Colorado Allocates $5.6 Million to Boost Rural Work-Based Learning

UPDATE: Colorado launches a groundbreaking initiative to enhance higher education in rural areas with a significant cash infusion of $5.6 million. Governor Jared Polis and the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) announced this urgent investment aimed at expanding work-based learning opportunities across the state, just revealed earlier today.

This funding comes from a generous commitment of $5.5 million from Ascendium Education Group, bolstered by an additional $100,000 from the Strada Education Foundation. The initiative is part of House Bill 25-1186, a bipartisan effort designed to tackle educational inequality and significantly enhance access to practical learning experiences for students in remote locales.

Dr. Angie Paccione, executive director of CDHE, emphasized the critical need for this funding, stating that rural communities face “unique challenges, including limited access to educational resources, economic opportunities, and support services.” The initiative is set to create a consortium that will scale work-based learning statewide, helping to bridge the gap between education and market-ready skills.

The funding is expected to eliminate financial barriers for students by leveraging state work-study resources to support credit-earning internships and other valuable opportunities. This funding underscores a strong commitment to reshaping educational support in rural areas, particularly for first-generation college students.

The CDHE’s Office of Educational Equity, Workforce, and Social Mobility is tasked with managing these grants and aims to recognize institutions that excel in serving significant numbers of first-generation college students. Additionally, the program advocates for developing robust mental health frameworks and career-connected campuses, ensuring that students are not only educated but also supported in their mental well-being.

As this initiative unfolds, stakeholders are encouraged to watch for updates on the formation of the consortium and the distribution of funds. The steps taken today signal a transformative shift in how educational resources are allocated in Colorado, making higher education more accessible and practical for rural students who have long faced systemic challenges.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops and impacts the future of education in Colorado’s rural communities.