New initiative will bring together employer needs, education, and support services to help Coloradans achieve higher-wage, family-sustaining careers in growing fields
DENVER — Today, Governor Jared Polis and philanthropy Arnold Ventures announced a multimillion-dollar investment to help Coloradans enroll in and complete education programs that will position them for good jobs in skilled trade and health care professions. The initiative is part of the Colorado Partnership for Proven Initiatives, a multi-year $20 million philanthropic partnership to improve economic opportunities for Coloradans.
The program will enroll 250 participants across CrossPurpose campuses in Denver, Englewood, and Arvada. Trade and credential programs will include HVAC, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, licensed practical nursing, registered nursing, radiologic technology, and surgical technology. CrossPurpose is a Denver-based nonprofit organization working to eliminate poverty through career and community development.
“Colorado is a national model for connecting Coloradans to the skills needed to get good-paying jobs that allow their families to thrive. By combining state and philanthropic resources, we’re expanding proven, evidence-based programs that give people the support they need to complete their education, launch their careers, and build a better life for themselves and their families. This investment is about strengthening Colorado’s workforce and ensuring that opportunity is within reach for everyone who calls our state home,” said Governor Jared Polis.
Under the $4.5 million investment, which includes a grant from Arnold Ventures matched dollar-for-dollar by the State of Colorado, Colorado will work with CrossPurpose to institute a new program called Ascent. Ascent will be a replication of Project QUEST, an evidence-based model that provides long-term coaching, education planning, financial aid support, and wraparound services to help participants complete their career education and secure in-demand, well-paying jobs.
CrossPurpose will work with local employers to understand what skills they need in their workforce, then work with community colleges and training providers to build credential programs that teach these skills. Participants will be enrolled full-time and provided with financial assistance to cover up to 100 percent of their tuition and fees for classes, books, transportation, uniforms, licensing exams, and other education needs. Enrollees will work closely with counselors to ensure they have time management, study skills, and other life skills to overcome barriers to graduation. CrossPurpose will also provide job placement assistance support once a credential is earned.
“Project QUEST – the model for Ascent – has a proven track record of developing a high-skilled workforce and placing candidates in good-paying jobs,” said Laura Arnold, co-founder and co-chair of Arnold Ventures. “We appreciate Governor Polis’ partnership in maximizing opportunities for Coloradans through evidence-based approaches like the Ascent program.”
The Ascent program will be rigorously evaluated in 2026 and 2027 to ensure it is achieving its goals for program enrollment, education completion, and job placement.
“We look forward to enrolling hundreds of Coloradans in the new Ascent program who would be unable to enroll in or complete these programs without the additional support,” said Jason Janz, chief executive officer of CrossPurpose. “Our Leaders Program has already reached more than 3,000 people across the state online and in person, and we look forward to further accelerating Colorado’s ability to eliminate poverty through good jobs and the financial stability they provide.”
The State of Colorado and Arnold Ventures are working with the nonprofit, nonpartisan Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy to implement this initiative.
“The QUEST model that CrossPurpose brings to Colorado is one of the few workforce development programs for low-income adults that’s been rigorously shown to produce sizable, lasting earnings gains – 15-20% per year over a decade later,” said Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy President Jon Baron. “Governor Polis and Arnold Ventures are showing the nation how governments can use evidence about what works to make real progress on economic mobility.”
About Arnold Ventures
Arnold Ventures is a philanthropy that supports research to understand the root causes of America’s most persistent and pressing problems, as well as evidence-based solutions to address them. By focusing on systemic change and bipartisan policy reforms, AV works to improve the lives of American families, strengthen communities, and promote economic opportunity.
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