CO · OJT

How Colorado OJT Reimbursement Actually Works for Employers

Colorado has no state-funded OJT program found. Employers use WIOA on-the-job training through local Workforce Centers. The federal rule allows reimbursement of up to 50% of an OJT participant's wages, and up to 75% when the board documents its reasons. Rates and rules vary by board: Mesa County's policy allows up to 75%, while Arapahoe/Douglas Works! advertises a higher rate on its page that is above the federal cap and should be confirmed with the board.

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State pre-filled: CO
Program type pre-filled: OJT

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HOW IT WORKS

Four steps, in this order.

1
Contact your local Colorado Workforce Center business services team
2
Agree on the participant, occupation and training length
3
Sign the OJT contract before the person starts training
4
Pay wages as usual, then invoice the board with time records

1 VERIFIED PROGRAM

Where the Colorado money comes from.

Run by Local workforce development boards and Colorado Workforce Centers (state policy from CDLE). Every figure is from an official page, linked on each card.

WIOA On-the-Job Training through your local Colorado workforce board

Up to 50% of wages, 75% in documented cases

THROUGH YOUR LOCAL BOARD

WHAT YOU GET

Reimbursement for the extraordinary costs of training and extra supervision. You do not have to document those costs.

HOW MUCH

Federal rule: up to 50% of the wage rate, and up to 75% using documented criteria. Mesa County's board policy allows up to 75% of wages for regular hours, not paid leave or overtime.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The employer, reimbursed for part of the trainee's wages. The employer pays the trainee as usual.

WHO QUALIFIES

The trainee must be WIOA eligible and enrolled through the board
Wages and benefits must match those of regular employees doing similar work
Boards may refuse employers with a pattern of failing to keep OJT trainees
Training length is limited to what the occupation needs, for example 240 to 1,040 hours under Mesa County's table

Before you start: Yes. The reimbursement runs through a contract between the employer and the board.

LOCAL BOARDS

Same program, different rules by board.

Mesa County Workforce Development Board (Grand Junction)

Written policy: reimbursement up to 75% of wages, weighing participant barriers, employer size and training quality. Length limits run from 240 hours up to 1,040 hours by job zone.

SOURCE: MESACOUNTY.US

Pikes Peak Workforce Center (El Paso and Teller counties)

Runs an OJT program for eligible job seekers who live in El Paso or Teller County; publishes no rate, call 719-667-3700.

SOURCE: PPWFC.ORG

Arapahoe/Douglas Works! (Arapahoe and Douglas counties)

Advertises OJT reimbursing up to 100% of wages for extraordinary training costs. That is above the federal 75% cap and no waiver is stated on the page; confirm the current rate with the board.

SOURCE: ADWORKS.ORG

AVOID THESE

What gets Colorado OJT claims denied.

Training that starts before the OJT contract is signed.
SOURCE: MESACOUNTY.US
Billing paid leave, overtime or benefits. Reimbursement covers regular hours worked only.
SOURCE: MESACOUNTY.US
A pattern of not keeping past OJT trainees on, or paying them less than regular employees.
SOURCE: MESACOUNTY.US
Putting an already employed worker on OJT unless the board's employed-worker test is met, including a wage that is not self-sufficient.
SOURCE: MESACOUNTY.US

STRAIGHT ANSWERS

Colorado OJT questions.

Does Colorado have a state OJT program?

No state-funded OJT program was found. OJT runs through WIOA and the local workforce boards.

SOURCE: CDLE.COLORADO.GOV

How much can I be reimbursed?

Federal rule: up to 50% of wages, and up to 75% when the board documents its reasons. Mesa County's policy allows up to 75%.

SOURCE: ECFR.GOV

Does one board cover the whole state?

No. Each local board sets its own policy, so ask the board that covers the county where the person will work.

SOURCE: CDLE.COLORADO.GOV

Can I get OJT money for someone I already hired?

Usually not. Boards enroll the participant before the OJT contract. Employed workers qualify only under narrow tests in the board's policy.

SOURCE: MESACOUNTY.US

How we checked. Every fact on this page comes from a state agency, a local workforce board or federal regulation, read on September 30, 2026. Where a board publishes nothing, we say so instead of guessing. Programs and funding change often; confirm with the program before you commit. Written by Jason Meehl, founder of Reimbursa. Found an error? Email hello@reimbursa.com.

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