Press Release

Today, Governor Polis and the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office (OREC) of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced 12 new recipients of the Colorado State Outdoor Recreation grant across the state. These grants will promote career development, hiring efforts and marketing in Colorado’s thriving outdoor recreation sector and have been awarded to organizations from Craig to Ridgway and Arvada to Colorado City.

The Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media (COFTM), a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT), is excited to announce the opening of the Chaffee County Regional Film Office. The commission, led by Emmy Award Winning Filmmaker Julie Speer Jackson, will work to develop the local media ecosystem by offering opportunities for professional development through networking events, workshops, and crew and vendor databases specific to the community. 

Today, Gov. Polis and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced the first 46 recipients of the Opportunity Now Colorado grant program to support the creation and expansion of innovative workforce and talent development initiatives across the state. These grants are intended to help connect more Coloradans with in-demand, high-skill, high-wage occupations.

Governor Polis and the Global Business Development Division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced today that VSK Energy Inc. (VSK), a new joint venture developing a vertically integrated solar manufacturing operation in the United States, has selected Brighton, Colorado for expansion. 

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.