New Bills in Colorado Aim to Connect Workers with Good-Paying Jobs
Colorado lawmakers are advancing several initiatives designed to connect residents with good-paying jobs. Multiple bills introduced during the 2026 legislative session target workforce development from different angles—creating career pathways in public service, supporting workers in coal-transitioning communities, and expanding access to small business loans that create jobs. The State of Colorado employs more than 122,600 people, with one-third located outside the Denver metro area . These workers serve communities directly in public safety, healthcare, wildlife management, and other essential areas. New legislation aims to strengthen this workforce while expanding opportunities across the state.
Pathways to Public Service Program
House Bill 26-1136, the Pathways to Public Service Program, recently passed the Education Committee by an 8-5 vote . The bill streamlines skills-based learning and higher education curriculum to better prepare students for careers in state government after graduation. “We’re establishing a talent pipeline from higher education to a lifelong career in public service,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, one of the bill’s sponsors. “By relying on specialized curriculum and skills-based learning, we can help more students uncover a rewarding career path with limitless opportunities”. The program would be housed within the Colorado Department of Personnel, creating a centralized hub for Coloradans seeking public service careers. State agencies would work alongside higher education institutions to identify curriculum that makes it easier for students to enter state government after graduation.
Prioritizing Workers in Coal-Transitioning Communities
Senate Bill 26-052 addresses the unique economic challenges facing communities transitioning away from coal. The bill, which passed the House on a preliminary
vote in February, modifies the Office of Just Transition to prioritize coal-transition workers in hiring and community investment. Under the bill, qualified coal-transition workers would be first in line for new and emerging jobs in their communities . The legislation also provides coal-transitioning counties flexibility to invest settlement dollars in a wider range of investment opportunities .”Strengthening pathways into good-paying jobs is important for rural Colorado, local economies and hardworking families,” said Rep. Lukens, who also sponsors this bill alongside Rep. Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo. The bill directs workers toward new jobs in transportation, infrastructure, clean energy, manufacturing, and industrial fields . Established in 2019, the Office of Just Transition works to assist local governments in retaining and developing good-paying jobs in coal-transitioning communities .
Supporting Small Business Job Creation
House Bill 26-1003 expands eligibility for the successful CLIMBER program, which provides below-market interest rate loans to small businesses . The bill passed the House by a vote of 50-15 . “Data shows that the CLIMBER program is making a measurable impact on communities by creating and supporting over 2,000 jobs across our state,” said Rep. Sean Camacho, D-Denver, a bill sponsor. The program, established during the COVID-19 pandemic, offers working capital loans between $10,000 and $500,000 to small businesses with up to 99 employees . In fiscal year 2023-2024 alone, the program loaned over $17 million and helped create or support nearly 1,900 jobs . HB26-1003 removes COVID-19 recovery provisions and expands loan eligibility while increasing accessibility by lowering the matching ratio requirement .
Thriving College Designations
House Bill 1006 would allow the Colorado Department of Higher Education to designate schools as “thriving” institutions—a recognition for colleges and trade schools with proven track records helping students facing unique challenges complete degrees and certificates. The measure responds to the Trump administration’s decision to end $350 million in funding for Minority-Serving Institutions . Designations would go to institutions successfully helping students of color, rural students, adult learners, veterans, first-generation students, and those from low-income backgrounds . “If we did have this recognition framework, it would allow us to quickly identify which are those institutions that are being successful and share best practices,” said Yesenia Silva Estrada, vice president of planning at Colorado Mountain College.
