Craig, Colo. – Today, a cooperative of four Colorado Rural Collaboratives - the Fremont Multi-District Initiative, Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative, Western Slope Schools’ Career Collaborative, and Yampa Valley Partnership - was announced as the recipient of a Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade Opportunity Now Seed Grant.

The Rural Collaborative’s partnership, Colorado Rural Talent Network (CRTN), represents an ambitious three-year plan to increase resource sharing, concurrent enrollment and work-based learning programming in rural communities. Collectively, this blended coalition will serve 20 school districts in 12 counties, seven higher education partners, and non-profit business and industry partners in each region. Together, CRTN aims to build pathways in rural school districts--including career-connected learning, concurrent enrollment, and career and technical education--by sharing successes and learnings across the western slope.

College and career pathways created through this collaborative will create economies of scale and leverage each region’s strengths to increase capacity in support of students. Rather than smaller rural districts each trying to build individual student pathways – such as nursing, education, or construction – districts and higher education institutions in each region will work together to ensure Colorado students are set up for success through jointly-created programs. This means that no matter a student’s home community, they will have access to a variety of high-quality, career-connected learning opportunities.

“When rural school districts partner, they amplify opportunities for students. I’ve seen firsthand how the work that these collaboratives are doing is creating meaningful change in students’ career trajectories, and, ultimately, in our communities,” shared Representative Barbara McLachlan, who represents Colorado House District 59, also home to the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative. “I’m thrilled that the Colorado Rural Talent Network has been granted the opportunity to amplify their work so that other districts and collaboratives can learn from them.”

The Opportunity Now Grant Program is an ongoing initiative by the State of Colorado, designed to catalyze industry and education collaboration to implement and scale talent development projects across the state of Colorado. Over the course of three rounds, Opportunity Now seeks to provide $85 Million in funding to catalyze innovation for Colorado’s workforce. Seed funding is provided to initiatives aiming to launch innovative models to address Colorado’s workforce and talent challenges.

“We are profoundly grateful for the Opportunity Now grant awarded to empower Western Slope communities, particularly in the Yampa Valley, as we navigate the crucial transition from coal,” shared Jennifer Holloway, executive director of Craig Chamber of Commerce and board member of the Yampa Valley Partnership. “By nurturing these initiatives, we bridge the gap between education and industry, cultivating a skilled workforce that not only adapts to current needs, but also fuels long-term economic sustainability. Together, we are shaping a future where every opportunity is a stepping stone toward thriving and resilient communities."

A commitment to equity is at the center of projected services, with regional plans prioritizing increasing access to student groups underrepresented in existing programming. CRTN's primary objective is to unite four existing rural collaboratives, fostering knowledge sharing to increase access to high-quality career-connected learning for rural students in Colorado in the high-demand pathways of health sciences, education, and building trades with a focus on sustainable building practice.

"Moffat County School District is thrilled and grateful that Opportunity Now has chosen to invest in the Yampa Valley in this powerful way,” said Cuyler Meade, director of communications and grants for Moffat County School District. “This region is in the midst of a crossroads in its history, and the need to prepare young people to lead us toward a productive and prosperous future has never been greater. So much energy and effort goes toward fulfilling that need, and this funding supercharges that effort."

The communities applied for this grant through the support of the Colorado Education Initiative, Colorado Succeeds, Empower Schools, Lyra Colorado, and Spring Creek Consultants. Moffat County School District will serve as the grant's fiscal agent, and the work of this grant will begin this month.

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About Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative

The Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative strengthens diverse communities by providing pathways in career readiness and higher education for students to build 21st-century skills and economically viable futures. Learn more at swcoedcollaborative.org.

About Western Slope Schools’ Career Collaborative

The WSSCC was formed in 2021 by educators from Delta County, Gunnison County, Montrose County, and Ridgway school districts who see the need for collaboration to better serve rural students with high-quality career preparation both in our schools and through work-based learning. By partnering with Colorado Mesa University - Montrose, the Technical College of the Rockies, and Western Colorado University, they hope to expand access to career pathways throughout the region. Learn more at wsscareercollaborative.org.

About Fremont Multi-District Initiative

Fremont Multi-District Initiative (FMI) began in early 2020 with the school districts in Fremont County (Cañon City Schools RE-1, Fremont School District RE-2, and Cotopaxi School District RE-3) and Pueblo Community College’s Fremont Campus (PCC). FMI aims to enhance the way schools in the region can cooperatively use resources and sustainably provide an outstanding education for rural students. Learn more at fmicolorado.org/

About Yampa Valley Partnership

The Yampa Valley Partnership for Students, Stewardship, and Sustainability (YVPS3) is a partnership between four K-12 school districts, two institutions of higher education, and multiple industry partners. YVPS3 has the common goal of providing shared educational pathways and career connections for students valley-wide. Providing students with the resources, skills, and credentials needed to obtain high-need jobs supports our vision for a more resilient region. Learn more at yvps3.org.