New Workforce Services: Introducing Regional Business Services Coordinators
Do you ever wish you had your own consultant to help you understand the local labor market? Do you wonder what industries are growing, and who’s shedding their staff in your area? Do you hear the unemployment rate on the news each month and think, “Yeah, but how do I get my vacancy in front of those people who aren’t working?” Are you curious what your neighbors in the community over the pass are doing that might be innovative and worth duplicating, but don’t have the time or network to find out? The workforce system in your area has heard these business needs, and has created 3 new positions to help in meeting them: Regional Business Services Coordinators. These staff are your go-to consultants, your regional workforce intelligence, your business support–all provided by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. Meet your new team!
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Carolyn Tucker works out of Glenwood Springs, and covers Garfield, Pitkin and West Eagle Counties. Carolyn has a background in communication, sales, oil and gas, and higher education. You can reach her at Carolyn.tucker@state.co.us or 970.945.8638 x17.
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Christina Oxley works out of Craig, and covers Rio Blanco, Moffat, Routt, Grand and Jackson counties. Chris worked as the Executive Director of the Craig Chamber of Commerce for more than 10 years before coming to workforce. You can reach her at christina.oxley@state.co.us or 970-620-1690.
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Mark Mark Hoblitzell is based in Edwards, covering East Eagle, Summit and Lake counties. Mark comes to us most recently from the Town of Vail. Mark has a diverse background, from state government to the ski industry to timber sales and market research. He can be reached at mark.hoblitzell@state.co.us or 970-926-4440.
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Funding & Technical Assistance
USDA Community Facilities Grant Program
This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings. The Colorado Rural Development Office has changed the submission deadline for Community Facility Grant applications in Fiscal Year 2019 to February 28, 2019. All grant applications must be received in either the State or Local Field Offices by COB, February 28, 2019 to be considered for Colorado Rural Development State funding. Applications received after this deadline will compete for National Office funding. More info here.
Community Assistance offered by Community Builders
Every year, Community Builders offers a limited number of assistance opportunities to communities in Colorado. This is an opportunity for local leaders to acquire necessary tools and information to build prosperous, livable communities. Assistance projects address a range of community and economic development issues intended to help build local livability. These include transportation and mobility, housing choices, land use and redevelopment, and local economic development. Applicants are encouraged to contact Jillian Sutherland to discuss the proposed project and application process prior to submitting.
Contact Jillian at (970) 928-3411 or
. Deadline: March 1, 2019.
Bessie Minor Swift Foundation
Accepting grant applications from certified tax-exempt non-profit organizations. The Foundation awards grants for programs that emphasize literacy, reading and writing, languages, science and interdisciplinary areas. Deadline: February 15, 2019. More info here. Grants to Address Opioid and Other Substance Use
Grants to Enhance Rural and Urban Programs in Colorado
Anschutz Family Foundation. First application deadline for 2019: January 15, 2019. More information here. The Anschutz Family Foundation supports rural and urban nonprofit organizations throughout the state of Colorado that assist people to help themselves while nurturing and preserving their self-respect. The Foundation encourages endeavors that strengthen families and communities and advance individuals to become productive and responsible citizens. There is a special interest in self-sufficiency, community development, and programs aimed at the economically disadvantaged, the young, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grand Program 2019
Deadline: January 31, 2019. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC), in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and others, are soliciting applications for the 2019 Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration program. This program will award approximately $1.7 million in grants, and seeks to develop community capacity to sustain local natural resources for future generations by providing modest financial assistance to diverse local partnerships focused on improving water quality, watersheds and the species and habitats they support. Projects may include a variety of ecological improvements along with targeted community outreach, education and stewardship. For more information, visit: https://www.nfwf.org/programs/five-star-and-urban-waters-restoration-grant-program The Laura Jane Musser Fund Environmental Initiative Program
Deadline: March 19, 2019. Full details here. The purpose of the Environmental Initiative Program component is to support the initiation or implementation of projects that enhance the ecological integrity of publicly owned open spaces, while encouraging compatible human activities. The ultimate goal of this component is to promote public use of open space that improves a community’s quality of life and public health, while also ensuring the protection of healthy, viable, and sustainable ecosystems by protecting or restoring habitat for a diversity of plant and animal species. Funding will be provided for either planning projects or implementation projects. The Laura Jane Musser Fund Rural Arts General Operating Support Program
Deadline: March 12, 2019. Full details here. The purpose of the Rural Arts General Operating Support Program component is to assist nonprofit organizations in rural communities to develop, implement, or sustain exceptional artistic opportunities for adults and children in the areas of literary, visual, music, and performing arts. The goal of this program is to excite and encourage a wider population to appreciate, learn, and participate in the arts.
The Transforming the Early Childhood Workforce in Colorado Initiative
Deadline: February 13, 2019. Full details here. Request for Proposals for 2019 funding of the Early Childhood Workforce Innovation Grants for local partnerships dedicated to advancing the ECE workforce. Those with innovative ideas for systemic improvement in recruitment, retention, and compensation of an effective, qualified early childhood workforce are invited to apply.
Deadline: January 31, 2019. Partners for Places, an initiative of the Funders’ Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities, is a matching grant program that creates opportunities for cities and counties to improve communities by building partnerships between local government sustainability offices and place-based foundations. Through the program, national funders invest in local projects to promote a healthy environment, a strong economy, and well-being of all residents. The application deadline is January 31, 2019. Visit the Funders’ Network website for more information.
Microgrants for Technology
Do you have a project that puts more information or services online for your constituents? Are you a local government with a big or innovative public-facing project? Do you have broadband issues? The Statewide Internet Portal Authority’s (SIPA’s) Micro-Grant Program can help! Since 2010, SIPA has awarded nearly $1 million in micro-grants in an effort to give back to Colorado communities. Grant applications will be reviewed for innovation; be sure to check all of the criteria (bit.ly/2RT7btD) as some information has changed. Applications are due Jan. 18.
EPA Brownfields Program: Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup Grants
Grants offered by the Brownfields Program can be used to address sites contaminated by hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants (including hazardous substances co-mingled with petroleum) and petroleum. The proposal submission deadline is Jan. 31. Information on all grants can be found online here.
More info here. The Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program provides support to state, local, and tribal governments to implement and sustain cost-effective measures designed to reduce the risk to individuals and property from natural hazards, while also reducing reliance on federal funding from future disasters. The application deadline is January 31, 2019.
National Endowment for the Arts – Art Works Grant Program
Deadline: February 14, 2019
NEA encourages applications for artistically excellent projects that address any of the following activities: Honor the 2020 centennial of women’s voting rights in the United States (aka the Women’s Suffrage Centennial); Engage with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic or Latino organizations, or the Native American, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian arts; Celebrate America’s creativity and cultural heritage; invite a dialogue that fosters a mutual respect for the diverse beliefs and values of all persons and groups; Enrich our humanity by broadening our understanding of ourselves as individuals and as a society. Matching grants generally will range from $10,000 to $100,000.
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U.S. Mountain Community Summit | YIMBY Jamboree
January 14-17, 2019 in Vail
Vail Hosts Discussions on Workforce Housing with Apx1
The inaugural U.S. Mountain Community Summit will commence in Vail, Colorado for three days of solutions-based presentations to address the affordability gap in resort-based mountain towns. The 2019 event will focus on workforce housing and kicks off at The Lodge at Vail on January 14-17, 2019.
Another option for interested participants is to attend the YIMBY Jamboree (Yes In My Back Yard) that will focus on leveraging public-private partnerships for innovative housing solutions with local panelists and break-out discussions on January 17 at Donovan Pavilion. 1600 S Frontage Rd W, Vail, CO 81657. Book today at https://apx1.co/tickets.Colorado Municipal League Legislative Workshop
February 14, 2019 at History Colorado in Denver – More info and register here.
Plan to attend the CML Annual Legislative Workshop. Municipal officials from across the state will gather to discuss key municipal issues before the 2019 General Assembly, CML’s legislative program, and what municipal officials can do to influence the legislative process. CML will host an open house reception for state legislators and all attendees following the workshop at the CML offices.
2019 Saving Places Conference – Colorado Preservation, Inc.
The 2019 Saving Places® Conference will focus on The Next Generation of Preservation: A CALL TO ACTION which will explore the changes, threats, challenges, and successes of the preservation movement along with the communities and leaders working to move it forward. You can expect over 80 engaging sessions, workshops, and tours. AIA and APA credits available including a Preservation Leadership Training offered by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
2019 Workplace Health Symposium
This symposium will bring together Colorado’s workplace health leaders to discuss how they can shift from implementer to influencer to build a thriving, human workplace at their organizations. Keynote speaker Rosie Ward, PhD is a leader, author, consultant, coach, and speaker whose purpose is to re-humanize the workplace. The symposium is geared towards anyone interested in the health of their or other employees.
Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute’s Annual Conference: Western Places/ Western Spaces: Designing for the Future
March 7-8 at the University of Denver
The theme is disruption and how to plan for an uncertain future full of unknown changes to business practices, new technologies, and disasters. This year’s program will look at disruptive influences in housing, transportation, natural resources management, and urban planning, as well as how communities across the West are meeting this challenge. To learn more and register, visit www.law.du.edu/rmlui. Water in the West Symposium
March 13-14 in Gaylord Resort & Conference Center, Aurora, CO
Join leaders from diverse disciplines to dive deep into water issues affecting the region and to explore innovative solutions to water challenges. Hear from nationally renowned speakers and learn about the efforts of various sectors in leveraging research, innovation, education, and creative policies to address the most pressing global water issues. For more information, visit nwc.colostate.edu. Angel Capital Summit 2019 | March 26-27
The Angel Capital Summit is the largest Angel Investing event in Colorado and has connected early-stage investors with high-growth entrepreneurs for over 11 years. Over two days, we bring together investors, pitching companies and thought leaders. Angel Capital Summit is focused on early stage companies who are best suited for seed round investments. We have resources for new and experienced angels alike. If you are interested in either side of the private equity table, you should be involved in this event. The application and early-bird registration windows are currently open. We would love to see you there! Offered by the Rockies Venture Club. 21st Century Energy Transition Symposium
April 1-2 at the Grand Hyatt in Denver, CO
Hosted by Colorado Energy Research Collaboratory and its partners University of Colorado, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University, and National Renewable Laboratory. This event will be of interest to those in all sources of the energy industry; environmental researchers and scientists; venture capitalists and philanthropic organizations; energy-related organizations; entrepreneurs; federal, state, and local governments; regulators; utilities; and students and faculty. Visit cercsymposium.org/symposium-2019 for more information. Downtown Colorado Inc. Annual Conference: “In the Game”
April 9 – 12, 2019 in Aspen
Join DCI and downtown champions from around the region as we focus on harnessing national, state, and local resources to expand our toolkit and understanding of creating vibrant downtowns. Early Bird Registration available until Monday, January 28, 2019. Register here.
The Advance Colorado Procurement Expo
Every year, businesses are invited to participate in this day-long event, which focuses on state and local government procurement. Small businesses (sellers) exhibit throughout the day to showcase their goods and services to local and state government agencies (buyers). Exhibitors are able to meet with procurement professionals from those agencies to learn how to best sell their goods and services to them. In addition to the expo hall, training sessions are held in the afternoon on the topics of government procurement. There is also a keynote speaker during lunch, as well as engaging one-on-one sessions between buyers and sellers.
Save the Date! 2019 NWCCOG Regional Economic Summit
The second annual summit will once again be held at the Silverthorne Pavilion on Thursday, May 2, 2019 Save the Date!!
Save the Date! 2019 Colorado Creative Industries Summit
May 16-17 in Salida, Colorado
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