A significant portion of Colorado's unemployed workforce experience barriers to employment. Disabilities, past incarceration, lack of childcare, and educational attainment challenges plague a workforce that just wants to get back to work. 

Too many Coloradans are living paycheck to paycheck and worried about how they are going to financially support their families. From a recent survey of CO residents: “The high cost of living and the lack of attainable housing both...[were cited as]...one of the top two things that make it more difficult to reel in and keep valuable staffers” (Sum & Substance; 9/7/23).

For employers, Colorado is becoming increasingly unattractive for a business’s ability to operate. A recent Colorado Chamber survey found that “48% of Colorado businesses have openings that they have had difficulty trying to fill.” (Sum & Substance; 9/7/23)

As the Governor mentioned in his State of the State 2024, salaries have not kept up with the increased costs of living.  “Since the start of 2022, higher interest rates and home values have driven the typical mortgage payment up over 70%, and income has simply not kept up” (Governor Polis, 1/11/24). 

Colorado leaders need to come together with employers and educational institutions to pass policy that help overcome barriers to entry into the workforce and provide equal opportunity for job retention and security. Colorado workers need policy solutions that foster well-paid job opportunities that help the workforce thrive in Colorado, not struggle to get by.