We’re evolving school-to-work systems across Colorado
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2026 Career-Connected L/Earning Conference
Build your capacity to turn policy and ideas into education-to-workforce pathways that deliver real economic mobility. Join peers from across the Mountain West on Oct. 29-30 in Colorado Springs.
News and Updates
Earlier this summer, I was honored to be appointed vice-chair of the Transition Advisory Committee (TAC), established by House Bill 26-1317 . The TAC’s work stems from a 2025 executive order and a subsequent report recommending ways to reimagine Colorado’s higher education and workforce systems to address our state’s talent gap. Our goal is to help create a more connected, outcomes-oriented system that leads to good jobs for Coloradans while meeting the talent needs of businesses. By November 30, the TAC must develop a transition plan with recommendations for a restructured state agency that streamlines higher education and workforce development efforts. I’m grateful to work alongside 26 other members representing state agencies, institutions of higher education, apprenticeship programs, organized labor, local workforce centers, nonprofit associations, and the business community. This breadth of perspective and expertise is essential to the work ahead. While we will address important tactical components, we recognize that large-scale systems change takes time. I want our plan and recommendations to provide a strong, supportive foundation that policymakers, educators, workforce development professionals, employers, and opportunity seekers can carry forward beyond 2026 as we continue building an outcomes-oriented system. The Governor’s Office and TAC members are also conducting extensive stakeholder engagement, and I hope you’ll be part of the conversation. You can: Complete the Postsecondary Talent System Feedback Survey Share how you’d like to stay engaged with the work of R eimagining Colorado's Postsecondary Talent Development System initiative Visit the TAC webpage for information on past and upcoming TAC meetings, sign up to provide public comment, and see a full list of all TAC members. You’re also welcome to reach out to me at michelle@attainmentnetwork.org , and I can connect you with available members and resources.
The Career-Connected L/Earning Conference features more than 60 interactive sessions designed to help education, workforce, industry and community leaders strengthen career-connected pathways across Colorado and beyond. From innovative partnership models and emerging policy to practical tools you can put to work immediately, each session offers real-world strategies, lessons learned and opportunities to connect with peers tackling similar challenges. Here's a preview of some of the newest sessions added to the agenda: From Evidence to Impact: What It Takes to Scale Programs Well Learn what separates promising programs from those that achieve lasting impact at scale and explore practical strategies for expanding what works. Featuring: Nathaniel Riggs , Professor, Human Development & Family Studies and Executive Director of the Prevention Research Center, Colorado State University; Tiffany Madrid , Organizational Performance Management Supervisor, CDHS Postsecondary Employment Outcomes: Critical Data for L/Earners and Those Invested in Their Success Discover how national employment and earnings data can help educators, workforce leaders and learners make more informed decisions about education, training and career pathways. Featuring: Gina Johnson , Director, and Christopher Peña , Data Literacy Partner & Intern Supervisor, Postsecondary Employment Outcomes Coalition ; Benazir Rowe ; Junior Developer/Analyst, Front Range Community College When Credentials Cause Harm: Unpacking the Risks of Verifiable Learning and Work Records As digital credentials and verifiable learning records become more common, what unintended consequences should we be preparing for? Explore the opportunities, risks, and ethical considerations surrounding the future of learner records. Featuring: Dr. Kelly Page , LWYL Studios From Data to Action: Building Community-Driven Career Pathways See how communities are using shared data to identify workforce needs, strengthen partnerships and design career pathways that reflect local priorities. Featuring: Kelly Mitchell , Founder/ Principal, and Chris Mitchell, Data and Operations Consultant, Inclusive Design Group What It Takes to Scale: Turning Cross-Sector Partnerships into Workforce Pathways Learn how communities are building and sustaining workforce pathways through strong cross-sector collaboration and shared leadership. Featuring: Stacey Putka , Executive Director, Breakthrough ; Shalyn Kettering , Legal Counsel to the Colorado Attorney General; Clay McCombe , Program Manager, Power Ahead Colorado (a program of DRCOG) Outreach to Employment, By Design: How Commerce City and the Community College of Aurora Aligned Public Dollars Behind One Workforce System Discover how local leaders aligned funding, partnerships and workforce services to create a more coordinated system connecting residents to employment. Featuring: Emily Sanders , Senior Director of Collaborative Action, Rocky Mountain Partnership Cradle to Career ; Clair Collins , Vice President of Enrollment Success and Completion, Community College of Aurora; Sarah Mondesire, Community Well-Being Manager, City of Commerce City Grow Your Own: Navigating the Teacher Degree Apprenticeship Journey Hear firsthand from the partners and apprentices helping build Colorado's Teacher Degree Apprenticeship pathway and learn what's required to launch and sustain this innovative model. Featuring: MK Sagaria-Barritt CareerWise Colorado; Liz Qualman , Associate Dean of Education, Colorado Mountain College; Christina Randle: Educator Pathway Instructor, Harrison School District 2 Leveraging CTE Centers to Build CE Credential Pathways Explore how Career and Technical Education centers are expanding access to college credentials while creating stronger pathways into high-demand careers. Featuring: Shari Culver , Associate Dean, Arapahoe Community College; Dana Levesque , Coordinator of Postsecondary, Littleton Public Schools; Tara Bell , Director of Work-based Learning, Cherry Creek School District From Coursework to Workforce: Reimagining Teacher Preparation Through Career-Connected Learning See how industry experiences are helping prepare future educators to bring career-connected learning and workforce relevance into their classrooms. Featuring: Courtney Anderson , Education Department Chair, Community College of Aurora; Michelle Pacheco , Interim Vice President of Academic Success Community College of Aurora From Paycheck to Pathway: A Hands-On Workshop for Mapping On-the-Job Skills to Academic Credit Learn practical strategies for translating workplace learning into academic credit and creating more seamless pathways between employment and education. Featuring: Kim Eckert, Head of Instructional Innovation & Apprenticeship Design, Craft Education The Continuity Challenge: Tracing Durable Skills from PreK to Onboarding Explore how durable skills develop from early learning through workforce entry and identify practical strategies to strengthen career readiness across every stage of the learner journey. Featuring: Tim Taylor , Co-Founder and President, America Succeeds
It may be the dog days of summer, but our team is energized by the work ahead — bringing partners together, strengthening career-connected pathways, and helping shape systems that create more opportunity for learners and earners. From the San Luis Valley to Aurora to statewide leadership conversations, we're excited to keep collaborating with partners who are building Colorado's future. Here’s where you can find us this August: ๐๏ธ August 10-11 ๐น Team Time – Denver Our work begins with a strong, high-functioning team. We're excited to come together to invest in the relationships, trust, and shared understanding that will help us collaborate and better serve our partners across Colorado. ๐๏ธ August 12 ๐น Postsecondary Talent Development System Transition Advisory Committee – Denver Michelle Camacho Liu reconvenes with the Transition Advisory Committee to continue developing recommendations that will guide Colorado's new unified postsecondary talent development system. ๐๏ธ August 13 ๐น Homegrown Talent Coalition Steering Committee Retreat – Denver Michelle and Stefan will join coalition leaders to align priorities and plan for the year ahead. ๐๏ธ August 13-14 ๐น Colorado Project 2.0: San Luis Valley Regional Visit – San Luis Valley Part of the Colorado Project 2.0: Rural Renaissance initiative, this regional visit will bring together leaders and community partners to explore how rural innovation, collaboration, and impact-driven action are shaping Colorado's future. Rana will participate in conversations focused on policy, leadership, and regional solutions, while Ashley shares the story and impact of the San Luis Valley partnership. ๐๏ธ August 21 ๐น Aurora Public Schools Health Science High School Pathways Professional Learning – Aurora Libby and other team members from The Attainment Network are partnering with Aurora Public Schools to build capacity among faculty and staff to support learners as they explore postsecondary pathways to in-demand healthcare careers. PD participants will engage with pathway experiences, connect with employer and postsecondary partners, and build career conversation skills to prepare learners for success beyond high school. ๐๏ธ August 31 ๐น Career Advising and Navigation Partner Convening – Virtual Katherine, Michelle and other team members will come together with statewide partners to continue advancing our Career Advising and Navigation initiative and align on next steps for this growing body of work.
CaREER ADVISING & NAVIGATION
The Attainment Network is launching a Career Advising & Navigation initiative to align advising across K-12, postsecondary, and workforce systems — so every learner has clear guidance toward in-demand careers, economic mobility, and a life of purpose.
Build What Works. Learn What Matters.
Join our Professional Learning Series to explore practical strategies, emerging research, and real-world examples that are shaping education-to-career pathways. Designed for leaders and practitioners ready to drive impact.
