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Care Forward Colorado

Ready for your next step?
Launch your healthcare career with Care Forward Colorado!

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Care Forward Colorado is revitalizing Colorado’s healthcare workforce through zero-cost, short-term training programs at Trinidad State College. In a year or less, trainees can learn skills to become a certified nursing assistant, emergency services professional, and many more professions that are desperately needed in Colorado’s healthcare facilities.

Why Healthcare?

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, Colorado faced deep shortages in entry-level health care positions. By 2023, phlebotomists and pharmacy technicians will grow by 38% and 24%, and general healthcare support jobs are projected to jump by 16%, according to data from the Colorado Talent Pipeline Report

Care Forward Colorado will help the state rebuild its depleted healthcare workforce while providing zero-cost pathways that lead to living-wage, high-growth careers.

How Does It Work?

Starting in Fall 2022, students who enroll in one of the following healthcare certificate programs will have tuition, fees, and course materials covered as Care Forward Colorado funding allows.

Health care jobs are some of the fastest-growing in Colorado—and they provide a solid wage that can support a family. In a year or less, you can be well prepared to start working in one of these high-growth careers.

Once you earn your certificate, you’ll be in demand for jobs. Start your new health care occupation immediately or continue your education—or both!

Next Steps

All you have to do is:

  1. Apply to Trinidad State College.
  2. Apply for financial aid.
  3. Whatever financial aid doesn’t cover, Care Forward Colorado will!

Care Forward Colorado is made possible by Senate Bill 22-226, which dedicates $26 million in state recovery dollars to train healthcare workers across Colorado. The bill was signed by Gov. Polis in May and sponsored by Senators Sonya Jacquez Lewis and Bob Rankin and Representative Kyle Mullica.

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