CCCS Internal 
Last week, Michael Bennet visited the Community College of Aurora (CCA) to tour the college’s Center for Applied Science & Technology (CAST) and engage directly with students, faculty, and workforce partners who are helping prepare Colorado’s future workforce.
“Community colleges are where Colorado’s workforce future is being built,” said Dr. Marie DeSanctis, Chancellor of the Colorado Community College System. “What Senator Bennet saw at CCA is the power of education designed around real outcomes—programs shaped by employers, delivered by dedicated faculty, and accessible to learners balancing work, family, and school. This is what transformative workforce development looks like in practice.”
Community colleges are where Colorado’s workforce future is being built. What Senator Bennet saw at CCA is the power of education designed around real outcomes—programs shaped by employers, delivered by dedicated faculty, and accessible to learners balancing work, family, and school. This is what transformative workforce development looks like in practice.
Hosted at CCA’s CAST Building, the visit highlighted how community colleges are delivering high-quality, employer-aligned education that leads to real opportunity—particularly in high-demand fields such as construction, diesel technology, engineering, and applied technologies.
During the visit, Senator Bennet toured hands-on learning spaces, met with learners and instructors, and participated in a roundtable discussion focused on workforce preparation, credential pathways, and the importance of access and affordability in post-secondary education.
Education Designed Around Workforce Demand
CCA leaders shared how the college’s recent growth—including new facilities, expanded programs, and deepened industry partnerships—is grounded in responding to Colorado’s workforce needs. Programs offered at CAST are designed with employers at the table and emphasize applied learning, stackable credentials, and short-term certificates that serve as fast on-ramps to family-sustaining careers.
Students and partners discussed how these programs connect education directly to employment pipelines through apprenticeships, employer-embedded learning, and real-world training environments that mirror industry expectations.
A Model for Preparing Colorado’s Workforce
As part of the discussion, participants explored what it means to proactively prepare the workforce—ensuring students graduate with in-demand skills, industry exposure, and credentials that carry labor-market value.
CCA’s approach reflects the broader mission of the Colorado Community College System, which serves learners across Colorado by aligning education with labor-market demand while keeping access, affordability, and student success at the center of every decision.
Gratitude to CCA and Its Partners
CCCS extends sincere thanks to Community College of Aurora, President Dr. Mordecai Brownlee, and the entire CCA team for hosting the visit and showcasing the innovation happening on campus every day. Appreciation is also extended to CCA’s workforce and industry partners who joined the conversation and continue to play a critical role in connecting education to opportunity.
Through visits like this, CCCS colleges continue to demonstrate how transformative education and workforce training strengthen communities, support economic mobility, and help meet Colorado’s evolving talent needs.
