Press Release

A documentary demonstrating the power of modern youth apprenticeship programs to create new career pathways will air on PBS12 this week. The half-hour film, Tomorrow’s Talent Today, was produced with support from the Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media (COFTM), the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) and CareerWise Colorado, and highlights the experiences of two CareerWise Colorado apprentices at Pinnacol Assurance.

Today, the Colorado Venture Capital Authority (VCA) and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced that the VCA has partnered with Colorado ONE Fund, based in Colorado Springs. This is the fourth new partnership announced by the VCA to expand access to capital across the state and in communities that have historically encountered barriers to funding.

The Business Funding & Incentives Division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT) announced today that Lake County has been designated as a Rural Jump-Start (RJS) Zone. This designation is intended to encourage economic development and job creation by offering new businesses or businesses that move to these zones significant financial benefits.

The Global Business Development division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced today that TrAMPoline Pharma, Inc. was approved to receive a $500,000 Collaborative Infrastructure Grant through the Advanced Industries Accelerator Program. 

Today, the Colorado Venture Capital Authority (VCA) and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced that the VCA has partnered with Avesta Fund to expand access to venture capital for Colorado entrepreneurs and startup businesses. The VCA has committed $3.6 million to Avesta, a venture capital firm that invests in companies working to address climate change and inequality. With the VCA’s investment and matching support from other leading Colorado investors, Avesta Colorado Fund completed its first close totaling $7.2 million.

The Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media (COFTM), a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), announced today “From Service to Civilian” will air on Rocky Mountain PBS on May 28 at 10 a.m. The half-hour documentary, which was funded by the Colorado State Legislature and produced by COFTM, highlights the experiences of Colorado Veterans and their advocates as they navigate the challenges of reentering the workforce.

Today, the Global Business Development division of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced that 37 Colorado companies and six researchers have been awarded Proof of Concept and Early-Stage Capital and Retention grants through OEDIT’s Advanced Industries Accelerator Program.

Today, Gov. Polis and the Colorado Creative Industries (CCI) division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) are pleased to announce the 2023 recipients of the Governor’s Creative Leadership Awards. Each year, the Creative Leadership Awards recognize Coloradans who have demonstrated a significant commitment to the state’s creative landscape through civic leadership and volunteerism. 

Today, the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office (OREC) of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced 24 recipients of the Outdoor Recreation Industry Impact Fund (ORIIF). These grants are intended to help outdoor recreation industry businesses and nonprofits hire and retain over 100 full-time and part-time positions.

Today, the Business Funding & Incentives division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) and the Economic Development Council of Colorado (EDCC) announced 27 recipients of Economic Development Organization (EDO) Action Grants. These one-time grants support initiatives that seek to strengthen and diversify local economies across the state, from La Junta to Mancos and Hugo to Grand Junction.