DENVER - On May 20, 2025, Governor Polis signed an Executive Order directing Colorado’s state agencies to work together with the Department of Education to help more post-high school learners access needed credentials. The Governor was joined by Department of Higher Education executive director Dr. Angie Paccione, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment executive director Joe Barela, Office of Economic Development and International Trade executive director Eve Lieberman, Colorado Department of Regulatory Affairs executive director Patty Salazar, and leaders from the Colorado Department of Education. 

“Colorado is a national leader in helping students and workers develop needed skills to enter the job market with credentials and build a successful career. We’ve broken down barriers to apprenticeships, made it free to attend community college for in-demand credentials, and created new ways to help Coloradans succeed. This Executive Order builds on that work by ensuring our state meets learners and earners where they are and helps Coloradans get a meaningful job. We’re asking how our state agencies and operations can better support Coloradans throughout successful lives and careers," said Governor Jared Polis. 

The Executive Order directs the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, the Colorado Department of Higher Education, the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, and the Office of Economic Development and International Trade to work with the Governor’s Office and the Department of Education to develop recommendations to: 

• Seamlessly integrate postsecondary education, skills attainment, and training strategies to improve the flexibility and permeability of the system;
• Future-proof talent development by investigating and scaling strategies that help the postsecondary education and workforce development strategies be more adaptive and efficient;
• Improve the ability for learners, employers, community members, and State agencies to navigate the postsecondary talent development system;
• Increase postsecondary credential attainment, particularly for the students who historically have not connected to postsecondary education or training within six years of high school graduation; and
• Reduce bureaucratic barriers to cross-functional education and training. 

These recommendations are due by December 1, 2025. Read the Governor’s Executive Order.