THE GOVERNOR'S NEWSLETTER |
I send my warmest wishes to all Coloradans this holiday season. Merry Christmas and may our holiday celebrations be filled with joy and time well spent with loved ones.
I know you think this world is too dark to even dream in color,
but I’ve seen flowers bloom at midnight.
I’ve seen kites fly in gray skies
and they were real close to looking like the sunrise,
and sometime it takes the most wounded wings
the most broken things
to notice how strong the breeze is,
how precious the flight.
-Andrea Gibson 1975-2025
If you’re looking for any last-minute gifts, I encourage you to take a look at the Colorado Proud Gift Guide, featuring unique and Colorado-created gifts from local shops and grocers. What a great way to shop local and support fellow Coloradans’ small businesses.
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Announcing Innovative Vision for Colorado Learners, Jobseekers, & Employers |
I joined Legislative, education and workforce leaders from across the state to release a new report outlining a strong new vision for higher education and workforce development in Colorado. I took action earlier this year by issuing
Executive Order 2025-006, Reimagining the Future of Colorado’s Postsecondary Talent Development System
, which directed state agencies to analyze Colorado’s current post-secondary talent system and develop recommendations for positive change.
To best serve all Coloradans, we are boldly reimagining how our post-secondary education, training, and employment systems are serving Colorado learners, jobseekers, workers, and employers. Colorado is a growing hub of innovation, attracting growing businesses, and fostering emerging sectors. That is why we are taking the necessary steps to grow our economy and ensure every Coloradan has more opportunities.
Based on input gathered from leaders in education and workforce, community partners, site visits, surveys, responses to public presentations, research into current efforts in and beyond Colorado over the course of several months, the report recommends an innovative model that brings together and streamlines higher education and workforce development services.
This includes a State Agency that:
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Serves as a one-stop shop to resources for Colorado learners, jobseekers, and employers
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Outlines clear educational pathways, connecting Coloradans to good careers and more opportunities
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Streamlines support for employers to engage with future employees
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Strengthens Colorado's workforce and economy
Colorado has made a lot of progress during our administration to create more avenues for Coloradans to succeed, but there is more work ahead. According to the report, approximately 936,000 Coloradans (35% of all workers) earn less than $25 per hour. Over one million Coloradans aged 25 to 64 have only a high school diploma. Half a million started college but did not complete a degree. It is expected that by 2031, 73% of all jobs in Colorado (2,232,000 jobs) will require some postsecondary training beyond high school. Colorado businesses report labor shortages and workforce issues as their top challenge with an insufficient supply of skilled talent impacting their workforce planning. This sentiment is reflected globally, with 63% of employers considering skills gaps to be the most
significant impediment to business transformation.
This report builds upon that work in creating a unified postsecondary talent development system in Colorado that can deliver consistent positive outcomes for learners, jobseekers, workers, and businesses that engage within a single entity.
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New Task Force to Combat Pine Beetle Outbreak |
I joined Forestry experts, local leaders, partners across key sectors, to take proactive steps to address the major pine beetle outbreak taking hold in the Front Range. I took Executive Action to create a new task force to protect Colorado forests and communities from the impact the mountain pine beetle will have, particularly on Colorado’s Front Range ponderosa forests, over the next decade. The task force will develop strategies to help protect Colorado communities, critical water resources and forests, support Colorado’s outdoor recreation economy, and enhance fire mitigation and response efforts.
In addition to the task force, I will seek to extend and boost key wildfire mitigation and beetle kill tax incentives, as well as seek funding for critical wildfire mitigation, community outreach, and research needs, and resources to draw larger federal funding streams.
Colorado has long been a leader in forest health and fire mitigation efforts, and this is no exception. As the latest outbreak of pine beetles begins to take shape along the densely populated Front Range, we are taking an aggressive approach to boost tools and partnerships to help protect our communities, forests, and key water sources, and equipping homeowners with the resources they need to better protect their homes. I am grateful to our local partners, foresters, and leaders across sectors for helping us take action on this issue.
Aerial forest health surveys conducted in 2025 by the U.S. Forest Service and Colorado State Forest Service reveal a significant and expanding mountain pine beetle outbreak in ponderosa pine forests up and down the Front Range, with pockets of brown and beetle-killed trees already visible along the U.S. 285 and I-70 corridors. Warmer temperatures, ongoing drought, and the absence of sustained cold periods have weakened trees and created ideal conditions for beetle survival and spread - conditions expected to continue into the next decade.
Colorado will release additional information on task force appointments, timelines, and opportunities for public engagement in early 2026. To learn more about the Mountain Pine Beetle, visit the Colorado State Forest Service webpage. For Jefferson County residents, you can visit the Mountain Pine Beetle resource page.
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First Gentleman Marlon Reis is hosting regular educational events at the Governor’s Mansion. Subject matter experts will present on the issue briefly, with time for audience Q&A afterwards.
Please join the upcoming Speaker Series focusing on reducing bird-window collisions.
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WHEN: Tuesday, January 13th from 10:30am - 12pm
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WHERE: The Governor’s Residence at the Boettcher Mansion, 400 E 8th Ave, Denver, CO, 80203
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ABOUT: Join us to learn more about how to reduce bird-window collisions.
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Please RSVP via the registration form if you plan to attend.
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📰America 250- Colorado 150 Newsletter Sign-Up
As we continue building momentum toward Colorado’s 150th and America’s 250th anniversaries in 2026, we encourage everyone to stay informed and engaged with the latest America 250 - Colorado 150 news, events, and opportunities. This newsletter is designed for a statewide audience; anyone who signs up will receive updates, stories, and ways to participate in the commemoration on the first of each month: Link to sign up for the newsletter. |
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Stay Updated with Governor Polis! |
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This email was sent by: Colorado Governor's Office Proper
200 E Colfax Ave Denver, CO, 80203, USA
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