The Skill Advance Colorado Job Training Grant (formerly the Colorado First and Existing Industry Grant) helps businesses and nonprofits create customized job training for employees.
This training:
Colorado First grant funds customized training only for net new hires at companies relocating to or expanding in Colorado.
Your organization may apply for up to $150,000. Total training funds are capped at $200,000 per organization per state fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). Grant maximums for each program are $1,400 per full-time employee for Colorado First customized job training.
We alongside the Colorado Community College System jointly administer this program. Participating colleges manage the program.
Companies and nonprofit organizations need to:
Businesses relocating to or expanding in Colorado may apply for the grant every fiscal year. Existing Colorado businesses may apply for the grant every other fiscal year. The state fiscal year runs July 1 through June 30.
Grant-funded training:
Training that is not eligible includes, but is not limited to:
Window to apply for grant: July 1 to March 31
Deadline to complete training: May 31
Final reports due: Within two weeks after completing training
Applications open for this grant every July and close at the end of March the following year. The application process is below.
The total grant award generally includes an 8% administration fee (minimum of $1,000 minimum and $12,000 maximum) for the college. Cluster grants include up to a 10% administration fee. Cluster grants are grants for training at more than one company.
To avoid training and budget changes, plan ahead with your program manager. After your training budget is approved, you may change it once. Before changing the training, you will need to submit the new training budget form for the state program administrators to review and approve.
Your changed budget may not exceed the original grant amount. Changes from the original approved training plan may reduce the amount of your grant award.
You will need to return funds if:
To receive the grant funds, you will need to submit a final report to CCCS within two weeks after you complete the training. You will need to include worker profiles for all participating employees.
Workers need to sign an affidavit to certify their participation in grant-funded training. Affidavits require: