CO · State Grant

Colorado State Training Grants for Employers

Colorado funds employer training through Skill Advance Colorado, run by OEDIT and the Colorado Community College System. It has two grants: Colorado First for net new hires at new or expanding companies, and Existing Industry for current employees. You apply through a local community college, and CCCS says applications are anticipated to open in Fall 2026.

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HOW IT WORKS

Four steps, in this order.

1
Contact your local community college Skill Advance representative
2
Complete the needs assessment and application with the college
3
Get approval before any training or purchases begin
4
Train, document costs, and receive reimbursement

2 VERIFIED PROGRAMS

Where the Colorado money comes from.

Run by Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) with the Colorado Community College System (CCCS). Every figure is from an official page, linked on each card.

Colorado First Job Training Grant (Skill Advance Colorado)

Reimbursed training for net new hires

OPENS FALL 2026 (ANTICIPATED)

WHAT YOU GET

Reimbursement of customized training costs for net new hires at a company that is relocating to or expanding in Colorado.

HOW MUCH

Dollar limits, the share you pay and the college administration fee are set in the program policy, which is written for internal program administrators and is not published for employers. Confirm current figures with your community college representative.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The employer, by reimbursement of approved training costs. A participating community college manages the grant with you.

WHO QUALIFIES

Net new hires at a company relocating to or expanding in Colorado; replacement hires are not the target
OEDIT lists the program for for-profit businesses; confirm nonprofit and industry rules with your college
Training is customized and applied for through a participating community college

Before you start: Yes. Do not start training or buy materials until your college confirms the application is approved.

Existing Industry Job Training Grant (Skill Advance Colorado)

Reimbursed training for current staff

OPENS FALL 2026 (ANTICIPATED)

WHAT YOU GET

Reimbursement of customized training for current full-time employees, to help the business adapt to new technology and prevent layoffs.

HOW MUCH

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The employer, by reimbursement of approved training costs, managed through a participating community college.

WHO QUALIFIES

Established Colorado companies and nonprofits that want to stay competitive, adapt to new technology and prevent layoffs
Training is for current employees; confirm which employees count with your college
Financial review and other forms may apply; your college will tell you

Before you start: Yes. Do not start training until your college confirms the application is approved.

LOCAL BOARDS

Same program, different rules by board.

Local community colleges (Skill Advance representatives)

Each applicant works with a local college representative, who runs the needs assessment, application and grant management.

SOURCE: CCCS.EDU

AVOID THESE

What gets Colorado State Grant claims denied.

Using Colorado First for anyone other than net new hires at a company relocating to or expanding in Colorado.
SOURCE: OEDIT.COLORADO.GOV
Using Existing Industry money for goals outside its purpose: staying competitive, adapting to new technology and preventing layoffs.
SOURCE: OEDIT.COLORADO.GOV
Applying before the grant window opens.
SOURCE: CCCS.EDU
Going around the college. Participating colleges manage the program, so you apply through one.
SOURCE: OEDIT.COLORADO.GOV

STRAIGHT ANSWERS

Colorado State Grant questions.

Is there a Colorado state training grant for employers?

Yes. Skill Advance Colorado combines the Colorado First grant (new hires at new or expanding companies) and the Existing Industry grant (current employees). OEDIT and the Colorado Community College System run it together.

SOURCE: OEDIT.COLORADO.GOV

Who do I apply through?

A local community college representative. The policy requires applicants to work under that representative, who helps with the needs assessment, application and reporting.

SOURCE: CCCS.EDU

Are the dollar figures current?

This page does not list per-trainee limits, caps or cost-share rates. The policy that sets them is written for internal program administrators, so ask your college representative for current figures.

SOURCE: CCCS.EDU

Is funding guaranteed?

No. Applications are anticipated to open in Fall 2026, and OEDIT describes a rolling application each fiscal year. Confirm what funds are available with your college representative.

SOURCE: CCCS.EDU

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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