Colorado is proactively addressing the critical healthcare workforce shortage through the innovative Colorado Care Forward Program. This initiative provides zero-cost, short-term training programs at community and technical colleges across the state, paving the way for individuals to enter vital healthcare professions quickly. In under a year, you can gain the necessary skills to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and many other in-demand healthcare roles.
Addressing Colorado’s Healthcare Workforce Shortage
Even before the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Colorado’s healthcare sector was grappling with significant shortages, particularly in entry-level positions. The demand for healthcare professionals is only set to increase. According to the Colorado Talent Pipeline Report, professions like phlebotomists and pharmacy technicians are projected to experience substantial growth, with increases of 38% and 24% respectively by 2023. General healthcare support roles are also expected to rise by 16%.
The Care Forward Colorado program is a strategic response to these pressing needs. It is designed to revitalize Colorado’s healthcare workforce by creating accessible, tuition-free pathways to rewarding and stable careers that offer a living wage and significant growth potential.
How the Colorado Care Forward Program Works
Starting in Fall 2022, the Colorado Care Forward Program began offering an exceptional opportunity: eligible students enrolling in select healthcare certificate programs at participating colleges have their tuition, fees, and course materials fully covered, contingent on available funding. This zero-cost training removes financial barriers, making healthcare careers accessible to a wider range of individuals.
The program encompasses a diverse range of essential healthcare professions, including:
- 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
- Paramedic Certificate
- Echocardiography Certificate
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Medical Office Certificate
- Practical Nursing
Participating Colleges and Programs Across Colorado
The Colorado Care Forward Program is implemented through a network of community and technical colleges throughout Colorado. The specific training programs and financial aid processes may vary slightly between institutions.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aims Community College | 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 | |||||||
| 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 | ||
| Technical College of the Rockies | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||||||||
| Trinidad State College | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||||||||
| 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 |
For detailed information about specific programs, admission requirements, and financial aid procedures, it is recommended to visit the website of the participating college directly by clicking on the college names provided in the table.
Partner with Care Forward Colorado: Employer Opportunities
The Colorado Community College System actively seeks partnerships with businesses and industries to enhance student success and meet the evolving workforce demands of Colorado communities. If your organization is interested in exploring partnership opportunities with the Care Forward Colorado program or has inquiries, please reach out via the contact button below.
CONTACT US
Funding and Legislation Behind Care Forward Colorado
The Colorado Care Forward Program is backed by a significant investment from the state, made possible through Senate Bill 22-226. This legislation allocates $26 million in state recovery funds specifically to bolster healthcare worker training initiatives across Colorado. Governor Polis signed the bill into law in May, with sponsorship from Senators Sonya Jacquez Lewis and Bob Rankin, and Representative Kyle Mullica, demonstrating a bipartisan commitment to strengthening Colorado’s healthcare infrastructure.
By leveraging these resources, Care Forward Colorado is making a tangible impact on the state’s healthcare landscape, providing individuals with pathways to fulfilling careers while addressing critical workforce shortages.
