Colorado is tackling its healthcare workforce challenges head-on by offering zero-cost, short-term training programs at community and technical colleges across the state. These innovative Colorado Health Care Programs are designed to rapidly equip individuals with the skills needed for in-demand healthcare roles, often in a year or less. Imagine starting a fulfilling career as a certified nursing assistant, emergency services professional, or in one of many other vital healthcare professions, all without tuition costs.
Addressing Colorado’s Healthcare Demand
Even before the unprecedented strains of the COVID-19 pandemic, Colorado’s healthcare sector was facing significant shortages, particularly in crucial entry-level positions. The demand for healthcare professionals in Colorado is projected to surge. According to the Colorado Talent Pipeline Report, professions like phlebotomists and pharmacy technicians are expected to see explosive growth, with projections of 38% and 24% increases respectively by 2023. General healthcare support roles are also anticipated to jump by 16%.
Care Forward Colorado is a proactive initiative specifically designed to revitalize the state’s healthcare workforce. This program provides zero-cost pathways to quickly train and place individuals into living-wage, high-growth healthcare careers, directly addressing the critical workforce gaps. By removing financial barriers, Care Forward Colorado opens doors to rewarding healthcare careers for many Coloradans.
How Care Forward Colorado Works: Your Path to a Healthcare Career
Starting in Fall 2022, Care Forward Colorado is making healthcare training accessible and affordable. Students who enroll in eligible healthcare certificate programs at participating colleges will have their tuition, fees, and even course materials completely covered, as long as Care Forward Colorado funding permits. This means you can gain valuable skills and qualifications without the burden of upfront educational expenses.
Here are some of the high-demand healthcare certificate programs available through Care Forward Colorado:
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- Phlebotomy Technician
- Pharmacy Technician
- Medical Assistant
- Dental Assistant
- Nurse Refresher
- Integrative Health Practitioner & Massage Therapy
- Sterile Processing Technician
- Paramedic Certificate
- Echocardiography Certificate
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Medical Office Certificate
- Practical Nursing
This comprehensive list of programs ensures that individuals with diverse interests and career aspirations can find a pathway into the healthcare field.
Explore Participating Colorado Colleges and Programs
The specific training programs and financial aid processes may differ slightly at each participating college. To help you find the right program for you, explore the table below. Click on the “Yes” links to be directed to the specific program pages on each college’s website, where you can find detailed information and enrollment instructions.
| Program | Certified Nursing Assistant | Emergency Medical Technician | Phlebotomy Technician | Pharmacy Technician | Medical Assistant | Dental Assistant | Nurse Refresher | Integrative Health Practitioner & Massage Therapy | Sterile Processing | Paramedic Certificate | Echocardiography Certificate | Medical Billing & Coding | Medical Office Certificate | Practical Nursing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| College | ||||||||||||||
| Aims Community College | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||||||
| Arapahoe Community College | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||||||
| Colorado Mountain College | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||||
| CMU Tech | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||||||
| Community College of Aurora | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||||||||||
| Community College of Denver | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||||||
| Emily Griffith Technical College | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||
| Front Range Community College | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||||
| Lamar Community College | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||
| Morgan Community College | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||
| Northeastern Junior College | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||
| Otero College | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||||||||||
| Pickens Technical College | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||||||||
| Pueblo Community College | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||||||||
| Red Rocks Community College | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Technical College of the Rockies | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||
| Trinidad State College | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||
| Program | Certified Nursing Assistant | Emergency Medical Technician | Phlebotomy Technician | Pharmacy Technician | Medical Assistant | Dental Assistant | Nurse Refresher | Integrative Health Practitioner & Massage Therapy | Sterile Processing | Paramedic Certificate | Echocardiography Certificate | Medical Billing & Coding | Medical Office Certificate | Practical Nursing |
Partner with Colorado’s Healthcare Workforce Initiative
The Colorado Community College System actively seeks partnerships with businesses and industries to enhance student success and effectively meet the evolving workforce demands of our communities. If your organization is interested in exploring partnership opportunities or has inquiries regarding Care Forward Colorado, we encourage you to reach out.
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Learn More About Care Forward Colorado’s Impact
Care Forward Colorado is fully funded through Senate Bill 22-226, a dedicated allocation of $26 million in state recovery funds. This significant investment is specifically aimed at bolstering the healthcare workforce throughout Colorado by providing accessible training pathways. Governor Polis signed this landmark bill into law in May, with sponsorship from Senators Sonya Jacquez Lewis and Bob Rankin, and Representative Kyle Mullica, demonstrating a strong bipartisan commitment to strengthening Colorado’s healthcare system.
