Colo. Rev. Stat. § 8-83-601, Definitions

As used in this part 6:

(1) Commission means the business experiential-learning commission in the department created by executive order B 2015 004, which works in partnership with the office of economic development and the work force development council, or a subsequent entity established for the same or similar purpose.

(2) Digital equity means the condition in which individuals and communities have access to the information technology that is needed for full participation in society and the economy of the United States.

(3) (a) Digital inclusion means the activities that are necessary to ensure that all individuals in the state have access to, and the use of, affordable information and communication technologies, such as:

(I) Reliable fixed and wireless broadband internet service;

(II) Internet-enabled devices that meet the needs of the user; and

(III) Applications and online content designed to enable and encourage self-sufficiency, participation, and collaboration.

(b) Digital inclusion includes the ability to obtain:

(I) Access to digital literacy training;

(II) Quality technical support; and

(III) Basic awareness of measures to ensure online privacy and cybersecurity.

(4) Digital literacy means the skills associated with using technology that enable users to find, evaluate, organize, create, disseminate, and communicate information.

(4.5) Externship program means the statewide teacher externship program created in section 8-83-602.5.

(5) Incentive program means the work-based learning incentive program created in section 8-83-602.

(5.5) K-12 teacher or teacher in a K-12 classroom means a teacher teaching in a public school in the state.

(5.7) Local education provider means a school district, a board of cooperative services that operates a school, a district charter school, or an institute charter school.

(6) Next-skilling means activities to develop future-ready skills necessary for employment in the twenty-first century and includes the focus areas of human skills, digital skills, business skills, growth mindset, and a lifelong learning mindset.

(7) Office means the office of future of work created in section 8-15.8-103.

(8) Office of economic development means the Colorado office of economic development created in section 24-48.5-101.

(9) Office of new Americans means the office created in section 8-3.7-103.

(10) Program means the statewide digital navigator program created in section 8-83-603.

(10.5) Public school means a school in the state that enrolls students in any of grades kindergarten through twelfth grade, including a traditional public school of a school district, as described in section 22-1-101 (1); a charter school, as defined in section 22-30.5-103 (2); or an institute charter school, as defined in section 22-30.5-502 (6).

(11) (a) Reskilling means activities to:

(I) Support unemployed and underemployed individuals who need or want to change industries in order to return to full-time work or who need or want to obtain more appropriate work-based skills; and

(II) Help unemployed and underemployed individuals achieve economic self-sufficiency.

(b) Reskilling may include technical training for new positions and new careers and entrepreneurial training for individuals who wish to pursue self-employment and business ownership.

(12) Skills-based hiring means hiring a person based on the person's knowledge, skills, and abilities that are specific to the job for which the person is being considered.

(12.5) STEM means the combination of the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

(13) Target populations includes:

(a) Any household with an income that is not more than one hundred fifty percent of the federal poverty level, as determined by the most current federal poverty guidelines issued by the United States department of health and human services;

(b) Individuals who are fifty years of age or older;

(d) Veterans;

(e) Individuals with disabilities;

(f) Individuals who have recently immigrated to the United States and reside in this state;

(g) Individuals who are English language learners;

(h) Individuals with low levels of literacy;

(i) Individuals who primarily reside in rural areas;

(j) Individuals experiencing homelessness; and

(k) Youth.

(l4) Upskilling means activities to increase the skill levels of an employee so the employee is able to retain employment and advance within a company.

(15) (a) Work-based learning means learning that occurs, in whole or in part, in the workplace that provides youth and adults, including teachers in K-12 classrooms, with hands-on, real-world experience and training for skills development.

(b) Work-based learning includes activities such as job shadowing, internships, externships, pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, residencies, and incumbent-worker training.

(c) Work-based learning also includes externships in STEM or STEM-related fields tailored to provide K-12 teachers with knowledge to improve classroom curriculum.

(16) Work-based learning intermediary means an entity selected by the department pursuant to section 8-83-602 (3).

(17) Work force development council means the state work force development council created in section 24-46.3-101.

(18) Youth means an individual eligible to be educated in the public school system pursuant to section 2 of article IX of the state constitution.

Source: L. 2022: Entire part added, (SB 22-140), ch. 357, p. 2548, � 2, effective July 1. L. 2023: (7) amended, (SB 23-051), ch. 37, p. 143, � 15, effective March 23; (4.5), (5.5), (5.7), (10.5), and (12.5) added and (15) amended, (HB 23-1198), ch. 239, p. 1286, � 1, effective August 7.

8-83-602. Work-based learning incentive program - creation - rules - appropriation. (1) Work-based learning incentive program. (a) On or before January 1, 2023, the department, in consultation with the commission, the office of economic development, the department of education, the department of higher education, the state board for community colleges and occupational education, local district colleges, the work force development council, and area technical colleges, as defined in section 23-60-103, shall establish a work-based learning incentive program to provide monetary incentives to selected employers to create high-quality, work-based learning opportunities that benefit adults and youth.

(b) In administering the incentive program, the department shall strive to create an equal proportion of work-based learning opportunities for youth and adults and to select employers and work-based learning intermediaries with the goal of increasing the number of youth and adults participating in work-based learning. The department shall select work-based learning intermediaries that:

(I) Demonstrate expertise in and a continued commitment to connecting, educating, and coaching employers regarding work-based learning opportunities for adults and youth, such as a chamber of commerce, a nonprofit entity, an industry association, a local workforce area, a registered apprenticeship program, or a local government entity;

(II) Work within and across the state to partner with multiple employers; local education providers, institutions of higher education, or other educational entities; and other public and private entities to facilitate work-based learning experiences;

(III) Support employers in implementing work-based learning in collaboration with the commission and in alignment with the work-based learning quality expectations developed in subsection (5) of this section; and

(IV) Support employers in learning about the work-based learning quality expectations and share best practices for meeting the work-based learning quality expectations developed in subsection (5) of this section.

(2) Department responsibilities. The department shall:

(a) Through an application process, select employers and at least two work-based learning intermediaries to participate in the incentive program with the goal of maximizing regional diversity and engaging the optimum number of employer participants in high-demand industries as determined by the annual Colorado talent report prepared pursuant to section 24-46.3-103 (3);

(b) For the purpose of providing incentives to employers to provide work-based learning opportunities to youth and adults, allocate money directly to employers and to work-based learning intermediaries;

(c) Outline performance expectations for work-based learning intermediaries and employers participating in the incentive program that include the authority of the department to discontinue an entity's participation in the incentive program if the entity fails to meet the expectations;

(d) Outline a scale for the amount of money awarded to an employer based on criteria such as the duration of work-based learning experiences, the number of participants, geography, business size, and other factors;

(e) Collect data concerning the incentive program that includes:

(I) The work-based learning intermediaries participating in the incentive program;

(II) The number of employers participating in the incentive program;

(III) The number of work-based learning opportunities provided by employers and the number of work-based learning hours completed;

(IV) The number of work-based learning opportunities that led to a job in the respective industry;

(V) The number of youth and adult participants in the incentive program, including employees, interns, apprentices, or other individuals who participated in the incentive program;

(VI) The de-identified demographic information of the individuals participating in the incentive program, including race, geographic region or zip code, and whether the individuals meet low-income criteria as determined by the department; and

(VII) Any outcomes and data to measure the success of the incentive program, including outcomes related to employers that participated in the incentive program and subsequently adopted work-based learning as a business practice beyond the incentive program's duration;

(f) Ensure that youth and adults are made aware of opportunities for them to learn in the workplace at the same time as earning an income through the incentive program;

(g) Provide technical assistance and planning assistance to employers and work-based learning intermediaries regarding the work-based learning quality expectations developed in subsection (5) of this section; and

(h) Beginning in 2023 and each year thereafter, submit a report compiling the data collected pursuant to subsection (2)(e) of this section to the senate business, labor, and technology committee and the house of representatives business affairs and labor committee, or their successor committees, during the hearings held under the State Measurement for Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent (SMART) Government Act, part 2 of article 7 of title 2.

(3) Selection as a work-based learning intermediary. In order to be considered by the department for selection as a work-based learning intermediary, the entity shall submit an application to the department in a form and manner established by the department, which must be a simplified application designed to maximize employer participation. In the application, the entity shall:

(a) Demonstrate the entity's record of connecting employers with local education providers, institutions of higher education, or other training providers such as registered apprenticeship programs;

(b) Outline how the entity plans to bring employers, local education providers, institutions of higher education, or other training providers such as registered apprenticeship programs together to accomplish the purposes of the incentive program;

(c) Outline how the entity will meet or exceed the quality expectations for work-based learning established by the office pursuant to subsection (5) of this section; and

(d) Submit any other information deemed appropriate by the department, including an attestation of a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

(4) Responsibilities of work-based learning intermediaries. A work-based learning intermediary shall directly facilitate work-based learning opportunities with employers through incentive payments made directly to employers for technical assistance, business coaching, and other types of support. Work-based learning intermediaries and employers may use incentive payments for:

(a) Start-up management costs for employers to create work-based learning programs, including training for employers to establish and manage a work-based learning program;

(b) Developing and providing personalized participant supports, including transportation assistance, and partnering with other entities to provide access to or referrals for supportive services, learning supports, financial advising, and other types of support to ensure adults and youth can participate in work-based learning;

(c) Educating employers on how to work with local education providers and institutions of higher education to create career-connected learning partnerships;

(d) Training costs, including enrollment, registration, and course fees for participation in classroom training and certifications aligned with work-based learning;

(e) Providing incentives for employers who participate in the delivery of education services;

(f) Any services, resources, and support identified by employers to support work-based learning that align with the purposes of this section, including fostering regional partnerships by sector or industry and hiring a business coach or other individual to act as a liaison between a work-based learning intermediary and employers receiving incentive payments; and

(g) Ensuring alignment with and avoiding duplication of existing programs and, where practicable, leveraging existing resources.

(5) Work-based learning quality expectations. The office, in consultation with the department, the commission, the office of economic development, the department of education, the department of higher education, the state board for community colleges and occupational education, area technical colleges, and the work force development council, shall:

(a) On or before September 15, 2022, develop work-based learning quality expectations for youth and adults, taking into consideration:

(I) How the expectations align with employer needs;

(II) Evidence-based practices;

(III) The potential outcomes of work-based learning opportunities for youth and adults;

(IV) Opportunities to award educational credit or payment for work-based learning experiences;

(V) Alignment with the minimum standards set by the federal department of labor or the state apprenticeship agency, where applicable; and

(VI) Graduation and completion rates of the programs, where applicable; and

(b) Review and revise the work-based learning quality expectations every five years, including consideration of:

(I) The relevance of and innovations in work-based learning;

(II) Whether work-based learning is dynamic and responsive to the needs of business and education partners;

(III) How the work-based learning experiences align with employer expectations for adults and youth in high-wage, high-demand jobs; and

(IV) The quality of work-based learning provided to participants in the incentive program.

(6) Appropriation. For the 2022-23 state fiscal year, the general assembly shall appropriate three million dollars from the general fund to the department for the purposes of this section. Any unexpended money remaining at the end of the 2022-23 state fiscal year:

(a) Does not revert to the general fund or any other fund;

(b) May be used by the department in the 2023-24 state fiscal year without further appropriation; and

(7) Rules. The executive director of the department may promulgate rules to implement this section.

Source: L. 2022: Entire part added, (SB 22-140), ch. 357, p. 2550, � 2, effective July 1.

8-83-602.5. Teacher externship program - creation - rules - repeal. (Repealed)

Source: L. 2023: Entire section added, (HB 23-1198), ch. 239, p. 1287, � 2, effective August 7.

Editor's note: Subsection (9) provided for the repeal of this section, effective September 1, 2025. (See L. 2023, p. 1287.)

8-83-603. Statewide digital navigator program - office of future of work - rules - appropriation. (1) On or before January 1, 2023, the office shall create a statewide digital navigator program. The purpose of the program is to address digital inequities that prevent youth and adults from securing employment. To address digital inequities, the program may provide services and supports, including access to digital technology, computer and technology skills training, and affordable internet service through the employment of digital navigators. The office shall, through an application process, select at least one administering entity to administer the digital navigator program. The digital navigator program will deploy digital navigators to:

(a) (I) Conduct outreach to target populations in need of internet access, hardware, software, and digital skills;

(II) Provide technology and literacy support to target populations; and

(III) Connect target populations to resources in order to remove barriers to training and employment;

(b) Make referrals to and facilitate enrollment of target populations in:

(I) Digital literacy classes and workshops;

(II) Reskilling, upskilling, and next-skilling opportunities;

(III) Support services;

(IV) Basic literacy or numeracy instruction or tutoring;

(V) Workforce development services; and

(VI) Work-based learning opportunities, including work-based learning opportunities created in section 8-83-602;

(d) Identify and help distribute the necessary technologies to target populations;

(e) Provide ad hoc basic digital skills support to target populations, including:

(I) Setting up a computer;

(II) Connecting a device to the internet; and

(III) Assisting people in completing a job search, creating a profile through the my Colorado journey platform administered by the work force development council, creating an account with the connecting Colorado students grant program created in article 103 of title 23, and applying for public benefits through online applications;

(f) Serve as on-the-ground data collectors to provide a detailed picture of Colorado community needs to inform the office and its partners described in subsection (3) of this section on where additional resources should be invested; and

(g) Align and coordinate with other navigator programs and service providers.

(2) In order to be considered by the office for selection as the administering entity of the digital navigator program, an entity shall submit an application to the office, in a form and manner established by the office, that:

(a) Demonstrates the entity's record of conducting outreach to a target population or multiple target populations;

(b) Outlines how the entity plans to partner with community organizations that include a public school, a public or multifamily housing authority, a library, a health-care provider, a community college or other institution of higher education, a state library agency, a public workforce center, and any other nonprofit or governmental community support organization, as applicable, to accomplish the purposes of the program; and

(3) The office shall work collaboratively with other offices and divisions in the department, the department of higher education, the department of education, the Colorado broadband office created in section 24-37.5-903, the department of human services, the office of e-health innovation in the governor's office, and the office of economic development to identify and support diverse partners and employers.

(4) (a) The office shall share outcomes of the program with partners described in subsection (3) of this section and collect data concerning the program that includes:

(I) The outreach activities conducted;

(II) The number of individuals served by the navigators and the de-identified demographics of those individuals, including race, geographic region or zip code, and whether the individuals meet low-income criteria as determined by the department; and

(III) Any outcomes and data to measure the success of the program, including skills attainment and employment attainment.

(b) The office shall include the outcomes shared and the data collected pursuant to this subsection (4) in the presentations required by section 8-83-602 at the hearings held under the State Measurement for Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent (SMART) Government Act, part 2 of article 7 of title 2.

(5) For the 2022-23 state fiscal year, the general assembly shall appropriate two million dollars from the general fund to the department for use by the office for the purposes of this section. Any unexpended money remaining at the end of the 2022-23 state fiscal year:

(a) Does not revert to the general fund or any other fund;

(b) May be used by the department in the 2023-24 state fiscal year without further appropriation; and

(6) The executive director of the department may promulgate rules to implement this section.

Source: L. 2022: Entire part added, (SB 22-140), ch. 357, p. 2554, � 2, effective July 1.