Colorado Talent Academy
Early Childhood Education Employer Collaborative Western Region REGIONAL SNAPSHOT Priority industries from the Opportunity Now Regional Talent Summits: »
Construction
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Early Childhood Education
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Healthcare
Sector Partnerships: »
Montrose Manufacturers Association
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Greater Montrose Early Childcare Collaborative
THE CHALLENGE Western Colorado faces a severe shortage of qualified ECE professionals. Turnover is fueled by limited access to training, low wages for skilled roles, and high burnout. Without action, shortages will keep parents out of the workforce, slow economic growth, strain employers, and limit opportunities for children.
LABOR MARKET INSIGHTS
1,300 INDUSTRY FOCUS Early Childhood Education
ECE jobs across the region
This collaborative will strengthen Western Colorado’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) workforce by building sustainable talent pipelines that prepare educators for essential roles.
$22.94/HR
Why ECE:
$15.59/HR
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Access to childcare is a critical economic infrastructure that supports every other sector in Mesa County and beyond.
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Universal Pre-K Expansion: In 2023, Colorado began offering 10–15 hours per week of free care for four-year-olds (and some three-year-olds) regardless of income, which increased demand but left many providers struggling to staff classrooms. The success of Colorado’s Universal Pre-K expansion depends on a sustainable talent pipeline, and this plan proposes solutions to mitigate that shortage.
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Portions of western Colorado are considered a childcare desert.
Regional living wage for a single adult
Median wages for childcare workers
$17.09/HR
Median wages for preschool teachers
Roles pay low wages, discouraging entry despite high demand.
★ NORTH STAR
Build a sustainable, scalable early childhood education workforce in Western Colorado, so families can access affordable, high-quality care, children get the support they need to thrive, and parents can work, strengthening the region’s long-term vitality.
GOALS & ACTIVITIES This collaborative will utilize the Talent Pipeline Management® framework to design a regional ECE workforce strategy and a clear roadmap for Western Colorado that can be applied to other regions in the future. MONTHS 1–2
Organize Employer Collaboratives Confirm pilot partners in Mesa, Montrose, Delta, and Garfield counties. MONTHS 3–5
Engage in Demand Planning Convene a collaborative of ECE employers and partners, and analyze market data.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES 1
Launch at least one pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship pathway program in each county.
2
Establish a clear ECE career lattice.
3
Engage at least 10 ECE professionals and 5 employers in the pilot.
4
Establish a sustainable funding mechanism for workforce stabilization.
5
Demonstrate measurable improvement in retention and reduced classroom closures due to staffing.
MONTHS 3–5
Communicate Competency & Credential Requirements Validate employer needs and community needs. MONTHS 3–5
Analyze Talent Flows Explore tactics and identify best-fit strategies, then align solutions with funding streams, education providers, and community partners. MONTHS 6–7
Build Talent Supply Chains Launch pilot programs in four counties and develop an ECE career lattice.
LEARN MORE coloradosucceeds.org/talentacademy
MONTH 8
Continuous Improvement Create a regional ECE Workforce Playbook to replicate model across additional counties.
SPONSORED BY
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH