Board of County Commissioners sign a proclamation recognizing September as Workforce Development Month.
Economic and Workforce Development staff with Larimer County Commissioners at the official signing of the proclamation during the September 1, 2026 Admin Matters meeting.
The Proclamation
WHEREAS, Larimer County Economic and Workforce Center, administering Workforce Colorado, Larimer in partnership with the broader Colorado Public Workforce System, is committed to supporting a Colorado for All by serving veterans, individuals with disabilities, justice-involved individuals, youth, adults experiencing poverty, workers impacted by layoffs, individuals authorized to work in the United States, and all job seekers and employers seeking to strengthen Colorado's workforce; and
WHEREAS, Globalization, market forces, demographic shifts, and technological advances continue to shape our economy and require workforce solutions that are agile, innovative, and responsive to the evolving needs of workers and businesses; and
WHEREAS, Hundreds of workforce professionals across the Colorado Public Workforce System, including the dedicated team at Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development, are committed to helping workers succeed and employers build the talent they need to thrive; and
WHEREAS, Colorado's workforce has access to a wide range of workforce development services, including career exploration, job search assistance, career counseling, digital literacy resources, work-based learning opportunities, and training investments that help individuals prepare for and succeed in today's labor market; and
WHEREAS, Our locally driven workforce ecosystem is business-led and strengthened through partnerships with education, economic development, community organizations, and employers to expand opportunity, support regional economic vitality, and develop the skilled workforce needed for Colorado's future; and
WHEREAS, Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development is supported by the Larimer County Board of County Commissioners, Larimer County leadership, and the Larimer County Workforce Development Board, whose members from the private, nonprofit, education, labor, and public sectors help guide local workforce priorities and investments; and
WHEREAS, Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development advances innovative workforce strategies, convenes partners, and strengthens connections across the talent development ecosystem to build pathways to quality employment while meeting the evolving workforce needs of employers; and
WHEREAS, in 2025, Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development served nearly 7,000 job seekers and supported 142 businesses in adding 263 jobs, helping strengthen the local workforce and connect residents with meaningful employment opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the Colorado Public Workforce System supported 13,656 businesses and posted 512,952 jobs, providing employers and job seekers across the state with access to workforce services and connections that strengthen Colorado's economy;
NOW THEREFORE, We, the Larimer County Board of County Commissioners of Larimer County, Colorado do hereby proclaim the month of September as Workforce Development Month and call this observance to the attention of our community members.
Workforce Development Month
and call this observance to the attention of our community members. Dated this 1st day of September, 2026
The way we work is changing at a fast pace because of new technology, automation, globalization and other big shifts. These changes affect workers, employers and communities—and everyone is thinking about how to stay successful in the future.
Tools and Resources
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) offers programs and services to help people with disabilities find, get and keep jobs. Whether you’re an adult with a disability or a young person looking for work after high school, DVR can support you in reaching your employment goals. If you’re an employer, DVR also has a team ready to help you connect with qualified, skilled workers.
The Office of New Americans advances the integration and inclusion of New Americans in Colorado communities. A New American is defined as a Coloradan who has or will arrive in Colorado as an immigrant or refugee, and includes their children.
The Office of Just Transition assists communities and workers transitioning from careers related to mining and burning coal. It was created to help these workers find new, high-quality, jobs and to help impacted communities thrive by expanding and attracting diverse businesses.
The Colorado Disability Opportunity Office makes connections between state agencies, private sector organizations and the public to ensure that individuals with disabilities have the tools, opportunities and empowerment to reach their highest potential. It puts all the pieces together to ensure disability becomes inherently valued and respected in our community.
Apprenticeship Colorado provides oversight of and supports the expansion of Registered Apprenticeship Programs across the state. Apprenticeship is a career pathway where employers develop their future workforce, and individuals get paid work experience, classroom instruction and a nationally-recognized credential.
The way we work is changing at a fast pace because of new technology, automation, globalization and other big shifts. These changes affect workers, employers and communities—and everyone is thinking about how to stay successful in the future.
Tools and Resources
Plan Your Future: The recently enhanced My Colorado Journey gives students and job seekers tools and resources to explore careers and plan their next steps based on their interests. Explore Career Pathways that lead to in-demand jobs in Colorado. The platform now provides a more powerful, personalized experience. Users can:
Print and save career summaries as PDFs.
Identify top industry employers.
Explore expanded regional insights, including county-level labor market data across the state.
Find New Careers: Discover jobs, skills, training and pay in a career as an Electrician in the Construction Pathway or as a Project Manager in the Business Operations Pathway.
Earn While You Learn: Whether you're embarking on a new career path or seeking a change, apprenticeships offer a route to a well-paying job, all while providing invaluable hands-on experience. By choosing an apprenticeship, you can earn while you learn, which reduces the need to take on debt. Learn more about registered apprenticeships and check out the resources on the Apprentice Colorado website to get started on your journey.
Business and government are working together to grow jobs and the economy. Local workforce boards, led by employers and working with schools and community groups, make sure plans fit the needs of their area.
Events
Northern Colorado Workforce Symposium
📅 Date & Time:
September 9, 2026 | 8:00 am - 3:30 pm
The Workforce Symposium is presented each year through a partnership between Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development and Weld County Workforce Center. It promises insightful discussions on the ever-changing talent landscape, networking opportunities, and tactical tools to help with hiring, training, culture-building, and retaining your workforce.
The symposium brings together HR professionals, business leaders, entrepreneurs, workforce partners, educators, and talent pipeline development organizations from across Northern Colorado for a day of insightful discussions, tactical tools, networking opportunities, and workforce solutions.
The goals of the symposium are:
- To provide practical workforce strategies and tools for employers and workforce professionals
- To strengthen regional partnerships supporting talent development and economic growth
- To create opportunities for collaboration, networking, and innovation across industries
Attendees will gain valuable knowledge around:
- Hiring and retention strategies
- Workforce culture and employee engagement
- Talent pipeline development
- Training and upskilling opportunities
- Regional workforce trends and solutions
Tickets and Additional Information
Why Connecting Colorado
With advanced tech to match job seekers and employers based on skills, the new Connecting Colorado identifies how to get the job done and then connects great candidates with businesses.
Connecting Colorado Helps Job Seekers Find Meaningful Work—Faster and for Free: This free platform matches people with jobs based on their skills and potential. It helps Coloradans grow their careers close to home by offering resume tools, training suggestions and personalized career guidance.
Employers Get Connected to Qualified Local Talent—at No Cost: From small businesses to large organizations, employers across Colorado can use the platform to find skilled candidates close to home quickly and efficiently.
It’s Good for People—and Good for Colorado’s Economy: By making it easier for Coloradans to find fulfilling jobs and for employers to hire great people, Connecting Colorado supports a stronger workforce, greater opportunity and thriving communities.
Connecting Colorado’s Impact Adds Up
Connecting Colorado is connecting thousands of job seekers with hundreds of employers every day. Since the platform was modernized in 2025, Connecting Colorado has:
guided more than 190,000 job seekers as they search for their next opportunity
helped 6,600 employers find great talent
logged more than 180,400 job postings across skill levels and sectors
supported more than 7,300 Coloradans get hired directly through the portal
processed more than 137,000 program enrollments to help job seekers level up resumes
Whether you’re looking to hire or to be hired, Connecting Colorado makes it easier to find the perfect match. Get started at ConnectingColorado.gov.
