workers. We’re going to put $25 million into training the workforce of the future so that thousands of Coloradans have the tools they need to thrive.”

“Workers are the backbone of our economy, and with this bill, we’re funding the training programs they need to develop the skills necessary for employment in the fastest growing Colorado industries,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “Building back stronger means helping Coloradans gain the tools they need to reenter the workforce and grow our economy, and that’s what this bill will do. By boosting our skilled workforce, we can meet the needs of our business community that desperately needs talented workers.”

The lack of qualified talent in Colorado has been one of the primary barriers to business growth. HB21-1264, which passed by a vote of 10-3, would invest $25 million to provide Coloradans with reskilling, upskilling, and next-skilling opportunities that lead to industry-recognized credentials and employment opportunities in growing industries that are looking to hire. The money would go to the Colorado Workforce Development Council, which will work with local workforce boards to distribute funds across the state to local workforce centers and nonprofit entities. The funds will allow these entities to serve up 6,000 Coloradans through the completion of training programs.