DENVER — This September, Governor Polis, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) and the state workforce system, known as Workforce Colorado, are celebrating Workforce Development Month. To commemorate the tradition celebrated across the country, Gov. Jared Polis issued a proclamation to mark September Workforce Development Month here in Colorado that notes "globalization, market forces, demographic shifts and technological advances are shaping our economy today and require workforce solutions that are agile and innovative."

"Every Coloradan deserves a clear path to a good-paying job, whether that's through an apprenticeship, on-the-job-training, or a new certification. Colorado has made incredible progress to expand and create new career pathways for Coloradans, it's part of why Colorado is ranked the Best State for Education and the kind of opportunity we're celebrating and building on this Workforce Development Month," said Governor Polis.

"Workforce Development Month is a tribute to the resilient workers and visionary employers who help support Coloradans to thrive. Our economic strength relies on our ability to create economic opportunities for all while building tomorrow's workforce today," said CDLE Executive Director Joe Barela. "Throughout September we'll be sharing resources and hosting events that celebrate the vital partnerships between job seekers, workers, local businesses, and the Workforce Colorado ecosystem, so we all can rise and prosper together. "

Throughout Workforce Development Month, Workforce Colorado — Colorado's unified public workforce system comprised of 50+ workforce centers across the state and powered by multiple state and local workforce agencies including CDLE's Rural Alliance and Apprenticeship Colorado — will raise awareness about the range of resources available to help businesses thrive and Coloradans advance their careers.

"In rural Colorado, our communities thrive when our local workforce is strong and our businesses have access to the right talent," said Suzie Miller, Director of the Workforce Colorado Rural Alliance. "We are incredibly proud of the important, hands-on work being done in workforce development across our numerous rural communities. By bridging the gap between dedicated job seekers and growing employers, we are ensuring that economic vitality, opportunity, and innovative career pathways reach every corner of our state."

With a new theme for each week of the month, CDLE is starting with "Creating Tomorrow's Workforce Today." Across social media, CDLE will highlight resources for both workers and employers that will support them through economic changes resulting from new technology, automation, and other big shifts. For example, in partnership with the Colorado Energy Office, Colorado's Workforce Development Council will highlight programs that prepare Colorado's future workforce for climate-critical occupations identified in the Colorado Climate Workforce Analysis and Action Plan.

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"Colorado's future relies on a robust climate workforce to implement innovative technologies that save Coloradans money while ensuring cleaner air and making our state an even safer and healthier place to live," said Colorado Energy Office Executive Director Will Toor. "In partnership with CDLE, we're committed to ongoing collaboration with employers, training institutions, and other key partners to build a workforce that's ready to support Colorado's rapidly transitioning buildings, transportation, and electricity sectors today and well into the future."

The month's activities will also emphasize the tangible benefits of engaging with the public workforce system, including the State's modernized hiring platform, ConnectingColorado.gov. The state's official labor exchange got a significant upgrade last year and serves as a prime example of Colorado's commitment to innovation. Using advanced technology, this fully updated hiring platform efficiently matches job seekers with opportunities while streamlining the hiring process for employers. It emphasizes skills over titles or credentials, identifying precisely what is needed to get the job done.

Since the platform was modernized last year, ConnectingColorado.gov has supported more than 190,000 job seekers with career development, more than 6,600 employers with recruitment, logged more than 180,400 job postings, and helped more than 7,300 Coloradans get hired directly through the portal. In just over a year, the average time from registration to first service delivery has dropped from 10 days to about three days, allowing job seekers to connect with critical career development support much sooner after accessing the system. Engagement within ConnectingColorado is also high with more than 93,000 job seekers returning to the platform multiple times, and more than 137,000 program enrollments processed.

Workforce Colorado Rural Alliance will be hosting several regional events in rural communities including virtual and in-person career fairs; local high school career fairs; and workshops focused on AI in the workplace, youth employment laws, and helping job seekers tell their story to empower your career path. A few upcoming events are highlighted below for easy reference. A full calendar of events happening throughout rural Colorado communities, is published on workforcedevelopmentmonth.cdle.co.

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Upcoming Events:

• Tuesday, September 1, 2026 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. 2026 Governor's Summer Job Hunt Awards To close out the summer and launch Workforce Development Month, CDLE's Employment & Training Division will recognize the youth who leveled up their summers, the employers who are invested in them, and the dedicated Workforce Colorado staff who made it all possible. Location: Governor's Residence at the Boettcher Mansion, Carriage House 400 E 8th Ave Denver, CO 80203
• Wednesday, September 3, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Unlock Your Future With AI (hybrid workshop) Gain a competitive edge this Workforce Development Month using artificial intelligence. Discover practical ways to use AI for resume tailoring, targeted job matching, and interviewing. Location: In-person spots at the Broomfield Workforce Center are at capacity. Please join the live virtual session by registering on ConnectingColorado.gov.
• Wednesday September 9, 2026 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. 2026 Excellence in Workforce Awards The Excellence in Workforce Awards recognize the incredible work being done across our business partnerships, particularly the meaningful engagement with industry, sectors, and work-based learning initiatives. Location: Governor's Residence at the Boettcher Mansion, Carriage House 400 E 8th Ave Denver, CO 80203
• Wednesday, September 9, 2026 from 2 to 4 p.m. Sterling Area Career Fair This is a great opportunity for job seekers to discover local employment opportunities, build professional connections, and learn about resources available to support career success. Job seekers must be registered in ConnectingColorado.gov prior to the event. Location: Mitchek Event Center 1120 Pawnee Ave. Sterling, CO 80751
• Wednesday, September 16, 2026 from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. Durango Career Fair This free community event connects local talent directly with hiring employers across Southwest Colorado, proudly offering early access starting at 9:30 a.m. specifically for Veterans, Active Duty service members, Guard/Reserve personnel, and military families. Location: La Plata County Fairgrounds (Pine & Florida Rooms) 2500 Main Avenue Durango, CO 81301
• Wednesday, September 23, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Montrose Healthcare Career Fair Hosted in partnership with the Colorado Mesa University Montrose Campus and the Montrose Regional Library District, this event is the perfect chance to learn about current openings, explore exciting career opportunities across the healthcare industry, and connect with local organizations that are actively hiring. Location: Colorado Mesa University Cascade Ave Plaza 245 S Cascade Ave Montrose, CO 81401
• Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Apprenticeship Career Expo The Apprenticeship Career Expo is an opportunity to speak directly with Registered Apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship program representatives. Attendees will discover the benefits of being an apprentice and learn more about the variety of career opportunities available across construction, education, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, and more. See the list of programs attending the Expo. Location: Trojan Arena 10725 Trojan Point Fountain, CO 80817 Register to attend the Apprenticeship Career Expo here.

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