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Two weatherization technicians use a thermal imaging camera to detect heat loss in a home.

Colorado Climate Workforce Development

Colorado Climate Workforce Development

Growing Colorado’s climate workforce to build our clean energy future.

A strong climate workforce is essential to achieve a clean energy future for all Coloradans while providing stable, good-paying jobs for people across the state. This workforce spans many sectors from homes and buildings to transportation to electricity generation, storage, and transmission.

The Colorado Energy Office (CEO) aims to build and support sustainable workforce pipelines to ensure Colorado can meet its climate goals. CEO works with community organizations, local and state government agencies, training providers, and employers to enable more pathways for high-quality job training and career opportunities. 
Sign up for updates on Energy Career and Training Opportunities

Header Photo by Dennis Schroeder / NREL

Programs & Initiatives

Weatherization: Energy Efficiency Registered Apprenticeship Program

The Colorado Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) helps income-qualified Coloradans save money and improve their home’s comfort and safety through no-cost energy efficiency and conservation solutions. The Energy Efficiency Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) is an entry-level job and training opportunity to become an energy efficiency technician for WAP. RAPs combine paid on-the-job training with classroom learning to prepare apprentices for a career in weatherization.
Learn more about the RAP and other Weatherization Careers

A man conducts a blower door test to test for air leaks at a home.

Two people install solar panels on a home's rooftop in Colorado's foothills.

Solar: Colorado Solar for All Workforce Program

With funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Colorado Solar for All (COS4A) will provide solar to income-qualified Coloradans, including single-family and multi-family rooftop solar and community solar gardens. As a part of the broader program strategy, the Colorado Energy Office will offer a grant program by the end of 2025, providing funding to develop the solar workforce and support the expanded workforce needs of the Solar for All programs.

The Colorado Energy Office has developed a workforce plan for COS4A to help address workforce needs and support high-quality solar jobs by building on existing programs and investing in new opportunities. The plan was informed, in part, by a Colorado Solar Contractors Workforce Survey, which was conducted in April 2025. This plan aims to increase the baseline workforce and upskill the existing workforce. 
Learn more about Colorado Solar for All

Heat Pumps: Training for Residential Energy Contractors Program

CEO was awarded funds from the U.S. Department of Energy through its Training for Residential Energy Contractors (TREC) program. CEO will open Requests for Applications (RFAs) later this summer for the following project types:

  • Upskilling the current HVAC/R workforce in heat pump technology
  • Building out training programs at training institutions for new entrants into the heat pump HVAC/R workforce. 

Sign up for TREC updates

For contractors who install heat pumps:
Learn more about the Heat Pump Tax Credit Program

A person installs an air-source heat pump on the side of a multi-story building.

Two women work on an electrical box at the side of a house that will get hooked up to the solar panels.
Photo by Joe DelNero, NREL

Colorado Climate Workforce Development Study

CEO will publish a report this fall that will model and identify gaps in Colorado’s climate workforce and provide recommendations to address these gaps. 
Sign up for updates on the Colorado Climate Workforce Study

Photo by Joe DelNero / NREL

Clean Transportation: Zero Emissions Vehicle Workforce

From EV Charging Infrastructure Technicians to Electric Vehicle Technicians/Mechanics, CEO is investing in our clean transportation workforce. 

Our partners at the Office of Innovative Mobility (OIM) at the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) launched the OIM Grants Platform to provide grants to private, public, non-profit, and local agencies to fund innovative mobility and electrification solutions in the state of Colorado. 
Learn more about OIM Grants

Additionally, CDOT runs a monthly Zero Emissions Vehicle Workforce virtual meeting to discuss trends, new programs, and employer needs within this workforce sector. 
Learn more about the Zero Emissions Vehicle Workforce Development Group

Photo by Andrew Maguire

A red electric vehicle is plugged in getting ready to charge at a fast charging station with Colorado's state logo on it.
Photo by Andrew Maguire

Additional Resources