Bipartisan Bills to Support Colorado's Workforce Pass Senate

DENVER, CO – The Senate today passed two pieces of bipartisan legislation to support workforce development.

HB24-1365, sponsored by Senators Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, and Perry Will, R-New Castle, would help communities address workforce shortages and create connections for Coloradans seeking high-paying, skilled careers. This bill supports the final of several rounds of the successful Opportunity Now Colorado grant program which connects more Coloradans with in-demand, high-wage careers, specifically in the construction, infrastructure and building trades.

“Opportunity is a core Colorado value, and every Coloradan should have the opportunity to earn a good life," said Bridges. "That opportunity often starts with a good education, one that's aligned with good-paying jobs in a person's community. Making sure that what schools teach matches what businesses need is exactly what the Opportunity Now grant does, leading to better wages for workers, a well-trained workforce for our employers, and a stronger Colorado economy for everyone."

Additionally, this bill would create the Regional Talent Summit Grant Program to help Coloradans get connected to these in-demand careers in their communities. HB24-1365 leverages federal investments in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the CHIPS and Science Act to establish a workforce shortage tax credit that helps with facility and equipment improvements needed to train workers in new emerging fields. 

The second bill, HB24-1439, sponsored by Senator James Coleman, D-Denver, would create a refundable state income tax credit and two grant programs to boost registered apprenticeship opportunities. This income tax credit is available to businesses operating in a new and emerging industry with a registered apprenticeship program. 

“I’m committed to paving the way for equitable access to opportunity, so that all Coloradans have the chance to get ahead – and a key way we can do that is by investing in our workforce,” Coleman said. “We’re bringing forward resources that will expand existing programs and increase the adoption of registered apprenticeships. These investments can create more than 8,000 new apprenticeships, and give Coloradans the opportunities they need to succeed.”

The bipartisan legislation, cosponsored by Senator Mark Baisley, R-Sedalia, would also create the Scale-Up Grant Program to start new or expand existing registered apprenticeship programs and the Qualified Apprenticeship Intermediary Grant Program to connect employers or apprenticeship program participants to registered apprenticeship programs.

HB24-1365 heads to the Governor’s desk for signature, and HB24-1439 heads to the House for concurrence of amendments. Follow their progress HERE and HERE, respectively.