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Regional Talent Development Initiative Grant Program

Program Summary

The Regional Talent Development Initiative Grant Program - now Opportunity Now Colorado – is an $85 million grant program creating transformative change for Colorado's workforce.

Opportunity Now Colorado allows Colorado to fund both new and proven programs that “seed transformative change” specifically through intentional alignment and collaboration between Colorado’s secondary, post-secondary, and workforce ecosystems focused on enhancing the economic mobility of Colorado’s learners and earners and thereby helping Colorado’s communities recover from COVID-related economic disruption. 

Enacted by HB22-1350, the program seeks innovative solutions to meet Colorado’s workforce needs through industry and education collaboration.

For important updates please sign up for the mailing list and check out opportunitynow.co to access grant information, important upcoming dates and events.

Overview

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OEDIT division:

OEDIT has formed a Steering Committee that will provide guidance in the development of the grant application and execution process. The steering committee will consist of leaders from business, K12 education, postsecondary education, and workforce development. We have eight members of the committee and one advisor. OEDIT is proud to announce the following individuals that are members of or advisors to the steering committee:

K12 Advisor

  • Patty Quinones: Retired St. Vrain Deputy Superintendent

2-yr College Representative

  • Landon Pirius: President, Red Rocks Community College (RRCC)

4-year College Representative

  • Scott Shrake: Assistant Vice President for Strategy, Colorado State University (CSU)

Nonprofit Representative

  • Roger Low: Founder & CEO, Colorado Equitable Economic Mobility Initiative (CEEMI)

Higher Education & Healthcare Representative

  • Tawny Espinoza: Vice President of Business Development at Community Hospital and Adjunct Professor at CO Mesa University

Foundation & Higher Education Representative

  • Josh Scott: Business and Industry

Business Representatives

  • Josh Scott: Businessperson and Vice Chair, Colorado Commission on Higher Education

Regional Talent Development Initiative Grant Program Steering Committee

2025 Meetings

January 8, 2025 from 1-2 p.m.

2024 Meetings

January 30, 2024 from 10-11:30 a.m.

2023 Meetings

July 31, 2023 from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
April 19, 2023 from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
February 14, 2023 from 9-11:30 a.m.
January 18, 2023 from 9-11:30 a.m.

2022 Meetings

December 19, 2022 from 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
November 29, 2022 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
November 7, 2022 from 2-5 p.m.
September 9, 2022 from 2-4 p.m.

OEDIT has formed a Selection Committee through recommendations of Steering Committee members and broader input as outlined in statute. Selection Committee members shall review grant applications in accordance with the processes and criteria specified by the Steering Committee and approved by the Office (OEDIT) and shall make grant award recommendations to the OEDIT based on those processes and criteria.  

The Selection Committee will be broken into smaller groups to review specific grant tracks, including Scale, Seed, and Planning.

Selection Committee:

  • Larraine Sengsavath, Strategy Officer, Governor’s Office
  • Liliana Diaz, Senior Director of Student Success and P20 Alignment, Department of Higher Education
  • Joe Kuntner, Slalom Consulting
  • Mary McMahon, Associate Director, Behavioral Health Administration
  • Kippi Clausen, Community Representative

Regional Talent Development Initiative Grant Program Selection Committee and Subcommittees

2025 Meetings

April 14, 2025 from 3-4 p.m.

2024 Meetings

January 29, 2024 from 2-3 p.m.

2023 Meetings

May 18, 2023 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
May 17, 2023 from 1:30-4:30 p.m.
April 28, 2023 from 1-2 p.m.
April 27, 2023 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
April 27, 2023 from 9-11 a.m.
April 26, 2023 from 4-4:15 p.m.
April 13, 2023 from 12:30-1:30 p.m.

The grant administration team will be led by Common Group and in collaboration with Mile High United Way, Strada Education Network, and WestEd. This grant administration team will work closely with OEDIT and the Steering Committee to deliver:

  • Development of the grant program strategy, including target outcomes and methods.
  • Marketing and outreach of the grant program.
  • Technical assistance and customer support for grant applicants
  • Grant administration and compliance.
  • Evaluation of the program, including performance and outcome measurement.

Common Group

Common Group is a social impact consulting firm focused on education and economic opportunity. Bringing expertise across K-12, higher education, workforce development, and employer hiring and talent practices. Common Group supports foundations, non-profits, institutions, and state agencies to achieve greater impact through research, advisory, and fund management services.

Mile High United Way 

Working side-by-side with the community, Mile High United Way takes on critical human services issues facing residents across Metro Denver and throughout Colorado. Through strategic community programs, Mile High United Way helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses, connects jobseekers directly with employers and professional development resources, hosts career and resource fairs, and empowers early childhood education professionals to advance in their field. This year, Mile High United Way is celebrating its 135th anniversary as the first United Way in the world.

Strada Education Network

Strada Education Network is a national social impact organization devoted to research, philanthropy, and solutions that align education and careers.

WestEd

WestEd is a nonpartisan, nonprofit agency that conducts and applies research, develops evidence-based solutions, and provides services and resources in the realms of education, human development, and related fields, with the end goal of improving outcomes and ensuring equity for individuals from infancy through adulthood.
 

On August 15, OEDIT held an information session to provide an update on the progress of implementation.

Below are materials from that meeting:

Regional Talent Development Initiative Grant Program Overview and Progress Update     

 

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