Annual Colorado Talent Pipeline Report Released

Tuesday, December 8, 2020

DENVER — The Colorado Workforce Development Council today released the seventh annual Colorado Talent Pipeline Report, which analyzes issues related to the supply and demand of talent in Colorado. The report offers a collection of strategies, investments, and policy recommendations in response to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I encourage you all to examine this report and its recommendations, put these strategies into action, and partner with us as we work to promote the best policy for Coloradans in each corner of our state,” said Governor Jared Polis. “We will not only recover from these crises, but together we will build back stronger than before.”

Making sure Colorado’s economy bounces back stronger includes purposeful equitable practices, reskilling and upskilling, investment in programs with promising results, and career-connected education so all Coloradans may prosper, regardless of life circumstances.

The 2020 Talent Pipeline report identifies:

  • Leading industries and occupations, 

  • Key features of the current labor force

  • COVID-19 impact and response 

  • Strategies to align supply with industry demand

  • Top jobs 

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the future of work trends and highlighted inequity in the state’s education and workforce systems. In order to build back stronger, Colorado must focus on its talent pipeline in order to facilitate an equitable economic recovery that creates more opportunity for prosperity throughout the state.

The 2020 Talent Pipeline Report recommendations outline what is possible to facilitate economic advancements in the coming year. This collection of strategies, investments, and policy recommendations formulates a bold response to the COVID-19 pandemic that will stimulate growth by stabilizing, accelerating, and preparing all segments of the labor force for the immediate and long-term future. 

“The plan for recovery included in the 2020 Talent Pipeline Report was developed collaboratively by state agencies and private partners, and it will require collective action across sectors to be successful,” said Lee Wheeler-Berliner, CWDC managing director. “The plan is grounded by a focus on equity, a core value of the CWDC and necessary focus given the disproportionate economic impacts of COVID-19 on low-income individuals and Coloradans of color.” 

The data and recommendations provided in previous Talent Pipeline Reports have led to the Colorado State Legislature passing more than 50 bills to support talent development.

The Colorado Workforce Development Council produces the Talent Pipeline Report in partnership with the Colorado Departments of Higher Education, Education, Labor and Employment, and the Office of Economic Development and International Trade, with support from the Department of Human Services, Regulatory Agencies, the Office of State Planning and Budgeting, the State Demography Office at the Department of Local Affairs, along with other partners.

For the complete 2020 Talent Pipeline Report, please visit: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cwdc/colorado-talent-pipeline-report