The Colorado First (CF) and Existing Industry (EI) Job Training Programs, part of Skill Advance Colorado, provide state funding for customized job training grants to support workforce development. These programs are jointly administered by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) and the Colorado Community College System (CCCS) and are managed locally by participating community colleges. The fiscal year 2025 application period runs from July 1, 2024, to April 1, 2025, with grant activity completion required by May 16, 2025.

The Colorado First (CF) Job Training Program supports new and expanding businesses in Colorado by funding training for newly hired workers to increase productivity and wages while reducing reliance on public assistance. The Existing Industry (EI) Job Training Program provides funding to train incumbent workers at established businesses, helping them adapt to new technologies and prevent layoffs. Both programs require that employees be full-time (32 hours/week), non-seasonal, non-retail, and residing and working in Colorado during the grant period.

Grant funding is distributed based on the total number of unduplicated learners and includes standard and pilot mini-grants for small businesses:

Colorado First (CF) Grant: Up to $2,800 per learner (standard) | Up to $3,800 per learner (microbusinesses)
Existing Industry (EI) Grant: Up to $2,500 per learner (standard) | Up to $3,500 per learner (microbusinesses)
Total funding requests are capped at $150,000 per application and $200,000 per grantee per fiscal year.
Eligibility is limited to for-profit businesses and non-governmental 501(c)(3) organizations. Employers must provide an average wage above the Colorado minimum wage ($2.00/hour higher for urban counties, $0.50/hour higher for rural counties). Businesses can apply for Colorado First funding annually and Existing Industry funding every other year. Training must be customized, short-term, and lead to transferable skills, and companies must contribute a cash or in-kind match toward training costs.

Funding does not cover basic office software training, federally/state-mandated training (e.g., OSHA, CDL), labor union-funded training, personality assessments, strategic planning, or consulting services. Training funds are reimbursed after completion, and on-site visits by college representatives are required for new applicants.

For more information or to apply, businesses should contact their local Skill Advance Colorado community college representative. Program contacts include:

Tina Sauceda (Program Manager)
Lisa Schaefer (Program Liaison)
Website: Skill Advance Colorado Grants
Email: kendra.rodriguez@cccs.edu | Lisa.Schaefer@cccs.edu