CCCS Internal Aug. 27, 2025 (Denver, CO) – The Colorado Community College System (CCCS) has announced $2.3 million in Innovations in Career and Technical Education (CTE) Grants that will strengthen student pathways into high-demand careers while fueling Colorado’s workforce and economy.
The competitive grant program awarded funding to 14 projects, with individual grants of up to $250,000 each. The award period runs from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, supporting innovative programs that align with Colorado’s CTE Strategic Plan and address critical regional workforce needs.
“These grant recipients represent the best of Colorado’s commitment to innovative career and technical education,” said Dr. Sarah Heath, Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs at the Colorado Community College System. “Each project demonstrates how strategic partnerships and targeted investments create meaningful pathways for students and address the evolving needs of Colorado’s workforce.”
These grant recipients represent the best of Colorado’s commitment to innovative career and technical education. Each project demonstrates how strategic partnerships and targeted investments create meaningful pathways for students and address the evolving needs of Colorado’s workforce.
Grant Recipients and Projects
Recipients of the 2025/2026 Innovations in CTE Grants were announced in July at the CACTE CareerTech Summit, Colorado’s state CTE conference.
| Grant Recipient | Project | Amount Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs 11 | D11 Welding Pathway Expansion | $190,000.00 |
| Falcon 49 | Medical Assistant Program | $132,000.00 |
| Greeley | Powered Pathways: Fueling futures in business, health sciences, and cybersecurity—the D6 way. | $235,000.00 |
| Julesburg School District | Digital Doors To Industry | $70,000.00 |
| Lamar Community College | Forging Ahead at LCC | $240,000.00 |
| Lewis Palmer School District | The D38 SPARK (Strengthening Pathways through Access, Readiness & Knowledge) Initiative | $240,000.00 |
| Littleton Public Schools | Woodshop 2.0 Tactile Product Designs – EXTENDED | $200,000.00 |
| Mesa County Valley School District | Compact Engines, Rewired: Modernizing small engine repair | $240,000.00 |
| Red Rocks Community College | From Tools to Teaching: Building the Bridge Between Technical Trades and the Secondary and Postsecondary Classrooms. | $180,000.00 |
| South Routt School District | Rural Partnerships for Innovation in CTE Construction Pathways | $240,000.00 |
| St. Vrain Valley Schools | Center for Human Potential and Performance | $120,000.00 |
| Strasburg School District | Patient Care Technician class materials | $37,000.00 |
| Westminster Public Schools | Health Sciences Pathway Hospital Simulator at Iver C Ranum Innovation Campus | $230,192.00 |
| Woodland Park | Woodland Park Culinary Arts/SWAP – The Panther Cafe | $27,000.00 |
| Total | $2,381,192.00 |
Program Impact
The selected projects expand student access to hands-on training in fields such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing, business, and technology. Each initiative addresses regional workforce needs while advancing Colorado’s CTE Strategic Plan.
Projects were prioritized for their ability to:
- Build strong partnerships with industry and community organizations.
- Support both rural and urban communities.
- Improve outcomes for Colorado learners.
- Ensure geographic distribution of funding and alignment with local workforce demand.
“The range of these projects reflects the unique needs of Colorado’s communities,” noted Heath. “From rural mountain communities to urban centers, these grants will help ensure that all Colorado students have access to high-quality career and technical education opportunities.”
