Southern Colorado Construction Sector Partnership Launch 7/20/2026

Meeting Minutes

Meeting started with introductions of the board members, followed by general introductions, including why people joined the conversation today.

David Scott introduced the Sector Partnerships Vision, Mission and Purpose

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Lindsay Brown talked about how we got here and who supported the effort to get to this point, special Thank you to Meheerah, former board member for his contributions.

She also recognized local agencies and programs in existence in the Southern Colorado region and the work thy are already doing.

The partnership wants to act as a hub and connector to resources for local businesses, organizations and agencies. Spreading the word of what is currently being done, bringing the business voice into the conversation and giving the construction sector our own identity and doing what is best for our region.

She raised the question on how to bring existing resources and programs to our region and becoming a part of the ecosystem within Colorado, connecting the sandboxes.

Linday shared outputs from prior brainstorming session, to identify what is already working and areas of opportunity. Compiling the information produced the 5 buckets for today’s Purple Wall exercise.

Stephen Feucht shared the need for more input from different perspectives to have everyone’s voice heard, hoping to create no cost access to information and resources through engagement in the Sector Partnership.

To connect with the partnership, see our website … or email us at…

Jeff Barratt expressed his excitement about the forming of the partnership in southern Colorado, using the partnership as a conduit or task force for his legislative work.

Purple Wall Exercise

Workforce Development:

What is already working

• CTE-well connected, collaborative school partners (49)

• The Mill, D3

• CICC, Careers in construction Colorado (HBA, Glenn Hard, Marlo Asher)

• Construction Career Days (EPCCA)

• Debbie Shackleford, Apprenticeship Colorado

• Transitioning Military, TAP

Opportunities

• Coordinated industry engagement in workforce development (supporting CICC, creating internship opportunities & apprenticeships)

• Engage more schools in programs like CICC

• Earlier career exposure (K-8) with events like Touch a truck

• How do we connect interested students/individuals to businesses that will employ and train them

• Create Pre and or Apprenticeship opportunities and how do we connect folks to these opportunities

• Parent education about careers in the trades & earning potential

• Educator/Mentor shortage in the workplace (Train the trainer)

• Succession planning

• Expand existing programs to rural areas

• Student barriers (dropouts, transportation, tools & gear, childcare, DL)

• Funding for programs

• Industry time commitment, pulled in too many directions with limited resources

 Bridge the “they don’t know what they don’t know” for students and businesses

Workforce retention

What is already working

• CITC Construction industry training council, Vocational trade school (apprenticeships, certification programs)

• VA (GI bill)

• ESGR employer support of the guard & reserve

• Synergy between ABI & NCCER

Opportunities

• Connect more individuals with CITC, HS students, carpentry apprentice to CM degree

• Training beyond technical skills

• Focus on learning, not teaching (Mentorship, support, train the trainer)

• Clear Career pathways/advancement

• Safety initiatives

• Women in Construction

o Physical safety

o Analyze pay gaps

o Professional development

• Mental health and well being

• Work life balance

• Recognition

• Age focused awareness

• Suicide prevention

• How are resources shared/communicated to workers

Asset Analysis

What is already working

• Strong network, industry supports education (CICC, EPCCA, AGC, HBA…..)

• Apprenticeship, ICC, Mechanical, HVAC

• Many school districts with trades programs

• Safety training conversations, safety is a priority

Opportunities

• Streamline Certifications across industry

• Students need to graduate further along the skilled trade pathway

• CTE teacher shortage, provide stipend, summer incentives & training

 Possible funding opportunity with CWDC for teacher externships

 So many great orgs, but what do they all do find the redundancy and how do we connect to all the existing resources

Advocacy connections

What is already working

• Sector Partnerships

• Common Sense Institute, Think tank

• AGC

• Exception from DOL for work @15 yrs old

Opportunities

• State regulations make it hard for businesses to stay, 98 employers have left Co since 1998 taking 13607 jobs with them

• How does SoCo get a voice in legislative sessions in Denver/capitol

• How do we include small business owners to have their voices heard

• I s the connection with the state working to align school incentives like industry certs

• Provide legislative education for businesses

Business resources

What is already working

• CICC

• Careers in construction Colorado

• SBDC, PPWFC, HBA

• ACC, CMIC Procore scholarships and engagement

• Grants directly to HS programs, HS control the narrative, Perkins

• HS curriculum education

• Tax letters to businesses for supporting schools (HB26/1317)

• AGC, legislative advocacy & support, Jeff will share

Opportunities

• Small business scaling

• Regional expansion of programs, give SoCo leverage to plug into existing resources without having to go to Denver

• Sharing what is working elsewhere

• Succession planning

• Employee ownership transition

• Technology adaption AI

• Training people to talk to students

Call to Action

 Spread the word

 Who is missing

 Join the meetings

 Join a action group