Since its founding in 2020 by former DaVita CEO Kent Thiry, Colorado Thrives has evolved into a coalition of CEOs and business leaders from Colorado’s leading employers dedicated to empowering Coloradans to thrive through good jobs and economic mobility. The organization has consistently worked to address a critical reality in our state: while talent is everywhere – from the Eastern Plains to the Western Slope, from mountain towns to city centers – opportunity isn’t.
Evolution of Colorado Thrives’ Employer-Powered Approach
In 2020, Colorado Thrives partnered with ZomaLab, Strada Education Network, and Techstars to launch the Techstars Workforce Development Accelerator.
- This three-year initiative provides startup businesses and select nonprofit organizations with tools to tackle the challenges of the labor market, helping create innovative solutions through technology, business models, and hands-on mentorship.
In 2021, Colorado Thrives expanded its focus to building talent partnerships and adapting hiring practices.
- AdvanceEDU: A groundbreaking initiative offering a new kind of college experience in Colorado. In partnership with trusted universities, AdvanceEDU provides nontraditional students with affordable access to degree programs, personalized coaching, and a supportive community while balancing work and family responsibilities.
- EforAll: Supporting entrepreneurship as a pathway to economic mobility, Colorado Thrives supported EforAll’s expansion into Longmont and other Colorado communities, providing accelerator programs, workshops and co-working resources.
- SyncUp Colorado: A project of ZOMALAB that aligns with Colorado Thives’ mission to connect talent supply with job demand. In 2021, Colorado Thrives supported a SyncUp-led $5M prize pool addressing the challenge: “How might we accelerate education-to-employment partnerships that support Coloradans ages 12-24 to make informed choices and obtain job-relevant skills to build quality careers?” In November, SyncUp Colorado https://www.syncupcolorado.org/winners, showcasing innovators across the state who are developing early- and mid-stage solutions to this challenge.
In 2022, Colorado Thrives continued investing in organizations addressing workforce development challenges:
- Breakthrough: Focused on transforming the lives of individuals with criminal histories through a holistic approach including career education, community engagement, re-entry support, fair opportunity hiring, and criminal justice advocacy.
- Endeavor Colorado: Helping entrepreneurs scale their businesses and become deeply engaged in Colorado’s civic life through a network of mentors, investors, and peers.
Moving Forward: 2030 Vision
Today, Colorado Thrives has set a bold goal that represents our commitment: we will upskill or place 30,000 Coloradas into good jobs by 2030. This work is driven by an employer-powered approach that:
- Organizes demand signals by having employers prioritize and communicate job demand and the skills needed for success.
- Develops and scales partnerships with education and training providers to connect local talent with employer demand.
- Measures and scales impact by tracking outcomes and sharing successful strategies.
Colorado Thrives remains committed to helping hard-working Coloradans thrive through jobs that work for them, ensuring that our state has the homegrown talent needed for a vibrant, inclusive economy.
