IMPACT REPORT 2025
REFLECTIONS FROM LEADERSHIP
In 2025, Colorado Succeeds helped move big ideas into statewide action. Even in a year marked by tight budgets and shifting demands, Colorado took meaningful steps toward building a stronger talent pipeline that connects more learners to opportunity and gives employers better access to skilled, homegrown talent.
This work is active in every corner of the state. We supported more than 75 high schools in expanding college credit, career-ready credentials, and workbased learning for over 55,000 students. Employers stepped up in new ways, designing career pathways in fast-growing industries like construction, advanced manufacturing, and life sciences. At the same time, state leaders launched bold changes to align education, workforce, and economic priorities through a shared vision for talent.
These wins didn’t happen by chance. They came from a clear strategy, trusted partnerships, and a belief that learners and employers deserve a system that works better for both. As you read this impact report, we hope you’ll see not just the milestones from 2025, but the momentum building toward a more connected, equitable, and future-ready Colorado.
SCOTT LABAND President & CEO Colorado Succeeds
DEMESHA HILL Head of Diversity & Community Relations Janus
Henderson Investors
TOM BRINEGAR Consultant CFO Selections
MISSION & VISION
Colorado Succeeds is a network of business leaders working to improve education and career outcomes for learners across the state. We partner with educators and policymakers to build a system where more students are prepared for success after high school, employers can find the skilled talent they need, and public decisions are driven by real results.
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.
2025 BY THE NUMBERS
IMPACT ON SYSTEMS •
$256M increase in K-12 education funding through a new school finance formula
$23M in annual funding secured for outcomes-based funding for high school pathways
IMPACT ON LEARNERS •
20,000+ students supported through more coordinated postsecondary and workforce experiences across 19 diverse high schools statewide
5,000+ learners engaged in employer-designed construction career pathways
IMPACT ON BUSINESS •
100+ business organizations and education providers actively engaged in co-designing talent solutions
40+ employers collaborating to fill critical jobs in construction, advanced manufacturing, and life sciences
OUR BUSINESS PRINCIPLES
Learners First
600+ business leaders engaged statewide through seven regional talent summits
100 business, education, and policy leaders mobilized at the Capitol in support of postsecondary and workforce readiness
650+ students placed into construction jobs or apprenticeships
50% of Colorado’s 178 school districts aligned high school programming to prioritize industry credentials, college credit, and work-based learning
30+ business, workforce, and education leaders trained in an employer-led, data-driven talent framework
10+ industry associations coordinating efforts to drive a more unified strategy
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
Colorado Succeeds supports policies that remove barriers, create opportunities, and scale success so all Coloradans can reach their full potential.
In 2025, we made meaningful progress on this mission:
Updated high school accountability measures to include learner success after graduation
We supported legislation that updated how Colorado evaluates high schools so that, instead of focusing only on graduation rates, schools will now be measured on whether students are earning college credit, gaining industry-recognized credentials, and completing work-based learning. These are the milestones that prepare students for what’s next.
Tied
high school funding to real outcomes
Access to career and college opportunities shouldn’t depend on a school’s ability to navigate a complicated system. We helped streamline multiple state programs into a start-up fund and an outcome-based fund, totaling $23 million a year. This change ensures schools are supported in helping students make progress toward college and careers.
Protected fair school funding in a tough budget year
Despite statewide financial pressure, Colorado increased K–12 funding by $256 million and stayed on track with the new school funding formula passed in 2024. This formula prioritizes students with the greatest needs, including those in rural areas, English learners, at-risk students, and students receiving special education, so funding reaches where it’s needed most.
ALIGNING EDUCATION WITH WORKFORCE NEEDS
For years, Colorado expanded careerfocused learning opportunities for students, but state systems didn’t keep up. High school success was measured mostly by graduation rates and SAT scores, not by whether students were gaining the skills and experiences that matter after high school.
That changed in 2025. Colorado updated how it defines and measures student success, adding new indicators that better reflect real-world readiness. High schools will now be evaluated based on whether students complete the following experiences, called the Big Three:
• Earn college credit
• Complete industry-recognized credentials
• Participate in high-quality work-based learning
Just as importantly, the state aligned funding with these updated priorities. Colorado merged several programs into a single structure that includes:
• Outcomes-Based Funding: Schools receive funding when students complete college courses, earn credentials, or participate in workbased learning
• Start-Up & Innovation Funding: Supports schools, especially in underserved areas, to launch or grow career-connected pathways
These changes were built from years of piloting policy and innovation in the field and coalition building with a diverse group of partners who agreed on what would need to happen to bring this work to scale. It’s the Colorado way to work together to put realworld preparation at the center of how readiness is defined and funded. With better measures and more targeted resources, schools can focus on creating pathways that lead to meaningful opportunities for students and a stronger talent pipeline for Colorado.
IMPACT ON LEARNERS
Colorado Succeeds helps create clear, practical pathways from education to career so more learners can turn opportunity into lasting success.
In 2025, we reached several key milestones:
Partnered with schools to support more than 20,000 students
Through the On-Ramps to Postsecondary Transitions initiative, in partnership with Jobs for the Future and NORC at the University of Chicago, we worked with 19 high schools across 13 districts. We helped schools strengthen pathway navigation, expand work-based learning, and improve access to college credit, especially for students in rural and high-need areas.
Built stronger pathways into construction careers
Colorado’s construction industry faces a projected shortage of 30,000 workers by 2030. We continue to co-lead Project SCALE, which connects high school programs, postsecondary education, and workforce training programs to create seamless entry points into construction and skilled trades careers. More than 5,000 students engaged in a construction pathway with strong early results: high completion rates, credential attainment, job placements, full-time employment, and personal fulfillment.
Launched a degree where jobs are part of the program
In partnership with Emily Griffith Technical College and Project SCALE, we helped create a new associate degree model that integrates onthe-job experience into the curriculum. This approach helps students earn industry credentials faster, reduce debt, and gain real work experience that leads to career advancement.
Recognized work-based learning as a critical part of college degrees
We supported legislation that encourages colleges and universities to embed internships, apprenticeships, and other work-based learning directly into academic programs. This ensures more students graduate with relevant job skills, real-world experience, and connections to future employers.
STUDENT PATHWAYS INTO CONSTRUCTION CAREERS
In 2025, Project SCALE construction pathways reached more than 5,000 learners statewide. Students gained hands-on experience, earned industry credentials, and moved into apprenticeships with early wage and employment outcomes. Learners from across Colorado share how Project SCALE pathways replace guesswork with clear routes into high-demand, high-wage careers:
“The Careers in Construction class has taught me a lot about the tools I use along with their purposes and given me a view into the construction fields and a lot of first-hand experience in them. It has opened up opportunities for jobs in my area in construction and given me the knowledge I need to apply for them.”
— Carson, Junior, Florence JR/SR High School
“When I graduate from CITC (Construction Industry Training Council), I hope to get my JW license, and down the road, become a foreman for my company. I am also going to work towards my Master’s license.”
— Joseph, 2nd-Year Electrical Apprentice
“Thanks to CICC, I’ve connected with local employers and found opportunities that align perfectly with the skills I developed in class.”
— Reid, 2025 Graduate, Coronado High School
By organizing education around real jobs and real skills needed by employers, Project SCALE helps learners move from interest to skills, skills to credentials, and credentials to critical Colorado jobs.
IMPACT ON BUSINESS
Colorado Succeeds is helping business leaders shape a statewide talent strategy that connects employer needs with learner opportunities through coordinated, data-driven solutions.
In 2025, we delivered key results for employers across the state:
Equipped business and education leaders to tackle hiring challenges together
The first Colorado Talent Academy brought together more than 35 business and education leaders from across the state, giving them the tools to design shared workforce solutions. Six teams created regional hiring strategies to address critical shortages in key sectors. These teams are now moving from planning to action, shifting away from scattered efforts and toward coordinated approaches that support both learners and employers.
Earned national attention for employer-led talent strategy
Project SCALE, our first employer-led initiative, launched in 2023 to help more than 15 construction companies collaborate on shared skills and training needs. Its success has drawn statewide and national recognition, sparking interest in replicating the model in other sectors and regions.
Launched targeted hiring solutions in life sciences and advanced manufacturing
In 2025, we launched new employer collaboratives focused on life sciences and advanced manufacturing. These groups are aligning hiring needs with education and training systems to fill more than 200 high-demand roles in life sciences and more than 160 in manufacturing, helping build the workforce Colorado needs to stay competitive in 2026 and beyond.
GOING ALL-IN ON TALENT STRATEGY
Colorado Succeeds is helping employers shift from scattered hiring efforts to a coordinated, statewide approach to building talent.
In 2025, we advanced a comprehensive, employer-led talent strategy focused on three core actions:
• Convene leaders from business, education, and workforce
• Connect labor-market demand to education and training pathway design
• Equip employers and partners with tools to drive long-term change
This approach reflects Colorado Succeeds’ growing role in building the infrastructure for a modern talent system led by employers, aligned with labor-market demand, and built to last. By connecting education and workforce systems more directly to hiring needs, we’re helping create stronger pipelines for skilled, local talent and more predictable, rewarding pathways for learners.
OUR BOARDS
Colorado Succeeds is guided by three boards made up of business leaders from across the state. These leaders represent a wide range of industries and company sizes, and they bring deep expertise, influence, and resources to the table. Their leadership helps shape our strategy, strengthen our partnerships, and ensure that our work delivers real results for both learners and employers.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Experienced members governing strategy and operations.
BRENT ABRAHM
CEO, Accruit
BROOKE BORGEN
Independent Strategy Consultant & President, Borgen Consulting
TOM BRINEGAR
Consultant, CFO Selections
LALITHA CHRISTIAN
Manager of Strategic Community Development, Climax Molybdenum
CORY FOREMAN
Vice President of Sales, Marketing, & Business Development, Kaiser Permanente
JOHN HEYLIGER
Vice President of Global Talent Acquisition & Workforce Transformation, Lockheed Martin
DEMESHA HILL
Head of Diversity & Community Relations | President, Janus Henderson Foundation, Janus Henderson Investors
JOE KUNTNER
Managing Director, US Federal and West Region Public and Social Impact, Slalom
KATIE KRUGER
Principal & Market Leader, Avison Young
WES PARHAM
Vice President of Public Affairs, Pinnacol Assurance
LINDA PEOTTER
President (Ret.), Metal Trading Corp.
JENNIFER RAY
Director of Corporate Real Estate, Woodward, Inc.
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
Colorado 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
LORI DAVIS Retired Partner, Grant Thornton LLP
BOB DEIBEL
Partner, Jupiter Consolidated Group
BINH DIEP General Manager, Slalom
PAT DONOVAN
Strategic Advisor, Denver Families for Public Schools
JEAN GALLOWAY Partner, Prosono
BARBARA GROGAN
Founder & Former CEO, Western Industrial Contractors
DAVID HENRY President, MPhasis Integrated
CHARLIE KERCHEVAL Former President, Alpine Bank
JON KINNING
Co-Owner, Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President, RK
MICHAEL MARTINES
Managing Partner, Dominion Residential
CHAD MCWHINNEY
Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, McWhinney
TAYLOR MERRITT
Chief Executive Officer, Merritt Family Enterprise
ZACK NEUMEYER
Founder & Chairman, Sage Hospitality
TYLER NOTTBERG
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, US Engineering
KARLA NUGENT
Chief Revenue Officer, Loenbro
JIM RECHTIN
President & CEO, Humana
MAJA ERICKSEN
Executive Vice President, Mortenson Construction
RYAN SCHMIDT
Vice President & District Manager, PCL Construction
JESUS SALAZAR
Executive Chairman, Prosono
HASSAN SALEM Head of Global Industrials & Services, US Bank
ALAN TIMOTHY
Former Vice President of Public Affairs, Molson Coors
KEN TUCHMAN
Chairman & CEO, TTEC
SCOTT WYLIE
Chairman & CEO, First Western Trust
BEN VALORE-CAPLAN
Founder & Co-President, Syntrinsic
BOARD OF ADVISORS
Business leaders aiding in strategy and execution.
STACY ABEL
Chief People Officer, Delta Dental of Colorado
ERIC ADAMS
Co-Chief Investment Officer, Johnson Financial Group
BRYAN ALVAREZ Physician, Colorado Occupational Medical Partners
MARCIE ARDAN
Managing Director, Forvis Mazars
ANDY ARNOLD
Owner, AWA Ventures
ASHLIE ARNOLD
Sourcing Manager, Pax8
DARCY CANTWELL
Vice President & Banking Manager, First Western Trust
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
JASON FELLOWS Partner, RubinBrown
CHLOE FIGG
State Government Affairs Manager, Xcel Energy
CRAIG FINGER
Shareholder, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
BRIAN FITZPATRICK
Vice President & General Manager, Mortenson
SIMONNE GALLATY
Director of Investor Relations, Griffis Blessing
JASON GAULDEN
Founder & Principal, Gaulden Group LLC
LACEY GOLONKA
Community Affairs Manager, Molson Coors
SHANNON GROVES
Head of Government Relations, Kaiser Permanente
MICAH GURARD-LEVIN
Director of Community Impact, Liberty Global
RYAN HAGGERTY
Principal Talent Acquisition Partner, phData
RAY JOHNSON
Corporate Citizenship Manager, IBM
JEANIE KELLEY
Vice President of Human Resources, RK
KOHL KINNING
Enterprise Account Manager, RK
BRAD KRUMWIEDE
Vice President, Branch Ventures
MIKE KURE
Senior Vice President of Feasibility & Investment Management, Sage Hospitality
TONY LAJIMODIERE
Managing Partner, Dominion Residential
JENNIFER LANDERS
Director of Executive Education Partnerships, University of Denver
ANDREA LAW
Colorado Market Economic Opportunity Lead, Kaiser Permanente
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
Chief Executive Officer, American Family Care
JESSE OGAS
Executive Director of Social
Responsibility & Community Affairs, 9NEWS
SHELLEY O’HARA
Vice President Talent Management, Air Communities
JON PAGNOZZI
Sales Director, CollegeInvest
JOEL PENNICK
Vice President, JE Dunn Construction
BRANDY RADEY
Senior Advisor, Suncor Energy
CURTIS ROBBINS
Sr. Manager AIR, Kaiser Permanente
RUTH ROHS
President of IMA Foundation, IMA Financial Group
MICHAEL SIMPSON
Chief Strategy Officer, MIRRIM
JONATHAN STEENLAND
Co-Founder & Co-Chief Executive Officer, ForceNow
MARK TAPY
Director of Talent Management, Pinnacol Assurance
BRYAN TAYLOR
President, US Engineering
SEAN VANBERSCHOT
Executive Director, Denver Health Foundation
MICHELE WARREN
Retired, KeyBank
SUZANNE WELLER
Senior Banking Advisor, PNC Bank
ALEX WEST
Community Impact Lead, Slalom
JULIE WILMES
Apprenticeship Program Manager, Pinnacol Assurance
OUR MEMBERS
We represent the business voice in transforming the state’s education and workforce landscape through our members. coloradosucceeds.org
Plus 100+ business organizations partnering to strengthen the collective business voice.