2023 IMPACT REPORT
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REFLECTIONS FROM LEADERSHIP
Each year, we reflect on the important progress made in transforming Colorado’s education and workforce development systems to better serve learners and employers.
As we look back at 2023, there is much to be proud of. As a statewide business coalition, we continued to champion groundbreaking education legislation, helped launch the Education-to-Employment Alliance aimed at uniting the business voice, and supported critical implementation work in every region of the state.
We hope you’ll take a few moments to read through some of our biggest accomplishments through the year and take pride in your affiliation with and role in these results.
We continue to be deeply grateful, inspired, and motivated by the efforts of our members and partners to radically improve education and training outcomes for all of Colorado’s learners, and look forward to the year ahead.
SCOTT LABAND President, Colorado Succeeds
JOE KUNTNER Managing Director, US Federal and West Region Public and Social Impact, Slalom
DEMESHA HILL Head of Diversity & Community Relations, Janus Henderson Investors | President, Janus Henderson Foundation
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MISSION & VISION
Colorado Succeeds is a coalition of business leaders with a vision to radically improve education and training outcomes for all learners. Our members are building a system where learners are educated to their greatest potential, employers can recruit homegrown talent, and policymakers are responsive to critical needs.
Mission
To apply our business expertise, influence, and capital to improve Colorado’s schools.
Vision
All of Colorado’s learners are educated to their greatest potential, and all of Colorado’s businesses have the talented and innovative homegrown workforce they need to thrive.
OUR BUSINESS PRINCIPLES
Learners First
Prioritize the needs of the learner over the system
Equity
Prioritize learners furthest from opportunity
Transparency & Accountability
Collect the right data and share it publicly
Choice & Innovation
Expand options and remove barriers
Return on Investment
Channel limited resources to opportunities for greatest impact
Agility
Respond and adapt to a constantly changing environment
IMPACT ON SYSTEMS: PAGE 4
» 18/18 bills supported passed
» 4/4 bills opposed were defeated or amended favorably
» $95 million to be invested over 10 years to support industry-recognized credentials for high school students
» $70 million in improving Colorado’s school-to-work pipeline
» $28 million investment in evidencebased math strategies
» $27 million to equalize charter school funding
IMPACT ON LEARNERS: PAGE 6
» 60+ rural school districts supported in expanding high-quality careerconnected learning experiences, reaching more than 20,000 students
» $8 million in state and federal funding secured for 50 education and business partners working to sustain and scale regional pathway programs
» 50 business and education partners, along with 500 young adults, engaged in career pathway development in Jefferson County
IMPACT ON BUSINESS: PAGE 8
» 1 powerful new business alliance representing 2,000+ employers launched to transform Colorado’s workforce
» 50 education leaders, including those connected to business, serving on state task forces to shape what’s next for education and workforce
» 300+ leaders convened for a half-day summit on the Future of Work
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BY THE NUMBERS
IMPACT ON SYSTEMS
Colorado Succeeds is proud to champion policies that promote equitable access to high-quality educational opportunities from early childhood to career.
IN 2023, WE MADE SUBSTANTIAL HEADWAY ON OUR GOALS, INCLUDING:
Expanding the Career Development Incentive Program through a ten-year, $95 million investment to help high school students earn industry-recognized credentials and access high-quality work-based learning opportunities. This move creates longterm stability and sufficient funding for what was previously a $1 million pilot program that has already transformed high-school career-connected learning.
Investing over $70 million in improving Colorado’s schoolto-work pipeline through policies that provide students with free access to in-demand, short-term credentials in labor-challenged fields —such as health care, construction, law enforcement, and education—and established a new scholarship program for high school graduates that provides awards to students pursuing high-priority postsecondary education and workforce training opportunities. The scholarship program has the capacity to serve 15,000 graduating high school students in the Class of 2024, more than 25% of all high school graduates statewide.
Passing groundbreaking legislation to improve math outcomes in K–12. The legislation is the first of its kind in the nation, implementing an all-encompassing approach to addressing the 50,000 Colorado students currently struggling with math. It provides a $28 million investment in evidence-based math strategies for educators to get students back on track to math proficiency.
Colorado Succeeds’ members and staff served on four statewide taskforces and workgroups whose recommendations could transform K12 funding, access to transportation, expand access to career-connected learning opportunities, and create more accessible, responsive pathways for students.
Ensuring funding is aligned with student needs rather than school governance model, working with the legislature to invest an additional $10 million in state-authorized charter schools.
Passing two laws that will significantly expand resources for 300,000 adults in Colorado without a high school diploma to access the education they need to pursue credentials aligned with our state’s labor market.
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COLLABORATING TO REMOVE BARRIERS & IMPROVE OUTCOMES
Currently, in Colorado, numerous programs exist to help learners obtain college credit, industry credentials, or meaningful work experience in high school, but they are complex and often hard to access.
In 2022, Colorado Succeeds partnered with other organizations and the Colorado legislature to create a task force charged with identifying barriers and making recommendations for improvement.
Last year, the Secondary, Postsecondary, and Work-Based Learning Integration Task Force published its recommendations for simplifying and expanding access to Colorado’s ecosystem of programs designed to help students access career-connected learning, college coursework, and industry credentials in high school.
We look forward to continued work with a variety of partners and stakeholders to implement these recommendations, strengthen policy and practice, and rethink the boundaries between high school, college, and career to continue improving outcomes for students.
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IMPACT ON LEARNERS
Passing policy is not our finish line, but rather, our starting block. Implementation is where real, lasting change occurs. That’s why we engage in an implementation cycle that doesn’t just seed great ideas but helps them grow.
OUR POLICY-TO-PRACTICE FEEDBACK LOOP
Colorado Succeeds actively supports policy implementation, working with hundreds of school districts, education partners, and business organizations across the state.
By playing a role in policy implementation, we gather real-time insights from learners, families, and educators, making our policy solutions more nuanced and impactful.
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OUR IMPLEMENTATION WORK IN 2023 LED TO SIGNIFICANT OUTCOMES FOR LEARNERS, INCLUDING:
Delivering technical assistance and partnership support to over 60 rural school districts in expanding high-quality career-connected learning experiences for over 20,000 high school students through regional pathways development and resource sharing in partnership with 1,000 local business and community partners across Colorado.
Advising and coaching more than 200 high school students from low-income households to access over $900,000 in Path4Ward scholarship funds to pursue postsecondary and career pathways aligned with their interests and opportunities for economic mobility.
Developing a blueprint for equitable, stackable pathways to economic mobility through a construction case study in Jefferson County. More than 50 business and education partners and over 500 young adults were engaged. The blueprint will serve as a statewide model and proof point for scale, leveraging aligned opportunities Colorado Succeeds supports, including the 1215 Task Force Recommendations, Education Pathways to Credential Attainment Workgroup and Leadership teams, Accelerate ED, and Project SCALE.
Supporting Colorado Mountain College and Summit School District in creating a plan to co-create a learner-centered CTE campus through our leadership of the LAUNCH: Equitable & Accelerated Pathways for All Innovation Cohort.
Supporting nearly 50 education and business partners in applying for over $8M in state and federal funding through strategic thought partnership and grant writing supports. Projects span from sustaining and scaling rural career-connected learning and regional pathways development to programs and prototypes that quickly move Coloradans into in-demand, high-wage occupations.
Partnering with Jobs for the Future to leverage concurrent enrollment, work-based learning, and wraparound supports to create a college and career navigation system that centers students from low-income households, students of color, and those significantly impacted by COVID-19. This is a federal innovation research grant that will serve as a nationwide model.
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IMPACT ON BUSINESS
Colorado Succeeds applies its business expertise, influence, and capital to improve Colorado education and workforce outcomes.
IN 2023, THIS INCLUDED:
Helping launch the Education to Employment Alliance, aimed at organizing the collective influence of business to address Colorado’s talent needs by improving our postsecondary and workforce development systems.
Preparing and placing business leaders and representatives to serve on powerful state task forces and committees, ensuring the voice of industry is active, heard, and influential —including one that aims to blur the lines between high school, postsecondary, and career through a new state plan.
Convening business, education, and government leaders for a half-day summit on the Future of Work to discuss actionable workforce development strategies.
Facilitating a two-day design thinking workshop for business executives to address the challenges that prevent small, medium, and large companies from offering careerconnected learning experiences.
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THE EDUCATION TO EMPLOYMENT ALLIANCE
According to the most recent Colorado Talent Pipeline report, more than 90% of jobs that pay a wage sufficient to sustain a family require some postsecondary education past a high school diploma. Yet too few Colorado high school graduates earn a postsecondary degree or certificates within six years.
To help shape the future of Colorado’s workforce and improve outcomes for Colorado learners, Colorado Succeeds, in partnership with the Colorado Chamber of Commerce, Colorado Inclusive Economy, Colorado Technology Association, and Colorado Thrives, launched The Education to Employment Alliance
The Education to Employment Alliance is a coalition of business leaders from diverse sectors, geographies, and sizes with a commitment to engage with education and government leaders to bring about the changes needed to make the vision of a strong Colorado homegrown talent pipeline a reality. The coalition envisions a talent development system that is learner-centered and responsive to the changing dynamics of our economy, businesses, and communities.
Read the Alliance’s first report and recommendations for what’s next at coloradosucceeds.org/alliance
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OUR BOARDS
Colorado Succeeds’ board members support the vision and guide strategic priorities for our organization.
Colorado Succeeds is led by three boards comprised of business leaders from across the state, representing all different sizes and sectors. Together, they apply their business expertise, influence, and capital to improve outcomes for learners and employers.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Experienced members governing strategy and operations.
BRENT ABRAHM
President & CEO, Accruit
BROOKE BORGEN
Independent Strategy Consultant & President, Borgen Consulting
TOM BRINEGAR
Chief Financial Officer & Vice President, PEAK Resources
DAVE ESPINOSA
Project Executive, Mortensen
CORY FOREMAN
Sr. Vice President of National Sales & Account Management, Kaiser Permanente
KYLE HARRIS
Sr. Vice President of Master Planned Communities, McWhinney
JOHN HEYLIGER
Vice President of Global Talent Acquisition & Workforce Transformation, Lockheed Martin
DEMESHA HILL
Head of Diversity & Community Relations, Janus Henderson Investors President, Janus Henderson Foundation
JOE KUNTNER
Managing Director, US Federal and West Region Public and Social Impact, Slalom
KATIE KRUGER
Business Executive
LINDA PEOTTER
President (Ret.), Metal Trading Corp
PHILIPP STEPHANUS
Sr. Vice President, DaVita
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
High-ranking business executives lending their leadership and credibility.
ANGELA BAIER
Chief Executive Officer, CollegeInvest
RYAN BEISER
Regional President, PNC Bank
BUCK BLESSING
Chief Executive Officer, Griffis/Blessing
KEN BOLSER
Field Vice President, AAA Colorado
ROB COHEN
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, IMA Financial
PETE COORS
Chairman, Molson Coors
MARK CORNETTA
President & General Manager,
9NEWS/KUSA-TV
Sr. Vice President, TEGNA Media
LORI DAVIS
Managing Partner, Grant Thornton LLP
BOB DEIBEL
President & CEO, OfficeScapes
BINH DIEP
General Manager, Slalom
PAT DONOVAN
Managing Partner, RootED
JEAN GALLOWAY Partner, Prosono
BARBARA GROGAN
Founder & Former CEO, Western Industrial Contractors
BRIAN HARRIS
Chief Financial Officer (Ret.), Summit Materials
DAVID HENRY
CEO, MPhasis Integrated
ALICE JACKSON
Chief Planning Officer, Xcel Energy
CHARLIE KERCHEVAL President, Alpine Bank
JON KINNING
Co-Owner, Chief Operating Officer, & Executive Vice President, RK
MICHAEL MARTINES
Chief Executive Officer, Martines Palmeiro Construction
CHAD MCWHINNEY
Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, McWhinney
TAYLOR MERRITT
Chief Executive Officer, Merritt Aluminum Products Company
ZACK NEUMEYER
Founder & Chairman, Sage Hospitality
TYLER NOTTBERG
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, US Engineering
KARLA NUGENT
Chief Revenue Officer, Weifield Group
JIM RECHTIN
President & CEO, Humana
MAJA ROSENQUIST
Sr. Vice President, Mortenson Construction
RYAN SCHMIDT
District Manager, PCL Construction
JESUS SALAZAR
President & Chief Executive Officer, Prosono
HASSAN SALEM
National Head of Commercial Banking, US Bank
ALAN TIMOTHY
Former Vice President of Government Affairs, Molson Coors
KEN TUCHMAN
Chairman & CEO, TTEC
SCOTT WYLIE
Chairman & CEO, First Western Trust
BEN VALORE-CAPLAN
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Syntrinsic Investment Counsel
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BOARD OF ADVISORS
Business leaders aiding in strategy and execution.
STACY ABEL
Chief People Officer, Delta Dental of Colorado
ERIC ADAMS
Partner, Co-Chief Investment Officer, Johnson Financial Group
BRYAN ALVAREZ
Physician, Colorado Occupational Medical Partners
MARCIE ARDAN
Managing Director, FORVIS
ANDY ARNOLD
Owner, AWA Ventures
ASHLIE ARNOLD
Information System Analytics Manager, Pax8
MEGAN BARNEY
CIO, Envision Healthcare
DARCY CANTWELL
VP, Banking Manager, First Western Trust
KATIE CLOYD
Chief Marketing Officer, Eide Bailly
LINDA CRUM
Executive Director, OtterCares Foundation
BRETT CUNNINGHAM
National Head of Business Development, Eide Bailly
MICHELLE CURRY
HRPD Manager, PCL Construction
MARISA DASPIT
Chief People Officer, Ibotta
MARISA FAMARISS
Sr. Vice President of Treasury, BOK Financial
CRAIG FINGER
Shareholder, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
SIMONNE GALLATY
Director of Investor Relations, Griffis/Blessing
JASON GAULDEN
Founder & Principal, Gaulden Group LLC
LACEY GOLONKA
Community Affairs Manager, Molson Coors
SHANNON GROVES
Director of Government Relations, Kaiser Permanente
MICAH GURARD-LEVIN
Director of Community Impact, Liberty Global
RAY JOHNSON
Corporate Citizenship Manager, IBM
ADAM JONES
Business Process Transformation Product Owner, Janus Henderson Investors
BRAD KRUMWIEDE
Principal, Credera
MIKE KURE
Vice President of Feasibility, Sage Hospitality
TONY LAJIMODIERE
CFO, Martines Palmeiro Construction
JENNIFER LANDERS
Executive Director, Colorado Young Leaders
ANDREA LAW
Colorado Market Economic Opportunity Lead, Kaiser Permanente
RACHEL LEASURE
Community Relations Representative, Lockheed Martin
CHRIS LOPEZ
Community Relationship Manager, Colorado Housing & Finance Authority
JANET LOWE
Executive Vice President, Vectra Bank
PATRICK MCFARLEN
Chief Financial Officer, Haynes Mechanical Systems
JEREMY MORGAN
CEO, WellBiz Brands
BLAIR NELSON
Vice President of Consumer Marketing and Brand, TEGNA
SHELLEY O’HARA
Sr. Director of Talent Acquisition, Learning and Development, Air Communities
JON PAGNOZZI
Sales Director, CollegeInvest
JOEL PENNICK
Vice President, JE Dunn Construction
BRANDY RADEY
Sr. Advisor, Sustainability & Communications, Suncor Energy
CURTIS ROBBINS
Sr. Manager AIR, Kaiser Permanente
RUTH ROHS
Sr. Vice President of Corporate Communications, IMA Financial Group
GEORGE SAPONAS
Field Distribution Director, AAA of Colorado
MICHAEL SIMPSON
Co-Founder & CEO, PAIRIN
ALEJANDRA SPRAY
CEO & President, Hispanic Contractors of Colorado
HOLLY STANTON
Sr. Manager of Strategic Workforce Planning, Xcel Energy
JONATHAN STEENLAND
Co-CEO & Co-Founder, ForceNow
MARK TAPY
Sr. Talent Management Manager, Pinnacol Assurance
BRYAN TAYLOR
President, US Engineering
SEAN VANBERSCHOT
Associate Executive Director, Denver Health Foundation
MICHELE WARREN Retired, KeyBank
SUZANNE WELLER
Vice President, Sr. Banking Advisor, PNC Bank
ALEX WEST
Community Impact Lead, Slalom
JULIE WILMES
Apprenticeship Program Manager, Pinnacol Assurance
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OUR MEMBERS
We represent the business voice in transforming the state’s education and workforce landscape through our members.
Bryan Alvarez, MD
coloradosucceeds.org